NEV Codlin spent most of last season on the sidelines after finding himself at the centre of a bizarre registration storm.
Now, it's his rugby that people are whispering about, not his nationality.
Codlin found himself out in the cold after transferring to Cinderford from Lydney in January.
It was discovered that his electronic passport had not been confirmed by the Home Office, a point overlooked by Lydney when they signed the player from Coney Hill.
It meant Lydney were docked 10 points and Codlin was unable to play first XV rugby.
He said: "It was all quite stressful. I got a bit of stick off a few people but I had nothing to hide and I didn't do anything wrong."
This season, Codlin has been a revelation in National League One and his skipper Chris Hall believes he's been one of Cinderford's best players. The 26-year-old winger has scored 10 touchdowns – putting him among the division's leading try scorers.
The former St Peter's School and Brockworth Colts winger was born in Jamaica but came to England at the age of four and has always regarded himself as a British citizen.
He admits he initially chose to play National League rugby with Lydney because he 'wasn't sure he was good enough for Cinderford'.
He said: "I love it in National One and I'm a bit frustrated I didn't step up earlier.
"National One is full of ex-Premiership players and young guys on the way up.
"In the leagues below you can make mistakes and get away with them, but at this level you get punished."
Codlin believes Cinderford are in a false league position because they've lost games they should have won.
"I'm confident we won't be lingering around the relegation area much longer," he said.
"This league tests you mentally as much as physically.
"I'm an attacking winger, I like to get my hands on the ball, but I'm working hard at my defence. I've still got a lot to learn but I'm taking it all in, learning off people like Dave Knight who have been there and done it.
"I honestly feel we've got an awesome back line at Cinderford and we can score a lot more tries if we're given the ball. I wish I'd come to Cinderford when I was about 23 but I want to be here for a good few years yet. It's a great club. I'm looking to really achieve something in rugby and I want to win honours with this club."