New Newport County owner Jenkins backs boss Graham Coughlan

The Exiles are now owned by the former Swansea City chairman after he was given the green light by the English Football League.

County, owned by a Supporters Trust since 2015, were forced to hunt investment in the summer after reporting losses of £1.2million.

That left Coughlan battling to put together a squad to build on their strong finish to 2022/23 with key figures Mickey Demetriou, Cameron Norman, Aaron Lewis and Priestley Farquharson all leaving for League Two rivals.

The Exiles were tipped by most to be in a relegation scrap – or at least close to it – but they currently sit 14th in the table with a healthy 17-point gap to the drop zone.

When Jenkins’ takeover proposal was made there was speculation that the former Swans chief would want his own man at the helm, but he is full of praise for the boss.

CELEBRATION: County boss Graham Coughlan after victory against Wrexham (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“I have spent a lot of time speaking to Graham, getting to know him and how he works,” said the new owner from Neath.

“I have seen a lot of games home and away, nearly every match, so I have a fair idea of where the team is at and what to expect from them.

“What I will say about Graham is that from what he had to deal with in the summer, which was a difficult period for the club on and off the field, and then the way that him and Chris Finn [head of football operations] worked tirelessly to put a squad together, they have done a fantastic job in putting together the players we have here at Newport County.

“I have nothing but respect for him in how they put the squad together and what they have achieved over the last few weeks once the injured players have started to fulfil more of their potential and as he gets a full squad together.

“I have nothing but respect for him and admire the great job he has done since the summer to get the club where it is today.”

Coughlan has made no secret of his desire to bolster his squad with a couple of players before the transfer window shuts.

New County owner Huw Jenkins (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“We will do our utmost to make sure one or two things happen between now and February 1,” said Jenkins.

“But people must remember they have to be the right players coming into the club at the right time.

“I will be heavily involved in all aspects of the football side, making sure that we recruit better, put squads together better and making sure we build up a fair bit of respect from all corners of the football world that Newport County are starting to run a good football operation again that they can be proud of.

“Hopefully that will work through to be more successful on the pitch and help Graham and his staff achieve greater success.”

The partnership will change over the coming months with Jenkins heavily involved in talent-spotting and negotiations.

“It will be different to what they have been used to,” he said. “I have nothing but admiration for what they [Coughlan and Finn] have done from the summer onwards.

“I have talked to them both at length and now and again I will have to apologise to them because I do step in and get involved in every conversation and thing that goes on.

“They have acknowledge that and I hope they benefit from my help and experience. If we can all work together like I think we can then it will help everybody develop their own careers.”