2016–17 Newport County A.F.C. season

Newport County
2016–17 season
Owner Newport County AFC Supporters Trust
Chairman Malcolm Temple & Gavin Foxall
Manager Warren Feeney until 28 September 2016
Sean McCarthy & James Bittner (caretaker managers) from 28 September 2016 to 9 October 2016
Graham Westley from 10 October 2016 to 9 March 2017
Mike Flynn (caretaker manager) from 9 March 2017
Stadium Rodney Parade
League Two 22nd
FA Cup 2nd Round
EFL Cup 1st Round
EFL Trophy Southern Group B
Top goalscorer League: Rhys Healey (6)
Sean Rigg (6)
Ryan Bird (6)
All: Rhys Healey (7)
Josh Sheehan (7)
Highest home attendance 7,326 v Notts County (6 May 2017)
Lowest home attendance 368 v AFC Wimbledon (8 November 2016) EFL Trophy Southern Group B
Average home league attendance 2,861
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours

The 2016–17 season was Newport County's fourth consecutive season in Football League Two, 64th season in the Football League and 96th season of league football overall. The season saw Newport achieve a second "Great Escape" after that of the 1976–77 season. Having been 11 points adrift in March, they avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

Season review

League

The season began in much the same fashion as the previous season had finished, with County securing only a single win from their first nine matches. With the club finding itself bottom of the league, manager Warren Feeney was sacked on 28 September.

Goalkeeper player/coach James Bittner and fellow first-team coach Sean McCarthy were named joint caretaker managers. Their only matches in charge were the 2–1 home defeat against Swansea City Under-23s in the League Trophy fixture on 4 October [1] and the League Two 0–0 draw versus Colchester United on 8 October.

Graham Westley was appointed team manager effective from 10 October with Dino Maamria his assistant manager.[2] Despite losing the first two league games, form improved and Newport went seven games unbeaten in all competitions, including three successive league wins in October and November. County were now just outside the relegation places, but this was to last just the one game. In a disastrous spell, the next eight games were lost, with Newport falling ever further from safety. Following draws with Colchester United and Barnet, a vital win was secured against Hartlepool United, but that was the last of Westley's tenure. Of the next seven games, four were drawn and three lost, including a 4–0 humiliation to fellow strugglers Leyton Orient. Westley was sacked on 9 March with County now 11 points adrift of safety with 12 games left to play. Newport-born Mike Flynn, who had been brought back as a player by Westley, took over as manager, with Lennie Lawrence as assistant.

Flynn's impact was instant, with back-to-back wins against Crewe Alexandra and Morecambe in March, and consecutive 1–0 wins against Crawley Town, Exeter City and Yeovil Town in April, he had accrued more league wins in his eight games in charge than Westley had in 24. With four games left, County were no longer bottom, but still in a relegation place. The next game at promotion-chasing Plymouth Argyle was lost 6–1, confirming the host's place in League One, but with relegation rivals Hartlepool United losing 2–1 at bottom-of-the-table Leyton Orient, County were only one point behind them.

At home to Accrington Stanley, County recorded another vital 1–0 win to climb out of the bottom two for the first time in five months, two points clear of Hartlepool. With two games now remaining, their fate was now in their own hands.

In the penultimate game of the season, a County win combined with a Hartlepool loss would see Newport safe. County took the lead at Carlisle United in the 12th minute, and Hartlepool were losing at Cheltenham Town in the 17th. However, two goals from Carlisle in the second half meant that both Newport and Hartlepool lost, leaving County still two points clear with a single game remaining.

For the final decisive game of the season, Newport were home to mid-table Notts County and Hartlepool were at home to promoted Doncaster Rovers. With County two points clear, anything other than a win for Hartlepool would see Newport safe and them relegated. If United won and County could only draw then County would be relegated on goal difference — a hangover of their 6–1 drubbing in Plymouth. For the first 30 minutes both games were deadlocked at 0–0 — enough to keep county up. On 31 minutes, Andy Williams scored for Doncaster and on 34 minutes Mickey Demetriou scored a penalty for County, who were now five points clear as things stood. In the second half, Jorge Grant scored an equaliser for Notts County in the 62nd minute — Newport were now only three points clear, but still safe. Coming up to the last 15 minutes of each game it looked likely that that was how both games would end, but Devante Rodney scored an equaliser for Pools in the 74th minute. Newport now knew that another Hartlepool goal would win it for them and condemn County to relegation. Eight minutes later Rodney scored his second, putting Hartlepool in front and keeping Pools up on goal difference. With the clock ticking down to full-time, County defender Mark O'Brien pushed forward in the 89th minute and scored the winner for Newport to complete the Great Escape and relegate Pools.

Mike Flynn had inspired a written-off squad to seven wins in twelve matches, which included games against six of those who finished in the League Two top seven, achieved on the worst pitch in the Football League.[3]

Cup

In the League Cup Round 1, County were drawn at home to Milton Keynes Dons. Despite leading 2–0, goals in the 63rd, 70th and 90th minutes for the visitors secured them the win and progression into the second round.

In the EFL Trophy, County finished bottom of Group B following defeats to Plymouth Argyle and the Swansea City Under-23s, and a sole win against AFC Wimbledon.

In the FA Cup, County were drawn away at National League North qualifiers Alfreton Town. Despite taking the lead in the 65th minute, Town equalised in the 74th minute to force a replay at Rodney Parade. That game was won 4–1 after extra time, as County had again taken the lead in the 68th minute, only for Town to equalise in the 74th. The second-round match away at Plymouth Argyle was drawn 0–0, forcing another replay at Rodney Parade. In the intervening period, the draw for the third round had taken place, with the winners rewarded with a trip to Liverpool. The game went into extra time as it too finished 0–0. Argyle were awarded a penalty shortly into the first period of extra time, but Paul Garita hit the post. They were awarded a second with 10 minutes of extra time remaining and Graham Carey made no mistake to score the winner and send Plymouth to Anfield.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
46 12 12 22 51 73  −22 48 6 8 9 26 35  −9 6 4 13 25 38  −13

Last updated: 6 May 2017.
Source:

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHAHAHAAAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAH
ResultLWLDDDLLLDLLDWWWLLLLLLLLDDWDDDLDLLWWLDLWWWLWLW
Position18121817182020232424242424242422242424242424242424242424242424242424242323232323232323222222

Updated to match(es) played on 6 May 2017. Source:
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1 July 2016LBEnglandDan ButlerTorquay UnitedFree transfer[4]
1 July 2016RBEnglandJazzi Barnum-BobbCardiff CityFree transfer[5]
1 July 2016CBEnglandScot BennettNotts CountyFree transfer[6]
1 July 2016GKEnglandJames BittnerPlymouth ArgyleFree transfer[7]
1 July 2016LWWalesJack ComptonYeovil TownFree transfer[8]
1 July 2016CMEnglandJoss LabadieDagenham & RedbridgeFree transfer[9]
1 July 2016LMEnglandJennison Myrie-WilliamsSligo RoversFree transfer[10]
1 July 2016CMEnglandMark RandallBarnetFree transfer[11]
1 July 2016LWEnglandSean RiggAFC WimbledonFree transfer[12]
1 July 2016CBEnglandJamie TurleyEastleighFree transfer[13]
4 July 2016CMEnglandBen TozerYeovil TownFree transfer[14]
17 July 2016CFEnglandJon ParkinForest Green RoversFree transfer[15]
27 July 2016CFEnglandMarlon JacksonOxford CityFree transfer[16]
30 July 2016RBEnglandPaul BignotSolihull MoorsFree transfer
25 August 2016GKEnglandMarcus BeauchampNorwich CityFree transfer[17]
8 November 2016LMEnglandJack JebbStevenageFree transfer
8 November 2016CFRepublic of IrelandJosh O'HanlonAFC BournemouthFree transfer
25 November 2016CBIvory CoastAbdoulaye MéïtéSJKFree transfer
1 January 2017CFEnglandAaron WilliamsPeterborough UnitedFree transfer[18]
6 January 2017CBRepublic of IrelandMark O'BrienLuton TownFree transfer
6 January 2017CFEnglandCraig ReidGloucester CityFree transfer
7 January 2017CMWalesMike FlynnUndy AthleticFree transfer
10 January 2017CBEnglandMickey DemetriouShrewsbury TownFree transfer
20 January 2017CMEnglandMitchell RoseMansfield TownFree transfer[19]
23 January 2017CFEnglandRyan BirdEastleighFree transfer
10 February 2017CMFranceMaxime BlanchardUnattachedFree transfer

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date until Ref.
8 August 2016RMEnglandJordan GreenAFC Bournemouth9 January 2017[20]
8 August 2016CMWalesJosh SheehanSwansea City9 March 2017[20]
31 August 2016LBScotlandKyle CameronNewcastle United9 January 2017[21]
31 August 2016RMRepublic of IrelandReece Grego-CoxQueens Park Rangers9 January 2017[22]
31 August 2016CFEnglandRhys HealeyCardiff City9 January 2017[23]
1 January 2017CFEnglandJaanai GordonWest Ham UnitedEnd of season[24]
4 January 2017CBEnglandSid NelsonMillwallEnd of season[25]
5 January 2017RBWalesDavid PipeEastleighEnd of season[26]
10 January 2017CFKosovoFlorent BojajHuddersfield Town10 April 2017[27]
13 January 2017LMWalesAlex SamuelSwansea CityEnd of season[28]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
3 January 2017MFWalesLewis BamfordFree agentReleased
3 January 2017CBWalesBen JonesFree agentReleased
3 January 2017MFWalesDafydd JonesFree agentReleased
3 January 2017CFEnglandJon ParkinYork CityFree
9 January 2017LMEnglandJack JebbFree agentReleased
9 January 2017CFRepublic of IrelandJosh O'HanlonFree agentReleased
14 January 2017CBIvory CoastAbdoulaye MéïtéFree agentReleased
14 February 2017CMFranceMaxime BlanchardFree agentReleased
30 June 2017CBWalesLiam AngelFree agentReleased[29]
30 June 2017GKEnglandMarcus BeauchampFree agentReleased[29]
30 June 2017RBEnglandPaul BignotFree agentReleased[29]
30 June 2017LWWalesJack ComptonFree agentReleased[29]
30 June 2017CBWalesDarren JonesFree agentReleased[29]
30 June 2017CFEnglandTom MeechanFree agentReleased[29]
30 June 2017CBEnglandKieran ParselleFree agentReleased[29]
30 June 2017MFWalesFinlay WoodFree agentReleased[29]
30 June 2017CFEnglandCraig ReidFree agentReleased
30 June 2017CFEnglandRyan BirdFree agentReleased
30 June 2017MFEnglandMitchell RoseFree agentReleased
30 June 2017CFEnglandLenell John-LewisFree agentReleased
30 June 2017MFEnglandMark RandallFree agentReleased
30 June 2017LWEnglandJennison Myrie-WilliamsFree agentReleased[30]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date until Ref.
2 August 2016CFEnglandTom MeechanWeston-super-Mare31 January 2017
4 August 2016CBEnglandKieran ParselleSalisbury31 January 2017
31 August 2016LMWalesDafydd JonesMonmouth Town3 January 2017
31 August 2016CBWalesBen JonesAbergavenny Town3 January 2017
23 September 2016CMEnglandTom Owen-EvansGloucester City7 November 2016
30 November 2016CFEnglandJon ParkinYork City3 January 2017
15 February 2017LMWalesJack ComptonMerthyr TownEnd of season
22 February 2017GKEnglandMarcus BeauchampSlimbridge22 April 2017
23 February 2017CFEnglandTom MeechanHungerford TownEnd of season

Managerial statistics

Only competitive games from the 2016–17 season are included.
Name Nat. From To Record Honours
PLDWDLGFGAGDW%
Warren Feeney Northern Ireland 15 January 2016 28 September 2016 11 1 3 7 13 22 −9 009.1
Sean McCarthy & James Bittner Wales & England 28 September 2016 9 October 2016 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 000.0
Graham Westley England 10 October 2016 9 March 2017 29 6 9 14 34 45 −11 020.7
Michael Flynn Wales 9 March 2017 – 12 7 1 4 14 16 −2 058.3

Competitions

Pre-season friendlies

On 5 July 2016, Newport County announced a pre-season tour of Poland.[31]

League Two table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
20 Yeovil Town 46 11 17 18 49 64 −15 50
21 Cheltenham Town 46 12 14 20 49 69 −20 50
22 Newport County 46 12 12 22 51 73 −22 48
23 Hartlepool United (R) 46 11 13 22 54 75 −21 46 Relegation to the National League
24 Leyton Orient (R) 46 10 6 30 47 87 −40 36
Updated to match(es) played on 6 May 2017. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(R) Relegated.

League Two

EFL Cup

EFL Trophy

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L1 AFC Wimbledon 3 2 0 0 1 5 3 +2 6 Advance to Round 2
2 ACA Swansea City Academy 3 2 0 0 1 4 4 0 6
3 L2 Plymouth Argyle 3 1 0 0 2 5 5 0 3
4 L2 Newport County 3 1 0 0 2 4 6 −2 3
Source: EFL.com

FA Cup

References

  1. ↑ Newport County v Swansea City U23
  2. ↑ Westley appointed Newport County manager
  3. ↑ Newport County: What next for Exiles after their greatest escape?
  4. ↑ "Daniel Butler signs for County…". Newport County Official Site. 28 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Jazzi Barnum-Bobb Signs For County". Newport County Official Site. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Scot Bennett Signs For The Exiles". Newport County Official Site. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  7. ↑ "James Bittner Signs For The Exiles". Newport County Official Site. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  8. ↑ "Jack Compton Joins The Exiles". Newport County Official Site. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  9. ↑ "Joss Labadie Signs For The Exiles". Newport County Official Site. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "Jennison Myrie-Williams Signs For County". Newport County Official Site. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "Mark Randall Signs For The Exiles". Newport County Official Site. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "Sean Rigg Joins The Exiles". Newport County Official Site. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  13. ↑ "County Sign Defender Jamie Turley". Newport County Official Site. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  14. ↑ "Ben Tozer Signs For The Exiles". Newport County Official Site. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  15. ↑ "Striker Jon Parkin Signs For County". Newport County Official Site. 17 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  16. ↑ "Striker Marlon Jackson Signs For County". Newport County Official Site. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  17. ↑ "Goalkeeper Marcus Beauchamp Signs For County". Newport County Official Site. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  18. ↑ "County Secure Signing Of Aaron Williams". Newport County Official Site. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  19. ↑ "Mitchell Rose, brother of England and Tottenham defender Danny, joins the Exiles from Mansfield Town". South Wales Argus. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  20. 1 2 "Jordan Green & Josh Sheehan Sign On Loan". Newport County Official Site. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  21. ↑ Cameron loan to Newport
  22. ↑ Greco-Cox loan to Newport
  23. ↑ Healey loan to Newport
  24. ↑ "County Secure Loan Signing Of Jaanai Gordon". Newport County Official Site. 1 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  25. ↑ "Newport County AFC Secure Loan Signing Of Sid Nelson". Newport County Official Site. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  26. ↑ "Newport County AFC Secure Loan Signing Of David Pipe". Newport County Official Site. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  27. ↑ "County Secure Loan Signing Of Florent Bojaj". Newport County Official Site. 10 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  28. ↑ "County Secure Loan Signing Of Alex Samuel". Newport County Official Site. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "RETAIN AND RELEASE | Player Departures". Newport County Official Site. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  30. ↑ "Jennison Myrie-Williams Leaves The Exiles". Newport County Official Site. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  31. ↑ "FIXTURES: Friendly Fixtures Announced". Newport County AFC. 5 July 2016.
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