‘Both myself and the rest of the club’s board of directors fully acknowledge these concerns and indeed sympathise with many of them. We have all been involved with the club for many years and we appreciate the views of those supporters who have expressed their wholehearted opinions.

‘It was certainly not an easy decision and one that was not taken lightly due to its controversial nature. But after a lengthy discussion of all the arguments for and against, and after full consultation with Jim Mallinder and the playing department, the board of directors voted unanimously in favour of the switch to stadiumMK for this game, and we believe that it can be a springboard for a better and brighter future for Northampton Saints here at Franklin’s Gardens.

‘As far as this season is concerned we regard the match against Munster very much as a one-off. There are certainly no plans for any other fixture to be moved to stadiumMK, unless we have to in order to accommodate tournament requirements for a knockout cup match, and any rumour along other lines is mistaken.

‘It will certainly give us the ability to accommodate our nine thousand season ticket holders, those Saints supporters who regularly take our attendances over the 13 thousand mark, and other Saints supporters who want to get behind the team on such an occasion. We would not be able to do this were we to hold the game at Franklin’s Gardens.

‘When the match is completed we will undergo a comprehensive review of the occasion, and will canvass the opinion of supporters as part of the process. We will base any future decision regarding matches in Milton Keynes on the findings of that review and it is not my place to either pre-judge that or the needs of any season in the future.

‘However we believe that by going to stadiumMK – and retaining the venue as a possible alternative for us in years to come – we can help lay the foundations for a long and prosperous future at Franklin’s Gardens.

‘After all, just three weeks ago we committed ourselves to spending £5 million on a new North Stand that will give us the capability of attracting two thousand more people into Northampton to watch rugby week in, week out, year in, year out.

‘We have firmly nailed our colours to Franklin’s Gardens as being the home of Saints rugby for future generations to come.

‘In making this decision to switch this one game to stadiumMK we have had one eye firmly fixed on the future. And of course a future where thousands more people are coming into Northampton to watch rugby can have a positive knock-on effect on local businesses, many of whom have benefitted from the steep rise in average attendance that we have enjoyed over the past 15 years.

‘We also have to fill those two thousand extra seats in 18 months. And this means we have to promote the team to as wide a number of people as possible, who in turn will then become more likely to come to games here at Franklin’s Gardens in the future.

‘The staff at the club are working tirelessly to try and ensure that the day at stadiumMK is as similar to Franklin’s Gardens as possible. We certainly know that the Saints supporters are capable of creating a fantastic atmosphere there, as they did for April’s Heineken Cup quarter final. By getting behind the team in January, by bringing potential new supporters, and in creating a similar atmosphere for this game, our Season Ticket Holders can help us to grow the club we all have such passion for.

‘Everyone associated with the Saints wants success at the club. We have been fortunate to win trophies in recent seasons, but both the Premiership and Heineken Cup are becoming increasingly competitive with more and more clubs setting their sights on silverware.

‘One thing is certain – we want to be competing for trophies, not to be satisfied just by taking part. But to be in that position we need to be increasing our investment in the playing effort, while also maintaining the financial independence which we have worked so hard to achieve. And the game at stadiumMK will help us achieve that aim, too.

‘As I mentioned earlier, our decision has been a controversial one. But I hope that our supporters can understand why it has been made and that they will get behind the team wholeheartedly in January.’