Rodney Parade Ltd confirm County switch (From South Wales Argus)

Rodney Parade Ltd confirm County switch

8:27pm Thursday 31st May 2012 in Sport

NEWPORT RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons have tonight released the following statement.

"Following several weeks of negotiation, agreement has been reached between Newport County and Newport RFC for the football team to play at Rodney Parade this coming season. The contracts have been sent to the Football Conference for approval.

"Talks between Rodney Parade LTD and Newport County have been ongoing since the football side looked to move their final fixtures of the season to the home of the Dragons and Newport RFC "Rodney Parade LTD Chief Executive Chris Brown said “We are obviously delighted that we have been able to reach agreement and that football is coming to Rodney Parade.

"One of the keys to our Business Plan is ensuring that we generate the maximum revenue from non-rugby match days and bringing in the football goes a long way to helping us achieve that.

"Whilst Newport County play many more matches than either the Dragons or Newport, they play a significant number of midweek fixtures and with the football season starting a month before the rugby, fixture congestion will be kept to a minimum.

"This has been a complex negotiation and it has been of paramount importance to us that the needs of The Dragons and Newport RFC are met. We are confident that this agreement will protect the interests of all of our supporters, both in ensuring that their sporting calendar undergoes the minimum possible alteration and obtaining an additional revenue stream which can help guarantee the future of regional and premiership rugby at Rodney Parade.”

"Newport County supporters will be able to enjoy hospitality packages in the new Bisley Stand, as well as the clubhouse atmosphere at the north end of the ground. Although there will not be a joint football/rugby season ticket for this season, there will be a discount offered for supporters purchasing season tickets for both rugby and football.

“We would like to thank the supporters of the Dragons and Newport RFC for their patience whilst this proposal has been under discussion as well as the Welsh Rugby Union, who have been very supportive in helping us make this happen,” said Brown."