Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn has explained his unconditional love for former side Newport County before he faces ‘The Exiles’ in Saturday’s League Two clash.
Flynn admitted that he struggles to return to Newport on the away side, as he wants his competitors to win ‘the other 44 games of the season.’
Despite his affiliation with the Welsh club, he still hopes that Nelson Jardim’s team suffer a ‘blip’ at Rodney Parade this weekend as he hunts a second consecutive league victory with Cheltenham.
Flynn prepared to beat “Club I love” Newport County
“It’s a personal one for me, it’s a club I love,” Flynn began. “Going back to my hometown club, I don’t enjoy it, it’s not nice because for the other 44 games of the season, I want Newport to win. But when I’m against them, I’ve got to be professional and I’ll do everything I can for Cheltenham Football Club to get three points tomorrow.”
Flynn played for Newport in multiple spells throughout his playing career. After retiring, the Welshman managed his hometown club from 2017 to 2021. Flynn took over at a deflated Newport side when they were 11 points adrift of the bottom of League Two. He led them to survival and reached the 2018-19 playoff final during his tenure. Under his control, Newport also won memorable FA Cup upsets over Leeds United and Leicester City.
Flynn: “I don’t enjoy going back to any of my old clubs”
Therefore, does managing against his former club feel like he’s undoing the foundations he previously built? “No,” Flynn snapped back in Cheltenham’s press conference. “Because there’s so many people there that I’ve got respect for, a lot of time for, I’ve had some fantastic memories. I just don’t enjoy it.
“I don’t enjoy going back to any of my old clubs or playing against them because, believe it or not, when I was there I put my heart and soul into them, into the clubs wherever it was. Newport, Walsall, Swindon, Gillingham, Wigan when I was playing, Bradford and they’re clubs that I’ve got a good bond with, they’re clubs I look out for to do well.”
Flynn made over 100 appearances for Newport County in four spells
Cheltenham meet a Newport side with momentum. Jardim’s side has won four of their last six games, drawing two. The Robins have a game in hand on their opponents and sit just one point ahead of them in the League Two table.
Cheltenham prepared for a confident Newport side
“They’ve been on a fantastic run,” Flynn explained. “Unbeaten in six. Like I said, Nelson has done a really, really good job because I know how tough it is. We’ve limited budgets to a big overhaul in the summer, so I can’t speak highly enough of him, he’s done excellent and I just hope he has a blip tomorrow and then he carries on his good work.” The Welshman concluded.
Cheltenham Town manager Michael Flynn’s record against former club Newport County AFC since leaving Rodney Parade: P5 W4 D1 L0 #ctfc
— Jon Palmer (@JonPalmerSport) February 19, 2025
The 14th-placed, 41-point Robins kick off at Newport’s Rodney Road at 3 pm on Saturday. A win may act as a catalyst for the remaining portion of the 24/25 campaign.
