Latest news with #HuwJenkins
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Newport set to secure training base in Treforest
Newport County are close to a deal to use University of South Wales Sports Park as their permanent training League Two side have prepared for the start of the season at the facility in Treforest under new manager David Exiles are close to finalising an agreement to stay there throughout the campaign after previously being based at Newport Stadium, their former home before a move to Rodney Parade in Huw Jenkins made improving training facilities a top priority after his takeover in January 2024."In the next two weeks we are going to finalise a rental agreement with USW," said the chairman at a Newport County Supporters' Trust event."We are 80-90% done but need to just get back in and meet finalise things for ourselves and the academy to be there."USW Sports Park has been one of the venues used by County in past seasons when poor weather forced them into late training start their season on Tuesday when they travel to face Barnet in the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup, before a League Two opener against Notts County at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 2 August.
South Wales Argus
28-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Newport County can profit from League Two big spenders
The Exiles have had an encouraging start to the transfer window by signing three seasoned EFL campaigners and another player of potential from the Cymru Premier to go along with loanee Michael Reindorf. County have pulled off something of a coup by signing Wales midfielder Matt Smith, who at 25 will still have ambitions of representing his country. They have also brought in goalkeeper Nik Tzanev and striker Ged Garner, two players who are well versed in the third and fourth tiers. There has been a slight shift in the recruitment policy that is driven by owner Huw Jenkins, who last year brought in a raft of novices, the majority of them in their early 20s. So far, 23-year-old defender Lee Jenkins is the only player in that bracket after signing from Haverfordwest, while Cardiff forward Reindorf has arrived on loan for the season. Perhaps that is an acknowledgement that County got away with it last season with an inexperienced group. Maybe it's recognition that if they are to develop players to sell on then they need them to grow alongside some seasoned campaigners. BUILDING: County owner Huw Jenkins (Image: Huw Evans Agency) Trading remains a vital part of the Jenkins plan given that Newport are a club whose only assets are their staff. They don't own a training ground - pre-season is taking place at USW Sports Park in Treforest - and they are tenants at the Dragons' Rodney Parade. Those issues are not going to be solved any time soon and that means that new boss David Hughes arrives with three big tasks. The first is obvious – get County winning again so that they can look up the table rather than down as they were at the end of last season (albeit from a position of relative comfort). The second is to produce the goods in cup competitions to boost the coffers. The Carabao Cup doesn't actually bring in much cash so there won't be too many tiers if County lose at Barnet in the preliminary round and miss out on a round one tie against Millwall. The prize money is pretty good in the EFL Trophy and excellent in the FA Cup, which provided much-needed boosts under Michael Flynn and Graham Coughlan. That's partly down to luck of the draw – James Rowberry landed then League One Morecambe away, Nelson Jardim faced League One Peterborough in Newport – and the 2023/24 run showed that it's not just about the plum tie. Coughlan's squad had already brought in plenty of cash before the Manchester United tie thanks to three wins over National League opponents in Oldham, Barnet and Eastleigh (with a TV pick of the Bees replay earning £30,000). Last season the first round winners got £45,000 (losers £15,000), second round winners £75,000 (£20,000), third round winners £115,000 (£25,000). County might not have used cup money particularly wisely in the past but another reasonable run – it doesn't even have to feature a Premier League fixture – would ease some of the financial pressure as the club works towards some sales. The Exiles need to sell players to invest and not many clubs actually make a success out of such a policy. However, the willingness of League Two clubs and National League clubs to start spending money - Milton Keynes and Gillingham being the most eye-catching so far - presents more opportunities if County get it right. On that front, new boss Hughes and Jenkins need to make some pretty swift decisions to stop players of potential leaving on frees next summer. TALENTED: Cameron Antwi has shown glimpses of his ability for County (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) Sell now or get a new (and improved) contract sorted. Winger Bobby Kamwa and centre-back Matt Baker were the relative stars of last season, rangy right-back Joe Thomas has shown promise and midfielder Cameron Antwi, who clearly has the ability but needs consistency and focus, seem to be the main assets. Centre-back Ciaran Brennan could push on, perhaps energetic but slightly wild midfielder Kai Whitmore will come back with more on-field discipline. Defenders Jaden Warner and Tom Davies were brought in from clubs higher up the pyramid for a reason in January but fitness/injury means we've not seen much of them. County need to start making decisions if they are to avoid a repeat of recent Dom Telford, Priestley Farquharson, Cameron Norman situations. There is money in the National League and League Two, which makes County's on-field task tougher but also presents more summer and January opportunities if they get their talent ID and development spot-on. SWITCH: Nick Townsend has signed for Eastleigh after leaving County (Image: Kian Abdullah/Huw Evans Agency) 2025 LEAVERS WITH NEW CLUBS NICK TOWNSEND: Eastleigh. The goalkeeper was in contract talks with County but opted for a fresh challenge with the Spitfires, who look to be having a real crack at promotion. AARON WILDIG: Gloucester City. The midfielder, who is on the comeback trail from ruptured knee ligaments, opted to quit full-time football to drop down the levels as a player-coach as he starts to look to the future. KIBAN RAI: Aldershot. The forward spent the second half of last season on loan at Merthyr only to suffer injury misfortune. Will play in the National League with the Shots, aiming to finally rack up games to fulfil his potential. NATHAN WOOD: Penybont. The attacking midfielder/forward returned to Cymru Premier contenders Penybont last season on loan so it was no surprise that he made the move permanent. KIERON EVANS: Eastleigh. The midfielder spent the season on loan from Cardiff but was released by the League One Bluebirds. Followed Townsend to Eastleigh, with the Spitfires claiming they had beaten EFL competition for the signing. DAVID AJIBOYE: Carlisle. The winger spend the second half of last season on loan from Peterborough and was, as expected, released by the Posh. Will hunt National League promotion with Mark Hughes' Carlisle. DESTINATION UNKNOWN Lewis Webb, Josh Seberry, Kyle Jameson, Josh Seberry, Josh Martin, Geoffroy Bony, Luke Jephcott, Hamzad Kargbo, Kyle Hudlin (has left Huddersfield after returning from loan). (Shane McLoughlin a likely leaver despite being offered a new deal but yet to be confirmed)
South Wales Argus
09-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
League Two: Newport County off FIFA transfer ban list
The Exiles were placed on the list on Friday, May 30 ahead of the summer transfer window opening on Sunday, June 1. County insisted that it was a 'minor administration dispute' with FIFA over a compensation fee for an academy player that had been paid months ago. They stressed it was 'nothing for supporters to concern themselves with' and so it has been proved after the go-ahead was given to add to their squad. Owner Huw Jenkins has already stated that County, who finished in the last safe spot in League Two last season, need to add a handful of players with experience of the Football League to help new boss David Hughes guide them up the table. Contract offers have also been made to the experienced quartet of goalkeeper Nick Towsend, centre-back James Clarke, full-back/midfielder Shane McLoughlin and midfielder Aaron Wildig. 'We've made offers, and we're waiting on responses. David is fully across all of it,' said Jenkins last month. 'There may still be changes — players assessing their role under the new regime – but we know we need four or five experienced signings in vital areas. 'David's contacts, and ours at clubs like Cardiff, Swansea, and Bristol [City], will hopefully help bring in a few loan players or squad additions.' The released and retained list was announced on May 16 and players must notify the club in writing within one month whether they accept 'their offer of re-engagement' or it will automatically lapse.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
New Newport boss still expected by end of May
Things may have gone quiet at Rodney Parade - too quiet for some fans - but Newport County still hope to appoint a new manager by the end of with Nelson Jardim's permanent successor are understood to be at an advanced stage and the League Two club could make an annoucement this week or next. Chairman Huw Jenkins told BBC Sport Wales on 3 May he wanted to make the appointment within weeks, with Manchester United academy coach David Hughes then emerging as the leading contender for the vacant job. Hughes would need to bring in his own coaching staff, with former assistant Dafydd Williams having left Newport after stepping in for the final two games of the 2024-25 season following Jardim's departure. As the search for a new boss has continued, Jenkins has been conducting contract negotations with players the club want to retain for next season. Four senior players have been offered new deals, but 10 of the squad have been told they can leave Rodney Parade.
South Wales Argus
03-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
League Two: How Newport County could line up versus Tranmere
The Exiles finish 2024/25 with a home encounter with Tranmere Rovers and will aim to ensure that the new boss, who will be picked by owner Huw Jenkins in the coming weeks, doesn't start the next campaign on a winless streak. Nelson Jardim had that unfortunate situation at Cheltenham in August when the last-gasp defeat made it nine losses on the spin after Graham Coughlan's eight to finish the previous season. County go into the Tranmere game after limping towards mathematical safety since the professional 3-0 win against Harrogate on March 15. Draws against Bromley, MK Dons and Walsall mean that they haven't quite hit the depths of despair of last season, when Coughlan cut a frustrated and perplexed figure. Injuries and a heavy workload took their toll after a long season that featured the highs of Manchester United in the FA Cup run and the wonderful win against Wrexham at a packed Parade. County might not be on a losing streak but the nature of the defeats to Grimsby, Notts County, Carlisle, Colchester and Fleetwood means that there is plenty to prove. EFFORT: Bobby Kamwa and the rest of the attack will hope to fire in County's last game of the season (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency) Can this squad show more grit, determination, resilience and fight? In truth, one afternoon against Tranmere in a battle to avoid finishing 22nd – which would be County's lowest finish since the Great Escape – will not banish such doubts. Interim head coach Dafydd Williams wants County to show more of their traditional traits but arguably doesn't have the personnel to achieve that. There isn't a snarling holding midfielder on the books while options are limited in defence due to the absence of the suspended Ciaran Brennan and injured James Clarke and Jaden Warner. Can they fire in attack? It's four games without a goal and stats site fotmob states they have created just one big chance in those fixtures. Possible County XI: Townsend, Thomas, Baker, Jameson, Glennon, McLoughlin, Antwi, Whitmore, Ajiboye, Hudlin, Kamwa. THE OPPOSITION A tense afternoon for Tranmere at Rodney Parade looked very possible for much of the run-in but they secured their EFL status last weekend. A 2-0 win against Crewe at Prenton Park meant that Carlisle, who went down to defeat at Cheltenham anyway, will join Morecambe in the National League. It has been a hugely disappointing season for Rovers, who started with plenty of hope under Nigel Adkins after a strong second half of the previous campaign. Tranmere probably showed too much faith in Adkins when things were going wrong and interim boss Andy Crosby has got them out of a pickle in a terrific audition to get the top job permanently. Crosby has been in charge for 12 fixtures and has a record of five wins, five draws and two defeats. He is averaging 1.67 points per game, which is the tally that third-placed Bradford have over the course of the season. COUNTY STATS Leading scorer: Bobby Kamwa (9). Most assists: Anthony Glennon (8). League position: 21st (49 points). Form guide: DLLDDL. FORM: Tranmere have turned around their fortunes to escape the drop (Image: Magi Haroun/Huw Evans Agency) TRANMERE STATS Leading scorer: Omari Patrick (10). Most assists: Josh Hawkes, Omari Patrick, Regan Hendry (4). League position: 22nd (48 points). Form guide: LWDLDW. MATCH ODDS County 18/5, draw 11/4, Tranmere 4/6 LAST TIME County were awful when beaten 2-1 at Tranmere in November, Connor Jennings and Kieron Morris earning the spoils for Rovers despite Kyle Hudlin's late header. A miserable afternoon was completed when Jameson was sent off for a daft booking in added time. Tranmere also won 2-1 in Newport in the run-in last season thanks to a brace by influential loanee Rob Apter. League Two fixtures (all 3pm): Accrington v Chesterfield, Bradford v Fleetwood, Bromley v Cheltenham, Carlisle v Salford, Colchester v Barrow, Crewe v Walsall, Grimsby v AFC Wimbledon, Morecambe v Harrogate, Newport County v Tranmere, Notts County v Doncaster, Port Vale v Gillingham, Swindon v Milton Keynes Dons.
