Reply With QuoteProbably one of a few but I used to go to Somerton Park, quite often as a teenager ,when City were playing away and I couldn't or didn't fancy a long trip.
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Hi all,
Been meaning to share this blog post for a little while: https://interrobang.news/2025/08/05/...derby-returns/
Feedback gratefully appreciated!
Thanks all,
Chris
Probably one of a few but I used to go to Somerton Park, quite often as a teenager ,when City were playing away and I couldn't or didn't fancy a long trip.
I used to go down to watch them occasionally, back in the Len Ashurst days (can't believe how long ago that is). They had a good side back then, a few ex-City, and the atmosphere was great at the old Somerton Park. I remember one Boxing Day game (I think), when it was so cold, there was a sheet of ice in front of the tea stall, where people had spilt their drinks.
I went to watch Newport Swansea back in the 80s and the police had created a section for Cardiff fans as so many had turned up - I think we were playing on the Sunday (possibly notts county but not sure)Originally Posted by tforturton
Interesting stuff. I think Newport are more bothered about Cardiff than the other way around. Like many oldies I have watched County many times.
Very often caught the number 30 up in the ‘60s.
I'm blushing
My first visit to Somerton Park was in October 1968 to watch County v Colchester. City didn't have a home game so me and a mate jumped on a 30 bus from Llanrumney. County won the game 1-0.
More recently I saw County beat Accrington Stanley at Rodney Parade 4-1. It was their first game of the season and I suppose it was more to say I'd seen Accrington Stanley than anything else.
The best game I ever saw County play was against Carl Zeiss Jena in the Cup Winners Cup. How they never won that game is still a mystery.
Yes from Llanrumney it was as easy to go to Newport as the City
I was at that one. What a game - County should have scored half a dozen.
Yes County absolutely battered them and that's no exaggeration. They had umpteen efforts cleared off the line and Jena's goalie made some miraculous saves too.
Amazingly Carl Zeiss knocked out Benfica in the semis but lost to Tbilisi in the final.
County have always been my “second team” and I used to get to Somerton Park regularly in the seventies and eighties when I never experienced any problems with the locals despite sometimes wearing something that identified me as a City fan. I stopped watching them after they went bust before starting to go to a few games as they got closer to the Football League and, like Moody Bluebird, I was there for that Accrington Stanley game. I found a slight difference when I started going to games again as my City tops or hats would now be commented on - there was never a threat of violence, but there was a bit of an edge which usually disappeared when I made it clear I was there as a County fan.
We would catch the 30 from Llanrumney in the 70's or ride along the coast road and leave our bikes at my mates grans house. Saw Workington towns last game in the football league at Newport and a Swindon player score 5 against them in a friendly.
I was talking to a County fan at a party a couple of months ago. He referred to Cardiff as 'scum' and wouldn't even say the word 'Cardiff' instead he mentioned 'that shit 12 miles away'. It was quite interesting, but I really upset him when I mentioned that in 30 years of going to NP/CCS I had never heard an anti-Newport song. Sort of sums up the rivalry.
Wow, I can't believe the last game between us was in 1988. I think it was the bank holiday fixture. I was in Los Angeles and didn't find out the result for a few days. I was back pretty soon after that and we had a great run of wins. Promotion capped with a great Welsh Cup win against Wrexham down the Vetch. Happy days.
Used to go to Somerton occasionally when the Bluebirds were away.
I do remember a great night in the Welsh Cup when it was absolutely rammed in there (72/73?) and as I teetered on one of the railway sleepers for most of the game I could only see one of the penalty areas!
Went quite a few times in the early 70s, always felt a long way from the pitch with the speedway track around it,Andy White was always a favourite of mine,made a point of going there to see Tony Villars play, a player I wish could have made more of his unbelievable talent.
A “bubble” trip for their fans…..they’re not happy.
Think we beat them 4 nil on our way to promotion, only a few hundred county even came, carnage at their place that season I think we had more fans there than them. It got pretty out of hand and personal between us and them 82-87…..
Anyone remember Steve Lynex having a shot at goal and it ended up wedged in a gate for a throw in?
Can't remember if it was home or away?
It was probably at Ninian Park and due to Lynex's deft shooting ability, the ball ended up at Somerton park. Lynex actually had a very good thing going with Linekar at Leicester, and scored quite a few goals as well as setting up Linekar. He was shot when he came to us.
I only remember County as being a non league team. So I had no issue wanting them to do well just as I did (and do) want Merthyr to do well.
Obviously the gap has closed a lot in recent years but I still wish them well and I enjoyed their cup runs in recent years and have taken in a game every 2-3 years for one reason or other.
I know around 2002-2008ish when we were doing okay and they were still non league, there were a few County fans who had no issue also supporting City, as I would sometimes go in the Grange End with them.
I only rememb r them being a non league team so have no I'll feeling towards them and have taken in the odd game over the years and enjoyed their cup runs.
I know around 2002-2008ish when we were doing okay and they were still non league that some County fans had no issues following both, as I would often go in the Grange End with some.
I wish them well.
I have no negative feelings about them and am always pleased when they get a result.
I only really remember them as a non league team and have never known us to play them. So I have no I'll feeling to them at all and wished them well as I always have (and still do) Merthyr. Obviously the gap has closed but I've taken in the odd game over the years and feel no conflict.
I know a few County fans used to have no issue watching us either, as around 2002-2009ish, when we were doing well and they were in the Conference, I would often go in the Grange end with some.
I wish them well!
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