Samuel to quit Warriors

Sardis disappoints Samuel Warriors target Ralph

Warriors benefactor Leighton Samuel says he is withdrawing his backing of the side as he lacks fan support.

"I will be advertising the position of chief executive prior to my withdrawal by 31 May, 2004," said Samuel in a statement on the Warriors website.

"The continued criticism (by the fans) of the efforts we have made under difficult circumstances has taken its toll and forced this decision."

But BBC Wales Sport understands Samuel could stay on as a significant sponsor.

And he will definitely continue to fund the regional academy next season to the tune of around £400,000.

His announcement follows criticism from him of the reception given to the Warriors at Sardis Road on Friday for the team's first visit there in five months.

I don't think Leighton would want to see the Warriors wound up Warriors board member Derrick King

Samuel said that the crowd was "disappointing" and doubted the accuracy and motivation for the attendance figures put out by Pontypridd and the media.

The Warriors have struggled to integrate successfully supporters from Bridgend and Pontypridd, who merged to form the new team last summer.

Warriors board member Derrick King said he was disappointed by Samuel's decision, and promised to do everything he could to make him change his mind.

"Without his money, ambition and drive we wouldn't be where we are today," King told BBC Wales Sport.

"He's adamant he doesn't want to be the benefactor but one would hope he would stay as a sponsor in some form."

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King is already thinking of ways to replace the £50,000 Samuel pumps into the region each month, and admitted the most likely solution would be to attract a consortium.

But despite this latest set-back, King stressed the future of the Warriors is not in doubt.

"I don't think Leighton would want to see the Warriors wound up," King added. "The Warriors will be there next season."

The timing of Samuel's announcement is also puzzling since it comes as a day after he confirmed he had been in talks to bring Caleb Ralph and another unnamed All Black international to the Warriors.

The news has also worried the Welsh Rugby Union, who owns 50% of the regional side and contributes £1.7m a season.

"I'm extremely disappointed that such a serious and significant statement was made to the media before it was discussed at board level," WRU chief executive David Moffett said in a statement.

Although Samuel has threatened to withdraw from executive positions before he has never threatened to remove his financial support.

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