Hall and Roberts head for the exit

8:00am Tuesday 28th October 2008

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COUNTY’S Jamaican World Cup star Paul Hall and central defender Justyn Roberts have become the latest players to leave the club this season.

Former Coventry City striker Hall was the target for a small number of boo-boys during Saturday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Welling and it was agreed by mutual consent with manager Dean Holdsworth that he should leave the club yesterday afternoon.

“It was an amicable decision,” said Hall. “I sat down with Dean after Saturday and we both agreed that it was for the best if I left the club. We shook hands and there are no hard feelings. I just wish the boys all the best for the rest of the season.”

Hall, part of the infamous Reggae Boyz Jamaican team at World Cup 1998, scored just one goal in his short time at the club – an extra-time winner in the Setanta Shield at Dorchester – and he admitted that the County fans had not seen the best of him.

“Ideally I would have liked to stay and prove I’m a better player than I’ve shown while I’ve been here,” he said.

“I’ve done okay but I can do better than that and some of the fans voiced their feelings on Saturday which I understand.

“It’s just one of those things. I’m 36 and I will hopefully carry on playing elsewhere because I still believe I have something to offer but maybe it is better for Newport County that I move on.”

The ex-Premier League forward believes that Holdsworth, an old friend from their Coventry days, can turn things around and steer County away from the Blue Square South relegation zone.

“I hope with all my heart that they get out of the trouble they’re in and I think they will,” he said.

“There are too many good players there for them to be in the position they are and I’m sure they can go on from the last couple of results and build a good run to see them climb the table.”

Roberts' departure, also by mutual consent, was announced by the club late last night, although the circumstances of that decision are less clear.

Dean Holdsworth was unavailable for comment as he prepared his side for the trip to face Bath City in the Setanta Shield second round at Twerton Park tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

He is likely to rest key players with Saturday’s league game at Basingstoke in mind but competition rules prevent wholesale changes.

Meanwhile, County's league fixture at Maidenhead has been re-arranged for Tuesday, November 18, at 7.45pm.