NEWPORT’s Riverside Tavern was full of ecstatic County fans looking forward to a big day out next Sunday.

Lifelong fans and friends Michael Gittings, 25, from Allt-yr-Yn, and Nick Hendrickson, 31, from Gaer, were celebrating in the corner of the bar.

Mr Hendrickson said: “It was never in doubt on the day. I don’t think they (Grimsby) had a shot on target in the second half.

I’ve never been to Wembley before as I was working last year so I can’t wait now.”

Mr Gittings agreed: “Welsh football is booming at the moment. It’s long overdue for the County and it’s great to put Newport back on the map.”

Bar staff were decked out in County tops including one with the lyric: “Come all without, come all within, you’ll not see nothing like the County’s Flynn.”

Pouring out of Rodney Parade at the final whistle, jubilant fans were unperturbed by the persistent rain.

Boyhood fan, Anthony Wilmott, from Ringland, said: “I was there in the Hellenic League days, on rainy afternoons in Worcestershire, but to see this today, well it makes you very proud.

“They were just fantastic from start to finish.”

Riverside owner and diehard fan Mike ‘Culley’ Jones was almost dancing with delight as he celebrated with fans in the rain outside his pub.

Mr Jones, whose venue is a shrine to the club, with an array of County tops proudly displayed on the walls, said: “It’s massive for the city and for the County.

This is for all of Newport.

They were superb today, superb. Bring on Wembley and an all Welsh-final.”

And it didn’t take long for the now-packed bar to sum up the mood in one bawdy song.

“We’re the famous Newport County and we’re off to Wembley,” they cried.

● Get Your Argus on Saturday for a 16-page souvenir supplement about Newport County’s Road to Wembley.