Newport County

This is kind of a two-part story.

First is a club that was founded in 1912, joined the Football League Third Division in 1920, and struggled along in the third to fifth tiers for 50 years. They had to apply for re-election to the league 10 times! In 1977 they avoided relegation on the last day, which almost certainly kept them in business. Barely.

But in the 1979-80 season, they earned promotion on the last day, and they also won their first Welsh Cup. That got them into the next season’s UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, an early version of today’s Europa League. There, they beat a team from Northern Ireland, beat another from Norway, and then drew an East German side. They drew away, 2-2, in the first leg, and with Benfica waiting in the semifinals, they had a record crowd at home – only to lose, 1-0.

Just eight years later, after two relegations and a raft of financial issues, that club went out of business in 1989.

End of Part 1.

In the summer of 1989, supporters re-formed the club and were granted membership in the Hellenic League at tier 8. But the local government wouldn’t let them back into their old ground because of unpaid rent, so they had to play 90 miles away in Gloucester, thus earning their nickname The Exiles.

They had success on the pitch but continued legal problems off it, having to sue for the right to play in Newport and in the English leagues. They won those, but they had to change stadiums again in 2012 – just in time to finally get back to the Football League after 25 years. Around that time they were purchased by a man who won £45 million in a national lottery, but three years later he stepped aside, as he was losing £30,000 to £40,000 per month. At that point, he handed the whole thing off to the Newport County Supporters’ Trust, who still own 27% of it today; the majority owner is a Welsh businessman named Huw Jenkins, who chaired Swansea City when they rose through the pyramid.

In 2019 and 2021 they lost the League Two promotion final, but lately, their specialty has been cup runs. In 2016 they made the FA Cup Third Round, in 2018 they beat Leeds United before earning a replay against Tottenham in the Fourth Round, in 2019 they beat Leicester and Middlesbrough before falling to Manchester City in the Fifth Round, and in 2021 they took Brighton to penalties in the Third Round. In the 2020-21 League Cup they beat local rivals Swansea City, then took out Watford before losing to Newcastle at home on penalty kicks.

Last season, they barely stayed in the League, finishing one spot above (although seven points) ahead of the relegation places.

2024–25 SEASON: 22nd in League Two, 1st Round FA Cup, 1st Round League Cup

2025–26 SEASON: League Two (promoted in 2013)

All the Welsh Football League clubs – Swansea City, Wrexham and especially Cardiff City – qualify as rivals, as do English neighbors Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham and Swindon Town. 

None

There’s an official anthem called “Come On The County” or “Run Lads, Shoot Lads,” but I didn’t hear it at the ground. If you look on YouTube for a version by The Tenants Supermen, that’s pretty fun. They also do the “Hi Ho Newport County” better known at Wolverhampton and Sheffield Wednesday. 

The Exiles currently call Rodney Parade home, but it’s actually a rugby ground – that sport is more popular in this part of the world – and it’s frankly an odd place for football. It holds 7,850, in two big stands on the sides and two terraces in the ends, plus some other bits and bobs of seats and other buildings mixed in. Although County have only played there since 2012, it is the second-oldest venue in the Football League, after Preston North End’s Deepdale.

The most recognizable thing is the roof of the Hazell Stand, which is quite prominent on television and also visible from any train going through town. That stand, though, doesn’t even run the whole length of the pitch, and next to it is an unused terrace.

The newer Bisley Stand across the way has the better views.

TOURS: None

GETTING THERE: It’s only a quarter mile from the train station, so about a 10-minute walk, tops. Here’s a Google Maps link.

PUBS: There are several good options around the station. Look for The Potters, which has good options for sitting down. Ye Olde Murrenger House is a 16th Century pub with food.

GRUB: Check out Newport Market, recently redone to include lots of food stalls and community seating.

AROUND TOWN: The 15th Century Newport Medieval Ship, found on the banks of the River Usk in town, that is being restored and can be viewed. Just outside of town is the National Roman Legion Museum, on the site of a fort that hosted some 5,000 soldiers. It includes the only Roman barracks on view in Europe and the largest Roman amphitheater in Britain.