PONTYPOOL RFC has called on its loyal and passionate supporters to make the short journey to Eugene Park for the clash with champions-elect Ebbw Vale on Saturday – and return the favour of helping the club reach Target 1000 earlier this season.

Pooler reached the campaign objective – launched by the Free Press last summer to raise home attendances to 1000 fans and beyond – in October when 1,050 spectators attended the reverse fixture at Pontypool Park.

Despite a loss on the day, it was hailed a real success and a great advert for the Welsh club game.

And now Pooler wants to repay the favour in the huge SWALEC Championship game this weekend – which could act as a springboard for Pooler to push for a second place finish come the end of the season, with their opponents currently unbeaten in the league this far.

In a statement on the club website corporate director Ben Jeffreys said: “The Target 1,000 campaign was launched by The Free Press earlier this summer with the aim of raising the attendance of Pontypool RFC home fixtures to 1,000 fans and beyond - not only to further develop Pontypool RFC, but to also maintain and enhance the positive impact that this benchmark can have on local businesses and organisations situated in the town of Pontypool as a whole.

“This was in part achieved by the commitment of Ebbw Vale RFC supporters who visited Pontypool Park and was a great advert for Welsh club rugby. “Therefore, Pontypool RFC kindly asks that Pooler supporters show the same respect to Ebbw Vale RFC this weekend and turn up to Eugene Cross Park in great numbers.”

The Target 1,000 campaign was created not only to further develop Pontypool RFC, but to maximise the impact of the club and match days on local businesses and organisations in Pontypool.

Managing Editor of the Free Press, Nicole Garnon, said when it was launched in June: "The success of Pontypool RFC is not just important for the game of rugby, but for Pontypool itself. We are delighted to give our support to the new management who are working so hard to build a strong financial base so the club can go from strength to strength. We firmly believe this will go hand in hand with success on the pitch, and quite simply we want as many people in Pontypool as possible to be part of that success."

Kick-off at Eugene Park on Saturday is 2.30pm.