Mark Alleyne: ‘Gloucestershire Cricket being in Bristol means a lot to me’

Gloucestershire Cricket pulled off “a stunning, stunning effort” to win last season’s T20 competition according to head coach, Mark Alleyne.

Before the Shire begin the defence of their title, Alleyne says his team are “confident” but “trying to win it before we’ve played game one isn’t on the on the radar right now”.

Gloucestershire’s T20 campaign begins at the Seat Unique Stadium on May 30 against Kent; with the local derby against Somerset – who they beat in last year’s final – being played under the lights in Ashley Down on the evening of June 13.

“The group stages in particular are quite tough so we’ve got to negotiate them before we can start thinking about the knockout stage,” Alleyne told Bristol24/7.

“The mind’s firmly on trying to get off to a good start and seeing if we can evolve a little bit from last year and go again.

“The early games are quite important to hit the ground running rather than ease into it. Without that base, it makes it difficult to qualify so all our focus is on games one, two and three at this stage.”

Talking about that historic Vitality Blast win, Alleyne said: “I think we just got better and better as it went through, finishing with five unbeaten games, which is a run that I’ll bite your hand off for the start of this year.

“The players grew into their roles really well, really grasped it, understood it.

“However, we are conscious that we cannot just do the same as last year; everyone will be a little bit better, a little bit wiser.

“‘What can we add to our game to make a difference this year?’ will be the interesting narrative.”

Alleyne said that in front of “vociferous support”, T20 is a game that “stretches everyone’s ability and imagination”.

Mark Alleyne has been immortalised at the County Ground in this mural by Silent Hobo – photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

Alleyne is now in his second spell as coach of Gloucestershire having enjoyed a stellar playing career.

So does he wish he could still lace up his boots and play rather than coach?

“Not really. There were moments when that happened in the early part of my coaching but I feel that I’m really happy with my contribution at the moment as a coach.

“I am focused on what difference I can make off the field. I still enjoy the game and and playing it – I’m living and breathing every ball just like the players – but I’m quite happy for them to do the legwork!”

Mark Alleyne played nearly 800 matches for Gloucestershire during a 19-year playing career – photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

Alleyne said that he will always be thankful to Gloucestershire as the county “that gave me my opportunity to play professional cricket”.

“When I came here, the club was very welcoming. It’s something that still exists now, so it must be in the DNA of the club a little bit. We’re based in Bristol which is a lovely thriving city and I’ve lived here ever since then.”

But if current plans go ahead, Bristol will not be the home of Gloucestershire in years to come despite the club being based here since the days of WG Grace (whose record for the youngest player to score a century for the Shire, Alleyne beat when he was 18).

“We’ve always had an interesting relationship with Bristol. Being called Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, you would expect us to be 40 miles up the M5.

“Being in Bristol, not everyone knows that we’re here, so it means a lot to me to try and get our name out into the city a bit and try and garner more local support.

“We’re trying to be a big part of the community. That sits really well with me.”

Alleyne said that the proposed move from Ashley Down to Swanmoor Stoke in South Glos “would be more of an economic move to keep the club viable”.

“Of course, I would support that. If being here (in Ashley Down) and evolving further is going to be restricted, I think the club are sensible to look at other options to make sure we can grow in the in the right space with all the counties.

“So I’m excited that an option may be on the cards. But, as you would imagine, I’m also weary that if it does happen, it’s going to be a little while, so we still need to make this place, Seat Unique Stadium, our fortress and home.

“We mustn’t neglect Bristol, otherwise it could be just dormant for ten years before the new place arrives, if it does, and that won’t be good for us.”

Gloucestershire have played county cricket in Ashley Down since 1889 – photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

Alleyne added: “I just want to contribute to the club, to the group around me, and make a difference. I’m not brilliant at looking back too far – nostalgia is not one of my strong points – but I do love what might be next.

“I love the jeopardy of ‘we could be really brilliant or it could go badly wrong and go the other way’.

“It really excites me trying to get that right and get us thriving as a county cricket club. I enjoy being a part of that. I feel like I’m right in the mix and can make a difference, which is exciting.”

To get your T20 tickets this season, visit www.gloscricket.co.uk/t20-vitality-blast-tickets-2025

Main photo: Gloucestershire Cricket

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