'It's put Newport on the map' - Newport County fans celebrate despite FA Cup loss

Newport County lost 4-2 to Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup

Some fans were able to watch the game from scaffolding outside of Rodney Parade
Author: Claire BoadPublished 29th Jan 2024
Last updated 29th Feb 2024

Newport County boss Graham Coughlan says he's immensely proud of his players despite their 4-2 defeat to Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Fans will also be pleased with The Exiles performance - battling back from 2 nil down to draw 2-2 against the top flight side for a time at Rodney Parade.

Manchester United were 2-0 up after 13 minutes, but by the 47th minute, Newport County had equalized.

For the next 20 minutes, Newport fans were hoping for a draw, but Manchester United scored their third goal in the 68th minute, and a fourth goal in extra time.

But despite the loss, Newport fans left Rodney Parade in high spirits,

"I am immensely proud I thought they were absolutely brilliant" one fan told us.

"Manchester United with all their stars, they knew they were in a game today...It is what it is, I thought they were brilliant!".

We spoke to Colin, who has been a fan for 75 years. "I have seen every FA cup match in 75 years, and I really feel proud to be here today".

"Proud to be Newport" life-long fan Bob told us.

Newport boss Graham Coughlan said: "The character, the resilience. This football club has a motto - never die.

"It will never die, it will never lie down and that's the motto that these players represent every time they take to the football pitch"

Last night's sell out crowd at Rodney Parade, along with television rights, will have brought in over £400,000 for Newport County.

And for fans who couldn't get tickets, there was still a way for them to watch all the action unfold.

Hayley Cowling lives next door to Rodney Parade, and had scaffolding put up specially so that fans could climb up at watch the game.

"So friends couldn't get tickets. They obviously know I live here so asked if I would mind putting scaffolding up.

"I have a friend who has a scaffolding company so him and his mates all clubbed together and decided 'right we will pop it up and watch the game'".

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.