Newport IW FC lifted the Dr Martens Eastern Division title to carry Isle of Wight football to Step 3 of the non-league pyramid, on this day, some 25 years ago.
Newport FC were crowned champions on 5th May 2001 after victory over closest rivals Chelmsford City, completing a remarkable late-season surge that carried them to the title.
Speaking after seeing his side clinch the championship at Chelmsford, manager Tony Mount said:
“They have all been magnificent. At the end of the day it was only myself, my assistant and the players who thought we could clinch promotion six weeks ago when we still had 19 games to play.
“But they came through and I am so proud of them. I am also proud of the supporters who kept going throughout the campaign.”
The decisive moment came before half time, when Gary Green scored with an overhead kick in front of around 300 travelling supporters.
Mount – father of Mason Mount, who has played for Chelsea, Manchester United and England – guided his side through a 24-game unbeaten run to secure the championship.
Promotion to Step 3 remains the highest level Newport have ever reached, and the highest any Isle of Wight club has competed at since Cowes played in the Southern League (South West Section) in 1898.
However, the step up proved short-lived, with Newport demoted back to the Eastern Division after just 1 season at that level.
A quarter of a century on, the achievement remains a landmark in Isle of Wight football history.
Today, Newport compete in Wessex Division 1 (Step 6), but with the club’s new ground at the Racecourse nearing completion, there is hope the County Town club can climb the non-league pyramid once again.
Do you remember Newport’s famous 2001 title win – and can they rise again to former heights? Share your memories and thoughts in the comments below.
In 2001-2002 the Southern Premier League was actually at Step Two. The two regional leagues of the then Football Conference were not established until the beginning of the 2004-2005 campaign.