County hope to make swift appointment

Apr 29 2008 by Mark Bloom, South Wales Echo

NEWPORT County hope to have a new manager in place inside two weeks, writes MARK BLOOM.

County sacked Peter Beadle 24 hours after defeat to Fisher Athletic on Saturday which saw them miss the Blue Square South play-offs for a second straight season.

Chairman Chris Blight said: “There is a lot of speculation going around the club and the town, but we have not appointed a manager yet and the mobile has not stopped ringing from people who have expressed an interest in the job.

“Player contracts need to be sorted out and whether or not they are staying, so we need to work quickly. This is a big job and the quicker we find the right man the better, so we can start planning for next term.

“We have a business plan in place and the funding is there to bring in new playing personnel. Obviously things have not been right with that kind of budget for a club that finally finish ninth.

“The budget is in the top three for this division – the chemistry has not been there. We invested and every investment has to have a return.

“Apart from the FAW Premier Cup we have not had the return of promotion which was top of the list. We have not had that and that’s the bottom line.

“Whoever takes over the reins will have the same remit – promotion is the only thing in mind.”