NEWPORT County’s newest recruit Joe Pigott has joined director Howard Greenhaf in thanking the fans who made his signing possible and is hoping to reward them with goals.

Despite reaching their wage limit for the campaign due to Football League regulations restricting salaries as a percentage of overall turnover at the club, the Exiles were keen to add a forward with Rene Howe rupturing a thigh and likely out until February or March.

The Exiles have made clear they have no intention to use lottery winning chairman Les Scadding as a glorified cash point and instead moved to bridge what they saw as division among supporter groups.

Last week representatives from ten fund-raising arms or volunteer aspects of the club, comprising The Trust, 100 Club, Business Club, Supporters Club, Programme Team, Club Shop/Volunteers, County Lottery, Subscription Club, Smile Council and County Choir met with director Howard Greenhaf and agreed to collate their efforts to pay for Pigott.

County are willing to let one or two members of their current squad leave to balance the books, but haven’t managed to do so, necessitating the need to look for other funding.

However, Greenhaf believes the meeting was more significant.

“We are aware that we are often criticised online and often the club isn’t as effective as we could be in answering some of those points and sometimes it just isn’t possible to address them publicly,” he told the Argus.

“There have been splits in groups who ultimately all want the same thing, success for Newport, and this was a great chance to get everyone together in one room and to just talk openly and honestly.

“We were able to discuss several topics and the culmination is that Justin gets a player he feels we need and hopefully we as County fans all benefit.

“We thank everyone not just for the money but for the fact everyone came together.”

Pigott, who made his debut in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Northampton, added his gratitude and admitted he was disappointed not to find the net despite having a couple of chances.

“It’s most important to win, I came on at 3-0 and could’ve scored with my first touch and another chance and I should have finished the game off, but luckily we held out.

“I want games, it came up the chance to come here, I spoke to the gaffer and liked the sound of the place, and he’s been monitoring me so I’m grateful to be here.

“I’m very grateful to the supporters, I didn’t realise that was the circumstance behind the signing until someone told me on Saturday and I certainly hope I can repay them in goals.”

* County youngster Aaron Collins has signed professional terms with the club after an impressive start to the season for the Exiles’ academy side.