JUST seven days after officially folding, Newport City are waiting for Welsh League officials to confirm the club can start the new season at Pontypridd Town on Friday, August 13, writes Terry Daley.

The remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the Newport Stadium-based outfit comes after former chairman Dave Jones and secretary Alan Watkins had written to the league and the Football Association of Wales revealing the club was not in a position to carry on.

The duo cited a lack of funds, players and committee members for the decision to withdraw the club from competitive football just two months after it had been re-branded from Llanwern FC.

However within hours of the news breaking on the Argus' website, some of the remaining players held a meeting to discuss a way forward for the club, which was original formed as Spencer Works in 1963 before becoming known as Llanwern 25 years later.

Soon a manager, UEFA B badge holder and Cardiff City academy coach Ben Gifford, was appointed and now the club has announced the names of a chairman, secretary and a treasurer.

London-based Crawford Chalmers takes over the chairmanship from Jones, Nick Webb is Watkins' successor while the man in charge of the purse strings is Matthew Rake, who will also double up as a player.

Chalmers is described as a professionally versatile and highly-driven individual with critical experience across a broad range of football operations after developing an expansive skill set through roles in club consultancy, commercial management, talent identification, player guidance and coaching.

He has a masters degree in sports directorship from Manchester University and BA (HONS) in sports leadership from the University of Reading.

Most recently, he contributed to opposition and player analysis as a senior scout for Blackpool as well as working as a football consultant Revolution Global Sports Consulting Ltd.

"It really is terrific news that we have put together a new structure, which we have passed over the Welsh League," remarked Cardiff-based Rake.

"It's certainly a relief to know we have such a top football guy as Crawford in place. He drove down from London last Tuesday and we had a good meeting and he has some positive and worthy ideas.

"We are all excited about the challenge ahead and to see how far it will take us."

City are scheduled to travel to face Gwent County League side Cwmbran Town on Saturday (kick off 2.30pm).