NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn has hailed “an amazing achievement” after season ticket sales hit 1,000 for the first time since the club returned to the Football League.

The County players, including this week’s new signings Lamar Reynolds and Frank Nouble, began pre-season training today and the news comes as a welcome boost for the campaign ahead.

Exiles chiefs see the milestone as proof that the fan-base is growing following last season’s remarkable ‘Great Escape’ from relegation and they want that momentum to continue.

A crowd of more than 7,000 packed into Rodney Parade to cheer Flynn’s men on to the last-gasp final-day victory over Notts County that secured League Two survival.

Chairman of the operations board Gavin Foxall told the Argus in May: “The important thing now is that we build on this and we don’t lose this momentum.

“We want people to buy season tickets. We’ve retained that League status and we’re reaching out to the fans to continue to support us.

“Hopefully we can retain a sizeable proportion of those that were there for that last game.

“Everybody I’ve spoken to has said that the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic and obviously we attracted a lot of new fans. Hopefully that will continue.”

And, having smashed last season’s total of 720, Foxall said: “I’m delighted we’ve reached such a milestone on the day our players have returned for pre-season.

“Our thanks to all the fans that have bought a season ticket. Your continued support is much appreciated!”

Flynn, who will hope continued sales will help him add further to his squad, added: “What an amazing achievement by the fans.

“They really are the core of the club and I look forward to repaying them with good performances on the pitch.”

South Wales Argus:

Derek Gwatkin (above) was the lucky fan to claim the thousandth ticket this morning and the club offered it free of charge as a way of celebrating the milestone.

County have also announced changes to two fixtures for the new season today.

The home match against Luton Town, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 17, will now be played on Friday, March 16 (kick-off 7.45pm).

The change is to avoid a clash with the Six Nations match between Wales and France taking place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on the Saturday.

The date for the visit of former Premier League side and FA Cup winners Coventry City to Rodney Parade has also changed.

The Sky Blues’ first trip to Newport for a competitive game since 1961 has been brought forward from Saturday, March 31, to Friday, March 30.

The 3pm kick-off on Good Friday will give Michael Flynn’s men an extra day to recover before they travel to Chesterfield on Easter Monday.

Meanwhile, the club's opening pre-season friendly at Undy AFC on Friday, July 14, will now kick off at 7pm instead of 7.45pm.