Eight years ago, Newport County supporters witnessed the finale of one of the most remarkable Great Escapes in Football League history against Saturday’s opponents, Notts County.
Over 7,000 County fans packed into a buzzing Rodney Parade to back the team in their final push to achieve the impossible.
When Michael Flynn took over in March 2017, avoiding relegation seemed - if not impossible - highly improbable. It would require seven wins in twelve matches, which, considering the team had only registered five victories in the previous 34, was incredibly unlikely. Survival also demanded that a few of those wins come against teams chasing promotion.
But hard-earned clean sheets, consecutive 1-0 wins, and center-back Mickey Demetriou finding his scoring form meant that somehow, just eleven matches later, the "highly improbable" became exceedingly possible! The Exiles had put their fate in their own hands, and as McFadden and Whitehead blared from the County dressing room, there was no stopping them now.
With County’s rivals Hartlepool overturning league leaders Doncaster Rovers in the final match of the season, it took one final miracle to complete the Great Escape. If survival was improbable, then Mark O’Brien’s chest and volley into the side netting was almost unbelievable.
RE-LIVE IT WITH THE MATCH REPORT FROM THE DAY
And with us building up to Saturday’s game against the Magpies, we reflect on the County team that played on May 6, 2017.
Starting XI
JOE DAY
Immediately following that famous day against Notts County, Joe Day was voted Player of the Season for the 2016/17 campaign. A few weeks later, Day was one of the first players Michael Flynn signed up for the new season.
Since then, he has continued to prove himself as one of the team's most reliable performers, making 53 appearances in the season. With nearly 190 appearances for the club, Day became County's longest-serving player. His heroics during the Great Escape and beyond will remain long in the memories of all County supporters.
DAVID PIPE
After joining the Exiles on loan in January 2017, David Pipe brought the fight, desire, and determination needed to inspire the Exiles to their Great Escape. He signed a permanent one-year deal in the summer of 2017.
On discussing staying at the Club for another year, David Pipe said: “It’s what dreams are made of, to play for your local Club, eight miles from where you are born and lifting the trophy at Wembley. There aren’t many things that come close to having an international cap, but that’s right next door to it.”
SCOT BENNETT
Scot Bennett played on the right side of a back three in the final match of the season. Initially, it was a back three, but by the 85th minute, it was a back two with nine players up front. By the 89th minute, it was a solid back ten with Joe Day in goal.
Bennett played a vital role in ensuring that Notts County couldn't break through in the second half as his fellow center-backs had surged forward in search of a winning goal. Bennett signed a two-year deal in April 2018, securing his future at the club.
MARK O’BRIEN
Mark O’Brien’s goal against the Magpies remains one of the most important in the club’s recent history. He scored the dramatic chest and volley in the final match of the season to secure Newport County’s survival.
O’Brien took on the vice-captaincy role for the 2017/18 season after signing a two-year deal that summer. Known for his tough, no-nonsense defending, O’Brien led from the back and remains a fan favourite.
MICKEY DEMETRIOU
Mickey Demetriou, who signed a two-year deal in the summer of 2017, was one of the club’s most consistent performers. Although he didn't maintain the scoring form of April 2016, he still registered 7 goals that season.
His penalty in the 32nd minute of the final match of the season helped County take the lead, and his cool finishing from the spot earned him the role of penalty-taker for the season. Demetriou also won the Goal of the Season award for his spectacular strike at Stevenage.
DAN BUTLER
Dan Butler was another key player who signed a two-year deal with County in 2016. His 2017/18 season was a standout, with him being named PFA Community Player of the Year and the club’s Player of the Year.
Butler made 100 appearances for County and continued to build on his popularity as a fan favorite. He committed his future to the club and made it clear he had no intention of moving to another League Two side.
JOSS LABADIE (Captain)
Joss Labadie’s return to the squad coincided with Michael Flynn’s first match in charge, and he was made captain. His 89th-minute winner against Crewe set the tone for the Great Escape. Labadie was confirmed as captain for the 2017/18 season and continued to lead by example.
His standout moment came in the magical FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur at Rodney Parade, where he earned a Man of the Match performance. His season was cut short by an ACL injury.
TOM OWEN-EVANS
Tom Owen-Evans scored his first-ever County goal in a match against Morecambe, which was later abandoned at halftime. His first official goal came against promotion candidates Exeter City in a crucial 1-0 win that boosted County’s hopes of survival.
Owen-Evans later went out on loan to Truro City, where he had a fantastic season, helping the club push for promotion.
MARK RANDALL - 🔁72' Rigg
RYAN BIRD
Ryan Bird scored six goals in 19 games to help the Exiles complete the Great Escape. He scored a goal on his debut for County in a 3-1 home win against Hartlepool and winners against Morecambe and Accrington Stanley.
He left the club in that Summer and joined Vanarama National League Side Dover Athletic. He’s scored 16 goals in 43 appearances for the Whites. Dover pushed for the Play-Offs all season but missed out on goal difference on the final day of the season.
LENNELL JOHN-LEWIS - 🔁72' Jackson
After picking up an injury in a pre-season friendly, Lennell John-Lewis spent a season in the physio room. He made his first appearance of the 2016/17 campaign in against Carlisle United replacing Ryan Bird in the 72nd minute.
He started the final match against Notts County ahead of Alex Samuel who’d been ruled out through injury. He ran riot against the Notts County defence and was brought down in the box on the 32nd minute to earn County a crucial penalty. He came close to being the hero on a few occasions but ran out of legs towards the end of the match and was replaced by Marlon Jackson.
After the Great Escape, Lenell John-Lewis opted not to renew his contract with Newport County AFC and instead took a step up to league one signing for Shrewsbury Town. He made 34 appearances for the League One side scoring twice.
Substitutions
AARON WILLIAMS - 🔁83' Owen-Evans
After contributing to The Great Escape, Aaron Williams was sent on loan to Brackley Town in the early part of this season. He played 20 matches for Brackley whilst on loan scoring a massive 15 goals.
Aaron Williams officially left County in January, joining Brackley Town on a permanent basis. His prolific goal-scoring form continued as he and the Brackley Town side finished third in the league – comfortably through to the play-offs.
MARLON JACKSON - 🔁72' Lenell John-Lewis
Marlon struggled with injury throughout the 2016-17 Season but was subbed on in the final match of the Season to great effect. There was an agonising FOUR minutes of added time for County fans to suffer through, but Marlon Jackson appeared to be holding the ball in the corner for about three of them easing the worries of many a nervous Exile and frustrating Notts County's players who just couldn't seem to retrieve the ball.
Jackson's determination to come back from injury, and his efforts in training meant Michael Flynn saw fit to offer Marlon a year long deal at the Club.
SEAN RIGG - 🔁72' Randall
Like Joss Labadie, Sean Rigg returned to fitness around the same time as Michael Flynn took charge in 2017. His clever, darting runs, his forward passes, and no-nonsense tackling saw him play a crucial part in the Great Escape. He also scored a vital goal in a 1-1 draw against Luton Town.
After a fantastic 2016/17 Season for the Club and a good start to the 2017/18 Season, Sean Rigg famously left County in early February to pursue a life-long dream of being a tattoo artist.
The announcement was made just days before the Exiles travelled to Wembley for the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round Replay against Spurs and his departure attracted interest right across the country with the Daily Mail, The Sun, The Independent, and Talk Sport all running stories on it.
Special Mention
ALEX SAMUEL
Had it not been for a hamstring injury picked up in the penultimate game of the season, Alex Samuel would likely have been one of the first names on the team sheet for this famous game. He'd proved a handful in every match he’d played for the Exiles and his effort and work rate made him a firm favourite amongst the County supporters.
Alex Samuel returned to Swansea City when his loan spell at County ended. In the summer transfer window, he signed for League Two rivals Stevenage FC. Samuel made 28 appearances for Stevenage, scoring 4 goals.
