SPOTLIGHT ON : NEWPORT COUNTY AFC SUPPORTER - LUCY ASHCROFT
- Her Game Too OAFC null
- Nov 22
- 5 min read
Each home game, we shine a spotlight on a female fan from the visiting team, giving them a chance to share their story and love for the game.
This week, we spoke to Lucy Ashcroft – a proud Newport County supporter. Here's what she had to say about her club.
🔵 Name:
Lucy Ashcroft
🟠 Club:
Newport County AFC
📍 Hometown:
Newport, Gwent
🗣️ Q&A
Tell us an interesting or unusual fact about your hometown or city.
Newport has an operational transporter bridge which is a grade I listed structure. There are only a few of these bridges still operating in the whole of the world with 2 of these UK based (Newport & Middlesbrough).
What got you into football – and do you remember your first match?
My dad, my first match was over Spytty Park against Braintree Town, I went with my dad and my sister we won 2-1 and I remember meeting spytty the dog for the first time. I loved it.
Why did you choose to support your club?
Other than my dad taking me to watch matches, I started to take an interest in football at a young age never played but loved watching the game, I was hooked after a couple of games and have been hooked ever since. They are my hometown team so why would I support anyone else.
Who was your footballing hero growing up?
Got to be Cristiano Ronaldo, do I need to say anymore 🐐
What's your favourite football memory as a fan (or player)?
Beating Wrexham in the conference play off final 2013 at Wembley 2-0, amazing goals by Christian Jolley and Aaron O’Connor to get us to the Football League after 25 years absence. Just beating Wrexham in general 😂
“Wembley bound, league 2 play off finals” Do you travel to away games often? What’s been your favourite ground to visit?
I travel to as many as I possibly can, currently sitting at 61/92. You can’t beat away days, the early morning starts and the banter which comes with it. I do like Valley Parade the atmosphere every time I have been was amazing and not a favourite to many people but the kassam stadium, I think purely for the night games we went to.
What’s the best chant or song your fans sing?
My favourite is not sang as much as it used to but has to be ‘Come on the County’. Such a classic, county fans would know.
Have you noticed attitudes toward female fans or the women’s game changing?
Yes definitely, it’s so nice to see so many female fans attend games now even the younger generation as it was always seen as a mans sport previously. Being able to speak to not only female county fans but other female supporters of other clubs about their football team and their opinions on the match is amazing. To also being able to have an opinion/view on a football match and for it to listened to and not judged is all females fan wanted and can finally do. Her Game Too can and should take a lot of credit for this, well done ladies 👏🏻
Another point I want to add to this, I have been to many stadiums where there are sanitary products in the toilets, this goes a long way and is fantastic to see.
Now on to the women’s game… I am very proud to be Welsh and I’m hoping one day the Welsh ladies national team see huge success, but when you talk about ladies football it has got to be how the Lionesses won the Euro’s. This was all the talk and rightly so, seeing it publicised everywhere brought the attention to the women’s game that it deserves, credit to them.
Just to add on my favourite footballer in the women’s game and the one I grew up following was always Toni Duggan, she was a fantastic player and was successful in her career.
Matchday traditions – any lucky charms or rituals?
No lucky rituals, even if I thought I might have they wouldn’t be working this season 😂
“Always NCAFC 🧡🖤” If your club were a film or song, what would it be and why?
Well at present I would say the titanic (sinking) but I’m hoping this can change to the great escape or something more positive in a few months, fingers crossed.
How are Newport County doing this season?
Poor - hopefully things can change soon we parted ways with our manager on Saturday after a loss against fellow strugglers Shrewsbury town so if we can make a good decision and appoint the right manager hopefully we can change these results for the better and the morel on and off the pitch.
Any particular player for us to watch out for?
Personally I would say three Sammy Braybrooke, Lee Jenkins and Kai Whitmore.
But if I have to choose one I would go with Sammy Braybrooke, he is very quick, tactical and skillful. A great addition to the club who I can see playing at a higher level soon. As I’m sure a lot of County fans will be saying ‘hopefully not too soon’.
Score predictions this weekend?
All depends on if we can get a manager in before the match for me but to play it safe I’m going with a draw 1-1.
Where do you think you will finish in the league?
Being optimistic here as I believe we will turn this around so I’m going to say 18th/19th, any higher would be great. I personally just want us to keep our league status.
⚡ Quick Fire Round
🏟️ Favourite stadium (besides your own):
In league 2 currently Meadow Lane & Boundary Park if I’m honest been to both numerous times in the past, liked both.
Overall it has to be Villa Park for me.
🥧 Top matchday snack?
Simple but classic; a sausage roll
🚌 Home or away days?
I like both but I love travelling around the country so got to be away days for me.
📺 VAR – yes or no?
That’s a tricky one to answer I would say yes and no for different reasoning, but overall I’m saying no.
👕 Dream player to sign for your club?
I can answer this realistically and not.
Non-realistic - Jack Grealish.
Realistic - Mickey Demetriou (Would love to sign him back)
Huge thanks to Lucy for chatting with us and sharing her story. We wish Lucy and Newport all the best for the season! 💙
Look out for more fan voices every matchday as part of our Her Game Too Series.
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