Gloucester launch new Squad of Thousands to keep the fans involved

GLOUCESTER Rugby Club is calling on the people and businesses of Gloucestershire to come together to support each other during this challenging period.

By launching a ‘Squad of Thousands’, the club hopes to unite fans and local businesses and provide opportunities for them to engage with the Cherry and Whites.

The Squad will have the chance to access exclusive content and moneycan’t-buy opportunities, giving them behind-the-scenes access to the team and club.

Coronavirus and the restrictions on fans attending games has meant the loss of millions of pounds of income for the club, and more beyond the gates of Kingsholm, with businesses from pubs to restaurants and taxi firms, as well as club partners suffering financially from a lack of fans on match days.

While the package of financial support and news of a limited return of fans to the stands next weekend is welcome news and a much-needed lifeline, Gloucester Rugby say there is still much work to be done.

Chief executive Lance Bradley said: “Gloucester Rugby Club has been an integral part of the Gloucestershire community since 1873.

“We employ almost 300 people from the local community and have worked with over 200 schools, local clubs and community groups through our Foundation.

“We’re passionate about the game and our community roots, so having no fans at games for the last nine months has not only been financially challenging for the club and the wider Gloucester business community, but also difficult for our fans, who live and breathe the Cherry and Whites.

“We’re incredibly excited that we’ll have some fans back from December, but also mindful that many won’t be able to see games live.

“With that in mind we’re launching our Squad of Thousands – a chance for fans and local businesses to maintain their connection to the team and our community.”

Former Gloucester and Eng;land centre Mike Tindall added: “We want to galvanise supporters to get behind the Cherry and Whites and do their part to protect the legacy.

“Gloucester Rugby is more than just a rugby team, it’s the cornerstone of the local and wider rugby community”.

Stephen Freeman, Managing Director of Freemans, the largest events company in the UK, who also manages the match day food and beverage at Kingsholm, said: “As a partner to Gloucester Rugby Club for more than 25 years, we know how important they are, not just to our own business, but to the wider Gloucestershire community.

“We’ve joined the Squad of Thousands and would encourage everyone to sign up too.”

To sign up to the Squad of Thousands, have the chance to win exclusive prizes and explore other ways to get involved with the club, visit www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/ join-our-squad-of-thousands.