Newport County 1912-1989
Tangerine Tommy
Amber Notes
My Heroes & Favourite Players....
Over the years at Somerton, I have had many; so to start at the beginning, my first memories of supporting County are from the early 70's. I have vague recollections of the '70/71 season (yes the one where our first League win was January 15th!) these being that this result, 3-0 at home to Southend was mentioned on the news, whilst the other hearing on a car radio that County had lost 6-1 at Barnet in the FA Cup.
The first season I can really recall is the near-miss of 1972/73. So looking at the list of players now who played that season, I immediately pick out Willie Brown, 24 goals in 48 League & Cup games. I remember my Dad would go mad with him however, as he always said that Willie would all too easily hit the ball over the bar when shooting, as he always leaned back; but I always liked Willie, he always seemed to give 100% and I loved hearing him swearing in his Scottish accent whenever we watched County train.
Graham Coldrick was another hero, not so much for what he did on the pitch, but for the fact us kids knew where he lived! So a bike-ride past Codgers house was always a must to see if we could spot him!
The late Brian Harris too was a hero, not for the fact he had played in the FA Cup Final at Wembley, but more when he was County's manager a year or so later. He would always throw us a ball to have a kick-around with, as we watched County training at Spytty Park (in very much pre-International Sports Village days)
Len Hill too was a bit of a cult hero, as he also played Cricket. I still have a John Player League Scorecard in my collection with Len in the Glamorgan XI. It was always something to do during the long summers to check out the latest Cricket scores in the paper, in order to see his name, LW Hill.
Now we come to what I can only class as a Top 3 Hero, the one and only Rod Jones (seen above getting stuck into the son of God himself, Hereford's David Icke). Rod was a legend as a centre-forward or a centre-half. Most County fans I think will always remember Rod charging Goalkeepers and getting stuck in to the opposition with relish - and he chipped in with more than a few goals too. I last saw Rod buying a lawn-mower in B&Q a few years back and was still star-struck!
John Macey (right) too was a decent 'keeper and his name still lives on in Newport today, in Macey Sports. We knew where John lived as well!
Martin Sprague was a tidy left-back, and Andy White a tricky winger who was a regular visitor to a neighbour's house (who had connections with ex-County player Danny Newell and Mr County himself, Billy Lucas), so naturally has to be in this list!
David Williams played during this season too and deserves a mention for all the work he as put into Newport football over the years.
Steve Aizlewood (left) was a excellent centre-half too (and he lived just up the road...you get the theme here don't you!), who I always enjoyed watching and it was no surprise when he was sold to Swindon. I remember my brother going to watch him play at Ashton Gate in a Wales v England clash at U23 level.
Most of the above were mainstays of the early to mid 70's, but in 1974/75 a new fresh face arrived in the shape of John Relish - a regular in the County side for years to come and of course Newport AFC's first manager. I always liked Rello's style of play, the way he would jockey his man was classic full-back stuff.
Another to mention here was Graham Rogers, although he never played much he went to school with my brother and he did teach me at college for a few months; so again, hero status confirmed!
Bobby Woodruff came in during this season too and he was actually a signing I had heard of! So kudos there right away, I probably knew of him because of his long throw (didn't World Of Sport or somebody have a competition?). Bobby chipped in with 10 goals that season.
Another hero signed during this season was Eddie Woods, a goal-scoring centre-forward who I remember actually topped the Div 4 goal-scoring charts at some point during one season - which for a County player, was pretty rare. His goals in the 'Great Escape' match v Workington & the FA Cup win over West Ham will always be remembered.
Moving into the mid 70's now and a player we had on loan in 1976/77, but who signed a couple of years later was Dave Bruton. A mainstay of our successful sides of the late 70's / early 80's. I always though the way (Sir) Len Ashurst played him just in front of Keith Oakes (more of him later) and Grant Davies was a masterstroke.
Brian Clark again a player I knew all about and he once (when still a Cardiff City player) gave me and a mate a lift from a Charity game at Tredegar House, back to the bus stop on Cardiff Road. I remember my parting shot ... "Thanks for the lift Bri, hope you sign for the County soon"... "So do I Son", he replied...an instant legend!
Gary Plumley, despite the Carl Zeiss Jena blunder, was still a excellent servant to the County. Gary also made his debut during that season and of course is still seen regularly around the town.
The late Brian Preece also joined in 1976, and I will never forget the goal he scored at Moreton-In-Marsh during AFC's first season - thankfully captured by HTV's cameras.
So on to 1977/78 and things were staring to look up, a new board, a new kit and a new top 3 hero - the one and only Howard Goddard. On and off the pitch Howard was a legend, regularly seen out on a Saturday night in town. Howard had it all, on seeing some old photographs of me a few years ago, a fellow County 'lifer' accused me of having a "Howard Goddard hair cut!" I took it as a compliment although I don't think it was meant to be! I was devastated when I heard on the 10pm Radio Wales sports bulletin on the 23rd October 1979, that he had broken his leg, it really soured a great result in beating Portsmouth at Fratton Park 2-0 in front of 20,000 fans. It was great to see Howard again at Spytty in the early 2000's.
Steve Lowndes too, was a fantastic player for us and with him marrying a family friend, I had the pleasure of getting to know Steve personally over the years - but ironically by then, he had already left County for Millwall and later Barnsley. In 2004, I bumped into Steve at the Royal Albert Hall (as you do...) we were both there to see our daughters singing in the Gwent Choir at the Schools Proms. County were playing that night and thanks to some silent texts, I was able to tell Steve how "we" were doing.
Of course another great find that season was Nigel Vaughan, who like Steve, later joined an AFC side in exile in Gloucester, during the early 90's. Always a classy act was Nigel.
Ron Walker must be added to the list too - not so much that he was a good player, but in the "we knew where he lived category!" Opposite Granville Smith in Mulcaster Avenue as it happens...
...and Mike McLaughlin, who played a few games in a second Somerton stint & lived just around the corner in Hillview Crescent! There really should be blue civic plaques put up on these houses....!
A season later and Kevin Moore arrived, the great Kevin Moore that should read, I truly loved watching him play and how many penalties did he win? I've had the pleasure too, in the last year or so, to swap a few E-mails with him. Kevin still thinks fondly of his time at Somerton.
Next is Captain-fantastic in my book - the best centre-back I ever saw at County, Keith Oakes. Not only a great defender, but he also had an eye for a goal or two. Keith had a good partnership with Grant Davies and he looked like Eddie Shoestring!
Next is probably my "No.1 hero", after all there is only one Tommy Tynan (Left). I once saw Tommy buying tins of baked-beans in Kwik Save, in Maindee one morning (complete with his sheepskin coat), then knocking in a hat-trick that evening in an FA Cup replay against Enfield. Another who was a legend in Newport town centre on a Saturday night, usually in the Queens (now Walkabout for younger readers). For me, Tommy had it all and his two goals in Jena will stay with me forever. A true County legend in my book.
Richard Walden too was a class act, a quiet man who I had the pleasure to have a long conversation with in the Moreton Lounge, after the final Somerton game in 1993. He too seemed to really enjoy his time at County.
Goddard's leg-break on that dramatic night in Portsmouth gave the chance to a raw youngster by the name of John Aldridge. I will never forget Ollie's (NOT Aldo!) two goals in the final game at Walsall on May 3rd 1980, and his account of the celebrations which ended with him throwing-up all over a supporter in Cromwell Road at the end of that day, which can be read in his autobiography!
1979/80 was also the year we met David Gwyther, pretty much in the Rod Jones mould as a striker, which is probably the reason he was loved so much by the Somerton crowd. A smashing fella too off the park, I'll never forget the reception he received when he went back to Rotherham with the County, from their supporters, they loved him as much as we did!
Must add Neil Bailey here too, not my most favourite player but.....you guessed it ... I knew where he lived!
Karl Elsey I enjoyed watching too, with his flowing locks - always seemed an exciting player.
Tragically in May 2008 we lost a true County legend in Mark Kendall. The one thing that sticks out about Mark, was how he always seemed to be smiling - and after his death, we also learnt how the fans of Wolves and Chesterfield also loved him as much as we did. Mark always loved to tell a good story that's for sure, and was truly the life and soul of any party.
Into the early 80's now and Terry Lees sticks out here, not particularly for his on-pitch efforts, but for the fact he almost knocked me down in Somerton Lane - he did say sorry, so he has to get a mention here!
Another centre-half who I admired greatly was Terry Boyle. One of the "Ashton Gate Eight", he was a solid performer for us without a doubt, it's a shame really that he wasn't around a few years earlier.
Another couple of solid players who I was delighted with when they signed, were Vaughan Jones and Kenny Stroud. Vaughan if my memory serves me correct played a few times with some success up front, and Kenny who rejoined a few years into the AFC era always found time for a chat in the Amber Bar after a match.
Classy always springs to mind when I think of Roy Carter, again a player that if signed earlier could of made a real impact I feel.
Neville Chamberlain was I think one of the first black players to play for County (if not the first?) - which was novel in itself back then. Brother of England International Mark, he was always entertaining to watch.
Linden Jones and John Lewis both excellent players, went on to serve both County and AFC with great distinction and were certainly firm favourites of mine. Jones was particularly solid, who later made a bit of a name for himself as a striker for AFC, in the promotion year of '94/95.
I also quite liked David Giles, probably mainly for the fact that by joining County, he had now played for all four Welsh league clubs - on his day, he was a class act.
Tony Kellow joined in 1984/85 and briefly lit up Somerton Park with 9 goals in 20 starts and was a character to match. This season also saw Newport-boy Tony Pulis sign on at Somerton. I always though Tony was a vastly underrated player to be honest and thought a lot of his work, albeit unglamorous, was very important.
Whisper it, but I also liked Leighton James, probably as he was a big name. Albeit well past his best, but still had a trick or two now and again and I once saw him score a pearler at Ebbw Vale in a Pre-season friendly, only for it to be ruled-out for offside by a team-mate (it would of stood today).
As I look at the lists of players now, '85/86, the heroes unfortunately are becoming thin on the ground. Names like Rogers and Relish start to re-appear - but one name springs out, one who gave his all for County was Darren Peacock It was great to see him go onto much bigger and better things in the way he did, as he had a terrible time with injuries at Somerton - and again, it was nice to see him and chat with him at that final Somerton game. Another is Steve Mardenborough who again went onto give excellent service to AFC a few years later.
Into the late, dark days of the 80's now, but still time for a couple of favourites in Roger's Gibbins and Freestone, and two players I really liked in Steve Tupling and Simeon Hodson. Paul Bodin briefly shined until he was sold.
County's final season actually threw up a couple of gems in Paul Sugrue and Paul Sanderson, both as exciting as any I ever saw at Somerton, although of course we were now playing Non-League football. That final season (or until the bailiffs came anyway) served up some decent football at home, especially with those two pulling the strings and scoring for fun at times. Quite a lot of supporters still maintain we would of stayed up that year, but alas we shall never know
WM Owen
By Chris Shingler
It was with great pleasure, recently through his daughter-in-law Margaret, that I spent a very enjoyable and fascinating few hours looking through two scrapbooks full of cuttings from Billy's time with Northwich Victoria, Manchester City, Tranmere Rovers, Lovells, Bristol Rovers, Exeter, Bognor but mostly with Newport County.
The vast majority of these priceless and treasured memories are taken from the South Wales Argus and capture a most exciting time in County's history as we stormed towards the old Second Division (for younger readers now the Championship).
Billy was born in Anglesey at Llanfairfechan and had trials with Arsenal, Bury with whom he did sign amateur forms, and Manchester United, while playing in the Coast League in North Wales with the village team of his birth. 
He was also linked with Bangor before joining Northwich Victoria in the Cheshire League with whom he hit a hat trick on his debut against Chester Reserves. In a story that hit the national press (Daily Express) he was described at the time as: "Another Dixie (Dean) with a deadly shot with either foot, 19 years old, 5 feet 11 inches and 12 stone."
Soon Manchester City came calling and Billy joined the Maine Road club to become a team mate of Frank Swift and Matt Busby. There are some wonderful newspaper pictures of Billy at this time. Swift saving from him in a public trial match, action shots too of Billy playing against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday (two goals in a 3-0 win) and Sunderland.
There is also a report asking the question "Man City Reserve To Play For Wales?" and a lovely cartoon of him drawn by Gannon of The Sunday Dispatch.
After three years at City, Billy and his mop of black curly hair was on the move; this time to Tranmere Rovers but despite scoring twice against Southport in his first match, six weeks later Billy was heading back to Wales but this time south to join Newport County.
Billy spent 10 years at Somerton and was transformed from a forward to a right wing/half back with whom he formed a formidable partnership with Brinton. After starting in our Welsh League team Billy quickly established himself as a mainstay of any County side in those years leading up to the second world war.
In most reports from the likes of Ironside (Western Mail), Ogwen (Argus), Charles Buchan, Clifford Webb and other reporters both locally and nationally, they all seem to heap praise on Billy and his performances.
"Owen strong in tackling." - Buchan,
"Owen in particular was a brilliant forger and his shrewd passes pulled out the best in Derrick." - Webb.
"Owen a substantial proposition for opposing forwards to face." - Ironside.
"Owen was neat and stylish." - Ironside
"Owen who was one of those quaint misfits for a time an inside forward yet moved to right half and is now one of the best constructive half backs in the Third Division." - Citizen (probably Ray Taylor's journalist name of the time!), noting that Billy played 29 times during that promotion year of 1938/39 in what, for County fans, must have been wonderful times.
Of course we all know well how the story of County's promotion and how our debut in the Second was curtailed due to Mr.Hitler, and during the war Billy became a Section Leader and PT Instructor in the Fire Service and played wartime football for them as well as the Joint Forces (Police and Fire). He also played for Lovells Athletic who kept the football flag flying in Newport during those dark days and for Bristol City too.
Billy certainly banged in the goals during this time and one clipping from what looks like a Lovells programme tells that he had knocked in 11 goals in 3 matches including 3 against Swansea. In 1945 Billy played as a guest from Newport County for Bristol in a 5-2 Western League win over West Brom and a cutting suggests that Bristol were "fortunate to have him in the side" as he was a "strong, quick thinking player with tireless energy".
The Argus reported on 23 October 1946 that Billy was transferred to Exeter City with Granville for a joint transfer fee. It went onto say that many supporters would regard Owen as the last of the regular members of the 38/39 promotion team as Hickman was still in the Army and others who were still at Somerton after the war had only played once.
Billy had played 41 times during the 45/46 season in the League South for County against the likes of Arsenal Spurs Chelsea and Portsmouth.
In an interview some time later with the Argus Billy told of how he had permission from Exeter to carry on living in Newport and his match day routine for a game at St.James' Park was: "Arrive in Exeter at 12.30 after catching early morning train and after the match hire a taxi to catch the 5.18 express."
There is also a photo of Billy playing for Exeter against Bournemouth.
The cuttings start getting a bit scarcer now. Billy left Exeter to play for the Rocks of Bognor Regis. But his quality still shines through as with "spectacular footwork" he notched 2 goals against Shoreham and also showed "delux passes" as well as scoring a goal in Bognor's 5-0 victory over Lewes.
There are a few cuttings that tell a small bit of Billy's life after football as he first took over the running of a hotel back on Anglesey and then as mine host in the Commercial Hotel in Abertillery.
On being asked by the Argus if he was going to put up souvenirs or photos from his County career he replied: "They don't want to see me up on the walls!"
In the same article Billy was described as "One of the most popular players to wear a County shirt."
Billy was known as WM Owen to distinguish him from another County player of the same vintage who was also named Billy Owen. They took the second initial to indicate their origins, with WM using the initial of Manchester while WE Owen had come from Exeter, which ironically proved to be the final destination of the league career of WM Owen.
Billy (WM) died just before his 62nd birthday on the Isles of Scilly in 1976. CAREER RECORD League FA Cup Total Games Goals Games Goals Games Goals 1935-36 Manchester City 9 3 1 0 10 3 1935-36 Tranmere Rovers 6 4 - - 6 4 1936-37 Newport County 15 2 - - 15 2 1937-38 Newport County 22 2 3 1 25 3 1938-39 Newport County 28 1 4 0 32 1 1945-46 Newport County 41 1 6 1 47 7 1946-47 Newport County 4 0 - - 4 0 1946-47 Exeter City 20 9 1 0 21 9 ****************************************************************************************************** Champions 38-39 By Chris Shingler Ever hear about the crowd at a Bristol City v County game singing the national anthem before the game ? No neither did I until I recently had the pleasure to view some old newspaper cuttings from the collection of former player W.M. Owen. The event happened in the 1938/39 season as war clouds loomed heavy over Europe and was a suggestion by the football league who also encouraged the crowd to give three cheers for Mr. Chamberlain. Other snippets from this historic promotion season include a report that a few hundred spectators watched a trial match at Somerton Park which ended in a 5-5 draw. A 4-1 defeat at local rivals Lovell's in the Welsh League which was "spoilt by unpleasantness from certain sections of the crowd who barracked one or two players. A report from a match with Aldershot states that a "Shout of astonishment and admiration went up from the crowd as County appeared in their new colours, dazzling amber jerseys with black bands around the chest" The crowd by the way was 9,690 who watched a 1-0 County win. A match with Exeter was watched by 10,773 who paid £616 for their entertainment. A 0-0 draw at Bristol Rovers was described has being like a cup tie, as County were the Third Division leaders and apparently were the scalp that other clubs wanted, "The hunt is in full cry they are all after Newport County, here are the leaders, we'll show them". On the other hand another match that season a Southern Section Cup tie with Rovers attracted just 709 to Somerton for what was described as the "Best game of the season" They paid "only £34. For the visit of Crystal Palace a 10,906 (£586.19s.3d) saw a "top club affair" as whoever won would go top, goals from Wood and Derrick saw that it was County who went to the summit on a pitch that was in "excellent condition despite the rain over the last few days". The secret of County's success this season was the players size according to the Argus. "Ferguson Roberts burly six footers and Owen and Richards are substantial propositions for opposing forwards to face" the article went onto ask "Are rivals scared by the size of the Newport defenders?" County travelled to Portman Road to play an Ipswich side who had not won in eight games but still got 18,000 for County's visit. Ipswich's supporters Club membership was 9,085 at the time apparently. Into November and County had only conceded one goal at Somerton Park and Brighton were beaten 2-0 and "made to look poor" as 10,700 watched on. A "special correspondent" wrote Newport are top due to "team spirit, good football and a big jump in gates. The rise of Newport was one of the most dramatic happenings in football this season" For our away FA Cup tie at Reading "Three excursion trains from Newport and Two from the Monmouthshire valleys travelled to Reading in addiction to the followers who made the journey by road" to make a "Generous slash of Black and Amber in the sun bathed streets of Reading before the game" The team were accompanied by the mayor JR Wardell fought out a 3-3 draw which had Clifford Webb writing in one cutting that the "lead changed hands more times than a women's mind in a hat shop!" Charles Buchan wrote in another that County were "The best 3rd division team I have seen for a long time". Ogwen was waxing lyrical in our 2-0 win over QPR "Rhythmic Football at Somerton" where a "Rout was averted by a fine goalkeeper. 11,800 watched this one paying £660. Winger noted "Thank you London" for a comfortable win. Reading were "crushed" in a thrilling FA Cup replay" where the County now went north to County Durham to play Horden. Citizen noted that County were the "Pride of Wales" and one of the most "attractive sides in any division". In the lead up to the Horden tie there is a lovely picture of trainer Bill Poyntz preparing players for the match. At Selhurst Park County were supported by Sir Reginald Clarry M.P and Lady Clarry in what was a 29,155 (£1,615) strong crowd that it was hoped was a sign of things to come "bigger crowds better teams to come" in the second division. The game ended 1-1 and 700 County fans joined Sir Reg. Promotion arrived with president W R Lysaght watching on as County beat Southend as 10,912 (£610) watched with him,with Ogwen noting that at the end of the game the crowd invaded the pitch to carry off Duggan, the Captain, and Low shoulder high to the dressing rooms, and that hundreds of spectators who had remained roared themselves horse when it became clear that Bristol Rovers were holding Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park to make promotion safe. At a Civic Banquet there is a great picture of Mr W C Cuff Football League President presenting the Third Division Shield to Captain H J Petty Chairman, and there are stories from the Argus about how Manager McCandless had been busy opening telegrams from all part of the Country, while County's players spent the following Monday morning in good spirits and spent the morning playing Table Tennis at Somerton. Marlovian notes that it was a league of nations at Somerton Park with Five Welsh, two Scots, five English an Irishman and a South African, with Derrick being the only regular in the team that was a Newport born player. County's promotion Banquet at The King's Head was covered in the papers in great detail. A crowd of "several hundred" blocked the players way as they "ate six courses without turning a hair!" Salmon, lamb cutlets disappeared like magic along with roast stuffed chicken and new potatoes. The room was decked out in Black & Amber streamers with large posters saying "Welcome to Division two" and "Well done County" (rumour has it Ade Williams bought them on eBay!) . 250 guests found souvenir wooden footballers waiting for them on tables which were arranged in club colours. Among these guests were Ted Robbins Secretary of the Welsh FA who told of how proud he was of the County, and of interestingly (given the events of 15 or so years ago) said " You have one of the best assets in the world, membership of the English League" Other guests and quotes were the mayor J R Wardall "The happiest evening of my life", Ex managers Louis Page and James Hindmarsh, FA Secretary Stanley Rous "If it was not out of order I would give the County £1,000 as I am an admirer of the club" The then plain old Mr. Rous went onto say that, and this is a gem, that he anxious for the County to travel to Paris to take on the French National Side!! According to reports the league only made 11 medals so Arthur Hydes missed out but County were to make a special appeal to the league for another medal for him. Among others present were, Ogwen himself- Idris Roberts, A M Oakley Wolves, Representatives from Cardiff City, Swansea, Crystal Palace, Port Vale and Walsall. Ex players George Groves, Fred Goode, Charlie Britten as well as ex directors A E Moss and George Thorneycroft. The Supporters club was represented by Fred Snook (Chairman) and Secretary A E Bethell. In a Promotion Special published on Friday 21st April 1939, by the Argus there were photos of the squad at at Vauxhall House in Newport at Atlas Garages Exhibition, also an article giving the capacities of the grounds County were due to visit in the ill fated 39/40 season, Maine Road Manchester for instance at the time the third biggest in the country at 85,000! There was also a feature on a Newport County A side that were based in Tredegar for under 19's. Also a report on the Mon. Senior Cup semi Final replay at Bailey Park Abervavenny in which it states that County have many supporters in the area. There are also a lovely advert from GWR "Follow the County by Rail" cheap tickets issued to Birmingham,Plymouth, Coventry, Southampton, Manchester Sheffield and London "In many cases special Trains will run". A.E. Hughes & Sons were advertising the fact that their loudspeakers were used at Somerton and Newport Corporation were urging fans to travel by Bus to Somerton on match days. Also an announcement that coaches would run from Aberaman, Aberdare Caephilly and Ponypridd to carry fans to Somerton. Lloyds beer asks "You shout for Newport County, why not shout for Lloyds Beer? There were also welcome messages from Coventry, Southampton, Spurs, Fulham, West Ham, West Brom, Barnsley and Plymouth. Unfortunately of course the welcome from most of these clubs would have to put on hold until after the war. 
