Tim Harris   17.10.59

Appointed in the summer of 1997, Tim has an excellent track record and knowledge of, non-league football. A former goalkeeper, he obtained Herefordshire County Youth honours prior to joining Newport County's youth set up as well as having trials with Shrewsbury Town.
He spent two years at Gloucester, nearly five years at Cheltenham and, after a short period with Redditch, returned as a player to help Cheltenham to the Southern League Championship in 1984-85. He was then assistant manager at both Gloucester City (2 seasons) and Alvechurch before being appointed Manager at Cinderford in 1990.
He rapidly elevated Cinderford from Gloucestershire County League to Southern League status and took them to the second round of the F A Cup in 1995-96. The latter part of the 1996-97 season was spent as assistant at Gloucester City before accepting the post at Newport, where the Exiles have won promotion under his guidance

Chris Hyde    22.2.63

A prolific scorer in a non-league career that included spells at Worcester City, Gloucester City, and Abergavenny Thursdays, Chris spent five years at Cinderford as they rose quickly to the Southern League.
He was assistant manager to Tim Harris at the Causeway and their successful partnership has been restored to excellent effect at Newport.

Neil Hards    28.1.62

Signed from Havant Town in the close season, Neil commenced his career with Plymouth Argyle, playing for the Pilgrims for five years. Now a decorator he had time on loan to Wimbledon before moving to Gloucester City, Cheltenham Town, Waterlooville before joining Havant where he spent six years

Jon Roberts   30.12.68

A Welsh non-league international, Jon started with Ferndale and moved on to a three year spell at Cardiff City. he moved to Barry, playing for almost four seasons, and joined Newport AFC in the summer of 1993. Sustained a broken leg at Cambridge in late November that ruled him out for the rest of last season and it is not anticipated that he will be back in action until the new season is well underway

Mark Williams   11.8.70

A former Welsh schools and youth cap, Aston Villa for three years first under YTS arrangements and then as a professional. Mark was then briefly at Bristol Rovers before joining Merthyr and playing at Penydarren for six years before being transferred to Newport in July 96. A factory worker by occupation, Mark had a spell on loan to Merthyr last season.

Derek Brazil    14.12.68

Derek came in August 1996 from Cardiff City where he spent four years and was a regular member of their senior squad prior to being given a free transfer at the end of 1995/96. This affable Irishman progressed to represent his country at under 15, 17, 18, 21, 23 and B international levels. he left Ireland at the age of seventeen to join Manchester United under Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson, making two first team appearances. During his time at Old Trafford, Derek played on loan with Oldham Athletic and Swansea City. Derek has a vital extra Newport AFC string to his bow, being a successful Football in the Community Officer at a club that is extremely aware of its responsibilities in its locality.

Danny Hunt    29.11.78

Won schoolboy representative honours in the Bristol and Avon areas before joining Swindon Town on YTS straight from school in 1994. Was not taken on by the County Ground club and joined Newport AFC in the summer.

Dave Hunt     11.1.79

Came to Newport AFC in late September, having been released by Cardiff City with whom he was on YTS forms.

Phil Coyne     24.8.64

After recognition at Gwent schoolboy level, Phil joined local Newport club Pill AFC before moving to Abergavenny Thursdays for three seasons where he helped the North Gwent side to Welsh League success. He joined Newport AFC in December 1991 although a serious leg injury kept him out of the side for the latter part of the Club's 1994/95 promotion campaign. Left the Exiles during the 1996/97 season to play for Tim Harris at Cinderford and made enough impression to be wanted by the new AFC manager when he was appointed.

Robbie Chesters    22.8.79

A former Welsh under 18 international and Chelsea trainee who made his competitive debut at Waterlooville in September. A North Walian based in Mold until a move to South Wales where he is taking a course in sports psychology at the University of Glamorgan.

Bruce Kendall    20.12.62

A plumber by trade, Bruce has spent practically all of his football career in Hampshire and Sussex. He started with Portsmouth moving on to Waterlooville, Fareham and Bognor before being appointed player-manager at Chichester with whom he won a manager of the month award.Started the 1996-97 season with Selsey before taking up another player-manager’s post at Sidlesham. Made his Exiles debut in October and the Portsmouth-based player is retained on a match-to-match basis.

Leigh Hall10.6.75

Midfield/Defender. Started his footballing life with Ross Town, graduating to the senior side who played in the Worcestershire Premier League. Leigh, a warehouseman, spent six months with Worcester City and had a three month trial with Hereford United, making a couple of first team appearances. Joined AFC in November 1995, making an immediate impact that attracted interest from several League clubs.

Jason Donovan   26.4.74

Midfield/Defender. A maintenance electrician, gritty player Jason learnt his footballing trade with Cardiff City where he moved on from YTS status to a full professional. He clocked up over a hundred appearances in a AFC shirt before leaving the club in early 1997. His competitiveness makes him a favourite with Newport supporters, who welcome him back after a short period at Ebbw Vale.

Jimmy Wring   12.3.70

Utility. Joined Newport AFC from Cheltenham Town in late February but his experience was not able to keep the Exiles in the Premier Division. He spent four and a half years at Whaddon Road, having previously played for Mangotsfield as well as Bath City.

Lee Brown   24.12.76

Midfield/Forward. Originally played for local sides Cefn Fforest and Pengam, and later spent some time with Fields Park Pontllanfraith in the Office Visions Welsh League. Having attracted the attention of Luton Town at the tender age of 12, Lee was on schoolboy forms at Portsmouth for two years and also had trials with Burnley before joining Newport for the 1995/96 season. Made an instant impact, having a scoring average of better than a goal every two games. Unfortunately, his involvement in the current campaign has been delayed as a knee operation is required.

Bradley Thomas    25.6.73

Defender/Midfield. Made his Exiles debut at Bashley in November after signing from Cinderford, with whom he had played for four years. A bricklayer, Bradley spent three years with Sharpness before joining Cinderford and also had a spell in New Zealand in 1995.

Jamie Michael   28.10.78

Defender/Midfield. Previously with Cardiff City and Oxford United on YTS having spent 2 years with Manchester United as a schoolboy. Jamie has won Welsh under 15 honours and also made the squad at under 16 & 18 level as well. Joined Newport AFC in November.

Phil Preedy    20.11.75

Defender/Midfield. Phil spent a total of five years with his home town club, three of them as a full time professional. During his time at Edgar Street he won a Welsh Youth Cup winners medal and scored in the final against Wrexham. He joined Merthyr on loan during the 1996-97 season before signing for Gloucester City for whom Tim Harris was then assistant manager. He joined Newport AFC in October, making his debut at Witney

Keith Holmans    28.10.70

After getting Herefordshire youth honours, he joined Hereford United and, after completing a YTS period, joined Pegasus Juniors, actually playing against Newport AFC in an Hellenic League match. Went on to play for Llandrindod Wells and Newtown, which was his last club before joining the Exiles in the summer.

Chris Smith    28.3.66

A cast stonemaker by trade, Chris was a part time player with Bristol Rovers before having two and a half seasons with Bath and a brief spell with Gloucester. After a couple of years out of the game, he played for Cinderford Town and Forest Green Rovers, helping the latter to the Southern Division championship in 1996/97. Another close season signing for the Exiles.

Steve Crouch   15.10.69

A September signing who brings a good deal of experience through spells at Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers and Gloucester City. Later moved to Weston-Super-Mare and Cinderford. A mortgage adviser with a building society, Steve joined Newport AFC from Witney Town for whom he played in the 1996-97 season.

Kevin Richards    3.1.66

Spent 2 separate periods at Ton Pentre with a stint at Merthyr in between. Played for Ton Pentre in the Inter Toto Cup before gaining further experience in European competition with Inter Cable Tel against Celtic in the UEFA Cup. A machine setter with a filter manufacturing company, Kevin is a Welsh non-league international.

Jon Sanderson    18.10.78

Despite working at the prestigious Celtic Manor Golf Club, it is football that is the major sporting influence for a player who was released by Bristol Rovers in April 1997 after a number of years coming through the ranks.

Paul Evans   14.9.64

A former Welsh Youth international, Paul joined Cardiff as a schoolboy and stayed until he was 20. he has had three separate spells at Barry Town as well as two seasons at Merthyr Tydfil, being a prolific scorer with both clubs. Left Penydarren Park in February and spent a short time with Ebbw Vale before signing for the Exiles in August.

Simon Truman    12.12.77

Simon had one and a half years at Tottenham before a spell with Bristol Rovers. With Newport not having a reserve team last season, he gained valuable experience with Llanwern and Caldicot in the Welsh League.

Karl Bayliss  24.2.68

After being with Cheltenham as a youngster and making a small number of appearances in the Conference, Karl then spent two seasons with Hellenic League club Sharpness. He then moved to Forest Green Rovers and Gloucester City before returning for a second spell at Forest Green. A sales rep for a timber company, Karl helped Forest Green to the Southern Division championship last season and joined Newport AFC in September.

Paul Rowlands

Goalkeeper

Did not take up football until he was thirteen but showed enough promise to persuade Swansea City to take him at under 15 level and progress to YTS at The Vetch. He was released by the Swans at the end of last season. Was released by the Club in November.

Russell Bowles

Goalkeeper

Initially joined Cinderford in 1978 before moving to Gloucester City and Harrow Hill. Then rejoined Cinderford where he was to record around 500 appearances prior to leaving in the summer of 1997. Made his AFC debut at Witney in October. Returned to Cinderford in January to become Assistant Manager.

Robbie Painter

Defender

This was his second spell with the Exiles, this machine setter was part of the Club's first season having earlier been released by Cardiff City after a YTS stint there. He left Newport six years ago and has, in the intervening period, played for Caldicot, Cinderford and Inter CableTel.

Norman Parselle

Utility

Midfield/Defender. Rejoined Newport AFC in September after several years absence when he played for Cwmbran Town in the League of Wales. Has a permanent place in the Exiles history as Newport AFC's first captain and scorer of their first goal in a competitive fixture. A postman, he previously played in the Football League with Newport County and also spent one season with Forest Green Rovers.

Darren Porretta

Midfield

Initially with Newport side Lliswerry Stars as a young boy, Darren received recognition at Gwent County level at various age groups. After spending some time with Cardiff Corries, Darren joined Newport's youth ranks and was the first player to progress through to the Exiles' first team, making his debut in 1991. A production engineer, he has been persistently affected by injury but now is fully fit and looking to secure a regular first team place. Releases by the Club, he is now playing for Merthyr Tydfil.

Samir Misbah

Midfield

A former Welsh under 15 international, Samir joined his local league club on YTS and spent two years at Ninian Park before being released in 1996. After a trial with Northampton, he joined Newport AFC and, despite leaving at Christmas, has returned after short spells with Bath City, Ebbw Vale and Aberystwyth. He plans to take a sports orientated business course at university.

Paul Burton

Forward

Paul, a factory worker, was signed from Westfields for a fee in the close season of 1996 and previously spent two years as an apprentice with Hereford United and a further year as a professional at Edgar Street making several first team appearances. In four seasons at Westfields, Paul scored around 170 goals and that record attracted interest from several clubs. Has yet to fulfil his potential but looks likely to cause a few problems for defences in 1997/98. Has been transferred to Redditch.

Dave Withers

Forward

This was his second spell with the club, having rejoined it in March 1997 from League of Wales club Ebbw Vale. He previously made a few appearances in the second half of 1991/92 as the club consolidated its then position in the Midland Division. Dai has also been on the books of Bristol Rovers and Newport County earlier in his career which has also taken in playing spells with Barry Town and Ton Pentre. Released by the Club, he is now playing in the League of Wales.

Martin Boyle

Forward

A contracts manager in the construction industry, Martin was with home town club Bristol Rovers for two years before moving on to Trowbridge Town, Mangotsfiled United and Bath City. His signing from Cheltenham, where he had spent his last three years, was completed just a few days before the start of the season. Released by the Club in September he then signed for Forest Green Rovers.