Pontypridd make up one half of the regional Celtic Warriors team but have recently gone to administration following financial problems.
Regional backer Leighton Samuel says the facilities at Pontypridd’s Sardis Road ground are not up to scratch for regional rugby.
This has angered Pontypridd supporters to the extent that they are seeking legal advice on Samuels’ decision to renege on a pre-season pledge to play half the region’s games at Sardis Road.
Pontypridd supporter’s club secretary Alun Jones said the news that the games were being transferred to the Brewery Field was a “total disaster” for Valleys rugby.
“This is not regional rugby,” Jones said. “The valleys of Wales have now been disenfranchised and pledges given freely and openly by those who run the Warriors set-up have been broken.
“The levels of disgust, hurt, anger and no little venom expressed by Pontypridd/Warriors has prompted the Supporters Club and others to raise a petition,” Jones said.
“Supporters are also actively seeking legal advice with a view to having Sardis Road games rescheduled at Sardis Road or to seek financial compensation.”
Jones criticised Samuel’s excuse of “commercial reasons” for the ground shift to the Brewery Field.
“If the Warriors administration makes decisions on ‘commercial’ grounds, can they afford mass claims for refunds from Pontypridd/Warriors supporters?
“The one thing games at Sardis Road produce is a crowd – isn’t that what rugby at this level is all about?
“If the Warriors do not wish to alienate supporters, they have a strange way of showing it.”
Leighton Samuel defended his decision, saying: “Change is inevitable to survive and progress.
“Rugby, like it or not, is a business – profit and loss reports, cash flow forecasts and balance sheets are an everyday and integral part of rugby life. Whilst passion and pride are vital elements to success you cannot survive on these ingredients alone.”
Samuel reiterated that the Warriors would provide free transport to and from Sardis Road and honour all season tickets.
“I am personally financing probably the strongest squad in Welsh regional rugby,” he said. “We can provide top-class facilities at the Brewery Field. I still plan to build a £15 million all-seater stadium in the Rhondda Cynon Taff region.
“I am not asking anyone to desert their local club, but to support those players now in the Warriors team that has been developed and will continue to be developed through those clubs.
“What is for sure is that I will not desert the Warriors – I am extremely ambitious for the team and I am totally committed to the funding of the region.”
