THE Rodney Parade grounds team have been named as the best in League Two after a remarkable turnaround at the home of Newport County AFC.

The team of Jon Raymond, James Stuart and Joseph Bates landed the top honour for the fourth tier with pitches rated by referees and away bosses for all EFL league matches.

The top clubs from each division with the highest average are then visited by Neil Rodger from the Sports Turf Research Institute.

He carries out further assessments on pitch quality, environmental conditions and usage, resources, management and sustainability.

South Wales Argus: Wales U21s have also played at Rodney Parade this seasonWales U21s have also played at Rodney Parade this season

Once all club visits have taken place, in-depth reports and recommendations are submitted to the Playing Surfaces Committee, at which point winners are determined.

The Exiles won ahead of Bradford City, Exeter City and Tranmere Rovers.

A new hybrid pitch was installed last summer after a tricky 2020/21, when planned summer work had been delayed because of coronavirus.

County and the Dragons were forced to play some games away from Newport but this season have played in perfect conditions on home soil.

“Well done team, happy for you and the recognition your work richly deserves,” said Dragons chairman David Buttress. “Rodney Parade, what a grand old lady and place.”