Jenkins would leave Newport if best for club

Newport County owner Huw Jenkins is ready to sell up and walk away from the club if a new investor sought a complete takeover.

Jenkins says he is open-minded about his future at County as he looks for fresh investment to help avoid another season of struggle at the League Two club.

The former Swansea City chairman confirmed he has held talks with Welsh businessman Nicholas Beddis – the founder of financial technology and investment firm AGS Capital – but dismissed reports he is close to selling his 52% stake.

And while he is open to offers, Jenkins said no potential buyer has confirmed they have met conditions set by both the EFL and new Independent Football Regulator.

“I don’t like wasting time or talk on nothing. Everyone who wants to get involved in the club has to pass the relevant tests, rather than me or the supporters trust judging people,” Jenkins said.

“[But] nobody has come forward with approval from the EFL and the IFR.

“Whether it’s Nick Beddis or anybody else, it’s important they keep things confidential and do their work behind the scenes if they want to get involved in our club.”

Jenkins completed his takeover of the club – previously owned by the supports’ trust – in February 2024.

He previously told a fans forum he will have invested £3m of his own money by the end of the last campaign.

But in his two years in control, County have finished 20th and 22nd in League Two, avoiding relegation last season on the final day, and is already looking for his fourth manager after Christian Fuch’s resignation last month.

Jenkins said Fuchs told him he had no more to give after the stress of last season’s battle to stay in the football league and fresh investment would clearly boost County’s chances of avoiding another survival scrap.

But the 63-year-old says his own future as owner and chairman depends on the preferences of any new investors.

“I’m lucky, I’m open-minded either way,” he said, when asked whether he would prefer to sell up and walk away or stay on as part of any new ownership model.

“If it’s right for the club and somebody wants a full takeover and myself and the Trust feel that’s right, come and do it.

“If people want to become involved with the club, they want me to stay there and they think I can do a reasonable job by helping them, I’d stay.

“So we’ll see where it takes us and we’ll probably know more over the next few months.”

Jenkins says County could be regarded as a more affordable option to potential investors because they do not own their own ground or training venue.

County train at the University of South Wales and pay about £1m a year – from a turnover of £4.5m – to rugby club Dragons who own Rodney Parade.

“Any deal with Newport County would be cheaper than most because of that,” said Jenkins.

“Assets can become liabilities quickly in football and the deal to get involved with Newport County is nowhere near the level of what would be involved in other clubs because of things like the stadium and training ground.”

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