IT is a truth universally acknowledged in football that you should ‘never go back’ to a club where you have enjoyed success in the past.

But Newport County AFC and manager Graham Westley put aside pride and prejudice to steadfastly ignore that old adage in January.

And so far it’s working out nicely for County and their returning heroes Craig Reid and David Pipe.

There was a lot of scepticism amongst the Exiles fan-base when Westley brought the pair back to Newport last month.

And, I have to admit, there were also a few raised eyebrows in the press box when the deals were announced.

Reid will always have a place in the history of the club after scoring 66 goals in 112 appearances between 2008 and 2011.

The striker helped keep Dean Holdsworth’s side up in the 2008-2009 season before inspiring them to win the 2010 Conference South title at a canter.

He then netted 18 goals in 29 games in the Conference Premier before Mr Westley took him to Stevenage in January 2011.

And Pipe’s place in the fans’ hearts is also secure after he played a big part in Justin Edinburgh’s men avoiding relegation in 2012 before captaining the side to victory in the Conference play-off final the following year.

But time marches on and with both players in their early 30s and operating at a lower level – Reid at Gloucester City in the Conference North and Pipe at Eastleigh in the Conference – many fans were far from convinced that the pair still had what it took to help County survive in League Two.

Fast forward a month and, while Westley’s men remain bottom of the table, both Reid and Pipe have proved the doubters wrong.

South Wales Argus:

Reid (above) has yet to get off the mark in five games second time around but his work rate is second to none and his set-piece delivery is a potent weapon – particularly on the Rodney Parade pitch where chances from open play are scarce.

His corners led to all three goals in the victory over Hartlepool United in the last home game and the good feeling towards Reid from the crowd is obvious.

If and when he does find the net, especially if it’s at home, expect to see scenes reminiscent of the time Thierry Henry scored on his return to Arsenal in 2012.

And Pipe’s impact has been even greater than Reid’s.

Explaining the former Wales international’s return to Rodney Parade last month, Westley said: “We need to start making a serious mark and he brings the character and resilience that we need right now.

“When you know a player is going to be strong in the dressing room and demand winning standards it’s a no-brainer to bring him back.

“He’s got experience, he’s got defensive qualities, and he’s got leadership – everything that we need in the situation that we’re in right now.”

And speaking after his second debut at Stevenage, Pipe said: “With the predicament the club is in, and without being big headed, I think I am what the club needs regarding the fight side of it.

“To come here, maybe turn it around a little and keep us in the Football League, where we need to be, would be a massive achievement.

“As far as I’m concerned Newport is my home club and coming back was a no-brainer, and if they wanted me to come here and fight then that’s what I will do.

“If people want to question that it’s up to them but I like proving people wrong.”

And it’s fair to say that, with his inspirational performances against Colchester United, Hartlepool and Cheltenham Town, Pipe has proved his critics wrong and his manager right.

“I’m known for my mentality and my strength, and people seem to feed off me,” he added.

“If I put myself out there in and around the training ground, and not just on a Saturday, because it’s more about the mentality day in and day out, I can take that into games.

“My aim is to do that and hopefully the boys will feed off me and we can stay up.”

It’s clear that Pipe has helped create a winning mentality in the squad and the refuse-to-be-beaten maxim was evident in stoppage time on Saturday.

Michael Flynn’s return to the playing squad has also lifted morale amongst the supporters – as evidenced by the rapturous reception he received when he came off the bench against Hartlepool.

There’s still a long way to go this season and County are far from safe yet but the three amigos look set to play a major part in (hopefully) preserving the club’s hard-won Football League status.