Swansea City is a special game for PNE defender Andrew Hughes.
The 26-year-old grew up in Cardiff, coming through the ranks there before being released aged 15.
“I guess they are my arch-enemies really,” he smiled as he spoke to The One And Only this week. “I am a Cardiff fan born and bred so Swansea are our main rivals.
“Cardiff-Swansea is obviously a big rivalry, when they play each other they are usually at awkward kick-off times on a Sunday! They are great games to go to like any other derbies.
“For me personally it does have some added spice, but we have to treat is as a normal game, go out and try and win. I know a few of boys there and Swansea is a great club. It’s a game I look forward to.”
After his release from Cardiff, Hughes went onto Newport County and, aged just 16, he made his debut there before moving up from non-league into the EFL with them.
In this way, he feels he can help the likes of Ethan Walker and Adam O’ Reilly – Ethan became the youngest ever player to take to the field for a league game for PNE when he came on against Aston Villa over the festive period.
“I can relate to that as I made my debut at 16, but I guess it is a big difference making your debut for PNE as opposed to Newport, no disrespect to Newport,” said Andrew.
“What a game to come on and make your debut as a 16-year-old, Aston Villa at home in front of a big crowd.
“You know there will be nerves, but to be fair to Ethan and Adam, they didn’t show it at all.
“You try and help them all you can, they are good young pros, we see them on the training pitch every day and they don’t look out of place at all. I am sure the gaffer wouldn’t have put them on if he didn’t have trust in them and know what they could do.
“My debut was good, it was against Luton which was a big game for Newport, but I can’t really compare it to Ethan and Adam as they faced Aston Villa at Deepdale, a huge game for anyone no matter what age.”
There’s a lot more from Andrew in Saturday’s edition of the matchday programme, we also have interviews with all three new January additions, Josh Ginnelly, Jayden Stockley and Brad Potts, plus we hear from Simon Davey and Lee Trundle, both of whom pulled on the white of both teams.
The 100-page edition of the official matchday programme is still just £3 and is on sale from Friday afternoon from the club’s Sir Tom Finney Stand ticket office and from the sellers inside and outside the ground on matchday, so make sure you pick up your copy.