Peter NICHOLAS         MANAGER            BORN NEWPORT 10.11.59

Appointed in November 2002, following the resignation of Tim Harris, the 73 times capped Welsh International was at Crystal Palace from the age of 16 for four years, playing nearly 130 matches before moving to Arsenal, where he made a further 60 of a total of over 450 Football League appearances.

He returned to Crystal Palace for fifteen months and then moved to Luton, Chelsea, Aberdeen and Watford. After leaving Vicarage Road, he began his coaching career with Chelsea’s youth team before returning to Selhurst Park in a similar role, rising to assistant manager during a five-year spell.

He then managed Barry Town in the 2000-2001 season before joining forces with Colin Addison at Swansea where they took Swansea from danger of relegation to a position of respectability, financial pressures on the club bringing about their departure. Peter has most recently been in a non-contract role at Llanelli.

Pat MOUNTAIN        GOALKEEPER         BORN PONTYPRIDD 1.8.76

Player of the Year last season, his second such award in three years and was a member of the Welsh squad that won the inaugural non-league home international competition in May.

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.

A 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 County for whom he has topped the 150 appearance mark.               

Gareth WESSON        GOALKEEPER        BORN PONTYPRIDD 1.8.76

A former member of the club's youth team, Gareth spent eighteen months on YTS forms at Plymouth Argyle.

Most recently playing for local Welsh League side Newport YMCA, he was recruited following Pat Mountain's injury and has impressed with his displays.

Billy CLARK               DEFENCE            BORN BOURNEMOUTH 19.5.67

Formed a steely defensive partnership with Jeff Eckhardt in his first season with the club having signed from Conference club Forest Green Rovers, for whom he made almost a century of appearances in a two-year spell. Vastly experienced player with Football League experience that encompassed 10 years at Bristol Rovers, four years at Bournemouth and 18 months at Exeter.

Jason PERRY                DEFENCE             BORN CAERPHILLY 2.4.70

Massively experienced player with nearly 400 League games to his credit, he signed for Newport in the summer of 2001 and has recently returned to the team after an eight-month absence 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.

Steve BENTON              DEFENCE               BORN BRISTOL 20.12.74

Now in his third season with County, having been 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 and was in their F A Trophy Final squad in 1998. Was initially with Bristol City for four years without breaking into the first team.

Andrew THOMAS         DEFENCE          BORN NEWPORT 11.10.82

Established himself in the first team last season, being able to play either in central defence or full back and took his total of appearances well past the fifty mark, having made a goalscoring Dr. Martens League debut at Rothwell in April 2000. Capped eight times for the Welsh Schools under 18 team, he is a product of the successful Newport Football Academy.

Jeff ECKHARDT             DEFENCE               BORN SHEFFIELD 7.10.65

A regular member of County’s defence last season, his first for the club, this  vastly experienced player  joined County having spent five years 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

Lee is a product of the Newport Academy. Made his Dr. Martens League debut at Margate in the final week of the 2000-2001 season and, in doing so, followed in the footsteps of his father Chris who was a regular member of the team in the club’s inaugural season. Injury blighted his 2001-2002 campaign.

At present on loan to Clevedon Town

Chris COLLINS              DEFENCE               BORN  MERTHYR  6.8.83 

Chris who has made such a good impression during his recent loan spell, has joined us on a permanent basis having left Swindon Town. The full back, who made his debut in the Boxing Day game with Worcester, thus becomes the second signing by Peter Nicholas, after Ryan Ashington’s recent move from Torquay. 

Matthew ROSE           MIDFIELD           BORN CHELTENHAM 3.5.76 

Has made well over a century of appearances for County having signed from Gloucester City in March 2000. He was originally with his hometown club Cheltenham and then spent four seasons with Cirencester winning a treble including promotion from the Hellenic League before joining Gloucester.

Nathan DAVIES          MIDFIELD            BORN PONTYPOOL 26.5.82

A trio of Welsh non-league international matches completed a marvellous 2001-2002 season for Nathan, who is a product of the Newport Schools Football Academy. Another eight-times capped Welsh Schools under 18 international, he made his Dr. Martens debut 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.

Michael FOWLER           MIDFIELD                BORN CARDIFF 22.8.81

Made his debut against Worcester City in March 2002 having been signed from Conference side Woking. A former Welsh under 18 international, he played regularly in Crystal Palace’s reserve team before moving to Woking where he played against County in the clubs F A Cup clash last season.

Ryan ASHINGTON      MIDFIELD/ATTACK     BORN TORBAY 28.3.83 

Signed  from Torquay in early December, he has made 14 appearances

for the Plainmoor club during a three year stay.

Allan STEVENSON       MIDFIELD        BORN CHELMSFORD   16.12.83

Formerly on a YTS at Chester, but released after their relegation from the Football League. Still only 18, Allan was enrolled in County's Academy and became a member of Gwent Schools and County FA squads in 2001- 2002, making most appearances for a first year Academy member in that campaign, before breaking into County's first team squad in the latter stages of last season.

Garry SHEPHARD          ATTACK        BORN LLWYN-Y-PIA  30.3.76

The 2001-2002 season was a one best forgotten as a serious shoulder injury sustained in January ended Garry’s involvement. The previous campaign had seen Garry be club top scorer, runner up in the Dr. Martens Premier Division scoring chart and Player of the Year. Made a scoring Newport debut against Grantham in February 2000 having joined from Merthyr. Initially with Ton Pentre, Garry is a Welsh non-league international and cannot wait to return to playing action after an extensive fitness programme following his injury.

Mark DICKESON            ATTACK              BORN SWANSEA  2.10.74

Signed during the 2002 close season from Llanelli, where he had been regular top scorer. Just a few days before joining County, his hat trick in the final match of the competition steered Wales to the first ever non-league home international title.

Unfortunately, a serious cruciate ligament injury has ruled Mark out for the rest of this season.

   Neil DAVIS              ATTACK               BORN BLOXWICH    15.8.73

28-year old forward signed in July 2002. Neil commenced his career with Redditch United, moving to Aston Villa in 1991, and made his debut in a FA Cup quarter final against Nottingham Forest. After a period on loan with Wycombe Wanderers, he joined Walsall, then Hednesford Town in September 1998.

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. Joined County in the close season of 2001 and was involved in 56 of the club’s 64 first team games last season.

At present on loan to Forest Green Rovers

Raith PLANT                ATTACK                 BORN MERTHYR 5.12.82

A product of the clubs’ Academy link up, Raith had trials with several Football League clubs, 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 having spent periods on loan to other clubs, is now ready to stake a regular place in County’s line-up.

Kristian DIMOND                MIDFIELD            BORN CARDIFF 1.2.83

Made his debut against Weymouth on St. David’s Day, having been released by Cardiff City. He was at Crystal Palace for five years, having originally been one of their youth players under County manager Peter Nicholas, but left Selhurst Park toward the end of the 2001-2002 season.

David SHERMAN                ATTACK           BORN WEGBERG 19.5.83

A former Leeds United and Leicester trainee, he made his County debut in February. A former England schools cap who then earned Welsh Youth honours, he left Leicester City last summer.

   Gethin JONES               MIDFIELD                        Born 13.12.84 

Control midfield player from Tredegar. Played regularly for welsh schools under 18 last year and is eligible again this season. Will be pushing for a first team spot this season.

Interested a number of league teams already this season.

   Josh DUPRES                DEFENCE                             Born 28.6.85

Centre Half and Youth Team Captain.  Josh comes from Cardiff and was formerly on the books of Cardiff City.  Schools International at under 15, and FAW under 17.

Impressed against Steaua Bucharest in pre-season.

   Richard FRENCH               MIDFIELD                        Born 14.3.84

Wide right player who comes from Merthyr and another former Cardiff City recruit.  Richard scored the winning goal for Hartridge Academy at Anfield. Impressed in pre season and expected to be a strong contender for a first team place.

   Lloyd STONE              Centre Back                        Born 15.3.85

Lloyd is a product of Ebbw Vale and Gwent Schools FA. Now studying ‘A’ levels at the Academy. Likely to be an important player for the club in the future.

Came on for first team against Steaua Bucharest in pre-season.

   Shaun O'BRIEN                   DEFENCE          BORN  MERTHYR 26.7.86

Shaun was signed in mid September from Brecon Corries having previously been with Swansea City. Shaun who lives in Merthyr, will add a physical presence to our defence and provide competition at the heart of our defence to Josh Dupres and Lloyd Stone.

 Players who have left this season.

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