Bobby is still a Bluebird and going strong at Trethomas

In a recent article on PembrokeshireSport.co.uk we outlined the fact that Adam Raymond played at Trethomas Bluebirds against Haverfordwest County and played a key role in his team’s surprise victory.

Well this week we are really pleased to chat to the other footballer from Pembrokeshire who shared that winning experience in Bobby Briers, who coincidentally also played at the Bridge Meadow Stadium in his younger days.

This week we chatted to Bobby from his home in Caerphilly and although we have known him well since he was a nipper we discovered plenty of interesting new stuff, like the fact that he is currently a lecturer in football coaching at the University of South Wales, in Treforest, just down the road and using the terrific facilities there to help newcomers into the coaching world.

Total commitment needed at Swansea City

Bobby has been a much-travelled player around South Wales but although his family hails from Kilgetty he started out with Tenby in their under 10 team and a year later had extended trials with Swansea City before becoming a member of their squad until he finished there after under 16 level.

“It meant a huge amount of travel, for which I will always be grateful to my dad Steve, who is a coach himself and the president of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League, whilst mum Jan has always supported and been a great taxi driver since we had to drive to twice a week training in Swansea and then go up again on Sunday, often to away games where we travelled to the likes of Southampton, Bournemouth, Exeter, Torquay, both Bristols and Cardiff -  and I used to share a lift with Joe Allen and his smashing family.

Bobby becomes a Bluebird for the first time

“But there were only five scholarships available and I missed out, which was a body blow, but Ronnie Beynon, who was a cracking coach, offered me the chance to play at The Bridge Meadow as part of a very good McWhirter League team that included Jack Nicholas, Adam Raymond, Richard Hughes and Ben Nicholas.

“One of my first experiences came at a tournament in Copenhagen and I also played for Pembrokeshire College, which meant playing for Haverfordwest County on Sundays or Mondays and then with the college on Wednesdays - and we won the McWhirter Under 19s Cup a year later as we beat Cambrian and Clydach at Goytre United.

“It was at this time that Derek Brazil gave me my debut with the first team, and we are still very much in touch because he is now the commercial director with us at Trethomas.

A travelling man!

“In 2009 I started my course at the University of Glamorgan, renamed since and where I now work, and travelled back to Haverfordwest for training and matches, but it got a bit too much and eventually I moved to Bridgend and enjoyed my spell there.

“I had short stints with Carmarthen (six months when Tomi Morgan was boss), Aberaman for two seasons and then five years at Barry Town, where it was brilliant under Gavin Chesterfield until the financial side of the club went awry and we were relegated and we lost our top status.

“But we battled back and I enjoyed Gavin’s approach to the game but I was still travelling so I joined Pontypridd and then even closer to home at Trethomas, and I’m now in my fourth season there and had a spell as assistant manager, with great support from my wife Clare but then our sons Harry (6) and Archie (3) needed more of my attention.

And finally . . .

“I had a bad injury last season which ruined my campaign as I ruptured my ankle ligaments but touch wood it has been good so far after a good pre-season - and it was nice that my long throw- in near the end of the game was touched on by Adam and we scored the winner!

“We are an ambitious club, with good administration and a committed squad so this is almost certainly my last fling in playing, although management will be an option once the kids get a bit older.

“In the meanwhile I will just take each game as it comes - but it will be nice to reflect on that coincidental Welsh Cup tussle against Haverfordwest County, who were very gracious in defeat and showed their professional attitude, although they were naturally very disappointed to lose!”