Sport

Team of the week: Haverfordwest County

Published

12 years ago

December 19, 2013

Football Club was formed on December 7, 1899 and changed the name early in its history to Haverfordwest Town.

Most of the team’s fixtures in those early days were friendly matches, but the club gained membership of the Pembrokeshire League before the First World War.

The senior team moved up to the Welsh Football League in 1936, and they became known as Haverfordwest Athletic.

Haverfordwest Athletic remained in the lower reaches until 1955/56 when they won the First Division title and gained promotion to the Premier Division. The following season, the team won the Welsh League title, with the legendary Stan Richards starring in the side.

It was at this point in their history that the present name of Haverfordwest County was adopted. County remained in the Premier Division, finishing as runners-up in 1969-70 and 1970-71, until a disastrous 1975/76 season saw them relegated.

The club just missed out on success for the following two seasons but, at the third attempt, comfortably won promotion to the top flight once more. A highly successful 1980/81 season enabled County to take the championship in their first year back, losing only five games.

In 1983, the League was restructured and the National Division’ created. In the nine years existence of the National Division, Haverfordwest County only once finished outside a top six position, but the championship eluded them.

County’s pedigree during the 1980s made them prime candidates for membership of the League of Wales in 1992/93. In that first season they finished comfortably in mid-table and consolidated their status the following season.

At this point in 1994, however, other influences came to bear. An offer to buy their Bridge Meadow ground had come from the Safeway Supermarket chain. This offer included the construction of a new ground and County decided this was the way to go.

County have an excellent new stadium, the New Bridge Meadow, and enjoyed three seasons back in the Welsh League in which they were twice runners-up and, in 1996/97, deserved champions.

Those three years brought seventy league victories and only 16 defeats in over a century of matches. Each season County notched more than a hundred league goals (335 in total!) and, by the time they rejoined the League of Wales in August 1997, the club was well set to continue where they had left off.

1997/98 was a difficult term for Haverfordwest County, and relegation was being accepted following a run of twelve games up to Easter in which they failed to register a victory. That all changed with a 2-1 home win against Connah’s Quay Nomads. The following season began brightly as, based on the goalscoring achievements of Paul Burrows and Richard Gay, Haverfordwest challenged the early-season league leaders. Successive victories by 7-2, 2-0 and 5-2, thanks to a couple of hat-tricks from Gay, put County in fourth place, though a slump was to follow.

Nevertheless, the team performed well enough to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.Placed 15th in 1999/2000, County improved to finish 10th the following season.

The next campaign saw the former Norwich City and Wrexham defender Deryn Brace appointed player-manager and despite finishing the season next to bottom, County retained League of Wales membership.Season 2002/3 saw some improvement, but in 2003/4 the Bluebirds became the surprise package of the league, finishing in third place and qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

However, a cash crisis in 2005/6 saw the departure of several keys players. A new administration aimed at rescuing the Club from extinction began their task in January 2006 and the club stabilised its position to finish eighth in the league.

A poor start to the 2006/07 season saw manager Deryn Brace step down and he was replaced by former Manchester United and Cardiff City defender Derek Brazil who guided a young side to a mid-table position at the end of his first season in charge. In Brazil’s second season at the Bridge Meadow, Haverfordwest County improved to eighth in the league, and in the following season finished 7th on goal difference, whilst keeping 10 clean sheets during the campaign.

Over the past few years the directors of Haverfordwest County AFC Limited, a company that was formed in June 2006, have managed to engage new sponsors and much help from local businesses. The financial situation at the club is now healthy and the erection of a new stand was completed in time for the 2009-10 season.

Sport

IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea to make Welsh history this weekend

Published

10 hours ago

July 10, 2025

Herald Sport

World-class triathletes descend on South Wales as Swansea hosts its first-ever IRONMAN Pro Series event

WALES will play host to a major milestone in triathlon history this weekend as IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea becomes the first-ever IRONMAN Pro Series event to take place on Welsh soil.

The race, held on Sunday (July 13), marks the twelfth stop on the 2025 global tour and is expected to draw thousands of spectators to the Swansea seafront. More than 60 professional athletes and over 2,500 age-group competitors will take part in the prestigious swim-bike-run event.

Among the elite contenders is reigning Swansea champion Harry Palmer (GBR), making his season debut, alongside Kat Matthews, the 2024 IRONMAN Pro Series champion, and Kristian Høgenhaug (DEN), who finished third in last year’s standings.

With $50,000 in prize money and up to 2,500 series points at stake, the event carries serious weight for those chasing the overall series crown and qualification slots for the 2025 IRONMAN World Championships in Nice and Kona.

Race day will begin at 7:00am with the professional men’s start, followed by the pro women at 7:05am, and the mass start for age-group athletes at 7:10am. The course features a scenic but challenging route, with a city-centre finish expected to be buzzing with spectators.

The event will also be broadcast live across the world on platforms including YouTube, DAZN, Outside TV (US and Canada), and ESPN via Disney+ (Latin America and Caribbean).

Speaking ahead of the event, organisers said Swansea had earned its place on the global calendar. “Bringing the Pro Series to Wales is a huge moment for triathlon in the UK, and especially for South Wales,” a spokesperson said.

A free-to-attend Pro Athlete Panel will take place at 2:00pm on Friday (July 11) at the Waterfront Museum’s Ocean Room, offering the public a chance to meet some of the sport’s biggest stars.

Among those set to speak are Germany’s Anne Reischmann, who currently leads the 2025 standings, and Britain’s Lizzie Rayner, who already has two podium finishes this year.

The oldest registered athlete is David Ransom, aged 77, while the youngest is 18-year-old Jaden Morgan, highlighting the sport’s wide appeal.

Media wishing to attend must register in advance, with accreditation closing on Friday. Race-day walk-ins will not be granted access to restricted areas.

Education

Pupils’ multi-sports event hits the target

Published

3 days ago

July 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MORE than 60 pupils have enjoyed trying out a range of different sports in a special
Sport Pembrokeshire event held last month

The event was held at Ysgol Glannau Gwaun with 65 pupils
from Years, 4,5 and 6 and the ALN unit taking part.

The sessions were run by local community clubs and Young Ambassadors from
Ysgol Bro Gwaun with pupils getting to enjoy rugby, cricket, hockey, archery and golf.
Sharon Osborne from Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, said: “Thanks to Sport Pembrokeshire
for organising a fantastic morning of activities for our pupils. They all thoroughly
enjoyed themselves.”

Dan Bellis of Sport Pembrokeshire, added: “A big thanks to Fishguard & Goodwick
Hockey Club, Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club and the Young Ambassadors
from Ysgol Bro Gwaun for putting on a fabulous morning of activities in glorious
sunshine!

“A big well done to all the pupils from Ysgol Glannau Gwaun for their effort and
enthusiasm throughout the morning.”

Sport

Cresselly stay top as Lawrenny skittle Llangwm for just 39

Published

3 days ago

July 7, 2025

Herald Sport

Dominant wins across the divisions as league tables begin to take shape

CRESSELLY retained their place at the top of Division 1 of the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Burton on Saturday (July 5).

Charlie Arthur led the chase with an unbeaten 65, while Simon Cole ripped through Burton’s batting with 4-8. The reply was brisk, with Cresselly reaching the target in under 18 overs.

Lawrenny produced a bowling masterclass to dismiss Llangwm for just 39. Rob Williams (6-12) and Jamie Lewis (4-23) shared the wickets before Lawrenny cruised to a 10-wicket win.

Herbrandston beat Neyland by 90 runs thanks to a strong showing with bat and ball. Charlie Malloy scored 68 and Jack Nicholas added 51 before Nathan Banner claimed 3-12.

Saundersfoot beat Haverfordwest by 81 runs with Tom Mansbridge taking 4-14 and Nick Cope chipping in with 4-28.

Carew chased down 134 to beat Whitland by three wickets. Brian Hall scored 33, while James Hinchcliffe finished on 28 not out and took 2-36 with the ball.

Division 1 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Cresselly	11	10	1	37	47	192
2	Carew	11	9	2	42	52	186
3	Saundersfoot	11	7	4	40	47	164
4	Herbrandston	11	7	4	36	45	155
5	Neyland	11	6	5	35	44	141
6	Lawrenny	11	6	5	31	45	138
7	Whitland	11	4	7	37	32	113
8	Burton	11	3	8	35	38	103
9	Haverfordwest	11	3	8	32	34	98
10	Llangwm	11	0	11	21	20	41

Division 2 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	St Ishmaels	11	9	2	46	51	187
2	Pembroke	11	8	3	53	47	180
3	Narberth	11	8	3	50	50	180
4	Hook	11	8	3	48	41	172
5	Llechryd	11	6	5	42	41	146
6	Cresselly II	11	6	5	43	29	136
7	Johnston	11	5	6	39	42	131
8	Carew II	11	3	8	39	38	110
9	Llanrhian	11	1	10	45	18	73
10	Burton II	11	1	10	29	22	61

Division 3 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Fishguard	11	10	1	37	41	186
2	Pembroke Dock	11	9	2	37	50	184
3	Lamphey	11	6	5	38	38	138
4	Hundleton	11	6	5	36	38	138
5	Stackpole	11	5	6	42	35	130
6	Haverfordwest II	11	4	6	44	37	126
7	Laugharne	11	4	6	39	30	114
8	Kilgetty	11	4	6	42	26	108
9	Hook II	11	3	7	34	19	83
10	Neyland II	11	2	9	31	23	74

Division 4 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Pembroke II	11	10	1	47	47	198
2	Saundersfoot II	11	9	1	44	45	179
3	St Ishmaels II	11	7	4	48	42	160
4	Crymych	11	6	4	44	34	138
5	Haverfordwest III	10	4	5	40	33	133
6	Lawrenny II	11	5	5	37	38	125
7	Carew III	9	4	4	38	26	104
8	Llangwm II	11	2	9	47	25	92
9	Llanrhian II	10	1	8	36	22	88
10	Narberth II	11	2	9	36	22	79

Division 5 Table

Pos	Team	P	W	L	Bat	Bowl	Pts
1	Llechryd II	11	9	1	43	46	192
2	Herbrandston II	11	9	2	43	50	190
3	Pembroke Dock II	11	7	3	44	39	157
4	Whitland II	9	4	4	32	19	113
5	Haverfordwest IV	10	3	6	38	26	104
6	Hundleton II	10	4	5	33	23	100
7	Cresselly III	10	2	7	41	28	89
8	Neyland III	10	0	10	33	8	40