Arsenal defender Ben White says his time with Newport County was a key period in his career.
White spent time with the Welsh club on-loan from Brighton.
He recalled to arsenal.com: “That's when I first realised how much every game means – not only the fans, but the players as well," he begins.
“Every point is so important. When you are in the lower leagues the money you get for win bonuses or whatever is especially crucial at that level. Every point is huge, so every game is huge.
“That was a bit of a shock to me. In my first game there I saw people fighting in the changing room, because emotions are so high for every game. It all matters so much to all the players, and the crowd know that too. It all adds to an intense atmosphere in the stadiums."
Newport's average attendance was about 3,000 during that season, but home advantage encompasses many factors.
“Nobody wanted to come to Newport to play us, but I loved it there," he continues.
“It was League Two, the stadiums aren't always the best but it all adds to the atmosphere. Don't forget that I had come from a category one academy at a Premier League club, where everything was perfect – the pitches are great and you have all the facilities.
“Then you go into Newport and it's a different world really. It's probably one of the more old school clubs around, it was a really good experience for me to go there and live it. That was one of the reasons I was sent there, I'm sure, to make the most of all the opportunities you get, and see how much football means to people in lower leagues. The fans, the players, the staff.
“You need to see the real nitty gritty stuff and learn to get on with it. And I can tell you that I absolutely loved it there. The whole thing, what I learnt, in the games and away from the games. It was one of the best years of my life, for sure."
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