NEWPORT County fan Bryan Collins watched as his club’s dream of staying in the Football League ended in tatters 25 years ago.

Since then, his sons Louis and Kieran have been born and brought up into the County family.

A quarter of a century after the club last appeared in the Football League, the trio will head to Rodney Parade today as League football returns to Newport with the 3pm kick-off against Accrington Stanley.

The club secured promotion from the Blue Square Premier in the play-off final against Welsh rivals Wrexham at Wembley back in May.

Mr Collins, 50, said: "This is what it’s all about, and to be going with my sons, it’s great.

"I'm glad that they'll be able to see us in the Football League at last.

"I was at the last league match against Rochdale when we went down. It was soul-destroying. I thought there was no way back for us after that.

"I can remember some days back in the League when Portsmouth came down, there was a lot of violence. I remember Derby County fans bursting through the barriers at Somerton Park, and Swindon Town being quite hostile because it was like a local derby at the time.

"My mother still lives near where would have been one of the goalposts at Somerton Park. It’s like a sacrilege!"

Son Louis, 23, said: "It’s surreal. I’ve been going since I was five and I’ve watched how they struggled at the beginning and how they moved through the leagues.

"It’s emotional for me to see how much my father cares for the club. It’s like a religion for our family."

Louis himself has two daughters and another child on the way, and he says they will be County fans as well.

"They’re too young to go to all the matches, but I’ve taken my daughters a few times already," he said.

His brother, Kieran, 19, added: "It’s a really big day. No words can explain how much this means to us as a family.

"All I hope is that we stay up and become established in the leagues, so that my family, and my children will be able to see us rise through the ranks."