The Dragons’ revival on the pitch may be a slow burner, but their chairman David Buttress is a man in a hurry. Robin Davey outlines plans for major development at Rodney Parade as well as more new faces on and off the field.
The Dragons continue to make waves in Welsh rugby with chairman David Buttress outlining plans for the long haul to show there is nothing short-termism about their revival.
And they have also announced the key appointment of a new commercial chief who will be given a wide ranging brief designed to raise considerably more money.
That role will be filled by Jonathan Westwood, no stranger to Gwent rugby for he played at full-back, mainly for Cross Keys, but he also appeared for Newport and Ebbw Vale before becoming Keys coach.
He arrives at Rodney Parade in his new role after gaining valuable experience with Heineken UK, though he will first be at the sad occasion of his father’s funeral on Friday – the ever popular Keith Westwood, also a former full-back who went on to become a highly successful coach.
The next Dragons appointment will be a general manager to oversee everything and a four-man shortlist has been drawn up, with an announcement made by the summer.
The new Dragons chairman told a supporters gathering last week that he’s looking at a 20-year operation, at least, during which there will be huge developments off the field.
The Dragons are sitting on a prestige nine-acre site in the middle of Newport and envious business eyes will be cast in their direction.
The land is worth millions and Buttress explains the possibilities are for a brand new hotel on the area known as the cabbage patch behind the posts at the clubhouse end of the ground, a clubhouse which will be demolished.
On top of that Buttress is looking at offices being built on the site and, more than likely, restaurants and bars. He is already liaising with the local council and business people.
He aims to considerably enhance the commercial possibilities at Rodney Parade and eventually wants to raise an addition £1m per season.
Every bit of that money will, he says, be ploughed back into the playing squad, which coach Bernard Jackman is in the process of strengthening having already signed players of the calibre of Ross Moriarty, Richard Hibbard and Rhodri Williams with more to come.
Both chairman and coach are adamant about strengthening links with the Gwent clubs, having held a series of meetings already.
On top of that, they are taking the March Guinness Pro14 League fixture against Edinburgh to Ebbw Vale.
That represents a bold step for they will lose a considerable five figure sum taking the game away from their Rodney Parade playing base in terms of lost hospitality, bar takings and gate receipts.
It’s a gamble while it’s asking a lot of fans to travel from their core support base in Newport up to Ebbw Vale in considerable number on a Friday night in March, many having to swap their stand seat at Rodney Parade for one behind the posts at Eugene Cross Park.
But Buttress considers it a gamble well worth taking in an effort to be a true region, not one playing every home game at the same venue.
He is clearly prepared to exchange the financial hit for the possibility of gaining more supporters from around the region.
It’s all part of his aim to be inclusive, to try to appeal to a broad church and in particular to raise considerable funds with some major appointments and big development plans.
He is incredibly enthusiastic and ambitious. Rodney Parade is about to undergo a complete transformation on and off the field.
Their ultimate aim is to become Wales’ best region. It’s a big ask and there’s a long way to go given they’re starting from such a low base. But one thing for sure, Buttress will not countenance failure.
There are exciting times ahead for Dragons fans after years staring at the abyss and it’s going to be quite a ride.