county on the up - Newport County AFC

Countyconnect
Issue 2 January 2014
The Official Club Magazine of Newport County AFC
COUNTY
ON
THE
UP
DECLAN
BECOMES
COMMUNITY
COACH
HARRIS’
LIFE
WITH
COUNTY
NEWS / VIEWS / COMMENTS / EVENTS
COUNTY
BUSINESS
CLUB
CONTENTS
5 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
The views of our Chairman Les Scadding
6 COUNTY IN THE COMMUNITY
Norman Parselle looks back at the first 4 months of the scheme
8 FIXTURES 2013/14
Full Sky Bet League 2 & Cup fixtures and results
9 DAVE BODDY
The Club’s CEO looks at the development of the business
10 A PICTORIAL REVIEW OF 2013
Photos from each month of a memorable 2013
12 JUSTIN EDINBURGH
Justin assesses our start to life back in the Football League
16 TWO NIGHTS AT THE ALBION
A pictorial look at our Capital One Cup campaign
18 NEWPORT COUNTY AFC SUPPORTERS TRUST
John Williams looks at the Supporters Trust role with County
23 KEVIN WARD GUEST ARTICLE
South Wales Argus Editor looks forward with optimism
25 BUSINESS CLUB
Details of our newly formed Business Club
26 COUNTY IN MY LIFE - TIM HARRIS
Tim looks back at his association with the Club
NEWPORT COUNTY AFC
Rodney Parade, Newport, South Wales, NP19 0UU
www.newport-county.co.uk
Main Office Email Ticket Office Club Store 01633 670690
[email protected]
01633 674990
01633 674959
General Office Hours
Monday - Friday 09.00 - 17.00
Match Days
Midweek
09.00 - 19.45
Weekend
11.00 - 15.00
Chairman Les Scadding
Directors Les Scadding, Howard Greenhaf, Jackie Tutton
Non-Executive Directors Tony Pring,
Dave Roberts
Financial Director Jackie Tutton
Chief Executive Dave Boddy
Football Secretary / Press Officer Tim Lane
Commercial Manager James Watts
Honorary President David Hando
Director of Football Tim Harris
Manager Justin Edinburgh
Assistant Manager Jimmy Dack
Coach Wayne Hatswell
Physiotherapist Adam Roche
Community Development Officer
Norman Parselle
Cover Harry Worley celebrates scoring County’s first goal back in the Football League
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Chairman’s
Message
Les Scadding
S
ince the last issue of
County Connect there
have been so many
changes it has been a
whirlwind return to the Football
League both on and off the pitch.
The interest levels keep rising
and the performances keep
improving. It is a credit to Justin,
Jimmy, Wayne and the players
for their incredible resilience and
efforts in the face of such a long
injury list.
I, like every Newport County
AFC supporter, have been
keeping my fingers crossed for
the players who have been out
with long term injuries, but I can
see that we are so close to returns
for Aaron O’Connor and Max
Porter, whilst Byron Anthony
and Chris Zebroski have shown
mental strength to be ahead
of schedule for their return.
Like every aspect of Newport
County AFC, these players have
benefitted from the team ethic
and support from the rest of the
squad and staff as well as the
many well-wishers from our
tremendous fans.
As Justin has mentioned,
these players returning
will be like new signings
for the club and with
a full strength squad I
feel we can continue to
put Newport County
AFC on the map and
hold our own in the
Football League. Justin
and I regularly discuss
squad matters along
with my fellow Director
Howard Greenhaf and
Director of Football Tim
Harris. I understand
there is always going to
be speculation around
football clubs as we
approach the business
end of the season. All I
can say is that we are all
very proud of the squad we have
at Newport County AFC and any
possible additions will be agreed
in unison with Justin, Howard
and me; and always for the good
of the club.
It is imperative that a good
honest working relationship
is fostered between Chairman
and Manager of football clubs.
My relationship with Justin is
built on trust and I hope that
the positive relationship we have
can be shown on the pitch. The
relationship with the supporters
is also pivotal when striving for
success. I cannot over emphasise
the factor of the fans at Rodney
Parade and it is no coincidence
that we have the best home
record in the league. Our home
league average
remains
well over
3,000 and
we have
taken
approximately 900 fans to Exeter,
Cheltenham and Portsmouth
showing the level of support a
professional football club in this
city can attract.
Time doesn’t stand still and as a
club we want to continue to push
on and reach the next level. Our
capacity is now increased to 7,850
with the work done to the ground
and the installation of additional
seats in the Sytner Stand. No-one
was more frustrated than myself
at the postponement of 2 high
profile home games either side
of Christmas but we will look to
further upgrade the pitch at the
end of this season.
As I mentioned earlier, the
attention on the club is growing,
both in terms of media, but also
on a business front; in particular
with our growing list of partners
and charity work. I believe that as
a club we do have a responsibility
to the community we represent
and I was lucky enough to be
invited to speak at the recent
‘Stop Domestic Violence against
Women’ launch at the Senedd
with our local AM and Minister
for Culture, John Griffiths.
Indeed, both John and Paul
Flynn MP are regular attendees
at County games and we need
everybody on board to progress.
Newport City Council have been
supportive and
we are doing
all we can
to cement our relationship
with the local authority. In
addition to this, Howard and I
are working tirelessly to ensure
our partnership with Rodney
Parade and the Gwent Dragons
continues to grow.
In terms of the media, there are
weekly requests for interviews
in print, on radio and TV.
Since the last County Connect
publication I have been shadowed
by the BBC Wales on an away
trip to Cheltenham Town,
interviewed before matches at
Rodney Parade for Radio Wales
and TalkSport and spoke on
behalf of the club in a recent
BBC Radio 4 documentary on
businesses within the City of
Newport entitled ‘The Only Way
is Up’. This was an important
programme as it highlighted
the club on a national scale in a
wider context and emphasised
the positives within the city and
how Newport County AFC were
contributing to this.
There will, no doubt, be added
interest in the club as the second
half of the season gets underway.
I am excited about 2014 and in
particular where Justin and the
squad can take this football club.
There is a feel good factor around
Newport County AFC that is
spreading throughout the City of
Newport and beyond and I want
as many people to enjoy it as
possible. I look forward to seeing
you at Rodney Parade soon.
LES SCADDING (RIGHT) WITH DIRECTOR HOWARD GREENHAF
www.newport-county.co.uk
January 2014
Countyconnect
5
Community Officer
NORMAN PARSELLE
COUNTY
IN THE COMMUNITY
COUNTY IN THE COMMUNITY
months is yardstick our scheme
should be fine (never take
anything for granted). The
support from Justin/Jimmy
and all the players has been
brilliant. The players have been
involved in so many photos
opportunities & autographs
at different functions/visits/
soccer camps etc. I have to
give a special mention to local
lads Mike Flynn & Byron
Anthony who have attended 6
local schools (ages 4 to 16) and
been brilliant with question
and answer sessions with
the children. One of many
community highlights from the
last 3 months has to be our visit
to the Royal Gwent Hospital
Children’s Ward. The visit
took place on December 19th
with Asda Pillgwenlly kindly
donating selection boxes and
presents for all the children.
The nursing staff at the Hospital
could not believe it when
Justin, Jimmy, all the players
and backroom staff and Spytty
the Dog attended the day (they
had been warned!). The next
day our Club received a lovely
letter from a mother whose
son had just come out of an eye
operation and the visit cheered
him up no end.
The Match day Visit for
School or Junior Club has
been a massive success. All
Junior Clubs have brought
over 100 players/coaches/
siblings or parents. The record
so far belongs to Newport
Corinthians who attended the
day with a total of 273 people!
It was great to meet the people
from Clubs such as Chepstow,
Cromwell, Lliswerry, Undy and
Race. We only have a couple of
games remaining this season
so please get in touch if your
School/Club would like to visit
on Match day.
For more information regarding
any of the above please visit the
Newport County AFC website
www.newport-county.co.uk or
contact Norman or Declan at
community@newport-county.
co.uk
FUTSAL
In September 2014 County
in the Community will be
joining the Football League
Trust Education & Futsal
Programme. The students,
both Girls and Boys, aged
16 – 18 yrs will be enrolled
on a 2 year BTEC Level
3 Extended Diploma in
Sport. The students will play
regular matches representing
Newport County AFC in the
National Futsal league.
The club look forward to
working with you.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT NEWPORT COUNTY PLAYERS (L-R) ANDY SANDELL, RYAN JACKSON,
CHRISTIAN JOLLEY AND BYRON ANTHONY DURING THE ROYAL GWENT HOSPITAL VISIT
W
ow, what a
whirlwind 3
months for the
Newport County
AFC Community Scheme. Just
like on the pitch County in the
Community is evolving and
improving by the week. In the
last edition we talked about
appointing a new community
coach. We now have a full time
coach in Declan Flanagan, a
local lad and former Newport
County Academy player.
The appointment of Declan
in October 2013 has been
instrumental to the growth
of the scheme. He has been a
6
Countyconnect
big hit with the children on
the Primary School Gateway
scheme with his commitment &
enthusiasm. In October Declan
organised the very successful
‘Holiday Soccer Schools’ where
over 60 youngsters turned up
each day and had a fantastic
time, judging by the feedback
we received.
With Newport County AFC
back in the Football League
there was an opportunity
to be involved in national
tournaments. In November
County in the Community
organised the local Football
January 2014
League Kids & Girls Cup
competitions (for local Primary
& High Schools). We had 19
local Primary Schools compete
in the Kids Cup and 8 High
Schools in the Girls Cup.
The winners of the Kids Cup
were Glasllwch Primary and
victorious in the Girls Cup
were Caerleon High. Both
teams were presented with their
cups at half-time during the
Chesterfield game and carried
out a lap of honour. They now
play in area/regional finals
where, if successful in these
competitions, they could play at
Wembley, so watch this space.
The feedback from the whole
event was really encouraging
and the Club would like to
thank Newport City Council
Sports Development &
Llanwern High School for their
support. Also a big thanks
to our Community sponsors
Specsavers and Melin Homes
for providing such splendid
Cups for the winners.
PHOTO CALL NEWPORT CORINTHIANS ENJOY THEIR BIG DAY AT RODNEY
PARADE BEFORE COUNTY’S 3-0 WIN OVER YORK CITY IN OCTOBER
FUNDING PARTNERS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
It is said by many Football
League Community Officers
“that the success of your
scheme will depend on your
relationship with the Manager
and Players”. If the last few
www.newport-county.co.uk
www.newport-county.co.uk
January 2014
Countyconnect
7
FIXTURES
2013/14
AUGUST 2013
Sat 3rd Accrington Stanley (H) W 4-1, Att: 4,631
Tue 6th Brighton & HA (A) Capital One Cup Round 1
W 3-1 (AET), Att: 8,409
Sat 10th Northampton Town (A) L 1-3, Att: 4,319
Sat 17th Bristol Rovers (H) W 1-0, Att: 5,387
Sat 24th Dag & Red (A) D 1-1, Att: 1,564
Tue 27th West Brom (A) Capital One Cup Round 2 L 0-3, Att: 8,955
Sat 31st Scunthorpe United (A) D 1-1, Att: 3,157
SEPTEMBER 2013
Sat 7th Mansfield Town (H) D 1-1, Att: 3,709
Sat 14th Morecambe (H) L 2-3, Att: 3,165
Sat 21st Exeter City (A) W 2-0, Att: 4,614
Sat 28th Torquay United (H) W 2-1, Att: 3,557
OCTOBER 2013
Sat 5th Bury (A) D 0-0, Att: 3,093
Tue 8th Crawley Town (A) Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern
Section Round 2 W 3-2, Att: 1,350
Sat 12th Rochdale (A) L 0-3, Att: 2,530
Sat 19th York City (H) W 3-0, Att: 3,475
Tue 22nd Plymouth Argyle (A) D 0-0, Att: 5,689
Sat 26th Southend United (H) W 3-1, Att: 3,652
NOVEMBER 2013
Sat 2nd Fleetwood Town (A) L 1-4, Att: 2,354
Sat 9th Braintree Town (A) FA Cup with Budweiser Round 1 D 1-1, Att:
1,004
Tue 12th Portsmouth (H) Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Southern Section
Quarter Final W 3-0, Att: 2,849
Fri 15th Hartlepool United (H) W 2-0, Att: 3,094
Tue 19th Braintree Town (H) FA Cup with Budweiser Round 1 Replay W
1-0, Att: 1,406
Sat 23rd Cheltenham Town (A) D 0-0, Att: 3,501
Tue 26th Oxford United (A) D 0-0, Att: 5,042
DECEMBER 2013
Sun 1st Chesterfield (H) W 3-2, Att: 3,378
Sat 7th Kidderminster Harriers (A) L 2-4, Att: 2,636
Sat 14th Portsmouth (A) W 2-0, Att: 15,295
Thu 26th Wycombe W (A) W 1-0, Att: 3,513
Sun 29th Burton Albion (A) L 0-1, Att: 2,692
JANUARY 2014
Sat 4th Northampton Town (H) L 1-2, Att: 3,864
Sat 11th Accrington Stanley (A) D 3-3, Att: 1,318
DAVE BODDY
DAVE
BODDY
FEBRUARY 2014
Fri 7th Fleetwood Town (H)
Tue 11th AFC Wimbledon (H)
Sat 15th Hartlepool United (A)
Tue 18th Oxford United (H)
Sat 22nd Cheltenham Town (H)
W
elcome to the
second edition
of County
Connect. We
were delighted with the success
of the first edition, it was well
received by supporters, the
community and businesses
a like, throughout South
Wales. We have had lots of
very favourable feedback and
it’s now our intention to make
the magazine a regular fixture
in the calendar, with two
or three editions a year and
hopefully further improving the
production as we go.
MARCH 2014
Sat 1st Scunthorpe United (H)
Sat 8th Mansfield Town (A)
Tue 11th Morecambe (A)
Sun 16th Exeter City (H)
Sat 22nd Torquay United (A)
Tue 25th Bury (H)
Sat 29th Portsmouth (H)
APRIL 2014
Sat 5th Chesterfield (A)
Sat 12th Wycombe W (H)
Fri 18th AFC Wimbledon (A)
Mon 21st Burton Albion (H)
Sat 26th York City (A)
MAY 2014
Sat 3rd Rochdale (H)
ADMISSION PRICES
Senior
Adult
Citizen Student U16
BISLEY STAND & HAZELL STAND
Advance
Purchase
Matchday
U12
U6
£18.00
£14.00
£14.00
£9.00
£6.00
FREE
£20.00
£16.00
£16.00
£9.00
£6.00
FREE
£16.00
£12.00
£12.00
£6.00
£6.00
FREE
£18.00
£14.00
£14.00
£6.00
£6.00
FREE
HAZELL TERRACE
Advance
Purchase
Matchday
NORTH TERRACE
Advance
Purchase
Matchday
£15.00
£11.00
£11.00
£5.00
£5.00
FREE
£17.00
£13.00
£13.00
£5.00
£5.00
FREE
Sat 18th Dag & Red (H)
Sat 25th Bristol Rovers (A)
Tue 28th Plymouth Argyle (H)
Fri 31st Southend United (A)
www.newport-county.co.uk Ticket Office Number
01633674990 or 01633670690
Since the last edition, when I
highlighted some of the many
changes that were happening
off the field following our
promotion to the SkyBet
Football League, things have
moved on a pace. My challenge
as Chief Executive of the Club
is to continue to improve and
develop the business off the
field and keep up with the
playing success on the field.
Justin and the team continue
to throw down the gauntlet in
that respect! Success on the
field is what every Club strives
for and thrives on. My target
is to capitalise on the on-field
success and build a robust
business that will support the
Club in the longer term and at
times when things are not so
good on the field.
www.newport-county.co.uk
Another area of the Club that
is thriving is County in the
Community. The Community
scheme was only launched on
1st September, when Norman
Parselle was appointed as
Community Development
Officer. We have now been able
to appoint a second full time
coach to the scheme. We are
delighted to have appointed
Declan Flanagan, a Newport
boy and a bright young coach
who is currently studying for
his “A” Licence. In a further
development, the scheme will
be operating a Futsal academy
next season for both young
men and women. Full details
can be found on the County in
the Community pages in this
edition.
Another important
development for the Club is the
recently launched new website.
In common with most Football
League Clubs, County have
joined the Football League
Interactive platform which will
provide the Club and more
importantly our supporters,
with a modern, attractive and
massively improved website,
with lots of new and innovative
features. Although there were
one or two initial hiccups
technically (and there always
will be with a project of this
magnitude) the website from
the supporter’s perspective will
be a much better experience
and information delivering tool.
We also intend to improve both
the quality and quantity of the
content within the new site and
this is a process that we have
started over the last 6 months
or so.
From the Club’s point of view,
there are far greater revenue
generating opportunities and
the move will significantly
increase our income over the
next 12 months and in future
seasons. Not only will we
benefit from the Exiles player,
but we will see greater incomes
streams from the centrally sold
national adverting and the
Club’s official Youtube channel.
Also, with the pace at which
technology is moving on, and
the massive investment that
the Football League is putting
into its digital platforms, it is
important that we are involved
with it.
I first investigated the
possibility of joining the FLi
platform shortly after I joined
the Club and would have done
so even if we had remained
in the Conference. However,
promotion made the process
a lot easier and quicker, and
I think we have joined the
platform quicker than any
previously promoted Club
which is testament to a lot of
hard work from a lot of people
behind the scenes.
Another area of the Club
which I am looking to develop
is ticketing. Whilst we will
be looking at the ticketing of
Rodney Parade in the longer
term, I am keen to improve the
experience and performance
of Newport County selling
tickets for away games to our
supporters. We are aware of the
difficulties and particularly for
supporters living outside of the
area and wishing to buy tickets
over the phone and something
that we are going to change and
improve in the immediate short
term.
With the expansion of the
Club off the field, what people
won’t have seen is that we have
completely outgrown our office
accommodation at Rodney
Parade. We are currently in the
process of developing further
office accommodation on site
which will help elevate the
space problems that we have
encountered and had to live
with since promotion. This will
further help the development
of the business, which certainly
has been hampered and
difficult during the last few
months due to staff working
in over crowded and difficult
conditions.
Here’s looking forward to an
exciting climax to the season.
January 2014
Countyconnect
9
2013 IN PICTURES
H
D THE PITC
W SURROUN
THE PITCH
LES OF SNO
R
PI
EA
E
K
CL
JO
TO
SNOW
FORTS
JANUARY
ORTERS’ EF
BARROW IN
AFTER SUPP
GAME WITH
UR
O
F
O
AHEAD
THE ONLY WAY IS UP
FEBRUARY’S 2-0 WIN
OVER
EVENTUAL CHAMPION
S MANSFIELD TOWN
PUTS
COUNTY INTO A SOLID
PLAYOFF POSITION
COUNTY ARE BACK HAR
RY WORLEY SCORES
THE
FIRST NEWPORT COU
NTY GOAL IN THE FOO
TBALL
LEAGUE FOR OVER 25
YEARS IN AUGUST
GETTING SHIRTY ROBBIE WILLMOTT
CELEBRATES THE WINNER IN MARCH’S 3-2
WIN AT HEREFORD, PUTTING COUNTY JUST 3
POINTS OFF THE TOP WITH 2 GAMES IN HAND
LY SEES
PEATING JU
RN A
HISTORY RE
NA AND EA
JE
TO
RN
TU
1981
RE
IN
TY
ID
D
UN
CO
WE
W JUST AS
LATE 2-2 DRA
UP AND AWAY PLAYERS CELEBRATE HARRY WORLEY’S
WINNER IN SEPTEMBER’S 2-0 WIN AT EXETER CITY,
COUNTY’S FIRST AWAY WIN IN THE LEAGUE
WEMBERLEY PLAYER
S AND FANS ALIKE CEL
EBRATE CHRISTIAN JOL
THE PLAYOFF SEMI FIN
LEY’S WINNER IN
AL VICTORY OVER GR
IMSBY IN APRIL
AN
AND IT’S THERE... CHRISTI
JOLLEY SCORES THE
BLEY
OPENING GOAL AT WEM
D
WIL
NG
RKI
SPA
,
IN MAY
CELEBRATIONS AS THE
AM
2-0 WIN OVER WREXH
THE
PUTS COUNTY BACK IN
FOOTBALL LEAGUE
NEW SIGNINGS MANAGER JUST
IN EDINBURGH ADDS
LEAGUE 2 EXPERIENCE TO HIS SQUA
D WITH ADAM
CHAPMAN (LEFT) AND CHRIS ZEBR
OSKI (RIGHT) SIGNING
PHOTOS ASHLEY CROWDEN & KEVIN BARNES
HERE WE GO AGAIN LEN
NY PIDGELEY
CELEBRATES DURING
OCTOBER’S 3-1 WIN OV
ER
SOUTHEND THAT PUT
S COUNTY INTO THE
TOP 7
ENS THE
STAGE MIKE FLYNN OP
’S
VICTORY ON THE BIG
00 AT PORTSMOUTH
15,0
ER
OV
OF
NT
SCORING IN FRO
LEAGUE WIN
2-0
’S
BER
EM
DEC
IN
FRATTON PARK
OST CONOR
HEAD OVER HEELS... ALM
A GOAL
WASHINGTON CELEBRATES
NOVEMBER
AGAINST PORTSMOUTH IN
THE AREA
WHICH PUTS COUNTY INTO
NSTONE’S
SEMI FINALS OF THE JOH
PAINT TROPHY
JUSTIN EDINBURGH
JUSTIN EDINBURGH
2
014 is upon us and it seems
like only yesterday when we
opened our first Football
League season in 25 years
with a fine 4-1 home victory
against Accrington Stanley at a sun
drenched Rodney Parade in front of
over 4,500 fans.
Since the start of August we have
already played 30 matches (22
in League and 8 in various cup
competitions) and we have 24 to
play (or maybe more!) in the next 4
months. I mentioned to the media
from the start of the season that it is
difficult to judge any league until 15
games (approximately a third of the
way through) have been played.
The recent postponed matches
have given us a moment to breathe
after a hectic first 5 months of the
season. It is still difficult to assess
where the club will be on the
3rd May but a platform has been
provided by the players and whilst
I am not surprised with where we
are in the league with the
quality I see
12
JUSTIN
EDINBURGH
Countyconnect
January 2014
www.newport-county.co.uk
on the training ground every day, I
am pleasantly surprised with where
we are in relation to the amount
of injuries sustained to key players
and how well the whole squad has
acclimatised to life in the Football
League.
The ‘whole squad’ is important
to me as we are one group. The
togetherness is key if we are
to achieve our potential. This
includes everybody on and off
www.newport-county.co.uk
the pitch. I don’t mind saying
this again as it has been conveyed
to me by players and staff alike
but the Newport County AFC
supporters really do make the 12th
man at games. Matches at home
including Accrington Stanley,
Bristol Rovers and Portsmouth
in the JPT alongside the huge
followings at West Brom, Exeter
City, Cheltenham and Portsmouth
are why we are in this game. The
atmosphere in all those games was
special and, as the season enters the
defining period, your support will
be key.
Another question I have been asked
too many times to mention is the
latest injury situation! I really can’t
remember a scenario such as this in
as a player or manager but I believe
that we will be seeing the squad
return to its full complement in the
near future. It has been beneficial
for the players recovering from
their injuries to be around the
team and, once again, the team
ethic has been in evidence with
those fortunate enough to be fully
fit providing encouragement
to those in rehabilitation as they
know how strong we will be once
everybody is fit.
The only side we have yet to play is
AFC Wimbledon so I believe that
the league at this moment is a fair
reflection of where we are at. It is
an assumption to say that on any
given day any team in League 2 can
beat their counterparts, however,
with only 13 points separating the
top 14 clubs after 24 matches (or
22 in our case) we know how tight
this division is. Indeed, a brief
look at the Championship and
League 1 shows a gap of 21 and 24
points respectively between the top
14 teams (having also played 24
games). In addition to this the both
the Championship and League 1
leaders are through the 50 point
barrier whereas in League 2 44
points is currently enough for top
spot.
I mentioned earlier that there are
24 matches left to play; of these
14 are at home. I am pleased with
our home form to date and we
attempt to play fast, attacking
football, on the front foot be it
home or away. We have proved
ourselves against high calibre teams
including Southend, Chesterfield
and Portsmouth (twice) already
this season and we have nothing
to fear as we look to continue our
progression.
“”
We have proved
ourselves
against high
calibre teams
already this
season and we
have nothing to
fear as we look
to continue our
progression
There is no simple formula for
success other than hard work.
Fortunately I have a group of
players and staff that understand
by working hard they will
reap the benefits and I will
continue to ensure
everybody at
Newport County
AFC will give
nothing but their
best to maintain the
high standards shown since I
have been at the club.
Keep the Faith.
January 2014
Countyconnect
13
COMMERCIAL
OPPORTUNITIES
James Watts
S
To see how we can assist you and your company,
call us for a FREE consultation.
ince the first issue of
County connect we
have continued to work
hard both on and off
the field to establish Newport
County AFC as a successful
football league club. Whilst we
have been looking at a number
of advertising options in
regards to match programme’s
and advertising boards around
the stadium we have also
continued to look at other ways
of advertising through the use
of this magazine and our free
wall planner’s for supporters
and local businesses.
At this current moment in
time we have sold all of our
advertising space around the
stadium and in the match day
programme so now is the time
to have a look at a number of
other marketing opportunities
to drive the club forward. We
have the upcoming Kevin
Keegan night at The Parkway
Hotel which is another big
promotion for the club as we
look to develop our product on
a wider scale to a much wider
market.
The last few months have seen
a number of changes including
a new website which will open
up a number of opportunities
commercially especially with
www.newport-county.co.uk
the ability for Newport County
AFC to feature on Player and
on the Football League App for
mobile phones. We are working
towards promoting the club in
widespread areas and this ties
in with all of the work that is
being done in the community
as well as the way we continue
to push promotions for families
and young children.
Our numbers in hospitality
this season have been very
impressive with an average of
150 guests at every home game
and in comparison to a number
of other Football League
sides this shows how well we
are doing. The hospitality is
experience is something that we
are continually trying to build
on and we hope as the season
goes on to get a few well known
guest speakers in to make the
day all that bit more enjoyable.
Newport County AFC is an
evolving business and for us
to progress we need to keep
developing what we do both
on and off the pitch. There are
already a number of plans for us
to develop next season and with
Newport County AFC now
featuring on a number of high
profile games such as Fifa 14 it
gives us far more market reach
and marketing power.
Plans are afoot now for season
long hospitality packages and
corporate box packages as these
have been very successful this
season for businesses that see a
Newport County AFC game as
a good way to entertain clients.
However, not only businesses
have taken up these options and
we have a number of supporter
groups and groups of friends
who have came together to get a
box for the season.
To collect a free wall planner
for 2014 please come to our
main Newport County AFC
office and take one as the
development of this product
will lead to a number of
other free Newport County
AFC products for fans and
local businesses. Our Match
Sponsorship and Match Ball
Sponsorship packages have
continued to be a big success
this season with a number
of companies taking these
packages on more than one
occasion.
“”
Our numbers
in hospitality
this season
have been very
impressive with
an average of
150 guests at
every home
game
To receive more information on
any of the products mentioned
in this article please phone
myself on 01633 670690 or
email me at [email protected] and I will be more
than happy to assist.
January 2014
Countyconnect
15
CAPITAL ONE CUP
TWO NIGHTS AT TH
E ALBION
ERS
UNTY PLAY
TRA TIME CO
EX
HIS
R
ER
FO
FT
A
G
IN
W
HEAD
NNY CRO
A
D
ER
R
CO
MOB GOALS
TRA TIME
FORCED EX
EQUALISER
TH
TUESDAY 27 AUGUST 2013
TH
TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2013
BRIGHTON & HA 1
COUNTY 3
WBA 3
COUNTY 0
BARNES
ROUND 1
AMEX STADIUM, ATT: 8,409
BERAHINO (3)
ROUND 2
THE HAWTHORNS, ATT: 8,955
CROW (2), WASHINGTON
PHOTOS SAM SHINGLER & STEVE WILLIAMS
SUPPORTERS TRUST
SUPPORTERS TRUST
SUPPORTERS
TRUST
with John
Williams
I
find it ironic that
putting pen to paper,
for what will be my
last contribution as
Chairman of Newport County
AFC Supporters Trust, I will
review what has prevailed
since the dark days when the
Trust was formed in the early
nineties.
Current Members
366
Shareholding
17,065
JOIN ONLINE
WWW.NCAFCTRUST.ORG
18
Countyconnect
January 2014
This is my third spell with
the Trust, having been the
original Chairman, aided
by such County legends as
Colin Everett, Rob Santwris,
Andrew Morrison, Roger
Jones and Alex Keegan. The
idea of a Trust was born
from an idea muted by Alex
Keegan, which involved
contributions being made by
members, with fund raising
ideas, all designed to help
what was an ailing and grossly
underfunded club. This
committee adopted the name
of the ‘Amber Army’, a name
which has stood fast with the
older supporters of the club,
and the founder members of
the original Trust.
Charlie Hopkins, a solicitor,
who had worked very closely
with David Hando when the
club was forced into exile,
was very keen to promote
our newly formed group and
invited an officer from the
Supporters Direct group,
which was a government
backed organisation that had
been formed to ensure that
supporters had a say in the
way that their football clubs
were run. Supporters Direct
took us under their wing, and
together with their solicitors
a constitution was formed
to run a legally binding
organisation.
www.newport-county.co.uk
Part of the the newly formed
constitution insisted that all
monies that were passed to
our Football Club would be
exchanged for shares in the
club, allowing our members
and supporters to have a
major stake holding in their
football club. As we near our
fifteenth anniversary, ‘Your
Trust’ has become the second
largest shareholder of the
club. In the early years of
the Trust, a membership of
300 people represented more
than a third of our die hard
supporters, and with many
members funding the Amber
Army with Direct Debits and
donations, it soon realised
a healthy bank balance,
allowing the officers and
committee license to make
large contributions to the
budgets that controlled the
way that the club was run.
Over the years many people
have joined the Trust, and
have worked tirelessly as
officers and committee to
ensure that Newport has a
football team. They have
strived to try and reduce
the massive debts that the
club carried forward each
and every year, obstructing
any investment that would
be likely to be offered by
individuals. I feel a mention
should be made of then
Chairman Nigel Dutson,
Treasurer Kay Saunders, Tony
Pring and David Roberts,
who worked with the Board
to try and minimise the
amount of Directors loans
and debts that were carried
www.newport-county.co.uk
forward on an annual basis.
This was finally achieved in
2013, when agreements were
reached with all parties to
swap loans for shares, write
offs or in some cases a cash
settlement. Congratulations
to all concerned for a job very
well done. Colin Everett, Rob
Santwris, Tony Pring and
Dave Roberts, all of whom
have represented the Trust at
full Board level, and ensured
that the fans were given a say
in the way the club is run,
deserve a huge slap on the
back.
The future represents a
totally different outlook for
the Trust. The club is lucky
enough to have a very wealthy
Chairman, whose passion
for the club is there for all to
witness. We have embarked
on a mission which, with
luck could see us achieve
two promotions in as many
years. We have a lease at
Rodney Parade for ten years,
a stadium in the middle of
the city, a band of young
supporters growing each
and every year. Your Trust
still contributes to the club,
it has a committee person,
Gareth Marshman who assists
Norman Parselle with the
‘County in the Community’
programme. The club’s
Commercial Manager, Mr
James Watts is also a member
of our current committee.
Secretary, Alan Coombs,
like myself is a long standing
stalwart of the club. We
both organise the Trust Golf
Society and the Newly formed
Business Club. Your Treasurer
also has long associations
with the club, being the
original club mascot, ‘Spytty
The Dog.’ Darren Williams,
who has been responsible for
the innovations on the club
website is also a committee
member.
The work of the Trust is
not complete. We must all
strive to ensure that the club
is sustainable on its present
budget, and that all running
costs and expenses are within
those boundaries set out at the
commencement of the season.
A ‘Plan B’ must always be
available to ensure that there
can never be a repeat of 1989.
This is why your Trust is still
enlisting new members, with a
view to being a part of a ‘plan
B’ operation. Please, if you
aren’t already a member, find
time to get involved with the
Trust and its activities.
As far as I am concerned, on
an individual basis, I have
been informed that I have to
lead a less stressful life, so,
for this reason I am stepping
down as Chairman of the
Trust. I will continue in my
role as Membership Secretary,
and will continue to organise
the Golf Society. May I take
this opportunity to thank
all the people I have worked
with, and those who have
put up with me, Ladies and
Gentlemen, I thank you.
“”
A ‘Plan B’
must always
be available
to ensure that
there can never
be a repeat of
1989. This is
why your Trust
is still enlisting
new members,
with a view to
being a part of a
‘Plan B’ operation.
Please, if you
aren’t already
a member, find
time to get
involved with
the Trust and its
activities.
January 2014
Countyconnect
19
PARTNERS
MAIN SPONSOR
OFFICIAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTNER
TECHNICAL SPORTSWEAR PARTNER
OFFICIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES PARTNER
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
OFFICIAL RADIO PARTNER
OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER
OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Official Community Partner
OFFICIAL TRAINING GROUND PARTNER
www.newport-county.co.uk
OFFICIAL ACADEMY PARTNER
OFFICIAL IT PARTNER
January 2014
Countyconnect
21
KEVIN
WARD
Editor of South Wales Argus,
Official Media Partners of Newport County A.F.C
I
’d love to be able to wax lyrical
about the first Newport County
match I saw Sadly, I can’t
remember a thing about it.
Opponents, score, scorers – all lost
in the mists of time. I know it was
towards the end of the 1976-77
term, when County escaped what
was then the re-election zone of the
old Fourth Division on the very last
day of the season. I know it was a
midweek evening match, and I know
I was only at Somerton Park because
I’d done a deal with my father. I’d
go with him to watch the speedway
(which I hated) if he took me to the
football (which he hated).
And I know it started in me an
affection for County that never
really went away, even after moving
away from my childhood home in
Cwmbran to England when I was
11. Anyone who knows me knows
I’m a lifelong Liverpool fan and I’m
not going to pretend otherwise. But
throughout the 12 years I lived away
from Gwent, County’s was always the
other score I looked out for as the
results came in on the Grandstand
vidiprinter.
And the names of the players from
that late 70s/early 80s era remain
fresh in the memory – John Relish,
Keith Oakes, Steve Lowndes, Nigel
Vaughan, Tommy Tynan, John
Aldridge and my own personal
favourite, Howard Goddard.
The demise of the original Newport
County happened at around the
same time as I moved back to the
area to work for the Argus as a
sub-editor in 1989. From then on
– bar for a four-year break when I
left the Argus to become Editor of
the Worcester Evening News – I’ve
worked for a newspaper that has
documented the fall and rise of
Newport County.
www.newport-county.co.uk
From the initial AFC seasons in
exile at Moreton-in-Marsh and
Gloucester, through the court battles
with the FAW, to the years at Spytty
and finally this season’s glorious
return to the Football League, the
Argus has always been there.
Justin Edinburgh and Jimmy Dack
have done a fantastic job since they
arrived at County, saving the club
from relegation, reaching the FA
Trophy Final and then securing
promotion on that magical day at
Wembley last May.
And I’m proud to be the Editor of
the Argus during probably the most
exciting time in the club’s history
(yes, even including Carl Zeiss Jena
and all that).
Off the field the move to Rodney
Parade has transformed the club.
We’re still there at every match –
but there are a few more media
organisations in attendance than
back in the days of exile. And, of
course, how we report on matches
has changed immeasurably since
County were last in the League.
Back then match reports were filed
paragraph by paragraph over the
telephone to copytakers in time for
the Saturday evening Sports Argus.
Now we tweet live coverage, run
live blogs of big matches, file online
reports at the final whistle, and put
together full reports and follow-ups
for the Monday sports supplement.
My love affair with the club has
largely been rekindled by my two
sons, the youngest of whom is now
17 and halfway through his first
season as a scholar (or apprentice
pro, as those of us of a certain age
used to call them) in the youth team.
They badgered me to take them to
Spytty a few seasons ago and now
I’m a regular again. I haven’t missed
a home match since the move to
Rodney Parade, while my eldest son
also travels to most away matches
with his mates.
My sons never tire of teasing me for
turning to them after the Hereford
United match at Rodney Parade last
season and declaring rather grandly:
‘Something special is happening
here.’
“”
I’m convinced
County will be
in League One
next season. It is
a special time.
But I was right and I’ve got the
same feeling about this season. I’m
convinced County will be in League
One next season. It is a special time.
The success of the club is good for
Newport as a city and good for the
Argus as the local paper, particularly
as we are one of the club’s key
commercial partners.
It’s great to see so many youngsters
at Rodney Parade and to see so many
County shirts in and around the city.
Hopefully when kids watching the
club today are my age they’ll go
misty-eyed when they recall the days
of Christian Jolley, Aaron O’Connor,
David Pipe, Michael Flynn, Lenny
Pidgeley and co.
These are the times most football
supporters dream of for their clubs.
Promotion to the Football League
was the end of an era and the start
of a new one for Newport County.
Let’s hope we can all keep living the
dream for many seasons to come.
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
And what a wonderful last couple
of seasons all County fans have
enjoyed.
January 2014
Countyconnect
23
BUSINESS CLUB
NEWPORT COUNTY AFC
BUSINESS CLUB
T
he Newport County
Business Club is a new
concept for Newport
County AFC, which
is still in its infancy having
been launched in the summer
of 2013. It was the brainchild
of John Williams a lifelong
supporter Newport County
AFC who was club chairman
from 1999-2001. John has
been a successful businessman
since the early 80s and is now
managing director of Mid
Glam Packing Supplies Ltd, a
company which has sponsored
the football club and i radio for
a number of years. John is also
chairman of the Supporters
Trust.
Why a Business Club for
Newport County AFC? It was
formed with the sole intention
of involving local businesses in
supporting Newport County
whilst at the same time creating
an excellent environment for
like-minded business people to
meet informally, network and
enjoy one another’s company at
home matches. The businesses
would be financially supporting
‘the County’ and deriving
www.newport-county.co.uk
benefits from the relationship.
But where to start? John firstly
obtained Board approval
for the initiative which was
enthusiastically granted. He
then ‘signed up’ Alan Coombs
who had retired from his
position of Director Technical
& Research for an international
steel company. Alan had
previously been working as
a volunteer in a commercial
role at Newport County and
agreed to assist John in setting
up the business club. During
the summer a number of
companies were contacted and
in a short space of time eleven
memberships, at £1000 each,
were ‘signed up’ for the start of
the season. The business club
secured its own hospitality box
where members meet before the
match to socialise before taking
up their reserved seat directly
in front of the box.
As well as a reserved seat and
of course a match programme,
each business has a banner
advertisement displayed in the
Bisley lounge and is profiled
from time to time in the match
programme on the business
club page, which also displays
their logo.
Non footballing plans are also
in place. Each business club
member automatically becomes
a member of the NCAFC
Supporters Trust golf society
and some have taken advantage
of this. Richard Brian of Hughes
Forrest and Paul Williams
of Watkin Davies are below
pictured with John Williams at
Newport Golf Club
The business club has also run
a successful coach trip to our
away game in Portsmouth and
further trips are planned. Some
club members are pictured
above during a breakfast
stop en route. Other events
are planned which include
a business club outing to
Chepstow races in March and a
table at the coming sportsman
dinner.
All income raised by the
business club goes directly to
financially supporting Newport
County AFC.
There’s no doubt that in such a
short space of time John’s idea
of a business club has become a
great success and all members
enjoy great camaraderie in the
box on match days. Efforts
are being made to expand the
group for next season so any
new business wishing to join
should contact John or Alan.
For further information on the
Business Club, please contact
John Williams 07976 403498
Alan Coombs 07500 749079
January 2014
Countyconnect
25
TIM HARRIS
TIM HARRIS
Goalkeeping coach; we just had
to train amongst ourselves, three
of us taking it in turns to perform
drills and exercises (apart from
the warm up which as a squad we
did together). This one morning
the gaffer was not in the best of
moods and we had just finished
an exercise, it was hot, very hot,
we were laughing and joking
when all of a sudden this big
strong voice bellowed from a far,
“If you three don’t start doing
some work you will be running
until you drop”. The smiles were
wiped off our faces in a whisker
and we got back to the job in
hand. You did what Len said!
COUNTY
IN MY LIFE
TIM
HARRIS
“”
My memories of
the sun shining
over Somerton
Park all those
years ago, the
passion of the
fans, I wanted
to manage
Newport AFC. I
wanted to play a
part to help take
this club forward.
I
t all started when I was
invited to take part in a
trial after receiving a letter
from Percy Davies “Club
Scout” informing me to meet at
Somerton Park at 12.45 and ask
for Mr Alan Woods. I was being
asked to play in a youth match
for Newport County on 5th March
1977.
As a young lad, I remember that
day walking into to Somerton
Park with a great feeling, happy
go lucky, the sun was shining
and orange and black paint
was everywhere. This may
not have been Old Trafford or
Anfield though it was the home
of a Football League Club in
NEWPORT COUNTY and the
sense of an adventure begun.
In charge of the first team at the
time was Mr Colin Addison,
an immaculately dressed man
26
Countyconnect
January 2014
with a great sense of humour
and thoroughly professional.
Unfortunately after about three
months Colin left the club
and was replaced by another
remarkable man who went on to
have a huge impact at the club
and well respected by everyone
that knew him. Mr Len Ashurst
was certainly not a man to be
messed and if he asked you to
jump you jumped!
When Colin left Len put
everyone not already on a
contract on trial till the end of the
season. After this period he called
me into his office at Somerton
Park, which was more like a
broom cupboard than an office; it
was that small the walls had those
ghastly looking wood panels! Len
(Mr Ashurst) was sat behind a
little desk and I remember being
so nervous. I had really enjoyed
full time training and although
there were only two professional
goalkeepers on the books
you never knew what he was
thinking. As I walked in he asked
me to sit down, I was shaking,
and I couldn’t see his eyes as he
had the biggest bushiest eyebrows
you had ever seen. It went
something like this “Son we think
you have done ok, we haven’t got
any money so can’t offer you a
contract although we want you to
stay on so I will give you £15 per
week, and some gloves and give
you some food.” I didn’t hesitate,
and replied nervously “yes, yes
that’s fine!”
Pre Season Training at the
Llanwern Steel Works was when
I received the biggest rollicking
of my life, Gary Plumley was the
first team goalkeeper at the time
and Mike Dowler his understudy
and yours truly understudy
to the understudy! We had no
www.newport-county.co.uk
The bottom line was I wasn’t
good enough to make a
professional footballer although I
thoroughly enjoyed every minute
of my time at Newport County
as a youngster and this was
important to me, especially when
I returned first as the Manager
and later as Director of Football.
I played at a reasonable level with
Cheltenham Town where we won
the Southern League Premier
Division Title in 1984/85,
Gloucester City, Redditch United
and a loan spell at Banbury
United.
I stopped playing in my early 30’s
to concentrate on business and
it was a former playing colleague
Steve Scarrott that asked me to
help him out in management
at Gloucester City. After two
years as his assistant and a brief
spell as assistant at Alvechurch
I wanted to make my own
decisions, so I started at local
football club Newent Town. I had
a good time at Newent and as
enthusiastic as the players were,
I found it difficult accepting the
commitment of the lads at that
level. After 12 months I had an
offer to manage Cinderford Town
on a small budget, they were
struggling and some way adrift at
the bottom of the Gloucestershire
County League, we survived that
season and then got promoted
the next and won several cups.
Cinderford could not progress
any further due to the 17ft slope
many may remember and I had
the offer of a 2 year contract to
manage the newly named Stroud
FC ( Forest Green Rovers). What
a mistake that was ! 3 months in
situ when the chairman informed
me that he could not pay my
wages and we had to cut the
www.newport-county.co.uk
minimal budget by half, it was a
nightmare! I stayed to see them
safe in the league that season and
went back to Cinderford as they
had progressed with levelling the
slope. It was at Cinderford where
I had my first success in the FA
Cup. No matter what they say in
the Premiership these days, this is
a fantastic romantic competition.
We actually beat two conference
sides; Bath City in the 4th
Qualifying and Bromsgrove
Rovers in the 1st Round and then
drew Gravesend & Northfleet
(Now Ebbsfleet) in the 2nd round
proper. We drew at Cinderford
and I was invited to Lancaster
Gate for the live FA Cup third
round draw before the replay.
It was the firstime they had all
the razzmatazz, I was the only
non league manager in the studio
with many star studded players
and managers. Terry Venables
and Denis Law did the draw and
prior to this I had the pleasure
to have a real good conversation
with El Tel, the then England
Manager. Amongst many things
he asked me was who we wanted
in the third round, I had a former
County player a few fans will
remember by the name of Brian
Godfrey as my assistant and also
full back Chris Price (former
County manager) who both had
successful times at Aston Villa.
I said it would have to be Aston
Villa before then we were ushered
into the studio and the draw
took place. Terry Venables drew
Aston Villa and then Dennis
Law pulled out Gravesend &
Northfleet or Cinderford Town! I
was absolutely astounded, Terry
then shouts out live in front of
4 million viewers “Tim, Tim
Harris I was just speaking to him
before and he has former Villa
players Brian Godfrey and Chris
Price connected with Cinderford
Town !” Well that’s were that
journey ended as we lost the
replay, although I must admit to
accepting an invite from Denis
Law to go for a few drinks with
him and Terry which ended early
in the morning!!
One more promotion with
Cinderford and I had taken
them from bottom of the
Gloucestershire County League
into the Southern Football
League and in my last season
there they won the treble. It
was a very enjoyable and very
successful experience.
I went back to Gloucester City as
assistant to Leroy Rosenior. Leroy
was going back to Bristol City
and they wanted me to replace
him, all above board, Leroy
was happy and it was the next
progression for me. However,
unbeknown to me the club was
in utter turmoil. The Chairman
Walked away, a new group comes
in, wanting to bring in their own
man. Leroy’s leaves and then I
have an offer from David Hando.
I went to meet David and several
from the Newport board it just
felt right. My memories of the
sun shining over Somerton Park
all those years ago, the passion
of the fans, I wanted to manage
Newport AFC. I wanted to play
a part to help take this club
forward. Just as I was leaving
David stopped me and said you
are not going to change your
mind?! I thought at the time why
would he say that, that’s really
strange? My response was “David,
I am a man of my word I have
agreed to come and I will be your
next Manager don’t worry.”
Well on the way home I got a
call from the new Chairman
at Gloucester City “Don’t go to
Newport you will be our next
Manager.” I explained what had
gone on in the last few hours and
said my word is my bond and
I will be going to Newport. He
offered me everything to change
my mind and I mean everything.
I lived in Gloucester and I think
he felt that if he put enough
pressure I would buckle. I still see
him now and I believe he knows
me better today.
So in July 1997 I became manager
of Newport AFC, who had just
been relegated from the Premier
Division of the Southern League
the season before. I remember
being introduced to the fans
at their home The King public
house and caused quite a stir
when I stated that we had to
accept we have been relegated, we
are where we are, a million miles
away from the Football League.
I said until we can accept where
we are today we will never go
forward. I firmly believed that,
but a great character, sadly not
with us today, Frank Batterham
and his good mate Oscar Mincher
January 2014
Countyconnect
27
TIM HARRIS
(who I still have a good laugh
with to this day), both gave me a
hard time. That is the passion of
this club, that is what Frank lived
for “Newport County” and I must
admit I did shed a tear for Frank,
Ray Taylor and all that were not
there that day at Wembley to
share that special occasion for
which many devoted their lives
to help get league football back to
Newport.
My first game in charge was
16th August 1997 and we ran
out 3-1 winners over Baldock
Town the goal scorers that day
were Paul Evans, Samir Misbah
and our new signing from
Cheltenham Town Martin Boyle.
The attendance was 633 at Spytty
Stadium. Our biggest win that
season came at home against
Fareham Town 7-1 on 25th April
1998 with hat-tricks from Karl
Bayliss and Dave Hunt with Jason
Donovan completing the scoring
in front of 525 fans on a Tuesday
night. We ended the season in
7th place with 69 points from 42
www.newport-county.co.uk
games scoring 83 goals.
The following season we gained
promotion as we eventually
finished runners up with 85
points from 42 matches scoring
92 goals. Karl Bayliss was our
top scorer with 31 goals in total.
The highest home attendance
that season was 1,094 when we
thumped Solihull Borough 4-1
on 17th April 1999. Carl Dale,
Karl Bayliss, Brad Thomas and
Lee Brown being the scorers
on the day. That season on 12th
December 1998 a certain very
young Michael Flynn scored
against Bloxwich Town in a 4-0
victory!
The 1999/2000 season we were
back in the Southern League
Premier Division where we
finished seventh, several fixtures
stand out that season including
a great 5-2 victory at Penydarren
Park home of our near
neighbours Merthyr Tydfil in
front of just under 1500 County
fans on 27th December. Just a
few days later a quite remarkable
game took place at Worcester
City 8th January 2000 where two
late Lee Brown goals earning a
4-3 victory, Michael Flynn and
Gary Kemp scored the other two
goals.
Captain fantastic Darren Robison
played in goal and a young Lee
Stanton was outstanding against
a side worthy of promotion to
the Football Conference. Burton
Albion were also runners up in
that season.
Probably the most remarkable
game of football I have
experienced occurred during the
2000/01 season when we played
away at Cambridge City on 11th
November 2000. This was a day
I will never forget, a half time
team talk where the tea cups went
flying and several head losses
occurred including myself!! We
came back from a 4-0 deficit,
going 5 -4 in front only to get
pegged back at five goals apiece
then the comebacks of all
comebacks was completed by a
90th minute Jason Eaton winner.
Was that really 13 years ago?!
In 2001/2002 we finished 5th in
the Southern Premier Division,
but the season was memorable
for our cup runs where we
reached the Quarter finals of the
FAW Premier Cup and recorded
the highest attendance at Spytty
Stadium of 3,721 for a memorable
FA Cup first round replay against
Blackpool.
We had some ups and downs
during that season and on
Tuesday 1st May we went to
Champions elect, Margate FC.
The FA Cup has been a real
issue for debates in the media,
pubs and clubs up and down the
country in recent times. That
season’s cup run really did help
get the club back on the map
so to speak. The atmosphere
created at Woking and the 3-1
victory to take us to the seaside
via Spytty in the replay was
nothing compared to our trip to
January 2014
Countyconnect
29
TIM HARRIS
Blackpool. The day at Bloomfield
Road was amazing to say the
least and the performance of
the team was just incredible.
From Jason Perry grabbing a
young Southampton bound
Brett Ormerod in the tunnel
before the game, to twice being
in front culminating in a very
frustrated and angry Blackpool
Manager in Steve McMahon
afterwards, it had everything.
The celebrations in Blackpool
that evening included the mother
of all parties and getting the
lads on the bus the next day
wasn’t easy. It was another great
occasion supporting this fabulous
Football Club which belongs to
the fans; it was initial reward for
the fight for the right to play in
the English system and continued
the great hope and determination
to return to the promised land of
the Football League.
I left the club during the 2002/03
season. It was 14th November
2002 to be exact, some five and
a half years since I had initially
returned to the club. I had three
Chairmen during this time
David Hando, John Williams and
Wallace Brown. All supported
me in what was, at times, very
difficult financially. There was a
new group of businessmen who
wanted to get involved in the
club and it soon became apparent
they wanted to bring in their own
man. If I am completely honest
it was the right time to freshen
things up, though it could have
been handled a little better. No
regrets, I had put a great deal
of effort in striving to take this
club forward and I had a great
emotional send off from the fans
at Baneswell Social Club.
Colin Addison had been my
assistant and had gone to Forest
Green Rovers in the Conference
and in hours of leaving Newport
County he asked me to help him
at the aptly named “The Lawn”.
The thought of coming back
to the County was never one
I contemplated even though I
thought I hadn’t finished the job
I started.
The experience in keeping Forest
Green Rovers in the Conference
on a shoe-string after Colin
left was a major achievement
considering the budget we had at
the time was the smallest in the
league.
www.newport-county.co.uk
Another great FA Cup run I
remember was when I had a brief
but enjoyable spell at Merthyr
Tydfil. We played Paul Merson’s
Walsall live on Sky on a Friday
night at a packed Penydarren
Park. Whilst it was another
great evening for everyone, the
running of the club left a little
to be desired at the time. I felt
for Anthony Hughes and Lynn
Mittell (Owen Money ) when
I left, as they and the fans were
absolutely superb to me in my
time at Merthyr.
I then had the opportunity to be
Manager of Gloucester City so I
left the Martyrs. Gloucester City
at the time were in big trouble,
sinking fast in the Southern
League Premier Division, points
adrift and deep in a relegation
dog fight with a real negative
vibe surrounding the club. To
turn the club around in such a
short period was a real challenge
that was embraced, those that
were negative were left behind.
We begged, borrowed and stole
players and finished the season
well outside the relegation places
and up to 11th place with a
fantastic run!!!
After a few years, I moved
upstairs and my assistant David
(Boris) Mehew took over due
to my business interests and
I helped him into his first
management role, we had build
a good side on a remarkably low
budget and that season we got
promoted to the Conference
North, this was despite the fact
we were in exile because of the
flooding at Meadow Park.
It was during this season I had
a call from a good friend Matt
Southall who was a Director and
main sponsor at Newport County
AFC asking if I would come
back and assist with taking the
club forward. The manager at
the time Dean Holdsworth was
struggling, things were not going
well, I didn’t know Dean so I said
to Matt that I would welcome
the opportunity to assist in any
way in finishing a job that I had
started in July 1997. However I
needed to meet with Dean as if
he wasn’t comfortable this would
just not work and secondly I
didn’t want to leave Gloucester
City at this time with it being
Boris first year in management.
I left Gloucester at the end of
the season 2008/2009 and came
back with a dream rather than
a real belief we could get out of
the Conference South into the
Conference Premier and then
back into the Football League.
I now look back at the last 4 years
plus and say what the hell has
happened!
Dean’s dismal time ended, he
had seen through the bad times
and stuck with it. County had
appointed a very good coach, we
signed some very good players
and it ended with an unbelievable
103 points and champions of the
Conference South & Promotion
to the Conference Premier. Could
it be possible to obtain back to
back promotions and the ultimate
dream!?
Sadly not, Dean decided (far
too early in my opinion) that
his future was elsewhere and left
the club in January 2011 to join
Aldershot Town Let’s be fair
Dean did an excellent job, no one
could ever disagree with the fact,
though what happened after he
left was difficult to say the least.
The players that had done so well
for him just months earlier were
devastated and they lost their
focus for a while, it was a difficult
time. Although I still speak to
Dean I am sure deep down he
would now wished he had stayed.
That’s life!
David Hando and all those that
fought the FAW, those who have
put in hours and hours, days
on days, years on years 25 to be
precise, those looking down from
above sadly no longer with us,
the fans, all former Chairmen,
Directors, Managers, Players,
Supporters Groups, Volunteers
that have put so much effort over
the years, this was for you.
Les Scadding, Howard Greenhaf,
Jackie Tutton have played a huge
part in pushing things forward,
along with all the club staff on
and off the field, it’s been a huge
team effort from everyone. I am
extremely delighted personally
to play some small part along the
way.
Justin is a man with great
determination and has an
unbelievable range of abilities and
together with Jimmy Dack and
Wayne Hatswell they make a very
formidable team.
The sun doesn’t always shine;
nothing is ever perfect; although
I am sure we are all enjoying our
first season back in the Football
League. I for one would settle for
retaining our League status. It’s
been a very long bumpy road but
who know where we will end up?!
It’s been a good Journey.
Anthony Hudson (the much
maligned), did we make a
mistake? Again the facts don’t
lie! Anthony Hudson is one
remarkable young man and I
sure we have not heard the last of
him, his coaching was excellent
but at the time it was a very brave
appointment and in the end the
correct but tough decision to
replace him. It is great to see him
doing well in Bahrain and he is a
very likeable person.
Justin Edinburgh, what can I say
that hasn’t already been said? He
saved us from the slippery slope,
an FA Trophy Final appearance
at Wembley for the first time in
100 years, then to cap it all off 12
months later we win the PLAY
OFF FINAL and the hopes and
dreams of so many people that
have lived life through Newport
County were achieved as the
club was finally back where
it belongs…..in the Football
League.
Tim Harris’ total managerial
record with Newport AFC /
Newport County AFC
Managed
Won
Drawn
Lost
Goals For
Goals Against
Goal Difference
January 2014
279
129
64
86
473
367
+106
Countyconnect
31
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