Angie aims to develop

top football players

Angie Nicholls has devoted more time than most in helping to develop young footballing talent from both sexes in Pembrokeshire over a long period and so we paid her a visit to find out about her exploits.
It is nice to report that she is eager to play down her part and keep talking about the players who have passed through her hands but we managed to pin her down and are delighted that Angie can tell her own story.

Early starter

“From an early age I enjoyed playing football at break time in primary school (girls weren’t allowed to play games or attend training in those days!) and whenever I had any spare time, with my brother, sister and other boys, on the football pitch that was conveniently next door to my family home in Seaford, East Sussex. I started playing competitive football at the age of eleven for Brighton and Hove Albion Ladies after watching an exhibition ladies’ match played on that pitch.
Whilst attending secondary school in Hove in 1970 I would stay  after school,  go to tea with the team’s captain, Joy Greenfield, (whose brother was Dave Greenfield of the Stranglers pop group), at her mother’s house and then attend training sessions on Brighton seafront using the street lamps as flood lights (no astroturfs  around then !)
“The manager, Alf Waller and his wife would then drop me off at Brighton Station to catch the 9pm train home, arriving in Seaford at 9.45, where I was met by my mum and then walked home. (I don’t think many 11/12 year olds would be allowed to do this in today’s society!) Brighton was one of the strongest sides in the Sussex Martlett Ladies League. A management change saw Roger Ockenden take over the side, aided by Martin Bodenham (who went on to be a top Premier League  referee). In 1975, Brighton lost in the semi-final of the Mitre Cup (now known as the Women’s FA Cup) to Southampton, who were the leading team of the 70’s. We gained 3rd place after 3rd/4th play off at Bracknell FC and this was a very memorable moment. 

Growing up in football

“I also played regularly for the Sussex Ladies County side run by the late Don Rodgers (a former English semi-professional player.) In 1977 I attended St Mary’s College, Twickenham to train as a P.E. teacher, driving home each weekend to play for Shoreham Ladies FC.  At college I was the first female allowed to train with the college men’s squads twice a week (after a committee meeting  decision!) where Les Read, ( a former English FA Technical Director and ex manager of Charlton Athletic) was chairman.

Close to England cap

“I attended England trials in 1978 and in 1979 I reached the final 20 players but did not make it into the final 16. This was a bitter disappointment for both my coach and me. But with many Southampton players reaching the end of their international career we both felt sure I would make the squad the following season - especially as my coach was appointed the new England manager (taking over from Ron Springett).
Luckily (or unluckily) in 1980, after I qualified, I found myself being offered a teaching post at St Teilo’s School, Tenby. With jobs few and far between at that time I had to choose my teaching career over my footballing career and moved down here in August 1980.

Pembrokeshire bound

“With the nearest ladies’ club in Cardiff, it was impossible to continue with my playing career, so I started playing hockey for Tenby Ladies and quickly joined Tenby AFC, offering my services as a coach (having passed my Youth Team Mangers’ Award with the FA in Sussex), helping Bill Benham - who had talented young players like Deryn Brace and Gavin Scotcher in the club. At the same times as coaching boys teams, with fellow Tenby teacher,  Julia Wood,  I started up girls’ teams and  later on a Ladies team and I embarked on my second footballing career playing regularly for Tenby and the Pembrokeshire County team alongside talented players like Caroline Cooper, Jane Lovegrove and Cassie Bennett. The highlight of this period was in 1997 when the Pembrokeshire side, coached by Gerry Rigby, beat the full Welsh Ladies team on the Monkton Swifts pitch.

Saundersfoot session

“In the 1997-98 seasons I joined Saundersfoot Ladies, playing along side the likes of Sian Blundell, Kristen Jordan, Lorraine Hinton, Sian Bennett, Emma Rowell and a superb goalkeeper named Ali Brace. My daughter Ani also was in the squad, as was Kristen Jordan’s mother Julie Wainwright – a statistic that the local press were interested in at the time! The Saundersfoot side was untouchable,  winning the 2nd and 1st division in back to back seasons, the League cup three seasons in a row and  the 2nd division cup and the 1st division cup in consecutive seasons. We also reached the semi-final of the Welsh Cup in 2000 losing out to Bangor Ladies at Aberystwyth Town FC.
“The highlight of my time at Saundersfoot was beating Haverfordwest Ladies in the League Cup Final at Bridge Meadow.  As the second division side we were the underdogs. We held Haverfordwest to a draw so the game went to extra time and the match was settled on penalties. It was a fantastic feeling, scoring my penalty at the clubhouse end of the ground, helping the side lift the cup.

Disbanding disappointment

“I then returned to Tenby as player/coach of the Ladies side, managed by the late Tom Aston, until the Women’s 11 a side League was unbelievely disbanded. (NO COMMENT!)  Tenby had a young talented side with Welsh Internationals Carrie Slack and Nicola Aston, as well as some old timers like Denise Powell and Sally James. They won the last-ever League Cup final against Good wick and also met Bangor at Farah Road in the Welsh Cup, losing to a well drilled side.
“The League re-emerged as a 7- a -side tournament playing on mini-pitches and I played a few games for Tenby, but by now I had several other commitments on Sundays and I officially retired at the age of 45 – the spirit was willing, but the legs didn’t listen any more! I was also running boys’ sides for Tenby, the County League representative side, St Teilo’s teams, Pembrokeshire Under 11’s schools’ side, the Pembrokeshire Schools’ under 12’s team and Tenby Girls’ squads, and later on joined Haverfordwest Academy so I was kept quite busy !!

Coaching start

“In 2000, the Tenby under 16’s boy’s side won the South Division of the James Williams League but they lost in the North versus South match against a formidable Merlin’s Bridge side run by Derek Roberts. The most successful Tenby side (to date) won their respective Leagues three years running  (2004-2007) at under 14’s 15’s and 16’s as well as reaching the League Cup Final 4 times, winning it only once playing, at Bridge Meadow against Pennar Robins. I had started coaching these boys from the age of eight, and they included a very talented Joe Allen, Aaron Goldsmith, Scott Holmic, Richard Thomas, Adam John and Sam Christopher.  As time went on Billy Vaughan, Brett Evans and Mike Boswell joined to strengthen the side and as everyone knows Joe signed for Swansea.  Neil Finlay helped with running the side and as a final swansong I took the squad to play in the Wales International Soccer Tournament at Aberystwyth before they made their way in senior football. It is great to see so many still playing.

Licences gained

“At the same time I was pursuing my coach career and in 1989 I passed my C Licence and Goalkeeping Award, followed by my B Licence – on the same course as Mark Evans (Haverfordwest County assistant team manager). I have revalidated my licence several times attending courses run by FAW at Aberystwyth joining other coaches like Derek Brazil, Joey Jones and Ken McKenna.  In 2000 I also became a qualified referee passing the course at the same time as my daughter. I refereed several league games and enjoyed it, but had to give up, due to the fact that football took up am and pm every Saturday and Sunday. So something had to go.

Current coaching

“I then went back down to the under 10’s side and am still coaching them as the current Tenby under 13’s.  The team includes promising footballers like Jerome Man bridge, Shaun Whitfield and goalkeeper Lewis Roberts. At the moment things are going well and  so far we are unbeaten in the League and recently beat Islwyn 10- 0 in the second round of the West Wales Cup. (I hope this is not the kiss of death !) I have also been involved in the Pembrokeshire Primary Schools Tom Yeoman Squads, originally helping Dean Flood and then taking over the running of the sides. For the last few years Mark Hicks and Bernard Steer (goalkeeper coach) have been helping me run the squads and the boys  have done very well in recent years, reaching the semi-final two years running, losing out on corners both times to Wrexham schools! (A very cruel system, but those are the rules!)

Bridge Meadow base

“This year the squad is running in conjunction with Haverfordwest Academy and the players have really benefited from regular training. The teams have made an excellent start picking up maximum points against Ceredigion and Aran Ned. There are many talented and committed boys like Swansea player Scott Jones (St Francis) and   Defied Bevan from Templeton School.  I was asked by Ronnie Beynon to coach at Haverfordwest Academy at its inauguration and have worked with some very good players over the years (many are already on your site!)  Last year’s’ Under 12’s squad was very strong with the likes of Tommy John, Niall Kinchella, Jerome Man bridge and Rhys Jenkins.  I am currently coaching the under 12’s side and they are showing a lot of potential.

Bluebirds fan

“I am a regular supporter of Haverfordwest County and try to watch as many matches as possible and have sponsored Jack Christopher for the last few years. Although I did not coach him at Tenby I have seen him play and develop from an early age and admire the effort and commitment he has  shown  to reach the level he is at today – a real role model for all young players. He thoroughly deserved his recent semi – pro Welsh cap. As a community link,  I run soccer schools for Tenby AFC during the school holidays and  these are always well attended by both boys and girls with the highlights of the courses being the American Shoot Out and the  World Cup.  I also work with the club’s patron Gordon Hill at his annual soccer school at the Clicketts when he comes over from America. I am also a council member of the Welsh Schools Football Association and I have been an ‘unofficial scout’ for Cardiff City and Swansea City, recommending Dylan Rees, Max Brindley and Matthew Delaney – and the number of local youngsters with those clubs is testament to the quality of local football.

Tenby characters – and her dog Ben!

“During my 28 years involved at Tenby with various committee members, managers and chairmen have passed through but one of the hardest working men was Norman Hanlon, who was instrumental in the construction of the pavilion and changing rooms. The current secretary, Dean Harlow, is another “gem” and without him the club would not be on such a firm footing. Hopefully, First Division football will return to Tenby and the senior side will reflect the success that the junior sides have had over the years.

St Teilo’s starlets

“Another momentous event was last year when St Teilo’s School Football represented Swansea City at the League One Community Cup held at Leyton Orient. This was a once in a life time trip for the children and it was amazing for a small school to reach such great heights. “I still manage to play  football—  but only on my annual  holiday in Fuerteventura when I play each day with other hotel guests and I suppose I did gain an international cap after all,  when I was selected for the England team in the hotel World Cup!