Newport County’s PA announcer will be hoping his birthday on the day of the FA Trophy final will bring the club a victory on Saturday.

Tim Thraves, from Magor, Monmouthshire, will be celebrating his 61st birthday on the day of the final. He was also in the stands the last time Newport County won a major trophy.

Newport County was victorious in the 1980 Welsh cup final, beating Shrewsbury Town 5-1 on aggregate over two legs on Tim’s 29th birthday, in 1980. He was the announcer at the first leg at home, and has been since the 1970s in three different spells.

Tim, who grew up watching and supporting the club since he was seven years old, said he was excited at the possibility of a birthday triumph.

The announcer also does commentary for both the County’s home and away games for Newport City Radio and will be hoping he can do the same at Wembley.

He said: "It’s a wonderful coincidence. My father, John, brought me when I was really young to watch a match, and I’ve supported them ever since."

The born and bred Newport boy will be bringing his whole family, including his wife, son and two step-daughters. He said they were all fans of Newport, even though his son now lives in Lincoln.

He also went to the semi-finals and finals of the World Cup in 1966 at the old Wembley, the only time England won the World Cup.

"I actually stood behind that disputed goal against West Germany," he said.