NEWPORT chief Tony Brown has scotched rumours that the Black-and-Ambers are considering leaving Rodney Parade, describing the ground as the club's 'spiritual home'.

Rumours had abounded that Brown was considering moving Newport from their ground in Corporation Road to a brand new multi-million pound ground, possibly based at Cwmbran.

With some of the gossip spilling on to the Newport Rugby Club's web-site, Brown took the unprecedented step of posting his own views in a personal message to Black-and-Amber fans.

And in his message Brown (pictured) explained to fans why the club has only three home matches between now and March, all of which are scheduled for Friday night or Sunday kick-offs.

Supporters have voiced their disgruntlement that the club will play only Ebbw Vale, Llanelli and Newcastle at home in the next three months, with none of those matches scheduled for a Saturday.

Brown explained the constraints caused by TV rights and most fans will be pleased to hear from Newport's backer that they will stay at Rodney Parade.

He said: "Although we have substantial support from outside Newport, which is much appreciated, Rodney Parade represents to me the spiritual home of everything that made Newport famous throughout the rugby world.

"It may not be perfect as a rugby stadium and we intend to make improvements when and if we can, but it is certainly better than most.

"My commitment to Newport is in part due to my own appreciation of the great history and traditions of Rodney Parade."

Brown went on to explain kick-off times for Heineken Cup matches are dictated to clubs, as are those for the televised Welsh-Scottish matches.

He said: "We have made representations to the WRU in order that non-Saturday afternoon games are shared equally among the clubs and, generally, that is the case. "Our major problem is we have an unstructured season.

"But our support base is the envy of every other club in Wales and there is no way we would do anything to alienate the goodwill that we have tried so hard to create."