Ex-County 'keeper Day to start coaching career under Flynn at League Two rivals

GOALKEEPER Joe Day has been reunited with Michael Flynn after joining Cheltenham as a player-coach following his release by Newport County AFC.

The 33-year-old will replace James Bittner, another former Exiles stopper, as goalkeeping coach at Whaddon Road while also being a contender for the start.

Cheltenham have also signed Newport-born Owen Evans, a former Welsh youth international, after his departure from Walsall.

Day will start the next stage of his footballing career by passing on his knowledge as a coach under Flynn, who took over in the Robins’ hotseat earlier this summer.

He will also be reunited with former County teammates Scot Bennett and Ryan Haynes as Cheltenham attempt to bounce back from relegation to League Two.

“We were sad to see James leave the club but he had a great opportunity at Barnsley which he wanted to pursue. We’d like to wish him all the best in the future,” said head coach Flynn.

EXPERIENCED: Joe Day with James Clarke in action for County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“Joe is someone I know really well. He’s a fantastic lad with a good temperament and he’s still a very good goalkeeper.

“He’ll be coming in as a player-coach and I’m very comfortable having him in to do that. I think he’ll be a very good acquisition for the football club.”

Day made 305 appearances for County over two spells at Rodney Parade but spent last season on loan at Woking and then Yeovil, who he helped to promotion to the National League.

The stopper was arguably the best goalkeeper in League Two in his first period in Newport after arriving from Peterborough, initially on loan, in 2014.

His exploits earned a move up to the Championship with Cardiff City but he was a fringe figure with the Bluebirds and went out on loan to Bristol Rovers and AFC Wimbledon.

Day returned to Newport on a three-year contract in 2021 under Flynn and made 62 more appearances while battling Nick Townsend for the start.

He will have a swift reunion with the Amber Army when County travel to Cheltenham to kick off the League Two campaign on Saturday, August 10.