CHARLIE Cooper had mixed fortunes playing against Newport County AFC last term but it was those experiences that he says contributed to him joining the Exiles this summer.

The midfielder, 21, arrived at Rodney Parade last week on a season-long loan deal from League Two rivals Forest Green Rovers, signing on the same day as Keanu Marsh-Brown.

The two were in the Forest Green side hammered 4-0 by Michael Flynn’s men last October, while Cooper also played in Rovers’ Checkatrade Trophy defeat of County earlier in the campaign.

“Playing against the club last season definitely influenced my decision to join,” Cooper told iFollow Exiles.

“The way Newport play, the way they get after you, especially when they are on the front foot, is really

aggressive and you could also tell that they had a great team spirit.

“You can tell that a lot of lads were very vocal in the team and they want to help the other players.

“I think it’ll be great to be involved in an environment like that.

“When we played at Rodney Parade last season (Cooper was an unused substitute for March’s 3-3 draw), you could tell the fans were really with the players and involved.

“They get after the players in a good way and I think it’ll be a great environment to play in.

“As long as I’m playing well and giving 100%, I’m sure the fans will get behind me just like they will do with all the other players.

“If you know that you’ve got the fans behind you then it really does help.”

Cooper, son of Forest Green boss Mark Cooper, is also excited at the prospect of playing with County’s top scorer last season Padraig Amond and fellow new signing Jamille Matt.

“I saw Jamille Matt signed here the other day and having played against Grimsby Town last season, I can tell you that he is a real handful,” he added.

“I think, as a midfielder, having someone like him to play alongside will be really exciting.

“And to go with that, Padraig Amond, who also plays up front, is a really exciting player and a really lively player so he will be another good one to play with.”

Despite scoring his first senior goal in Forest Green’s maiden Football League win, a 4-3 victory over Yeovil Town, last August, Cooper played in a team that struggled for the majority of the season.

In contrast, County were in the top half of the table for most of 2017/18 and they enjoyed a memorable run in the FA Cup.

And while he could only be at Rodney Parade for one term, Cooper wants to help take his new club to greater heights than they managed in Flynn’s first full campaign as manager.

“Looking at last season, I know Newport finished just short of the play-offs and had a really good year, especially in the cup as well,” he said.

“Everyone can see how well the club has done and hopefully we can push on and do better this year.

“As long as everyone gives 100%, I don’t think there’s any reason why they can’t do that.”