KEITH Grainger is quitting his position as chief executive of Newport Rugby Club.

Grainger will go 18 months ahead of schedule after three successful years with Newport.

He has been commuting from his Loughborough home every week, his family remaining behind, a situation he has found increasingly difficult.

He will leave before Christmas - as will full back Matt Pini, who is retiring from rugby and returning to Australia.

Grainger's position as chief executive will not be advertised, and his duties will be partially taken on by club benefactor Tony Brown.

"It's been a fantastic roller-coaster ride at Newport and a time I have really enjoyed, but I can't pretend it hasn't taken a toll on me and my family's quality of life," said Grainger today.

"Welsh rugby faces a period of intensive change and that from my perspective can only equate to a need for even more commitment.

"Realistically that's a step I know wouldn't be right for me and, more importantly, for my family.

"I'll miss the hustle and bustle of of working for the Black and Amber army, but I know that whatever the future holds for Welsh rugby, Newport - with some of the best supporters in the business - will ensure Rodney Parade will play host to top professional rugby."

Brown pays tribute to Grainger for the contribution he has made to Newport's stirring revival in the past few seasons.

"Keith has overseen a period of great change at Newport," he said. "While the club may not have achieved all of our goals on the field, it is the off-the-field achievements that really mark the Newport revolution as being very special.

"Keith has great ability and it is impossible to overstate his contribution to Newport's cause over the past three years.

"A clear thinker with tremendous experience in the game, he has helped bring focus and direction to our strategic planning.

"While his achievements are many, the way in which he has attracted a broad range of corporate partners to the club and driven many such a huge increase in our gates deserves special mention, as does his contribution on behalf of not just Newport but Welsh rugby as a whole, to both the joint management board and previously the Celtic League management group.

"Keith is probably the most dynamic marketing man in the sports arena and has delivered all that he has promised.

"He goes with my gratitude and best wishes, and I'll continue to use his services at Newport whenever I feel the need for a second opinion.

"I'm sure from my conversations with supporters, staff and directors at Rodney Parade that he'll be sorely missed and he'll always be welcomed back."

Grainger plans to build his own management consultancy business 'Solutions Unlimited' which he started with his wife before arriving at Rodney Parade.

One of Grainger's last acts in Wales was to attend a WRU league management board meeting today when yet another attempt was being made to sort out the structure for next season.

Despite the move by Bridgend and Neath to join forces as a provincial side, overall agreement is as far apart as ever and the January deadline for an extraordinary meeting of all clubs to vote on the way ahead is almost certain to be extended.