JIMMY Dack has appealed for unity after being appointed Newport County AFC manager until the end of the season, writes Andrew Penman.

County have announced that Dack, formerly assistant manager and latterly caretaker boss following Justin Edinburgh’s departure, will be in charge at Rodney Parade until the summer.

The 42-year-old has won one, drawn one and lost two of his four games in the role, the latest being Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Morecambe.

Dack, whose team are now eighth in League Two, said: “I would like to thank the board and fans for their support over the last couple of weeks.

“It’s now time for us all to come together and get behind the team as we push for the play-offs.

“It is vitally important that we make Rodney Parade our fortress and bring it back to the level it was earlier in the season. Once again thank you for your support.”

County have also announced that former Wales striker Nathan Blake will be joining the board as a non-executive director.

Blake, who was born in Cardiff but raised in Newport having moved there at the age of three, was on the books with the Exiles and Chelsea as a youngster before making his name at Cardiff City.

He moved on to play in the Premier League with Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers before returning to County in 2006 after short spells at Leicester City and Leeds United.

Blake, who also won 29 caps for Wales between 1994 and 2003, is the fourth appointment to the County board within a month.

He joins chairman Les Scadding, director Howard Greenhaf, financial director Jackie Tutton, Trust representative Tony Pring and fellow non-executive director Kevin Morris, Duncan Jardine and Chris Blight, the club’s former chairman.

Greenhaf said: “Nathan ticks a lot of boxes for us; he’s a Newport lad so he has the best interests of the club at heart and he will bring a wealth of football knowledge to the role.

“He knows how the game works and he has a lot of links with other clubs.

“We hope he can help us develop the academy side of the club as well.”

Meanwhile, the Football League has confirmed that its clubs have decided against the re-introduction of artificial surfaces.