You might think building a club on the Isle of Wight is a tall order – but just try telling that to Newport FC chairman Stuart Ross.
Highly ambitious, Ross is leading the charge to take the island club to a new stadium and, with that, up the league pyramid.
But the club, for the most part, has relied almost entirely on native islanders to make up the playing squad – something which is tricky with a population of less than 150,000.
That hasn’t deterred Ross, however, who believes the Wessex Premier League side can move through the leagues.He said: “Our catchment on the Isle of Wight is limited, compared to those clubs that reside on the mainland.
“So the majority of our players are island-based lads who reside here and are very committed to the club, and have been for a number of years. We’ve had one or two in different seasons that travel back and forth from the mainland.
“It’s tough to be a non-league chairman for anybody but being on an island is always tricky. But we have scope to bring in some players from across the water.”
A police officer by trade, Ross is dreaming big and with plans to move from their current St George’s Park to a new ground on the outskirts of Newport, glory days could be coming to The Port.
“We are a historic club and we’ve had some terrific ex-professionals play for the club,” added Ross.
“We’ve been working really hard to get us into our new ground, which is a really important new chapter of our life as a club.
“There has been uncertainty surrounding the club and our ground, at one stage we were given a notice to quit St George’s Park but we managed to negotiate a further period of time and that allowed me further time in regards to relocation and we have secured that.
“We’re just waiting for it to go through now. The future is very bright and there are lots of exciting times ahead.”
A tie with Bradford Town now awaits in the Buildbase FA Vase fourth round proper – something the chairman hopes the entire island can get behind.
He added: “This is a huge occasion for the club, we want to get into the fifth round for the fourth time in our history.
“It’s great to get a home draw and get a big crowd for the Isle of Wight. It’s a huge moment and opportunity to put our name out there.”
Buildbase FA Vase history
The Port have made the fifth round proper of the competition on three occasions with the most recent coming in 2013 – losing in a replay to Ascot United 2-1.
The fifth round proper is also the furthest Bradford Town have gone in the tournament, reaching the last 16 stage in 2015 when they were dumped out by Highworth Town 2-0.
Did you know?
Newport FC once made the second round proper of the Emirates FA Cup, back in 1946 when they were knocked out by Aldershot.
The prize
The winning side of Saturday’s tie will net £1,875 whilst the loser will gain £625.
