Gloucester given licence to thrill their loyal Kingsholm crowd
Johan Ackermann wants to play exciting rugby in pursuit of silverware, writes Daniel Schofield
Johan Ackermann was a couple of months into his reign as Gloucester head coach when he discovered just how passionate their supporters can be. Ackermann had got chatting to an elderly couple in an airport before a Challenge Cup group match away to Pau. He asked how many away games they attended a season, expecting them to reply the odd one or two. Every one, the woman replied. It turns out they have missed just a single Gloucester game in the past 10 years and only then because of an ill-timed family wedding.
“I was blown away,” Ackermann said. “Imagine this elderly couple travelling to every game over 10 years, whether that is in Ireland, Italy or France. Just the financial investment that takes is very special. They are so passionate, especially your older supporters. They tell me about the Seventies and Eighties, the former players and the matches they can remember. They are the heart and soul of the club.
“That means we are representing people who are really passionate about the game. I always say to the players that those people come with the expectation to see us play good rugby. They must see commitment. They must see a team playing for each other. We can’t let them down.”
Whether they are labelled success-starved or long-suffering, there is no doubting the depth of loyalty at Kingsholm. There have been Challenge Cup and Anglowelsh successes along the way, but none of the trophies that truly matter. Three times Gloucester have finished top of the league, three times they have seen another team lift the Premiership title, most cruelly in 2003, when the play-off system was introduced. They remain the only club never to have won the league or been relegated.
“It is a funny one isn’t it?” Willi Heinz, the captain, said. “You look at Gloucester and you would say they are the perennial underachievers in many ways. You get to this point in the season and when you look at the squad you say they should be up there challenging for honours.
“For whatever reason that has not happened. I just think that the supporters deserve more. The whole club deserves more in terms of success.”
So will this season be any different? No one is audacious enough to say so publicly, but there is no mistaking the air of confidence around their Hartpury training base. Gloucester have done the best business of any Gallagher Premiership club this summer and now possess serious depth throughout their squad.
Proven Premiership performers have arrived in the shape of Danny Cipriani and Matt Banahan, who make their debuts today against Northampton, while teak-tough South African forwards Ruan Dreyer, Jaco Kriel, Franco Marais, Franco Mostert and Gerbrandt Grobler have been imported. Four have arrived from the Lions, Ackermann’s former club.
“Getting the guys in from the Lions was a really smart move because those guys know how Johan wants to play,” Heinz said. “While they are new to the club, they can almost show us the way a little bit and that has been really valuable in pre-season. Then you add in Danny and Matt, two guys who know what it takes to win throughout the season.”
Of course, there have been plenty of false dawns. Gloucester started last season by beating champions Exeter 28-21 via a last-minute Jason Woodward try. Saracens were also turned over at Kingsholm, but the season eventually petered out with a seventh-place finish.
Perhaps the biggest difference from 12 months ago is that Ackermann has had a whole pre-season to work with the squad, having arrived last season a week before the curtain-raiser against Exeter. “Being here physically allows you to see and do so much more than trying to do things over the phone or email,” Ackermann said. “Last week, we had almost no base to work from. Now I can walk away from here knowing everyone is on the same page.”
Central to Ackermann’s vision is playing heads-up, running rugby, which is why Cipriani’s signing is so important. “He has that X-factor and he will have free licence,” Ackermann said. “Our players have a lot of freedom and that’s why he is such a good fit for us.
“We want to play an exciting brand of rugby and hopefully, when the supporters come to the game, they will see tries and walk away satisfied.”
Even if he cannot promise a Premiership title, Ackermann can guarantee entertainment to Gloucester’s ever-patient supporters this season.