Newport County AFC Academy

Newport County AFC Academy runs a category 3 academy based in Wales. They focus on elite youth development to nurture young talent.

The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @Youth_County.

Academy Competitions

Each season, the Academy competes across the following competitions:

• U17 Professional Development League Cup – an English youth football tournament for players aged 17 and under.
• U18 Youth Alliance Cup – an EFL-organised youth tournament for Under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs competing in the EFL Youth Alliance. It follows a format similar to the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.
• FAW Youth Cup – the Football Association of Wales’ youth knockout competition for Welsh academy sides.
• Nathaniel MG Cup – a Welsh cup competition contested by Newport County’s Academy.

2025/26 Season

Full details of players retained, released, or returned from loan following the 2024/25 season can be found on the club’s official retained list.

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• Nelson Sanca (Defender) – Llanelli Town
• Corey Evans (Midfielder) – Yate Town
• Sam Watkins (Defender) – Stebonheath Park
• Jac Norris (Midfielder) – Llanelli Town
• Riley Lonergan (Midfielder) – Cardiff Met; Newport City
• Moses Alexander-Walker (Forward) – Bath City

Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26

Nelson Sanca (Defender, #31), Moses Alexander-Walker (Forward, #27), Harrison Pugh (Midfielder, #36).

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Professional Development League Cup, Newport County’s Under-17s were grouped with Under-17 sides from Swindon Town, Exeter City and AFC Bournemouth, before being drawn against AFC Wimbledon in the round of 32.

In the U18 Youth Alliance Cup group stage, the Under-18s were drawn away against Stevenage. In the FA Youth Cup first round proper, the Under-18s were drawn at home against Tiverton Town.

Season Timeline

May 2025

• Five academy players were offered their first professional contracts with the club, following a series of impressive performances during the 2024/25 season; Corey Evans, Morgan Evans, Moses Alexander-Walker, Riley Lonergan, and Sam Watkins all earned professional deals.
• Lonergan, C. Evans, and Alexander-Walker were each offered one-year contracts, while M. Evans and Watkins were presented with six-month deals.

November 2025

• Newport County Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup run came to an end, following their tie at home to Tiverton Town Under-18s.
• Second-year scholar Harrison Pugh made his first-team debut against Exeter City in the Vertu Trophy.

January 2026

• Defender Sam Watkins left the Exiles after his contract expired, having spent part of the current campaign on loan at Stebonheath Park.

2024/25 Season

In the 2024/25 season, the Under-18s had a remarkable campaign in the FAW Youth Cup, advancing to the semi-finals of the tournament.

The Academy also competed in the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Jac Norris (Midfielder) – Briton Ferry Llansawel
• Nelson Sanca (Defender) – Briton Ferry Llansawel
• Josh Seberry (Defender) – Weston-super-Mare
• Kiban Rai (Forward) – Merthyr Town
• Daniel Barton (Midfielder) – Cardiff Met

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Moses Alexander-Walker (Forward, #40), Riley Lonergan (Midfielder, #41).

International Players 2024/25

• Harri Pugh (Midfielder) – Wales U17

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U18 Youth Alliance Cup, Newport County’s Under-18s were drawn in Group F against Under-18 sides from Exeter City, Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth, before being drawn away against Plymouth Argyle in the round of 16.

In the FA Youth Cup first round, the Under-18s were drawn away against Swindon Town.

In the FAW Youth Cup, the Under-18s were drawn at home against Cambrian United in the third round, before being drawn away against Briton Ferry Llansawel in the quarter-final, and reaching the semi-finals.

Season Timeline

October 2024

• In the first round of the FA Youth Cup, Newport County’s Under-18s were drawn away to Swindon Town.
• The FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for Newport County after a first-round tie away at Swindon Town.

November 2024

• Newport County were set to face Cambrian United at home in the third round of the FAW Youth Cup on Sunday 15 December.

December 2024

• The Under-18s were set to face Briton Ferry Llansawel away in the quarter-finals of the FAW Youth Cup, following their tie against Cambrian United in the third round.

January 2025

• Newport County were set to face Plymouth Argyle away in the round of 16 of the Youth Alliance Cup, with the match scheduled for Saturday 8 February.

February 2025

• Newport County Under-18s progressed into the FAW Youth Cup semi-finals, following their tie away against Briton Ferry Llansawel AFC.
• Newport County Under-18s’ journey in the Youth Alliance Cup came to an end, following their tie away against Plymouth Argyle.

May 2025

• 17-year-old Moses Alexander-Walker made his EFL League Two debut against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.
• The following academy players were offered professional contracts: Moses Alexander-Walker, Riley Lonergan, Sam Watkins, Corey Evans, and Morgan Evans; the club recognised their dedication and development by offering them the opportunity to take the next step in their football careers.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Daniel Barton, Josh Seberry, Kiban Rai.