TERRY Butcher insists Newport County AFC had a duty to allow defender Regan Poole to complete a fantasy move to the Theatre of Dreams.

The 17-year old teen ace has been the subject of much interest in the past year, having undergone trials with United last summer and Liverpool this.

He was also the subject of three bids from Championship outfit Fulham, with the top offer thought to have been around £60,000.

That’s a similar figure to what another Championship club, Hull City, offered to Newport at the weekend, while league leaders Brighton and Hove Albion also made an enquiry.

However, the Exiles held firm and United blew them out of the water financially, offering a deal for an initial £100,000 in a package that could be worth in excess of £400,000. County haven’t disclosed the fee, which is sure to irritate supporters with fundraising efforts at a critical state.

Newport were always keener to part with Poole, a Wales U19 international, than striker Aaron Collins, because they are better protected for compensation as Collins, 18, is on a professional contract.

Poole was still a scholar at Rodney Parade and had rebuffed several offers of a professional deal, leaving County unlikely to get much recompense for him next summer.

County turned down at least three offers for Collins from Championship Burnley, the best thought to be for around £50,000.

The money received for Poole could provide a significant boost to the Supporters’ Trust, who need to raise £225,000 to take control of the club, but it is as yet unclear if that will be the case. Technically, as the owner of the club and having invested a considerable sum he won’t get back, there would be nothing to stop ex-chairman Les Scadding from pocketing the windfall.

The Supporters’ Trust were understood to be meeting after tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash with Swindon Town to discuss the matter.

United have confirmed on their website that Poole will join their development squad, with Butcher pointing out that the Red Devils were always going to win the race for Poole.

"In the past few days a number of clubs have shown an interest in Regan, but as soon as Manchester United came in there was only really going to be one outcome,” Butcher told the club’s official website.

"It is every boy's dream to play for Manchester United, and it's a wonderful opportunity for him to progress at such a magnificent club. It doesn't matter which country you are in, or where you are in the world, when Manchester United come calling you have to answer."

"What it does show for our club is that there is a pathway right to the very top. Someone like Regan, who started off at Cardiff but was released and then came to us, it doesn't matter which age the players come to us they can emulate Regan's footsteps."

"It's a great boost for the club, in terms of the academy, the first team and the area of Newport. The region produces a lot of good, young footballing talent."

Poole became the youngest player to represent Newport County AFC, when he made his debut against Shrewsbury Town in September 2014, aged sixteen and ninety-four days, helping the Exiles to a clean sheet at the eventual league champions.

Regan then went on to play a further eleven times for Newport during the 2014/15 season, leading to the youngster being shortlisted for the Football League apprentice of the year award.

So far this season the centre-back has made three appearances, the most recent coming in County’s home defeat against Leyton Orient.

At international level Regan has been been capped at under-17 level by Wales, making his debut against Montenegro in October 2014.

Butcher feels Poole’s departure will give him room to manoeuvre in the transfer market, with County having already signed defender Matt Partridge, a free agent after leaving Dagenham.

"We are active in the transfer market and there will be options for us when the loan window re-opens again in a week's time,” Butcher said.

“There is a small legacy in many aspects that Regan has created, the money that he has generated could help to get other players and to give the younger boys that inspiration to possibly do what he's done one day."

Partridge, who came through the youth ranks at Reading, expressed excitement after penning a one-year deal.

"It has been a long day, but to finally get the deal done is obviously worth it in the end."

"I can be a versatile player, I like to think of myself as a pretty big lad, so I am confident in the air and I can play with the ball on the floor as well."

"It is a completely new environment for me, so I will be looking forward to that challenge."

A busy transfer deadline day at Rodney Parade also saw defender Kevin Feely depart.

The defender’s contract was terminated by mutual consent as Feely wants to return to his native Ireland and full-time education.

Newport will retain Feely’s registration.

The centre-back originally joined County on loan from Charlton in March 2014, making his debut against Torquay United.

When his contract at Charlton expired in May 2014, Kevin signed a permanent deal with County and went on to make over twenty appearances for the club last campaign.

He featured in the opening game of this season against Cambridge, but sustained a thigh injury in the second half that meant he missed the three games that followed. Kevin returned to action in County’s home defeat to Leyton Orient and played the entirety of their visit to Plymouth on Saturday.

"I would just like to thank the football club and the fans, including everybody associated with Newport County AFC for all the support they have given me over the last two years,” Feely explained.

"The decision I made was a completely personal one, based on where I wanted to go with my life, at the moment I don't think football is where I want my future to be."

"I just want the fans and the club to know that the decision wasn't based on football, if I was going to continue playing football then it would be for Newport County AFC. I have never enjoyed football as much as I have done during the last two seasons with the club. It is a decision purely based on where I want my life to go."