TIM Smith would like to make an apology . . . and it's not for a dropped pass, missed kick or a fumbling knock-on.

The former full-back is sorry for the times he criticised the club's backroom staff for not doing any work.

Only since he swapped his kit-bag for a box file has he realised the work that goes on behind the scenes to make sure the club fulfils its potential.

"I used to take the mickey out of everyone because I really didn't know what they all did," he said. "I just didn't twig until I got into it myself."

The 37-year-old called time on his distinguished career last summer following nine seasons at Gloucester and three at Worcester.

The former builder played 349 first team games before Gloucester and then helped Worcester to two successive promotions.

He also became part of Wor-cester's modern day wonder story when his injury-time penalty secured their famous giant-killing cup win over Bristol in January 1998.

But now, with his career finished and no desire to return to the building trade, he has channelled his energies into the all encompassing role of rugby liaison officer.

His job includes running the colts with Chris Knight, planning the fixtures with Mick Clark, looking after kit, selling corporate boxes and seats and looking after match day guests.

He has been heavily involved with planning a new colts lea-gue for the top English and Welsh clubs and is even organising with the club's half-time kicking competition.

In fact he has come to realise that his job title means that anything and everything can fall into his work tray and 12 -hour days have become a regular feature of his week.

But he is not crying foul and is relishing his new job at the heart of the Sixways support staff.

"I'm enjoying myself and I don't miss playing at all," he added. It's probably because I'm keeping myself so busy, I don't even think about playing.

"It's just a case of finding my feet but once I get everything settled down it will be a bit easier. At the moment I'm ab-solutely knackered."