A NEWPORT County AFC board meeting earlier this month heard that the club had held discussions with “several enquiring potential investors”.

County is currently a fan-owned club so would need to “evolve to a Newport model” if private money was to be invested, according to a report of the meeting.

At the March 2 gathering of the directors it was also noted that financial projections to the end of June are “causing concern”.

On the matter of potential private investment, the meeting report stated the board’s take was that “with the level of support and fixed operational costs, this is an unavoidable requirement for stability and development.

The statement continued: “The Chairman reported on the authorised discussions he had held with several enquiring potential investors and Mark Crook was able to add to the names.

“It was felt that the present standard community ownership model needs to evolve to a Newport model if there is to be any involvement of private money.

“This will be further discussed at the next meeting with a view to consultation with Trust members if any revision of the model is considered necessary.”