Newport bring in Sheridan as new boss

By Hugo Varley

Yesterday was an eventful day for Newport County fans.

In the morning the club’s supporters trust announced that they were set to formally buy the club and in the afternoon Terry Butcher was sacked as first team manager.

The Exiles have now moved swiftly to replace Butcher by appointing John Sheridan. Sheridan has a wealth of managerial experience in League Two, winning the league with Chesterfield in 2011 and guiding Plymouth to the play-offs last season.

As well as having a successful managerial career, the new Exiles boss also had a distinguished playing career.  He made 230 appearances for Leeds United and  34 caps for the Republic of Ireland .

The 51- year-old expressed his excitement at his new role, telling Newport’s official website: “Following the Supporters Trust taking control of the club in the past twenty-four hours, I am confident that if the players and fans work together we can help the squad climb the table, away from the relegation zone.”

In a club statement detailing Sheridan’s appointment, the Newport County board stated: “The trust board are delighted that John has agreed to join us. He comes with an excellent track record and we would ask fans continue to support the club by coming along to John’s first game against Exeter on Saturday, and of course the first game as a supporter owned community based club”.

Newport have struggled so far this season and currently sit bottom of League Two with just five points from their opening ten games.