FA Cup: Newport to increase home capacity to 9,000 host Man Utd
- Published
Newport's Welsh rivals Wrexham will be the first visitors to play in front of the temporary Rodney Parade stand
Newport County are installing a temporary stand for their fourth round FA Cup tie against Manchester United on Sunday, 28 January (16:30 GMT).
The Rodney Parade capacity will also increase for this Saturday's League Two game against Welsh rivals Wrexham.
Newport earned a lucrative visit by United by beating National League Eastleigh 3-1 in their third round replay on Tuesday night.
Newport later announced the ground's capacity would rise to 9,000.
A club statement said: "We are pleased to confirm that following tonight's [Tuesday's] result, work will begin on erecting a temporary stand behind the North Terrace which will welcome a further 1,000 passionate Exiles."
Newport had already said the Wrexham game was a sell out. But extra tickets will go on sale on Wednesday morning, for the new stand, behind the North Terrace.
They will remain on sale until match day, Saturday. 20 January.
Hosting United in a tie to be shown on BBC One television, is likely to earn Newport in the region of £400,000.
They will benefit from the cash boost just as the takeover by former Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins is due to be announced.
Jenkins, who attended the Eastleigh tie, is awaiting Football League approval for his purchase. This is expected before the end of January, 2024.
Newport will now enjoy a run of big home crowds because after the United tie, they entertain nearby rivals Swindon Town in League Two, which should see Rodney Parade packed again.
The south east Wales club will first renew their rivalry with Wrexham hoping to avenge a 2-0 defeat at The Stok Racecourse in December.
Manager Graham Coughlan said: "We have some really juicy fixtures coming up with Wrexham on Saturday, Manchester United and Swindon after that. We have three sell outs coming up.
"Our football club should cherish that, our football club should revel in that. Hopefully we can go out do ourselves proud on Saturday and hopefully do ourselves proud against the mighty Manchester United."
Tickets for the Manchester United game will be on sale to season ticket holders and Supporters Trust members on Thursday and Friday of this week, as well as for a time after the Wrexham match.
The remaining tickets will go on general sale next Monday.
Newport said: "There will be a substantial number of tickets available after season ticket holders and Trust members are catered for."
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