This dark side of Pontypool Park must be cleansed

THERE was a time, especially during the early Eighties, when ‘Pooler’ turned Pontypool Park into the most forbidding fortress in the British game. Opposing teams got the message advising ‘abandon hope all ye who enter’ without anyone needing to nail it above the door to the visitors’ dressing-room.

The visit of the All Blacks and Wallabies enhanced the club’s reputation, drawing some 20,000 to the town at a time when it was inconceivable that ‘the Viet-Gwent’ would play anywhere other than at Pontypool Park. How times change.

In giving notice to quit after the breakdown of talks with the local council, Pooler’s chief executive Ben Jeffreys gave some disturbing examples of how the ground has been fouled beyond the destruction of more than 200 seats and removal of ‘drug parahernalia’ from the grandstand.

Jeffreys said: “Volunteers have frequently discovered broken glass and blades that have been strategically driven into the try lines in an apparent attempt to deliberately endanger the safety of players, medical staff, referees and other on-field personnel.

“Those incidents would likely not have happened had the venue been fully secured and with Torfaen County Borough Council no longer contributing to the maintenance of the facility, significant improvements are urgently needed.’’

Pooler and Pontypool Park have been an item since 1945. The prospect of the club moving into alternative premises at the end of the coming season ought to be enough to ensure club and council find a solution.