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Bluebirds fans stay through thick and thin
Haverfordwest County AFC might well be struggling at the wrong end of the table in the Welsh Premier League but there is no doubt that the loyalty of their hardy breed of supporters remain undiminished.
The Bluebirds were recently playing against third-placed Neath at the famous rugby ground called the Gnoll and I decided to accept an invitation from Eddie Bunston and Co to join them at the Friday evening floodlit league match.
For the Haverfordwest County fans it is something of a short journey of 62 miles each way because most of their treks are over 250 miles as the games are in Mid Wales or North Wales, but the bus still leaves at 5.30 because the lads like to get to their destination early, soak up the atmosphere, chat to some of the players as they come out onto the pitch, have a hamburger for tea and even enjoy a pint to moisten their tonsils so that they can cheer on the Bluebirds!
Range of characters
The group includes fellers from Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Fishguard, Pembroke Dock and Letterston, all travelling to the Bridge Meadow to pick up the bus but sometimes being driven home, if the driver is in a good mood!
They travel on a mini-bus driven by Kevin Haldane, who also supports Falkirk because – you’ve guessed it – our Kevin is Scottish! He drives his taxi around Haverfordwest during the week and is still keen enough to see the Bluebirds that he is the volunteer driver to most of the away games. There is a load of banter on the hour and a half journey, most of it centred around Kenny Ellis, a lifelong supporter and known for his sharp wit and repartee. Eddie Bunston, Kenny Roberts and John Hughes have travelled over Wales on these sorties whilst Marcus Greenish, Brian and Colin Thomas are relative newcomers, but there is an air of camaraderie that is very evident.
Hopes raised – and dashed
If they play away on a Saturday there is an obligatory stop for lunch and some fish and chips on the way back but on this Friday evening it’s straight to the ground and a chance to get their bearings. Most of them had seen Haverfordwest County’s heroic draw there in the League Cup and during a tense first period have their hopes raised. During the half time interval they gather for a cup of tea and sandwich supplied by the home club – and the general view is that the game is there to be won, especially since Neath have already been reduced to ten men for over 20 minutes.
But disaster struck soon after the break as the Bluebirds missed two clear-cut chances and then Neath grabbed three goals in eight minutes to seal the verdict. A fourth goal completes a miserable evening for the fans, but they still gather round to say ‘hard lines’ to the players as they leave the field.
Where’s Kenny?
Then it’s back on the bus, a search for Kenny Ellis because he has somehow managed to get himself detached from the others, and then back on the road for the journey home. There is the inevitable post mortem on the performance, with everyone really disappointed – but after a period of quiet the quips start from our Kenny and soon there is a lighter air for the rest of the trip home.
As Eddie said,
“There’s nothing we can do about it but we will be there for the next match, at home to Bala, and then we can start organising our next trips, which are to Llanelli and Airbus Broughton.”
And there’s one thing for sure, they will have a mini-bus on the road to both games, because they enjoy their involvement with Haverfordwest County – and will remain Bluebirds’ supporters through thick and thin!
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