MICHAEL FLYNN is a man on a mission… and that mission is to get ‘his club’ Newport County back into the Football League.

The former Exile yesterday ended an 11-year stint with various clubs across England to sign on the dotted line with his home town team.

Flynn has been as high as the Championship in a career that has included spells at Gillingham, Huddersfield, Blackpool and most recently, Bradford City.

The in-demand midfielder had several offers after becoming a free agent this summer but after a two year chase, has finally agreed to return to County where he last played as a youngster back in 2000/01.

However, a year of mid-table mediocrity or worse isn’t on the agenda for the 31-year old.

“I’ve spent a decade in the Football League and I had offers to stay there and offers to play for clubs in the Conference on better money,” he told the Argus.

“I could’ve got more money at other Conference sides but I couldn’t face playing against Newport, it’s my club.

“I’ve come here to get promoted, I believe we can get promoted and the gaffer feels the same. As long as we keep doing the hard work I believe we can surprise a few people.”

Flynn feels the passion for football in the city can only be galvanised by the move to Rodney Parade and insists promotion with the Exiles would top all his accomplishments.

“If we get a good start I know how passionate the people are,” he said. “I can see the crowd swelling, I think we can get three or four thousand if things are going well, maybe more.

“As long as they see we are giving everything for the shirt, hopefully the feel-good factor will arrive early.

“For me as a local boy, getting Newport promoted and playing in the Football League would be amazing, I’d have settled for that at the start of my career to be honest.

“I’ve been promoted with Wigan and had some other brilliant highlights but getting Newport up would be the icing on the cake.

“I know how much it means to people in the city and what the potential is like. Newport have been left behind by Cardiff and Swansea and we want to start catching them up.

“We’ve got good enough players, a great ground and I’m excited, I believe we can be there.”

Flynn is relishing working with boss Justin Edinburgh and is even excited about tonight’s friendly with Merthyr.

“Justin was a big factor, the way he spoke to me and handled things, he was honest with me and me with him and I’ve decided to come here partly because of him,” he said.

“I want to come down and get settled, I think fitness wise I’m a bit behind, I have been doing a lot of running but it’s not the same as training. I need to get a bit sharper and be bang on for the first game.

“I am sure there will be a few trying to kick me against Merthyr, a lot of my ex-teammates like Nathan Davies, but I’ll give them one back!”

Edinburgh was thrilled to unveil Flynn alongside striker Aaron O’Connor yesterday.

He explained: “It’s great to have got both guys on board, Tim and I have worked tirelessly to make that happen and hopefully it shows what we are trying to achieve here. We feel they are excellent captures.

“Both the boys had better offers and they are here for the right reasons, they believe in my vision and the new ground has been a big impact too.”