Newport to celebrate original Exiles against Accrington

Newport County are targeting back-to-back home wins this weekend - with Nelson Jardim's new-look side hoping to take inspiration from the past.

Fresh on the back of the eye-catching 3-1 win over Doncaster, County and their string of new faces welcome winless Accrington to Rodney Parade.

With home fans hoping to celebrate a second win in as many games, the club will also be celebrating some faces from the past with several members of the club's players and staff from their instrumental return to life in 1989.

It is 35 years ago since the original Ironsides collapsed and were reformed as Newport AFC, playing in the lowly Hellenic League.

With the club unable to play home fixtures at their traditional ground of Somerton Park (above), the 'new' club were forced to play games in Gloucestershire at Moreton-in-Marsh. With fans having to travel 90 miles for 'home' games, hence the Exiles nickname was born.

It took 25 years for Newport to return to the Football League, and County will mark 35 years since the rebirth by inviting a number of the squad who won promotion in their first season - including manager John Relish - to their hospitality for Saturday's fixture.

Also at the game will be assistant manager Graham Rogers, physio Tony Gilbert, current County in the Community chief and former player Norman Parselle, as well as teammates Chris Stanton, Mike Pratt, Richie Willis, Rob Painter, Paul Mallender, Barrie Vassallo, Dave Jarvis and Chris Lilygreen.