FROM IRONSIDES TO EXILES

AFC Newport County, once the Ironsides and now the Exiles, will be in the League 2 Play Off on May 25th at Wembley taking on Tranmere Rovers or Forest Green Rovers. FGR have a 1-0 deficit to make up tonight at their home ground, New Lawn, The "vegan" football club, sponsored by Dale Vince and Ecotricity, cannot hope to  put some "meat on the bone" but  can make Tranmere go away from Eco Park, with a loser's cabbage.

County "left Mansfield Town behind" in their wake, following their L2 Play-Off semi-final when goalkeeper Joe Day made the important save, as his team won a penalty shoot-out 5-3, following the two legged semi-final that ended 1-1. Michael Flynn's side scored 5 penalties out of 5 while The Stags could only convert 3.

This gave County a 12th win in succession, something they have not achieved since 1938. That season the club won the Division 3 South; behind them were Crystal Palace, Brighton and Watford.

You will know that Newport went out of business and the football league in 1988, so this video from the BBC documents the clubs history from that time. IT IS WORTH 8 MINUTES of your time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/47378514

Joining the Hellenic League and having to play at Moreton-in-the-Marsh, the club rose through the pyramid, eventually returning home, playing at Rodney Parade, a Welsh rugby union stadium from 2012.
Remember that this season County's progress in the FA Cup won many hearts; they progressed from Round 3 beating Leicester City 2-1 in January 2019, then beat Middlesbrough 2-0, after a 1-1 draw and then finally losing to Manchester City (of all people) 1-4. It was a memorable run.

Newport County joined the Southern League in 1912 and became founder members of the new Football League Division 3 in 1920.