By Tom Prosser
Joe Day is delighted to be back at Newport County and after making so many memories during his first spell at the club, he is now excited to create many more under manager Michael Flynn.
The goalkeeper made nearly 250 appearances for Newport before joining Cardiff City two years ago.
He found game-time hard to come by at Cardiff and was sent out on loan to both AFC Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers but he insists he returns to Rodney Parade as better goalkeeper.
“I always hoped it would be a possibility to re-sign for Newport, I was very grateful when they came in for me, I’m over the moon to be back,” explained Day who first joined the Exiles in 2014.
“I’m definitely better for the experience I gained at Cardiff, I believe I’m a better goalkeeper now than when I left.
“It was a frustrating period due to the lack of opportunities, but I knew it was always going to be potentially that way.
“I gave it everything I had at Cardiff, but it just didn’t work out unfortunately.”
Day has built up loads of memories during his time at Newport and he was part of the spirited team that kept Newport in the Football League with a win against Notts County in 2017.
“The great escape was unbelievable as we knew the ramifications would have been huge for the club if we did get relegated.
“Then at the other end of the spectrum, I loved being a part of the FA Cup run’s and also walking out at Wembley for the play-off final in 2019.
“There’s been an unbelievable amount of amazing moments, it’s really difficult to pinpoint just a few.”
Day is often remembered for rushing off the pitch after Newport’s huge win over Middlesbrough in the 2019 FA Cup to try and make the birth of his twin daughters at the nearby Royal Gwent hospital.
“My daughters are two and a half years old now, time has gone really quickly, I also have a four-year-old son and they are all looking forward to coming to the matches.
Newport have arguably the strongest goalkeeping department in the whole of the division.
Day is currently competing with Nick Townsend for the starting spot and admits competition is healthy.
“Nick’s a good guy, you need someone that’s going to compete with you,” explained Day.
“It’s healthy competition, we’ve got that relationship where we get on well but we also push each other in training which helps to bring out the best in us.”