Football Season Guide

Newport County head into James Rowberry’s first full season as manager hoping they can improve on a disappointing 11th place finish. The former Cardiff City coach has the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of Michael Flynn, who is unarguably the Exiles most successful manager since they reformed back in 1989. Flynn made the mistake of staying on after defeat in the League Two play-off final to Morecambe last summer and left by mutual consent less than two months into the season. Rowberry appeared to be a good appointment, especially with the side challenging for automatic promotion before an end of season slump that saw the side lose six of their last nine matches. He has since lost his first-choice strike partnership with Courtney Baker-Richardson joining Crewe Alexandra. The departure of leading goalscorer Dominic Telford is a much-bigger blow however, with his decision to joining divisional rivals Crawley Town, adding to the dismay. He scored 26 goals in all competitions and will take some replacing. Four new strikers have signed with Offrande Zanzala and Omar Bogle having signed from Barrow and Hartlepool United respectively. Chanka Zimba has joined on a season-long loan from Rowberry’s former club Cardiff whilst Will Evans brings plenty of potential with him following his move from Cymru Premier side Bala Town. Influential loanees Josh Pask, Finn Azaz and Oliver Cooper have returned to their parent clubs and will be sorely missed. Centre-back Declan Drysdale will strength the back line whilst the capture of midfield playmaker Aaron Wildig from Morecambe appears to be something of a coup.