HONORARY president David Hando has called on the people of Newport to revive the spirit of 1989 tonight and ensure the city’s football club has a future.

Newport County AFC Supporters Trust and national body Supporters Direct are staging an open meeting at the Riverfront Theatre at 7pm tonight to explain the Trust’s plans to take control of the Exiles.

It is set to be the club’s most important meeting since 400 fans packed out the Lysaght Institute in June 1989 for the formation of Newport AFC (later to become Newport County AFC) after the demise of the original County earlier that year.

And for Hando, the new club’s first chairman, tonight has echoes of 26 years ago.

“In 1989 we created a club – probably the first club in the country financed and run by the supporters,” he said.

“That was on a completely different financial level but each problem that came along we overcame and we achieved our aim.

“We had 400 people at Lysaghts and we’ll probably need 4,000 this time.

“There are lots of hurdles to overcome but I wish the Trust well I will be there, hopefully with lots of others.”

Trust representatives Shaun Johnson, Gavin Foxall and Jon Bowkett are hoping for a big attendance at the Riverfront tonight, with seats for 450 and additional space available if required.

Johnson said: “We’re urging people to come along and show their support and belief that we can sustain a club in the Football League.

“We’ve worked really hard and consulted widely on different models from a financial perspective and on an organisational and structural level as well.

“We think this is something that is sustainable and will work. The outline and the framework is there to deliver it but people need to join us.

“We want the whole community in Newport to support us – the business community, the not-for-profit organisations, the council – this is part of the regeneration of the city.”

Foxall said: “The club needs the supporters to buy into what we’re suggesting.

“This is their opportunity to own the football club so I would say to everyone ‘if you want to see League football continue in Newport then come along, listen to what we’ve got to say and get involved.’

“We’re being advised by Supporters Direct, who are a professional organisation, and hopefully that will help people make the right decision.

“We’re trying to do things in a transparent way. Hopefully that will come across and if we are successful we need to make sure there is a smooth transition.”

Bowkett added: “We have a rare opportunity here, with the generosity of the ex-chairman and the directors, to take this forward.

“This probably won’t come around in the future so we’ve got to take it forward as a group and, whatever it takes, we’ve got to make it work.”