NEWPORT County AFC have appointed Jason Turner as their new General Manager, whose job remit will be controlling the day-to-day operations of the club, writes Michael Pearlman.

Turner effectively replaces former chief executive Dave Boddy, albeit by stepping into a job title that hasn’t been filled at the Exiles since Steve Dance left the club shortly before Boddy’s arrival.

Turner has been chosen after a lengthy interview process, with director Howard Greenhaf explaining to shareholders at County’s AGM that the appointment hadn’t been announced, “Because the board hadn’t yet agreed on the best candidate.”

However, they have now plumped for Turner, who has close to 20-years experience working in the football industry, including two tenures at Football League clubs.

Turner was a club secretary at Bath City for over five years, before leaving to take a similar post with Cardiff City.

He spent close to a decade working at Ninian Park and the Cardiff City Stadium and has most recently been General Manager and Secretary at Plymouth Argyle, a role he’s undertaken for four years.

He left Cardiff during the regime change that saw Vincent Tan purchase the club.

In a statement released on their website, County wrote: “Newport County AFC are delighted to confirm the appointment of Jason Turner as General Manager.

“Jason arrives with over twenty-years experience of working within the game, having enjoyed football administration roles with Bath City (Director of Administration and Club Secretary), Cardiff City (Club Secretary) and most recently Plymouth Argyle (General Manager & Club Secretary).

“Turner who is set to start in July, will take on the role of overseeing the day to day running of Newport County AFC, and will be an integral part of the Football Club.”

The Exiles are expected to announce additions to their playing and backroom staff in the coming weeks, with player arrivals likely to be confirmed this week.

County have been linked with moves for two locally-based defenders out of contract, ex-Swansea City captain Alan Tate and Wales international Danny Gabbidon, who is from Cwmbran.

Both players would obviously need to take significant pay-cuts to join County, though location and the chance to work with Terry Butcher could be draws.

The Exiles are also yet to make an announcement on the future of defender Andrew Hughes.

He was offered a new deal at the end of the season and is out of contract on June 30.