And if the Ponty faithful give the club its first capacity gate since Bath visited in a Heineken Cup tie five years ago, they will guarantee a £50,000 take to help off-set the reputed £75,000 the Principality Cup holders had to pay Cardiff to resign Jenkins.
The world record points scorer quit Cardiff a year before his contract ended to return to the club where he spent the first 10 years of his career. Ponty unveiled him today and it was as though nothing had changed.
“This really does fell like coming home. There is no other club I would have gone to from Cardiff,” said the 31-year-old Jenkins.
“When I left Ponty three seasons ago it was because I felt they had lost some of their ambition. We had won the league and the cup in the two previous seasons, but it just seemed to me the people in charge were ready to settle for second best.
“I wanted to be a winner and that’s why I moved to Cardiff. I was probably a bit stale as well at the time, but I’m returning to a team that is full of talent.
“Pontypridd has the potential to be as good as any team around next season and I’m really excited at the prospect of playing at Sardis Road again.
“It has been difficult coming here with Cardiff – a few boos and jeers came my way. But the people of Ponty have always been very good to me and I can’t wait to be back among them.
“Not that I’m taking anything for granted. Ceri Sweeney is a great player and I know I’m going to have to fight for my place.
“But that’s the way it always has been and it illustrates the strength in depth of the squad here. I’m not going to set any targets, but I’m enjoying training with both Wales and the club and after only two games in 12 months I’m looking forward to getting back out onto the pitch.”
Jenkins notched a record 2,943 points in 213 games in his previous stint at Sardis Road and the Ponty faithful, still in good voice after winning the Principality Cup and reaching the final of the PARKER PEN SHIELD, can’t wait to see the ‘Ginger Monster’ swap blue and black for black and white next season.
“Our season ticket sales are up and with Neil joining fellow internationals Kinsley Jones and Geraint Lewis in returning to the club, we are hoping to break through the 3,000 barrier for the first time,” said Ponty chief executive Gareth Thomas.
“We are looking forward to a big night when we play our first home game of the season against Newport on 7 September.
That game will kick-off at 8.00pm, because of a clash with the Wales v Finland soccer international, and the aim will be to get a full house.
