Players Profiles_2000-2001

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Player Profiles 2000/2001

Management Team
Goalkeepers
Defenders

Utility Players
Midfield
Forwards

Management Team

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	22.02.63 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.

Goalkeepers

Andy Fisher	30.07.72 Having been capped by Welsh Schools at the oval ball game, a consequence of attending a rugby-only school, Andy saw the light whilst studying in Hampshire and joined Havant Town. He had two spells there as well as a period at Fareham before joining the Exiles in 1998. He works as a DJ promoting house music events and his sporting career saw him established as Newport's first choice ' keeper from early 1999 and Andy was named Player's Player of the Year last season.

Pat Mountain	01.07.76 Pat was with Cardiff City through his school years before progressing through YTS and having two years as a professional making eight first team appearances for the Bluebirds. He has represented Wales at four age levels up to and including under 21 and has had European experience with Barry Town who he joined after leaving Ninian Park. A fitness instructor, he had six months experience with Yeovil after leaving Barry, followed by a similar period at Gloucester immediately prior to joining Newport in the summer.

Steve Benton	Signed from Shortwood United a few days before the transfer deadline after earlier spending 4 successful years with Cheltenham Town for whom he made some 120 appearances.

Dave Hunt	11.01.79 Dave came to Newport in September 1997, having been released by Cardiff City with whom he was on YTS forms. He quickly established a regular place with his pace and anticipation attracting the attention of league clubs. He suffered a fractured jaw at Bilston in January 1999 and missed the remainder of last season

Gary Kemp	Signed in September 1999 from Gloucester City. He is a vastly experienced player who had spent eight years at Meadow Park, after joining from Almondsbury. Appeared in an FA Trophy semi-final while at Gloucester.

Gary Thorne	Signed im March - 22 year old Gary has played 205 games for Gloucester, a tremendous amount of experience for someone of his age. He was previously with Swindon Town and has had further trails with the County Ground club whilst with Gloucester.

Utility Players

Jason Donovan	22.04.74 Midfield/Defender. A gritty, determined 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 for Newport over a four year period before leaving the club in early 1997. He then had a brief spell at Ebbw Vale and returned to Newport soon after Tim Harris' appointment

Danny Hill	10.01.75 Utility. A tall, powerfully built defender who can also play in attack and midfield. He made himself an immediate hit by scoring in his first two games for Newport having signed in December 1997. He was formerly a player with Tim Harris at Cinderford Town where he attracted much attention.

Stuart James	Signed preseason from Bath City, he was their longest serving player, signing for them in 1995. 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

Chris Bale	A member of the Newport Academy, 17 years ol midfielder who made his senior debut in January

Sean Chapple	Signed from conference club Forest Green Rovers in early September for a club record fee. Shaun has ten Welsh Under-21 international caps and has made over 100 Football League appearances for Swansea City. Joined the Martyrs in October 1997 before signing for Forest Green Rovers in December 1998.

Nathan Davies	Welsh Schools Under 18 International who made his senior debut against Atherstone in January, a member of the Newport Football Academy.

Mike Flynn	17.10.80 One of a group of youngsters who have broken through the club's youth ranks, Mike scored in initial substitute appearances in the Dr. Martens Midland Division last season as well as scoring on his full debut in January 1999. The captain of the Welsh Schools under 18 squad, Mike has had trials at several Football League clubs.

Darren Robison	19.05.71 An aircraft technician at RAF St. Athan, near Barry, Darren was signed from Trowbridge Town in 1998. He started his football career with Millbrook in the South Western League and continued to play in Cornwall with Falmouth Town and Truro City. His career continued at Witney and Weston-super-Mare before joining Trowbridge in 1997.

Matt Rose	Signed in March 2000 - 22 years old he started out with his local club Cheltenham Town bnefore joining Cirencester Town and then Gloucester City.

Lee Brown	24.12.76 Although born overseas, Lee was brought up in the South Wales valleys and attracted interest from Football League sides whilst playing locally for Cefn Fforest, Pengam and Fields Park/Pontllanfraith. Lee joined Newport in time for the 1995-96 season and, despite having to overcome several injury setbacks, has managed a consistent scoring ratio of a goal every other game.

Carl Dale	29.04.66 A Welsh schoolboy and non-league international, Carl was on Schoolboy forms at Arsenal before starting his senior career at Conwy Utd. After spells with Rhyl, Bangor City and Chester City, he joined Cardiff City for £100,000. Winner of a Third Division Championship medal and two Welsh Cup Winners medals whilst at Cardiff, Carl then joined Yeovil for a short spell and signed for Newport in March 1999.

Jason Eaton	Scored the 1998 FA Trophy winning goal for Cheltenham and also helped the Whaddon Road club to two successive promotions, the second to the Football League. When he decided not to turn full time, Yeovil paid a fee of £15,000 for his services and the Somerset club's decision to go full time themselves led to his signing for County in March.

Garry Shephard	Signed in Feb 2000 - Welsh non league international, 22 years of age, was with Ton Pentre before joining Merthyr, for whom he was one of the Penydarren club's leading scorers last season. He had been the subject of a substantial County transfer bid some time ago that was rejected by the administrators then supervising matters at Merthyr.

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