County hail Sheridan appointment as ‘masterstroke’
NEWPORT County director Gavin Foxall has described the appointment of John Sheridan as club boss as a ‘masterstroke’ in the wake of Exiles’ FA Cup third round draw with Blackburn Rovers.
Sheridan, who replaced the club’s former boss Terry Butcher in early October, has certainly hit the ground running after guiding County away from the bottom of League Two while steering them into the third round for the first time since 1986.
Such has been Sheridan’s impact that the former Sheffield Wednesday playmaker has overseen a 10-game unbeat- en run, prompting him to be nominated for November’s League Two manager of the month award.
Sheridan’s impressive progress has delighted County’s hierarchy, with Foxall, who took part in the televised third round draw in Cardiff on Monday night, keeping his fingers crossed that the recently-appointed boss’ impact will continue to produce positive results.
“I just think it’s great for the club,” said Foxall.
“We’re unbeaten in 10, John is doing a great job for us and there’s a great buzz about Rodney Parade at the moment.
“We’ve become a fan-owned club and we’re really pleased with that and that is transferring onto the pitch.
“We’re really pleased with John and the team for turning it round and long may it continue. The appointment that (chief executive) Jason Turner made with our support has been a bit of a masterstroke for us.”
Foxall, part of the club board alongside Jon Bowkett, Shaun Johnson and interim chairman Tony Pring, was hoping for a visit to a Premier League giant in the cup but says he is happy to host Blackburn on the weekend of January 9.
“I think overall we’re quite pleased,” he said. “We would have liked a big club away – someone in the Premier League – because of the financial position.
“But we said we’d settle for a home tie against someone from the Championship, so we look forward to welcoming Blackburn in January.
“It would be nice if we could get some TV coverage as well because our financial position is still a little bit challenging and a club like ours relies on things like that.”