Newport County AFC have released 14 players this afternoon as boss Terry Butcher looks set to rebuild the League Two club. High profile names leaving the club include Aaron O’Connor, Max Porter , Adam Chapman and Ismail Yakubu.
Max Porter, Ismail Yakubu, Robbie Willmott Andy Sandell, Michael Flynn and Lee Minshull were vital members of County’s team which gained promotion in 2013. As was Aaron O’Connor who made over 40 appearances. His career highlights at County include winning Player of the month in November 2014 and scoring the decisive goal that sealed Newport’s playoff win. Shaun Jeffers, Joe Parker and Adam Chapman all joined the Exiles’ in the 2013/14 season.
The release of goalkeepers Lenny Pidgeley and Jamie Stephens wouldn’t have surprised many Newport supporters. Joe Day joined County last August and has been the first choice keeper since joining, leaving both Pidgeley and Stephens out of favour.
| Leaving | Talks Ongoing | Staying |
| Aaron O’Connor | Andrew Hughes | Aaron Collins |
| Adam Chapman | Darren Jones | Joe Day |
| Andrew Sandell | Regan Poole | Kevin Feely |
| Ismail Yakubu | Ryan Jackson | Kieran Parselle |
| Jamie Stephens | Mark Byrne | |
| Joe Parker | Tom Owen-Evans | |
| Lee Minshull | Yan Klukowski | |
| Lenny Pidgeley | ||
| Max Porter | ||
| Mike Flynn | ||
| Robbie Willmott | ||
| Shaun Jeffers |
The club are yet to confirm the future of Andrew Hughes, Darren Jones or Ryan Jackson, however talks are ongoing and the club will try to sign the three defenders for next season. Newport are also yet to announce news on youngster Regan Poole who is being rumoured to be on the books of several Championship and Premiership clubs.
The news comes as new boss Terry Butcher prepares his side for the 2015/16 season; Butcher joined Newport earlier this month and is looking to build a totally new squad. Currently signed on for next season are Kevin Feely, Yan Klukowski, Joe Day and Mark Byrne. But also promising prospects such as Aaron Collins, Kieran Parselle and Tom Owen-Evans.
