PUPILS from Gaer Junior School learning support class enjoyed a day out last week when they went to watch a Newport County AFC training session.

Teachers Cath Aylward-Taylor and Alison Bakhtiari brought the whole class to the Cardiff University Playing Fields in Llanrumney to meet the County players and manager Justin Edinburgh.

The trip was organised by the club’s community development officer Norman Parselle.

Mrs Aylward-Taylor explained: “Norman comes in to coach the children with (community development coach) Declan Flanagan.

“The children have been doing special homework over the last few months and we won an award.

“The reward was to come down to meet the Newport County players and the children all got photographs and had their shirts signed.

“They were very excited about the visit and they all had a wonderful time.”

Parselle added: “It was a great day for the kids and they deserved it because the standard of their homework was amazing.

“They’ve found out all sorts of amazing facts about football in Wales, County and even Spytty the Dog as well.

“They met Justin Edinburgh and the players and their behaviour was excellent so they were all happy.”

Also last week, Parselle and the Exiles’ former Wales defender Darcy Blake visited Swffryd Primary School in Crumlin.

Parselle added: “On behalf of the community team I would like to say a big thank you to Justin and the coaching staff for organising the players and they have always made themselves and the playing squad available for our community events.

“The players have been brilliant and, win or lose, they always make themselves available post-match to meet and greet our community club of the week and patiently sign autographs and have photos taken with the kids.

“It really is appreciated and shows the type of club Newport County AFC is.”