TEN years since Newport County AFC’s manager was thrown into the air at Wembley by his players, the Exiles’ return to the Football League remains a source of great pride to the Edinburgh family.
Justin Edinburgh took the reins at Spytty Park in October 2011 with the club at risk of dropping back to the Conference South.
The former Tottenham left-back steered County away from relegation then plotted the promotion charge after the move to Rodney Parade.
The rest is history with Edinburgh, who died from a cardiac arrest in 2019 aged just 49, leading the Exiles to Wembley glory over Wrexham and a return to the Football League after a 25-year absence.
“Mission accomplished,” as club legend David Hando said.
“I know just how much that day, that moment, that occasion meant to dad. It was up there with one of the biggest achievements of his football career, that’s for sure,” said his son Charlie.
“Look back at the state of the club when he took over – they were staring down the barrel of relegation back to Conference South.
“Play-offs are rollercoasters but to go up that way, especially in an all-Welsh final against Wrexham, was the stuff of dreams.
“Dad saw the potential of the club and the city, he wanted to put Newport back on the map.
“It will always be a special place for us as a family because it was the first club that he really had success as a manager.
“Whenever we come back we are treated like royalty and it’s amazing how much dad meant to the people of the city and the club – he made grown men cry.
“I’ll always remember going on the open-top bus parade and seeing people come out in their thousands to congratulate the players, staff and everybody connected with the club on a massive achievement.”
Charlie was close to the action throughout the promotion bid, even at Wembley.
“My dad would let me ride on his coattails,” he said. “I was sat on the bench that day – I think he put me on the teamsheet as assistant kitman!
“I was in a full Newport County tracksuit and was sat with the players that weren’t available. I headed and kicked every ball with the rest of the squad.”
Charlie may have been listed on the backroom staff but he is quick to point to the real assistants that allowed his father to steer the ship.
“Jimmy Dack and the rest of the staff were vital and allowed dad to do the job to the best of his ability,” he said.
“Tim Harris was a fantastic director of football and that meant dad could do what he did best; he probably wasn’t the best coach but as a man manager he got what he needed out of his players.
“It wasn’t an easy decision when he left but football was a close second love, it was family first and he had been away from us.”
Edinburgh went on to have spells in charge of Gillingham and Northampton before leading Leyton Orient back to the Football League.
He passed away that summer and the O’s this season have achieved what twice eluded the Exiles in agonising fashion by making it to League One.
“The memories from Wembley are unforgettable and from that moment the club has gone on to stabilise themselves in the Football League,” said Charlie. “Hopefully in years to come they will continue to build.”
The JE3 Foundation aims to increase survival after cardiac arrest by increasing access to defibrillators and delivering CPR training. Visit je3foundation.com
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