THIS month, I HAVE been supporting Newport rugby for 82 years. I don’t remember the early years as I was in the equivalent of today’s pushchair.My father, Bill Hoare, who was a member of Lysaght’s Band actually played in the band on Rodney Parade every first team home match from October 1926 until the war stopped regular matches.

I must say that I have not seen such a miserable start to a season as this one. And worse, losing against teams with financial problems which, were they in rugby league, they would be downgraded or if in association they would be out of business. I do not blame in either team the trainers or management. It is the 15 men on the field who lose the matches.

As my fellow supporters know how passionate I am in my support, remembering in my years away I was sent the South Wales Argus Football Argus and the Weekly Argus to keep in touch. In those days, Newport rugby was acknowledged throughout the land. No longer - just another team. I can’t change my allegiance - it’s in my blood.

Howard Hoare, Erw Bant, Llangynidr