non-league NOTEBOOK Newport's record run

Newport AFC have had their share of successes as well as setbacks since they emerged from the ashes of the former Football League club, Newport County, in 1989. Last weekend, though, the club from south Wales were celebrating a special achievemen t.

Their 3-1 Beazer Homes League win at Stourbridge was their 14th successive victory, breaking the previous Southern League record of 13 straight wins set by Southampton 99 years ago. Newport are 21 points clear in the Midland Division and, with an experienced side containing the former County stalwarts Steve Lowndes, Nigel Vaughan and Linden Jones, are providing football fit to grace their new Spytty Park stadium.

Newport moved back "home" this season after two separate spells of exile at English grounds, caused by the long-running dispute between the Football Association of Wales and Newport and other clubs who refused to join the Konica League of Wales.

That dispute has yet to be resolved, despite efforts by Fifa, world football's governing body, and Uefa, its European counterpart, to mediate. If a settlement is not reached, Newport and the two Northern Premier League clubs from Wales, Caernarfon and Colwyn Bay, may still resort to court action to claim recompense for their years in exile.