Padraig Amond: We all want to be Newport County legends

Amond was named Newport County AFC player of the year, professional sports personality of the year and overall sports personality of the year at the awards ceremony at Chepstow Racecourse on Wednesday night.

And now he’s set his sights on an even bigger reward as County prepare to battle it out with Tranmere Rovers in the League Two play-off final.

Amond won the National League play-off final with Grimsby Town in 2016 and he knows that he and his teammates will secure their place in the Exiles history books if they win promotion at Wembley tomorrow.

“The Grimsby fans still talk about that team,” said the striker.

“It was a similar squad and this is probably only the second time in my career where I have been involved in a squad that close-knit.

“They had a connection with the supporters as well, which I think we have.

“You want to make yourself club legends, everyone does,” added Amond.

“Everyone wants to be remembered and there’s no better way of being remembered than getting promoted into League One.

“It would be a fantastic achievement for the players and for the club.

“We’re focused on leaving everything on the pitch and hopefully it’s good enough on the day.”

Amond believes the togetherness within the dressing room has been the squad’s greatest strength this season.

“Everyone likes each other, it’s as simple as that,” said the 23-goal top scorer.

“There’s no one that doesn’t get on in the squad. And that’s massive for us.

“If you come into your workplace and you enjoy working there then it’s going to be a lot better.

“Everyone is pulling in the same direction and everyone wants to be here. Everyone has bought into what the gaffer and the staff, Wayne Hatswell, have built together.

“That’s evident with what everyone sees on the pitch. No matter what happens, everyone leaves everything on the pitch.

“We fight until the very end and you can see what it means to the lads.”

And it means everything to Amond to have the chance to shine at the home of English football for a third time after last season’s FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

“It’s unbelievable,” said the 31-year-old Irishman. “I’m one of the last ones who grew up remembering the FA Cup being the massive occasion it was.

“Everyone always watched cup final day at the old Wembley and I always wanted to play there.

“When you walk out of the ground through the tunnel and look around, you see all the supporters that have followed you.

“The Spurs game last season was on a Wednesday night and there was over 7,000 Newport fans and the noise they made was unbelievable.

“The club is only going to get bigger and bigger and we want to make a legacy for the supporters.”