Newport Civil Service are one of two clubs in the Newport area that may not have existed this summer. After their relegation to the Gwent County League, the club were close to folding, along with Newport City who play in the second tier of Welsh football, both clubs were contemplating withdrawing from the league but the two clubs from Wales’ third biggest city decided to continue.
Newport Civil Service finished bottomof the Welsh Football League last season winning two, drawing two and losing thirty games. But the club continued to play on in good spirits.
With Ben Burrows and Matthew Palmer in charge and with just six players on the books they made a call out to Ben Newberry who had previously played for Newport County’s youth team, the youngster managed to persuade friends of his to buy in to what the managerial partnership were doing which is helping out their local team. One of the signings that stand out is another former Newport County player, the Bettws born defender was on the bench for a number of Newport County’s fixtures a couple of seasons a go at the age of just 17. It is clear that Newport County’s youth system is pivotal to Newport Civil Service as the club picks up those who don’t make the grade with the English League 2 side and gives them an opportunity to remain local and represent their city. Elliot Parry and Brandon Woodward also went through Newport County’s youth ranks.
Ben Burrows has been at the club for twelve years. Where he has seen it all, in 2007-2008 the club were promoted to the Welsh Football League and were unbeaten for nearly the whole season. Matthew Palmer has been there for the same amount of time so it is no surprise that the duo have come together in a managerial partnership as they are the heartbeat of the club.
“The community pulled together and helped at the time of need” is the words from Newport Civil Service, when The Civil line up on the 16th August for the first game of the season against P.I.L.C.S. FC, the club and community should be proud of their efforts that they continue as a club, as they attempt to gain promotion to the Welsh Football League again.
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