Neil and his colleagues deserve recognition – and a great day out too!

 
Much is rightly made about what a great day it is for players to enjoy the chance to play at The Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium for the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League’s ‘Blue Riband’ event but is also a highlight for any match officials because, apart from two instances, referees only get one bite at the cherry and so we are always delighted to mark the occasion by giving them a little mention.
 
We are sorry that we miss our specialist detailed preview for the players but with only a few days after the semis it has proved impossible – and we hope both clubs understand our disappointment for this first omission in 20+ years.
 
This season sees Neill Crawshaw as the man in the middle and he deserves every congratulation on being chosen – and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk wish him a memorable day for all the right reasons – namely, an exciting game where players and spectators show restraint and respect, that kids who flock there to support their clubs enjoy the occasion along with the ladies who always decorate the day with their presence and knowledge of the game.
 
Another part of the day for the match officials is the way that a number of local referees will flock pre-match to ‘The Friars’ in Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, just after noon so that they can enjoy an excellent meal there, plus a Refereeing Quiz, organised by Sean O’Connor, that will test even the wisest of refereeing owls but good fun, nonetheless.
 
Gordon Thomas and I look forward to joining that throng (as we always do, and we pay our own way for any cynics out there!) and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk wish players, coaches, match officials, families, supporters and anyone else who loves local football and turns up there, to have a wonderful Senior Cup Final!
 
 

Neill Crawshaw (Referee):

 
Neill can certainly lay claim to being one of the fittest referees in our local game and at 48 is known for his ability to keep up with play and officiate in the calm, thoughtful and empathetic way that has been his way of being the man in the middle of hundreds of games after taking the referees’ course under the expert guidance of Dai Badger.
 
Neill had been in the army, in the Royal Corps of Signals, for 20 years and played lots of football there until he retired in his mid-30s – and that experience has certainly helped to shape his refereeing career.
 
Neill was assistant referee last season to Sion Jenkins, who is this year’s fourth official, something worthwhile that is now a tradition because he will be able to lend his experience and expertise as he will also officiate the bringing on of substitutes and letting the expected large crowd know how much time is added on at the end of each half.
 
Neil has already been in the man in the middle for the cup finals in divisions three, four and five in previous seasons, as well as the junior finals for under 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s – and was recently honoured with being in charge of the West Wales Under 15s Cup Final at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli, where he had the Pembrokeshire trio of Ioan Navett, Richard Gwyther and Keith McNiffe (fourth official) as the rest of this excellent Pembrokeshire quartet.
 
 

Stefan Jenkins (Assistant Referee One):

 
Stefan was Assistant Referee (Two) last season with  younger brother Sion in the middle,and has gained valuable experience this campaign with matches in the West Wales Premier League and been on the line to Sion in a couple of Ardal League games, which are another step up the referees’ ladder since it is the equivalent of the old Welsh League and so involves more travel but some interesting games nonetheless!
 
He played his own football mainly as a striker at Lawrenny, where he modestly says he wasn’t an ace goal-grabber but had his share of goals, plus one season at Carew, before taking up the whistle. He has been involved now for three seasons, since Covid, and readily admits that he wished he had taken up the role earlier
because it is nice to put something back into the game – as he does by coaching Lawrenny’s under 9s.
 
He keeps fit in the summer months as a highly respected all-round cricketer for Cresselly, where he has played for almost 30 years and has been the club’s Hon Secretary for the past nine years and played in five Harrison-Allen Bowl Finals and had other appearances in the Duggie Morris Final as proof of his cricketing ability.  He also coaches Cresselly’s under 11s, 15s, Dynamos and All Stars.
 
Stefan has quickly earned a reputation as a very good match official who has an excellent relationship with players but maintains a firm, quiet control.
 
 

Tudor Walters (Assistant Referee Two):

 
Tudor is held in high regard by players across the county for his quiet but firm control and ability to keep up with play, despite being the oldest member of this season’s quartet of match officials.
 
Interestingly, Tudor played rugby throughout his younger days; with Haverfordwest for a short spell when he moved into the area with work until he stepped down when he was 31 – and then had a season of football at Carew before he moved to Haverfordwest and got involved in football at Haverfordwest Cricket Club, where he was a busy midfielder known for his fitness and ability to read the game.
 
He joined Mike Smith in managing the Cricketers as they played on The Racecourse and he continued playing until he was 52 and  needed two hip replacements – and then took up reffing in 2011 and took to it straight away.
 
He has since officiated in every division from five to one and also many junior games – and his selection here is fitting reward for his loyalty to the game – and his ability to work with players in his quiet, unhurried decision-making!
 
 

Sion Jenkins (Fourth Official):

 
Sion Jenkins can rightly lay claim to being one of the busiest referees in West Wales, with ample proof in a recent ten-day spell where he officiated at SEVEN matches, including two academy matches at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, semi-finals of the West Wales Intermediate and Pembrokeshire Senior Cups, two league matches and a game in the West Wales Premier League!
 
He was one of the youngest referees to take charge of the final and his selection last year was recognition for the respect he already had from players and officials with his calm demeanour and ability to make decisions under pressure.
 
Sion has reffed the fifth division and under 16s cup finals and as assistant referee for the West Wales Cup Final when Craig Templeton was in charge, and Sion’s growing reputation in West Wales was confirmed as he now officiates West Wales Premier and Ardal League games across the M4 Corridor.
 
He is also a keen cricketer as a fast bowler with Carew after a number of years at Cresselly and has played in a Harrison-Allen Bowl Final, as well as winning a league championship medal.