EBBW Vale RFC director Jonathan Jones has assured fans of a secure and “golden” future despite a winding-up order being issued against the club by the taxman.

The club, founded in 1879, is facing an uncertain time after a petition was issued by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs at London’s High Court over £6,000 in unpaid VAT and tax.

But Mr Jones said the club’s existing limited company is being liquidated and a new company, owned by the supporters as its shareholders, will be set up to run the Steelmen so the club can start afresh.

He maintains the Division One East champions’ aim is to return to the Principality Premiership after their relegation last year.

Vale’s hopes of an immediate return to Wales’ semi-professional top flight were scuppered last month when they lost to bottom Premiership club Glamorgan Wanderers 16-13 in a semi-final play off.

But Mr Jones said the club, who have a proud history, with past players including Wales stars like Denzil Williams, Arthur Lewis, Kingsley Jones and Dan Lydiate, are confident they can go one better in the coming seasons.

“The future is golden and our plan is for Ebbw Vale to reclaim its rightful place in the Premiership,” he said.

“We will be working hard to ensure we have the playing side and infrastructure in place.”

Mr Jones added: “Inevitably this (new company) means that the role of the present officers of the club and the directors will end. “I would like to pay particular tribute to (secretary) Ruth Pratten for the enormous devotion that she has shown to the club, at times she has run it almost single handed. “I am sure that one of the first tasks of the new club, apart from retaining the championship, will be to find an appropriate way of marking her contribution to rugby in Ebbw Vale.”

He said there will be a meeting this month to answer supporters’ queries: “I know that there will be many questions so I have decided to call a meeting for all who have an interest in and a love for our club at the clubhouse at 7.30pm on June 21 so that together we can plan the way forward.

“I hope that as many as possible will be there.”

Mr Jones said the club has received assurances from the Welsh Rugby Union that, under this new company, it will not lose its Division One East status, nor will it be prohibited from being allowed promotion to the Premiership.

A WRU spokeswoman said: “We have been fully appraised of Ebbw Vale’s current situation and are satisfied with the process they are going through. We will continue to work with the club on this matter.”

Ebbw Vale have been a ‘feeder club’ for the Newport Gwent Dragons since rugby in Wales went regional in 2003.

Dragons director Jim McCreedy said he was delighted the club looked like it would be safe: “Ebbw Vale had a strong season last year – coming very close to returning to the Premiership, so obviously it’s sad for them to end the season like this.

“I’m pleased that it looks like they will still be playing rugby. They are one of the traditional Gwent clubs, having produced quality players and have been a good source of rugby experience for many regional players. “ A major stumbling block to the Steelmen’s long-term dreams of rejoining the table of Wales’ elite clubs exists in the form of the Welsh Rugby Union’s proposals to ring-fence the Premiership to just ten teams instead of the current 14 within three years.

Vale could be left out in the cold, along with another famous Gwent club in Pontypool, if the WRU’s blueprint is put into action.

In the planned new order, clubs will need an ‘A licence’ to be in the Premiership with the top ten selected on their ground facilities (the land at Vale’s Eugene Cross Park is owned by Blaenau Gwent council), finance, commitment to the development of players, performance since the advent of regional rugby and coaching structure.

There would be a minimum of two and maximum of four clubs from each region, with Newport and Cross Keys in pole position to make the step up in the Newport Gwent Dragons area.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: It’s vital that club fights on

WEWELCOME the assurances by Ebbw Vale RFC over the club’s future following the winding-up order issued against it by the taxman.

Founded in 1879, the club has a tremendous history with past players including Wales stars such as Denzil Williams, Arthur Lewis, Kingsley Jones and Dan Lydiate, and if it was to disappear for good it would be an awful shame.

A petition was issued by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs at London’s High Court over a £6,000 unpaid VAT and tax bill.

However, the club believes it has a ‘golden’ future because it is liquidating its existing limited company and forming a new one where the supporters will be shareholders.

Clubs like Ebbw Vale certainly have the support, and there are other clubs in Wales already run by their supporters.

We’re sure fans wouldn’t want to see the club vanish and will do everything they can to keep it alive. It’s vital, not just for rugby but for the community, that it lives to fight a another day.