page revision date: 18th September2008

Borough stalwarts celebrate Des’s birthday

There were a few lumps in throats at a recent surprise party to celebrate the 77th birthday of Des Shanklin when the former Welsh FA President, Treasurer and long-standing committeeman got up to say a few words in front of many of his old pals from his days at Pembroke Borough.
Organised by his niece Debbie Brace it was a walk down Memory Lane as several former footballers, supporters, old friends and current Borough manager Helen Matthews spoke warmly of Des’s involvement at the club. The evening was MC’d by Bill Carne, who said that Des had worked in conjunction with top people like FIFA president Sepp Blatter and all the Welsh team managers, including Mike England and John Toshack – but still had the gift of making players and supporters in Pembrokeshire feel equally as important as those at the top.
“Perhaps that is why Des has become so well known all over the world and if one goes anywhere in Wales to watch then officials always ask how Des is. He is rightly regarded as a real gentleman and is just as popular at Haverfordwest County, where he is now the president in their Welsh Premier League set-up,” said Bill during the evening.

Long journey for Neil

Making the longest journey to attend the surprise function was Neil Morris, who had travelled from Sandhurst, in Berkshire, to meet up with former colleagues like Pat McQuillan, Jeremy Morris, Benno Jones, Mark Ashman, Chrissie Manning, Paul Phillips, Clive Cole, Martin Cole and Mark Powell - and say thank you to their former manager.
Mark Powell brought the house down with his wisecracking about there being two legends there on the evening – Messrs Shanklin and Powell! But he stopped for a moment to reflect on how much Des had meant to him when he played at London Road in a long career which also included Swansea City, Llanelli, Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest.
Shep liked the food – and so did Shinner!
As the senior former player on view, Graham Sheppard was able to travel back to 1954 and recall when he played on the wing and Des was a young committeeman at the club. ‘Shep’ was able to recall events from those days which brought forth a chuckle, like the way that Des was always able to organise food stops for the players, especially in Morriston on away match days, where a three course meal of soup, dinner and pudding was available as soon as the coach pulled up and the players disembarked.
Phil ‘Shinner’ Cook recalled how he was roped in by Des to be the Borough’s first-team first aid man and he also loved the food at Morriston – and was delighted every week to receive a brown envelope with 30 shillings in it (that’s the princely sum of £1.50 to you youngsters!) as the players received £4 or £6, depending on their status!

Barrister Simon speaks

Also in attendance before he dashed off to Cardiff was barrister Simon Mumford, who told of the days when he played in goal as a young man at London Road. Simon said that Des was a true gentleman of sport and those in attendance could only nod in agreement. Selwyn Cole and Meyrick Rowlands were others who turned out to say thank you to Des for looking after them when they were young players.

Helen and Hugh sing praises

Current Pembroke Borough manager Helen Matthews told the gathering how grateful she was to Des for all his advice and support in her long stint in charge of the Magpies, with husband William joined by life-long Borough supporters in Bill and John Edwards, who were there to pay their tribute, alongside Gill and John Donnachie, two friends and great Borough fans.
Hugh Colley was there as a very keen Borough supporter over many years and he expanded on Des’s contribution to Welsh Football, where he is rightly held in regard and known by football administrators all over the world. As Hugh said, “Des is renowned for his contribution to football and his ability to show an interest in everyone, no matter how important or involved, treating the youngest or least known players and fans just as well as the famous. There has been a huge number of players who have passed through Des’s hands in the 50-plus years he has been involved. All have the utmost respect for Des and think the world of him, as do everyone who is here tonight.”

No dry eyes left

There was hardly a dry eye in the room when Mark Ashman said what Des meant to him as a father figure and the former top goalkeeper echoed the view of many there that his footballing life owed so much to the encouragement provided by Des Shanklin.
The last word was left to Des himself, who thanked everyone for coming and jokingly remonstrated with niece Debbie for organising the surprise ‘do’ without his getting a sniff that it was going on.
“It has been a great evening and it is lovely to see so many old friends, and I will never forget your kindness in coming. I have travelled all over the world but I will always remember with joy the meeting again tonight of so many lovely people.”