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Newport and Wrexham fans head to Wembley with league place as prize | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Thousands of fans are heading to Wembley for the all-Wales play-off final with a place in the Football League at stake. | |
An estimated 10,000 fans will travel from Wrexham for the Conference play-off with Newport County. | An estimated 10,000 fans will travel from Wrexham for the Conference play-off with Newport County. |
Another 7,000 Newport fans are expected to see if their club can return to the league after an absence of 25 years. | Another 7,000 Newport fans are expected to see if their club can return to the league after an absence of 25 years. |
The match has been called "a million pound game" by Newport's chief executive. | The match has been called "a million pound game" by Newport's chief executive. |
For Wrexham fans, the match (kick off 15:00 BST) comes only six weeks after the club made its first trip to Wembley, winning the FA Trophy by beating Grimsby Town on penalties. | For Wrexham fans, the match (kick off 15:00 BST) comes only six weeks after the club made its first trip to Wembley, winning the FA Trophy by beating Grimsby Town on penalties. |
The original Newport County lost its league place in 1988 and was wound up the following year. | The original Newport County lost its league place in 1988 and was wound up the following year. |
The club was reformed four divisions below the Football League but was "exiled" to playing in Gloucestershire until the mid-1990s. | The club was reformed four divisions below the Football League but was "exiled" to playing in Gloucestershire until the mid-1990s. |
In recent seasons it has almost completed its journey back up the non-league pyramid and now plays matches at Rodney Parade near the city centre. | In recent seasons it has almost completed its journey back up the non-league pyramid and now plays matches at Rodney Parade near the city centre. |
Wrexham, the oldest club in Wales, was relegated from the Football League five years ago but after a difficult decade, was taken over by the Wrexham Supporters' Trust in 2011. | Wrexham, the oldest club in Wales, was relegated from the Football League five years ago but after a difficult decade, was taken over by the Wrexham Supporters' Trust in 2011. |
Newport County chief executive Dave Boddy called it "a million pound game" and the "biggest prize in football" outside the Champiionship. | Newport County chief executive Dave Boddy called it "a million pound game" and the "biggest prize in football" outside the Champiionship. |
"County has missed the Football League status and after a great season are just 90 minutes away from making it everybody's dream come true," he said. | "County has missed the Football League status and after a great season are just 90 minutes away from making it everybody's dream come true," he said. |
"It's great for Welsh football for it to be an all Welsh final - it's a headliner's dream come true, let's hope that it's us leading those headlines." | "It's great for Welsh football for it to be an all Welsh final - it's a headliner's dream come true, let's hope that it's us leading those headlines." |
The club's chairman, Bristol-born Les Scadding, a £45.5m EuroMillions winner, said the club have a professional approach on and off the pitch and he has a good feeling. | The club's chairman, Bristol-born Les Scadding, a £45.5m EuroMillions winner, said the club have a professional approach on and off the pitch and he has a good feeling. |
"If luck's still with me then we'll be lifting that trophy on Sunday," he said. | "If luck's still with me then we'll be lifting that trophy on Sunday," he said. |
Newport West MP Paul Flynn told BBC Radio Wales: "It's been a terrible recent history, particularly in the late 1980s, when we went out of business altogether and then our home ground was 50 miles away. It's a great tribute to all those who persisted with their loyalty to the club. | Newport West MP Paul Flynn told BBC Radio Wales: "It's been a terrible recent history, particularly in the late 1980s, when we went out of business altogether and then our home ground was 50 miles away. It's a great tribute to all those who persisted with their loyalty to the club. |
"We greatly respect Wrexham and everyone is going to have a marvellous day." | "We greatly respect Wrexham and everyone is going to have a marvellous day." |
Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths said: "It's been a fantastic season for Welsh football across the board. So many people were devastated when Wrexham went out of the league, I was at the match at Hereford the night it happened." | Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths said: "It's been a fantastic season for Welsh football across the board. So many people were devastated when Wrexham went out of the league, I was at the match at Hereford the night it happened." |
"I went to my first match as a birthday treat in 1972. There's a feel-good aspect in the town and it's important we get back into the league." | "I went to my first match as a birthday treat in 1972. There's a feel-good aspect in the town and it's important we get back into the league." |
Wrexham fans have been allocated the west end at Wembley, the same as on their recent visit, and Newport the east end of the stadium. | Wrexham fans have been allocated the west end at Wembley, the same as on their recent visit, and Newport the east end of the stadium. |
First Great Western is putting on two additional trains each way for Newport fans. | First Great Western is putting on two additional trains each way for Newport fans. |
The two extra services each way will provide almost 1,000 additional seats between Cardiff and London Paddington. | The two extra services each way will provide almost 1,000 additional seats between Cardiff and London Paddington. |
Due to Network Rail engineering work south Wales trains are being diverted via Gloucester and Stroud, adding about 50 minutes to journey times. | Due to Network Rail engineering work south Wales trains are being diverted via Gloucester and Stroud, adding about 50 minutes to journey times. |
Arriva Trains Wales has also put on an extra service for Wrexham fans to Birmingham, with connections to Wembley. | Arriva Trains Wales has also put on an extra service for Wrexham fans to Birmingham, with connections to Wembley. |
There is live coverage from Wembley Stadium on BBC Radio Wales Sport from 14:00 BST on Sunday. | There is live coverage from Wembley Stadium on BBC Radio Wales Sport from 14:00 BST on Sunday. |