THERE will be no prouder man than Michael Flynn if Newport County AFC retain their Football League status this evening.

The hometown hero, a key player on the pitch when County won promotion to end their 25-year stint in non-league football in 2013, will achieve legendary status if his team can complete the Great Escape.

Flynn’s remarkable reign as caretaker manager has seen the Exiles win six out of 11 games to recover from 11 points adrift of safety to two points clear of the drop zone going into the final match of the season.

And a win over Notts County in front of a capacity 7,500 crowd tonight (kick-off 5.30pm) will ensure that they remain in League Two next season.

If relegation rivals Hartlepool United fail to beat title-chasing Doncaster Rovers in front of the Sky TV cameras then the result at Rodney Parade will be immaterial.

Flynn will want to seal survival with a win, of course, but as long as the club he loves gets over the line it won’t matter how they do it.

“I think it’s crucial,” said the 36-year-old Pill boy.

“It’s massive, let’s not dress it up. It’s huge.

“We fought so hard to get back into the Football League and we achieved that four years ago.

“Now it’s time to stay in the League.

“There’s been a lot of blood and tears spilt and so much hard work over the years from so many amazing fans and we don’t want that to go to waste now on the last game of the season because I really think we can build on this come next season.

“Every bar is going to be packed and the community will come together,” he added.

“It just brings everybody together and it shows that the support is there and football does deserve to be in Newport.

“I know how much the fans love this club. They raised the money to take over the club in the past.

“I want to do this for the fans and for my family.”

Flynn started the season as County’s football and business development director before being brought back into the coaching team and then back onto the pitch under Graham Westley.

And he will finish it as a hero if he, assistant Wayne Hatswell and first team management consultant Lennie Lawrence can finish the job tonight.

“We were dead and buried when I took over but the players have been fantastic and I can’t praise them enough,” said Flynn.

“Realistically I wanted to go into the last day with something to fight for and we’ve put ourselves in a better position that that because we’ve got the two points clear.

“I’d have liked it to have been four points but that’s football and nothing’s simple with Newport County!”

What will be his final words to the team before they leave the dressing room this evening?

“Just go out and play the game, not the occasion – like they have done.

“Just keep doing what they’ve been doing, keep fighting, keep scrapping, keep playing well, take their chances and just go and enjoy it.

“It’s a football match and once we stop enjoying football it’s time to pick a new profession.”

And what will he do if the final whistle heralds the right result?

“I’ll be hiding because I’m sure there’s going to be 7,500 fans mobbing us and being overexcited!

“They’re so passionate and I think it will be one of the biggest parties in Newport for a long time.”