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Mickey’s ace at Glebelands
Mickey Algieri has played for Johnston AFC for 39 years without a break, has been club chairman for nine years and is a very enthusiastic member of the Pembrokeshire over 45s squad, where he still plays with the enthusiasm that has always been part of his sporting make-up.
Mickey didn’t play serious football until he was 18, because he had returned to Italy for three years in his teens – and he only started then because brother Tony was playing for Johnston and persuaded Mickey to give it a go. He was made very welcome and although the Tigers only had one team in those days he was quickly in action on the wing, chasing after long balls booted out of defence by Trefor Morgans with the instruction ‘Chase it Mickey!’ which Mickey has done ever since and wonders just how many miles he has run for Johnston in the intervening years.
Glory years for the Tigers
They used a little hut with showers in and were regularly beaten heavily in division three but gradually settled into a side which got promoted behind Brawdy and the following season made it to the top echelon as Micky and Co were joined by very talented young players like big John Codd, Steve and Richard James, Glyn Ruloff, Chris Walters and the Murray boys, plus Charlie Edwards and Steve Heyward – and suddenly became a force to be reckoned with. The undoubted highlight came in 1981 when the Tigers became league champions, doubled up with the Senior Cup as they beat St Ishmaels 2-1 and reached the final of the West Wales Cup at the old Vetch Field. It looked as if Johnston might complete their historic treble as they scored first but then had claims for a penalty turned down. It proved to be the turning point of the match because St Joseph’s, from Swansea, equalised soon afterwards and went on to win 3-1. It was a huge disappointment for the Johnston boys but they went on to enjoy their evening, nonetheless.
West Wales trips were great
Trips for the West Wales Cup have always been a major part of the Tigers’ seasons and always produced a string of funny stories, not least when they were in Swansea and John Codd wanted to go into a night club but wasn’t allowed because he had jeans on – and asked a bemused Mickey if he would swap his trousers so he could get in. Now Mickey was about ten stone, soaking wet whilst John Codd was closer to 15 stone – so luckily Mickey was able to refuse without offending the big feller too much!
Mickey also played in two other Senior Cup Finals and also took part in the Third Division Cup Final on two other occasions as he got a little older.
Veterans exploits end in silverware
Last season was delighted to be part of the Pembrokeshire over 45s team which travelled to Lilleshall, where the English football team train, and returned with the trophy after beating a team from Burnley 2-0 in the National Final.
“It was a great thrill for the boys,” said Mickey with a chuckle, “and we certainly celebrated in style. I drove the bus, as usual, but I still enjoyed the evening out with some great characters.”
Mickey began his involvement with the veterans later than he might have done, simply because organiser Bob Nelson didn’t know he was available, but once he began playing he became very much a regular alongside real characters like Bernie Armstrong and Brian Morris (Goodwick), Steve James, Glyn Ruloff and Gary Stephens (Johnston), Tim Phillips (Milford Athletic), Bobby Bevan and Paul Mansbridge (Kilgetty), Brian Broome (St Ishmaels), Gerald Hicks (Carew), John Ryan (Camrose) and Bob Nelson himself. Mickey has been playing for eight years now and they travel as far afield as Barnstaple, Luton and Worcester in England, plus Cardiff, Newport and Swansea in Wales.
Stepping down as Johnston flourish again
Back on the Johnston front, Mickey played first team football for many years and was player/manager for a season and also managed the second string for a few years too as he stepped down to the seconds because there were young players coming through and he wanted to give them every encouragement. He has signed again this season and will complete 40 years as a player with the club – but only play when they are short. He is also delighted that another talented batch of young players are beginning to evolve and are currently sitting atop the second division and looking favourites for promotion with players of the calibre of Steve Mills, Luke Heyward, Andrew and Scott Murray, Liam James following their fathers in to the team alongside Gary James and Adam Hawkins.
Family support and keeping fit
Mickey is the first to sing the praises of wife Alison because although she doesn’t like football at all she has always given him 100% support, as does daughter Rebecca (16), who is involved in hockey and netball, as well as being a very keen dancer for nine years. He plays five a side football once a week with a group that includes Gary Stephens and Brian Broome, as well as younger players like Dai Cove (ex-Tish) and Matthew Davies (Monkton Swifts), and can’t wait for over 45 games to come around. He also supports Haverfordwest County at home matches, especially if they are played under floodlights or Sunday afternoons, and as well as supporting Johnston has also had a look at the likes of Hakin United and Merlins Bridge this campaign.
And finally . . .
“I have been very lucky to have played so long and I will keep going for as long as my fitness holds,” said Mickey, “and even luckier to have made so many friends locally by playing against other clubs, week in, week out. I wouldn’t have missed a single moment of being involved at Johnston, where there have been some wonderful characters stretching back over the years.”
Micky is too modest to suggest that he is also one of the most respected and likable characters to emerge on the local scene in the past four decades but PembrokeshireSport.co.uk can say it for him, with the utmost pleasure because Mickey Algieri represents all that is best in our county’s football.
