NEWPORT County’s former skipper Ian Hillier has officially launched an appeal over his contract termination.

Hillier broke his leg in three places in an accident during his day job as a tree surgeon’s assistant last month, subsequently seeing his contract terminated by the Exiles.

The appeal will be heard initially by the Football Conference and whatever the result, both parties will have a further right of appeal, firstly to the Football Association of Wales and secondly to FIFA.

To their credit, Newport County have already made clear to the Argus that they will fully accept the verdict of the appeal process.

It is almost with a degree of trepidation that I address this situation, bearing in mind how badly the last column I wrote on Newport was perceived by the Exiles at board level.

That column was intended to show support for manager Dean Holdsworth, but was taken as personal criticism, particularly by chairman and general manager Chris Blight.

But this issue must be addressed. I will make no comment on the rights and wrongs of the issue. Any judgement on whether Newport were correct to do what they did is for the appeal process to decide.

But some things are clear. Hillier represented the Exiles for over three years and was an extremely popular player, also one of the most talented members of the first team squad, not to mention the club captain.

His injury was a hammer blow to the Exiles and as they’ve pointed out, was different to the serious injuries sustained by Tony Pennock and Paul Cochlin, because they both got hurt in the line of duty.

Newport County is, of course, a family club.

Remember it was you, the loyal supporter, who helped Newport to rise from the ashes in 1989.

So why weren’t supporters consulted in this decision?

Perhaps that seems naïve, but I really don’t think so. Former supporter-director Rob Santwris, player-liason officer Kevin Morris and Lisa Savage have organised a fund-raising night for Hillier at Baramber. Estimates suggest they will raise around £4,000.

Why is this being done after the decision to sack him and not before?

That money would have gone a long way to paying Hillier and keeping him as part of the staff at Newport. Well past Christmas in fact (though I won’t disclose his exact earnings at the club).

If by February Hillier was progressing well from his injuries, the club would surely have started to see the positives in getting him back for next year, bearing in mind Hillier is a player good enough to play Conference football at the very least. Heck, they might even have been able to have another fund-raiser.

County supporters have proved time and time again that they are big hearted and will do all they can to help their football club, raising money in a number of ways.

At the very least they should have had the option of doing so in this instance.

Also, what exactly did the board think the reaction of media and supporters would be to the sacking?

The average football fan over the Severn Bridge now knows Newport County as the club whose former manager nearly had a fight with a fourth official, whose supporters knocked out said official and as the club who sacked their club captain for getting injured.

Apparently this column is a potential obstacle to attracting new investors (or so club officials have told me in the past fortnight). But I am sure being known as the club who sacked their captain is no big advert to join the board.

It is also clear that no forethought was given to the effect Hillier’s sacking would have on team morale.

The 1-0 reverse against St Albans that followed Hillier’s sacking was a woeful performance and in the match report I even picked out certain players who had appalling body language and looked utterly devoid of passion and motivation.

In retrospect and having spoken to some of the players, I have no doubt Hillier’s sacking played a part in this.

Certain members of the squad are very close friends with Hillier and feel he has been let down massively by the club. How could those who decided to terminate his contract so quickly not have considered how it would impact on his friends and peers?

Ultimately the decision to terminate his contract was hasty and lacked forethought.

If the club considered the wider, moral and logistical issues raised in this column and still decided that they were taking the best course of action, then I have to strongly disagree.

Mr Blight and Co deserve and get great credit for putting their money where their mouths are and working tirelessly to run Newport County AFC.

But they do make mistakes and sacking Ian Hillier was a huge error, an unnecessary decision that reflects very badly on the club. Let’s hope lessons are learned.