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Haverfordwest County bolsters squad with Maltese defender Luke Tabone

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HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY has made a significant addition to their squad as they prepare for their crucial UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying match. The team has secured the services of Maltese defender Luke Tabone ahead of their upcoming clash with KF Shkendija.

In a bid to claim victory in their away leg on Thursday, July 13, the Bluebirds will travel to North Macedonia. They will then play the return leg at Cardiff City Stadium on July 20.

Luke Tabone, a 25-year-old centre-back, has joined the Bluebirds on a two-year deal from Gżira United, although the transfer fee remains undisclosed. Tabone still had one year remaining on his contract with Gżira United before making the move to Haverfordwest County.

Expressing his satisfaction with the latest signing, manager Tony Pennock stated, “We’re extremely pleased to get this deal finalized. Luke has been a major target for some time. His experience will not only benefit us in Europe but also in the challenging Cymru Premier season ahead. He will fit in perfectly with how we want to play as a team.”

Standing at an impressive 6 feet 4 inches, Tabone has played a significant role for Gżira United over the past two seasons, contributing to their successful European qualification campaigns in 2022 and 2023.

Interestingly, the Maroons, who finished third in the previous Maltese Premier League season, could have been a potential opponent for the Bluebirds. However, they will face Glentoran from Northern Ireland instead.

In a twist of fate, Tabone has already experienced a match at the Toše Proeski Arena, the venue for Haverfordwest County’s UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round tie. He was part of Malta’s squad in their 2-1 defeat to North Macedonia during the Euro 2024 qualifying stage in March. Tabone’s wealth of experience will undoubtedly enhance the Bluebirds’ squad.

Tabone’s signing marks the seventh addition to the team during the summer transfer window, joining the likes of Ifan Knott, Kai Whitmore, Tyrese Owen, Rio Dyer, Martell Taylor-Crossdale, and Kayden Williams-Lowe.

To prepare for their upcoming fixture in North Macedonia, the Bluebirds engaged in a friendly match against a Swansea City XI, which ended in a 2-0 defeat. Josh Thomas and Joel Piroe were the scorers in that match.

Manager Pennock expressed his optimism ahead of the European trip, saying, “We’ve not had much of a break since the win at Newtown, but the lads are in good spirits, and so they should be. They worked extremely hard last year to get into the playoffs, and winning them was exceptional. However, we are not going there just to make up the numbers in Europe. We are going to give a good account of ourselves, and that’s what we’ve been training for. It will be a fantastic experience for the players and the staff who will be traveling.”

Shkendija, Haverfordwest County’s opponents, finished third in the 2022/23 season and have been champions of their nation’s top division four times. In the UEFA Champions League qualifiers of 2018/19, they triumphed over The New Saints. Last season, they advanced to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Manager Pennock has analyzed videos of their summer matches and expects a challenging test for his team.

In a gesture of goodwill, Shkendija has announced free entry for all away fans during the upcoming match. Tickets will be available at the stadium for traveling fans to collect before entry. Supporters traveling to North Macedonia and wishing to attend the match are requested to email their full name to [email protected] to secure their tickets.

The winners of this tie will face either B36 Tórshavn from the Faroe Islands or Paide Linnameeskond from Estonia in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference.

Business

Stena announces redundancy plan amid uncertainty for Pembrokeshire

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FREIGHT carrier and ferry operator Stena Line, which runs services between Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, has announced plans to cut up to 80 staff members following an internal review.

Uncertainty looms over whether any of these redundancies will impact staff operating our local ferry services.

Stena CEO Paul Grant shared the news in an email to employees on Monday, citing a need to “future proof the company.” He explained that an internal assessment revealed the company’s current organisational structure as “too big and expensive” compared to its revenue.

The decision comes amid rising costs and increased competition in the freight and travel sectors.

According to Mr. Grant, “Cost pressure due to higher inflation has led to our customers having less money to spend, and with the introduction of the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), increasing our prices, we see a decline in volumes for both travel and freight.” Additionally, disappointing sales during the summer season and unmet market growth expectations for 2024 contributed to the restructuring.

The program, designed to strengthen Stena’s long-term business viability, includes a reduction of costs, prioritization of investments, and staff cuts that will primarily impact support functions and consultants. The workforce will be reduced by 80 positions by early 2025, along with 30 consultants also set to leave the company. Discussions with unions and work councils are expected to last several months, with all affected staff to be informed of their status by January 31, 2025.

In response to this announcement, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has demanded a meeting with Stena Line to clarify the impact of these cuts, particularly on their members.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust expressed disappointment over the handling of the announcement, stating: “Our members are shocked by this news and outraged that Stena has chosen to sidestep established industrial relations processes. Stena must meet with us urgently to clarify who is at risk and address the potential impacts on our members.”

The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at securing Stena Line’s future amid sustainability challenges. CEO Niclas Mårtensson acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, “Stena Line has been a successful company over the past few years; however, we need to ensure a lower cost base to be able to future proof the company. With 40 vessels in Europe and the Mediterranean, we have significant sustainability challenges ahead of us, and this program will enable us to make necessary investments for the future.”

The TSSA’s letter to Stena reiterates the union’s commitment to supporting affected employees and calls for an immediate discussion to clarify the situation, especially for staff at Fishguard who may be impacted.

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UK government to appoint first Wales Crown Estate Commissioner

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FOR the first time, the UK government will appoint a Crown Estate Commissioner dedicated to advising on matters in Wales, further integrating Welsh interests in board-level decisions. This move supports existing efforts to ensure that Wales benefits from the push for clean energy, following an agreement facilitated by the Welsh Secretary.

An amendment to the Crown Estate Bill, with cross-party backing from Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats, and crossbenchers, will be accepted at today’s Lords Report Stage (Nov 5). This change mandates the appointment of a Wales-specific Commissioner through the Public Appointments process, with input from the Welsh Government. The appointee will bear “an additional responsibility” to represent Welsh conditions and interests, amplifying Wales’s voice within the Crown Estate.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has collaborated with the Treasury, The Crown Estate, House of Lords members, and the Welsh Government to secure this legislative advancement. The Crown Estate, instrumental in drawing international investment to Wales, supports projects like Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea, which promises cleaner energy and job creation.

The introduction of a Wales-specific Commissioner strengthens The Crown Estate’s mission to serve the entire UK while averting potential market fragmentation and protecting international investor confidence critical to the net-zero transition.

In a related effort, Great British Energy, the government’s new public energy firm, recently partnered with The Crown Estate to expedite renewable energy advancements. This initiative could attract up to £60bn in private investment, boosting the UK’s journey toward energy independence.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated: “This is a landmark step toward ensuring that Welsh prosperity is at the heart of the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Our nation stands to benefit hugely from investment in floating offshore wind, and we now have the representation we need to help seize that moment. This demonstrates how Wales benefits directly from its two governments working together, and I’m grateful to Lord Livermore, The Crown Estate, and others for helping to make this happen.”

Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of The Crown Estate, said: “In seeking to increase the number of Commissioners from eight to twelve, The Crown Estate welcomes the opportunity now presented by this amendment to bring even more direct knowledge and understanding of the areas in which we operate and further strengthen our ability to deliver benefit to the whole of the UK.”

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Crime

Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock

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POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.

Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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