The surname 'Roberts' is unique in County terms in that all three members of that particular clan to have played for us have been goalkeepers. Duncan follows the tradition started by Kevin who made two
appearances in our debut campaign at Moreton-in-Marsh 14 seasons ago, and ably continued by Jon in the last decade.
But when the 24 year-old East Anglian moved to Wales this summer, he expected to be playing his football at Barry Town. He signed a two year contract with the Welsh Premier League champions, and thought he was ready to settle at last in his new environment after twice in quick succession being a victim of the football recession.
He said: "I was one of fourteen players released by Oldham Athletic at the end of last season when that club was in a mess, and then I spent part of my pre-season at Luton Town but could not sign because they were hit by a transfer embargo.
"I signed my contract with Barry but it was not submitted to the football authorities in time and I was left high and dry. It was devastating, especially as I had moved across country to live in Barry.
"I did have a couple of offers from Barnet,
who I turned down because I didn't want to move to London, and Forest Green, but as I like living in Barry, Newport seemed a better choice."
Duncan provides competition for the position previously contested by Pat Mountain and Gareth Wesson, and while he realises that Pat has become something of a fixture in these parts, he gets on well with his main rival for the position of County's number one.
He said: "I have no axe to grind with anyone and I didn't feel any pressure in the first Weymouth match even though I was perhaps a bit rusty because I hadn't played for a while. The manager has shown faith in me and we have looked a decent side in my first three games when I haven't had many saves to make."
Born in King's Lynn, Duncan spent three years at Mansfield Town, including a year as a professional, and was in line to make his league debut against Cambridge United before he dislocated a shoulder in training the day before the game. His place went to his friend and rival Nicky Weaver who went on to join Manchester City!
Duncan was signed by Peter Morris to play for King's Lynn and could have followed the former Mansfield manager to Kettering, but he stayed loyal to the Linnets only to be shown a red card in the first game under new boss Gary Mills. Moroccan international Chuck Martini took over and Duncan was on the move again.
This time his destination was Wisbech Town, which was convenient because he lived in the Cambridgeshire town. The Fenmen were then in the Eastern Division of the Dr Martens League, and he picked up two player of the year awards from his time with them.
He said: "I had left the club long before the end of the my second season there, but they still gave me the honour, even though I was by then playing for Harrow Borough. I didn't enjoy it at Harrow because it was too far to travel and moved slightly closer to home to join St Albans City."
The last year has been one of almost constant change because former Northampton Town manager Kevin Wilson signed him for Bedford Town soon after replacing Roger Ashby at the helm, and Duncan was soon on the move again when he joined Oldham last Christmas. With this ill-fated move followed by abortive attempts to sign for both Luton and Barry, Duncan must have wondered whether he was ajinx on clubs that he joined.
However, his introduction to County seems to have worked like a charm, because since he signed, not only have we continued to look solid at the back, but the goals have also started to flow at the right end.