CALL it evolution, call it revolution, but things are most certainly changing at Newport County AFC, who have embarked on a journey where the final destination is marked ‘full time football club’.
It’s been an exceptionally newsworthy week at Spytty Park with several players signing on and one in particular signing out.
However, the bigger picture is that change is most definitely afoot and this seems as good a time as ever to assess the state of Newport County as they ready themselves for life in the Conference National.
But let’s start with the release of Nathan Davies, which came as a shock even to this reporter who expected to see Mr Newport County staying on. Not many members of the Exiles squad have Newport County tattooes on their arm and I completely understand why so many supporters are up in arms about the decision.
Personally speaking, I can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand, I believe Davies IS good enough to play at Conference National level and can absolutely see why some supporters felt it only right that he was at least given a chance at that level.
However, the other side of the coin is this, Davies has barely featured for County this term and there was no possibility of him starting in the first XI at the start of next season.
So is it really fair to keep him if he isn’t going to play? Sometimes, one has to be cruel to be kind and perhaps that’s the case here.
Shouldn’t a player and a person as special as Davies be winning man of the match after man of the match awards for a new club where he’ll be adored, rather than become a sentimental fringe player because County fans can’t bear to say goodbye to him?
It’s an old cliché, but Davies’ departure doesn’t alter the fact that he will be remembered as one of Newport County AFC’s greatest ever players. He epitomises the fighting spirit that was required to avoid relegation from the Conference South twice.
He was a player who could always be relied upon, whose 25-yard ‘goal’ each and every season was always a real highlight. Davies was Mr Newport County and it will be a real pleasure to support him at his thoroughly deserved testimonial.
However, it’s only in the past few days that it has become clearer just how big the changes are currently happening at Spytty Park.
Essentially, County’s days as a part time club are over, with the caveat being that they aren’t full time either. Confused? Me too!
Essentially, County are following the kind of model employed by Nigel Clough at Burton Albion. Slow and steady progression to full-time football.
For the players in the squad with no day jobs, the Sam Foleys and Craig Reids of this world, County’s promotion means they are now full-time.
If there are no midweek games, those players can expect to be involved in a maximum of six training sessions a week, three times more than they have now.
However, if you’re a Gary Warren, the situation is different. Warren has a full-time job and rather than let their captain and one of their star performers go, County have been keen to accommodate him and agree new terms, though with different obligations to the likes of Reid and Foley.
With all that being said, it should be abundantly clear that this is no ordinary summer and that deciding who to retain and who to release is no easy feat.
Taking the example of Paul Cochlin gives an idea of how tough negotiations are. Cochlin works full-time, yet would be asked to essentially double his commitment to the club (training three or four times a week) and play in more games, with bigger journeys and more overnight stays.
So do County give him a pay increase to reflect that? Or do they offer a deal to a defender with no full-time job who could train six times a week? It’s a dreadfully difficult process.
Two years ago I hammered Newport County for not getting their house in order with regard to player retention.
This time around, things couldn’t be more different. The fact that only four players – Dave Gilroy, Cochlin, Jamie Collins and Charlie Henry – remain doubts for next term represents a Herculean effort by Dean Holdsworth and Tim Harris.
And while the indications are that they’d like all four to stay, hopefully I have illustrated why, it’s not the simple process it has been in previous seasons.
There will be more new faces at the club next term than I think a lot of us thought.
But there is no reason not to have complete faith in the management.
Is it a shame that Nathan Davies is leaving? Certainly. Is it the right decision? Possibly. But should we trust those who made it? Absolutely.
Only one thing is certain. It’s going to be an exciting summer for the County faithful.
Meanwhile, I would just like to make brief mention of Swansea’s (yes I know, not Newport or Gwent’s) Enzo Maccarinelli, the new Rocky Balboa.
Tipped by everyone – including myself – to retire after back-to-back defeats, Maccarinelli became a European champion this week with his third successive first round knock out win.
And the best thing? He did it against a Russian in Russia. Other than the fact it wasn’t on Christmas Day and wasn’t fictional, I think there is little doubt that Big Mac, one of the nicest people in any sport, is emulating the famous character that he so adores.
He was down and he was out, now he’s back, well done Enzo Mac.
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