IN A WEEK’S time Newport County AFC will play their first home game of the season and their first match on the new pitch at Rodney Parade.

The team, which gave us the fantastic, spine-tingling finale to last season, have everything to play for.

There is a real buzz around Newport County AFC; season ticket sales have already surpassed those of last season; coach-loads of fans have been travelling to the away games and now it is time to see the team right here at home on the new-look pitch.

To that end we are working with Newport County AFC to run a week-long campaign to try to help the club attract 5,000 fans on the first home game of the season.

We want as many of you as possible to turn up on the day to support our city club.

Throughout this week we will be carrying interviews with some of the key people at Newport county AFC on their hopes for this season.

We will be offering one youngster a chance to be a mascot on the day and we will be giving away 10 free tickets to the game.

Argus editor Nicole Garnon said: “We are delighted to get behind Newport County AFC. Things are really looking up for the club and there is a buzz around the players and around Rodney Parade. there is some great work going on and we are happy to help promote that.”

Newport County AFC chief executive Alex Tunbridge added: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with the South Wales Argus who provide daily coverage of the club, to promote the club’s first home match of the 2017/18 season at Rodney Parade which will see the team face Chesterfield on the new DESSO pitch in EFL League Two.

“The success of the club and the involvement and interaction of the community on a daily basis is of great value to not only both parties but the city.

“We are hoping to build off the back of the Great Escape of last season and create a sustainable Football League Club both on and off the pitch’.

Tickets for next Saturday’s game against Chesterfield are priced between £6 and £20 and are available online at newport-county.co.uk or from the ticket office at Rodney Parade on Thursday and Friday from 10am to 7pm.