History

The tump end

Gloucester Football Club was formed on the September 13, 1873 following an announcement in the Gloucester Journal. The famous 'Cherry and Whites' jersey did not originally belong to the club. Painswick RFC, based in Gloucestershire and the oldest village club, are the original 'Cherry and Whites'. After Gloucester's inception, Painswick RFC sent the new club 15 of their jerseys, but the Gloucester club never returned them. However in 2003 to celebrate Gloucester's 130th anniversary, Gloucester returned the favour and gave Painswick RFC 15 Gloucester jerseys.

Towards the 1920s Gloucester produced its first well know name in Tom Voyce, who was to be involved in the game for 54 years as both a player and an a administrator. As well as playing for Glos, he also served in the Gloucester Regiment. Whilst serving in the army, Tom would win 27 international caps and toured with the Lions in South Africa in 1924. A remarkable feat when you learn he lost an eye in the First World War!

The Club was well served by several players who were recognised for their endeavours in the colours of Gloucester RFC by representing England – Harold Boughton, Alfred Carpenter, Percy Hordern, Maurice McCanlis, Graham Parker, Leslie Saxby, Christopher Tanner, were all honoured with wearing the white shirt of England. Sadly Christopher Tanner lost his life serving his country in the Second World War.

Gloucester Rugby Club has always fielded a renowned pack of forwards. In the pre-war period during the 1930s the Club had six internationals and four England trialists. They could not claim a representative in the five-year period following the Second World War.

The dearth of players who could challenge for representative honours led to the Club becoming somewhat forward dominated in the following 25 year period. Off the field of play the Club could rightly claim that in the fifty-year period from the turn of the century it had produced three of the finest administrators the game had produced – Arthur Hudson, Arnold Alcock and Tom Voyce.

The 1950s commenced with the club introducing the first public address system. The Worcester street terrace was constructed in 1951. This remained in place until the commencement of the Buildbase stand in 2004. Floodlights were installed in 1967, Gloucester defeating the Bosuns 34-8 on their first floodlit outing.

On the field of play advanced tactical and skills training was introduced by England full back Don Rutherford who had joined the club. Don was a member of Percy Park RFC when he was first capped by England in January 1960. He joined Gloucester in 1964, and was capped as a Gloucester player versus Wales in 1965. Don later became a technical advisor to the England Rugby Union. The season 1969-1970 saw a record 57 fixtures fulfilled under the captaincy of Dick Smith. 33 of those were played at Kingsholm. The Club experienced their longest run of home matches without defeat in this period of 51 matches from 10 October 1970 to 23 September 1972. Not all was plain sailing in this period, for a 45 points to nil defeat at Coventry in the 1964-1965 season meant the Club encountered it’s heaviest away defeat. In the 1969-1970 season the Club played a record 57 fixtures.

In 1972 the Club rejoiced in the fact that they had won the first ever National knock-out competition defeating Moseley in the final at Twickenham by 17 points to 6. It was a match marred by the sending off of Nigel Horton of Moseley. Gloucester had defeated Bath 12 points to 3 (away), Bristol 15 points to 4 at the Memorial Ground, and London Welsh 9 points to 4 at Old Deer Park. They then drew 6 points all at Coventry, but as the team playing away, Gloucester had been deemed the winners according to the rule book

the Team who played that day vs. Moseley: Alan Brinn, Mike Burton, John Bayliss, Mickey Booth, Robin Cowling, Bob Clewes, John Dix, Ron Etheridge, Jerry Herniman, Nigel Jackson, John Haines, Jim Jarrett, Richard Jardine, Roy Morris, Mike Nicholls, Dave Owen, Mike Bayliss, Mike Potter, Mike Burton, Tom Palmer, Richard Smith, Eric Stephens, John Watkins and Roy White.

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