FANS of Newport Rugby Club are hoping to set up a new, independent supporters' club with the aim of strengthening the club and its funds.

The Friends of Newport Rugby Club includes many people who were behind the petition to get the name of Newport back into the regional name.

Now they are working to set up a Friends of Newport Rugby Trust Fund to strengthen its financial future.

"Something has to be done to generate more money for the club," said Gareth Davies, one of the men behind the plan.

"If regional rugby prospers it will take more money to keep Newport on an even keel."

The people behind the proposed new venture, heartened both by the success of the club in the Welsh Premiership and the progress made by the Newport Gwent Dragons, have called a public meeting for November 27 at the Rodney Hall, Rodney Parade.

Individuals involved with the scheme have been in negotiation with interested parties for some months.

They are keen to stress that any organisation that emerges from the November meeting will be democratic, listening to the wishes of its members.

Local politicians Huw Edwards, Labour MP for Monmouth, and Rosemary Butler, Assembly Member for Newport West, have already given their backing to the initiative.

"I am very pleased to support the outstanding efforts of Newport supporters to ensure a secure future for rugby in the city.

"I wish the Friends of Newport Rugby Trust every success," Mrs Butler said.

Mr Edwards commented: "The initiative to establish a Newport Rugby Club Supporters Trust is very welcome. Supporters' trusts are gaining more and more support in football clubs, and it is good to see rugby supporters adopting this model.

"The supporters are the people with the long-term commitment to the club.

"They have the expertise among their members to make a real contribution to the management of the club, and I wish Newport Rugby every success in forming a supporters' trust."

Newport West MP Paul Flynn said: "The active support of the fans will be crucial to the future success of the club. I strongly support their active participation."

John Griffiths, AM, for Newport East said: "As a regular at Rodney Parade since my youth I very much wish the Friends of Newport Rugby every success."

Andrew Cox, chairman of the Supporters Trust group, said: "Newport rugby club is not immune to the current financial and commercial pressures in Welsh rugby and we need to address that reality as a matter of urgency."