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“With limited resources, we are doing very well to be where we are.”

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Now for the answers provided by Richard:

How long have you supported Newport County?

My first match was as a six-year-old in August 1970, 1-0 home defeat to Northampton.

Where did you finish last season?

Finished 11th last season, fell away a bit after the Spurs Cup tie.

What do you think of your Manager?

Michael Flynn. A real local hero. A former player who took over in March 2017 when we were 11 points adrift and seemingly destined for National League.

What are your hopes and expectations for this season?

As we’ve stayed in touch so long, would like to think we can have a shot at playoffs. At the start of the season, would have settled for mid-table.

One(s) to watch?

Our two strikers Padraig Amond and Jamille Matt have been in great form. Goalkeeper Joe Day, our longest serving player, is one of the better keepers in the League.

Who do you think will finish in the top 7?

Fancy Lincoln and Milton Keynes Dons for automatics, possibly Mansfield to join them. Playoffs any four from seven or eight really.

Who do you think will finish in the bottom 2?

Can’t see much saving Macclesfield though they were 3-2 up at Newport prior to our injury time equaliser. Possibly Morecambe to join them but Yeovil are dropping like a stone. And they won 6-0 at Newport!!

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

Lincoln have really turned things around as a club in recent years and have shown how to build on a Cup run. Obviously, the investment is there but crowds have trebled so fair play to all concerned.

What do you think the score will be?

Would be very pleased with a solid 0-0!

What will your likely default formation and style of play be for this season?

We vary between 4-3-3 and 3-5-2. We look a bit more solid with three at the back which is how I would expect us to set up at Sincil Bank.

Random fact about your Club?

We went bust in February 1989 in the Conference, reformed four months later as Newport AFC and played in Hellenic League against the likes of Wantage Town and Bishop’s Cleese! Reclaimed the ‘County’ title ten years later.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

At the start of the season, I would definitely have said Matt Green, who once played for us, but our forwards have been in impressive form and he hasn’t been a regular with you.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Newport County Supporter?

Proudest moment returning to Football League with 2-0 win over Wrexham at Wembley in 2013. It had been a long 25 years, with a season in tier eight upon reforming in 1989. The Great Escape victory over Notts County In May 2017 with an 89th-minute winner runs it close.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Maybe Fraser Franks, a central defender, who played one game on loan for us in his first spell in 2012 – a 2-0 defeat at Lincoln!

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

Our Supporters Trust took over the club in October 2015. They have remained ever since though fans have recently been given the option of voting for a hybrid model which allows business investment too.

Which was your favourite match involving Newport County?

Probably the two mentioned above against Wrexham and Notts County in terms of the outcome though it was difficult to enjoy them at the time.

Which was your least favourite match involving Newport County?

The 4-0 home defeat against a very young Leyton Orient team in 2016-17 which proved to be Graham Westley’s last match in charge before Micheal Flynn’s appointment. We were dire and relegation looked a formality.

What’s the best thing about Newport?

Newport gets a bad press but it underwent a bit of a transformation three years ago with the Friars Walk shopping development. It’s Wales’ third biggest City, has one of only two transporter bridges in the UK (Middlesbrough the other), hosted the 2011 Ryder Cup and has a vibrant music scene. Plus, it’s home to County!

Do you have a Former Players Association at Newport County?

Yes, we have a Former Players Association. Club historian Andrew Taylor does a fantastic job organising it, with regular meetups etc.

What’s the situation now with the rugby being, or not being, played at Rodney Parade?

We have a contract at Rodney Parade up until 2023. The ground is now owned by the Welsh Rugby Union and relations have been strained at times.

Similar to us, you’ve had a couple of good FA Cup draws recently – Tottenham and now Leicester. How has this money been spent? Debt reduction, facilities or the squad?

Last season’s Cup run helped turn a sizeable loss into a £250,000 profit. Unfortunately, as stated, we don’t own our ground so the money hasn’t gone into infrastructure. We can’t keep relying on Cup runs, though this season we have been fortunate to earn another £315,000 already. It would be great to provide a sustainable future for the club.

Given that you now have free access in and out of our country over the Severn Bridge, will you be bringing more support Saturday?

Would expect us to bring up to 250. It’s been a fairly expensive time recently with successive away trips to Cheltenham (900+), Wrexham (400+) and Swindon (800+) and stand tickets for Leicester are £30. The Severn Bridge won’t affect Lincoln as most fans will travel via Monmouth and M50.

Have you still got the same radio commentary team covering your games and if so do they know the difference between rugby and football now?

Tim won’t be happy with that! He’s also our match day announcer and has been watching County since 1843! He’s a lovely bloke; check his commentary for the closing minutes of the Wrexham Play-off game!

Posted by Vital Lincoln City on Saturday, 22 December 2018

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