IF Worcester can fulfil their dreams and clinch promotion this season, the celebrations will go on for many months to come.

It will be the culmination of years of hard graft and a clear vision from chairman Cecil Duckworth.

An occasion, unquestionably, to savour.

It looks increasingly likely, however, that one of the club's biggest supporters will not be there to toast the success.

'Rocket' Ron Coward has been synonymous with Worcester since he arrived in the city back in 1967. After playing until he was 60, the former winger and full back is now one of the most important cogs in the Sixways machine on a day-to-day basis. Ron is the kit man, the odd-job man, the friendly face of Worcester. The person every player goes to when they have a problem with their equipment on match-days. Until now.

The 69-year-old's presence with the first team squad came to an end on Saturday when he carried out his duties at Exeter. He has made his decision to cut his ties with the coaching set up and is still weighing up whether or not to watch Worcester again such is his frustration.

"I'm not sure what I'll do on match-days," he said. "I might start to watch Malvern or maybe just go and have a look at the Wanderers. I was always, in the past, accepted as being one of the squad. I've been over to Spain with them, to Scotland, Ireland - we've been everywhere together. However, the coaches now don't see me in that way and things have definitely changed for me."

Ron knew the writing was on the wall for him pre-season when he has excluded from the first team on the tour to Ireland. However, he decided enough was enough at the recent Jonah Lomu dinner at Sixways when he was not included in the seating plan for the event.

"Everyone knows I love the club and so many people at Sixways," he added.

"However, it does hurt when you are treated like that. You don't want to be patted on the back all the time but little things like that get to you.

"My son played for Wrexham when Kingsley Jones' father (Lomu's agent) was the coach. I would have liked to have a quick word, that would have been nice.

"It wasn't until I went up there on the night that it really hit me. I looked at the seating plan and everyone and his dog were there - apart from me. That hurt me because I've always been part of things here until now.

"I will stay on at the club day to day but I won't be there on match-days. I haven't fallen out with the club - I love it. Things have just changed for me and it's a shame."

Ron's departure from the first team comes after a seven-year stint. He was invited to become involved through Phil Maynard and served during Les Cusworth and Adrian Skeggs' tenure.

Fifteen years ago, he even met up with his long-term partner Maggie at Sixways during one evening. Before that, he looked after extremely successful fifth and second team sides.

"I've got to know so many people here at the club. I go through town and people are shouting 'Rocket' at me! Believe me, I've only missed one game in years now - so I will miss it all desperately. I wouldn't know what to do with myself in the stands! I remember a few years ago, after an operation on my hand, the doctor told me to rest it. I ended up, after going to a match just to watch, running on to the pitch with a pair of shorts for a player who'd split his own. I just couldn't sit there!

"I don't think, though, I can come here on match days anymore. What Cecil Duckworth has done has been tremendous and he deserves so much credit.

"I'd like to think I get on well with most at the club. I have always, however, stuck to my principles and that is what I intend to do now."