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Steve Harris – @steveharris84

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MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Torquay United vs Newport County

Competition: Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: Plainmoor, Torquay

Date: Saturday 19th July 2025

Kick-off: 3pm

NEWPORT COUNTY FACT FILE

Year founded: 1912 (reformed in 1989)

Nickname: The Exiles

Last season’s league finish: 22nd in League Two

Notable honours:
Division Three South champions: 1938/39
National League South champions: 2009/10
Welsh Cup winners: 1980

MANAGER – DAVID HUGHES

David Hughes joined Exiles as manager in the summer from Manchester United, where he was Under-21s coach and assistant manager, Hughes’ coaching CV includes senior roles at Cardiff City and Southampton as Head of Academy Coaching, and a four-year tenure as manager of the Wales Under-17 national team.

As a player, Hughes came through the ranks at Aston Villa, making seven Premier League appearances before a career-ending injury saw him retire at the age of 26. His playing career also included spells at Carlisle United, Shrewsbury Town, and Cardiff City, and he represented Wales at international level.

Beyond his time at Manchester United, Hughes has held key coaching roles at Shrewsbury, Watford, Wales, Aston Villa, and Southampton,

PLAYER PROFILE – COURTNEY BAKER-RICHARDSON

Courtney Baker-Richardson rejoined Newport County in July 2024 on a two-year deal, bringing his goal-scoring prowess and experience to the squad. Born on 5 December 1995, Baker-Richardson began his professional career at Coventry City, where he made his debut in the FA Cup at just 18 years old.

After gaining valuable experience through loan spells at Tamworth and Ilkeston, he signed with Swansea City in 2017, where he continued to develop as a player. During his time at Swansea, he made his first-team debut in the EFL Cup and scored his first goal in the Championship.

Following a productive loan at Accrington Stanley, Baker-Richardson moved to Barrow in 2020, where he had another loan stint at Barnet. His first spell at Newport County came in June 2021, where he quickly made an impact, scoring his first goal for the club within weeks of his debut.

In May 2022, Baker-Richardson signed for Crewe Alexandra, where he enjoyed a successful spell, finishing with nine goals in his first season despite facing injury setbacks. In the 2023–24 season, he scored ten goals and played a key role in helping Crewe reach the League Two play-off final.

Now back at County, Baker-Richardson is poised to make a significant impact in his second spell with the Exiles.

PLAYER STATS – Position: Striker, DOB: 05/12/95, Height: 1.85m, Previous Club: Crewe Alex,

L2 Stats 24/25: Appearances: 36, Goals 4, Assists 1, Yellow/Red Cards 5/1

LAST MEETING

Saturday 16th July, 2022, Torquay United 0 Newport County 0

The spoils were shared between Torquay United and Newport County – as both sides drew a blank in what was a spirited and competitive pre-season friendly.

Newport created arguably the better chances in the first half with the pick of their efforts coming deep in injury time when Adam Lewis cut inside and produced a shot that United keeper Mark Halstead turned behind.

United started the second half on the front foot as Ross Marshall missed the target with a glancing header following a free-kick from Brett McGavin in the 48th minute.

On 67 minutes, Gulls striker Aaron Jarvis had a shot turned behind by Newport keeper Joe Day, after being teed up by Kieron Evans. Three minutes later, Omar Bogle had a free-kick tipped onto the bar and over by Halstead for the visitors – as the match ended goalless.

TUFC SUMMER TRANSFER BUSINESS

In: Monashe Sundire (Tamworth), Louis Dennis (Bromley), Callum Dolan (Fleetwood Town), Sonny Fish (Crawley Town), Jordan Thomas and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton (Yeovil Town), Matt Worthington (Oldham Athletic)

Out: Dean Moxey (Tiverton Town), Offrande Zanzala (Chester FC), Lirak Hasani (Truro City), Brad Ash (Bath City), Ben Seymour (Taunton Town season-long loan), Omar Mussa, Oscar Threlkeld, Finley Craske

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