THE 2016/17 season as a Newport County AFC fan is something I’ll never forget. Months of misery but joy in the end – this was a special season!

It started with Warren Feeney came and fresh optimism with an exciting looking squad.

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But, after an August of near misses, County were struggling. Doncaster dominated, Cambridge came back and then, at Grimsby, goodbye.

Feeney departed as County remained a team good enough to compete with a good attitude, but they were not fit enough.

Graham Westley arrived and County were promised a change. Westley, an experienced appointment, improved the fitness and restored belief.

Then came the victories, as County stormed Accrington, took Carlisle’s unbeaten record before a sensational display at Notts County’s Meadow Lane.

Inspirational performances from Josh Sheehan and Rhys Healey turned County into an eye-catching team, but seldom in front of their own supporters.

“What a turn around, what a manager”. Westley absorbed his praise, play-offs by Christmas we were told.

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But County soon slipped, losing every game until the New Year. A team in turmoil, County dropped to the bottom, and missed out on Anfield.

Westley promised change from a side lacking ambition, almost destined for relegation. David Pipe and Craig Reid came back, as a number of new faces joined the ranks.

The new squad had more about them, a bit of quality, but still the results didn’t come and frustration grew.

A run of draws, and one victory, Westley’s County continued to stagnate. But this was by no means a bad team, the manager was popular with some and not others.

Games came and points went, now relegation was all too real, the drop grew closer. Bring on Leyton Orient, the ‘must-win’.

A battering silenced Rodney Parade until the cries of ‘Westley out’ started. Exiles fans stared up the table; 11 points off safety and surely the Conference was awaiting.

Now this team were physically able to win games, but mentally the desire had gone.

Then came the final roll of the dice – Michael Flynn, a humble man with a passion for the club.

Westley was a curse-word to County supporters at Gresty Road, no-one could be happier to see Flynn in the dugout.

County went into the break, trailing again. But in the second half, the travelling Amber Army witnessed what was an ambitious performance; County came out firing, and turned the score by just wanting it that bit more.

Labadie’s late winner raised the County fans, and restored some belief. “We are staying up,” some supporters sang, the majority glared in surprise.

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County were good enough, fit enough and had the attitude; but was it too late?

Another gritty win followed at Morecambe, before being outplayed on Parade by a good Blackpool side. But County never gave up.

A Tuesday night encounter against Luton Town, a game in hand after numerous postponed games. Another determined performance, but Newport were somewhat unlucky to be held to a draw against a play-off team. Now we believed we could beat anyone.

The gap still large, County were narrowly defeated by the eventual champions Portsmouth, again with an inspiring display.

The start of April, and everyone believed we can do it, even with odds stacked against us.

We beat Crawley, we beat Exeter. The gap became smaller. We beat Yeovil, this might actually come true! We play Plymouth, it did not go entirely to plan.

County returned to Parade against an in-form Stanley and another sensational performance was rewarded with three points. More importantly, we were out of the relegation zone!

The Amber Army in good numbers saw their heroes go ahead at Carlisle, but two quick goals came and it was down to the final day.

A bumper crowd came and expectation was high. County led and the stadium erupted. Only an hour later Parade went from manic to mute, Hartlepool were beating Doncaster as County were level.

Pipe into Mark O’Brien, and an epic volley smashed in. Something special had happened, as the stadium went into pandemonium.

Fans bounced around the terrace, even the part-time fans, like my friend and partner, are caught up.

We raided the pitch and ran around as if it we were in a school disco.

The whistle went, history was made and the Great Escape was complete.

I’ve enjoyed writing for the Argus this season, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it too.

Well done to everyone at the club for a great year, and for the fans for sticking by us!

I’ll finish with a bit of a story I think really encapsulates what it’s like to follow Newport home and away.

It’s 12am, Burton services. I stop for a refuel halfway back from witnessing a late 1-0 defeat at Grimsby’s Blundell Park.

“Is that a Burton shirt?” asks the man working behind the till.

"No, it’s Newport County," I reply.

Who did you play?

We lost to Grimsby tonight.

Did you think you’d win?

No.

How far is that?

About 150 miles from here, about 100 back.

Did you come on your own?

Yes

Why did you go?

They’re my team, it’s just what you have to do.