Newport County chairman Chris Blight today issued the following statement to fans....

IN the last five years with Newport County, I have always voiced that my greatest wish is to obtain promotion to the Conference at the earliest opportunity and I have been supported tremendously by the encouragement of my fellow directors who have the same ambition.

As a club, Newport County is deserving of and capable of sustaining Conference Premier level football. To this end it has been our target, in particular after last season where we finished sixth and indeed this season, which allows the play-offs to be within our grasp.

I have been encouraged by the support of the fans both at home and away. The average gate at home has been close to 1,000. And our renowned away following has proved to be the 12th man in supporting Peter Beadle, Scott Young and the players.

Today, we play Fisher Athletic and it is our biggest game of the season. The result will either cast us into thinking about next season or into making plans for the play-offs. I relish the opportunity of the latter. I feel confident that our management team and the players will rise to the occasion and we are all really looking forward to the challenge.

I sincerely hope that Newport County fans will attend in great numbers to show us the support that we have been able to depend upon all season. Conference premier football is what we all want.