There are exciting times for Newport County amid a takeover by the former Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins, who oversaw the Swans’ rise.
Newport County, who are one of the few remaining fan-owned clubs, have confirmed that their Trust members have voted in favour of Huw Jenkins becoming the new majority owner.
Huw Jenkins was chairman of Swansea City between January 2002 and February 2019 – overseeing their rise up the English Football League, into the Premier League which also saw the Swans win a major trophy (Carabao Cup, 2013).
– 464 members took part in the vote with 455 backing the proposal which will see Jenkins make an initial £500,000 investment in return for a 52% stake.
– The Trust would retain 27% shareholding in the club and two places on the board with the aim of raising an extra £100,000 a year in return
– The potential of further investors or directors to be brought in with the agreement of the Trust
𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 | Approval of Huw Jenkins.
We are pleased to announce that the Trust members have voted in favour of Huw Jenkins becoming the new majority owner of Newport County AFC.https://t.co/Y7dYJWCNUz#NCAFC🧡🖤
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) September 28, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
We are pleased to announce that the Trust members have voted in favour of Huw Jenkins becoming the new majority owner of Newport County AFC.
455 of 464 participants voted in favour.
Having addressed the fans this evening, Huw Jenkins has been voted in by a large majority.
Huw Jenkins will now work with the Board of Directors on a transfer agreement for his shareholding, and with the EFL on their acquisitions procedure for new owners.
Huw Jenkins will begin to work with the Board, behind the scenes, in readiness for his tenure as new owner of Newport County AFC.
HUW JENKINS:
“I’ve been out of football for a few years and was waiting for the opportunity.
“It’s about finding a challenge and club in a position to go forward. I’ll be trying to use my experiences, knowledge and contacts.
“I love that challenge of proving people wrong and finding different ways of working.
“My family think I’m mad!
“Whatever the owner, the club is never theirs. It’s yours as supporters. [The shareholding] might be 52 per cent but to me it’s 50/50.”
He also is keen for County to have an identity whoever is in the dugout: “You have got to always give a certain amount of room for a manager to work. I always feel the dressing room is their place but I think I have built my reputation on managing the managers,” he said.
“You can’t have people recruiting without anybody overseeing it and making sure it’s right for the club. It’s about having a style of play that can go from first team down.”
You can read more on what he said by clicking HERE.
Adrian Bevington, the former Director of Club England at the FA, recently had a conversation with Huw Jenkins OBE at Football Transfer Forum 8 at the Etihad Stadium.
Huw talked candidly about his time at Swansea City AFC, where as Chairman and CEO he took them from the bottom of League Two to the Premier League…
SUPPORTERS TRUST STATEMENT
We are pleased to announce that the Newport County AFC Trust members have voted in favour of Huw Jenkins, by a huge majority, in becoming the new majority owner of Newport County AFC.
Total votes cast 464; Votes in favour 455; Votes against 8; Spoilt Ballot papers 1.
Huw Jenkins will now work with the Board of Directors on a transfer agreement for his shareholding, and with the EFL on their acquisitions procedure for new owners.
Huw Jenkins will begin to work with the Board, behind the scenes, in readiness for his tenure as new owner.
Colin Everett, a former Newport director and Trust member who led the search for a buyer while also acting as a mediator in the bidding process, express a fear that Newport would have been in “chaos” had fans voted against preferred bidder Jenkins.
“I was very, very confident, but you always have the anxiety that it might not happen as planned,” said Everett, as per BBC Sport.
“I really was worried about what would happen next (if the bid had been rejected). We would have been in chaos if this had not happened.
“Now we have leadership. I am just excited, relieved and looking forward to a good night’s sleep.”
He added: “He (Jenkins) is absolutely the right fit for us. He is keen and hungry to get back into football. He is fairly local. His knowledge, experience and contacts are superb.
“I do want to credit the other bidding group, John and Dan from the USA, who I have really enjoyed working with.
“They were really committed to the club and still are. It wasn’t about winning or losing, it is about the right fit at this point in time and I think the way Huw addressed the fans, they warmed to him and proved the fit is a mutual one.”
Everett on getting Jenkins to meet manager Graham Coughlan and said: “We have all talked about the financial challenge.
“Huw’s initial cash injection will make a big positive dent in that and I know he will work hard to begin to grow revenue and get on top of the finances. So that is a grind, a task you have to do.
“I think we are in a fairly good place in the league (15th) though I know we are worried about the number of injuries.
“But it is all going to be about success on the field. I think it’s about how he (Jenkins) introduces himself to the manager and works with the manager and builds that real leadership rapport because we have not had a board chairman for months or a club chief executive.
“Huw is quite dynamic, so its about those two things – synchronising the finances very quickly, but then working with the manager for what is going to be – as Huw said – the new Newport County footballing philosophy.”
Here’s what fans are saying with exciting times for Newport County amid the takeover by former Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins…
@harrycullen99: SO COME ON WILFRED BONY
@LeanneAshcroft2: New beginnings start now! Let’s push this club forward 🧡🖤⚽
@davidmorgan359: Fantastic news…. UTC….
@Jamesedwa18: Great news utc
@charlieej_: announce promotion
@Prestonjr1234: Beautiful
@LloydJohnMoore1: Here we go! For the future of the club UTC 🧡🖤
@MikeGreenYT: I love this club
@Ashley_J_Healey: Looking forward to the future of our football club. Up The Port ⚫️🟠
@KeironUTC: Well. That couldn’t have gone much better! Voting of 455-9 in favour of Huw Jenkins. From what it sounds like, the long term, and short term project that Huw has proposed promised both stability, and potential for improvement at the club in future. History making. #NCAFC
@WhatMarcDoes: What a historic moment for this football club. A new era has just begun!🧡🖤
@esmecooperxx: incredible news 😍🧡
@LucccyAshcroft: The new owner! 🎉 Hopefully this is what we needed all along for an amazing future
@JamieSwift87: Historic night for the club
@VaughanJon: UPPA COUNTY! 🖤🧡
@SfcDanny: Fantastic news for everyone involved at Newport county. Looks like there could be exciting times happening for the club
@CymruOllie: Huw spoke really, really well. The moment he got me was when mentioned that he loves football and he enjoys the challenge of beating the teams who have bigger budgets. I’ve got nothing but confidence in Jenkins and his path forward. Here’s to Huw Jenkins’ Amber Army 🔶
@KellyLAnderson7: Great news for the club following a period of uncertainty. I hope it goes on to achieve greater things, and wish Huw all the very best
@AlfPipe13: An historic moment in this club’s history. Very proud to be apart of this club. UTC
@davidmorgan359: For those old enough to know, this is another huge step in our story. For those not old enough to know, enjoy the ride…. UP THE COUNTY ⚫️🟠
@geraint_mullins: THE COUNTYS GOING UP
@AlfieBishCFC: Massive news 🧡
@Captain249: Good meeting tonight and Huw came across as an honest bloke. Yes there are still questions left unanswered but this is great news and exciting times for every County fan. UTC
@LKBusuttil: This is huge. For the future of the club, in every aspect. Up The County
@rocjam93: An overwhelming YES!
@LliswerryL: Times are changing, a huge bit of news that can only be a good thing. Onwards and upwards, UTC 🧡
First thing on the agenda, get this up the gollars overlooking the M4, 2nd @DisneyPlus get the cameras ready… Welcome to Newport is happening🔥 pic.twitter.com/R6sjgJvwoR
— Sam Donovan🏴 (@DonovannSam) September 28, 2023

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