PROUD chief executive Ben Jeffreys has insisted Pontypool “don’t fear anyone”, as they wait with bated breath to discover their opponents in the WRU National Cup quarter-finals.

Pooler joined Ebbw Vale, Cross Keys, Pontypridd, Llandovery, Carmarthen Quins, Merthyr and RGC 1404 in the hat for the last eight on Saturday thanks to a famous victory against Cardiff.

Speaking passionately after the 43-32 second-round triumph at the Arms Park, Jeffreys said the players had “created another piece of history for this club”.

Jeffreys, the players, coaching staff and supporters find out on Tuesday who they will face in the next stage of a competition Pontypool have only won once in their long history.

“This club was pretty much dead and buried four years ago,” said Jeffreys following Pooler’s second cup upset of the season – the Championship outfit beat Cardiff’s Principality Premiership rivals Llanelli in round one. “We remember how bad it was when we had one coach and three players.

“When you see people singing songs of old, that’s what it’s about, it shows that our fans have been crying out for these sorts of occasions.

“Don’t get me wrong, every Championship game is there and we’ve got to perform, but these ties with historical rivals have a lot of magic and memories with them.

“It’s a chance for our supporters to relive that but we’ve created another piece of history for this club, and so long as we keep doing that, while respecting the past, this club has a very healthy future indeed.”

When asked who he would like Pooler to draw in the next round, he added: “We don’t fear anyone. There’s a game of rugby to be played and we’ll play it.

“If we win, great, if we lose, I think this team has acquitted itself very well in the first two rounds, and in the preceding games this season.

“We’ll keep going, we’ll keep marching forward, and if the quarter-finals is where it ends for us then that’s where it ends.

“But I think we’ve shown we’re not going anywhere. This club’s absolutely here for the future.”

Pontypool are running away with the Championship having won all 17 of their league fixtures so far this term.

However, the Welsh Rugby Union’s decision to ring-fence the Premiership until the end of the 2018/19 season means promotion is out of the question.

Commenting on how Pontypool’s two cup wins over top flight clubs reflects on the WRU’s ruling to make the Premiership a closed shop for the next few years, Jeffreys said: “I think it certainly raises questions as to the mindset of it.

“We’re the 17th club on the fringes who have now beaten two Premiership teams.

“We know we’re stuck in the Championship but so long as we keep having these opportunities to prove that we belong in the Premiership then I’m pretty happy with that.

“The political scene is what it is but what is amazing is we’ve got a coaching staff and a group of players who don’t even seem to care.

“They’ve all rejected massive offers to go up to the Premiership and they’ve stayed, and I think that shows, ring-fencing or not, this is a team.

“This is all about them and everybody in the backroom staff who have put up with a lot over the years.”

Meanwhile, Jeffreys, as he did before the draw for the second round, has offered free entry to all supporters if Pooler are given a home tie in the quarter-finals.