O'Sullivan decides on Merthyr move

10:19am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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NEWPORT County winger Sam O'Sullivan last night signed for Merthyr Tydfil, becoming the second member of the Exiles squad to leave the club since Peter Beadle's sacking.

O'Sullivan, 21, who made his debut for County at the age of 16, turned out 152 times for the Exiles, scoring 17 goals.

However, good news for County fans is that a number of key players have indicated a willingness to sit tight and wait on developments regarding a new manager.

As we revealed last week, as many as five members of the first team squad have been in contact with other clubs.

However, chairman Chris Blight's open letter to staff and supporters seems to have improved feeling among the players, many of whom where disgruntled over what they perceived as a lack of communication.

An unnamed player commented: "A lot of the players received phone calls, but I didn't and I was worried about my future.

"However, it was good to get the letter and to hear directly from the chairman they have put a time frame on appointing a new manager and that is helpful.

"I have had interest and calls from other clubs, a lot of the boys have, but I will wait and see what happens in the next week or so."

However, academy product O'Sullivan is definitely on the way out, joining striker Julian Alsop in leaving the club.

The Newport-born winger revealed it was a tough decision to depart the Exiles and is hoping to return one day.

He explained: "I felt the time was right for me to move on, particularly as the situation is really up in the air with Peter Beadle moving on.

"I got on great with Beads, but last season I had a tough time.

"I need to play 35 games next season and there are no guarantees for me at Newport.

"If Beads had stayed I would have stayed, because if he wasn't picking me I know he'd have moved me on.

"But he's gone now and it seems a good time for me to move for regular football, even though I have loved my time at Newport.

"I am a home town boy and County are my club, hopefully I can help Merthyr to get promoted and get back to playing my best football."

O'Sullivan is not ruling out a return to Spytty Park in the future.

"I would love to come back one day, it's the right time to leave but I leave without any hard feelings," he said.

"I spoke with Chris Blight yesterday and he was great with me, he told me the club would keep an eye on how I am doing and that the door is always open.

"I hope County have a great season, but it'll be hard for the new manager as a few of the boys will probably move on as well.

"I wish the club all the best and hope the supporters understand why I felt it was time to move.

"I have played some of the best football of my career at Merthyr, I have a really good feeling about signing there."