Minority won’t affect my love for County, says Flynn
MICHAEL Flynn insists he won’t let the actions of a small minority of Newport County fans sour his relationship with his hometown club.
The former Exiles boss alleged that a home supporter threw stones at him and that several insulted his wife as his Walsall team claimed a 1-0 win at Rodney Parade thanks to Mickey Demetriou’s second-half own goal.
It was a bittersweet return to South Wales for Flynn, who saved the club from relegation and led them to two play-off finals and numerous money-spinning cup runs during his four-and-a-half years in charge.
He received a rousing ovation from the majority of County fans before the match but was made to feel less welcome after his side took a fortuitous lead on 63 minutes when a goalmouth scramble from a corner ended with goalkeeper Nick Townsend’s save rebounding off Demetriou’s head and into his own net.
“I think the best team lost, if I’m totally honest,” said Flynn. “They were very good, they were better than us. We were solid, we stuck to our guns.
“They can feel hard done by, because I genuinely think Newport were the better team, but my team were absolutely tremendous defensively.
“We were solid and we stuck together.”
And the treatment he was subjected to by some fans behind the dugout at Rodney Parade meant that he enjoyed the victory even more.
“It makes the win all the sweeter, if I’m honest,” he added.
“I love this club, I love Newport County.
“I’ll give my all for Walsall, but it’s professional, nothing personal, which is why it was a little bit upsetting that some fans thought they had to get personal.
“I can take abuse towards me but when they start bringing my wife into it and throwing stones, it’s not good.
“But this is a club that will always be in my heart and I’m not going to let one or two idiots spoil my feelings for this football club.”
In a statement on Saturday night, County said: “The club will be conducting an internal investigation alongside Rodney Parade and will act accordingly based upon the conclusion of the investigation.”
Exiles manager James Rowberry felt his side were unlucky to lose, but admitted they must improve after picking up one point from a possible six so far.
“We conceded from a set play and it was soft, we didn’t defend it well enough and that was the difference in the game,” he said.
“I can say about the defending but at the other end it’s the attacking elements (as well), we created a lot of chances and we have to score those goals.
“We just have to be better at key moments and at basic things, but I know that we will get there.
“I still think we have an excellent front two, we have players to come off the bench to help us like Lewis Collins and James Waite did, and I still think that we have lots more to come.”