Flynn urges travelling faithful to stay along for the ride

MICHAEL Flynn revealed Newport County took a record crowd to take on Tottenham at Wembley – and now wants to keep both them and players on board.

More than 7,000 marched to London as part of the Amber Army, seeing their side put up plenty of fight against Premier League Spurs but not enough to stop their FA Cup journey coming to an end under an arch.

A Dan Butler own goal and a second from Erik Lamela sealed the 2-0 victory for Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit.

But the away contingent saluted the League Two promotion hopefuls throughout, roaring approval as they threatened to grab a consolation score in injury time only for Padraig Amond – goalscorer in the 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade – to be denied.

And now Flynn wants to make sure he shows there is a reason for that support to stick with his resurgent County, adding that he hopes his own new deal – together with the finances from this cup run – sees some of the stars of his side stay with the Exiles.

“I can’t be happy – I’ve just lot a game of football,” said manager Flynn, who signed a one year extension to his contract before the game, committing him to his boyhood club until 2020. “But I am very proud. “The amount of work they put it was incredible and although they had more chances, we kept going and should have scored at the end.

“I’m a winner and I would have fancied us at Rochdale on their pitch and, looking back, it is frustrating that we didn’t hold on at the end of the game at home.

“But when you put such personal feelings aside, the finances from the replay are the best for this club to help us go in the right direction, to help us sort the training base.

“And I can look back at this run and these games and be very proud because seeing 7,000 fans travel here on a week night – which I’m told is the largest away following Spurs have had – is an unbelievable achievement from our fans.

“I’ve said I want to build a club and I hope we can win back a generation of fans we lost when we went bust.

“I’ve signed a new deal which I’m delighted about because it shows the board appreciate me and the hard work the staff have put in and it allows us to plan properly for the future of the club.

“I want a couple of these players to sign new deals, and now they’ve seen the manager do it, I hope they will do the same.” MAURICIO Pochettino toasted Newport County after their FA Cup clashes as he raised a glass to their manager Michael Flynn.

Pochettino was close to being embarrassed by Flynn after the sides met at Rodney Parade, Newport coming within eight minutes of dumping Spurs out of the competition before Harry Kane’s late leveller.

And Flynn was forced to apologise for a tactical dossier on Tottenham being leaked to the media ahead of Wednesday night’s replay at Wembley.

But the pair had spoken highly of each other after the first game and Pochettino again was full of praise for Flynn after Spurs’ 2-0 win ended County’s FA Cup adventure, adding he hopes the Exiles and their Amber Army of fans return to Wembley for the League Two play-offs.

“I have learned the FA Cup is magical,” said Pochettino after Dan Butler’s own goal and Erik Lamela’s second sealed Spurs’ progress.

“I wish Newport all the best. I hope they win games and fight to be in the play-off to go to League One.

“Our relationship was fantastic at the game in Newport and now we will share a glass of wine with Michael and his staff and to share our experiences.

“It is always good to meet people and learn from each other. It’s a good opportunity to have a good chat and a glass of wine.”