With October being dedicated to the observation of Black History Month, we take a look back at some of the notable players who have worn the Newport County shirt with distinction.
Ismail Yakubu
During his four years with the Exiles, Ismail Yakubu became a club hero, playing a pivotal role in their promotion back to the English Football League and competing in an FA Trophy final. Joining from AFC Wimbledon on June 22, 2011, Yakubu made 120 appearances and scored 15 goals.
He was instrumental in the play-off final victory at Wembley, where Newport defeated fierce rivals Wrexham 2-0, marking their return to the Football League after a 25-year absence.
Omar Bogle
Omar Bogle made a significant impact during his time at Newport, finishing the 2022/2023 season as the club's top scorer with 19 goals in 54 appearances.
Unfortunately, on October 28, 2023, he faced racial abuse during a match against Gillingham. Despite scoring two penalties to give Newport a two-goal lead, Bogle became the target of unacceptable behaviour from a Gillingham fan. He bravely spoke out on social media, highlighting that "there's no place for racism," and called for collective action to combat such issues.
Watch his full interview with the EFL HERE.
Nathan Blake
Born and raised in Newport, Nathan Blake had a brief stint with the Exiles in 2006, making five appearances and scoring one goal. He enjoyed a distinguished career in the football league and represented Wales 30 times.
The Welshman made over 450 career appearances, starting his first team career at Cardiff City in 1990 prior to be to being released by Chelsea when he was a trainee.
Blake continues to contribute to Newport County as the Governance and Facilities Lead for the club's community initiatives.
Aaron O’Connor
Aaron O’Connor reunited with Justin Edinburgh at Newport in 2012, becoming a fan favourite for his crucial contributions during the 2013 play-off final, which saw Newport return to the Football League. He scored 18 goals in 39 league appearances that season.
Despite injuries affecting his following seasons, O’Connor made history as the first player to score a hat-trick on Newport's return to the Football League.
Speaking about Black History month previously, O’Connor stated: "We need to open our eyes and celebrate some of the positive and wonderful things that black people have done.
"I always try to promote as much positivity as I can because there's a lot of positive things that have come collectively from black people all over the world.
"Sometimes it's nice to appreciate positivity, especially during the times that we're currently going through. We need to hear more about black history because people will only know what they are told, so a lot of people only know about the negative side of black history.
"We shouldn't just recognise black history this month but carry it on beyond this month so that we can recognise the achievements of black people.
"It's our job, as a society, to make sure that we continue to do what we have done in October throughout the whole year."
Paul Bignot
Another huge part of the County’s history is Paul Bignot. The defender joined the club on loan initially from Kidderminster Harriers before signing permanently in 2009.
Bignot added leadership, organisation and presence to the back line as the Exiles cruised to the Conference South title in 2010, his first full season at the club, finishing on 103 points – 28 clear of Dover Athletic and Chelmsford City.
After a successful season with the County, he left for Blackpool in the summer of 2011 but rejoined the Amber and Black in 2016 for a season as he helped the side in their “great escape” from relegation.
With an impressive 111 appearances for the Exiles, Bignot is someone who embodies what it means to put on the Amber and Black and will always be remembered at the club for his achievements.
Jamille Matt
On June 20, 2018, Newport County signed Jamaican striker Jamille Matt to a two-year contract. He quickly became a fan favorite, scoring 26 goals in 97 appearances.
In the 2018-2019 season, Matt was pivotal in the club's impressive FA Cup run, netting 20 goals in all competitions. A standout moment came when he scored a stunning header against Wes Morgan, helping Newport achieve a memorable upset over Leicester City in the third round.
Matt also played a crucial role in the league, scoring an equaliser against Morecambe in the 87th minute, which secured Newport a place in the play-offs. They eventually reached Wembley, where they faced Tranmere but fell short in a 1-0 loss.
Matt's contributions during his time at Newport have left a lasting legacy among the fans.
These players not only made significant contributions on the pitch but also highlighted the importance of recognising and celebrating black history and achievements throughout the year.