LOCAL STRIKER BEGINS AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE AFTER MEMORABLE HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY SPELL

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY favourite Ben Fawcett has started a new chapter in his football career after leaving Pembrokeshire for Australia.

The popular forward has joined Melbourne-based Moreland City, where he will continue playing semi-professional football after bringing the curtain down on a long and successful spell at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Fawcett, known to supporters as “Fawcey”, became one of Haverfordwest County’s most reliable attacking players, earning a reputation for important goals, tireless running and total commitment to the team.

Despite standing at 5ft 9in, he regularly battled with much bigger centre-halves and was never afraid to put himself about, either on the ground or in the air.

His final appearance for the Bluebirds ended in fitting fashion. Coming on as a substitute against old rivals Llanelli Town at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, Fawcett scored the final goal in a 3-0 win, sparking a huge reaction from the home crowd.

It was a typical finish from a player who had given so much to the club.

Among his most memorable moments was scoring at Cardiff City Stadium during Haverfordwest County’s European campaign. He was also selected for the Wales C squad in 2021/22 for the match against England at Caernarfon, where Wales won 4-1.

Although he did not get onto the pitch that night, his call-up was further recognition of his standing in the Welsh domestic game.

Bluebirds manager Tony Pennock paid tribute to the striker’s attitude and contribution.

He said: “In the three and a half years I have worked with Ben Fawcett, he has been a pleasure to work with because he never gives less than 100 per cent and is an example to those around him.

“In his first season he had to battle back from illness and showed great resolve to reclaim his place and show other local youngsters that there is a place in Welsh Premier League football if they really work hard enough for it.

“Since then, he has really looked after himself and when injured he has worked with our medical staff to ensure a speedy return to action.

“We will all miss him in the squad but wish him every success because he deserves it.”

Fawcett’s football story began with Hakin United, where he was coached by his father Colin and Daisy Picton.

He was part of a talented junior side which produced several players who went on to represent Pembrokeshire schools and play at a high level. Eight members of that Hakin squad were involved with the county schools team coached by Angie Nicholas, sharing the Tom Yeoman’s Shield with Flintshire in their first season.

At the age of 12, Fawcett was also part of an academy squad which beat Connah’s Quay in a final at Newtown, with goals from Ben and fellow Viking Jack Wilson.

Hakin United enjoyed huge success through the junior age groups. In their final year, the side suffered an early cup defeat to Pennar Robins, but responded by going unbeaten for the rest of the season apart from the final game, which ended in a draw.

Across five years together, the team lost just once, scoring 287 goals and conceding only 11.

They also lifted the West Wales Cup after playing every tie away from home. After reaching the final with 22 goals scored and none conceded, they beat an unbeaten Dafen side on penalties, with Fawcett volunteering to take the first spot-kick.

From school, Fawcett moved on to Pembrokeshire College, where his goalscoring form quickly stood out.

He went on to represent both Welsh Schoolboys and Welsh Colleges, earning 10 caps across the two levels.

Fawcett said: “It was great to be selected for both, and it was made even more special because my mum and dad, Karen and Colin, were there to share the moment. I am very proud to have been awarded my Welsh cap at both levels.”

Steve Briers, head of the college’s football academy, said Fawcett’s ability was clear from the beginning.

He said: “We were lucky to have Ben playing for two years in our academy, where it was evident from the outset that he was a very talented striker.

“He joined other quality players from Hakin United, like Jack Wilson, Cameron Thomas, Jake Merry and Jay Power, and helped us to second place in the academies’ league, playing against other colleges across South Wales.

“As well as being a top player, we could see his technical ability to analyse play and his tactical awareness for someone so young. He joined our coaching staff and we went one step further, winning all our games, except a drawn final match, to take the title.”

Fawcett also played a full season with Hakin United’s senior side, helping the Vikings win the league and Senior Cup double. He scored in the final and became one of the youngest players to win the coveted man-of-the-match award, taking the match ball home to the family house in Hakin.

Football runs deep in the Fawcett family.

Ben first kicked a ball in the garden with his older brother Liam, who is now a teacher in Egypt. His father Colin played Welsh League football for Milford United and Pembroke Borough, as well as winning trophies as both a player and manager at Hakin United.

His mother Karen has also been a huge part of the journey, supporting the family from the touchline and earning the title of “best chauffeur in the world” from those closest to Ben.

It was Karen and Colin who waved him off at Heathrow Airport as he left for his Australian adventure.

Team-mates have also spoken warmly about the player and person Haverfordwest County have lost.

Jack Wilson said: “Ben and I have been team-mates since we were eight and were always trying to outscore each other as juniors before we came to the Bridge Meadow and played together here.

“We have also been the best of pals and he will be my best man at my wedding, so I could pay him no higher compliment than that.

“I don’t want him to get big-headed, so I’ll just finish by saying he is going to be missed because he is always totally committed and certainly knows how to find the onion net.”

Gregg Walters said: “I’ve always regarded Ben as a top player because, like me, he would run himself into the ground and battle for every ball, which the supporters really loved about him.

“We have both shown other local players that if a player has talent and commitment, he can play for Haverfordwest County in the Welsh Premier League.

“It had become a bit of a tradition that we always sat next to each other in the changing rooms and he was definitely the lead man in the Munchkins Bunch.”

Fawcett now begins life on the other side of the world with Moreland City, carrying with him the good wishes of Haverfordwest County, Hakin United and the wider Pembrokeshire football community.

For a player who has given so much to the local game, his move to Melbourne marks not an ending, but the start of another exciting footballing chapter.