A POWER-shift in the Newport County boardroom will save the club from almost certain extinction.

Five city businessmen - who have been voluntarily advising the Dr Martens League club run their financial affairs over the past 12 months - are set to take control in the boardroom of the cash-strapped Exiles before the new premier league season kicks-off on August 16 at home to Welling United.

The Argus understands negotiations between the current board members and the new proposed 'directors' have been on-going for approximately four weeks. Legal issues are currently being thrashed out as the new 'directors' examine the past and present cash-flow arrangements of the club.

As County's 'Strategic Manage-ment Team,' the five men know the ins-and-outs of Newport County as they assist the current directors with cash-flow at Newport Stadium.

The five men bidding to be directors are: John Collingbourne, owner of Newport car auctions Chris Blight, partner of Newport-based estate agent Crook and Blight Alan Trott, city law-yer. Stan Berry, retired entrepreneur Steve Sulley, marketing manager of the South Wales Argus' parent company Newsquest's Wales and West Division

The SMT threatened County's seven-strong board that they could walk away if directors did not agree that fundamental change of the club's off-the-field transactions was needed.

It is understood three County directors are to step-down - believed to be Martin Greenham, Tim Barnard and club secretary Mike Everett - will step-down to allow the shake-up run smoothly.

It is thought Exiles chairman Wallace Brown will remain in his present capacity, as will board members Robert Wixey and Sue Hill, the elected supporters' director. Matt Southall - managing director of Newport-based recruitment company Acorn Recruitment, who is Newport County's main sponsor - is ready to take a more active role along with the SMT.

The newly-restructured board's first job will to be reorganise the six-figure debt with a view to wiping the slate clean and put Newport on a sound financial footing.

County's fans will be fuming that the present club directors allowed the club to slip into the red despite three lucrative cup runs (one FA Cup and two FAW Premier Cup) in two years which realised a massive £250,000.

Supporters will also be disturbed by the current cash-flow problems, even fearing that lightning could strike twice as the old club went out of business 14 years ago, suffering similar cash problems.

Newport's present board of directors are said to be feeling the pinch as the arrears from creditors mount-up.

The new-look board is keen to break down barriers with the Newport fans and call for their help in raising funds for the club.

County next season will now go full-throttle for Nationwide Conference status as their off-the-field difficulties seem to be coming to an end.

Newport Stadium has been upgraded to meet Conference requirements and the Exiles will see the benefit of extra revenue from their new clubhouse, which is set to open in the autumn.

However, manager Peter Nicholas' plan to have full-time players at the club will be on the back-burner until the boardroom shake-up is complete.