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News Page 2000/2001
County Chairman resigns (4th January)
It is with regret that the Board of Directors of Newport County AFC received the following statement from the club Chairman on January 3rd.
"Weeks of adverse publicity, regarding the decision to delay the upgrade of Newport Stadium, various leaks of confidential information by shareholders to local journalists, an unsubstantiated report by the officers of the Supporters Club as to a fictitious meeting with the "Over The Bridge" supporters, and finally the rejection by those same officers at a meeting I recently had with them to discuss the formation of the 200 Club, has led me to examine my position
as Chairman and Director of Newport County AFC.
"I have, over the past two years encouraged all the various groups of supporters to pull together to further the common cause i.e. "Newport County AFC". It would appear I have not succeeded in convincing a certain group of individuals that this is the way forward.
"After a great deal of soul-searching I decided on Thursday 28th December 2000, to resign as Chairman and Director of Newport County AFC, and my intentions were made clear to the board on that date.
"I have built a very strong relationship with both Tim Harris and the team and obviously wish them every success for the future."
John Williams
Since being informed of John's intentions, the Board has been urging him to reconsider and we are very sorry to lose him. In the interim, Martin Greenham and Wallace Brown will act as Joint Chairmen.
Donovan unable to play for County (30th September)
Jason Donavan advised the Club this week that he has the opportunity of a new job in the Midlands which involves shift work
and being on call at weekends and also moving away from Newport. He will be available to help, if required, when his work
allows.
Tim Harris said in the Merthyr match programme "Jason has shown his worth to this club over many years but his performance
this season have been as good as any. We will miss his character and humour more than words can express, especially at this
difficult time, though he will help us when availability allows."
Lee Brown goes on loan (23rd September)
Lee Brown has gone to Cwmbran Town on loan for one month and in his first match scored the second goal in a 3-1 win at Bangor.
Press Release re Stadium Upgrade (22nd September)
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Newport County AFC, it gives me tremendous please
to respond to the announcement that the executive of Newport County Borough Council will
recommend to the full council that money be made available to upgrade Newport Stadium to
Conference/League standard.
This announcement culminates from months of discussions and negotiations with our local
councillors, who should be applauded for the confidence they have shown in the current
Board of Directors, and their ambitions to bring first class football back to Newport.
At a recent meeting with Council leader Sir Harry Jones, and many of the Executive Members,
we as a board committed ourselves to Newport Stadium and its growth, which we feel was an
endorsement of the faith we have in our local Council.
Having obtained this recommendation from the Executive, much now needs to happen in a short
space of time if the upgrade us to have any relevance for this season.
Sport has an important place to play in the future of Newport, and the resurgence of Newport
rugby has proved that the town is baying for success, be it football or rugby. We are hungry
for that success, and would ask the people of Newport to support that appetite and make the
dream a reality.
John Williams
Chairman
Dave Hunt to play for Weston (21st September)
Dave Hunt has moved to Weston-super-Mare but County have a recall arrangement for the player.
Council decision on stadium (17th September)
The Club will issue a statement later this week in response to the Council Executive decision on recommending that the stadium upgrade to go ahead.
Council to upgrade stadium (15th September)
Following a meeting of Newport Borough Council it has been agreed to recommend that money be m
made available from the Capital programme, to upgrade Newport Stadium, to Conferance/League
standard with immediate effect.
FA Youth Cup match - Newport Stadium 11th Sep (10th September)
The FA Youth Cup match against Cinderford Town will be played at Newport Stadium on Monday 11th Septmber. The kick off time os 7:45pm
(not 7pm as quoted in the South Wales Argus).
Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for children.
FA Cup match made all ticket (10th September)
The FA Cup match against Merthyr Tydfil has been made all ticket and the kick off brought forward to Noon.
Tickets will be made available at the Moor Green match on 20th September.
Season ticket holders should note that FA Cup matches are not included and separate
tickets will need to be purchased.
Havant and Waterlooville away match (10th September)
Because of the World Cup qualifying fixtures being played on the same day the Havant away match will kick off at
12:30pm.
Newport County Ladies international call up (9th September)
The Newport County Ladies match against Barnet tomorrow has been postponed due to 10 of the
County plyaers being on international duty with Wales in an Under 18 match against
Iceland.
New Goalkeeper signing (28th August)
Jason Matthews has been signed from Exeter City, he has played a number of games for the Exeter first team
and came on to play in their FA Cup match against Everton.
Goalkeeper crisis! (18th August)
An injury to Pat Mountain has meant an anxious time for Manager, Tim Harris, and he has
contacted a number of clubs in the Nationwide League and Conference in an attempt to obtain
a replacement on loan.
League rules on player loans would have meant a minimum period of 3 months whereas Pat is
expected to be fit within 2 weeks; therefore, Andy Fisher, who had decided to take time off
from football to concentrate on his business, has agreed to provide cover for the keeper's
position and will play in the opening match of the season against Burton Albion.
Do the new rules apply? (18th August)
The 'four steps' rule for the goal keeper will be replaced by the new
'6 seconds' rule in the Dr Martens League from the beginning of the season.
The experiment to the '10 yards' rule (where the referee advances play by 10 yards if there
is any cautionable offence such as dissent or not retreating to allow the free kick) will
NOT apply to the Dr Martens League, the FA Trophy or the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup.
It WILL apply to all matches from the 1st round proper of the FA Cup.
Pre season matches
15th July |
Lydbrook Athletic |
W |
3-0 |
Bayliss (2), Eaton |
17th July |
Newport YMCA |
W |
2-1 |
Dale (pen), Donovan |
19th July |
MANCHESTER U U19 |
W |
3-1 |
James, Thorne, Eaton |
22nd July |
MILLWALL |
L |
0-4 |
- |
26th July |
SWINDON TOWN |
W |
1-0 |
Davies |
29th July |
Cinderford Town |
W |
1-0 |
Hill |
31st July |
Christchurch |
W |
10-0 |
Eaton (4),Brown (2),
Donovan (2), Kemp, Shepherd |
5th Aug |
Aberystwyth Town |
D |
1-1 |
Dale |
7th Aug |
CARDIFF CITY |
L |
0-1 |
- |
12th Aug |
Port Talbot |
W |
1-0 |
Donovan |
Nathan has trial with Chelsea (9th August)
The Club have today announced that Nathan Davies is having a trial at
Chelsea - he will be involved in a training match they are playing against
Millwall behind closed doors.
Youth team friendly (5th August)
Newport County youth team will play the Portsmouth youth team on Tuesday, 8th Aug at Mendalgief Road, Newport - 6pm ko, admission free.
Gloucester sign Bayliss (31st July)
Karl Bayliss has been transferred to Gloucester City.
Full Council reject decision on Stadium (25th July)
A meeting of the full Council have this morning deferred the decision on the future
development of Spytty Park and have requested the Executive to revisit
the development plans and timing against the councils leisure budget.
The Executive now have to review and submit a new proposal by August 25th.
Press Release - New Director (20th July)
Newport County AFC announce that both their main Board of Directors and it's newly formed
Executive Board will now include Mr Matt Southall, Managing Director and Owner of Acorn
Recruitment.
Mr Southall, one of Newport's most prominent and successful businessmen, has confirmed that
the news last week of Newport County Borough's Executive refusal to upgrade Newport Stadium
and the fact that the Newport board has decided to search for a new home was instrumental
in his decision.
Mr Southall said "The decision taken by the Council Executive last week was the incentive
I needed to join the board of Newport County and to become involved as part of the
newly-formed Executive Board with the sole aim of securing a new stadium."
Chairman John Williams commented "The decision of Mr Southall to join the Executive Board
and the main Board of Newport County AFC has given us a tremendous boost in our plan to
relocate. We feel his business acumen and standing within the business community will be of
vital assistance as we pursue our aims."
League Fixture change (20th July)
Because Newport Satdium is being used for an athletics meeting on Monday, 28th August the Halesowen fixtures have been reveresed and are now as follows:-
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Mon, 28th Aug
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Halesowen Town
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away
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7:45pm ko
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Wed, 25th Oct
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HALESOWEN TOWN
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home
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7:45pm ko
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Press Release - Newport Stadium (15th July)
Follow the link for the Club's response to the Council's decision on upgrading Newport Stadium.
On Thursday 13th July, Newport County Borough Council's Executive recommended that the
upgrading of Newport Stadium would only fall within the Leisure Services budget limits
and therefore produce a timescale that is totally unacceptable.
The decision, and the length of time that has elapsed since February, is particularly
dismaying given the impressions engendered during meetings with club officials.
As part of the club's contingency plan to "turn the dream into reality", a full board
meeting has today formed an executive group of Directors whose responsibility will be to
secure suitable alternative facilities.
It has always been the long-term intention of this board to supply Newport County AFC
with their own stadium.
As part of the upgrading proposals, we presented to the Council a business plan which
consisted of a new Clubhouse, Boardroom and Sponsor's Boxes. Due to the failure of Newport
County Borough's executive to agree to the upgrading within a suitable timescale, moneys
earmarked for those extensions can now be used in the contingency plan of providing a new
home.
The Board of Newport County AFC would like to thank all the supporters of the club for
their patience and support whilst discussions have been ongoing. The continued backing of
supporters and sponsors will be vital in our endeavours to bring League football back to the
town.
Following today's board meeting, Tim Harris, who recently signed a two year extension to
his contract, has re-interated his total commitment to Newport County AFC and the way
forward outlined above.
He said "After my full involvement with the current board of Directors over the last
eighteen months, I personally feel this could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the
future of the football club. I am fully committed to the club for three years and I am
positive that, should we finish as Premier Division Champions this coming season, that
everything possible will have been done to be playing in the Nationwide Conference."
"With regard to the playing squad, it is my intention that we will remain focused to
achieve what every club should set out to fulfil in any season and that is to finish top
of the pile."
"We will continue to strengthen the squad to pursue the Premier Division Championship but
I am aware that at least ten clubs are capable of achieving this goal."
Chairman John Williams stated that "A tremendous amount has been achieved by the present
board over the last eighteen months and, although extremely disappointed with the
Council's decision, it is our firm intention as a board to continue to achieve the ultimate
goal of bringing League football back to Newport and TURN THE DREAM INTO REALITY."
Newport Stadium (14th July)
The Council made a decision regarding the upgrading of Newport Stadium at their meeting on 13th July. This has been made known to the Club and the Board
of Director's held a meeting on Fri, 14th July and will issue a Press Release concerning their response - this should be available on this web site by the evening of 15th
Latest news re Newport Stadium (5th July)
At a meeting of the full Council to be held on Thursday, 13th July there will be a debate on a proposal to upgrade Newport Stadium, a decision is
expected to be made that day by the Council.
Press Release - Newport County Ladies team (4th July)
The highly successful Newport Ladies football team has come under the umbrella of Newport
County and will be known as Newport County Ladies. The adoption of the Ladies team once
again enables Newport County AFC to assist in the community and broaden Soccer's appeal
in the locality.
The team will be sponsored by Acorn Recruitment whose proprietor, Matt Southall, commented
" It is appropriate that ladies football, one of the fastest growing sports in Britain, is
being backed by one of Wales' fastest growing companies."
The team won the South West Combination League last season, losing just one of their 22
matches and will take their place in the Southern Premier League, playing such clubs as
Chelsea, Ipswich, Wimbledon, Brighton, Barnet, Cardiff City and Wembley.
Their promotion has been confirmed by the agreement of Newport County Borough Council to
allow Newport County Ladies to have facilities commensurate with their aims and use Newport
Stadium for their matches which are played on Sundays.
Three of the team are Welsh Senior Internationals, Emma Jones, Sian Rogers, and Sam Cooke
whilst Claire Davies, sister of County midfielder Nathan Davies, is also a team member.
Marilyn Rogers, the Secretary of Newport County Ladies, said "We are really excited about
the prospect of taking on better opponents and proving ourselves at a higher level of
competition and thank Newport County AFC and Acorn Recruitment for their backing. We also
need to give a big thank-you to Alf Ropke and Newport County Borough Council for their vote
of confidence."
Team squad news (4th July)
The Club announced today that Sean Chapple has been placed on the transfer list.
FA competition draws (3rd July)
The draw for the various FA competitions was made on 1st July and the matches involving County are as follows:-
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying round (to be played on 30th September)
Newport County v Merthyr Tydfil
FA Trophy 1st round (to be played on 4th November)
Bedford Town v Newport County
winners at home to Slough or Bishops Stortford)
FA Youth Cup 1st Qualifying round (to be played before 2nd September)
Salisbury City v Newport County
(winners at home to Cinderford Town [to be played before 23rd Sep])
Dr Martens League Cup - 1st round date (16th June)
The 1st Round tie at home to either Merthyr or Cirencester has been arranged for:-
Wed, 15th November
(please note that as from last season the League Cup is no longer played over two legs)
Two new signings! (16th June)
The Club have today announced the signing of Stuart James from Bath City. Their longest serving
player, he signed for them in 1995, Stuart was previously a youth trainee at Swindon Town before
moving to Weymouth for one season. He is 24 years old and can play at right back or right/left
midfield.
Last season he started 35 league and cup appearances for Bath in addition to coming on as substitute
on 11 occasions.
For details on the second "signing" see the press release that follows.
Press Release (16th June)
The Club confirm the appointment to the Board of Directors of Tim Barnard who will
have specific responsibilities for merchandising. Tim, 38 years old, lives in Ross on
Wye and is a Herefordshire FA Council Member serving on several committees.
Until recently Tim was a Director of Ross Town, having also served the Hellenic League
club in various roles. A keen sportsman, representing Herefordshire at football, cricket
and tennis, he has been involved in sportswear import, distribution and supply including
all levels of football.
Tim Barnard's appointment adds to the strengthening of Newport County AFC's off the field
activities which has already seen Tim Harris appointed on a full time basis to encompass the
Commercial and Marketing aspect of the club.
Commenting on the appointment, Club Chairmen John Williams said "With the two Tim's in
harness it will greatly increase our experience in merchandising which has been sadly lacking.
It shows, once again, our intention to expand our commercial activities off the park."
Dr Martens League Cup draw (11th June)
Preliminary round
Cirencester v Merthyr Tydfil
1st Round
Newport County v Cirencester or Merthyr Tydfil
Dates to be arranged. |
