Fidler leaving Cinderford for Old Pats

FORMER England and Gloucester lock Rob Fidler has quit Cinderford for Old Patesians.

Fidler, 34, has accepted a player/coach role at Everest Road.

Ironically, he is set to fill the shoes of outgoing Old Pats forwards coach Lee Fortey, who has joined Cinderford.

Fidler told The Forester: “Old Pats is only five minutes from my house. They phoned me up and offered me the job and it’s a good career move. Before that, I was looking forward to starting the season with Cinderford.

“I’ve got a lot on at work at the moment and a young family so at this stage of my life I’ve got to factor everything else in.

“I’ve spoken to the guys at Cinderford and hopefully the door’s still open for me to come back in the future. I need to go away and get some coaching experience under my belt.

“Last year we exceeded all expectations and I’d like to think I passed on a bit of wisdom to help those coming through.

“The level Cinderford play at should not be dismissed lightly. It’s a fiercely contested league.”

Cheltenham-born Fidler played more than 250 games for Gloucester in nine years at Kingsholm, winning two England caps on the 1998 tour to Australia and New Zealand.

He joined Bath in 2003, but had to undergo knee reconstruction surgery.

Injuries weren’t a problem last year, however, with the big second-row missing only a handful of games.

He said: “Obviously, Cinderford are losing some experience with both myself and Mark Cornwell leaving, but there are some good young players coming through. When one door closes another one opens.

“You need a good mix of players at their level, but they’ll always attract a good standard of player.”

Source: this is gloucestershire