Playing for a side at the wrong end of the table is an unusual experience for left-back GARY LLOYD, who has been used to challenging at the top throughout his time at Barry Town. But Gary, who has made a
few big decisions in his football career, is always prepared to back his judgement and has had no second thoughts about joining us.
He said: "The move has been great for me and I am enjoying my football and time with Newport. The only problem has been our performances not matching our results, but we have been playing well and if we keep ticking along I am convinced results will come.
"In this league anyone can beat anyone else while in the Welsh Premier there are maybe eight good teams in the league. We have shown in our two league games with Weymouth that there is not much between us despite league positions and it may take a cup run to get our season going."
Swansea-born, Gary grew up in Llanelli and at 16 he used to attend weekly training sessions at the Vetch Field. However when he left school it was not to join Swansea but to work in a local meat factory and play for Llanelli youth team. He graduated to the seniors and stayed for six years before the new managerial team of John Lewis and Paul Giles signed him for Barry Town in time to make his debut in a
League of Wales game against Ebbw Vale on Boxing Day 1994.
A few weeks later Lewis and Giles had departed but Gary stayed eventually becoming a full-time professional at Jenner Park. In seven of his eight full seasons at Barry he helped the side to the League of Wales title - in the remaining season they were a close second to TNS - and while it may have seemed boring and predictable to outsiders, that is certainly not Gary's perspective. He explained: "I had great times at Barry and what made it special was the experience of playing in Europe. I played in some fabulous ties, the best of which was probably against Aberdeen in the UEFA Cup. We played them away first and Dean Windass gave them an early lead but Richard Jones soon equalised with a great shot from 25 yards.
"We eventually lost 3-1 but Dave O'Gorman scored after five minutes of the return game and it was 'game on' again. Even after Billy Dodds hit two for Aberdeen, we still made a game of it with a penalty from Darren Ryan and a goal from Tony Bird to make it 5-4 on aggregate but they scored a last minute goal to draw 3-3 on the night."
Gary also played in the Barry team that beat Portuguese giants FC Porto 1-0 at Jenner Park - sadly the result in Portugal had already put the tie beyond them - and he played in successful ties against Dinaberg from Latvia and Budapest of Hungary.
His form for Barry also brought him international recognition and he captained the Welsh non- league international side and was called up for the full national squad as he recalled.
"There was a rumour that a League of Wales player was in line for international recognition but I had no idea what was going on when Gary Barnett, who was then Barry manager, called me into his office and asked me to speak to Bobby Gould on the phone. He said he was pleased to tell me I was in his squad to travel to Belgium and though I did not play it was a great experience."
Gary also had league managers on his trail and was on the brink of agreeing a move to Swansea when Alan Cork was sacked. He had trials at Reading and Walsall, while Crewe Alexandra manager Dario Gradi offered him an IS-month contract at the First Division club.
"Believe it or not I turned him down," said Gary. "The money on offer was not the best and I decided against because it would have meant selling my home and moving. I am not sorry because I made my decision and thought it was right."
He is settled in Llanelli with his partner Katie and their two children, four-year-old daughter Robyn and his son Trey who will soon be three. His judgement has been proved correct in the past and his loyalty has been well rewarded. He is now equally confident he has made the right choice by joining County.