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Squire leads County youth by example
Nick Squire hails from St Clears but is currently busy studying Sports Development at Pembrokeshire College, where he is the captain of the football team and doubles up in the same role at the Bridge Meadow Stadium, where he leads the Haverfordwest County under 19 team from his centre half berth.
Nick previously played for the junior sides at Carmarthen Town but of his move to work alongside Ronnie Beynon for both college and Bluebirds.
“It is the best move I have ever made in football since I have learnt so much in my time there,” he told pembrokeshiresport.co.uk. “ Ronnie Beynon is a cracking coach for both teams so there is continuity and I am delighted that I not only get some games with the Haverfordwest County 2nds side that plays in division one of Pembrokeshire Football but I have also been asked to attend first team training recently.
“I loved that because Derek Brazil is great at getting his message across and there are other good coaches like Mark Evans and Mickie Ellis to give advice, which can only be of help to me. My ambition is to play Welsh Premier League football at the Bridge Meadow and I am ready to work hard for that.”
Played other sports for Whitland
Nick also played rugby and cricket for Whitland when he was in his early teens, turning out at centre for the Borderers and playing for the cricket club as a bowler who could also bat a bit. But then he decided it was time to focus on his football and the other sports had to take a back seat.
Junior football played
Nick played his early football under the watchful eye of Dai Phillips at St Clears, scoring plenty of goals as a striker before switching to the left side of midfield when he played for Bernie Lewis at under 14, 15 and 16 levels with Carmarthen Town, helping them to the runners-up spot in the Carmarthenshire Junior Cup Final on two occasions. He felt comfortable playing on the left as a natural left-footed player but was eventually moved into a central midfield role so that he could use his strong tackling prowess more – and now plays at the heart of the defence where he can use his heading ability as well.
Second season in Haverfordwest
This is his second season playing for both college and Haverfordwest County and says, “We are a far more closely-knit team now, with quality players like Luke Robinson, Christian Speak and Craig George, and we all get on well together, on and off the pitch, which is a good thing since we have to travel so much to take part in competitions. We all train together for college every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with sessions for the Bluebirds on Monday evenings. I also enjoy fitness work at St Clears Leisure Centre twice a week to make sure I am in good shape.”
The club started the season in style with a 9-0 thumping of Llansawel, where he scored a goal, as he did with a powerful header against Gorseinon College, but it was a penalty against Aberystwyth Town which gave him the most pleasure after the teams had shared ten goals at the end of extra time. Nick volunteered to take the first penalty in the shoot-out and fired it home, followed by others from Luke Robinson, Oliver Evans and Kristian Speak – and goalkeeper Geraint Nicholas was the hero of the hour as he made a couple of saves which took Haverfordwest County through to a mouth-watering clash with Swansea City Youth, which will take place at St Helens, Swansea.
Luton Town supporter!
Outside of his own playing of the game, Nick must be the only youngster in Pembrokeshire who will admit that his favourite team is Luton Town! His dad Kevin, who is also an ardent Hatters’ fan, first took him to watch them play Norwich City when he was a nipper and since then he has tried to watch Luton at least three times per season. Nick’s mum, Andrea Lewis, is not a keen football fan but has always given Nick every support and we leave the last word to his mentor, Ronnie Beynon, who says of Nick,
“He is a smashing captain because he is totally focussed and dedicated, with a wise old head on young shoulders. He is committed and certainly leads by example with his immense work rate. I fully expect Nick Squire to make a name for himself as a very good footballer, as well as being a very nice young feller.”
