Newport County take on Colchester United this Saturday, so let's have a look at past players who have shared the shirt between both clubs...
Frank Nouble
Frank Nouble has been around the EFL throughout his career, as well as having a stint in China. But it was in 2017 that Nouble joined Newport on a free transfer from Southend United.
During his season-long stint at The Exiles, he featured in 52 games across all competitions, where he would go on to score 10 goals as well as being part of that memorable FA Cup run in which Newport defeated Leeds and forced Tottenham into a replay.
After his one season at County, Nouble would join Colchester, where he would make 163 appearances - more than any other club in his career. Nouble featured in The U’s' historic EFL Cup run, where they would be knocked out in the Quarter-Final against Manchester United.
Nouble now plies his trade at Spennymoor Town in the National League North.
Shawn McCoulsky
Shawn McCoulsky, who currently plays for League Two side Harrogate Town, first featured for Newport in the 2017-18 season whilst on-loan from Bristol City.
During his loan, McCoulsky played alongside Nouble, also playing a part in the aforementioned FA Cup run. The striker also scored 11 goals in 35 appearances, with one of these goals being against Leeds.
After leaving Bristol City and having further stints at other clubs, McCoulsky eventually joined Colchester in 2021, spending a season at the Community Stadium. The forward didn’t see much game time whilst in Essex, but scored his only goal in a 4-0 FA Cup win against AFC Sudbury.
He joined Harrogate in 2025, following a three-year stint at Maidenhead United.
Alex Gilbey
Alex Gilbey, who is an academy product of Colchester, was loaned out to Newport from his parent club for the last two months of the 2012-13 season.
The League One champion only featured eight times for the Welsh side, but played a crucial part in all eight games, contributing to the latter end of the season and in the Conference play-offs to help Newport gain back their EFL status.
Following this loan, Gilbey was able to breakthrough into the Colchester first team and made 121 appearances for the club, occasionally captaining the side in his final season.
Gilbey now leads the line at Milton Keynes, where he has made over 100 appearances since arriving in 2023.
