PONTYPOOL AND WALES legend, Bobby Windsor, said he feared for his old club after their relegation from the Premiership on what he called a "tragic day for Gwent rugby."

Windsor, who was capped 28 times by Wales and five times for the British and Irish Lions hit out after Pontypool were relegated from the Premiership after failing in their appeal against the WRU’s decision to the High Court.

Pooler’s relegation means the Gwent valleys, once considered a heartland of Welsh rugby, will no longer have a top flight representative. And Windsor fears for his old club.

He said: "It is a tragic day for Gwent rugby. Look at Abertillery, they were a great club in my opinion but they have gone now and Pontypool could go the same way.

"The WRU might be basking in the glory of this current Welsh side at the moment but they mustn’t forget those players come from the roots which is the valleys and allowing all the valleys clubs to disappear could come back to haunt them. "

Costs in the case are still being discussed by the court, but as the Argus reported, the club agreed a deal with the WRU prior to the appeal to cover £115,000 of the union's costs.

Windsor, part of the famous “Viet Gwent”, said: "I would like to see printed in the South Wales Argus a breakdown of the WRU’s unbelievable costs for the case.

I’ve had a lawyer for 40 years and never paid him that much in all that time put together."

On the issue of Bridgend and Carmarthen coming into the league based on meritocracy Windsor was equally disillusioned.

"The WRU have always had a mentality of “west is best east is beast”. Perhaps the WRU should have gone back a bit further when they looked at playing record.

How many Welsh internationals have Carmarthen produced? How many British Lions have they produced? How many Welsh cups have they won? They’ve done quite well-ish for a few years. If we are looking at history I wonder how history will view Roger Lewis?"

What the fans are saying on Twitter

Mike Hook - Pontypool Defence coach - @Mike01Hook: Sad day for all involved at Pooler, We gave it our best shot.

Dai Hughes - @HughesDai: Gutted, but ultimately proud of the club for standing up to the bullies at the WRU. We’ve lost a battle but not the war #pooler

Luke Dyckhoff - Pontypool back-row forward - @dyckhoff: Wow. Knew it wouldn’t feel great if this happened but it’s a lot worse than I had imagined #pontypoolrfc #devastated #headsgone

Iain Hunt - @IainHunt: It’s an absolute disgrace! Pontypool RFC are one of the most historic and well supported clubs in Wales and the #wru need a slap!

Paul Murphy, MP for Torfaen, said: "This is a sad day for Pontypool and for Welsh Rugby. The club have been treated very poorly by the WRU and everyone involved with Pooler deserves better.

Well beyond regulars at Pontypool Park, Pooler are an important part of our community in Pontypool and a source of great pride. I will be more than happy to work with Lynne to do everything we can to support Pontypool going forward."