A SPORT shop has become an official Newport County AFC stockist.

Pontypool’s IEN Referee Services and Sports Goods will sell official club merchandise after reaching an agreement with the Football League club.

Defender Jamie Turley and Spytty the Dog visited Ian Townsend, the shop’s owner, and his son Jefferson to mark the occasion.

Jefferson Townsend, 27, said: “We have become an official Newport County retailer, based in Pontypool and can provide the merchandise for the entire valleys area – Blaenavon and further afield.

“The club will be supporting us a retailer and we will be supporting them by stocking their gear. Newport County have a presence in Pontypool so hopeful people won’t have so far to travel.”

The store also welcomed the Mayor of Torfaen, Cllr Veronica Crick, to celebrate sport stockists latest signing.

Despite Pontypool being a famous rugby town, the store owners were surprised at the amount of interest there has been so far in the new kit.

“Thanks to Newport’s support, we are hoping to start stocking clubs such as the Ospreys. With Newport the brand in our shop, they are seeing the benefit as well,” added Jefferson Townsend.

“There are a surprising amount of fans up this way, even if Pontypool is historically a rugby town. We’ve had a lot of interest in Newport County and that was part of the decision to bring it in.”

Newport County’s commercial manager, James Watts, said “We have needed to market the South Wales Valleys for a number of years and this partnership allows us to do that.

“We will continue to look at widening how we market Newport County AFC over the next few months but this is a very good start.”

Store owner Ian Townsend added: “We hope that the future of this relationship will be long and fruitful for both ourselves and Newport County AFC and we wish Newport county AFC good luck in the season.”