PONTYPOOL skipper Mark Jones has called on the club's players to rethink their boycott of any team run by benefactor Bob Jude next season.

The Jude company running the club, Pontypool Premier Rugby Ltd., face a winding up move in the High Court next month over debts of around £3,500.

Jude has nevertheless appointed Jones as team manager and the player says he remains fully committed to Pontypool and still believes Jude is the man to remain in charge.

"I think Bob Jude has done a top job," said Jones, who only recently returned from a month's coaching at under-21 level and in schools and youth clubs Down Under to hear of the massive split at the club.

"Two years ago the club was bankrupt and he's had the guts to put his neck on the line. With the help of the coaches and the players he's dragged the club up from the depths to the top of the pile.

"What has happened in terms of the money situation has hit us all, myself included, but exactly the same has been happening all over Wales.

"It's happened in the Premiership as well and in other leagues too.

"I think the players have to sit back and look who has handed out the wages over the past two years and I hope they will rethink their position.

"I know they fully support their coaches and I'm all with that, but I think it's as if they have acted on the coaches' comments and not thought it through.

"I hope it will all be resolved and that Bob will remain. If you look around the town, who is about to lay out the cash to support the club?

"I understand communication hasn't been strong and I hope I can help in that department.

"At the moment it's difficult because of the looming court hearing.

"If, after that, there's a positive outcome I will do all I can to pull people together.

"I would hate to see the squad and coaching set-up disband after we've had such a great season. It would be a massive shame.

"But I still think Bob Jude is the best bet for Pontypool. The results and the progress over the last two years speak for themselves."

Meanwhile Jude insists that Steve Jones is still club coach, though Jones has reiterated:

"If the players are going then so am I. I will not go back without the players. Mr Jude must meet them."

Jude also says he intends to resolve the issue of unpaid wages "shortly".

On the split between himself and the players he added: "Whatever is necessary I will do.

It's not me they have to trust. I will not be paying their wages next season, it will be the Welsh Rugby Union.

"I'm not picking the squad so it's not up to me who is in it anyway. The matter will be resolved shortly.

"We are still talking to solicitors, accountants and the WRU and once that is finished the issue over wages will be resolved."

Star kicker Byron Hayward, offered a two-year deal with a Welsh Premiership club as a player-coach says of the current impasse: "I'm sick to death of it all. Nothing seems to be happening.

"I have told Bob to his face the score, but everything is just rambling on."

Meanwhile the club squad, minus players on holiday and playing Rugby League, held a training session at the weekend.

"Everybody remains together. Nobody has left. We are keeping it all together until we know what's happening," said former team manager Tony Clark.

"We have a squad ready to play provided Bob Jude is not there."