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INTERNATIONAL EXILES | The former County players who have received Wales call-ups

12 November 2020

Club News

INTERNATIONAL EXILES | The former County players who have received Wales call-ups

12 November 2020

Goalkeeper Tom King and midfielder Josh Sheehan were the most recent Newport County AFC players to receive call-ups to the Wales senior squad.

King and Sheehan are both preparing for Wales' friendly against the United States this evening before the UEFA Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

So we've delved into the history books and taken a look back at some of the former County players who have also been selected for Wales international duty over the years.

David Pipe

Having made his mark as Wales Under-21 captain, Pipe earned his solitary senior cap in May 2003 in a friendly against USA, coming on as a second-half substitute.

He later signed for County in 2011 with his international experience being an attractive factor for the supporters that welcomed him to Spytty Park.

Pipe went on to prove this experience in 100 league appearances for the Exiles and a further 75 when he re-joined in 2017, as he became a fan favourite for his unwavering passion.

As well as leading County to promotion to the Football League after a 25-year absence in 2013, Pipe played a vital part in the goal that would keep his team in the football league just four years later.

His stunning cross into the box on the final day of the 2016/17 season against Notts County was flicked on by Marlon Jackson before Mark O’Brien chested the ball down and volley home.

The rest is history.

Nigel Vaughan

Vaughan played in a County shirt from 1976 to 1983 and made more than 200 appearances.

He won Player of the Year in 1980, helping the club claim the double by achieving promotion from the old Division 4 and beating Shrewsbury 5-1 on aggregate in the Welsh Cup final.

The following season, Vaughan was part of the County team that reached the quarter-final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup against German side Carl Zeiss Jena.

The midfielder’s success in south Wales prompted his senior international debut in 1982 as a second-half substitute in a 4-4 draw against Yugoslavia.

Vaughan made his first start for Wales in a 1-1 draw against Brazil a year later.

Steve Lowndes

Lowndes first signed for County in 1977 and stayed for six years during the most successful period of the club’s history.

Along with Vaughan, the midfielder was part of the team that won promotion to Division 3 for the first time since 1962, and helped County lift the Welsh Cup. He also featured against Carl Zeiss Jena in the following season.

Lowndes’ efforts for Newport saw him earn an impressive 10 caps for his country between 1983 and 1988.

Just four years after his last game for Wales, Lowndes re-signed for County and spent a further four years at the club.

Len Weare

Weare remained loyal to County for his entire career, representing the club from 1955 to 1970.

Playing a part in 600 games in all competitions for his only club, the goalkeeper still holds the record for the most Football League appearances for the Exiles with 525.

Weare fulfilled a footballing dream by being selected for international duty, despite never acquiring a full cap with Wales.

He entered the Newport County Hall of Fame in 2012 and a minute’s applause took place on September 22 of the same year to honour his services to the club.

Andrew Crofts

Crofts earned an outstanding 29 caps for Wales after progressing through the ranks at under-19 and under-21 level.

The midfielder won his first international cap for the senior team coming off the bench against Azerbaijan in a 2006 World Cup qualifying match.

Having made his first start for Wales in August 2007 against Bulgaria, a game in which he played a full 90 minutes, Crofts became an established member of the squad throughout the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying tournament.

The last time he played for Wales was Chris Coleman’s final game as manager against Panama in November 2017

Crofts went on to sign for County in 2018 and was announced as first team captain, remaining at the club for a season during which he made nine appearances.

Lee Evans

A product of the academy, Evans played for County for one season before achieving a move to then- Sky Bet Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Evans started in midfield regularly in the Exiles’ 2013 promotion side under manager Justin Edinburgh.

Just a year later in October, Evans was first called up to represent the Wales senior national team and then made his debut as a second-half substitute a month later, playing alongside Crofts in his final game.


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