Gloucester have gone through a big transformation since Stephen Vaughan became chief executive in December 2012.

He has now announced he will leave this summer so we have looked at what has changed during his time at the club.

Coaching structure

One of Vaughan’s first big tasks when he arrived at Gloucester was to change the coaching structure and he visited clubs such as Leinster, Munster and Leicester to gauge the key to their success over a long period of time.

At the time, Nigel Davies was head coach and responsible for everything in the playing department but he was sacked at the end of the 2013-14 season.

David Humphreys, Gloucester's Director of Rugby

David Humphreys was then recruited as director of rugby from Ulster with Australian Laurie Fisher arriving as head coach, splitting the responsibilities between them.

Following Fisher’s departure two years ago, South African Johan Ackermann joined the club.

The backroom staff has also been significantly bolstered.

The ownership

Ryan Walkinshaw was the majority shareholder when Vaughan joined the club but he sold his 60 per cent share to Martin St Quinton in 2016.

Martin St Quinton and Stephen Vaughan
Martin St Quinton and Stephen Vaughan

Gloucester came close to securing fresh investment from French billionaire Mohed Altrad in 2017 but the move for him to buy a 45 per cent share was blocked by Premiership Rugby over a perceived conflict of interest due to him owning Top 14 side Montpellier.

St Quinton remains the 100 per cent owner of Gloucester.

Club rebrand

Gloucester changed their badge last year as part of the club’s rebranding exercise.

Gloucester's new badge
The old Gloucester Rugby badge

At the time Vaughan said: “It became clear that our current logo did not fully portray our ambition for the club and we needed a more contemporary logo that reflects the traditional elements of Gloucester Rugby.

“We now have a Master brand that does that really well and will support our ambitions for the future. The name of the club was never in question and we remain Gloucester Rugby.”

Attendances and ticket prices

Gloucester’s average attendance last season in the Premiership last season was 14,378, an increase of 5.7 per cent from the 2011-12 season before Vaughan arrived at Gloucester.

Club memberships for next season are also at record levels with around 6,500 already sold.

A new membership category for 18 to 25-year-olds has been introduced for next season with free entry extending to Under-6s.

The club introduced a new matchday pricing system two years ago with fixtures placed into different categories and the most expensive ticket last season was £57.

Playing squad

Danny Cipriani

 

Only Ben Morgan, Charlie Sharples, Billy Twelvetrees and Henry Trinder remain at Gloucester from the playing squad in the 2012-13 season when Vaughan arrived, showing the overhaul that has taken place in that time.

Gloucester are now paying to the full salary cap and Danny Cipriani has been the most high-profile arrival in that time, recently signing a new contract with the club up until the end of the 2021-22 season.

In the play-offs

Vaughan’s time at Gloucester comes to an end on the back of the club securing a play-off place for the first time in eight years, losing to eventual champions Saracens in the semi-final after a third-placed finish.

He arrived midway through the 2012-13 season when they finished fifth and five bottom half finishes followed, although the club won the European Challenge Cup in 2015 and reached another two finals.

Vaughan has been praised for putting the structure in place that has enabled Gloucester to improve their fortunes on the pitch.

Finances

Martin St Quinton pointed to the revenues running at record levels in the statement announcing Vaughan’s departure.

During his time at the club, income has risen from £11.2m in 2011-12 to £15.7m by 2017-18, although it was as high as £16.3m in 2016-17.

Gloucester recorded profits for seven successive years up to 2015 but have recorded a loss in the last three years, which has been the trend for clubs across the Premiership with salaries increasing.

The latest set of financial accounts revealed a loss of £2.1m after significant investment.

Women’s section formed

Gloucester-Hartpury Women v Harlequins Ladies at Kingsholm Stadium - Courtney Gill just misses a lineout
Gloucester-Hartpury Women v Harlequins Ladies at Kingsholm Stadium

 

Gloucester Rugby united with Hartpury in 2014 to form Gloucester-Hartpury.

They have grown in that time to a side that now play in the top flight of women’s rugby, fielding a number of international stars. In recent years they have played one game a season at Kingsholm.

A new pitch

After Vaughan conducted a thorough investigation, the club decided to invest £1m in a new hybrid pitch, which was installed ahead of the 2018-19 season.

"The best commercial option would have been to opt for an all-weather surface but we have opted for the preferred choice of the playing squad," he said at the time.

The pitch has been declared a success, suiting the free-flowing brand of rugby played by Johan Ackermann’s side.

Fan experience

Gloucester support
Gloucester fans

 

A number of initiatives have been launched in the last few years, from the new free stadium Wi-Fi and app to fans being served drinks at their seats and big screens at Kingsholm.

The Shed

Gloucester have explored many commercial avenues during Vaughan's time at the club to increase revenue and selling the naming rights of one of the most iconic terraces in rugby was one grabbed the attention.

In 2017, The Shed became The Greene King Shed.

Vaughan has previously said the club would be open to selling naming rights for the stadium but only if Kingsholm remained in the name.