NEWPORT COUNTY AFC OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME 2022-23 | ISSUE 01 | £2.00
WALSALL FC 06/08/22
KICK-OFF 3.00PM SKYBET LEAGUE TWO
E R E H IS T R E T T E AB WAY TOUR BUY YOAR? C T X E N O O Z A C YEAH!
Buy or finance a car online and we’ll deliver it to your door with a 7-Day Money Back Guarantee.
2 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
Chairman: Gavin Foxall Directors: Bob Herrin, Joe Crocker, Kevin Ward, Mark Crook, Mike Everett, Paul Marks, Peter Madigan, Shaun Johnson. Honorary Club President: David Hando Manager: James Rowberry Assistant Manager: Carl Serrant First Team Coach: Jarred Harvey Goalkeeping Coach: James Hollman Senior Physiotherapist: Tom Gittoes Head of Analysis: Conor McGaharan Kit Man: Neil Leek General Manager: Nigel Stephenson Club Secretary: Matthew Higgins Academy Manager: Damien Broad Media Manager: Ben Wills Commercial Manager: Matthew Owen Supporter Liaison Officer: Donna Linton Community Development Officer: Norman Parselle Club Chaplain: Keith Beardmore
STADIUM ADDRESS NEWPORT COUNTY AFC RODNEY PARADE RODNEY ROAD, NP19 0UU CONTACT US
JAMES ROWBERRY I
would like to begin by offering you all a warm welcome back to Rodney Parade for our inaugural home game of the new season. It is fantastic to be back here in front of you all, after the summer and our pre-season which we spent either on the road of behind closed doors. We have had a positive pre-season and have added a total of eight new signings to the squad and I’m sure you’ll give them all a warm welcome in their first game as County players at Rodney Parade. We start today’s game looking to build upon a positive, well-earned point at Sutton United last Saturday. I felt it was a good showing from the boys. We lost at Sutton towards the back end of last season so to better that result and create some positive moments that meant we could have even won the game gives me real enthusiasm to work with the squad in training and build on a good overall start. The support was fantastic once again and I can only continue on from my plaudits from last season and reiterate how much it means to myself, the players and the club that you consistently provide us with such great away support even on the furthest of trips. Today will prove to be another competitive game, with Walsall having had a great start to their season last week with a 4-0 win over Hartlepool. Obviously, we also welcome Michael Flynn and Wayne Hatswell back to Rodney Parade and I am sure you will show your appreciation to them for the work they did whilst at the Club. I want to welcome Michael Flynn, the technical staff, directors, players and supporters from Walsall and hope they have a safe journey to and from Rodney Parade. We are keen to get off to a good start at home and I am confident that we’ve put in good work over pre-season which should stand us in good stead to hit the ground running. I’ve already touched on the away support, but we are delighted to be back at Rodney Parade today and I hope that we can really pack out the stadium and have the boys playing to a cauldron of noise as they step out and during the game. It will be the first time some of our players see Rodney Parade in full swing so let’s show them how well you drive them on during home games! Get behind the boys and enjoy the game. James
t: 01633 302 012 e: office@newport-county.co.uk O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 3
CHRIS SHINGLER
AMBER FROM THE ATTIC A warm welcome back to Rodney Parade for our first home game of the new season and what better opposition to face than Michael Flynn’s Walsall…
O
f course, the mere mention of the Saddlers will inevitably bringthe memories flooding back to older supporters of Saturday 3rd May 1980, a day when we clinched promotion to Division Three (League1) with a rather splendid 4-2 win at a packed Fellows Park. To paint the picture; the home side still had a chance of winning the title from Huddersfield Town, and had clinched promotion themselves way back on Easter Monday (April 7th) with a 2-0 home win over Tranmere Rovers. The County, meanwhile, had blown a golden chance to secure their ownspot in the third tier the previous Tuesday night, when we had somehow conspired to lose 2-0 at bottom-of-the-table Rochdale! We’re not known for doing things the easy way, though. A tense afternoon was assured then,of course it was, but one glimmer of hope was that Walsall hadn’t actually won another match since they’d beaten Tranmere; yet we were still very much going onto the lion’s den on that warm, balmy afternoon in the West Midlands. There was an NGA (National Graphical Association) strike on at that time, so the Walsall programme was not the usual one supporters’ would have bought, but, in a perverse way it makes the 20p issue all the more special in my eyes, although the shockingly pink cover was a bit of a strange choice! Following a few parish notices on page three, including an explanation about the emergency programme that we held in our sweaty mitts, the home side’s player-boss Alan Buckley - not a favourite with the County
4 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
fans after earlier season comments about our tricky winger Kevin Moore -was up with his managerial notes. He only mentions us in passing as the opposition and that we still needed points to be certain of going up. Instead, he uses his space to look back at the Saddlers’ season and also thanks various people including Chairman Ken Wheldon, and groundsman Roger Johnson.
A ‘Welcome Newport’is up next and points out that we had just recently became the first club for nearly 20 years to win ten concessive football league matches. The piece notes that it was even more remarkable that three years previously we were struggling to even survive as a club. During that run of winswe had not conceded a goal in five away wins, and on the next page in ‘Fourth Dimension’it’s noted that our Somerton Park form had been so good that only Manchester United had been
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
able to amass the same amount of home points (37) in the entire Football League. Over the next six pages there is a superb look back at every Walsall match from that triumphant season; all the details and team line ups, with attendances and very brief reports on the action. I do note they were forced to play a rare Christmas Eve fixture in the shape of an FA Cup Second Round second replay … ah, those were the days! For the record, they lost to Halifax Town 2-0, a side who were described as a bogey team to them and they had missed out on a home tie with Manchester City as a result (which Halifax famously won!). Their 1-0 win in our back yard on December 29th was described as “Battling” and it was decided by Ian Paul’s twenty-yard free-kick that saw us lose our first home game of the season in front of a bumper 7,452 crowd. In ‘Terrace Viewpoint,’ Roy Whalley is also in a “thank you” kind of mood and mentions us a few times. Firstly, he notes that a Walsall win over us would set a club record for most points they had ever amassed in a season, and he was hoping the diehards at the Hillary Street end would refer to the Saddlers as “Champions” throughout the afternoon. By way of balancing the pendulum, he also correctly notes the fact that we still need points to go up with them. Walsall were also hoping to make us their sixth double of the season to boot as well. So, with 9,251 crammed in, swelled by around 4,000 from Newport, battle commenced, and we were in absolute dreamland as a John Aldridge brace propelled us into a 2-0 lead midway through the firsthalf. Gaffer Buckley coolly slotted home from the spot to half the deficit only for a looping Dave Gwyther header to make it a breathless 3-1 all beforethe half-time kettle had started whistling! Nineteen minutes had passed in the second half when Don Penn, the prolific home striker pulled another one back, his 26th of the season; only for Tommy Tynan, who else, to thunder a header home to seal the amber party in the 80th minute!4-2! There was even time for Walsallsubstitute Mark Reesto get sent off for two yellow cards, the second for a foul on Buckley’s mate, Kevin Moore. In the delirious away dressing room, County boss, the late Len Ashurst told the press …“We’ve worked for this all season – it’s the biggest success I’ve had as a manager.” Chairman Richard Ford, who also has only recently passed away, said … “We got what we deserved, I’m so relived the lads have done it, I can’t say anymore!” Lastly, the wisest of all sages, Jimmy Goodfellow, our trainer/coach however insisted that there was still a Welsh Cup to win, and it was straight back to work on Monday!
There are some monumental stories of that day that supporters and players still often share, including the one that Aldridge divulged in his autobiography “My Story” whereupon his return to the Cromwell Road area in the early hours of the following morning, after a boozy night in town, he promptly threw up all over a supporter’s shirt who had gone over to congratulate him after spotting him falling out of a taxi! That squad of players and management certainly wrote their names into Newport County folklore; let’s just hope that come May 2023, our current crop can do similar … although winning the Welsh Cup might prove a bit beyond James’ boys!
Teams:
Walsall: Ron Green, Tony Macken, Kenny Mower, Ricky Sbagia, Dave Serella, Gary Williams, Don Penn, Ian Paul, Roy McDonough, Alan Buckley, Brian Caswell. Sub:Mark Rees. County: Gary Plumley, Richard Walden, Nigel Vaughan, Grant Davies, Keith Oakes, Neil Bailey, Tommy Tynan, Steve Lowndes, Dave Gwyther, John Aldridge, Kevin Moore.Sub:Bobby Ward.
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 5
View From The Boardroom A warm welcome to all the Directors, Players, and Officials of Walsall FC for our opening home game of the 22/23 season.
T
oday we also welcome back two people who are no strangers to Rodney Parade in Michael Flynn and Wayne Hatswell. I am sure the Amber Army will give both Michael and Wayne the welcome they deserve after many years at the club in a very memorable period. It is great to be back and welcome to all supporters. I hope you all had a refreshing break, although it doesn’t feel that long ago that we were at our last home game in May. The close season has been a shorter one given that the season has started early due to the World Cup later in the year. Thanks to all those supporters who travelled to our game at Sutton last week. As always, the support is much appreciated by the players. Turning to today’s game… Welcome back to Fan Zone with Newport City Radio hosting the pre-match warm-up with player interviews and live music from the fantastic Tinty and the Buckethats. Newport City Radio were a huge hit for us last season and we are thankful for their return this season. Tinty and the Buckethats are a superb live band playing some unique tunes especially for Newport County AFC! They are definitely one to see on your Bucket-list! We have the fantastic County in the Community in the marquee entertaining our younger supporters with some exciting activities as well as The Welsh Sweet Company selling their American candy and drinks. Our club of the day is Pengam Boys and Girls Club, creating opportunities for local players around the Caerphilly area. You can find out more by searching for them on www.facebook.com/PengamBG. Our charity of the day is Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (Wales). It is an absolute pleasure to host this charity which does such great work throughout our community. Please read their article in today's programme and watch out for a special video to be shown at half-time on the BIG screen. Find out how YOU can help sponsor a puppy at www.guidedogs.org.uk. We will have a minute’s applause before the game today to mark the sad passing of ex player Graham Coldrick who made over 150 appearances for the club and supporters Tim Walsh, and Chris Joyner. Our thoughts are with the families at this difficult time.
6 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
The close season is always a busy affair behind the scenes with a significant amount of activity going on. We have launched both the home and away kit, selling 650 home shirts and 350 away: implemented a new ticket system and sold over 2000 season tickets; delivered season tickets to over 15 families; have only 2 hospitality boxes available to sell for the season; engaged with supporters through our AGMs, open meeting, community events, a volunteer meeting, an open training session and a player appearance session at the shop for the away shirt launch; held a sponsor’s event; welcomed 32 returning sponsors and 7 new sponsors; registered 8 first team players and 6 scholars; Our thanks to all the staff for making this a successful period! Some things for supporters to look out for this month. We will launch the third shirt at the end of August. We will also continue to make use of the ticket system capability adding in other products to make it easier for supporters. There have been a few changes on the Compeed terrace. The area behind the dugouts is now open on a trial basis. We have previously had a few challenges in this area and are looking for those who occupy it to act appropriately so it can remain open throughout the season. On the instructions of the Sports Ground Safety Authority, we have had to close part of the sloping terrace. This followed an audit at the end of the season where the area was deemed to breach the EFL regulations. Earlier this week we issued a communication around the new measures the Football Authorities have put in place for the forthcoming season around pitch incursions, pyrotechnics, throwing objects, taking drugs and discriminatory behaviour. These measures now form part of our stadium polices and can be located on our website. In other news our first team Head of Medical is leaving the club to join Swansea City. Our thanks to Tom Gittoes for his service at the club and he goes with our best wishes. Welcome to the new players and staff who have joined the Amber Army. I am sure they will all get a warm Amber welcome. Good luck to James and lads this afternoon and for the season ahead. Gavin
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 7
*Effective against enveloped viruses **vs representative Gram-negative bacterium. Always practise good hand hygiene. Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. 99.9% OF BACTERIA
8 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
COUNTY
APPEARANCES & GOALSCORERS 2021-22 SEASON League No Name 1 Joe DAY 2 Cameron NORMAN 3 Declan DRYSDALE 4 Sam BOWEN 5 James CLARKE 6 Priestley FARQUHARSON 7 Robbie WILLMOTT 8 Matty DOLAN 9 Omar BOGLE 10 Offrande ZANZALA 11 James WAITE 14 Aaron LEWIS 17 Scot BENNETT 18 Chanka ZIMBA 21 Lewis COLLINS 23 Harrison BRIGHT 24 Aaron WILDIG 27 Adam LEWIS 28 Mickey DEMETRIOU 29 Will EVANS 30 Nick TOWNSEND 32 Joe WOODIWISS 33 Lewys TWAMLEY 35 Jack KARADOGAN 39 Evan OVENDALE Correct and Up To Date on 30.7.2022
Apps 0 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (1) 1 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (0) 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
Statistics supplied by Gareth Swattridge * OUT ON LOAN. ** NO LONGER AT THE CLUB.
Cup Goals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
YC 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total
Apps 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
Goals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
YC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Apps 0 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (1) 1 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (0) 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 (0) 11 (0) 0 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 1 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 0 (0)
Goals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
YC 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
League Table Pos
Team
1 WALSALL 2 HARROGATE TOWN 3 AFC WIMBLEDON 4 LEYTON ORIENT 5 SALFORD CITY 6 BARROW AFC 7 NORTHAMPTON TOWN 8 CREWE ALEXANDRA 9 STEVENAGE 10 CARLISLE UNITED 11 NEWPORT COUNTY AFC 12 SUTTON UNITED 13 BRADFORD CITY 14 DONCASTER ROVERS 15 COLCHESTER UNITED 16 STOCKPORT COUNTY 17 ROCHDALE 18 TRANMERE ROVERS 19 CRAWLEY TOWN 20 GILLINGHAM 21 GRIMSBY TOWN 22 MANSFIELD TOWN 23 SWINDON TOWN 24 HARTLEPOOL UNITED Up To Date @ 31.7.22
GP
W 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
D 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
L 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
GA 4 3 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
GD 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 3 3 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 4
PTS 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 -2 -2 -3 -4
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 9
Academyupdate Scholars Pre-Season 2022/23 Fixtures
O
ur Academy Scholars (u18’s) returned to pre-season training at the end of July and have been involved in a number of challenging events and fixtures since. The Young Exiles have navigated their way through pre-season with three wins and a single defeat. They have their final pre-season fixture on Friday 5th August against Cymru South league winners Llantwit Major FC, before facing off against local rivals Bristol Rovers in the first game of their league season next weekend.
Cwmbran Celtic 4-3 (W) Goals: Noah Preston-Watkins, Bradley Burchell, Ryan Shallis, Caleb Evans. Caldicot Town AFC 3-0 (L) Pontypridd United Development Team, 6-0 (W) Goals: Lewis Twamley (x2), Jonah Williams, Joe Woodiwis, Noah Preston-Watkins, Tom Stokes. Gloucester City 3-2 (W) Goals: Jonah Williams (x2), Tom Stokes.
Newport County AFC Academy vs Gloucester City
Newport County AFC Academy vs Caldicot Town 1 0 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
Newport County AFC Academy vs Cwmbran Celtic
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
Events:
T
he Scholars have been busy off the pitch too this pre-season. Newly signed Academy Scholar Findlay Coleman was awarded his high school’s Sport’s Personality of the Year for his contributions to sport at Chepstow School, being recognised as a positive role model. The whole squad have been busy with various excursions, and were put through their paces at Merthyr Mawr, being challenged both physically and mentally by the Welsh Guards. In addition to this the Scholars have been involved in team building activities at Barry Beach, taking part in team games and finishing with a 5-a-side tournament on the sand. Some of our scholars have also been in first-team action this pre-season. Kiban Rai & Tom Stokes have both made substitutes appearances, with Tom scoring against Undy AFC in our pre-season opener. Newport County AFC Academy Scholar -Findlay Coleman
Newport County AFC Academy Scholars at Merthyr Mawr
Newport County AFC Academy Scholars at Barry Beach O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 1 1
FROM THE CHAPLAIN. Welcome back to a new season.
I
hope you are having a good summer and like me you are looking forward to a memorable season. Although this is a new season we welcome back old friends Mike Flynn and Wayne Hatswell. We are also saying farewell to our club physiotherapist, Tom Gittoes. I thank all three for their friendship over several years. As chaplain may I say I available for fans as well as the club staff. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need. Enjoy this season, Keith Beardmore.
1 2 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
01633 253724
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
shop@robsantwriscarpets.co.uk
63 Lower Dock St. Newport, NP20 1EF
About Us With over 30 years of trading behind us, Rob Santwris Carpets provide the same level of friendly service whether you want a single bedroom carpeted or a range of flooring solutions for a full working environment. With a fantastic range of synthetic and wool carpets for you to choose from, we offer free consultations, visiting your home at a time that suits you.
MEASURE & QUOTE
FREE GRIP-BAAAA We Work With..
What We Offer..
We Beat ANY...
- Home Owners - Commercial / Businesses - Landlords - Property Developers - New Build Associations
- Carpets - Vinyl Flooring - Artificial Turf - Wooden Flooring - Luxury Vinyl Tiles
- Price - Service - Available Selection - Lead Time + Free Gripper (Forever)
Get your house in Ship Shape with weekly payments with Snap Finance! Representative Example: Cost of Goods £915, Deposit £15, Amount of Credit £900, Fixed Interest Rate 69.75% Weekly Payment £21.03, Term 65 weeks, Total Payable £1381.95, Representative APR 99.9%
wo
ol-
i-a
m
UTC!
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 1 3
HERE’S A ST AT I BET YOU DIDN’T KN W
OVER OVER HALF HALF A A MILLION MILLION SKY SKY BET BET CUSTOMERS CUSTOMERS USE USE DEPOSIT DEPOSIT LIMITS LIMITS TO TO MANAGE MANAGE THEIR THEIR BETTING BETTING BUDGET. BUDGET.
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
THAT’S THAT’S ENOUGH ENOUGH TO TO FILL: FILL: 66 WEMBLEYS. WEMBLEYS. 201 201 ALLY ALLY PALLYS. PALLYS. OR OR 88 CHELTENHAM CHELTENHAM GOLD GOLD CUP CUP DAYS. DAYS. (THAT’S (THAT’S AA LOT LOT OF OF TWEED) TWEED)
ALL ALL GOOD GOOD BOOKMAKERS BOOKMAKERS HAVE HAVE DEPOSIT DEPOSIT LIMITS. LIMITS. SO SO WHOEVER WHOEVER YOU YOU BET BET WITH, WITH, SET SET AN AN APPROPRIATE APPROPRIATE ONE ONE FOR FOR YOU YOU AND AND THEN THEN ENJOY ENJOY THE THE SPORT. SPORT. DEPOSIT DEPOSIT LIMITS LIMITS
THAT’S THAT’S BETTING BETTING BETTER. BETTER.
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 1 5
1 6 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 1 7
MATCH-BY-MATCH STA DATE JULY Sat 30 AUGUST Sat 6 Tue 9 Sat 13 Tue 16 Sat 20 Sat 27 Tue 30 SEPTEMBER Sat 3 Sat 10 Tue 13 Sat 17 Tue 20 Sat 24 OCTOBER Sat 1 Sat 8 Sat 15 Tue 18 Sat 22 Tue 25 Sat 29 NOVEMBER Sat 5 Sat 12 Sat 19 Sat 26 DECEMBER Sat 3 Sat 10 Sat 17 Mon 26 Thu 29 JANUARY Sun 1 Sat 7 Sat 14 Sat 21 Sat 28 FEBRUARY Sat 4 Sat 11 Tue 14 Sat 18 Sat 25 MARCH Sat 4 Sat 11 Sat 18 Sat 25 APRIL Sat 1 Fri 7 Mon 10 Sat 15 Tue 18 Sat 22 Sat 29 MAY Sat 6
OPPONENTS
COMP
F-A
1-1 3169 (483)
Sutton United
L2
WALSALL Luton Town Bradford City SALFORD CITY TRANMERE ROVERS Harrogate Town Exeter City
L2 CCR1 L2 L2 L2 L2 PJT
GRIMSBY TOWN Swindon Town Stevenage BARROW AFC FOREST GREEN ROVERS CARLISLE UNITED
L2 L2 L2 L2 PJT L2
Leyton Orient ROCHDALE Crawley Town SOUTHAMPTON U1 COLCHESTER UNITED Mansfield Town Northampton Town
L2 L2 L2 PJT L2 L2 L2
Emirates FA Cup R1 STOCKPORT COUNTY GILLINGHAM Emirates FA Cup R2
L2 L2 L2 L2
Crewe Alexandra DONCASTER ROVERS Hartlepool United AFC Wimbledon LEYTON ORIENT
L2 L2 L2 L2 L2
CRAWLEY TOWN Rochdale Carlisle United AFC WIMBLEDON Grimsby Town
L2 L2 L2 L2 L2
SWINDON TOWN Barrow AFC STEVENAGE Walsall SUTTON UNITED
L2 L2 L2 L2 L2
Salford City BRADFORD CITY Tranmere Rovers HARROGATE TOWN
L2 L2 L2 L2
Colchester United NORTHAMPTON TOWN Stockport County HARTLEPOOL UNITED MANSFIELD TOWN Doncaster Rovers Gillingham
L2 L2 L2 L2 L2 L2 L2
CREWE ALEXANDRA
L2
ATT
POS LINE-UP 11
Townsend
1 8 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
Norman n
Evans
Drysdale
Dolan
Demetriou
Bowen l n
Bennett
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
ATS 2022-23
tn
Key: Goalscorer(s) in Bold1; Sub 1 l; Sub 2 l; Sub 3 l; Sub 4 l; Sub 5 l; Yellow Card n; Red Card n; * Own Goal. SUBS Wildig
Bogie 1 l
Zanzala l
Collins l
REF Willmott l
Zimba l
(AA) Lewis
Day
Waite
(AD) Lewis
Mr. S. Purkiss
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 1 9
COUNTY IN THE COMMUNITY
BBC Children in Need – Fit & Fed
T
his week we kicked off our summer of Fit & Fed delivery in Alway. Fit & Fed is delivered to provide a safe place for young people to get physically active and try new sports with their friends. It is also aiming to fight Holiday Hunger and Social Isolation during the half terms. Giving young people a chance to express themselves and keep fit while away from school. This week we engaged children in football, dodgeball, handball and multi skills sessions. During the lunch breaks, their skills were put to the test to build their own healthy wraps! We were lucky enough to be joined by the scholars from our Academy! The U18s attended and engaged with the children, getting involved in matches, taking part in a Q&A and giving out some goodies for the young people to take home!
For more information contact Liam Jenkins liam.jenkins@newport-county.co.uk 2 0 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
Mascot 1 Name of Mascot:................................................. Freddie Smith Age of Mascot:...................................................... 7 School:.................................................................... Our Lady of the Angels R.C school, Cwmbran Who do you play for?.......................................... Croesyceiliog Athletic U8 and Newport County Academy U8 What position does he play?........................... Striker Favourite Newport County AFC Player?....... Matty Dolan Best Memory from Watching County?......... Watching the last game of the season and Matty Dolan giving Freddie his shirt at the end of the game What made you become a county fan?....... Freddie has come from a long line of Newport County fans Anything else you want to add:....................... Good luck for the upcoming season, I am looking forward to watching you all
Mascot 2 Name of Mascot:................................................. Owen Horton Age of Mascot:...................................................... 10 School:.................................................................... Overmonnow Primary School Monmouth Who do you play for?.......................................... Monmouth town Junior FC What position does he play?........................... Striker Favourite Newport County AFC Player?....... Nick Townsend Best Memory from Watching County?......... Watching the game vs Man City What made you become a county fan?....... My Dad taking me
Mascot 3 Name of Mascot:................................................. Tyler Perkin Age of Mascot:...................................................... 5 School:.................................................................... Highcross Primary School Favourite Newport County AFC Player?....... Scot Bennett
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 2 1
The Awards Company offers a wide selection of awards and trophies, covering all categories of sports and corporate products including: - Trophies - Cups
- Glass - Tankards
- Plaques - Medals
- Shields - Engraving
A: The Orion Suite, Enterprise Way, Newport, NP20 2DX T: 07770 773 323 E: info@theawardscompany.co.uk 2 2 | www.theawardscompany.co.uk O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 W:
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
LOCAL OPPORTUNITES, FOLLOW OUR QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE! Enabling People into Good Work
www.staffline.co.uk O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 2 3
2022/2023 STAT PACK NEWPORT COUNTY
WALSALL
MATCH FACTS & TOTAL CARDS Newport County are unbeaten in six Football League games against Walsall since 2019 (W2 D4), after losing five in a row against them between 1985 and 1987.
71
Walsall lost this exact fixture 2-1 last season, but haven’t lost consecutive Football League visits to Newport County since September 1960.
77 3
2
�� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� 67
47
GOALS
643
538
SHOTS
58.3
44.2
58
EXPECTED GOALS
51
60
GOALS CONCEDED
49
10.4
AVERAGE POSSESSION %
8.7
SHOT CONVERSION RATE %
49.5
58
12
EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST
11
9
11
CLEAN SHEETS
23
POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING
16
POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING
GOAL TIMES 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90
SCORED
CONCEDED
15 6 10 12 11 13
5 8 13 8 13 11
0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90
Includes data from the 2021-22 season.
POWERED BY 2 4 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
SCORED
CONCEDED
6 4 13 7 10 7
10 7 12 6 10 15
2022/2023 STAT PACK
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE - LEAGUE TWO TOP FIVES GOALS 2 3 4 5
ASSISTS 25
DOMINIC TELFORD
1
13
MITCHELL PINNOCK
23
MATT STEVENS
2
13
KANE WILSON
22
HARRY MCKIRDY
3
12
JEVANI BROWN
19
JAMILLE MATT
4
12
NICKY CADDEN
AARON COLLINS
5
12
ANTONY EVANS
100 93 93 100 77 76 100 87 85 75 72 100 95 89 88 100 92 88 76 64 100 88 78 76 75 100 96 89 87 85 100 84 51 48
1
16
TOTAL SHOTS 1 2 3 4 5
CHANCES CREATED
140
HARRY MCKIRDY
1
126
NICKY CADDEN
123
DOMINIC TELFORD
2
125
JEVANI BROWN
108
FINN AZAZ
3
97
GEORGE THOMSON
106
LUKE NORRIS
4
96
CALLUM COOKE
105
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE
5
95
KANE WILSON
% OF GOALS INVOLVED IN
SUCCESSFUL PASSES
1
43.8 FREDDIE SEARS 41.8 DOMINIC TELFORD
1
38.7 JAMILLE MATT 38 HARRY MCKIRDY
3
2 3 4 5
37
2369 LOUIS REED 2060 EOGHAN O’CONNELL 1998 DION CONROY
2 4
1755 NICKY FEATHERSTONE 1704 PAUL COUTTS
5
DAVIS KEILLOR-DUNN
DRIBBLES COMPLETED
SAVES
1
KANE WILSON
1
143
103
JACK DIAMOND
2
135
RORY WATSON
63
JOSHUA KEY
3
127
PAUL FARMAN
59
COREY O’KEEFFE
4
126
DEAN BOUZANIS
DAVID AJIBOYE
5
125
BEN KILLIP
2 3 4 5
124
59
GLENN MORRIS
ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE - LEAGUE TWO SPOTLIGHT Barrow won their opening match 3-2 at Stockport, and are looking to start a Football League campaign with two consecutive victories for the first time since 1961-62.
Newport County have lost each of their last five home league games, last losing more consecutively in the Football League in April/ May 1988 (6).
Includes data from the 2021-22 season.
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 2 5
SUPPORTERS' TRUST
WHAT IS THE SUPPORTERS' TRUST?
HOW CAN YOU HELP THE TRUST?
The Newport County AFC Supporters' Trust is one of more than 140 Supporters' Trusts that exist under the umbrella of Supporters' Direct, a national body that provides assistance to supporters "who wish to play a responsible part in the life of the football club they support".
There are a variety of ways in which County supporters can help the Trust.
The Trust was originally formed in 2001 and took a controlling stake in the football club in October 2015 following a community share issue which saw County supporters raise a magnificent £236,000 in just a month. Since then, Newport County AFC has been a supporter-owned, community-based club. The primary purpose of the Trust is to provide funding to the club. Our aim is to donate at least £100,000 a season to the club. As well as being owners of an EFL club, Trust members receive a range of benefits depending on their membership tier. All members have guaranteed priority tickets for cup matches. More details about the Trust can be found on our website: www.ncafctrust.org WHO IS ON THE TRUST BOARD?
BECOME A MEMBER: Becoming a Trust member guarantees you a range of benefits and helps the Trust donate more money to the club. Our aim is to donate £100,000 a season to help the manager.
The membership packages are as follows... Bronze: £5 a month; Silver: £10 a month; Gold: £20 a month; Platinum: £50+ a month. Corporate membership is available at £1,000 a year or £600 for six months. More details here: www.ncafctrust.org/join EASYFUNDRAISING: Join eosyfundroising and you can collect free donations for theTrust (and therefore the Club) every time you buy something online. It won't cost you a penny extra. Just start your online shopping first at www.eosyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ncafctrus t/, then shop as normal. Retailers will then make a small donation to say 'thank you'. There are more than 3,200 retailers to choose from and so far this scheme hos raised almost £18,500 for the Trust.
The Board of the Supporters' Trust currently consists of seven elected directors and two coopted directors. As the Trust is the majority shareholder in the club, all Trust directors ore also registered with the Football League as directors of the club having passed the EFL's Owners and Directors Test.
VOLUNTEER: The Trust and the Club appreciates the many outstanding volunteers who give up their time to help in a variety of ways. If you have the time and skills you think could benefit the club, then please email info@ncafctrust.org
Your Trust/Club elected directors are: Paul Marks (Trust chairman), Gavin Foxall, Shaun Johnson, Mike Everett, Joe Crocker, Bob Herrin and Kevin Ward. The two co-opted directors are Mark Crook and Peter 2Madigan. 6 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
CONTACT THE TRUST If you have any queries, suggestions, questions or proposals for the Trust, you can contact us via email info@ncafctrust.org or our w ebsite www.ncafctrust.org/contact-us
So what has your Trust been doing? Here’s our end-of-season report...
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
NEWPORT County AFC Supporters’ Trust delivers a variety of initatives for our members every season. Here are just a few Trust highlights from the 2021/22 season... l As part of the Silver and above and Clwb Spytty/TeenExiles packages, the Trust hosted two open training sessions where members got the opportunity to see James Rowberry and his coaching team put the squad through part of a training session. This was followed by an opportunity for Trust members to get autographs and photos with the players and management staff. Photos from both open training sessions can be seen right (top & bottom). l The Trust has hosted supporters in the FunZone marquee at every available home fixture with support from Newport City Radio’s Pre-Game Warm-Up and our Clwb Spytty partners, The Welsh Sweet Co and R&N Inflatables. Every game has seen us host a junior club of the day – through the fantastic support of County in the Community and a Charity of the Day who we engage with pre and post-match. The activities we run on matchdays have helped us retain our EFL Family Excellence Award for the 5th consecutive occasion. l We’ve also hosted our corporate members within the Hospitality Suite as well as offering our Gold/Platinum members a hospitality experience as part of their Trust package. l Gold and Platinum members are included in our Golden Ticket draw with winners enjoying a Board Director’s experience at an away fixture. l Our Platinum members had an opportunity to purchase EFL Carabao Cup Tickets for the Chelsea v Liverpool final at Wembley Stadium. l Our corporate members received signed and framed first team shirts as a thank-you for their continued support. See photo centre right. Top photo by Nicola Johns.
Your Club, Your Trust Rodney Parade, Newport, NP19 0UU @ncafctrust
@ncfctrust
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 2 7
www.ncfactrust.org
info@ncafctrust.org
Join the Supporters’ Trust BRONZE £5 per month (or £60 per annum)
SILVER
Benefits include: a Voting rights a Regular Trust news & emails a Priority tickets for selected fixtures a Be a member of the Trust that owns & runs Newport County AFC All Bronze benefits, PLUS
£10 per month a 5% Club Shop discount (or £120 per annum) a Invites to selected training sessions All Silver benefits, PLUS
GOLD
£20 per month a Monthly ‘Golden Ticket’ draw (or £240 per annum) a One free hospitality experience All Gold benefits, PLUS
PLATINUM
a Player appearance at business or club £50 per month a Opportunity to purchase cup final tickets (or £600 per annum) a ‘Director for a Day’ experience
CORPORATE £1,000 per annum
CLWB SPYTTY & TEEN EXILES £15 per annum
For local businesses: a Logo advertised on Club/Trust websites, teamsheets and programme a Advertorial in two programmes a Player appearance at business a Two boardroom experience places Exciting bespoke memberships for our younger supporters: a Clwb Spytty: 0 to 11 years of age a #TeenExiles: 12 to 16 years of age
There is a Trust membership for everyone. To join, just go to www.ncafctrust.org/join or scan this QR code on your mobile:
Your Club, Your Trust Rodney Parade, Newport, NP19 0UU @ncafctrust
@ncfctrust
2 8 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
www.ncfactrust.org
info@ncafctrust.org
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
Guide Dogs Guide Dogs Cymru has a long association with Newport - and a special affection for Rodney Parade.
C
hristian Hyde, a guide dog owner from Abercarn, once sat on all 5,000 seats at the ground in a single day to raise money for the charity. He decided to name a guide dog puppy and chose Sacha as a tribute to his first-ever guide dog, who is now happily retired. Young Sacha, a golden retriever puppy, is currently training to be a guide dog, and Christian is excited to be following the pup’s progress towards becoming a life-changer. Christian, who lost his sight overnight due to diabetes, said: “There’s no doubt that getting a guide dog transformed my life. It gave me the strength, the confidence
and the ability to regain my independence. I could live in my own apartment, use public transport and visit leisure and sporting venues without the need of a sighted guide. I now have my second guide dog, Rossi, who is a lively lad and just as lovable.” It costs more than £55,000 to support a working guide dog from birth to retirement, and Guide Dogs relies on the generosity of the public to help change lives. There are 14 working guide dogs in Gwent, and seven new puppies just starting out on their guide dog journey. Many puppies have unique names chosen by individuals, friends and community groups who raised money for Guide Dogs.
If you'd like to honour a special person or pet by naming a guide dog puppy after them, visit our website to find out more: www.guidedogs.org.uk
Christian Hyde with guide dog puppy Sacha
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 2 9
RICHARD TAYLOR
INTRODUCING
WALSALL FC Welcome …
A
warm welcome to our first visitors of the 2022-23 campaign, Michael Flynn’s WALSALL. A special mention to our former gaffer, his assistant Wayne Hatswell and Joss Labadie who all contributed so much to a memorable time in the history of Newport County AFC.
FACT FILE…
Formed: 1888. Previous Name: Walsall Town Swifts (1888-95). Ground: Bescot(Banks’s)Stadium,BescotCrescent, Walsall WS1 4SA. Capacity: 11,300 (all-seated). Previous Grounds: The Chuckery (1888-93), West Bromwich Road Ground (1893-96 and 1900-03), Fellows Park (1896-1900 and 1903-90). Best League Position: 6th Division 2, 1898-99. Best in FA Cup: Round 5 on seven occasions, most recently 2002-03. Best in League Cup: Semi-Finalists, 1983-84. Best in FL Trophy: Runners-up, 2014-15. Record Win: 10-0 v Darwen, Division 2, March 1899. Record Defeat: 0-12 v Small Heath, Division 2, December 1892 and 0-12 v Darwen, Division 2, December 1896. Record Attendance: 25,453 v Newcastle United, Division 2, August 1961. Record Appearances: Colin Harrison, 473 (1964-82) Record League Scorers: Tony Richards, 184 (1954-63) and Colin Taylor, 184 (1958-63, 1964-68 and 196973) Record Signing: Andreas Makris, £350,000 from Anorthosis Famugusta, August 2016. Record Departure: Rico Henry, £1.5m (rising to £5m) to Brentford, August 2016. Most Capped Player: Mick Kearns, 15 (18) for Republic of Ireland.
1888-2022 …
1888-89 Midland Association; 1889-92 Football Alliance; 1892-95 Division 2; 1895-96 Midland League; 1896-1901 Division 2; 1901-03 Midland League; 1903-21 Birmingham League; 1921-27 Division 3 (N); 1927-31 Division 3 (S); 1931-36 Division 3 (N); 1936-58 Division 3 (S); 1958-60 Division 4; 1960-61 Division 3; 1961-63 Division 2; 1963-79 Division 3; 1979-80 Division 4; 1980-88 Division 3; 1988-89 Division 2; 1989-90 Division 3; 1990-92 Division 4; 1992-95 Division 3 (fourth tier); 1995-99 Division 2; 1999-2000 Division 1; 2000-01 Division 2; 2001-04 Division 1; 2004-06 League One; 2006-07 League Two; 2007-19 League One; 2019- League Two.
3 0 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
LAST 10 SEASONS …
Season 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22
League League One League One League One League One League One League One League One League Two League Two League Two
Position 9 13 14 3 (play-offs) 14 19 22 (rel.) 12 11 16
Average Att. 4234 4806 4391 5381 5072 4760 4927 4664 BCD 5131
BACK STORY …
Walsall Swifts won the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1881, while Walsall Town reached Round 4 of the FA Cup two years later. The two merged to form the present club in 1888. This afternoon’s visitors’ greatest ever achievement was their 2-0 FA cup victory over champions-elect Arsenal in 1933. The Third Division North outfit defeated Herbert Chapman’s Gunners with goals from Gilbert Alsop and Bill Sheppard. Alsop added another 168 in his four-year stay at Fellows Park and was a regular at the Bescot Stadium until his death in 1992, aged 83. The ‘Utilita Football Yearbook’ reports that Walsall were one of the first clubs to experiment with live music ahead of matches in the 1960s. Local rock and roll band ‘The Jaguars’, managed by Saddlers’ season ticket holder Ron Hawkins, were regulars at Fellows Park in the 1964-65 season and a group with the same name still play West Midlands venues today.
PAST MANAGER …
For County fans of a certain age, mention of past Walsall managers and the name ALAN BUCKLEY comes to mind. The Mansfield born striker was Saddlers’ player boss during the 1979-80 Division 4 promotion campaign and was less than complimentary towards Newport following his side’s 1-0 victory at Somerton Park in December 1979, singling out mercurial left winger Kevin Moore for an apparent willingness to lose his footing in opposition penalty areas! County and their Blackpool born wideman famously had the last laugh with that dramatic 4-2 final day win at Fellows Park, which secured promotion to the third tier alongside Walsall, while at the same time denying the West Midlands side any chance of a league title. The then 28-year-old Buckley was Saddlers’ costliest transfer when he returned from a brief spell with neighbours Birmingham City in the summer of 1979. He first arrived at Fellows Park six years earlier from Nottingham Forest, bagging an impressive 125 goals in 241 appearances, so his return as player-manager was just the boost fans required after a 16-year stay in Division 3 ended with relegation under Frank Sibley in May 1979. Buckley remained at the helm for seven seasons, including one as
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
co-manager with Neil Martin, famously leading his charges to the League Cup semi-final in 1984 before bowing out 4-2 on aggregate to eventual winners Liverpool. Reds’captain Graeme Souness revealed afterwards that his side preferred games against Juventus as ‘Walsall totally outplayed us at times’. After a sixth-place finish in Division 3 in 1985-86, incoming London-based owner Terry Ramsden brought in former Bishop’s Stortford boss Tommy Coakley to replace Buckley, who later had three spells in charge at Grimsby Town in addition to stints at Rochdale, Lincoln City and West Bromwich Albion. His most recent involvement in football was as Under-17 manager at Grimsby Town and the occasional commentary work for BBC Radio Humberside. His son Adam played for Mariners and Lincoln City while 21-year-old grandson Brandon had a spell with Cleethorpes Town in the Northern Premier League.
COUNTY v SADDLERS
2017-18 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22
FA Cup Round 1 League Two League Two League Two
2-1 (2701) 0-0 (3049) 1-1 2-1 (3825)
0-0 (4437) 1-0 3-3 (4946)
SADDLERS TODAY …
All change It has been a busy close season at the Bescot Stadium, with 14 new arrivals, the latest being striker Danny Johnson, 29, on a six-month loan from League Two rivals Mansfield Town, having scored four goals in 22 appearances for Stags last term. There have been changes in the backroom staff too, with former County duo Michael Flynn and Wayne Hatswell persuading Walsall born Dan Watson to join as Goalkeeping Coach, having fulfilled a similar role at Cheltenham Town. The 44-year-old is excited by his new role, telling the club website: ‘I live in Walsall; my kids go to school in Walsall, so it has that little bit more of an edge on it because I have family and friends who are season ticket holders.The head coach and the first team coach, we know their ambitions are to be up there challenging, that is why I have come from League One because not only is it my hometown but I believe Walsall stand every opportunity of being up there. I got promoted out of this league three years ago and what a feeling it would be to do it with your hometown club.’
HEAD COACH’S VIEW …
Season 1927-28 1928-29 1929-30 1929-30 1930-31 1930-31 1936-37 1937-38 1938-39 1938-39 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1956-57 1957-58 1960-61 1974-75 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87
Competition Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) FA Cup Round 2 Division 3 (South) FA Cup Round 2 Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) FA Cup Round 3 Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) FA Cup Round 1 Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) FA Cup Round 1 Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) Division 3 (South) FA Cup Round 1 Division 3 (South) Division 3 FA Cup Round 2 Division 4 Division 3 Division 3 Division 3 Division 3 Division 3 Division 3 Division 3
Home 4-1 (5561) 3-1 (6035) 3-2 (4260) 2-3 (4121) 1-1 (2125) 0-4 (7676) 1-2 (9238) 1-2 (3766) 2-1 (9870) 0-2 (9645) 4-2 (13591) 1-1 (14536) 2-1 (8840) 3-0 (13160) 4-2 (13891) 4-2 (9385) 3-2 (8231) 2-1 (10000) 4-2 (3770) 1-0 (7914) 2-0 (8008) 2-2 (9115) 1-0 (12085) 2-0 (7700) 4-2 (5585) 1-3 (4765) 0-1 (7452) 1-1 (5446) 2-2 (3484) 1-1 (3572) 3-1 (4374) 1-2 (2098) 1-5 (1530) 2-4 (2003)
Away 3-0 (11738) 1-3 (5940) 1-2 (5424) 0-1 (3321) 2-1 (2760) 1-3 (3621) 1-1 (7500) 1-1 (16847) 1-3 (12711) 0-2 (10846) 0-0 (7832) 1-0 (7700) 3-1 (10062) 1-0 (6187) 3-3 (12059) 3-3 (14443) 0-0 (10894) 0-3 (7668) 2-2 (6700) 4-2 (9251) 0-1 (4335) 1-3 (4169) 1-2 (5141) 2-3 (2818) 1-1 (4694) 0-2 (4586) 0-2 (6855)
Michael Flynn, who will always have a special place in the hearts of County fans following his memorable achievements at Rodney Parade, was in buoyant mood ahead of Saddlers’ first road trip. ‘The players have been first class. The group have listened and taken things on board, asked questions when they havenot been sure, which I like. It is nice that the players are showing that they care and want to improve so for me that is refreshing because you donot always get that.I have been happy with the way they have gelled, especially with so many new faces. ‘I will say it again, the most important thing for me is no injuries.We have had a bit of rotten luck at the minute with the injuries so I am hoping that that has turned now. The players are fit physically; of course we have been concentrating on fitness and getting players through the door.’ FAN’S VIEW … Saddlers fan Rob Jones talking to ‘FourFourTwo’ magazine in the publication’s ‘Season Preview’ edition. ‘The big talking point is our recent takeover by an American investment group. It is 60% excitement and 40% trepidation at the moment. We kicked off full of hope last season with Matt Taylor and in the end needed Michael Flynn to save us from unthinkable relegation. This season will be different because we are starting it with a manager who knows the league inside-out. We trust him absolutely. He managed some notable wins almost immediately after taking the reins.’
RECENT RESULTS ……
01 July: Barnsley (Friendly) 09July: Aston Villa (Friendly) 12 July: Leamington (Friendly) 16 July: AFC Telford United (Friendly) 19 July: Coventry City (Friendly) 23 July: Solihull Moors (Friendly) 30 July: Hartlepool United 06 Aug: Newport County 09 Aug: Swindon Town (League Cup R1) Scorers: Johnson 3, Comley 1
F-A H H A A H A H A H
Att: 0-1 BCD 0-4 3000 est. 1-1 …….. 2-0 …….. 0-3 2546 2-0 …….. 4-0 5754
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 3 1
PHIL TANNER
INTRODUCING
THE SADDLERS 01 Owen Evans
04 Joss Labadie
Born in Newport and joined Wigan Athletic from Hereford's youth team in 2015. Now 25, Owen spent six years with Wigan and had a series of loans to non-league clubs before spending 2019-20 at Macclesfield and then Cheltenham. He joined Cheltenham permanently last summer and played 27 games in L1 last season before moving to the Saddlers in June. Capped four times by Wales at U19 and three times at U21.
We won't be renewing acquaintances on the field with our former captain today as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. Enforcer Joss, coming up for 32, returned to his home area to join Walsall a year ago, having been a youth player with West Brom before moving on to Tranmere, Notts County, Torquay, Dagenham and County, plus several loans. Played 32 games last season but collected 14 yellows and a red.
GOALKEEPER
02 Hayden White DEFENDER
Joined Walsall from Mansfield in the summer of 2020. The right back played 46 games last season, 42 of them in L2. Greenwich-born Hayden came through the Sheffield Wednesday academy, then turned pro with Bolton. He was loaned to Carlisle, Bury and Notts County before a season-long loan to Blackpool for 2015-16. On the expiry of his Bolton deal he signed for Peterborough, then he joined Mansfield in 2016-17.
03 Liam Gordon DEFENDER
The Saddlers' first summer signing. The attacking left back joined on a two-year deal on the expiry of his contract with Bolton Wanderers. He played 36 games for the Trotters during his two years there, 21 of those last season in L1. Liam began his professional career at National League club Dagenham & Redbridge, where he established himself in the first team in 2018-19. He has seven full caps for Guyana.
3 2 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
MIDFIELDER
05 Donervon Daniels DEFENDER
The Saddlers' new captain. The well-travelled Montserrat cap made 18 appearances after signing in last January's window from Crewe. Donervan played youth football for Reading and West Brom and after a series of loans away from Albion signed substantively for Wigan Athletic in 2015. After a loan to Rochdale he played for Blackpool, Luton Town and Doncaster Rovers (loan) before spending 18 months with Crewe.
06 Manny Monthe DEFENDER
A regular opponent in recent years, including for Tranmere in the 2019 playoff final. The Cameroon-born centreback featured in the Merseysiders' back-to-back promotions to League One after joining from Forest Green in 2018. Manny started as a youth team striker for QPR and dropped into non-league with clubs including Hayes & Yeading, Havant and Bath. He joined the Saddlers last summer and played 37 games in L2.
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
07 Joe Riley
11 Andy Williams
Summer signing from Carlisle, where he made 73 appearances in two seasons. Joe is a versatile left-sided player who was with Manchester United as a youngster and made the Europa League squad under Louis van Gaal. A loan spell with Sheffield United in 2017 was blighted by injury and he then spent two years with Bradford City from summer 2018. Not to be confused with his namesake who played for Mansfield, now retired
Looks an astute signing with Conor Wilkinson set to miss most of the campaign. The veteran, turning 36 shortly, spent the last two seasons with Cheltenham where he helped win L2 in 2020-21. His first honour was promotion to the EFL with Hereford United and he has played more than 600 senior games, going as high as the Championship and also taking in Bristol Rovers, Yeovil, Swindon, Doncaster and Northampton.
DEFENDER
08 Liam Kinsella MIDFIELDER
The Saddlers' Player of the Year for the last two seasons and a regular for several years. Liam joined the Saddlers aged eight and was named Apprentice of the Season in 2013-14. He made his first-team debut in August 2014 and was Young Player of the Season in 2018-19, when he also won Goal of the Season. Capped by Ireland at U19 and U21, following in the footsteps of father Tony who was a full international
09 Conor Wilkinson STRIKER
Like Joss Labadie, likely to miss much of the campaign after a late-season injury. Conor scored for both sides in last season's away game. He played on loan to County from Bolton in 2015-16, one of numerous spells away from the Trotters. Conor moved to Gillingham in 2017 and then scored regularly for Dagenham in the National League, followed by two seasons with Orient before he joined Walsall last summer.
STRIKER
14 Brandon Comley MIDFIELDER
July signing from Dagenham, where he ended last season after spending 18 months with Bolton. Before that he played 75 EFL games for Colchester. Brandon was with QPR from age nine and was loaned to Carlisle in 2015-16 - and was sent off here for two yellow cards - and Grimsby. Capped by Montserrat, alongside his brother James who played for Maidenhead in the National League and is now with Dulwich Hamlet.
15 Douglas James-Taylor STRIKER
From Stoke City on a season-long loan. The 20-year-old joined the Potters from Salford City two years ago but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Championship club. Douglas played regularly for Stoke's U23s and has 16 goals to his name in Premier League 2, as well as scoring a seven-minute hat-trick in a cup tie. Last season he spent time on loan at National League Wealdstone and AFC Fylde in NL North.
17 Jack Earing MIDFIELDER
Signed for the Saddlers in summer 2021 from Halifax and was a near ever-present. Jack began his career at Bolton Wanderers where he made a handful of first-team appearances. After a loan at Manchester club Curzon Ashton in January 2019 he moved to Halifax on a permanent basis later that summer. He had loans at Spennymoor and Farsley in 2019-20 as well as helping Halifax reach the National League playoffs O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 3 3
18 Oisin McEntee
23 Isaac Hutchinson
July signing on a two-year contract from Newcastle United. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton, playing 28 times as they finished seventh. Oisin has six caps for Ireland at U21 and also represented his country at U19, U18 and U17. He captained Newcastle’s U23s and U18s and played in the EFL Trophy in 2019-20. May miss the start of the season with a shoulder injury.
Ended last season on loan from Derby County to Crawley Town and joined Walsall in July. Isaac spent eight years in the academy at Brighton, near his home town of Eastbourne. He joined Southend ahead of 2019-20 and made 32 appearances. He was picked up by Derby in 2020-21 and played when their development side stepped up for an FA Cup loss at Chorley, before playing 10 times on loan at Forest Green.
DEFENDER
MIDFIELDER
20 Flynn Clarke
25 Ronan Maher
On a season-long loan from Championship side Norwich City. The 19-year-old began his career at Peterborough United, joining their academy at the age of nine. He made his senior debut two years ago in a Carabao Cup tie and scored in all three group games in the 2020-21 EFL Trophy. Flynn joined Norwich last summer for an undisclosed fee and went on to score nine in Division 2 of Premier League 2.
Seventeen-year-old praised by Head Coach Flynn for his efforts in his first full preseason with the first team. Ronan featured briefly in the build up to the 2021-22 season but was a regular this summer. The second-year scholar, who likes to attack through the middle, was a prolific scorer for the U18 side in the last campaign.
MIDFIELDER
21 Taylor Allen MIDFIELDER
Summer signing who began his career at Midland Football League side Romulus, based in Birmingham. Taylor was picked up by Nuneaton Borough, then in National League North, and then by Forest Green Rovers on a one-year deal in summer 2019. He scored on his L2 debut off the bench that August. He went out on loan to Hereford and Gloucester City the same season and to Leamington in 2020-21.
MIDFIELDER
26 Peter Clarke DEFENDER
Still one of the division's top defenders at 40, with coach Flynn a firm believer that if you are good enough, you are young enough. Peter has played almost 900 senior games over 22 years across all four top divisions. He arrived in the summer from Tranmere. Capped by England at U21, he began at Everton, with loans at Blackpool, Port Vale and Coventry, and moved on to Southend, Huddersfield, Bury, Oldham and Fleetwood.
27 Timmy Abraham STRIKER
Signed midweek before the season opener. The 21-year-old had a successful trial spell after being released by Fulham. Timmy spent last season on loan with County, scoring a great goal in the EFL Cup win at Ipswich and making 3 + 9 EFL appearances, but fell out of contention before Christmas. The brother of AS Roma and England striker Tammy, he has also played on loan for Bristol Rovers, Plymouth and Raith Rovers. 3 4 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
30 Liam Bennett
39 Danny Johnson
Young right back on loan for the season from Cambridge United in L1. Liam initially trialled at Cambridge while playing for Sudbury. He signed for partner club St Neots Town in 2020 before eventually joining United ahead of the 2021–22 season. After 10 appearances in his debut campaign and a loan to Hemel Hempstead Town he signed a new two-year contract with the option for a further year in May.
On a six-month loan from Mansfield, where he has spent a year. The 29-year-old netted seven in 26 games for the Stags. Before Mansfield he bagged 20 for Orient in 2020-21. After youth football at Middlesbrough and Hartlepool Danny joined Cardiff City from Guisborough Town. He moved on to Tranmere and Stevenage (loans), then scored 52 in three years at Gateshead and consistently for Motherwell and Dundee.
DEFENDER
STRIKER
31 Adam Przybek GOALKEEPER
Capped by England as a schoolboy and then by Wales up to U21. Yet to make his EFL debut, Adam signed in the summer after spending last season with Wycombe Wanderers. He played youth football for West Brom, with loans to Worcester City, Gloucester City and Rushall Olympic, then joined Ipswich Town and went out on loan from them to Braintree Town, Concord Rangers and Chesterfield.
MICHAEL FLYNN HEAD COACH
N
eeds less introduction than any coach or player ever profiled in the programme! Michael has been in charge of the Saddlers since February, having left Rodney Parade in October last year. He is assisted by another Newport hero, Wayne Hatswell. Our former midfielder spent four-and-a-half years as County's manager and his achievements included reaching two L2 playoff finals, both narrowly lost - the second being the strongest argument you could make for introducing VAR to the fixture. He presided over cup wins against Leicester City, Middlesbrough, Watford and Swansea, a draw with Spurs, a loss to Manchester City where we matched them for much of the game and defeats on penalties by Newcastle and Brighton. All those pale into insignificance compared with the Great Escape of 2016-17 when Mark O'Brien's late goal on the last day secured our EFL status. Michael had taken charge as late as March with County 11 points adrift. Michael's playing career began at Spytty Park back in 1999 and after a move to League of Wales club Barry Town - then running full-time, but unsustainably - he had a long career in the EFL with Wigan, Gillingham, Blackpool, Huddersfield and Bradford before rejoining Newport in 2015. After 82 appearances and a handful of games for local non-league side Undy he played five more for County before hanging up his boots.
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 3 5
*Effective against enveloped viruses **vs representative Gram-negative bacterium. Always practise good hand hygiene. Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use. 99.9% OF BACTERIA
3 6 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
COMPETITION WINNERS
Congratulations to our lucky winners Jon Vaughan & Kay Williams! To be in with a chance of winning a copy of Football Manager 2021 follow @fortisdothomes on social media.
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 3 7
Football is a game of many opinions, but there is one that we must all share. There is no place for discrimination in our game. If you do not agree, then you are not welcome. If you see or hear discrimination in this stadium, please report it to the nearest steward or via the Kick it Out App. Because we are all #TogetherAgainstDiscrimination Download the Kick it Out app for free from your app store. 3 8 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
EFL.com
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
PLUMBSTOP KNOW THAT OUR CUSTOMERS WANT THE BEST PRODUCTS AT THE BEST PRICE. NOT ALL CUSTOMERS WANT THE SAME THING. PLUMBSTOP UNDERSTANDS THIS AND SO WE CARRY A FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS FROM BUDGET TO PREMIUM RANGES.
NEWPORT COUNTY AFC SEASON TICKET HOLDERS ARE ENTITLED TO A 25% DISCOUNT OFF RRP OF ALL ESTEEM BATHROOM PRODUCTS AS PART OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EXILES. FIND US AT UNIT A2 LANGLAND WAY, NEWPORT, NP19 4PT O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 3 9
4 0 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 4 1
ROB SANTWRIS CARPETS NO GIMMICKS, JUST GREAT PRICES EVERYDAY
4 2 | O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3
W W W. N E W P O RT- C O U N T Y. C O. U K
57 TYRES WE ARE YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT TYRE FITTERS IN BRIDGEND AND NEWPORT. OUR MECHANICS PRIDE THEMSELVES ON DELIVERING A FAST AND FRIENDLY SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST AND RELY ON. WE HAVE TYRES TO FIT EVERY BUDGET, FROM ECONOMY CHEAP TYRES TO PREMIUM ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE TYRES.
HTTPS://WWW.57TYRES.CO.UK/ 01633 290962 O F F I C I A L M ATC H D AY P R O G R A M M E 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 | 4 3
TODAY’S SKYBET LEAGUE TWO FIXTURES
SQUADCHECK
(All games kick-off at 3.00 unless stated otherwise) Barrow Vs Bradford City Colchester United Vs Carlisle United Crawley Town Vs Leyton Orient Crewe Alexandra Vs Harrogate Town Doncaster Rovers Vs Sutton United Gillingham Vs Rochdale Grimsby Town Vs Northampton Town Hartlepool United Vs AFC Wimbledon Mansfield Town Vs Tranmere Rovers Newport County AFC Vs Walsall Stevenage Vs Stockport County Swindon Town Vs Salford City
MATCH OFFICIALS ALAN YOUNG Referee
Assistant Referee
MARK DERRIEN Assistant Referee
MARVYN AMPHLETT Fourth Official
DANIEL LAMPORT
NEWPORT COUNTY AFC
MANAGER: JAMES ROWBERRY 1 JOE DAY (GK) 2 CAMERON NORMAN 3 DECLAN DRYSDALE 4 SAM BOWEN 5 JAMES CLARKE 6 PRIESTLEY FARQUHARSON 7 ROBBIE WILLMOTT 8 MATT DOLAN 9 OMAR BOGLE 10 OFFRANDE ZANZALA 11 JAMES WAITE 14 AARON LEWIS 17 SCOT BENNETT 18 CHANKA ZIMBA 21 LEWIS COLLINS 23 HARRISON BRIGHT 24 AARON WILDIG 27 ADAM LEWIS 28 MICKEY DEMETRIOU 29 WILL EVANS 30 NICK TOWNSEND (GK) 35 JACK KARADOGAN 39 EVAN OVENDALE
WALSALL FC
HEAD COACH: MICHAEL FLYNN 1 OWEN EVANS (GK) 2 HAYDEN WHITE 3 LIAM GORDON 4 JOSS LABADIE 5 DONERVON DANIELS 6 MANNY MONTHE 7 JOE RILEY 8 LIAM KINSELLA 9 CONOR WILKINSON 11 ANDY WILLIAMS 14 BRANDON COMLEY 15 DOUGLAS JAMES-TAYLOR 17 JACK EARING 18 OISIN MCENTEE 20 FLYNN CLARKE 21 TAYLOR ALLEN 23 ISAAC HUTCHINSON 25 RONAN MAHER 26 PETER CLARKE 27 TIMMY ABRAHAM 30 LIAM BENNETT 31 ADAM PRZYBEK (GK) 39 DANNY JOHNSON
NEXT UP AT HOME
ON THE ROAD
TUESDAY 16TH AUGUST 2022
TUESDAY 9TH AUGUST 2022
SALFORD CITY KICK-OFF 7.45PM SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
LUTON TOWN KICK-OFF 7.45PM
CARABAO CUP, FIRST ROUND