INTERVIEW - JOE NEWTON: Wembley, Wood And Now Wealdstone

HE nearly got promoted at Wembley Stadium with Solihull Moors, he was part of Boreham Wood's promotion-challenging squad and now he's bringing serious National League pedigree to Wealdstone. Meet Joe Newton.

The 25-year-old has done his research, too; perhaps as much about his new Gary Waddock as the club itself.

"All the players I trust that I spoke to said that he [Gary Waddock] is the best manager they'd played under," Newton told wealdstone-fc.com after signing at The Vale.

"Enjoying playing and getting the best of out of myself is what I want to do, so the most important thing for me was to find out if I was going to be able to do that by working under the manager.

"It put me in a good mindset to be honest. I watched the FA Trophy Final, I saw how the team did and how they were supported, and then I checked how their season went and thought I could be part of pushing things forward at Wealdstone."

Waddock explained to Newton that he's happy to have kept most of the core of last year's squad together - something that's not a given in non-league, such is the nature of shorter contracts and eagle eyes from divisions above.

Newton added: "With a few more additions, we should be able to push on a it and see where it takes us."

Raised locally, the left-footed wing-back or full-back has already experienced many of the ups and downs football has to offer.

"I played for St Albans City from age 5 to 16, then I was at Colney Heath and Royston Town after that - trying to work my way back up the steps," said Newton, who hails from Hertfordshire and is grateful for only a small increase in journey time to work.

"So I didn't have an academy upbringing when I signed for Coventry City at 18. It was in the second year of my time there that I had a freak accident and broke my leg."

He added: "There's a sense of realisation when something's taken away from you - your job, your passion - that you mustn't take it for granted.

"I took that attitude into Solihull Moors with me and we nearly ended up in the Football League."

Indeed, during Newton's first campaign at Damson Park, Andy Whing's team were denied on penalties by Bromley in the National League Promotion Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium. And Moors' misery was compounded six days later when they again lost on spot-kicks; this time to Gateshead in the FA Trophy Final.

"I don't think anyone expected us to do what we did in that first season I had there," smiled Newton, with a rueful look to suggest the two near misses still rankle.

"I started at left wing-back then ended up left-back in a four, so it's not a big deal for me where I play.

"We had some very good players at Solihull and I was able to make some good combinations down the left side."

And then forty-odd games for Boreham Wood last term marks Newton out as a seasoned National League operator.

He laughed: "I'm only 25 but it's good to have had the number of games I've had - especially considering I had quite a while out with that injury. 

"It's simple for me, like I said. I want to stay free of injury, enjoy my football knowing I'll be working a really respected manager, and let's see how much I can help Wealdstone."

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