Sport

Team of the week: West Dragons FC

Published

12 years ago

January 3, 2014

THE history of West Dragons Football Cub spans across a very short period from 2008 to the present day. They were formed in 2008 by brothers Jamie and Lee Palmer, who with great ambition, courage and determination have bought the club to where it is today.

They also stated that the main philosophy of the club was to “give young players the best opportunity to succeed in an environment where they can play with freedom, courage, belief and to be successful”.

The club started the 2008-2009 season in Division 5 of the Pembrokeshire League. During that season the team played their home games in Crundale at the Rudbaxton Community Playing Field. The Palmer brothers approached local businessmen Karl Potter (The Glen, Haverfordwest) who became club chairman – who invested £500 in return for a direct interest in running the club.

Finally Jayne Thomas was added to the committee as club secretary and she stills holds that position today. Other sponsors such as G and G Builders Pembrokeshire Ltd, LNG South Hook invested to help fund facilities and equipment including a sit-down mower much to relief of then part time groundsman who for the first month of the season cut the whole pitch weekly with push on mowers taking an amazing five hours to complete.

Under the management of Jeremy Thomas and Deny Barrett the club began playing in the Pembrokeshire League. In October of 2008, the club made a move to bring in Lee Morgan as manager and finished the season as Division 5 league and cup winners beating St Clears in the final remarkably the club remained not only unbeaten but didn’t draw or lose a game in those respective competitions. Showing ambition the club was helped to success with the likes of Jonathan Clarke, Jay Brockway and Matthew Watters.

During the pre season of 2009-2010, West Dragons made Bob Nelson their new first team manager. After a strong start to the league campaign, West Dragons slumped in a run of games including a two leg cup defeat to Tenby United which ended Nelson’s campaign as manager.

Morgan returned to the helm in November and guided the team to the division title with the clinching victory coming in a game against Clarbeston Road where Simon Thomas scored the winning goal.

Off the field there was also change. Terry Worsley was appointed new club chairman and West Dragons replaced The Glen, Haverfordwest with The Labour Club, Haverfordwest as their new main sponsors. This time local businessman Eddie Wells invested in the club and still to this day does so as the club’s main sponsor. The club also made a ground move to The Pavillion Playing Fields, Portfield after agreeing a lease with Tasker Milward School and Pembrokeshire County Council for the use of the playing field which includes two full size pitches.

The Pembrokeshire League season 2010-2011 for West Dragons started in Division 3. The season ended in promotion with a second place finish in the division. They also managed to secure a division cup win with a 3-2 victory over Broad Haven, after trailing by two goals with only 30 minutes to play.

More history was created with a reserve team being introduced to Division 5 under the guidance of Deny Barrett and an under 14s junior team supervised by Jeremy Thomas and Jamie Palmer with fourth and third place finishes respectively. Off the field committee members were added and Karl Davies became the club’s groundsman on a permanent basis. On to Division 2, Morgan’s ambition was to achieve promotion in season 2011-12. The Dragons more than held their own in this division by comfortably beating teams and were third by Christmas. In February manager Lee Morgan decided to step down due to university commitments.

The committee decided that Jamie and Brother Lee would run the team until the end of the campaign. The Palmers decided to make Chris Darlington club captain and adopt the same style of play Lee Morgan installed. It certainly worked because the Dragons found themselves in another cup final after beating Saundersfoot Sports 2-0 in Division 2 cup semi final, Steven Dockerty and Mike Turpin with the goals. The league campaign ended with the reds narrowly missing out on promotion finishing third in the division.

In summer 2012-13 West Dragons committee appointed Nigel Delaney as their new manager. Delaney was recommended to the club and after meeting him and knowing his footballing background they knew he was right choice to bring club forward. This was Delaney’s first management job after a very successful playing career. Nigel had Mark Falzon helping him train the team for short spell but asked Byron Phillips to assist him. Phillips had recently managed Monkton Swifts.

Under Delaney the Dragons were unstoppable in the league losing only two games all season after comfortably achieving promotion. The target for the club was the achieve promotion but to do it in Delaney’s first season was great achievement.

The Dragons also made it to their first ever senior cup final after beating Hakin United 4-0 on the Bridge meadow in the semi final. The Dragons were the first side since 1989 to reach senior cup final and not to be playing in Pembrokeshire’s top division. The Reds faced Johnston the final at the Bridge Meadow Stadium watched by a record attendance with more than 1400. The Dragons finished runners up in final after losing 3-2. It was great effort by everyone involved with the club, considering the reds were trailing 3-0 at half time we showed great character in second half scoring two goals and giving Johnston a fright when Niall Kinsella hit bar in last 10 minutes of game.

A lot of credit had to go Nigel Delaney after what he achieved in season 2012-13. In this season West Dragons also had a successful season with their second side after manager Mark Hix guided his team to win the Division 5, an ambition the club felt had to be achieved if club was going to progress as a club.

The Dragons under 16s also had brilliant season after winning their league. The club was delighted to win their first junior title and glad the majority of the team has stayed with club in the senior level.

The Juniors also made it to the under 16s cup final but came runners up to Carew losing 2-1 at Marble Hall, Milford Haven. The club also started up a under 10s team and the team was managed by former Dragons player Simon Owens. The reds ambition is to bring juniors through every age group. The start of this season has been a success so far with some impressive performances and causing some shock results. Off the pitch Nigel Delaney decided to step down as manager, but deserves great credit for his effort and dedication he gave to club. Byron Phillips was appointed manager and Ritchie Brill as assistant manager. Phillips assisted Delaney so was the obvious choice to replace him. Mark Hix also stepped down as manager and was replaced by player-manager Dai Upward; Dai captained the seconds to previous season.

Coming up to Christmas break and the Dragons are currently in fourth place in division 1, five points off top of the league and the club is hoping to keep playing the football they have been playing and finish in the highest place they can. The second team is also holding their own in division 4 and hope to continue in the hard work everyone’s put in.

West Dragons would like to wish all their players a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing everyone back in the New Year.

News

Sponsors secure future of Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon

Published

2 days ago

February 8, 2026

Herald Sport

Valero and Mainline back award-winning Broad Haven event ahead of July championships

A MAJOR sponsorship deal has been agreed to support one of Wales’ longest-running triathlon events, giving a boost to this year’s Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon in Broad Haven.

Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club has confirmed that Valero Pembrokeshire Oil Terminal and Mainline Pipelines Limited will act as main sponsors for the 2026 race, providing financial backing to help deliver the popular community event.

***Abi Price, representing Valero Pembrokeshire Oil Terminal and Mainline Pipelines, a Valero company, with Helena Tollick, Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club*** ***(Pic: Supplied)***

First staged in 1994, the Broad Haven competition is widely regarded as the longest-running triathlon organised by a grassroots club in Wales. It was named Welsh Triathlon Event of the Year in 2025 and regularly attracts competitors from across the country.

Organisers say the 2026 event will host both the Welsh Standard Distance Triathlon Championships and a round of the Welsh Triathlon Super Series. The race is also set to be filmed for broadcast on S4C.

Jamie Dow, Senior Manager at VPOT, and Tim Rudd, Senior Manager at MLP, said supporting the event was a way of giving back to the local communities where staff live and work.

They said: “Being the longest-running triathlon event in Wales organised by a grassroots club makes this event really special to the communities we live and work in. We are delighted to be able to sponsor the Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club.”

Club chair Helena Tollick said the sponsorship would help keep entry costs affordable while maintaining high standards.

She said: “This support, alongside backing from other sponsors and the local community, enables us to deliver a top-quality event at a fair price in a stunning setting. It also helps the club continue to thrive.”

This year’s Pembrokeshire Coast Triathlon takes place on Sunday, July 5. Entries and further information are available via the club’s website.

Sport

Senedd maintain rugby dominance over Westminster rivals

Published

2 days ago

February 7, 2026

Herald Sport

CARMARTHEN West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz has celebrated another Welsh victory after the Senedd rugby team defeated their counterparts from Westminster in the annual Rygbi Senedd Cymru fixture.

Posting after the match, Mr Kurtz said the Welsh side had once again come out on top against the combined Commons and Lords team, extending what is believed to be an unbeaten run stretching back well over a decade.

The friendly but fiercely contested match, played each year between Members of the Senedd and parliamentarians from London, has become a staple of the political calendar, raising money for charity while promoting cross-party camaraderie through sport.

Although he did not lace up his boots this time, Mr Kurtz was among those on the touchline backing the home side.

He said: “The annual Rygbi Senedd Cymru fixture versus the Commons & Lords saw us Welsh victorious yet again, which could well see our undefeated streak extended to 15 games. While the boots didn’t make it onto my feet this year, it was still good to support and sing the anthem.”

The match typically brings together politicians from across party lines, with rivalries set aside for eighty minutes of rugby and fundraising. Previous fixtures have been used to support a range of good causes, including community and health charities.

Supporters say the event showcases the strong sporting culture within Welsh politics and provides a rare chance for elected representatives to connect with each other – and the public – outside the debating chamber.

With another win under their belts, the Senedd side’s long unbeaten streak continues, adding bragging rights over their Westminster opponents for yet another year.

Senedd pride: Samuel Kurtz MS joined teammates and supporters for the annual Rygbi Senedd Cymru clash (Pics: social media / file).

Sport

Cardiff-born footballer blocked from playing for Wales after citizenship refusals

Published

2 days ago

February 7, 2026

Herald Sport

Teen says Home Office decision stops him representing country he calls home

A CARDIFF-born footballer says he has been prevented from representing Wales after the UK government refused his citizenship application twice.

Enzo Romano, who was born and raised in Cardiff, says he has always considered himself Welsh and wants to play football for the national side, but claims he has been denied a British passport because of his parents’ financial circumstances at the time they lived in Wales.

The case has surfaced on social media this week after campaign group Abolish Westminster highlighted his situation, calling it “a disgrace” that a Welsh-born child cannot represent his country.

Romano said: “Just because I moved to Barcelona doesn’t mean I’m not Welsh.

“The first thing that comes into my mind every time is the dragon on my chest and, for me, the fact that they don’t want to give me nationality so I can get a passport is so unfair.

“To think that I can’t represent my country playing football just because of this situation really hurts me.”

Under current UK nationality rules, being born in Wales or elsewhere in the UK does not automatically guarantee citizenship. At least one parent must be a British citizen or have settled immigration status at the time of birth. Applications can also be refused on financial or residency grounds.

Romano claims his applications were rejected by the Home Office because his parents did not meet income requirements while living in Wales.

Without a British passport, players can face difficulties meeting eligibility rules to represent national teams, even if they were born in the country.

The situation has prompted criticism online, with supporters arguing that identity and birthplace should count more than paperwork.

The Football Association of Wales sets eligibility in line with international regulations, which typically require citizenship.

The Herald has contacted the Home Office and the FAW for comment and has asked Romano to provide documentation relating to the refusals.

If confirmed, the case is likely to raise wider questions about whether children born and raised in Wales should face barriers to representing the nation because of their family’s income or immigration status.

Photo caption:

Enzo Romano says he dreams of wearing the Welsh dragon but has been blocked by citizenship rules (Pic: supplied).