Newport County AFC Squad for Season 2001/2002                                    © Newport County AFC

Tim HARRIS                          MANAGER                  

BORN    DYMOCK, GLOS    17.10.59

About to commence his fifth season with the Exiles, Tim guided the side to promotion in

1999 and has since taken County to its highest ever pyramid placing.

His extensive knowledge of non league football was built up with playing spells at Gloucester, Cheltenham and Redditch and managerial roles at Gloucester City (twice)  Alvechurch and Cinderford who he took to the second round proper of the F A Cup.

Jason PERRY       DEFENCE/MIDFIELD

BORN CAERPHILLY 2.4.70

Massively experienced player with nearly 400 League games to his credit, he was one of a substantial number of Newport signings in the summer, and has recently been appointed assistant-manager.

Capped for Wales at under 15, under 21, B and Senior levels, Jason was with Bristol Rovers as a schoolboy before joining Cardiff City where he was to play for eleven seasons. He then rejoined Bristol Rovers, then moved to Lincoln and was with Hull City for the last two years prior to joining County.

Pat MOUNTAIN                     GOALKEEPER         

BORN    PONTYPRIDD   1.8.76

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 represented Wales at four age levels up to and including under-21 and had European experience with Barry Town.  

Football Development Officer with the FAW, he had six months experience with Yeovil after leaving Barry, followed by a similar period at Gloucester immediately prior to joining Newport two years ago and is another player to have signed a new contract as County prepare for a promotion challenge.  

Matt TAYLOR                        GOALKEEPER            

BORN ROSS ON WYE   2.2.83

Highly rated 18 year old who joined Newport from Northampton Town in the close season. Born in Ross on Wye, Matt played regularly in the Northampton reserve team last season.

Was originally with Gloucester City with whom he won a Midweek Floodlight Cup medal, as well as receiving Herefordshire County recognition.  

Billy CLARK                          DEFENCE                     

BORN BOURNEMOUTH 19.5.67

Vastly experienced player with a Football League experience that has encompassed 10 years at Bristol Rovers, four years at Bournemouth and 18 months at Exeter. 

Was signed from Conference club Forest Green Rovers for whom he made almost a century of appearances in a two year spell.  

Stephen BENTON               DEFENCE        

BORN BRISTOL 20.12.74

Signed from Shortwood United in March 2000, Steve has extensive experience from a four - year period with Cheltenham Town for whom he made more than 120 appearances Was initially with Bristol City for four years without breaking into the first team.  

Ryan SOUTER                     DEFENCE                  

BORN BEDFORD 5.2.78 

Signed this summer from Bury, from whom he spent a three-month loan period at Newport last season.  Ryan was originally an apprentice with Swindon before joining Weston-super-Mare in 1996, spending two and a half seasons at Woodspring Park. He was then transferred to Gigg Lane for a fee of £25,000.  

Jeff ECKHARDT                  DEFENCE               

BORN SHEFFIELD 7.10.65

Vastly experienced player who joined County in late July having spent five seasons with Nationwide League neighbours Cardiff City. 

His career has seen him play well over 500 Football League games, commencing with Sheffield United before moving to Fulham and Stockport County

Lee STANTON                      DEFENCE                 

BORN NEWPORT 24.5.83

A former Gwent Schools player at under-14 and under-19 level, Lee has just completed a two-year period at the Newport Academy. Made his Dr. Martens League debut at Margate in the final week of last season and, in doing so, became the first son of a former Exiles player to make a senior appearance, father Chris having been a regular member of the team in the club’s inaugural season.  

Darren ROBISON                 DEFENCE/MIDFIELD         

BORN PLYMOUTH 19.5.71            

Signed from Trowbridge Town in 1998 since when he has played over 100 times for County. Darren is a particular crowd favourite and enhanced his reputation as a competitor by playing in goal for the last two games of last season. He started his football career with Millbrook in the South-Western League, moving on to Falmouth Town, Truro City, Witney and Weston-super-Mare before joining Trowbridge.  

Scott WALKER                     DEFENCE/MIDFIELD        

BORN EXETER 17.3.80

Was with Exeter City as a schoolboy, YTS trainee and first year professional without making a senior appearance. Moved to Bath City in 1999 and was an automatic choice at Twerton Park before moving to Newport on a Bosman-type international transfer in late July.  

Darren RYAN                         MIDFIELD               

BORN OSWESTRY 3.7.72

A summer signing from Merthyr Tydfil, he had played six games on loan to County from the Martyrs in February 2000, Darren was with Shrewsbury Town for two seasons before moving to Chester and Stockport taking his Football League appearance total to 57. He was with Barry Town before moving to Merthyr.

Andrew THOMAS                DEFENCE                 

BORN NEWPORT 11.10.82        

Stuart JAMES                       MIDFIELD              

BORN BRISTOL 12.9.75                

Signed from Bath in the summer of 2000, he played over 200 games for the Twerton Park club over five seasons, two of them in the Conference. Originally with Swindon on YTS and then as a first year professional, Stuart was a regular in the County side last season.

Matthew ROSE                     MIDFIELD                    

BORN CHELTENHAM 3.5.76

Made more first team appearances than anyone else on County’s books last season. Originally with his home-town club Cheltenham, with whom he gained Gloucestershire County honours. He then spent four seasons with Cirencester winning a treble including promotion from the Hellenic League. He then joined Gloucester and was signed by Newport in March 2000.  

Nathan DAVIES                    MIDFIELD               

BORN PONTYPOOL 26.5.82

Another eight-times capped Welsh Schools under 18 international and another product of the Newport Schools Football Academy. He made his Dr. Martens debut against Atherstone in January 2000 and, by the end of last season had made over fifty first team appearances and has been under close scrutiny from league clubs.  

Ryan DORRIAN                   MIDFIELD                         

BORN PANTEG 31.1.83

Another of Newport’s youth products, he has become a member of the senior squad and his competitive nature marks him out as a valuable prospect. His route to the Dr. Martens League saw him gain Gwent County and national schools honours, winning two caps for Wales at under 18 level. Appeared in twenty league games last season.  

Rhys EDWARDS                MIDFIELD/ATTACK        

BORN NEWPORT 13.2.83

Gained representative honours for Newport and Gwent at under-19 level, as well as representation in the Welsh YMCA team. Has been a trialist at Fulham, Plymouth and Notts County. Another Academy product, he made his Dr. Martens debut late last season, having a role to play in all of the final five League matches.  

Garry SHEPHARD              ATTACK          

BORN LLWYN-Y-PIA 30.3.76

Last season’s club top scorer and runner up in the Dr. Martens Premier Divison scoring chart. Made a scoring Newport debut, and scored, against Grantham in February 2000 having joined from Merthyr. Initially with Ton Pentre, Garry, who is a Welsh non-league international and was voted Player of the Year last season, recently signed a new contract.  

Martin PAUL                         ATTACK                     

BORN WHALLEY, LANCS 2.2.75

One of several new signings during the summer, Martin joined from Bath City where he was top scorer for the last two seasons. He scored almost 100 goals in 200 appearances for the Romans and supporters are relishing his link up with Garry Shephard. 

 A recruitment consultant, he made around 30 appearances for Bristol Rovers and also had a spell with Doncaster before joining Bath.   

Raith PLANT                        ATTACK          

BORN MERTHYR 5.12.82

Had trials with several Football League clubs, including Norwich, Luton, Coventry and Burnley and came to local prominence with a goal a game average for League of Wales side Cwmbran Town for whom he has played as substitute in European football. Joined Newport in October 2000 and was one of a large number of the club’s talented youngsters who retained the Gwent Senior Cup.  

Steve COWE                        ATTACK          

BORN GLOUCESTER 29.9.74

Was with Aston Villa for five seasons including an initial period as a trainee and, despite not making a senior appearance, was the subject of a £100,000 transfer to Swindon. Played almost 100 times for Swindon despite suffering injury in February 2000. Another of the many quality players signed by County during the close season.  

Lewis SOMMERS               ATTACK         

BORN NEWPORT 22.4.84

Lewis is a Welsh under 16 international in his second year at the Newport Football Academy and was included in the Welsh under 19 squad in early August. Having played his part in the club’s youth team reaching the third round of the F A Youth Cup last season, he made his first team debut helping County to retain the Gwent Senior Cup.                    

© Newport County AFC