Newport County's oldest fan supporting team for 76 years

South Wales Argus

16-07-2025

Colin Barnes' love for Newport County began when he attended his first match in August 1949, aged just nine, at the old Somerton Park ground.
On that day, he witnessed County earn a 3-2 victory against Norwich City in front of a crowd of 16,400 people, including his dad and brother.
From that point onward, for the next four decades, Mr Barnes continued to support the team, becoming increasingly passionate over time.
Throughout these years, he attended every FA Cup match, both home and away, travelling to various places such as Portsmouth, Chester, Wimbledon, Bristol, Hereford, Walsall, and Burnley.
He has met Alf Sherwood, Len Weare, Alan Woods, Willey Brown, and his great pal John Relish, with the players performing on a pitch which he recalls being in 'poor' condition.
In 1981, he saw County take on Carl Zeiss Jena in a thrilling encounter, and he was present during the memorable victories over West Ham and Sheffield Wednesday, adding, 'all being spectacles of good match play.'
Mr Barnes also had the opportunity to see Stanley Matthews' All Stars team and once served as a linesman for a game against Doncaster Rovers.
From 1985 onwards, Mr Barnes began taking his children to the games, a tradition that was passed onto his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Four of his great-grandchildren, along with his daughter Julie, are all season ticket holders.
Mr Barnes, Newport County AFC's longest-surviving fan with 76 years of unbroken support, has retained match records and team photos from 1949 to 1989.
In these records are some rather peculiar stats, such as the fact that in these 40 years, County played 21 different goalkeepers and fielded a total of 864 players.