MANAGER Terry Butcher has welcomed the news that the Newport County AFC Supporters Trust is in talks with former chairman Les Scadding about a potential takeover of the club.

EuroMillions winner Scadding stepped down as chairman and director last week but remains the majority shareholder and is understood to be keen to offload his interest in the club.

The 59-year-old wants to move to his holiday home in Barbados after helping County into the Football League by investing at least £1.2m over the past three years.

And Butcher is fully supportive of the Trust’s move, which could see the fans in charge before the start of the new season on August 8.

“I think it is a good thing,” said the Exiles boss. “It could be great for the club.

“I had it at Brentford when I was there and it works because the fans care passionately about their club.

“Football is all about passion and if we can get this club going the way we want to then the fans will be a big part of that.

“They are a big part anyway, whether they’re on the board or not, but this is good news.”

The Supporters Direct group is advising the Trust to ensure the potential takeover – similar to the fans takeover at Conference club Wrexham – runs smoothly.

The Newport County AFC Supporters Trust, originally formed in 2001, is one of more than 140 supporters' trusts that exist under the umbrella of Supporters' Direct, a national body that provides assistance to supporters "who wish to play a responsible part in the life of the football club they support.”

Supporters group the Smile Council has also given its backing to the talks.

A statement from the Smile Council reads: “We would like to put on record we have spoken with the Trust committee and chairman and we will be 100 per cent behind them and will assist in anyway their takeover bid.

“We would also like to thank Les Scadding for his time, effort and fantastic gestures over the last three years and wish him a happy retirement and good health too, and hope to see him at a County game in the future.”

Fellow fans group the County Choir added: “The County Choir would like to officially announce that we are 100% behind the Supporters Trust takeover bid.

“Our committee is unanimous in our support. Being fans-owned is in our opinion the way forward for our club and [we] are willing to offer whatever resource we can spare. This has been relayed to the Trust Chairman.

“We would also like to show our appreciation to Les Scadding for everything he has done for Newport County AFC.”