PHOTOS:
Martin with delighted dad Terry
Martin Langdon
Martin in action

 

 
Martin Langdon was delighted when Johnston AFC held their annual dinner in the closed season because the popular goalkeeper received the highest accolade when his name was announced by MC Glenn Murray as the ‘Players’ Player of the Year’.
 
As Glenn pointed out, the vote was almost unanimous after Martin had broken the long-standing club record for conceding the fewest goals as his tally of 24 beat the number of goals that went past the previous long-term holder, Steve James.
“Steve has been great to me since I joined the club,” says Martin, “and helped me become a better player.”
 

Magnificent cup performances

 
Not content with that effort, Martin also made a significant contribution to the Tigers’ winning of the West Wales Intermediate Cup because not only did he play well in all the rounds, and especially in the final, but when the semi-final went to penalties at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli, he saved three penalties but also slotted home that vital first penalty to get the Tigers off to a great start. In fact, when manager Russell Murray got the players in a huddle before the penalty shoot-out, it was Martin who set the tone by volunteering to take the very first penalty!
 
He also played well in the Senior Cup Final but admits,
“I was responsible for West Dragons’ second goal so I was very relieved that we won by 3-2 after a nervy finish.”
“To finish with winners’ medals from both the West Wales and Senior Cups was great and we only just missed out on the treble when we finished second to Hakin United in the league, but it was still a great season I will never forget.”
 

Early start – and a bit of cricket too

 
It all seems a long time ago from when he used to kick a ball around the family garden with dad Terry, himself a former goalkeeper and still Martin’s No 1 fan, along with mum Pam and wife Lauren. Martin’s stepson Jack plays for Camrose under 7s and the couple are the proud parents of twins!
Outside of his football, Martin plays cricket for Herbrandston 2nds and has a top score of 52, made three seasons ago against Burton 2nds, but readily admits that his summer sport is very much second fiddle to his football!
 
Martin always wanted to play in goal and by the time he was 11 he was playing alongside Ewan Findlay, Morgan Scale, Jamie Harding, Grant James and Marc Gelona in a strong Milford United junior team that was well run by Steve Harding until they finished together in the under 16 league. He moved into senior football at Marble Hall with Steve taking over the reins there and he had a few Welsh League matches in a team mainly comprising players from ‘up the line’.
 

Other clubs

 
After three years he made the switch to Hakin United but didn’t really settle there so joined Herbrandston.
“I had seven terrific years there in a team run by Phil Frank and Steve Batty, with great characters like the late Matthew Price, Marc Gelona, Carlo and Nico Giannuzzi, Adam and Alex Galdo, Richard and Adrian Jenkins.
“We reached the Senior Cup Final but we lost 2-1 to Monkton Swifts after being a goal up with four minutes to go as Nicky Woodrow scored a cracking goal for us.
“We thought we had it won but then goals by Steve Davies and Dean Driscoll (in extra time) gave us the heart-break of a cup final defeat. It was my worst moment in sport!”
The following season saw Matthew switch to playing up front for Herbie.
“I fancied a change and managed to score 13 goals, including five penalties, but then slotted back in goal when needed and I’ve been there ever since.”
 

Bridge Meadow en route to Glebelands

 
It was at this stage that Martin was approached by Mickie Ellis and Wayne Jones at Haverfordwest County to ask if he wanted to join them at the Conygar Bridge Meadow but after a promising start things didn’t work out.
“I was thrilled to be chosen as ‘Man of the Match’ against Taffs Well but then I lost my place and had little football after that.
 
“So I joined Johnston at the start of last season after Ben Phillips, who plays central defender, asked me to think about playing at Glebelands - and after attending their first two training sessions under Russell Murray and Steve Hayward I was happy to sign for them.
“There is a great team spirit and all season we have won games we looked like losing, just because we wouldn’t give up. This was clearly so in the West Wales Cup as we won our first four matches and scored 30 goals, conceding only four, but then looked like going out in both the quarter and semi-finals.
 

Memorable moments at the Liberty Stadium

 
“We battled back to make the final at the Liberty Stadium and again we found ourselves two goals down but fought back like demons as Chris Ormond was a brilliant captain in driving us on.
 
“All the boys were brilliant in the final and our supporters were amazing,” Martin told us, “and I will never forget the celebrations on the pitch afterwards, or during the evening and night in Swansea. Russell Murray and Steve Hayward are excellent coaches, with Glenn Murray and Steve Mills Snr also heavily involved at the club.”
 

And finally . . .

 
Martin has made another good start to this campaign but says,
“We haven’t yet hit the high spots and perhaps it’s because all the other teams are eager to knock us off our perch. On a personal note I know I can do better because the club needs me to keep clean sheets. It is brilliant to be involved at Glebelands and I know how lucky I am to be part of Johnston Football Club’s set-up.”
 
His last sentiment typifies what a sporting gentlemen Martin Langdon is and we at Pembrokeshire Sport.co.uk wish him continued success in a game he clearly loves!