Jamal Ford-Robinson describes exactly what the award he won at Gloucester’s end-of-season party was for when he finally explains that “it’s basically about being a good club man”. Given his position among peers, it is difficult for them to find someone with whom he shared a dressing room for chatting.
This award was a welcome end to an eventful season for Ford-Robinson, which began in mid-October, when he was in the 11th. It could still end with a second winner’s medal of the campaign, where Gloucester will face the South African Sharks team in the Challenge Cup final on Friday night, while he made a century of Premiership appearances, as well as 100 matches for Gloucester, celebrating each landmark in the self–deprecating style that makes him such a popular figure.
How will he spend his summer thinking about all this? “Weekend trips in the caravan,” he says. “At the moment, it’s all about caravan life. I went to Brean [in Somerset] and had a serious craving for a caravan because we definitely had the smallest one. But I only paid few for us and I’m very happy with it. It’s big enough for me, the lady and the dogs.”
Add caravanning to the already thriving list of interests that Ford-Robinson enjoys. And in his matter, pleasure is the key word. He tried his hand at wrestling – ” I’m undisputed, undefeated, always 1-0!- – as well as esports coaching and he will soon find his American muscle car. He is an avid photographer and has recently started doing vlogging, while his TikTok videos – which started as a means to “keep me sane” – went viral. In this respect, he received a Premiership rugby Community Award and was billed as a “one-man ghost breeder”.
TikTok videos may have dried up recently-although one by Ford – Robinson with a repaired broken nose has received a views – but it’s featured prominently on social media, entertaining and equally engaging. He has a great personality and doesn’t mind sharing it. “I was at the Leicester Academy from 16 to 18/19 and one of the problems I had was that there was just nothing going on outside of rugby,” says Ford-Robinson. “It didn’t go very well for me to switch in terms of a senior contract. It was quite difficult, it was a dark time in my life and that’s what made me want to be the person I am now. It’s about not taking yourself too seriously, not taking life too seriously and finding things outside of rugby that you can enjoy.
“It’s not that it doesn’t hurt to lose on the field, you never want to leave the field and feel like you haven’t done enough, but at the end of the day it’s such a small part of what can be your life and if you let it all become all-consuming, I just don’t think it’s a very positive thing.”
As healthy as Ford-Robinson’s opinion is, you sense a tinge of mistrust to avoid being seen as someone who isn’t invested enough in Gloucester’s fortune. Despite all that his interests can attract attention outside the field, he is also glad that his achievements on the field have been recognized this season.
“I don’t take myself too seriously, I’m very willing to be open and joke, but it’s also nice to receive such an award, especially from Skivs [George Skivington, Gloucester head coach], because he doesn’t talk to flying monkeys on social media,” says Ford-Robinson. “I’m not sure he’s heard about it. To have that recognition for what I’m doing on the field as well is great.
“One of the things that Skivs was referring to when he informed me that I was the winner of the prize was a certain step in the Prem Cup final. I was supposed to start the game in loosehead, but a few things happened during the week and I was sitting on the bench in tighthead. I was moved to facilitate the overall picture.”