With five wins out of five, Neath team manager Martyn Morris is calling on rugby supporters in Neath to get behind the Welsh All Blacks.
Neath have made their most successful start for years, winning all three warm-up games then League games against Swansea and Carmarthen Quins.
And, while it is early days yet, signs are that The Gnoll giant is re-awakening – the team is playing attractive, winning rugby and the former Neath and Wales flanker says, “Now is the time for the people of Neath and the District to gather around and back us again.”
He continued, “Everyone at the Club from the Board down has worked tirelessly over the last two years to turn things around. We were not in a good place but it is a completely different scenario now.
“Neath certainly needs a boost. The town centre’s long-awaited re-development is yet to bear fruit and local industry has taken a hit but the town is nothing if not defiant.
“Our rugby team is the best means of reminding everyone we are still around and it is a really exciting time to be involved with Neath.”
Morris points to some of the exciting young talents Neath are nurturing, “We are fully committed to backing the WRU Player Pathway in conjunction with the Ospreys and we have unearthed some exciting prospects ourselves.
“We have a very strong Neath base to the squad. Playing for Neath means a great deal to everyone just as it did in my day and the rapport between supporters and players is second to none.
“Our players are approachable locally and grounded and in no way are we getting ahead of ourselves but the signs are encouraging.
“We have a huge match on Saturday 2.30pm at The Gnoll against RGC and we want as many Neath people who care about their rugby, care about their town, to be there.”
Season ticket sales are up with a lot of youngsters taking advantage of the Club’s admirable “Under-16’s free” policy and the Neath club has wonderful backing from its advertisers and sponsors.
The arrival and challenge of the WRU’s ‘fifth region’ is just the time and place for Neath people to lend their support and re-connect with the club.