page revision date : 30th June 2010
Dean does it well by talking to players
Dean Boswell is one of three brothers who referee football matches in Pembrokeshire, scored a lot of goals for Johnston and Hook, as well as playing cricket in both places – and still loves both sports as much as he ever did.
Along with brothers Roy and Alan he dons his ref’s kit each week and puts something back into a game he really enjoyed playing, with a reputation earned for being someone who talks to players throughout a match, explaining his decisions and adopting a no-nonsense approach where those participating know exactly where they are.
Dean has been a referee for about seven seasons now, having started when he was close to finishing his playing days and decided it was time to put something back into a game he loved – and bumped into Pembrokeshire League secretary Eddie Oliver at just the right time because Eddie persuaded him to give it a go. In the intervening seasons there have been few moments when Dean felt he had made a mistake because he took to it straight away and enjoyed his participation alongside players he had known as team-mates or opponents, which helped a great deal.
Dean takes charge of cup final
after brother Roy broke his arm
He was rewarded with the 2nd Division Final last season when brother Roy was down to officiate but broke his arm playing in a ‘friendly’ charity match, and Dean says with a chuckle,
“I did feel a bit of sympathy for my brother – but not too much!”
Dean has also reffed a Senior Cup semi-final when Monkton Swifts beat Carew 1-0. Like all refs his ambition would be a chance to referee the Senior Cup Final but he enjoys being involved anyway and will carry on with the whistle for as long as he enjoys being involved.
Football was always Dean’s favourite sport and he started out as a ten year old subbing for Johnston under 15s and he made his senior debut for The Tigers before he was 15 and scored two goals in a 3-0 win at St Mary’s Field against Fishguard Sports. There was only one sub in those days and Dean was often roped in as a nipper to run the line and was complimented by Pedr McMullen, then one of the top refs in the county, who praised him for the way he flagged decisions in such a mature way. It was the start of a time when he gradually fought his way into contention and played alongside cracking players like Gary Stephens, big John Codd, Huw Brophy, Martin Davies, plus Steve and Richard James.
Great days playing with Tigers
In his time playing for the Tigers, Dean picked up no fewer than four league winners’ medals and appeared in two Senior Cup Finals, losing 3-0 to Merlins Bridge and beating Saundersfoot by 2-1. They were great days out and Dean also played as a 17 year old in two of the games as Johnston reached the West Wales Cup Final before losing to St Josephs – and admits it was agony being at the Vetch Field and watching his team lose after Chris Walters had fired them into the lead.
He scored his share of goals for the Tigers and continued to find the net when he joined Hook (where his wife Dawn comes from) as he amassed an amazing 49 goals in one season. He also grabbed 13 goals in nine matches for Merlins Bridge but went back to Johnston because they were struggling for players at the time.
Football first love but cricket came close second
If football was always Dean’s first sporting love then cricket came a close second after starting out with Johnston as a 12 year old. They had just one team in those days and had established players like Grenville Davies, Mel Charles and Roy Phillips but gradually the likes of Dean, Steve and Richard James began to break into the side for matches in the old Tuesday League. Dean announced his arrival for Saturday matches when he partnered Harvey Boswell in a last wicket stand at Lawrenny where they survived the last 15 overs to claim the draw. He enjoyed his games with Johnston before joining Hook when he was going out with Dawn, making 88 not out against Llangwm and then 94 not out at Lamphey as his top score. He also scored an undefeated 38 n against Neyland after coming to the wicket in the very first over – but says that with Tommy Jones, Russell James, Seymour Morris and Andrew Jenkins as the opposing bowlers it was no mean feat!
Back on the football front, Dean says that he enjoys the rapport he has with players.
