IDRIS McCarthy has spoken of his pride at the strides made by Newbridge in recent years after standing down as chairman.

McCarthy, who had been involved at the Welfare Ground as a player and sponsor before becoming chairman, has stepped aside with Graham Patterson taking on the role in a caretaker capacity.

There have been some changes made at the club that have not pleased McCarthy, who is president of Crumlin, but he insists there are no hard feelings and he will retain a keen interest in their fortunes.

“You have got to pick your time and I felt that it was right to go now,” he said. “I have done my bit and enjoyed it, but it is time to hand over to someone else now.

“I’d like to thank the supporters for their backing through the years and the many friends I have made on the committee.

“I will still be a supporter of the club and I look back with pride at what we have achieved. We have tremendous playing and medical facilities with new floodlights (that cost over £20,000), as well as a new training ground with floodlights.

“I am not bitter about it coming to an end and I wish everyone all the best for the future.”

Meanwhile, on the playing front UWIC have made their usual rapid start to the Division One East campaign and lead the way with six wins from six.

Bargoed and ‘Bridge, whose only loss was to the students on the opening day of the season, are chasing hard and meet this afternoon.

Last season’s champions Blackwood lost a raft of players to the Premiership and have made a slow start with three wins and three defeats. They head to Ystrad Rhondda today while Tredegar head to Llanharan.

Whoever wins Division One East will have their work cut out in a play-off if they fulfil the criteria as there are several sides out west who are splashing the cash, not least Tonmawr who have snapped up former Newport Gwent Dragon Tal Selley.

The wing/centre, who has the clean sweep of all the Welsh regions, joined Birmingham and Solihull in the summer but decided to leave the hard-up Bees.

The West Midlanders, in a group with Cardiff and Pontypridd in the British and Irish Cup, have two weeks to find the £93,000 they owe the Inland Revenue. Former Ebbw Vale wing/full-back Simon Hunt has remained with the club.