Argus reporter BEN FRAMPTON was at Wembley, soaking up the atmosphere at County’s historic cup final.

A TRIP to Wembley for any football fan is a special day out – and Saturday was no exception.

Having worked in Newport for five years, I have adopted County as a second team and even though it wasn’t Leeds United gracing the hallowed turf yesterday, that didn’t stop the obligatory pre-match butterflies in the stomach.

Seeing the imposing arch gets the adrenaline pumping and the anticipation was immense.

Getting to Wembley a full three-and-a-half hours before kick-off, I and my colleagues were greeted with a sea of black and amber.

The first thing you hear is the excited hum of pre-match predictions and chatter about tactics.

This would be punctuated once every few minutes by the sound of horns.

Fans were in high spirits and the chanting began long before everyone made it inside the stadium: “We’re the famous Newport County and we’re off to Wembley” was a particular favourite, combined with the nervy-sounding cries of “Come on Newport,” which would bounce around the concourse.

It may have been a good 134 miles from home, but on Saturday afternoon, this pocket of North West London was as Newport as it got.

Blessed with glorious sunshine befitting any cup final day, we soaked up the pre-match atmosphere with a walk around the stadium, then down Wembley Way. All around me, fans were in high spirits.

There was a great buzz as fans mingled, ate, drank, sang, and posed for pictures at the Bobby Moore statue. Flags, scarves, shirts, hats, banners, boiler suits and tutus were all the eye could see as people streamed from Wembley Park tube station towards the stadium.

York were there, too, but the Minster men didn’t bring half the fans County did; maybe their fans had one eye on their next match at Wembley, the play-off final against Luton on May 20.

Even in defeat, County fans spoke highly of the team and fellow fans, revelling in the occasion rather than wallowing in the defeat.

It was a great attitude to have and I hope the team gives the fans plenty more days like this in the future – they certainly deserve it.