My Life in Rugby: Alan Martinovic – Hartpury College and former Colston’s director of rugby

There was a no grand plan when I joined Colston's. The first XV won only one game in 1986 so to say we would become a rugby powerhouse and produce over a dozen full internationals would have been mad.
It took a few years to develop a culture at the school and go on to win our first Daily Mail Cup in 1995.
We backed it up for the next five years after that.
But being so successful attracted criticism that we got all the best players which bothered me at times – the fact is that young players wanted to join Colston's winning culture.
We developed a siege mentality because we knew a lot of people didn't want us to win which made it more satisfying when we did.
People would only see the end product and look at the internationals we had but few joined us having played England U16s.
The last Daily Mail Cup win in 2000 was the sweetest after they had changed the eligibility rules – only three players per game who joined in Sixth Form were allowed – but we still won it. That's when I thought we proved a point and it was time to bow out.
Playing the ‘97 Dulwich Invincibles never came about and that's a shame. I'm sure if you ask them they'll say they would have smashed us but I think we would have done them.
It would have been a fierce and close encounter. They were an exceptional team with a superb pack including Andrew Sheridan and David Flatman.
After 22 years at Colston's where I also was deputy headmaster, Malcolm Wharton was keen to get me involved with the Hartpury programme.
It was a case of do I stay here doing the same until I retire? Or do I set out for another challenge?
It gave me a new lease of life and something new to build and succeed. When I arrived at Hartpury, someone told me it was not Colston's and that I would never get the players to play the same way.
I did not understand his logic but it gave me a great challenge and  I would like to think I made my mark.
I played the main coaching role with the AASE team for the first four years but I can't take much credit for this year. Sean Marsden took over and he has done exceptionally well.
Last season was the pinnacle: to win our fifth straight AASE League, the BUCS and the National League Two South was incredible.
With Nick Walshe leaving his role as England U20s coach friends have asked if I would be interested – but I have never been offered a coaching role by the RFU and I don't think I will get asked now at 59. These opportunities have passed me by.
Who knows what will arise but I'm very much enjoying what I'm doing at Hartpury and the success that comes with that.
Last year, 18 of the 50 players in Gloucester's squad came from the College while we have over 150 ex-players involved in the Premiership, Champions and National Leagues and that is a tremendous testament to what we do.
It would be impossible for me to choose between the Colston's and Hartpury era. But if I had to choose one player I would pick Gareth Delve. His career has been blighted by injuries but as a schoolboy he was just amazing.
It's been a privilege to have worked with such talented players and to see them at the top makes it all worthwhile.
*This article was first published in The Rugby Paper on June 29.