sport news Padraig Amond happy he heeded manager's warning before Newport's League Two ...

His mates thought he was a bit mad but there was a good reason why Padraig Amond booked his stag do for a year before his wedding.

The Newport squad were told by manager Michael Flynn at the end of last season to prepare for what could be a long but successful campaign.

'Anyone with plans for immediately after the league season finished were told to put them back,' says Amond. That included the Newport striker himself, who will marry long-term girlfriend Caoimhe in June.

Padraig Amond had a very early stag do in anticipation of Newport reaching the play-offs

Padraig Amond had a very early stag do in anticipation of Newport reaching the play-offs

'The gaffer spoke to us about how he believed we'd be successful this year and everyone bought into it,' he adds. 'It meant doing my stag last year and people were laughing, saying "how can you do it so early?" But it proved it was the right thing to do because we now have an unbelievable chance to be promoted this year.'

THE MARATHON MEN 

WHO HAS PLAYED THE MOST NUMBER OF GAMES IN ENGLAND'S TOP FOUR TIERS THIS SEASON? 

Chelsea: 62

Portsmouth: 62

Manchester City: 61

Newport: 61

Sunderland: 60

As a group, Newport haven't let that belief - which comes from the manager - die. 

They may be going into their 62nd game of the season in the League Two play-off final against Tranmere at Wembley on Saturday - level with Chelsea and Portsmouth as the most in English football - but Flynn has kept his players match fit and hungry with every minute played. 

Clever planning such as moving the team's day off from Wednesday to Thursday has allowed players who may not have started a previous match to have three consecutive days of match preparation. 

Newport boss Michael Flynn has introduced innovative ideas and plans to prepare his players

Newport boss Michael Flynn has introduced innovative ideas and plans to prepare his players

The training drills have also been designed to improve the players and not just to prepare them for a fixture.

The run to the FA Cup fifth round demonstrated Newport's expansive and technical 3-5-2 style which got them past Leicester before they lost 4-1 against Manchester City at Rodney Parade. 

Amond scored with a delicate chip over Ederson's head in that game to get the score to 2-1 until Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez got City's third and fourth. 

'It was unbelievable,' says Flynn. 'Two-one after 89 minutes against the side that had just broken the points record in the Premier League. We

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