FORMER County striker Matt Green says the chance to “give back to football” was a key factor in his return to Newport – not in County orange, but City red.

Green, now 36, will return to the Newport Stadium mid-week after joining Ardal SE outfit Newport City at the end of July.

The striker, who made 56 appearances for County between 2005 and 2007, says his experience in Newport as a young man set him on the right path for professional success.

“When I came to Newport at 18, they were good folk,” Green told the Argus. “The fans were really behind me. They were brilliant.

“Football can be quite reckless, especially when it comes to young kids developing. The game can be quite cut-throat and that’s when players lose their heads.”

The former Mansfield Town, Lincoln City and Grimsby Town striker - who netted against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as recently as 2019 - will now have the chance to train younger players and “put an arm around” those with less experience than him.

“I was talking to a few clubs about potentially getting back in full-time, but it would’ve been just another club,” Green said. “This is different because I’ve got the chance to coach some of the kids, mentor them and help the parents as well. The biggest thing for me is to give back to football.

“The English Football League is great, but the Welsh system could be producing greats. I was lucky enough to play with Aaron Ramsey at Cardiff. There are so many gifted footballers in Wales – look at Gareth Bale. What an athlete,” Green said, noting that his own great-grandfather hailed from Mountain Ash.

“There’s a massive gap when it comes to the South West – a huge catchment area with a lot of players that fall through the net. Potentially, with an arm around them, they could be one of the best.”

Newport City host Brecon Corries at the Newport Stadium on Wednesday, August 23.