Micky's Pembrokeshire
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Dave takes over at the helm
of Pembrokeshire Cricket
At the annual general meeting of the Pembroke County Cricket Club there was a change at the helm as David Loosmore took over the role of chairman from Trefor Evans, eager to maintain the proud traditions of the office during his three-year stint.
Dave had already served his apprenticeship during the previous three years as vice-chairman to Trefor and no-one could accuse him of not being involved because in the six years he has been on the executive committee he has been the Child Welfare Officer (and takes courses on the subject!) – and since 2006, the year of the role’s inception, he has also been Registration Officer.
Not content with that little lot, Dave is also chairman at Haverfordwest Cricket Club, as well as being child welfare officer, is heavily involved with Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Coaches, where he is Membership Secretary, regularly umpires cricket matches every Saturday n the league programme, plus a whole range of cup matches during evenings around the county.
Favourite sport
Yet if you were to ask Dave about his favourite sport he would have to admit that in his younger days it was football that he loved best as a Johnston boy who turned out for The Tigers at Glebelands, alongside the likes of Glyn Ruloff, who was the best player of their age group, slightly older players like Steve and Richard James, and even older stars like Gary Stephens, Micky and Tony Algieri. He played in midfield and admits that what he lacked in finesse he tried to make up for with enthusiasm – and he also turned out for Neyland, Clarbeston Road, Johnston again and then Haverfordwest Cricket Club until he was 45, laughingly saying that he finished his footballing career in style!
Other sports and a cricket award
Dave also enjoyed darts and pool at The Windsor in Johnston, winning the singles in the Neyland and District Darts League on one occasion and notching a few 180s in his time. He still recalls both pub games with great affection and says that he and his mates were so keen to play that they would go along early on Friday evenings so that hey could light the fire and play in the warm!
Dave’s initial involvement in cricket began in Johnston, where he says he was a very good driver f the second team bus, enjoying his fielding and the odd swing of the bat. He couldn’t have been that bad since he once won the ‘Batsman of the Year’ for the seconds with a string of not out innings, edging out opening bat Bryn Griffiths, who scored lots more runs but kept getting out!
Stan starts Dave off!
But all that changed when he met Stan Richards, whom Dave still regards as the doyen of local cricket. An umpires’ course had been organised and Stan persuaded our Dave to give it a try – and when he was the only volunteer Stan even went to his house each week to go through the course before Dave qualified in style! Dave switched his allegiance to Haverfordwest after he had met his partner Lynda and they used the club socially. He was welcomed there and has been happily involved n the committee for a number of years, latterly as vice chairman to the late Steve James, for whom he had the utmost regard, and now as chairman himself.
“I was very honoured to take on the role,” said Dave, “and I am very lucky to have a committee which is supportive. It is the same in the county club, with Bill Marchant as an excellent secretary, Tony Scourfield as my vice chairman and Micky Phillips as treasurer. Then there’s Trefor Evans and Phil Thomas, who are very experienced and I can rely on for good advice.”
Looking forward
Ask Dave about his hopes for the next three seasons and is very forthright about what he wants to see happen:
“I want the county to continue as a separate region, with its own identity because we do a great job, especially with regard to the superb coaching. We have under 11s, 12s, 13s, 14s, 15s and 16s whilst the Cricket Board of Wales have only under 12s, 14s and 16s, so we ant to maintain what we do so well.
“I would be delighted if every club and player remembers to play the game in a very sportsmanlike way – and I aim to visit every club during my first year as chairman so that I can get to know even more cricketers, coaches and supporters.!
Umpiring highlight
The highlight of Dave’s umpiring career was undoubtedly joining Alan Hansen in officiating at the Harrison-Allen Bowl Final between Cresselly and Carew.
“It was a great day,” said Dave. “Alan and I really enjoyed the final – as I did when I umpired other finals for the Duggie Morris Cup, The Ormond Youth Cup and the Alec Colley Cup. I have also umpired a two-day match with Glamorgan under 17s and a zone final of the Village Cup in Bath – but there is no doubt that the Bowl Final was the best for me.”
“I have also found the press very supportive, with Bill Carne, David Gibbs and Gordon Thomas always eager to work with us and are there to publicize our sport. I am looking forward to working with them for the next three years, as I am with all the clubs, officials, coaches, players and umpires. Cricket is a great sport to be involved with and I am aware of the honour I have been given – and I will do my very best.”
After just a short chat with Dave it is easy to see how genuinely enthusiastic he is and PembrokeshireSport.co.uk is sure that Pembrokeshire Cricket is in safe hands with Dave Loosmore as the new chairman.
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