As Newport County prepare to take on Port Vale on Saturday afternoon, we take a look at four familiar faces who have represented both clubs.
Mark Harris
Swansea-born striker Mark Harris came through the Cardiff City youth system and made his first-team debut in January 2017.
During his early career, Harris gained valuable experience with loan spells at Newport County and Port Vale. In August 2018, Harris joined Newport County on a six-month loan, making an instant impact by scoring his first goal in a 1-1 draw at Exeter City.
He returned to Cardiff in January 2019 but later moved to Port Vale on loan for the remainder of the 2018-19 season. Harris made six appearances for the Valiants before being sent back to Cardiff early.
After further loan spells and a regular role at Cardiff, Harris received his first senior Wales call-up in 2021 and debuted in a World Cup qualifier against Belarus.
Harris went on to play a pivotal role in Wales' 2022 World Cup squad. In 2023, he moved to Oxford United, where he enjoyed an excellent 2023–24 season, finishing with 15 goals in 43 league appearances and helping the club secure promotion via the League One play-offs.
Harry Charsley
Midfielder Harry Charsley began his career at Everton, where he played a key role in their Under-18s Premier League title-winning campaign in 2013–14.
After brief loan spells at Bolton Wanderers and Mansfield Town, Charsley moved to Port Vale in January 2022, where he helped secure the club's promotion to League One with an important role in the play-off final.
Charsley joined Newport County in January 2023, reuniting with former manager Graham Coughlan. He impressed in his first season at Rodney Parade, scoring five goals and providing key contributions, despite suffering an ankle injury in September 2023 that kept him out for ten weeks.
Charsley made a strong return to action, playing a key role in the 2023–24 season, including featuring in Newport's FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United.
In July 2024, he moved to Oldham Athletic, where he will aim to help the club in their push for promotion back to the Football League.
Neville Chamberlain
Neville Chamberlain, born in 1960, was a prolific forward known for his goal-scoring ability and his role as one of the first black professional footballers in the Football League.
Chamberlain began his career at Port Vale in 1978 and became the club’s first black player. After a brief spell at Stoke City, Chamberlain joined Newport County on loan in 1984, where he made an instant impact by scoring twice in six appearances.
He returned to Newport on a permanent basis and enjoyed a productive season, scoring 13 goals in 41 appearances.
Chamberlain’s time at Newport was followed by successful spells at Mansfield Town and Doncaster Rovers. Throughout his career, Chamberlain made over 300 league appearances, scoring 73 goals, and played an important part in promotion-winning sides.
His legacy is notable not only for his goal-scoring but also for his pioneering role as one of the early black professional footballers.
Sean Rigg
Winger Sean Rigg played for both Newport County and Port Vale during his career, making his mark at both clubs.
Rigg initially joined Port Vale on loan in November 2009, scoring a crucial goal at Grimsby Town that helped solidify his place in the team. He returned to Vale Park on loan again in January 2010, where he and Marc Richards developed a potent strike partnership.
Rigg made 26 appearances for the Valiants, scoring three goals before signing a permanent deal with Vale at the end of the 2009-10 season.
In 2016, Rigg joined Newport County on a two-year deal, where he played a vital role in the club's remarkable "Great Escape" during the 2016-17 season.
In a campaign where the Exiles fought against the odds to stay in League Two, Rigg was instrumental in helping the team overturn an 11-point deficit to secure safety on the final day of the season.
Over his career, Rigg made 50 league appearances for Newport, scoring six goals. With over 500 appearances in English football, Rigg’s experience and consistency were key to both clubs’ successes during his time with them.
