RODNEY Parade benefactor Tony Brown and top prop Rod Snow, celebrating his testimonial season, have both been made life members of Newport Rugby Supporters' Club.
Chairman Dennis Bennett, who made the presentations at a packed club for a meet-the-Dragons evening last night, revealed that only a dozen people had received the award in the past and that David Waters was the only current player to have been honoured.
Snow and Brown, who has financially backed both Newport and Newport Gwent Dragons, both received standing ovations.
"I'm flabbergasted, lost for words," said Snow. "It's a huge honour, nothing makes me more proud than my association with Newport and to be held in the same esteem as David Waters is special.
"I am humbled by this and I appreciate it. I have loved my time here, I appreciate the respect given me and I respect the crowd who are hugely knowledgeable."
Bennett praised the complete regeneration of Rodney Parade and the teams playing out of there. "We owe it all to Tony Brown," he said. Brown replied: "I am very grateful and it is much appreciated. I would like to thank the fans who have been very supportive of me, everything I have done has been for the benefit of them.
"I hope the club have the success the best supporters in Welsh rugby deserve."
Earlier, new coach Chris Anderson said, "I can assure you everyone will give 100 per cent. There's a good group of players here and everyone is ready to go, I'm looking forward to the challenge and we will do this as a group.
"We're going to go through a lot of ups and downs. A club defines itself on how it handles defeat and adversity, but this club is on the rise and we will come out with great satisfaction if we hang on through the tough times and enjoy the good times."
* Prospects for peace at today's meeting of the WRU and the four regions look bleak, with some regions likely to refuse to sign the participation document, or charter as the WRU call it.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article