 Larry Allan feels "crushed" by what has happened in Pontypridd |
When the news came that the Celtic Warriors was likely to be disbanded after just a year, loyal Pontypridd supporter Larry Allan was not shocked. Since the merger and the move of the headquarters to Bridgend's Brewery Field, he says Ponty supporters have been left feeling "dislocated" by the new team.
He believes the predicted closure of the Warriors is inevitable but the effect of losing their team hit the Ponty fans last year.
Larry, from Hopkinstown, feels "crushed" by the whole situation.
"Since the formation of the Warriors, I have felt so dislocated and disenfranchised by the game," he said.
"I mean even the name doesn't mean anything - its so Americanised and doesn't reflect the areas its meant to represent.
 |  This whole situation is morally bankrupt - it is all about making as much money as possible  |
"If they do close the Warriors, it will mean there isn't a team to represent north of the M4.
"It's just been one thing after another.
"We grudgingly accepted the merger even though Pontypridd and Bridgend have no real connection.
"But just a year later, here we are - its all about money and nothing to do with the fans.
Flagship
"Pontypridd has always been the flagship of the valleys, lots of the players in the Welsh squad have come from here.
"And there has always been a real strong sense of community with the Pontypridd team in the area.
"So many things have been ripped from the valleys and yet rugby remained and became its heart.
"When a game was played in Sardis Road, most of the Ponty fans would walk to the game.
"There was a real buzz, a sense of pride and a feeling of belonging.
"But that all changed after the Warriors came into being and was based in Bridgend.
No connection
"I felt that Pontypridd lost its team last year, but I tried to support the new team even though I felt no real connection to it.
"And now they are planning to disband the Warriors too.
"It seems to me it is now all geared towards Cardiff and if valleys fans want to go and watch rugby they will have to go to Cardiff.
"But this is not what we want and we feel no connection with the Cardiff side.
"This whole situation is morally bankrupt - it is all about making as much money as possible.
"I feel crushed by what is happening. I didn't realise until this year what a big part of my life it was for me and for my family.
"The sense of pride and belonging that comes with supporting a rugby team is very important for areas like this and that has all been taken away," he added.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
