THOUSANDS of fans flooded onto the Rodney Parade pitch as Newport County AFC retained their Football League status, pulling off the greatest of relegation escapes.
The club were staring relegation in the face with seven minutes remaining as Hartlepool United took a shock lead over title-chasing Doncaster Rovers.
But a Mark O’Brien winner with a minute to go sparked the pitch invasion, after a first-half penalty from Mickey Demetriou and an equaliser from Notts County’s Jorge Grant.
The last gasp win relegated Hartlepool despite their victory and further endorsed caretaker manager Michael Flynn – who took over the club 11 points from safety in March – as the next full-time boss.
Father and son fans Keith and Lewis Mattock believe that the caretaker has done enough to be given the job permanently.
“I said no matter what the result, it was vital that we kept hold of Michael Flynn,” said Lewis.
“It will be harder to keep hold of him now though.”
Describing his initial post-match feeling as “buzzing,” he added that the day ranks as one of the best in memory as a fan of the club.
“It is incredible, it’s going to take a while to sink in but it’s brilliant,” he said.
“This day is up there as one of the best days I can remember as a County fan.
“When I heard that Hartlepool had taken the lead, I was devastated. I think I had tears rolling down my cheeks,” said Lewis Mattock.
He added that it was not just an important day for the club, but also for the city, although he did have a level of sympathy for Hartlepool and their fans.
“It is so vital for the city to have a Football League club,” said Lewis Mattock.
“My heart goes out to Hartlepool but I’m so glad that it goes out.
“We were in that position for so long that it’s such a relief to be safe.”
Supporters from across the world, including Germany and the USA, were in attendance in front of a sell-out stadium for the club’s biggest game since their promotion via the play-offs in 2013.
His father, Keith Mattock, remembers the heroes of 1977, who also managed to beat the drop from the Football League, and believes the 2017 team have eclipsed their predecessors from 40 years ago.
“This result is far better and important than the situation the club faced in 1977,” said Keith Mattock.
“This was far scarier as it seemed for so long that we were going down, but they did so well – it’s incredible and it’s been a real rollercoaster.”
Like his son, Keith Mattock added that the caretaker boss should be given the chance to manage the club on a full-time basis.
“This was a bigger game than the play-off final and I hope that this is the turning point for the club, with Michael Flynn at the helm,” he said.
Playing in front of a sell-out crowd at Rodney Parade, Keith Mattock believes that the same level of support can only benefit the club.
“We need more of the people who came today to come in the future and get behind the team,” he said.
“The more people who come, the more successful we will become.”
Dick Cribbins, a fan since the 80s, was full of praise for the former County midfielder.
“The team has momentum and part of that has come from Michael Flynn,” said Mr Cribbins.
“Since he came in, he’s got the players onside. I think some of the players did not perform under Graham Westley.
“A lot of the praise must go to Michael Flynn. After all, he is County through and through.”
Frank Alcorn, who started following the team after their promotion in 2013, added: “It has been all about momentum in the past few weeks.
“The team has been playing well since Flynn came in – it has been quite a turnaround.
Addressing the fans at the end of the game, the caretaker boss said: “I want you all to go out and enjoy yourselves tonight.
“Don’t get too drunk – I’m sure we won’t. There will be a party later on in town.”
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