A further 3 key players have left struggling County Town club Newport in addition to the 5 who had left earlier in the week.
So far, Jordan Chapman, Rafferty Boyd-Kerr and Jacob Reynolds have joined East Cowes Vics with Connor Kelly and Scott Barron becoming Yachtsmen.
The mass exodus has put Newport’s future as a senior club in doubt with many questioning whether they will be able to play Wessex League football next season.
Newport have been forced to leave their temporary Smallbrook home. Earlier in the month, the troubled club announced a groundshare with East Cowes Vics at Beatrice Avenue. However, this is in doubt as the County Town club then stated (later on the same day) that this agreement was only ‘in principle’.
It is understood that the owners of Newport’s former ground at St George’s Park – South Coast Leisure Ltd – are either unable or unwilling to meet all of Vics’ financial demands, leaving the Supporters’ Trust to pay the remainder.
An interesting and potentially lively Supporters’ Trust meeting is set to take place on Wednesday (31st May).
There has been no physical signs of progress at Newport’s proposed new ground at the Racecourse in Whippingham, despite announcements from the club that work would start last October and March of this year (as well as on numerous occasions previously).
However, new speed limits have been proposed for the busy main road outside the ground.
If work actually does go ahead in the near future – as building contractors have recently claimed – then the ‘team without a ground’ may well become ‘the ground without a team’.
It is possible that Newport’s future will be in Island League football, based within the County Town itself. The club has already announced the formation of a reserve side. Is this set to become their main (and only) team?
Island Echo asked former Cowes Sports and East Cowes Vics manager Richard Woodburn for his opinion on the future of Newport IW FC.
Woodburn said:
“It appears the majority of the squad have simply had enough. Newport only have themselves to blame over their current demise. They have dragged their heels regarding this new ground for far too long, and it has taken its toll.
“I do not believe Newport will fold though – most likely they will need to withdraw from their current Wessex status and re-establish themselves lower down the football pyramid.
“They may decide to scrap it out with what players remain and who they can recruit, but I do think not many will have the stomach for that – especially established experienced players.
“It’s sad times for Island football.”
Island Echo would like to approach Newport IW FC for a comment. However, as the chairman has stepped down, it is unclear who to ask.
THE LATEST TRANSFERS OF FORMER NEWPORT PLAYERS …
Forward Ji Nash has returned to East Cowes Vics after spells with Cowes Sports and then Newport.
Ji started last season as a Yachtsmen before playing for Island League Shanklin, then ending his season with Port.
The much-travelled marksman has been in superb form for the County Town club, having bagged 16 goals since joining in December.
East Cowes Vics manager Alex Smith has said:
“Having scored 16 goals in just 13 starts for Newport last season, we’re delighted to add Ji’s goal threat to the squad.
“I’ve worked with him previously and know he’ll be a fantastic addition to our group.”
Ji has told Island Echo:
“I’m really excited to come back. It was a no brainer for me. Vics are on the up.
“I think the future is bright for the club, and I’m looking forward to the season starting.”
COWES SPORTS HAVE SIGNED DEFENDER JOE HANCOTT
Joe is the youngest player to have appeared in a Portsmouth FC shirt in post-war years.
Cowes Sports have said:
“Joe will bring undoubted quality and experience to our side. At such a young age, he knows what it’s all about.
“Welcome Joe. The ‘faithful’ will like this one.”
Cowes Sports manager told Island Echo:
“Joe brings undoubted quality and knowledge of what it takes to perform week in week out at a top level. We have been watching him since he returned to the island and we are ecstatic to have him with us for next season.
“He will add more quality and depth and compete with the fantastic full backs at the club already.”
LIAM TRIGGS HAS JOINED COWES SPORTS
The club have said:
“Liam Triggs will be wearing blue and white.
“He’s an unbelievable addition to our side and will provide a wealth of experience and great ability to our progressing team.
“Welcome Liam. The lads and the supporters will be happy with this one.”
Manager Max Draper says:
“Signing Liam has been a long time coming – a bit like Connor (Kelly).
“Since we played together briefly, I know what he is and what he can bring to our side and have wanted him in blue and white since I took over.
“I’m glad he’s finally joining us.”
Several 1st team regulars still remain with the County Town club. These include George Colson, Joe Butcher, Jordan Browne, Josh Younie, captain Ryan Oatley, Joe Craig and Ryan Hughes.
See Island Echo‘s football page for any further transfer news (if we can keep up).
To much money spent on this sport anyway, forget about it and give the money to a charity.
If I was a contractor, I wouldn’t touch the new ground for fear of never getting paid
If I could figure out how to collect my winnings I would have a bet on this stadium not being built in my lifetime.
What’s All the fuss about? It’s only a game. The Island needs more money spent on infrastructure rather than a new football ground.
Absolute disgrace. South Coast leisure?.. more like South Coast leisurely as that is how they have handled the entire farce.
It is now viying for not the top spot in their league but top spot with the Floating Farce for no.1 fiasco on the Isle of Wight.
We all know that if the ground doesn’t get built, that site will be the next Newport housing development, which the cynical person (me) would say was the idea all along.
Get on with it or dump it.
Newport football club (IW) sold their soul to the devil.
Not once but twice.
RIP Church litten.
Soon won’t be a need fort the 40mph speed limit on the Race Track, but of course the council will never remove it.
South Coast Leisure, certain directors of same and certain previous council employees, have a lot to answer for.
“Port”?
Is that what the cool kids call Newport, now?
What a waste that new ground will be.
Better left as a meadow, and keep the 50mph along racecourse.
Was always gonna happen, Newport only have themselves to blame, Cowes are head & shoulders above anyone else on the island right now.
Based on what exactly? Times are changing…..
I wouldn’t say that Cowes are head and shoulders above anyone else on the Island at the moment, East Cowes Vics are just going about their business quietly at the moment.
Newport have been badly managed in recent years, the problems started when they left Church Litten and the same thing happened to Ryde Sports when they left Partlands.