Newport County victory parade on Football League return

Newport County have had to wait 25 years to return to the Football League

Newport County are to celebrate their return to the Football League with a victory parade through the city.

They beat Wrexham 2-0 in an all-Wales Conference play-off at Wembley to secure their place in League Two next season, 25 years after going out.

It marks a successful first year as club chairman for EuroMillions winner Les Scadding, who with his wife scooped £45.5m in 2009.

Wednesday's parade will include a civic reception for players.

Mr Scadding, a lifelong Newport fan, was invited to join the club's board and became the chairman at the start of the 2012-13 season.

He was in the royal box at Wembley to cheer on his team in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final.

He told BBC Radio Wales: "I'm a very involved spectator unfortunately, and on this occasion being sat where I was in the royal box right next to all the FA dignitaries, I found it quite difficult to control myself.

"I did celebrate, and the actual buzz of the place was fantastic."

Mr Scadding hopes the parade will provoke similar support among Newport residents as Sunday's Cardiff City parade did in the capital, when the Bluebirds toured in open-top buses from the city centre to Cardiff Bay to celebrate their promotion to the Premier League.

"It'd be lovely to see Newport turn out in their thousands just to say thanks to the club and thanks to the players and show their appreciation for the effort the guys put in yesterday."

His hopes for the team now are to stay in the Football League and push for promotion.

Mr Scadding praised manager Justin Edinburgh for his work in taking the team back to league football.

'I don't interfere'

He said: "There's not many clubs I think that can say the relationship between the manager and the chairman is any better than what we have got.

"We've got a fantastic thing going on. He's a great friend. We just get on so well on and off the pitch.

"I don't interfere. I don't tell him who to play, who not to play. He knows more about this game than me; he knows what he's doing."

Mr Scadding also paid tribute to Wrexham, saying he hoped to see them in the league soon.

A spokesperson for Newport City Council, said: "The council would like to congratulate Newport County on their achievement and promotion. It is great news for the city which prides itself on being an ambitious sporting city.

"The council would like to wish the team continued success as they represent Newport in the football league."