THE people of Newport revelled in the glory of their football side’s promotion to the brink of the football league yesterday.

After Newport County were presented with the Blue Square South trophy on Saturday, an open top bus paraded it through the city’s streets yesterday, with jubilant players chanting “champions, champions”.

Around 700 people gathered through Lliswerry and Maindee, cheering and taking photos as the bus made its way from Newport Stadium to a special reception at the Civic Centre.

Passing motorists also showed their pride, beeping their horns, while youngsters playing football in parks ran to acknowledge the players whose footsteps they may hope to follow in.

Club chairman Chris Blight was delighted with the turn out.

"It’s very special. I never believed we’d be experiencing a day like this and a season like this," he said.

"The success that we’ve had has been remarkable. It’s the perfect day after the perfect season.

"Everyone has come out to greet us and it just proves what it means to the city and the people of Newport. I’m delighted."

Captain Gary Warren echoed those sentiments.

"It’s unbelievable to see so many people here enjoying themselves in the sun," he said.

"The fans have been fantastic, turning up in their numbers throughout the season and this weekend is all for them really.

"It’s a remarkable achievement and I’m just pleased that the fans could enjoy it with us."

An emotional Allan Maddocks, 67, a long-term supporter from Cross Keys, said: “I never thought I’d see this day”.

He added: “I’ve been watching County since I was five. We had some great times, but after all the problems, this is something I never thought I’d see again.”

Jonathan Paske, 52, from Stockton Road, Newport, called the parade “one of the proudest moments I’ve had”.

He said: “Long may it continue. I’m really looking forward to next year now and seeing if we can get back to the football league, where we belong.”

Fans clad in their amber jerseys lined the streets of the city, but the biggest cheer came at the City’s Civic Centre. Hundreds of people waved flags, while Mayor of Newport, Glyn Jarvis, boarded the bus before escorting the players and staff to a special reception.

Up where we belong

FANS enjoying the spectale in glorious sunshine yesterday were jubilant.

David Lewis, 36, of St Julians said: “It’s been fantastic. We had the Aldridge days, now we’ve got the Deano (manager Dean Holdsworth) era. It doesn’t get better than this.”

Steve Palmer, 49, from Langstone thanked the players for a wonderful season. He said: “County fans haven’t seen anything like this since the early 80s.”

Tony Salter, 53, from Riverside said: “This is incredible. There’s been good times and bad times, but we’re getting back up to where we belong.”

David Barron, 35, of Lliswerry, said he is confident of a “bright future” for the club, while Newport University student, Rhodri Davies, 20, from Carmarthen, gushed about his admiration for the club.

He said: “Thanks to Newport County, I have fallen in love with this city. It is also a beautiful day, so how could things be better?”

EDITORIAL COMMENT: County are unstoppable

WHAT an incredible time this is for Newport County and the team’s fans.

Saturday’s amazing celebration of their promotion - and yet another win - was the icing on the cake of a truly wonderful season.

Hundreds lined the streets to watch Dean Holdsworth and his men show off the Blue Square South trophy.

Earlier an ecstatic crowd watched with pride as the team celebrated another victory. Quite simply, County have been unstoppable this season.

Holdsworth seems to have found that winning formula.

It’s a far cry from the days when the team left the football world in 1989.

Not only have games been won but crowds have swelled on the back of the success. Expectations were high at the start of the season but nobody could imagine just what this team could do with some truly magnificent football.

This term the team has gone from strength to strength and steamrollered its way to the title.

Holdsworth had his doubters at first but he has proved all of them wrong in building a team which has outclassed the rest of the division.

Twenty one years of hurt is well and truly over. We can’t wait for the next season to start.