Head coach Terry Fanolua has left Cheltenham North Rugby Club.

He has been replaced by Matt Coles, who will be in charge when the club’s flagship team host Coney Hill in a pre-season friendly tonight, the first game under their new floodlights.

Coles, a well-known coach in the area, is being supported by club legend and former club captain Danny Thomas as backs, fitness and conditioning coach with club chairman Paul Carter saying: “Matt is already under way with some serious forwards coaching while Danny is looking after the backs.

"The coaching set-up at Cheltenham North for this season is incredibly strong.”

Fanolua, a stand-out centre with Gloucester back in the 90s and noughties, was at the North for 12 months after taking over in difficult circumstances and Carter has thanked him for his efforts over the past year as well as wishing him well in the future.

“He took the North through an incredibly tough season in 2021/22,” Carter said. “Cheltenham North, like many rugby clubs nationally and locally, suffered hugely from the lack of return to rugby.

“Discussions with how the club rebuilds have been ongoing for many months, with a focus on player recruitment for the coming season.

“There were differences in the club’s vision for the future growth and recruitment at the North and Terry’s departure, although disappointing, was a mutual decision.

“Although it is sad to see someone of Terry’s incredible technical coaching abilities leave our set-up, we have to look at how we rebuild our historic rugby club across the board.

“As part of our vision, we were not able to commit to a large number of southern hemisphere players coming into the club and we wanted to look more locally at the rugby talent available in the area, which we have been successful in doing.

“We have made a huge amount of progress in the off-season which will deliver dividends for the season that lies ahead.

"I recognise that last season we relied on a large number of Fijian playing members to support us and we were incredibly fortunate and privileged to have them play for the club and we’re delighted that a small number of them will be returning to play this season.

“We also fielded many of our younger players and Colts last season, all of whom stepped up when they were needed.

"We’re delighted to say this season all of our younger players are back and training hard for which I and the club are extremely appreciative and proud.

“The club have also seen an influx of new players and our training numbers have been great.”

Coles is really looking forward to the new season, saying: “It’s a great set-up and we’re delighted with the positive move forward on coaching and our vision for the club.”

Coles would like to start with a win tonight, of course, a game that will be attended by Gloucester, England and British Lions legend Mike Teague.

And Teague, along with everyone else at Stoke Road, will be able to see the hard work that has gone into the club over the summer.

“Our existing floodlights were not RFU compliant, they were old and in need of updating,” said Carter. “They have been replaced with state of the art LED lights, which are controlled via WiFi.”

While undertaking the floodlights project the club have taken the opportunity to invest in other areas.

“The first team pitch – arguably one of the best grass pitches in the county – has seen the goal posts remodelled, along with the subs benches and shelters for both home and away teams,” said Carter.

And that’s not all. New spectator areas have been improved and increased, including new disabled access to the banks. There’s been new planting across the grounds of meadow grass and wild flower mix and water supplies across the whole pitch area.

The North have also invested heavily in both player welfare and facilities which, Carter says, “we believe will be some of the best in the county and beyond, further future-proofing the club.”

Carter continues: “These investments are important if we are to attract new local playing talent to the club.

“In total, our new strength and conditioning gym, new sports therapy units, sports therapists and player insurance – above and beyond the basic RFU cover – represent an investment of over £120,000 this year and we are confident it will pay dividends.”

The North will be playing in the 12-strong Counties 1 Western North – Level 7 – this season. Tonight’s game kicks off at 7.30pm.