Ryan Delaney has admitted that continuing to build memories on the pitch is something he is determined to do as he begins his second spell with Newport County.
The Irish centre-back is set to make his return to Rodney Parade when Chesterfield visit this Saturday in a key Sky Bet League Two fixture. Delaney, on loan from Swindon Town, previously made 41 appearances for the Exiles before departing last summer.
After finding opportunities limited at the County Ground, Delaney made the move west along the M4 in search of regular football, having not featured competitively since last November. The 31-year-old returns to Newport keen to re-establish himself and play a meaningful role during the remainder of the campaign.
Having enjoyed a varied career that has included spells at Wexford, Burton Albion, Cork City (loan), Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon, Scunthorpe United and Swindon Town, Delaney acknowledges the mental challenge that comes with periods away from the matchday squad. He explained that for footballers, playing every week is “instilled within you, it’s like a conveyor belt,” with the focus from Monday to Friday always building towards Saturday. Delaney admitted that when playing time is taken away it can be difficult mentally, adding that it can lead to players “losing your identity,” particularly when waking up on a Saturday knowing you will not be involved. He believes players do not want to look back on their careers remembering time spent on the bench, but instead reflect on moments on the pitch, from matches played and clean sheets kept to games won against the odds. “I want to gather the experiences to reflect and talk about after a playing career ends. I think not being involved takes that all away from you,” he added.
Delaney believes the difficult periods he has faced have helped shape him, saying that “there is a toughness instilled in me now,” and that his focus at Newport is simply to play as much as possible between now and the end of the season.
The defender is fully focused on Newport County’s fight to retain Sky Bet League Two status and insists the importance of the current challenge outweighs past achievements. Delaney was part of the Exiles’ memorable FA Cup run just over two years ago, which saw victories over Oldham Athletic, Barnet and Eastleigh, before a fourth-round tie against Manchester United at Rodney Parade. Goals from Bryn Morris and Will Evans brought Newport level in front of a crowd of 9,086, before Manchester United eventually secured a 4–2 victory.
Reflecting on that occasion, Delaney said, “Obviously, it was a great day out. It was probably my greatest day of playing football. But [County] staying up now would mean a hell of a lot more to me and the squad. It would be a better achievement. In terms of the FA Cup it is pot luck who you get in the draw. There is a bigger picture out there and what it means to the club. It is not just about a marque game against Manchester United.”
Delaney believes home form could be a decisive factor in the weeks ahead, with Chesterfield visiting Rodney Parade this weekend, followed by Accrington Stanley, a trip to Bristol Rovers and a home fixture against Grimsby Town. He recalled that during his previous spell at the club, Rodney Parade was “quite a fortress,” supported by strong backing from fans home and away, and added, “If you can win at home, momentum can be built up, and that's what we need now.”
Having completed his first full 90 minutes since November in last weekend’s draw at Gillingham, Delaney admitted his body felt the effects in the days that followed but said, “Now I am fully recovered. I look after myself off the pitch and that has really helped.”
Delaney was one of five January additions at Newport County, alongside James Crole, Harrison Biggins, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa and Lewis Jamieson. After leaving Newport to join Swindon Town on a free transfer last summer, he has returned to Rodney Parade on loan for the remainder of the season. He described the decision to rejoin the club as straightforward, saying, “It was a no-brainer for me. I said to my partner I have unfinished business at Newport, and she agreed with me.”
