Dan Rees, Matt Fox, and Huw Bevan joined forces to select the best Clarbeston Road team over the last twenty years.

Matt Fox said: “This was a really difficult task, given that many of the current squad will walk into this side in a few years if they stay with the club.

“Some positions we have looked at it where they have contributed to the club over a number of seasons.

“But given current form, many of the existing squad would be pushing for places in this side. There are many of the current squad have the ability to drop in here.”


 
GOALKEEPER – MATTHEW ‘CHICKEN’ DAVIES
 
A Few choices could have gone in here. Gary Thomas had a couple of great seasons with us and went on to win a West Wales cup with the Bridge. Also, Lee Scott who is still at the club and current goalie Dave Pepper has settled in well, but we have gone with Matthew “Chicken” Davies.  A real talented all-round keeper, who is a great shot-stopper and his distribution is second to none. He’s not a bad midfielder either but we won’t tell him that! I predicted at the start of the season he would be one of the best keepers in the League this season, and he was showing that form before a nasty injury in Goodwick cut that short.
 
 

RIGHT BACK – RHYS ‘TURK’ JONES
 
I didn’t have the pleasure of coaching or playing with ‘Turk’, but he was selected by both Huw and Dan. They selected him as he is a great ball player who was really comfortable on the ball, read the game brilliantly, and should still be playing now. Best get on the phone to him!
 


 

CENTRE BACK - RHEINALLT GEORGE
 
I remember Rheins coming through as a small, skinny 16-year-old and you could see what a talent he was back then!! I had the pleasure of playing centre half with him a few times and where I lacked pace, he had it in abundance. He really has grown (physically as well as, as a player) and one I thought had a real shout for the county side this year as on his day there is no better centre half in the county. Good on the ball, strong in the air, an all-round centre half.
 
 







CENTRE BACK – DAN REES
 
Is Dan too modest not to pick himself? Of course, he’s not!! However, in Dan’s defence, myself and Huw both picked him also. How could you pick a Clarby Road team from the last 20 years when he’s played every season for them since the age of 7 (which must mean he’s been there about 50 years ha, ha!) Still the fittest player in the team and this showed recently with his mileage in the Clarby Road Challenge for the NHS. A real winner and the biggest moaner but a great old school centre back. Great in the air, and often scores a few from set-pieces.
 
 


 
LEFT BACK – LLEWELLYN GEORGE
 
The better-looking brother of Rheins, a real engine of a Left back. Very good at going up and down the left wing, he is a winger’s dream as he will do the work of two. Probably the worst trainer in the squad, but on match day you know he will always put a shift in and perform well. The quiet member of the squad, but wild on a night out!
 


 
MIDFIELD – MATTHEW ‘CHOPPER’ ELLIS
 
The “Gaffer” walks into this side for the work he has done for the Club over recent years both on and off the pitch taking the club to two successive Senior Cup Finals. He has followed in his Dad Mickey’s footsteps in playing at the highest level in Pembrokeshire and is a naturally gifted midfielder who is good on the ball, a great passer with good vision for a pass. He reads the game brilliantly and is also known for the odd strong tackle! Quiet and unassuming off the pitch, but a referee’s nightmare on it. But one of the nicest guys you’d meet and a pleasure to work with as part of the coaching team.
 


 
MIDFIELD – MIKE TURPIN
 
Another player I was lucky enough to play alongside and coach. Not afraid to make you look silly with his quick turn of pace and majestic control. Has an absolute wand of a left foot, and great from set pieces. Another one who “retired” too early and one we would all like to wheel out for another season or two. Also makes a mean Pizza!!
 
 


MIDFIELD – KRISTIAN GRIFFITHS
 
Kristian was very unlucky with injuries in his career, but his achievements speak volumes. He didn’t have a prolonged Clarby career, but one of those Rolls Royce Players who simply made the game look easy. He seemed to just cruise through a game and his reading of the game meant he always seemed that he had so much time on the ball.
 


 
MIDFIELD – JOULES WARD
 
Lightening pace, and a great crosser of the ball, Joules brings pace to the midfield. Has played for Clarby for several years and has ability to turn a game himself with his direct running and ability on the ball. Another “Mr Nice Guy” off the pitch and will have a good few years left in him!
 



 
STRIKER – JASON GRIFFITHS
 
I think it speaks volumes that Jason got in the Neyland team and he has only been there one season. A real intelligent striker, who’s knack of finding space in the opponent’s box, and his calm ability in front of goal means he will guarantee you 20-30 goals a season in any side. More than just a poacher though. His ability to find himself half a yard to score is second to none and one of the most consistent strikers in the Pembrokeshire League in the last ten years and key in getting Clarby promoted from the second division and then onto the cup finals in the following seasons.
 
 

 






STRIKER – RICHARD BEVAN
 
Richie pips the other striker spot given the service he has given to the club over many seasons. Has been unlucky with injuries in the last couple of seasons but has consistently scored goals for the club in every season he has played. Has great ability to score a goal from nothing and has great ability to bring others into the game as well. Another one club man and will certainly end his playing days at the same club.
 






SUBSTITUTES

 
BEN ‘ROCKY’ JOHN
 
Not a bad option to have off the bench for any manager! His recent award of “unsung player” for last season speaks volumes of his development and is really unlucky to miss out on a starting spot, but will walk into this side in a few years’ time once he has played a couple more seasons. A real defender’s nightmare. Pace, Power, and direct style centre forward, and caused a lot of trouble for all sides he played against this season and deservedly finished as top scorer for the club this season.
 



ADAM HAWKINS

Another one who would and has walked into other sides, but having been at the club for a few seasons, he is another unlucky to miss out. Having played against him myself, he is just an absolute nightmare to play against. Full of running, good in the air and one of the best strikers in the Pembrokeshire League and still doing at the highest level. Always welcome home when he’s ready!!
 



ROGER JAMES

Midfield Maestro and another Club Legend who dominated the midfield for many years at Clarby. One of those players who just turned up, got on with the job in hand and did a very good job of it too. He was an ideal midfield partner for anyone and worked tirelessly. Another player who I am sure could still be doing a job and can dust off those boots at any time.  
 



GREG BROWN

I’ve treated it as a West Wales Cup Game and gone with more than 3 subs given this lad is too good to leave out of any squad. If you asked me to pick a game where Greg has had a bad game I would still be sat here thinking. A real Mr Consistent in Midfield and an asset to any side with his ability to dominate midfield and get the team playing.



 
MANAGER


 
MATTHEW ELLIS

 
The club have had plenty of good ones in this period, with Huw Bevan leading the club so well for many successful seasons but I know Huw would be far too modest to pick himself. Like Chairman Steve Brown, June Harris, Del and Jenny Lewis as well of the rest of the committee, there is a real club spirit at the club. Special mentions to Darren Long who I played under and coached alongside, and Jason Wood but for me it can only be the current Manager given he took the club to two successive Senior Cup Finals. Besides, how can he not do such a good job when he has me working with him ha, ha!!!