NEWPORT County AFC manager Terry Butcher has called on the club’s fans to make Rodney Parade the most intimidating stadium in League Two this season.

Butcher got his first taste of being in charge for a home game with last weekend’s 0-0 draw in the pre-season friendly against Queens Park Rangers.

The Exiles boss was impressed by the noise generated by just 1,800 fans for that game but he wants an even louder and much bigger backing for his new-look squad for the first League Two home match against Teddy Sheringham’s Stevenage.

“The fans created a fantastic atmosphere at Rodney Parade against QPR, despite the soggy conditions,” said Butcher, who is urging fans to snap up season tickets this week.

“I was very impressed with Rodney Parade, with all aspects from the pitch to the changing rooms.

“The stadium itself is a great stadium, it’s small but when the crowd get behind you like they did against QPR in the first half, it creates a wonderful atmosphere and the fans seemed excited about what we were doing on the pitch.

“We want to make it a tough venue for anyone to visit and particularly for Stevenage in the first home game; we really want to hit the ground running when it comes to winning in front of our home fans.”

Butcher added: “We do look forward to playing any match, but in particular our home games because it is a wonderful stadium, a noisy stadium and we want to make it a place that isn’t pleasant for teams to visit.

“The players and the fans have to be together, in what is a transitional period for the club.

“Together we can be stronger. Together we can be one hard team to play against and to continue the good work that has been done previously at the club.

“There is going to be lots of hard work both on and off the pitch and that extends to the fans in their support of the club, like they always have done.

“The more we work together, the better we will become. I know our fans will appreciate seeing the lads working hard and hopefully they will be impressed with the outcome.”

Meanwhile, membership of the County Supporters Trust has passed the 600 mark as support continues to grow for their proposed takeover of the club.

In an update to fans posted online, the Trust said: “Trust membership has grown significantly and currently stands in excess of 603 members.

“We have truly gone worldwide with members from all parts of the globe joining. Welcome to those overseas members. Please keep those applications coming.”

Fans can sign up to be a Trust member online at ncafctrust.org, where a Frequently Asked Questions section on the takeover bid can also be found.