Newport County 1912-1989

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Jan Preece was County's Club photographer during the 1970's up to the early 1980's, Jan is a well known figure in Newport and runs the excellent site http://www.quietwomansrow.moonfruit.com/ where you can find many more of his County, Pill and Newport in general pictures. He has many wonderful photos from this, the most successful period in the clubs history. See photo below for conformation of this! A proud Len Ashurst sits behind the Welsh Cup and Welsh League Championship Trophy both won the prevoius season in 79/80. Of Course winning the Welsh Cup got County entry into the 80/81 European Cup Winners Cup, where we reached the Quarter Finals only to lose to "crack" East German Side Carl Zeiss Jena who were full of internationals by 3-2 on agg. See below to see the captainsth

the captains exchanging pennants before the game. Jan still still swears to this day that at least one of our efforts on that night was over the line and he's not alone! Of the 18,000 people in the ground only the Referee & Linesman didnt seem to see it!

 At the end of the 79/80 season County paraded their silverwear in the streets of Newport, a open top bus ride from Somerton Park to the Civic Centre was captured brilliantly by Jan.

Here (left) we see the fans gathering at the Civic Centre

 Below WAGS 1980 style!

 Above (left) Steve Warriner and Dave Gwyther hold the Welsh League Trophy in High Street as Neil Bailey looks on

 Below they even stopped the Bingo at Maindee!

But before all the glory days were had the early 70's, mostly days of struggle but we still had some great characters and  players in the likes of Willie Brown, seen below in typical action on a great Somerton Park pitch!

 Players who made became Somerton favorites such as John Macey and Steve Aizlewood are pictured below as well as this corker of a team picture which seems to show a mixture of first teamers and reserves, perhaps taken before a pre-season friendly, can you spot a young John Relish? Also worthy of mention is Granville Smith a former County winger who acted as reserve team trainer around this time

But by the late 70's the feelgood factor arrived firstly with Colin Addison and then with Len Ashurst seen here (below left) greeting his right hand man Jimmy Goodfellow

Here (below) even the people behind the scenes can't escape Jan's camera, as then programme Editor Richard Shepherd (far left) lines up with the rest of the office staff....

 And below the groundstaff prepare the Somerton pitch

These classics are from the Open Day in 1977/78 season.....Spot anyone you know!

 Above a young Tim Walsh (Still a regular supporter)

 The players above are Eddie Woods, Brian Clark Gary Plumley and Brian Preece.

The 1972/73 season was at the time County's best for years resulting in missing out on promotion by 0.12 goal average to Aldershot.

The following are pictures Jan took on the final match at home to Bury, on and off the pitch

 Above...A header at the Cromwell End, as a packed crowd look on..

One of the goals (Above) in our 4-3 victory.

The crowd had heard via their transistors that Hereford were losing which would of meant County had won promotion, however the good old Beeb had got the score wrong so County had to wait until the following Friday when Stockport played Aldershot. The Shots got the point they needed...But it didn't stop the champange being popped in the County Boardroom...

...And this lucky lad had a special drink from a special man......

The drink?....Lucas-ade of course!!

Here below we see Willie Brown chatting to the Mayor, with winger Andy White in the background

You can see more of Jan's work on the Press Photos Page

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