4 December 2018

COUNCIL CALLS FOR FRESH START AT NEATH RFC

Neath Port Talbot Council has today expressed serious concern about the future of Neath RFC, endorsing recent statements made by grass root supporters of the Club.

The Council owns the freehold of the Gnoll and has a head lease in place with the Welsh Rugby Union, who in turn sub-let the ground to Neath Rugby Limited. The local authority regards the Rugby Club as an important part of the fabric of the town and the wider community.

The Council has specific concerns about the consequences of players, coaching and other staff leaving and the failure of the club to fulfil a recent fixture. The Council is itself a creditor; but the immediate priority is to preserve Premiership rugby at the Gnoll. The Council would therefore be willing to work actively with the Welsh Rugby Union, the supporters and other interests towards that objective.

A Council spokesperson said
“There is a proud history of rugby at the Gnoll; but we cannot go on like this. Neath RFC has lurched from one set of financial problems to the next over many years and it is time for a fresh start. It is clear that the current structure is not going to achieve that and we want to see the Club put on a much firmer financial and operational footing going forward in the interests of the town and the wider community”.