NEWPORT RFC chairman Will Godfrey is to consider his future with the Black and Ambers after the strain of the vote to sell Rodney Parade to the Welsh Rugby Union.

Shareholders gave the green light to the proposed agreement with the governing body at their historic home on Tuesday evening, a deal that will also see the WRU take control of the Dragons.

The go-ahead needed to be given by 75 per cent of voters and 81 per cent – 351 of 429 individuals – said yes.

The Newport RFC board will now stand down and there will be another general meeting to decide on their future management structure.

Godfrey has been to the fore of the drive for a yes vote since the announcement was made, listening to the concerns and pleas of Black and Ambers supporters.

“The last 10 days or so have been horrifying. It has been really difficult not really knowing which way we would be going,” said the Newport chairman and Dragons director.

“When it was confirmed there was just relief that we had got over the line because 75 per cent was a very high figure.

“I am relieved that we have got it through because the uncertainty has made things very, very difficult for the staff and for the players.

“I don’t think that I am wanted with the Dragons and as far as Newport is concerned I have to go away and think about it.

“It’s been full-on and time will tell on that, I need to take a bit of a rain check. There have been many times where I have been sat up in the middle of the night thinking about the pros and cons.”

Godfrey, who will write off £175,000 he is owed, believes the deal is the best option for the Black and Ambers.

Newport RFC will receive £600,000 and assurances from the WRU that they can play at Rodney Parade while it is home to a professional side, with that right being free of rent or other fees for the first 10 years.

They will have use of the David Watkins suite on matchdays to raise funds and a room in the Bisley Stand that is currently an education suite can be turned into a Newport museum.

There will also be some fresh blood at boardroom level.

Godfrey said: “We have to put people in place and we have to develop the business plan. We have some commitments, particularly on the playing side, that have been held in abeyance.

“There is still an awful lot of work to be done and we still have the business of tidying up the existing companies to get them ready for the takeover. That’s actually going to be very time consuming over the next six to eight weeks.

“Oddly enough it possibly gives Newport more security than they have had because the money situation has become increasingly a problem.

“Although the ownership of the ground has gone, the costs relating to it have gone up while income has gone down so a lot of those worries have gone away.”

The Black and Ambers host Llanelli in the semi-finals of the Principality Premiership Tier Two play-offs on Saturday.