Neath Rugby embraces football at the John Smith's Gnoll.

14th May 2008

Neath Rugby embraces football at the John Smith's Gnoll.

Four times Principality Premier Champions Neath Rugby will share their world famous sporting venue, the Gnoll, with local football side Neath AFC, from September.

The groundbreaking move will see sport being played at the hallowed turf on a weekly basis, doubling the amount of usage the playing field currently has.

The Welsh All Blacks & the football side, dubbed the Eagles, will play their home fixtures on alternative weekends during the sporting season, giving Neath sport enthusiasts an action packaged fixture list at the Gnoll.

Contractors were drafted in on Monday to prepare the pitch for the onslaught of sport at the Gnoll, and the work is expected to be completed by August.

Earlier this season Neath Rugby developed their clubhouse facilities to help cope with demand for functions & events , plans have also been outlined for future development at the Gnoll, ultimately to benefit the community of Neath and its people.

Statement from Neath Rugby chairman Geraint Hawkes:

"By joining forces in a ground share agreement the clubs, Neath community and surrounding areas will benefit hugely. There are now genuine opportunities to develop the Gnoll as its historic but ageing facilities need to be extensively upgraded to accommodate both codes.

Phase one of the playing surface works has already begun which will be revisited to completion next summer. This will be followed by further significant stadium improvements.

The prospect of attracting European football is a truly exciting one which will bring much needed revenue into the community, Both clubs are focused on the tasks and challenges that lay ahead and we face them both united and staunchly committed.

This is yet another chapter in Neath rugby's s proud history and one that I feel is vital and in-keeping with our long term ambitions."

Statement from Neath AFC director Andy Dyer :

"The ground share will be an opportunity for Neath Athletic to gain a presence in the heart of the Neath community."
"Our squad will gain from the upgraded facilities and ultimately both rugby and football will benefit and the share will be good for sport in the Neath community."

Statement from the Rt. Hon. Peter Hain MP for Neath on the ground share at the Gnoll:

"This is a real Neath sporting double. It is fantastic news for Neath to have these two highly successful teams ground sharing at the Gnoll and will make both clubs much stronger. The town will also benefit from the move with the supporters of both teams and travelling supporters using all the facilities (from shops to pubs and cafes) that the Neath has to offer."

"It will ensure that Neath RFC stays at the top of its League, providing world class players and help to propel Neath Athletic to the top of the Welsh Football Premiership. On top of this there is a serious prospect of European matches being staged at the Gnoll ground as the Football Association of Wales looks for facilities to host games that are much more cost effective than the Millennium and Liberty Stadiums."

Statement from Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council Derek Vaughan:

"This is an exciting proposal which will benefit both clubs. It will also benefit the town to have two top clubs playing here."