Tredegar in closure fear as they battle to return in Union row
ONE of Welsh rugby’s famous old clubs fear they could be closed down following a row with the WRU over an historic debt, writes ANTHONY WOOLFORD.
Tredegar RFC have had to call off their opening two games in Division Three East C over claims the Union are refusing to insure their players and grant their affiliation to play in the National League structure.
And the club, celebrating 125 years in existence this season, are now facing the real prospect of putting up the shutters after losing half their squad to other sides in the area.
Tredegar allege the dispute is over money owed to the Union from a previous company in charge of the club.
Current chairman Tony Preece claims they want him to sign off on a £40,000 debt despite saying he knows very little about the loan that is owed to the Union.
“It’s a debt that somebody else left with them with years ago and I’m not willing to do it,” said Preece. “That company closed down and as far as I’m concerned - it’s not my debt.
“I’m not willing to pay £40,000 for something we haven’t had - and that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s a matter of getting around the table and sorting it out.
“We haven’t got any insurance to play games.
“They’ve allowed our mini and junior section to play but half of those weren’t registered for last weekend.”
Tredegar are steeped in rugby history with the club helping apply the rough edges to former Neath and Wales enforcer Mark Jones and the late Paul Woods, a firebrand of a scrum-half who went north and took the Rugby League hard men on at their own game.
The likes of 2005 Grand Slamwinning coach Mike Ruddock plus Wales and Lions tourist Glyn Davidge are also famous faces associated with their past.
It’s not the first time Tredegar have fallen on troubled times as they folded just a couple of weeks into the 2015-16 season from lack of players only to return the following campaign and win promotion from Division Three East D.
But there are genuine fears this time Tredegar could go out of existence unless a resolution is thrashed out with the Union.
If the two can come to an agreement, it might not be enough to prevent the club from having to shut up shop until the start of next season even though local clubs have offered them players to get up and running.
“When you see the players who have come out of Tredegar RFC, it’s unbelievable,” added Preece.
“It’s 125 years of our club this season and we are basically being stopped from playing.
“A lot of our players have moved on to other clubs because they don’t see the prospect of us playing this season. It’s ridiculous we can’t get out on to the field.”
The WRU say they are aware of the situation regarding Tredegar and hope a resolution can be found in the near future.
A Union statement said: “We are currently considering issues surrounding Tredegar RFC’s membership of the WRU, which were only brought to our attention last month.
“WRU Directors and staff are working through the situation with club representatives, with the intention of reaching a solution as soon as possible.
“A solution has already been found to enable junior rugby to continue at the club.”