Three years on from Wembley heroics for Newport County, where are they now?

More than 16,000 people watched Christian Jolley and Aaron O’Connor score the goals to win a tight contest on May 5 in 2013 and end the Exiles’ 25-year exile from the big time.

Three years on, we find out what became of the 16 County heroes from that historic afternoon.

Lenny Pidgeley

Man of the match at Wembley with a string of superb saves to keep out Wrexham before the late drama at the other end. The former Chelsea stopper fell out of favour in August 2014 and was replaced by loan star Joe Day. After a loan spell at Mansfield he was released last summer and is now at Forest Green Rovers after a brief stay at Leatherhead.

David Pipe

The County captain and former Wales international lifted the play-off final winner’s trophy at Wembley and led the side on their return to the Football League but by April 2014 he had left the club after making 100 appearances. Signed for Conference club Forest Green Rovers in the summer of 2014 and has been a key part of their promotion push in the past two years.

Tony James

The experienced Cwmbran-born central defender added an extra level of authority at the back for County that was crucial in securing promotion. He hung up his boots the following season and was appointed strength and conditioning coach before moving on last summer and coming out of retirement to play for Herford FC under former County boss Peter Beadle.

Ismail Yakubu

The popular Nigerian defender played more than 100 games between 2011 and 2015 despite a series of injuries. He was released last summer and signed for Woking but made just six appearances before his season was ended by an anterior cruciate knee ligament rupture.

Byron Anthony

The classy Newport-born centre-back joined the Exiles from Hereford in 2012 and slowly became an integral part of the promotion-winning team. But he suffered a double leg break at Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2013 and never properly recovered. After a brief comeback he was forced to retire in December 2014 and is now County’s acting academy manager.

Andy Sandell

The former Bristol Rovers left-back proved a hit at County, predominantly in a left wing-back role, and was a real danger from set-pieces. After his release last summer he re-joined former club Chippenham Town and played as a striker, scoring 23 goals while also taking on the role of commercial manager at the Southern League Premier Division outfit.

Lee Minshull

The combative midfielder played more than 100 games for County between 2012 and 2015, including the 2012 FA Trophy final defeat to York City at Wembley (above), and was a key part of the squad that enjoyed so much success under Justin Edinburgh. After his release last summer Minshull moved on to Conference club Bromley along with close friend Max Porter.

Michael Flynn

Mr Newport County returned to his hometown club in July 2012 after a decade in the Football League with Wigan Athletic, Gillingham, Blackpool, Huddersfield Town and Bradford City. Proved an inspirational figure as the Exiles returned to the big time and played on for another two years before hanging up his boots last summer. After an academy coaching role last season he is now a first team coach under manager Warren Feeney.

Alex Gilbey

The 18-year-old midfielder on loan from Colchester United forced his way into the team for the final after being named man of the match in the semi-final second leg win over Grimsby Town at Rodney Parade. Is now vice-captain at Colchester with more than 100 appearances and looks set to move on this summer after the U’s were relegated to League One.

Danny Crow

The much-maligned striker was a big favourite of Justin Edinburgh and started the final ahead of Aaron O’Connor, who was recovering from injury. His finest day came in the League Cup at Brighton in August 2013 when he bagged a brace but Crow became a peripheral figure and accepted a player-coach role at Lowestoft Town in January 2015.

Christian Jolley

The striker sealed his place in Exiles folklore with his expertly taken strike to break the deadlock and Wrexham hearts with four minutes to go at Wembley. Jolley also scored in the opening League Two fixture in August 2013 – a 4-1 win over Accrington Stanley. But injuries took their toll and he was loaned out to Forest Green Rovers before joining Grimsby Town and then Margate in the Conference South. He was released by mutual consent this week.

BOSS: Manager Justin Edinburgh with the trophy

Substitutes

Alan Julian

The Northern Ireland under-21 international goalkeeper made just 11 mixed appearances before being released after the final. Has since played for Dartford and Sutton United and is now at Bromley.

Andrew Hughes

The only member of the squad from three years ago still on the books at County. Then just 20, he did not get onto the pitch against Wrexham. Recently clocked up his 150th appearance for the club despite a year out with a serious knee injury.

Robbie Willmott

An unused sub at Wembley but went on to become a key member of the side in various positions over the next two years before being released last summer. Signed for Ebbsfleet before loan moves to Eastleigh and Bishops’ Stortford.

Scott Donnelly

Midfielder replaced Michael Flynn with 16 minutes on the clock at Wembley but was released the following week, moving on to Farnborough. Now at Havant &Waterlooville in the Southern League Premier Division.

Aaron O'Connor

Replaced Danny Crow and scored the second goal in stoppage time before whipping off his shirt to join in the wild celebrations. Signed a new deal that summer but missed most of the following season through injury. Released last summer and joined Forest Green Rovers before returning to the Football League with Stevenage.

The Day @NewportCounty came back to the Football League.
Unforgettable. pic.twitter.com/jAfS4yz0Dl

— Newport Fan TV (@NewportFanTV) May 3, 2016