Two Forest Green Rovers players have taken on a new adventure away from the football pitch after opening their own coffee shop in Cheltenham.
Midfielder Oli Ewing and defender Gabe Kircough officially opened Clubhouse Coffee on Bath Road on Tuesday, November 11, after turning an unexpected opportunity into a new business venture.
The idea came about when the pair spotted the premises advertised on Facebook Marketplace while travelling to a game together.
Kircough explained how what initially started as a joke between teammates quickly developed into something more serious.
“We sort of spotted it on Facebook Marketplace on the way to a game on the bus because we sit next to each other,” he said.
After joking about the opportunity, the pair decided to view the premises the following day, with the process moving much quicker than either had anticipated.
“Within 10 days we’d taken over the shop and now a month later we’ve rebranded,” Kircough added.
Following weeks of preparation, the pair finally opened the doors to customers, with the response on the first day exceeding both of their expectations.
Kircough admitted that they were surprised by just how busy the opening had been, revealing that a queue had already formed outside before they had even welcomed their first customers.
“Two minutes before we opened the queue was out the door and we haven’t really stopped since,” he said.
Despite the hectic start, Kircough was pleased with how the day had gone, comparing the experience to a difficult afternoon on the football pitch.
“It’s a bit like having 10 men away from home and grinding out a result,” he joked.
For Ewing, the venture represents an opportunity to pursue something outside of football, with the midfielder admitting that having a business alongside his playing career is something he has always wanted.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do in terms of something on the side of football where I can just do something that I really want to do,” he said.
Ewing also acknowledged that getting the business ready for its opening had been stressful, particularly with a deadline to meet, but believes the experience will become easier now the initial setup is complete.
With the doors now open, he is looking forward to putting his own ideas into the business, including spending time after training discussing how they want to develop the café.
For Ewing and Kircough, what started as a conversation on the team bus has developed into an opportunity to build something together away from their football careers.
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