It all started with a chance phone call from one of the members of the local Baptist Church, of which I am the minister. He called John Boyers, chaplain of Manchester United football club, to ask John to speak at a function he was arranging.

John Boyers is in constant contact with the chaplain at Wasps, David Chawner, who knew Nigel Melville from his days at the London-based club. Nigel had happened to have been in contact with David about chaplaincy at Gloucester Rugby club. So the ball got rolling and there was a planned meeting between David Chawner and two other potential chaplains. I was invited to that meeting and as a result I was put forward for the role at Kingsholm. Various checks, and further conversations, gave me the OK and I was introduced to Nigel Melville, and there you have it in a nutshell.

Nothing amazing in that you might say, but, the chance contacts, the timing of events, the remarkable way in which everything came together, and knowing the decisions making process – yes, amazed, that sums up my feelings!

First and foremost I have to say what a privilege it is to be involved at Gloucester Rugby Club. Standing in a packed Shed on a sunny Saturday afternoon watching Marcel Garvey race down the wing to score another try in a convincing win over Newcastle Falcons, knowing that I was part of this in some small way. Indeed, only days earlier, Marcel had made me feel welcome to the club by coming over and introducing himself to me. It still doesn’t feel real, not even to me, who was brought up within the shadow of Twickenham.

So, can we expect divine intervention on the pitch now? Well, if we face Munster in Ireland for the semis, that might be handy, but it’s not quite what I’m there for! My role is to support the players and staff within the Club by providing pastoral and spiritual care to all, whether they have any religious beliefs or not. In practice, this will involve being available, by regular weekly contact with those at the club, developing friendships, and being prepared to support those who need and ask for it – especially at times of personal crisis. Life can be tough for those under the watchful eye of thousands of expectant fans. If I can help in some small way, I will have done my job.