WRU takeover would be Dragons, warns director
One of the main concerns for Newport RFC fans is the absence of a long-term guarantee over them being able to play at Rodney Parade if ownership passes to the Welsh Rugby Union.
Addressing this, James said: “As Martyn Phillips (WRU chief executive) has said, there are no guarantees for the future of regional rugby at Rodney Parade because it could be taken out of the WRU hands after the next RSA and the PRO12 may only want two or three regional Welsh teams.
“What has been said though is the WRU are committed to having four professional regional teams, including one in Gwent.
“And they have agreed to allow Newport to play at their historical home rent free for 10 years as long as there’s a professional rugby team playing out of Rodney Parade that can maintain the facilities.
“We need to realise Newport RFC can not survive with just semi-pro rugby and Newport County’s rental income.
“It just does not add up in terms of running costs and investment needed.”
The other question Black & Ambers fans want an answer to is what will happen in regard to the millions owed to benefactors Tony Brown and Martyn Hazell in the event of either a yes or a no vote.
“Tony has already written off millions of pounds in his first stint at Rodney Parade and both he and Martyn have pumped in over £6m into Newport and Dragons since then,” said James, who is also chairman of Caerphilly RFC.
“They are prepared to back the WRU option at a considerable personal loss to preserve the future of professional rugby at Rodney Parade and provide a home for Newport RFC.
“Martyn and Tony are 80 years of age, they have done their bit for Gwent rugby and they feel it’s time for somebody else to take it on.
“Their heart and soul is in preserving the future of professional rugby and Newport RFC at Rodney Parade for the foreseeable future.
“They are willing to write off a considerable amount of money to ensure that happens.
“If it is a no vote, then the terms of the loan arrangement for the secured creditors will be followed and an administrator appointed.”
As for what will happen to the Dragons in the event of a no vote, James said: “My gut feeling is that pro rugby is here to stay in Gwent, whether it’s at Rodney Parade, Pontypool, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale, Caerphilly wherever.
“The WRU are Gwent rugby.
“It’s just we have to get over this firmly behind little hiccup to try and sustain it at Rodney Parade for the future of both the Dragons and Newport RFC.
“I just think common sense has to prevail. We have nowhere to go with it.
“If people really want Newport RFC to continue as it is and have a stable financial footing, we have to vote yes. It will be debt free and have cash in the bank.
“We have only got one option and it’s the best one to preserve rugby at Rodney Parade and safeguard Newport RFC’s future.
“As directors, it’s always been our intention to preserve Newport’s grest rich history and have them playing at Rodney Parade.”