A NEWPORT businessman will be among 150 football fans from the city making a 10-hour coach trip to Paris for Wales’ last 16 clash against Northern Ireland on Saturday.

Carpet shop owner Rob Santwris, 45, from Baneswell organised the trip with the help of his best friend, Andrew Power, after he was disappointed that a fanzone was not set up in Newport.

Mr Santwris, who travelled to France for Wales’ group games against Slovakia and England, initially expected around 40 fans to join him for the trip.

But such was the demand, he said he has had to put on two extra coaches to accommodate 150 fans of all ages – many of whom will watch the match on the fanzone near the Eiffel Tower.

He said: “I was disappointed with the council because we’re a city, not a town. It’s shocking that people have to jump on a bus or a train to Cardiff to watch it.

“We booked the bus thinking if we’re lucky, we’ll get three quarters full and throw an extra few bob to make up the numbers.

“It just escalated and there was no way I was going to turn people away. We’ve got grandads taking their kids, groups of girls and husbands and wives.”

Some of the passengers will be wearing red #TogetherStronger t-shirts, which have been designed especially for the trip, with £3 of each sale going towards Newport County’s Academy.

Mr Santwris, who attended his first away game in Wales’ 5-1 defeat to West Germany in 1979, is among the lucky few to have tickets for the big game.

He took in the final group match against Russia at the Courtyard in the city and said he was glad he was at home for it, such was the atmosphere.

“The euphoria on Monday and around the city was very similar to when County won at Wembley [in 2013],” he added.

“It shows the enthusiasm and how the people of Newport have embraced the team.”