PONTYPOOL RFC faces a new challenge after learning it could be saddled with a 20-year lease to maintain its vandal-hit home.

The club was able to turn its fortunes around and was granted an A licence in September, clearing the way for its Premiership return.

Only now, Torfaen council – which owns the grounds – is asking the club to sign a lease, which would force the club to pay for all maintenance at the ground.

Pooler has been hampered by rules requiring the club to put up a high-security fence around its pitch at Pontypool Park on match days – a proposal it was also keen to see passed after its home was targeted by vandalism.

The club submitted plans to fence off its grounds but suffered a setback this autumn after being told any planning decision could be prevented by a 1920s covenant.

A Pontypool RFC spokesman indicated the local authority is unwilling to progress with the fencing proposals until the club signs a level-three lease for the ground.

They said this concerned them as it would mean inheriting the maintenance of the building.

Given the lack of protection the club has ‘serious reservations’.

A lengthy process of looking at what the lease entails, before the fence is considered further now looks likely.

Torfaen council confirmed it was in discussions with the club regarding a new lease.

A council spokesman said: “The council has determined it will no longer maintain sports pitches apart from Northfields and Southfields.If we for any reason we cannot come to an agreement with the club, and they decide that they do not wish to sign the lease, it is possible that the council will maintain the area as a public amenity space, not a sports pitch.”