NEWPORT benefactor Tony Brown and the rest of the so-called Gang of Six Welsh clubs will be welcome at Ebbw Vale Rugby Club this season if the present climate continues.

Brown (pictured) was barred from the ground amid unpalatable scenes in March when seen as a leader of the 'Gang' trying to have the Welsh League cut from nine clubs to six.

Since then, there has been an overwhelming vote for the number to stay at nine and Newport chief executive Keith Grainger said yesterday that Newport accepted Ebbw Vale's right to be among them and now wanted to move forward.

To emphasise his point, Grainger said Newport would refuse to attend further meetings of the Premier Clubs organisation which he claimed were forever bickering over the numbers issue.

But he did not carry out his threat at yesterday's meeting and the general consensus was that the mood was more positive.

Ebbw Vale rugby director Ray Harris said: "We retain the right to bar anyone who is trying to harm this club, but we would not ban anyone who is not directly trying to take us out of existence.

"I haven't read what the Newport chief executive has said but, if what you tell me is true, then there's no reason in barring anybody.

"It appears Keith Grainger has hit the nail right on the head. Let's stop trying to make something that can't happen happen and let's concentrate on what can happen.

"We are glad to hear such views coming from another club, one of the so-called Gang of Six. It's good news for Welsh rugby." Harris added: "If you say there was a one per cent change of attitude, that's better than it has been for the last two or three years." Grainger was unavailable for further comment.