THE quartet of new directors at Newport County have promised to breathe new life into the club and have said: 'We want Football League status.'

The four successful businessmen, who will concentrate on clawing much-needed commercial revenue into the club, were co-opted onto the board at a meeting last night. One of the four, Chris Blight, partner of Newport-based Crook and Blight estate agents, promised: "The club will not tread water.

"We are all proven successful businessmen and will breathe new life into the club as we try and reach our ultimate goal which is Football League status.

"Obviously promotion from the Dr Martens League to the Conference is our initial aim. The other three new directors are : John Collingborne, owner of Newport car auctions;

Steve Sulley, marketing manager of Newsquest media Wales and Western region, the Argus' parent company;

Steve Baker, formally owner of Crystal Cleaning.

But Blight admitted the four new directors would not pour money hand-over-fist into the Exiles, saying: "We won't be making actual investments into the club.

"We feel our time and dedication to Newport County will be the most valuable asset we can offer the club in order to take it forward and generate the funds, because football is an expensive business."

Whether the directors become executive or non-executive board members is to be decided. County chairman Wallace Brown said: "The board have recognised that additional business acumen was needed - and this is a positive step."

*PICTURED: Newport County chairman Wallace Brown has welcomed the new board members.