Butcher is the right man for job - Dack
DEPARTING Newport County manager Jimmy Dack has backed new Exiles boss Terry Butcher to carry on the good work that he and Justin Edinburgh have done in south Wales over the last four years.
Former England skipper Butcher was unveiled as Edinburgh’s permanent replacement on Friday and watched from the stands at Rodney Parade as Dack’s farewell match ended in defeat to Oxford United.
Kemar Roofe’s stunning strike on 30 minutes was the difference and County were up against it once they were reduced to ten men following Michael Flynn’s red card for a reckless tackle on the stroke of half-time.
It wasn’t the way that Dack, previously Edinburgh’s assistant in Newport, wanted to say goodbye.
The pair sealed an historic return to the Football League for County via the Conference playoff final in 2013 and Dack received a standing ovation from the fans before and after the game.
“That was hard for me,” he said.
“I’m quite an emotional guy as it is but that was tough. The fans were brilliant and I just hope they get their hopes and dreams.
“It’s been like my home for four years. The club will move on and I’ll move on but they’ll always have a place in my heart.
“And I hope I can come back and get a good welcome.”
Dack is confident that Butcher can take the club forward as they aim to improve on this season’s ninth-place finish having seen their play-off hopes fade in recent weeks.
“Terry is coming in to take this club forward and hopefully he can do that,” he added.“I hope he’s the right man. I met him and he seems like a really nice guy and he’s probably just what the club needs.
“I wish him all the best and I hope he has four years as good as I’ve had.”
Oxford boss Michael Appleton was an unrepentant party pooper and insisted his side were worthy winners.
“We deserved to win,” he said.“I thought we were very good in the first-half. “It was an impressive performance and we kept the clean sheet, which was important and a bit of magic won the game.
“Kemar Roofe is full of confidence at the moment and he struck the ball really well.”
Appleton believes if the season was a month longer his side could have even challenged for a play-off spot.
“There is a good feeling in the dressing room and the end of the season has probably come four weeks too soon,” he added.“But all credit to Newport, the crowd were magnificent, they’ve got great support.”