COUNTY GALLERY

Nathan Davies by Ray Taylor

      Ray Taylor

NATHAN REJECTED CHELSEA!

WITH more than 225 first team appearances to his credit, NATHAN DAVIES stands third in the all-time appearance chart of Newport County AFC.

Only Mark Price and Jason Donovan on 275 and 245 respectively are ahead of him. And it could be said that in the case of Nathan, Chelsea's loss is our gain because Nathan actually turned down the chance  

to sign for the Stamford Bridge club!

"I went there on trial a few years ago and played for their under-19 side against Gillingham. I think I did quite well and they offered me a year's YTS, but I was not too sure about the financial side of things and decided not to take it."

Hindsight being what it is, Nathan admits to having some regrets about his decision now. Instead he faces one of his most testing challenges here since breaking into the first team five years ago.

"This season has been a nightmare so far. I wasn't happy about being left out for the first few games, but John Cornforth told me to keep doing my best and I would get my chance and that's exactly what happened."

Nathan has played under three managers for County and as he prepares to impress Peter Beadle, he has no complaints about the opportunities given to him under the others.

"Last season was difficult because I had an ankle ligament injury which took longer than I expected to clear up and I think I tried to come back too soon. "But I trained really hard in the summer and it's okay now. We all face a new challenge and a new start and I want to prove myself to the new manager.

"I am taking nothing for granted though. I am still playing for the same club and I have enjoyed playing for the previous managers, Tim Harris and Peter Nicholas, as well as John." 

Nathan has become such an established part of the picture here that a first team line-up that does not include him seems to have an essential ingredient missing.

His is not the most glamorous role in the side but he has always been a very popular player with the fans.

"I give a hundred per cent in every game and I think they appreciate that, I have always enjoyed playing for my local club,"

His job in the team is to play a holding role in midfield, but Nathan feels he is capable of more goals. He has scored just eight for the first team, yet he has twice hit two in a game.

"I always used to score in junior football when I played first on the right and then in central midfield for Llanyrafon and Pontnewydd, so I should score more often, It's an area of my game I could improve on."

He has plenty of support with parents Neil and Sue, grandmother Marie, sister Claire (herself a very capable footballer) and girl friend Ceri among his regular fans. But his performances always come under close scrutiny from his family.

They refuse to vote for him for man of the match awards on the coach returning from away games. Even in games like the recent trip to Lewes when Nathan was the overwhelming choice of the Exiles travellers, the Davies family diplomatically abstained from voting!

   NATHAN'S TOP TEN

  1 Best performance?  Blackpool away in the FA Cup.

  2 Best player you have played with? Jason Bowen.

  3 Best opponent?  Stephen McPhail of Leeds in a trial match for Bradford reserves.

  4 Best goal you have scored?  My second against Tiverton here.

  5 CD played most often?  Anything by The Jam.

  6 Last concert attended? Babyshambles last Monday. Before that the Kaiser Chiefs

  7 Best place for a night out? The Basement on Stow Hill.

  8 Favourite other sport? Fishing for carp.

  9 First result you look for? To see if Cardiff have lost.

10 TV programme you switch off? Anything about gardening.

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