Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Newport Chairman In Quit Threat


Newport chairman Chris Blight says he will quit the club, after ten years, after claiming to have received a series of abusive phone calls over the weekend.

Blight says his home phone and mobile were targeted by a limited number of fans, with the chairman believing the calls came as a result of inaccurate message board claims that he had stalled new investment into the club.

He told the South Wales Argus: “I have given everything I have to this club for a decade. I’ve spent a lot of money out of my own pocket that I will never see again, and I did so willingly. Just a week ago I paid a painter £150 out of my own pocket to paint the new office at Rodney Parade. Over the years there have been hundreds of similar instances.
“I never, ever asked to be chairman of the club and when it comes to this, with my partner crying hysterically because of abuse on the telephone, you wonder if it isn’t in fact time to walk away.”

Proposed investment from local businessman Matt Southall is said to be at the heart of the claims, with inaccurate reports claiming Blight is blocking Southall's offers:  

“It is being presented to supporters that Matt wants me out and I’m refusing to budge, but that simply isn’t the case. Furthermore, I can state categorically that my position was that if it is in the best interests of the club, I would happily step aside. Now it is more the case that whatever happens, I think it is likely my time to step aside has come for my own reasons.”