DAVID Malone denies he is heading for Newport - but he hasn't ruled out the possibility of getting involved with the Isle of Wight club after quitting FA Vase winners Winchester City last week.

The Winchester-based businessman owns a house on the Island and rumours are growing that he is moving across The Solent with a view to getting involved at St George's Park.

But Malone, whose £100,000-plus investment in Winchester helped them to a Vase/Wessex League/League Cup treble last season, has stressed: "I haven't spoken to anyone at Newport but they are one of the clubs I'd like to know a bit more about. It's true I own a property in Shanklin and I intend spending a bit more time on the Island in future."

After twice putting Newport into receivership, majority shareholder/chairman Bill Manuel sold the ground to the little-known company South Coast Leisure last season and Port are currently renting it back on a two-year lease.

With money tight, they have reverted to a virtual all-Island team - a far cry from their big-spending hey-day of 2000/1 when they won the Dr Martens Eastern Division title with a legion of well-paid mainlanders.

Working with a shoestring budget, manager John Linington is doing the best job he can, but Port are second to bottom of Ryman Division 1 and, without a major cash input, are in grave danger of crashing back into the Wessex League.

Malone said: "It's a crying shame what's gone on over there. It's as if Bill Manuel sold their heritage when he sold the ground.

"I've got no idea what the set-up is like these days, but I'd be interested in finding out.

"There are lots of possibilities with clubs locally, but I wouldn't want to get involved somewhere unless there was a clear way forward - and I've no interest in getting embroiled in a dogfight over non-footballing matters.

"I got a certain degree of satisfaction out of seeing Winchester winning, but I want to go somewhere that offers a bit of a sterner test.

"Maybe Newport would provide that. Steve Moss (Winchester coach) and Gary Green (Winchester player/assistant manager) both played there and say that, potentially, there's a good set-up to be had there.

"Newport have got a captive audience and if they got the sort of success we've had at Winchester, I'm sure they'd get 500-600 through the gate every week."

But he added: "Let's not pre-empt anything. Newport are just one of a number of possibilities - and they might not be interested in me anyway."

Winchester City continue their defence of the Vase with a trip to Kent Leaguers Thamesmead Town on December 11.

FA VASE, third round

Oldbury Utd v Gedling Town, Malvern Town v Skelmersdale Utd, Ledbury Town v Studley, Stourbridge v Oadby Town, Salford City v West Allotment Celtic, Holbeach Utd v Thackley, Loughborough Dynamo or Leamington v Bedlington Terriers, Thornaby or Billingham Tn v St Helens Town, Quorn or Glossop North End v Mickleover Sports, Colne v Stone Dynamos, Guisborough Town v Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA, Yorkshire Amateur or Billingham Synthonia v Dunston Federation Brewery or Pickering Town, Tipton Town v Durham City, Thamesmead Town v Winchester City, Abingdon Town v Desborough Town, Clacton Town or Harefield Utd v AFC Sudbury, Lymington & New Milton v Wroxham, Kingsbury Town v Frome Town, Lowestoft Town v Three Bridges or Chertsey Town, Bury Town v Tunbridge Wells, Deal Town v Fareham Town, Bodmin Town v Hillingdon Borough, St Neots Town v Soham Town Rangers, Bitton or Christchurch v Ramsgate or Greenwich Borough, Gosport Borough v Didcot Town, Potton Utd v St Blazey, Enfield v Enfield Town, Backwell Utd v Slimbridge, Bridgwater Town or Liskeard Athletic v Exmouth Town, Brislington or Torrington v Woodford Utd, Long Melford v Brook House, AFC Newbury or North Leigh v Sandhurst Tn.