PONTYPOOL Rugby Club's players and supporters will be able to return home next season - to their old Elm House headquarters next to Pontypool Park.

The premises was lost to the club a few seasons ago and they moved to Pontypool Leisure Centre for pre and post match entertainment.

When the centre closed for refurbishment last season, Pontypool were grateful for the use of the town's Comrades Club.

But Newport-based businessman Iftekhar Haris, who owns La Bamba and the Bombay Bicycle Club among other premises, has now taken over Elm House and it will reopen as a members' club later this month, with Pontypool season ticket holders automatically joining.

"Elm House will consist of a bar on the ground floor, a function room which will double up as a post-match entertainment room on the first floor, and a top floor facility for entertaining players, sponsors etc. at the bigger games," said Mr Haris.

"The club had lost its supporters base and I wanted to do something to keep them all together.

"I'm not a big benefactor but just wanted to make a bit of a difference to team spirit and provide a safe, secure environment. It was one of the reasons I bought Elm House in the first place.

"Eventually the club hope to move back to the leisure centre but meanwhile they can return to what is, after all, their spiritual home."

Pontypool secretary Arthur Crane said: "We are very grateful to Mr Haris and talking to supporters, I know they are looking forward to returning to familiar surroundings.

"Initially, it will be for 12 months when the situation will be reviewed.

"The leisure centre is due to reopen in Autumn 2006 and our future does lie there, in close proximity to the ground, through our partnership with Torfaen Council."

The club's memorabilia will remain at Pontypool Museum but some items have been loaned to Mr Haris to make Elm House 'homelike' for supporters.