GWENT clubs have today renewed calls for Welsh Rugby Union chairman Glanmor Griffiths, pictured, and the general committee to resign - but Newport benefactor Tony Brown says he will not walk away from Rodney Parade.
Clubs outside the Gang of Six are urging change at the top after yesterday's overwhelming 325-98 vote against the proposal to cut the number of premier clubs from nine to six.
The overriding feeling at the extraordinary meeting of all 239 clubs at St David's Hall, Cardiff, apart from the anti-six feeling, was for reform of the WRU.
The vast majority want the Union and the committee replaced urgently, though Brown says despite the strong anti-six vote he will honour his obligations.
"The WRU committee and Glanmor should go now so that we can get something in place for next season. Anything is better than what we've got," said Pontypool backer Bob Jude.
"I don't feel anyone can trust the WRU because Glanmor said they could wriggle out of contracts with Ebbw Vale and Llanelli.
"The overall feeling in the room yesterday from divisions one to seven was that Glanmor and the committee should go now because they are incapable of running the union.
"The six is definitely not the way forward and I'm pleased they didn't go down that route. There are only a maximum of three people putting money in anyway."
Ebbw Vale director of rugby Ray Harris said: "It was one of the biggest votes of no confidence in a proposition which Glanmor said he put forward.
"Certainly he should look at his position, I would have to in that situation. With a huge vote like that it must make you look at yourself.
"If I was coaching I would also have to question my ability, you have to question the systems when the line-outs were so abysmal on Saturday.
"I'm very pleased they threw out the two silly proposals (six and 12 clubs) neither of which would do any good for Welsh rugby.
"It brings us back to where we are and anyway we should be talking about the Sir Tasker Watkins report.
"There was a vote which smashed what the Gang of Six proposed. They had threatened to pull out, we'll have to see, but from our point of view this is where we want to be."
Tony Brown insists he will not walk away. "My position is quite clear, I have given an undertaking to the club and the players that I will meet whatever contractual obligations there are," he said.
"There is no way I'll walk away, I've never run a business like that. Yesterday was disappointing, but I still have responsibilites so talk of that is premature."
Asked why no-one from the six spoke at the meeting Brown replied: "I've no idea why, it was never my intention to speak.
"I think everyone who went had been mandated by their clubs so I didn't think much more could be said.
"Glanmor Griffiths expressed it well enough when he said there should be six, and who they should be should be down to an independent body."
Brown has always been critical of the WRU, but does not go along with the others about resignations now.
"There has to be something to replace it. There is no point in being destructive unless something more efficient is in its place," he said.
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