THE EXILES fan who helped rescue his club from oblivion hopes he will have accomplished his mission if Newport County win the Wembley showdown on Sunday.

Newport County president David Hando, 75, spoke at Rodney Parade yesterday ahead of the Conference promotion final against Welsh rivals Wrexham at English football’s headquarters.

The loyal County fan was instrumental in giving the club a newlease of life after it went bankrupt in 1989.

He said: “We took the decision to start a new club with a vision to return the club to Newport.

“People said we had a dream but we weren’t dreamers, we were workers.

“What we had was a mission and I hope that at 5pm on Sunday it will be mission accomplished.”

County chief executive Dave Boddy, 50, said a return to the Football League after 25 years could generate £750,000 for the club and increase crowds from 2,300 to at least 3,000, perhaps 3,500.

He said: “A financial prize comes with a promotion.

“It means we can develop the structure of the club in the long term for the team involved on the field and the heart and soul of the club by developing the academy.”

Sales of merchandise ahead of Sunday’s clash have gone through the roof, soaring from around £1,200 a week to just under £10,000 in the last seven days.

Shop manager Mick White, 73, said: “All our replica shirts have gone.

“It’s absolutely crazy. Fans of Newport County are dedicated.

“If you bring out a new kit, even if it’s a limited edition they still want to have it. I will be going to Wembley. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

The club has ordered limited edition Wembley scarves, mugs and flags featuring the Wembley Arch with the words “play-off final” that can be bought exclusively at the shop in Rodney Road between 9am to 5pm.