With twelve games to go in the 2016/17 season, Newport County found themselves eleven points from safety. They called upon a local lad who had played over 100 games for the club in what most expected to be a foregone conclusion.
A 2-1 victory over Crewe thanks to a winning goal by now Walsall captain Joss Labadie kicked started an unbelievable great escape that former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry described as an “unbelievable achievement”
His task from the owners was simple “bring pride back to the shirt” – he did just that. Eight wins from their last twelve games was enough to keep the Exiles in the Football League.
The following season many expected Newport to be relegation favourites again however signings of key players like Josh Sheehan, Matt Dolan and Robbie Willmott; Newport finished a respectable 11th position. However it was their run in the FA Cup that got people talking that year. After beating us (then in League 1) in the 1st Round they went onto face Leeds United in the 3rd Round. They won that game to set up a 4th Round tie with Spurs. A Harry Kane equalizer eight minutes from time took the game to a replay, which the Exiles lost 2-0.
The 2018/19 season was the year Flynn stamped his mark on both League and cup which alerted clubs much higher up the pyramid.
Flynn signed (now 3rd League 2 scorer) Jamille Matt on a free transfer from Blackpool and resigned Joss Labadie who rejected his contract a year earlier.
Again the Exiles gained National plaudits after cup upsets against Middlesbrough and Leicester. Despite a 4-1 defeat against Manchester City they gave the local supporters pride.
A last minute goal in the League 2 play off final against Tranmere was all that stopped Newport from a place in League 1 – a truly remarkable turnaround from a side which 18 months earlier were on the verge of exiting the football league.
The 2019/20 season which was curtailed by the COVID pandemic wasn’t as successful as the season before as Newport finished 14th but Flynn still managed to get the side into the EFL Trophy semi-finals.
During the 2020/21 season Newport were again losing play off finalists again in extra time. Flynn enjoyed more giant killings as they defeated Swansea and Watford in the EFL Cup before losing on penalties to Newcastle in the 4th Round. That season he also signed (now top League 2) striker Dominic Telford.
In October 2021 Flynn, shocked everyone by announcing he was leaving the Welsh club after four and a half years.
During his time with Newport he won 40.8% of his matches making him the most successful manager in the clubs history.
Some of his signings (both permanent and on loan) during his tenure were also impressive Jamille Matt, Dominic Telford, Ryan Innis, Harry McKirdy, Josh Sheehan and Ben White.
After he left Newport he was linked with many jobs higher in the football league with Cardiff City and Barnsley taking a keen interest. However after speaking to a few Championship clubs he decided to keep his options open.
Roll forward four months and Flynn joined Walsall as new the Head Coach signing a deal until 2024.
Flynn has previous experience with a director of football having worked under Lennie Lawrence at Newport and Flynn paid respect to Jamie Fullarton and said he was one of the main reasons he came here.
Flynn is a solid and sensible appointment by an under fire Walsall board, if he is as successful at us as he was Newport County then we are in for a very good few years.
On paper it’s a real coup for Walsall Football Club.
Michael Flynn’s Barmy Army
