Newport County AFC’s giant-killing result in The Emirates FA Cup Third Round has been immortalised in a special Roy of the Rovers comic book weeks after Manager Michael Flynn described the performance as “Roy of the Rovers type stuff”.
The commemorative cartoon depicts action from an exhilarating Emirates FA Cup Third Round which saw Newport triumph against Premier League side Leicester City, as well as Barnet, Gillingham and Oldham Athletic all overcoming the odds to record famous upsets.
The comic, published in partnership with official Roy of the Rovers publishers Rebellion, features a brand-new storyline and bespoke artwork with a page dedicated to Newport’s win over Leicester, featuring the likes of goal scorer Padraig Amond.
A limited number of the comic books were released today by each of the clubs, with fans at Newport County’s Club Shop queuing to own a piece of history.
Newport County AFC Manager Michael Flynn and striker Padraig Amond joined fans to mark the launch of the comic, signing copies and looking ahead to the Fourth Round ties taking place this weekend.
Supporters can also download the comic online here.
Newport County’s Third Round winning goal scorer Padraig Amond added, “The Emirates FA Cup has given us a chance to prove ourselves and I’m delighted that our fans can now keep a bit of that history with this comic. It’s brilliant, I’ll certainly be keeping my copy in a special place.”
Andy Ambler, The FA’s Director of Professional Game Relations, said “Anything is possible in The Emirates FA Cup as results in the Third Round showed. The competition is for all and a chance for players and teams across the football pyramid to write their names into folklore. We are delighted to create this commemorative comic book featuring the stars of Barnet, Gillingham, Newport County AFC and Oldham Athletic and hope the fans across the country enjoy looking back on these memorable moments in cartoon form. Good luck to all the clubs in the Fourth Round.”
Roy of the Rovers returned to print in 2018 with a new contemporary look and feel after a 17-year hiatus. The latest edition features hero Roy Race as a younger footballer, retaining the same talent and passion that made him a favourite for football fans since the 1950s.
The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round kicks off on Friday 25 January. Following the doubling of The FA’s prize fund this season, winning clubs will receive £180,000 in prize money and a place in the Fifth Round Proper.
Look out for more photos from the launch event of the comic on our website soon.