WELSH record points scorer Byron Hayward has warned Pontypool to sort out their financial problems quickly or risk the break-up of their title-winning squad.

Club benefactor Bob Jude's Pontypool Elite Rugby company, which controls the club, is under the threat of a winding-up order over debts and faces a court hearing on July 1.

But Hayward, recovering from a cartilage operation on Monday, says the situation must be sorted out before then or many players will have gone.

Hayward, scorer of a record 522 points this season despite playing with worsening knee problems since Christmas, has had talks with Ebbw Vale over a coaching role.

But he stressed today: "I want to stay at Pontypool and most of the squad do too.

"We have had a tremendous season (winning the Welsh First Division championship) and I believe we would do well in the Premier next season.

"But if things are not sorted out in a couple of weeks many of the players will have gone and that will have a big influence on my decision.

"I can afford to wait a bit longer than most. I am going back to work full time as a plasterer next month

"But many players can't wait that long."

Of his achievement in breaking Robin Williams' 27-years-old points record, Hayward said: "I suppose I'll appreciate the feat more when I've retired.

"I know it is an achievement because there have been some great goalkickers in the last 27 years who didn't manage it.

"At the start of the season I would have been happy with 400 points and the fact I made 500 is down to the whole Pontypool team."

The Argus understands that at least one English Premier club and others in National League One are showing interest in both record-breaking Pontypool wing Lenny Woodard and strong centre Jonathan Hawker.