2022–23 Newport County A.F.C. season explained

Club:	Newport County
Season:	2022–23
Owner:	Newport County AFC Supporters Trust
Chairman:	Gavin Foxall until 24 March 2023. Vacant from 24 March 2023
Manager:	James Rowberry (until 10 October 2022)^[1] Darren Kelly (caretaker manager 10 October 2022 to 20 October 2022).^[2] Graham Coughlan (from 20 October 2022)^[3]
Stadium:	Rodney Parade
League:	League Two
League Result:	15th
Cup1:	FA Cup
Cup1 Result:	Second round
Cup2:	EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:	Third round
Cup3:	EFL Trophy
Cup3 Result:	Second round
League Topscorer:	Omar Bogle (17)
Season Topscorer:	Omar Bogle (19)
Highest Attendance:	4,988 v Walsall (6 August 2022), EFL League Two
Lowest Attendance:	705 v Southampton Under-21 (18 October 2022), EFL Trophy Southern Group F
Average Attendance:	4,108
Pattern La1:	_newport2223h
Pattern Ra1:	_newport2223h
Pattern B1:	_newport2223h
Pattern Sh1:	_newport2223h
Pattern So1:	_newport2223h
Leftarm1:	FFC840
Body1:	FFC840
Rightarm1:	FFC840
Shorts1:	000000
Socks1:	FFC840
Pattern La2:	_newport2223a
Pattern Ra2:	_newport2223a
Pattern B2:	_newport2223a
Pattern So2:	_newport2223a
Pattern Sh2:	_newport2223a
Leftarm2:	4B4B4B
Body2:	4B4B4B
Rightarm2:	4B4B4B
Shorts2:	4B4B4B
Socks2:	3B3B3B
Prevseason:	2021–22
Nextseason:	2023–24

The 2022–23 Newport County A.F.C. season was the club's tenth consecutive season in the EFL League Two. Newport's 70th season in the Football League and 102nd season of league football overall. They also competed in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.

Newport reached the third round of the 2022–23 EFL Cup, losing 3–0 to Leicester City of the Premier League.

Former club chairman David Hando died on 16 January 2023. Hando was influential in reforming the club in 1989 after the club had gone bankrupt.^[4] In 2015 Hando had been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to sport.^[5]

In March 2023 club chairman Gavin Foxall resigned due to ill health. Foxall had been chairman since August 2016, succeeding Tony Pring who had been interim chairman since the supporters trust took ownership of the club in September 2015.^[6]

Newport finished the 2022-23 season in 15th position in League Two.^[7]

Managerial changes

On 10 October 2022 James Rowberry was sacked as team manager with Newport in 18th place in League Two after 13 league matches. Assistant manager Carl Serrant was also sacked.^[8] Sporting Director Darren Kelly took the role of caretaker manager.^[2] On 20 October 2022, Graham Coughlan was appointed manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract with Newport in 19th place in League Two after 14 league matches of the 2022–23 season.^[9] Joe Dunne was appointed assistant manager to Coughlan^[10]

Darren Kelly resigned his role as Sporting Director on 23 February 2023.^[11] On 30 April 2023 Chris Finn was appointed Head of football operations.^[12]

First-team squad

No.	Name	Nat.	Position(s)	Date of birth (Age)	Apps.	Goals	Year signed	Signed from	Transfer fee
Goalkeepers
1	Joe Day		GK	1990 8, df=yes	275	0	2021	Cardiff City	Free
30	Nick Townsend		GK	1994 11, df=yes	102	0	2018	Barnsley	Free
39	Evan Ovendale		GK	2004 2, df=yes	0	0	2022	Academy	Trainee
Defenders
2	Cameron Norman		RB/CB	1995 10, df=yes	62	0	2021	Walsall	Free
3	Declan Drysdale		CB/DM	1999 11, df=yes	12	0	2022	Coventry City	Undisclosed
5	James Clarke		CB	1989 11, df=yes	47	1	2021	Walsall	Free
6	Priestley Farquharson		CB/RB	1997 3, df=yes	33	0	2021	Connah's Quay Nomads	Undisclosed
14	Aaron Lewis		RB/LB	1998 6, df=yes	67	2	2021	Lincoln City	Free
17	Scot Bennett		CB/DM/CM	1990 11, df=yes	263	11	2016	Notts County	Free
23	Harrison Bright		RB	2004 2, df=yes	5	0	2022	Academy	Trainee
27	Adam Lewis		LB/LM/DM	1999 11, df=yes	12	0	2022	Liverpool	Loan
28	Mickey Demetriou		CB	1990 3, df=yes	261	23	2017	Shrewsbury Town	Free
32	Joe Woodiwiss		CB	2002 1, df=yes	9	0	2019	Academy	Trainee
Midfielders
4	Sam Bowen		CM/DM/AM	2001 1, df=yes	9	0	2022	Cardiff City	Undisclosed
7	Robbie Willmott		RM/LM/AM	1990 5, df=yes	286	21	2017	Chelmsford	Free
8	Matty Dolan		DM/CB/CM	1993 2, df=yes	213	16	2017	Yeovil Town	Free
11	James Waite		AM/RW	1999 5, df=yes	29	4	2022	Penybont	Free
20	Hayden Lindley		DM	2002 9, df=yes	5	0	2022	Aston Villa	Loan
22	Nathan Moriah-Welsh		CM	2002 3, df=yes	12	2	2022	Bournemouth	Loan
24	Aaron Wildig		CM/AM/DM	1992 4, df=yes	9	1	2022	Morecambe	Free
29	Will Evans		LW/AM	1997 6, df=yes	14	3	2022	Bala Town	Undisclosed
33	Lewys Twamley		LW/LM/LB	2003 5, df=yes	4	0	2020	Academy	Trainee
35	Jack Karadogan		CM/AM/DM	2004 2, df=yes	0	0	2022	Academy	Trainee
Forwards
9	Omar Bogle		CF	1993 7, df=yes	15	7	2022	Hartlepool United	Undisclosed
10	Offrande Zanzala		CF	1996 11, df=yes	3	0	2022	Barrow	Free
18	Chanka Zimba		CF	2001 12, df=yes	14	2	2022	Cardiff City	Loan
19	Thierry Nevers		LW/CF/RW	2002 3, df=yes	7	1	2022	West Ham United	Loan
21	Lewis Collins		SS/AM/RW	2001 5, df=yes	73	5	2017	Academy	Trainee

Squad statistics

Source:^{[13] [14]}

Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.

Players with squad numbers struck through and marked left the club during the playing season.

Players with names in italics and marked * were on loan from another club for the whole of their season with Newport County.

Players listed with no appearances have been in the matchday squad but only as unused substitutes.

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward

|-!colspan=14|Players out on loan:|-!colspan=14|Players who left the club:|}

Goals record

Rank	No.	Nat.	Po.	Name					Total
1	9		CF	Omar Bogle	7	0	0	2	9
2	29		LW		2	0	1	1	4
3	6		CB		2	1	0	0	3
	10		CF		3	0	0	0	3
	11		AM		0	0	2	1	3
	22		CM	Nathan Moriah-Welsh	3	0	0	0	3
7	2		RB	Cameron Norman	2	0	0	0	2
	18		CF	Chanka Zimba	0	0	1	1	2
	27		LB	Adam Lewis	1	1	0	0	2
10	8		CM		1	0	0	0	1
	14		LB	Aaron Lewis	1	0	0	0	1
	16		CF	Calum Kavanagh	1	0	0	0	1
	17		CB	Scot Bennett	1	0	0	0	1
	19		LW	Thierry Nevers	1	0	0	0	1
	21		CF		0	0	1	0	1
	24		CM	Aaron Wildig	0	0	1	0	1
	28		CB		1	0	0	0	1
Own Goals					1	1	0	1	3
Total					27	3	6	6	42

Disciplinary record

Rank	No.	Nat.	Po.	Name										League Trophy			Total
1	3		CB	Declan Drysdale	5	0	1	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	8	0	1
2	22		CM	Nathan Moriah-Welsh	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	7	0	0
3	17		CB	Scot Bennett	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	0
	28		CB	Mickey Demetriou	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	6	0	0
5	2		RB	Cameron Norman	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
	14		LB	Aaron Lewis	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0
7	11		AM		3	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
	27		LB	Adam Lewis	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0
	29		LW		3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
10	5		CB		3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
11	4		DM	Sam Bowen	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	6		CB	Priestley Farquharson	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0
	7		RM	Robbie Willmott	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
13	1		GK	Joe Day	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	9		CF	Omar Bogle	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	10		CF		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	19		LW	Thierry Nevers	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	20		CM	Harry Charsley	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	21		CF		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0
	24		CM	Aaron Wildig	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	30		GF	Nick Townsend	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total					53	0	1	2	0	0	7	0	0	4	0	0	66	0	1

Transfers

For those players released or contract ended before the start of this season, see 2021–22 Newport County A.F.C. season.

Transfers In

Date	Pos	Player	Transferred from	Fee	Ref
21 June 2022				Free Transfer	^[15]
10 June 2022				Undisclosed	^[16]
10 June 2022				Undisclosed	^[17]
10 June 2022				Undisclosed	^[18]
1 July 2022				Undisclosed	^[19]
1 July 2022				Free transfer	^[20]
15 September 2022		Josh Edwards		Free Transfer	^[21]
17 January 2023				Free Transfer	^[22]

Transfers Out

Date	Pos	Player	Transferred to	Fee	Source
14 June 2023				Free transfer	^[23]
16 June 2023				Free transfer	^[24]
16 June 2023				Free transfer	^[25] ^[26]
23 June 2023				Free transfer	^[27]
30 June 2023				Free transfer	^[28]
30 June 2023				Released
30 June 2023				Released
30 June 2023		Jack Karadogan		Released
30 June 2023		Evan Ovendale		Released
30 June 2023				Free transfer	^[29]
30 June 2023				Free transfer	^[30] ^[31]

Loans in

Date	Pos	Player	Loaned from	On loan until	Ref
10 June 2022				1 January 2023	^[32]
22 June 2022				25 February 2023	^[33]
10 August 2022				End of Season	^[34]
18 August 2022				1 January 2023	^[35]
1 September 2022				1 January 2023	^[36] ^[37]
27 January 2023				End of Season	^[38]
31 January 2023				End of Season	^[39]
31 January 2023				End of Season	^[40]

Loans out

Date	Pos	Player	Loaned to	On loan until	Ref
1 August 2022				1 January 2023
1 August 2022				1 January 2023	^[41]
5 January 2023				End of Season	^[42]
5 January 2023				End of Season	^[43]
21 January 2023		Jack Karadogan		End of Season	^[44]
30 January 2023				End of Season	^[45]
1 February 2023				End of Season	^[46]

Pre-season and friendlies

On May 24, Newport announced the squad would enjoy a 5-day training camp in Cheshire.^[47] Three days later, the club announced four off the six pre-season oppositions.^[48] A double-header 60-minute games against Cardiff City was later added.^[49] A further addition to the pre-season schedule was added on June 14, against Forest Green Rovers.^[50]

Competitions

League Two

See main article: 2022–23 EFL League Two.

Matches

The league fixtures were announced on 23 June 2022.^[51]

FA Cup

See main article: 2022–23 FA Cup.

County were drawn at home to Colchester United in the first round^[52] and to the winners between Torquay United or Derby County in the second round.^[53]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2022–23 EFL Cup.

Newport were drawn away to Luton Town in the first round and at home to Portsmouth in the second round.^{[54] [55]}

EFL Trophy

See main article: 2022–23 EFL Trophy.

On 20 June, the initial Group stage draw was made, grouping Newport County with Exeter City and Forest Green Rovers.^[56] Three days later, Southampton U21s joined Southern Group F.^[57] In the second round, Newport were drawn away to Milton Keynes Dons.^[58]

Notes and References

1. News: Newport County part company with management team . 10 October 2022 . Newport County AFC . 10 October 2022.
2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63252548 Kelly caretaker Newport manager
3. News: Graham Coughlan appointed Newport County manager! . 24 October 2022 . Newport County AFC . 20 October 2022.
4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64299324 David Hando dies
5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35202443 Hando awarded BEM
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65068086 Foxall resigns
7. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65445729 Newport 15th in League 2
8. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63205882 Rowberry sacked at Newport
9. Web site: Graham Coughlan appointed Newport County manager!. www.newport-county.co.uk. 20 October 2022. 20 October 2022.
10. https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/20222/october/joe-dunne-appointed-assistant-manager/ Dunne joins Newport County
11. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64747146 Kelly Newport resignation
12. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65441264 Finn joins Newport
13. Web site: Newport County. FootballSquads. 13 June 2020 .
14. Web site: Squad stats. Soccerbase. Centurycomm. 13 June 2020 .
15. News: Offrande Zanzala becomes signing number six! . 21 June 2022 . Newport County AFC . 21 June 2022.
16. News: Newport County sign Sam Bowen . 25 May 2022 . Newport County AFC . 25 May 2022.
17. News: Newport County agree deal for Declan Drysdale! . 7 June 2022 . Newport County AFC . 7 June 2022.
18. News: Will Evans is an Exile! . 27 May 2022 . Newport County AFC . 27 May 2022.
19. News: Omar Bogle is an Exile! . 1 July 2022 . Newport County AFC . 1 July 2022.
20. News: Aaron Wildig: Newport sign ex-Cardiff City midfielder from Morecambe . BBC Sport . 6 June 2022 . 6 June 2022.
21. News: Josh Edwards is an Exile! . 15 September 2022 . Newport County AFC . 15 September 2022.
22. News: Harry Charsley is an Exile! . 17 January 2023 . Newport County AFC . 17 January 2023.
23. https://www.devonlive.com/sport/football/transfer-news/torquay-united-complete-permanent-signing-8495058 Collins joins Torquay
24. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65926537 Norman joins MK Dons
25. News: Newport County AFC Confirm List Of Players Retained And Released . 10 May 2023 . Newport County AFC . 10 May 2023.
26. https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/23595312.robbie-willmott-signs-woking-newport-county-exit/ Willmott joins Woking
27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65998493 Farquharson joins Walsall
28. https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2023/january/pools-sign-matty-dolan/ Dolan joins Hartlepool
29. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66089617 Aaron Lewis joins Mansfield
30. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66139349 Demetriou rejects Newport contract extension
31. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66271813 Demetriou joins Crewe
32. News: Chanka Zimba to join Newport County on loan . Cardiff City F.C. . 3 June 2022.
33. News: Adam Lewis joins the Exiles on loan from Liverpool! . 22 June 2022 . Newport County AFC . 22 June 2022.
34. News: Nathan Moriah-Welsh arrives on loan! . 11 August 2022 . Newport County AFC . 10 August 2022.
35. News: Thierry Nevers arrives on loan! . 18 August 2022 . Newport County AFC . 18 August 2022.
36. News: Hayden Lindley arrives on loan! . 1 September 2022 . Newport County AFC . 1 September 2022.
37. News: Loanee trio to return to parent clubs . 31 December 2022 . Newport County AFC . 29 December 2022.
38. News: Matt Baker arrives on loan! . 27 January 2023 . Newport County AFC . 27 January 2023.
39. News: Calum Kavanagh arrives on loan! . 1 February 2023 . Newport County AFC . 31 January 2023.
40. News: Charlie McNeill arrives on loan! . 31 January 2023 . Newport County AFC . 31 January 2023.
41. News: Joe Woodiwiss and Lewys Twamley head out on loan . 1 August 2022 . Newport County FC . 1 August 2022.
42. News: Matthew Dolan moves to Hartlepool on loan . 5 January 2023 . Newport County AFC . 5 January 2023.
43. News: Robbie Willmott moves to Walsall on loan . 5 January 2023 . Newport County AFC . 5 January 2023.
44. News: Newport County's Jack Karadogan makes loan move to Pontypridd . 21 January 2023 . South Wales Argus . 21 January 2023.
45. News: We are delighted to announce the signing of Harrison Bright from Newport County on loan . 30 January 2023 . Pontypridd United AFC – Twitter . 30 January 2023.
46. News: Lewis Collins loaned to Torquay United . 2 February 2023 . Newport County AFC . 1 February 2023.
47. News: Pre-Season Plan: Training Camp . 24 May 2022 . Newport County AFC . 24 May 2022.
48. News: Pre-Season Fixtures for Summer announced! . 27 May 2022 . Newport County AFC . 27 May 2022.
49. News: County to play Cardiff in pre-season friendly . 30 May 2022 . Newport County AFC . 30 May 2022.
50. News: County to travel to Forest Green in pre-season . 14 June 2022 . Newport County AFC . 14 June 2022.
51. News: Newport County's 2022–23 Fixtures Released! . 23 June 2022 . Newport County AFC . 23 June 2022.
52. News: Newport County draw Colchester at home in first round of FA Cup . 18 October 2022 . Newport County AFC . 17 October 2022.
53. News: Newport County to play Torquay or Derby at home in FA Cup second round . 9 November 2022 . Newport County AFC . 7 November 2022.
54. News: Newport County to face Luton Town away in EFL Cup first round . 23 June 2022 . Newport County AFC . 23 June 2022.
55. News: Carabao Cup Round Two draw confirmed . 11 August 2022 . English Football League . 10 August 2022.
56. News: County to play Exeter and Forest Green in EFL Trophy . 20 June 2022 . Newport County AFC . 20 June 2022.
57. News: Newport County joined by Southampton U21s in EFL Trophy Group Stage . 23 June 2022 . Newport County AFC . 23 June 2022.
58. News: Newport County to play MK Dons away in EFL Trophy Round of 32 . 14 November 2022 . Newport County AFC . 11 November 2022.