Newport Fans’ Trust reaches takeover sum

Newport County’s Supporters’ Trust have successfully raised their £195,000 target and are set to become the fourth fan-owned club in League Two.

The Exiles will join Exeter, Portsmouth and Wycombe in doing so, and the campaign moves the club to firmer ground in reaching autonomy having taken interim control from owner Les Scadding in July.

Euromillions Lottery winner, Scadding, stepped down as chairman in June after investing £1.3m.

The club has taken the measure of slashing the wage budget by almost half, taking no time in having an affect on Terry Butcher’s side who sit bottom of the Football League ladder. However, the Supporters’ Trust fund-raising has surpassed their target to reach a total of £236,000 in just over one month, to the delight of the fans’ board.

“What an achievement and one the Trust Board are truly humbled by,” read the Trust’s statement.

“Now the hard work really starts, no one should underestimate the challenge ahead.

“The club has been in a difficult place and it is going to take some time before it gets to where we would like it to be.

“That said, we are confident we can achieve this with the plans we have.”

One of those plans is to expand Newport’s community status: “The Community side has to be at the heart of what we do as a club, and Saturday’s game with the entertainment will offer a flavour of what we want to introduce.

“A club like ours relies on and needs volunteers. They are the backbone of the club. It is important that they are recognised for the excellent work they do and we aim to do that.”

Now, the Trust board simply require approval from the Football League.