POOLER ace Byron Hayward has carried out his threat to leave the club and has joined Premier Division rivals Ebbw Vale as player coach on a two-year deal.

And Hayward, pictured, is hoping his decision will signal the end of benefactor Bob Jude's controversial reign at the troubled club.

"Hopefully something good will come from my decision to leave. Maybe he (Jude) will learn now that he must go," said Hayward.

The former Gloucester and Llanelli star slammed Jude's reluctance to leave the club despite the players, coaches and many fans pleading for him to call time on his association with the Welsh First Division champions.

"There was one reason and one reason only for me leaving and that's Bob Jude," said Hayward. " I really believed five or six weeks ago he would have gone and we would have carried on building for next season.

"We were all prepared for a big reduction in wages because of the new funding from the WRU, but that was no problem. We just wanted him gone and for us to stay together.

"It's beyond me. No one person is bigger than any club, especially Pontypool. Pontypool is a great club and I am truly gutted to leave.

"It was the hardest decision of my life but I couldn't carry on waiting. It's not just rugby I have to think about. I want to go self employed (as a plasterer) and I need to know where I stand to do that.

"My family comes first and always will do and not getting paid was putting them under a lot of stress."

Hayward added: "The only other club I would go to was Ebbw Vale. I had a chance to go to Doncaster but said no. Ebbw Vale was the only other option.

"I really believed I would have finished my career at Pontypool. It's going to take time to sink in not being there."

And Hayward concluded: "I don't think Bob will go. If he does there is a good chance for the side. Pontypool can be a top side next season, but only without him."

* Pontypool fans will hold a meeting at Pontypool United's clubhouse on Sunday (7pm) to discuss the club's future.

Fans and players are invited to discuss where the club goes if the company running Pontypool RFC, Pontypool Premier Rugby Ltd (PPR), is wound up.