Source: TheGuardian
Middlesbrough v Newport: uniting two managers from one tough district
Tony Pulis and Michael Flynn grew up in Pill, Newport. We visit and speak to Newport’s manager and Pulis’s brother RaymondMichael Flynn has just finished talking to Raymond Pulis, Tony’s brother, about Newport County’s FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough when he notices a couple of lads kicking a ball around on the pitch in Pillgwenlly where he spent so much of his childhood. “Who’s going in goal?” the Newport manager asks, striding across the bobbly surface and placing the ball about 25 yards out. “I’ll have a free-kick. But I might need a few to get my range.”With the home where he was brought up by his great-uncle Ted and great-auntie Sheila literally a stone’s throw away and Newport’s iconic Transporter Bridge peering over the row of houses behind the goal, Flynn is in his element as he curls the ball into the top corner. As the 38-year-old turns away to celebrate, one finger pointing in the air, it is hard to imagine the grin on his face being any wider if Newport follow up their victory over Leicester in the previous round by causing another upset at Middlesbrough. “Olé,” he shouts. Related: FA Cup fourth round: 10 things to look out for this weekend We’d fight against each other sometimes but we’d all be friends afterwards. There were no knives involved or fall-outs Continue reading......read full article
