Tony Brown will honour his commitments to Newport RFC

The millionaire has bank-rolled the Black and Ambers in the professional era through their domestic and European campaigns.

But Brown has become increasingly disillusioned with the way the Welsh Rugby Union has run the game.

He announced on Wednesday that he will withdraw from the Gwent regional set-up - an amalgamation of the Newport and Ebbw Vale clubs - but will continue to back Newport in the new semi-professional Welsh Premiership.

His principal reason for walking away from the regional side seems to be the Welsh Rugby Union's decision to name the side Gwent Dragons, rather than Newport Gwent Steelers.

Newport had very little input into the squad selection that appears to have been driven more by economy than quality Tony Brown

Brown said: "A petition was launched which ultimately gained 11,600 signatures and which was supported by Members of Parliament, Newport City Council and various Welsh Assembly members.

"No-one signed the petition to deny the regional concept, but merely requested that Newport be included in the regional name.

"For (WRU chief executive) David Moffett to have dismissed Newport's petition so disdainfully is, in my opinion, pathetic."

Ebbw Vale owner Marcus Russell, who is a director of Gwent Rugby Ltd - the parent company Brown has quit - said the Gwent side would survive with or without Brown's involvement.

"Tony's departure will have no effect, financial or otherwise, on the viability and validity of the new Gwent Regional entity," Russell said.

"Gwent Rugby Ltd has adopted a robust and realistic business plan that will be underwritten by myself, with or without the involvement of Newport RFC.

If Tony Brown opts out, then we will obviously miss his passion and ability Gwent Rugby director Marcus Russell

However, Brown has always stated he will honour his financial commitments with Newport RFC and intends to have a limited interest in the club.

With the five regional sides - Brown wanted four - occupying the top tier of Welsh rugby below international level, Newport will play in an expanded semi-professional Welsh Premiership.

The WRU has allocated a budget of �50,000 a season for the 16 teams in next season's Premiership.

Newport and Ebbw Vale have combined as one of the five regional sides - to be coached by former Vale boss Mike Ruddock - but there has been friction between the two 'partners'.

Brown added: "The WRU recommended that Mike Ruddock be the coach of the new region which meant that Newport was now in the situation of having 50% Ebbw Vale shareholder and an Ebbw Vale coach.

"The net result of this was that Newport had very little input into the squad selection that appears to have been driven more by economy than quality."