BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Gloucester fans stay upbeat

Gloucester rugby fans have given their backing to beleaguered owner Tom Walkinshaw during troubled times for the businessman, who also heads Formula One team Arrows.

Reports have suggested that Gloucester season-ticket holders are poised to demand answers to the financial crisis surrounding Walkinshaw's business interests.

But the chairman of Gloucester Supporters' Association Bob Rumble told BBC Sport Online there would be no bad blood at Tuesday's meet-the-coaches social evening.

And he insisted that a discussion with the club's chief executive Ken Nottage had extinguished any immediate concerns over the future of the rugby club.

You have to be living in a time-warp or on planet zog not to have noticed Arrows are in trouble

Gloucester Supporters' Association chairman Bob Rumble

"I had a fruitful meeting with Ken Nottage last Friday and I don't have any immediate concerns other than next our next game against the old enemy Bath," said Rumble.

"But on our current run of form I'm not that worried about that either."

Coach Nigel Melville's side went top of the Zurich Premiership with a 45-18 win over Bristol at Kingsholm on Saturday.

But Walkinshaw's cash-strapped Arrows team have missed four of the last five Grands Prix and are unlikely to line up for Sunday's race in Indianapolis or the final round in Japan.

Rumble said: "You either have to be living in a time-warp or on planet zog not to have noticed Arrows are in trouble and wonder if it will have any fall-out for Gloucester.

"But at the moment I'm not worried about anything.

"By the same token a day is a long time and things can change."

Gloucester owner and Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw
Walkinshaw's Arrows team is in trouble

There are rumours of a consortium of local businessmen ready to step in should Walkinshaw decide to sell some of his stake in the club.

And reports have also suggested that the knock-on effect from Arrows will mean Gloucester have to reduce their wage bill by 5% and off-load some of their players.

French international prop Patrice Collazo was sold to Toulouse last Friday.

But Rumble insisted that at this stage he had no confirmation that other players, such as wing Daren Leary, would be off-loaded for purely financial reasons.

He said: "I can understand that some fringe players may want to seek rugby elsewhere, with highly-talented kids like Marcel Garvey and Tom Beim coming through.

"But that is hugely different to off-loading players for profit."

Meanwhile, Garvey has signed a two-year contract with the Zurich Premiership leaders.

The 19-year-old has scored four tries this term, including a stunning hat-trick against Bristol.

He is at the top of the Premiership try-scoring chart alongside Wasps' Josh Lewsey and Leeds full-back Dan Scarborough.

Melville singles out Garvey

Gloucester boss Melville has already hailed the local youngster as "a special talent".

And Garvey, who emerged through the club's academy system, has now secured his Gloucester future until July, 2004.

"I cannot remember seeing a player make such an impact on a game like he did last Saturday," said Garvey's agent Mike Burton.

"The lad is the future of Gloucester, and they have moved quickly to sign him on a long-term contract."


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