Cliff recalls happy Bluebirds’ memories

It was a real treat to catch up with Cliff Pawlett because whenever very good Haverfordwest County sides at the old Bridge Meadow are discussed then one local player’s name that regularly crops up is that of Cliff Pawlett, who was a speedy left winger who could not only create goals but score them himself.
Cliff is now a sprightly-looking 70 year old and still enjoys watching the Bluebirds play at the new Bridge Meadow Stadium – and enjoyed a real treat this season when the Supporters’ Association, organised by Kevin Bryce and Eddie Bunston, invited him to join the likes of George Brain, Ronnie Davies and Dai Landry, plus another local lad in Mostyn Rowlands, being introduced to the crowd at half time, kicking a ball around on the fine pitch there, and watching the game from a warm box in total comfort.
He played for Haverfordwest County for most of his career and only crossed the Bridge late on after being invited by Des Shanklin to play for Pembroke Borough.
“I had a great deal of respect for Des,” say Cliff, “and so I decided to have a run out there alongside very good players of the calibre of Buddy Glover, Alan Hole and Mal Morris, who was still a cracking player then. I had two very enjoyable seasons at London Road but felt I had to finish my playing days where I started and so it was back to the Bridge Meadow for that.”
Cliff had made his debut for the Bluebirds as a 16 year old against Seven Sisters in 1955, and admits that he was a little in awe of some of the well-known players like Des ‘Dobbs’ Roberts, a proven goal-scorer, goalkeeper John Thomas and Llewellyn James, another fine player in his time. Prior to that, Cliff’s football had been confined to kick-abouts with his mates, using a tennis ball in someone’s garden, and playing in the many summer tournaments.

Played three times for the Wales Youth

He was a natural left-footer and just decided to go training and then attend the Haverfordwest County trials – and to his utter surprise was soon in the squad. Within two years he was the proud owner of three Welsh Youth shirts and the coveted cap that denotes a footballer representing his country, with an amazing performance in the trial at Carmarthen that earned him his p[lace as he grabbed all four goals in a 4-4 draw!
He made his Welsh debut against England at Ninian Park, Cardiff, then played against the Irish at Llandudno and followed this up with a long train journey to play against the Scots at Easter Road, the home of Hibernian.
Cliff had one win, one draw and on defeat in that trio of games and he scored against the Irish with a shot that he drilled home from ten yards, with his mother having one of the shirts and his grandson Gareth, who plays for Broad Haven AFC, having his cap to keep.
“It was a great thrill to pull on the Welsh shirt,” says Cliff, “because I was the only one from West Wales involved. Brian Burgoyne had done the same thing a couple of seasons before me and I know he was also delighted because there weren’t all that many from Pembrokeshire in those days.”
Cliff played until he was 37, finishing off in the seconds at Haverfordwest County and finally deciding it was time to ease up on aching limbs and because his sons Tim, Nigel, Nicholas and Jeff were growing up. During his time Cliff had his share of injuries with a broken leg (twice), broken collar bone, broken ankle and toe - he knew straight away when he broke his leg at the Vetch Field, Swansea but when it happened a second time, at the Bridge Meadow, it was sore but he didn’t really know that it was broken until later, but on each occasion he couldn’t wait to get back in action.

Winning the Welsh League was Cliff's highlight

During his time with Haverfordwest County, winning the top division of the Welsh League was the undoubted highlight, with star players like Stan Richards, who was a Japanese war veteran but returned to grab bags of goals,, Jack Foxton, John Thomas, Alan and Johnny Williams, Ray Jones, Ralph Baker and Ray Chennard, plus Len Rowden. They used to play the likes of Seven Sisters, Ton Pentre, Clydach and Lovells Athletic, who were known as ‘The Toffee Men’.
“It was great fun as we travelled up and down the length of the old A48 and a weekly highlight was stopping off at Morriston on the way to matches so that we could all eat together in the same cafe. There were some real characters in the opposition too and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, despite so much travel. I also played once with Ivor Allchurch and with Mel Charles at both the Bridge Meadow and London Road, two famous players who finished their football in Pembrokeshire – and I had some good managers like Tom Thomas, Mr Williams, the head teacher of Barn Street, plus Leslie Ellis, of course.”
Cliff was known as a great creator of chances for others as he used his terrific turn of speed to get past opposing full backs but he also scored some very good goals himself and vividly recalls one hat-trick, against Treharris, which sticks in his mind.
“It was a great time and I will never forget the great support I had from the locals in the crowd,” recalls Cliff. “ I will always remember representing Wales and was very lucky to have played so long and made so many friendships. Whenever I go to the Bridge Meadow Stadium it brings back memories of some great days in my life.”
Do  you know what Cliff? Others have the same memories of you and look back on a very fine player named Cliff Pawlett  who graced the game of football so long!