Old Patesians’ flagship team have dropped three divisions on the eve of the new rugby season.

It means the club’s 1^st XV will now compete in Counties 3 Gloucestershire North in 2002/23 instead of Regional 2 Severn.

In a statement chairman Matt Cape said: “The reality is that at a senior level the club do not currently have the infrastructure or ability to successfully compete at Level 6.”

The decision to drop to Level 9 follows extensive negotiations between Old Pats and both the RFU and Gloucestershire RFU.

The new campaign kicks off on Saturday – Old Pats host Matson 2nds in the 12-strong Counties 3 Gloucestershire North, a division that also includes Bredon Star, Cheltenham Civil Service, Chosen Hill 2nds, Fairford, Gloucester OBs, Minchinhampton, Norton, Stroud, Tewkesbury and Widden OBs.

Old Pats 2^nd XV, meanwhile, will play in Counties 4 Gloucestershire North – Level 10 – as originally planned, following the RFU’s extensive restructure of the league in the summer.

The Pats have been the number one club in Cheltenham for the past 20-plus years.

They rose quickly through the divisions in the 90s, and in the noughties played seven successive seasons of national league rugby.

They also won the RFU Intermediate Cup with a thrilling 25-24 win over Blaydon at the start of the century and Cape said in his statement that the club have “aspirations to climb the league structure and deliver success on and off the pitch”.

Matt Cape’s statement in full:

“The club have taken the very difficult decision to effectively relegate ourselves at 1st team level.

“This has been a very hard decision, which has been taken with great sadness but with a genuine focus on doing the right thing for the club, players and members to allow us to build a brighter future.

“The focus since the end of the last rugby season has been to strengthen the senior playing squad to provide a very young group of exciting players, many of whom have been at Old Pats since they were at junior school, with support and guidance from a small group of experienced players.

“The local rugby landscape is very competitive, with many clubs seeking to secure the services of the best players in the county.

“It has become apparent to all involved that the Old Pats aim of strengthening the squad will not be achieved in the short-term and the reality is that a number of players have decided to accept offers from other clubs.

“We are a community rugby club that exists to enable the players we develop as juniors to reach their potential and gain the benefits achieved when playing the amazing team sport that rugby is.

“Achieving this outcome requires a safe environment which encourages participation and delivers enjoyment.

“It has become clear to us that expecting a group of young players to safely and successfully compete at Level 6 is unrealistic and in fact asking them to do so would put their safety at risk and result in reduced participation and potential injury with significant implications for the players.

“This is not something that as a club we are willing to do.

“With this in mind, we have entered into open constructive dialogue with both the GRFU and the RFU to explore the options available to us as a club.

“Sadly, the only two options that existed were to carry on and hope that by some miracle the strength of the squad improves, people don't get injured and we become competitive at Level 6, or to move down the league structure to play at Level 9 with the 2nd team playing at Level 10.

“This will ensure that all players experience competitive league rugby and provide a platform to re-build.

“While neither of these is an ideal solution we have agreed with the GRFU and RFU that the safest option is to, reluctantly and with great sadness, request a league re-alignment to Level 9 and this is what we have done.

“The reality is that at a senior level the club do not currently have the infrastructure or ability to successfully compete at Level 6. 

“We will focus all our efforts on learning the lessons from the past and creating an environment that will enable the club and the players to build and develop in a sustainable way that supports the aspirations to climb the league structure and deliver success on and off the pitch. 

“We are committed to learning these lessons and making the right investments that will support long-term success.

“The club are financially very secure and have a fantastic junior section, which has proven time and again that it has the ability to develop players who wear the shirt with pride and have the capability to develop even further.

“We will work tirelessly to support them and successfully build the club back to a higher level over time. 

“While this is a very difficult period, the initial and longer term benefits to the club are significant.

“Firstly, we will be able to develop and retain the very young squad we have in a safer environment with the aim of securing promotions to the level we are best equipped to play at – this will be exciting and enjoyable for the players and support a positive environment.

“Secondly, playing at a lower level will be an easier transition for the current and future Colts to senior rugby ­– this will help us ensure they enjoy themselves and more of them will keep playing.

“Thirdly, we will be able to dedicate our attention to establishing the environment and infrastructure to sustain future success – this will enable us to ensure that the Old Pats has a very bright future and continue to play an active part as an inclusive community club.

“We would ask our members, supporters and past players to come and be part of shaping the future.

“The club rely on volunteers and while the decision has been hard to take we hope the project to build for the future will encourage new people to get involved.”