FORMER Newport County AFC chairman Chris Blight has warned that critical fans could put off potential new investors in the club, writes Andrew Penman.

Blight stood down as chairman three years ago after receiving abusive telephone calls at his family home but returned to the club as a non-executive director in January.

And, after his successor Les Scadding announced his departure this week, Blight says a vocal minority of critics could prevent a new money man becoming involved with the club.

“You can’t demand that people put money into your football club,” said Blight.

“The fervour of the demands from some people could scare other people off.

“They could say ‘why should I invest only to have people criticize me? Why should I bother?’

“Tell me who is out there with the money to invest in the club? There is no huge list of people queuing at the door waiting to invest in Newport County.”

And, having been on the receiving end of some fans ire, Blight says he has no desire to return to the role of chairman.

“It’s too early to say who will be the new chairman but whoever it is has to be a brave person,” he said.

“I’ve been there and done that for ten years and I know what it takes. It’s a big company now and a big responsibility.

“I think sometimes that the people who criticize should try it for themselves because then they will understand what a tough job it is. It hurts when people criticize you.

“But obviously it is a necessity to have a chairman so we’ll see what happens,” he added.

“There have been interim chairmen in the past when people like David Hando have stood in and that may happen again.

“You never know what can happen in football but it’s not something that appeals to me.

“I’d be happy to offer my assistance and my experience to the club in my role as a non-executive director.”