MONKTON SWIFTS PEN PICTURES

1. Stuart James (Twino) 1st team Manager - Project Manager, Ledwood Engineering -  Age 41

Previous clubs: Haverfordwest County, Pennar Robins

This is Stuart’s ninth season with Monkton Swifts after joining from rivals Pennar Robins in 2018 as a goalkeeper, and ‘Twino’ had established himself as one of Pembrokeshire’s best goalkeepers over the years - and  he’s now trying to prove himself as manager after stepping into the role in 2022.

Having won the senior cup as a player back in 2008 and losing to Goodwick in 2023 he will be looking to take Monkton to their first senior cup win in 19 seasons.

A few impressive seasons as manager has seen him take Monkton to their 2nd senior cup final in four seasons, an impressive West Wales Cup semi-final and a 3rd place finish back in 2024 to only better that this season with a 2nd place finish and another cup final where he will be hoping to do one better this time.
 







2. Cory Mair -1st manager - Scaffolder - Age 30 

Cory played for Monkton Swifts as a junior and after having a small break, he’s been back at the club for the last 12 seasons as a player and manager. 

Cory captained the 2nd team for 8 seasons  taking them from the 5th to the 2nd division.

After such a successful period as 2nd team manager he was asked to join the 1st team management team back in 2024, teaming up with Twino.

In his 1st season an impressive West Wales cup semifinal and a 3rd place back in 2024 to only better that this season with a 2nd place finish and another cup final, this will be Cory’s first taste of senior cup final day where he will hopefully lift the trophy for his beloved Monkton for the first time in 19 seasons 
Think it’s fair to say this partnership is definitely one to watch, as they definitely got this young Swifts’ team moving in the right direction.







 
3. Liam Roberts (Rabbi)  - Assistant coach - (Sweet’s and jobs master) - Age 33 - Safety Tech Worker

Rabbi has been at Monkton for the last 12 seasons being a big part of the 2nd team success, seeing him being promoted to the 1st team to join Twino and Cory team. Liam plays a big part within the club, keeping Stuart and Cory in check. He’s a massive part of the squad, and a big part of the success over past few seasons. A life-time Monkton supporter this is Liam’s 1st senior cup final as a coach, and he’d love nothing more than to lift the cup.












4. Ben Steele (Captain)  - Centre Back - Age 32 - Brick Layer 

Previous clubs:  Hakin, Pennar, Haverfordwest County, Carmarthen Town. This will be Ben’s fifth senior cup final, winning 2 and losing 3. 

Ben is an extremely talented footballer and can play in number of positions but with father time catching up with him he’s moved to centre back and has quickly become one of the in the league.

Ben’s ball distribution and leadership qualities, and his eye for goal always gives Monkton another option, which makes him a key figure in this Monkton team.


 








5. Taylor Gullam – Goalkeeper - Gas Engineer,  Age 21

This will be Taylor’s 2nd senior cup and another gem from the Monkton youth setup.

Taylor has become Pembrokeshire’s League best goalkeeper by a mile.
 
His distribution, handling and organisation, along with his shot-stopping ability really make him  stand out miles above the others.

He has been massive part of this team’s success and will be a key figure in this cup final.


 







6. Billy Abes – Right Back - Electrician - Age 27 
 
Previous club:  Hundleton

This will be Billy’s 2nd senior cup final after spending the past 5 years at Monkton, where he has been an ever-present in the Monkton defence over the past five seasons.

He is Monkton’s ‘Mr Reliable’,  very rarely having a bad game with his defensive positioning and passing range, which mak’s him an asset to the Monkton back line.













7. Luke Phillips (Sticks)  - Defence - Maintenance Supervisor - Age 32Previous clubs: Pennar Robins, Hundleton 

This is ‘Stick’s’ first season after signing back at the start – and this is his 2nd senior cup final.

‘Mr Consistent’ Luke has been ever-present in the Swifts’ back division,  playing at both Left Back or central defence. He’s become reliable with his famous over-lap and he’s been compared to a young Gary Neville!

With plenty of experience and his brilliant defensive ability he is again an excellent addition to this young Swift side.










8. James Walker (Tekkers) - Centre Back - Age 32 – Control Operator for Valero

Previous Clubs: Pennar Robins, Hundleton, Hakin United.

This is Jimmys 3rd season back with Monkton in his second spell with the club This will be his 3rd cup final, winning one during his time at Hakin and losing for Monkton back 2023.

Jimmy brings a wealth of experience to a young swift side and  he’s really established himself as one of the league best defenders - despite his size he makes up for it with his die-hard attitude where his positioning and composure on the ball is second to none. He is a big-game player for Monkton.

 









9. Jay Kilby - Left Back - Shuttering carpenter – Aged 24

Another star from the Monkton Swifts youth set up who has played for the club from the age of 11, 
Jay has really upped his game over the past few seasons as another ‘Mr Reliable’, Jay really is the ultimate utility player.
 
This season alone he’s played GK.CB LB, CM and never let his team down. Jay has cemented his place at left back, and his passing, vision and dead ball delivery makes Jay a massive part of this Monkton team. He is definitely a credit to Monkton and would love nothing more than to lift that trophy for his beloved Monkton team.

 








10. Martyn Carroll – Centre Back, Central Midfield - Age 31 - Instrument and Control Supervisor - Valero 

Previous clubs -Monkton Swifts, Haverfordwest County.

This will be Martyn’s 2nd senior cup final after being in the 2023 team losing out to Goodwick. 

Martyn’s another gem that has come through the youth set-up at Monkton, playing all his youth football at the Swifts before having two seasons at Welsh League Haverfordwest and then returning to Monkton Lane.

Martyn had been hindered by injury over the past few seasons, but to Monkton’s benefit he’s back fit  and his quality was there for all to see in the semi-final,  and he will be a big player in this final, with his experience and high skills.










11. Jimmy Wilkes (Plug) - Central Midfield - Scaffolder - Age 24 

Previous clubs: Pennar, Monkton.

This is Jimmy’s first season back with Monkton after having a quick break with Pennar – and this will be his 2nd senior cup final with Monkton.

Jimmy is one of the most talented footballers in Pembrokeshire with the ability to find that perfect pass, his late runs into the box and his eye for big goals makes him a real big-game player and definitely one to watch in this final.














12. Gareth Finnegan – Central Midfielder – Instrument technician at Pembroke Oil Refinery - Age 24

 Previous Clubs: Haverfordwest County 

This is Gareth’s 2nd cup final after spending the last five seasons at Monkton following. his time at Haverfordwest.

He is the complete midfielder, with his outstanding touch, vision and understanding of the game, which makes him a big part of the club’s midfield. 

One to watch and always turns up for the big game.











13. Jason Finnegan – Central Midfielder - Director at A & A Scaffolding - Age 33

Previous clubs: Angle & Pennar 

This is Jason’s 2nd senior cup final and he’s been with Monkton for the past 12 years season.

This season he’s showing there’s plenty of life left in the old dog because he’s having one of his best seasons with Monkton, which  just shows if you put the hard work in off the pitch it shows on it.  Jason has had 23 goal involvements this season with 9 goals and 14 Assists, excellent numbers for a midfielder, credit to Jason’s attitude.











 14. Liam Butland (Butty) - Central Midfield - owner of LB Painting & Decorating - Age 29

This is Butty’’s first senior cup final. Liam has been at Monkton for 13 seasons that has seen him captain the 2nds to the second division title back in 2023.

His impressive attitude and ability soon got him his call up to the first team set up, and with that he has bought his winning mentality to this side with his high demands on and off the pitch   Liam is a natural leader and a big personality, in the Monkton changing room.

He is definitely a future captain of this Monkton side  Liam is proper dog in the heart of the Monkton midfield where he’s often the start of the rapid Monkton transition and often pops up with important goals.











 
15. Jack Clarke  - Utility Player - Electrical Improver 

Previous Club: Haverfordwest County

Another gem from the Monkton youth setup, this is Jack’s 1st senior Cup Final after coming through the youth set up at Monkton, Jack is an exciting young player who can play anywhere on the pitch He’s strong and powerful with excellent dribbling ability so he’s really one to watch.












 16. Dylan Davies (Vice Captain) - Centre  Forward - NDT Technician for Valero refinery - Age 28

Previous club: Hundleton and this is Dylan’s second senior cup final.

He made the move to Monkton eight seasons ago and what a move it was, seeing him become one of the best strikers in Pembrokeshire, already netting 22 times this season and scoring the two goals in the semi-final so he’ll be looking to add to his tally in the final.

Dylan is the heart of the Monkton attack with his explosive pace, work ethic and deadly finishing makes Dylan a real threat and definitely one to watch as Monkton big game player.









17. James Russell – Centre Forward - Plater - Age 33

This will be James’s third final.

He is another great credit to the youth system at Monkton and has been with the Swifts for 25 seasons from the age of 7. 

James’s character on and off the pitch makes him a massive part of Monkton Swifts’ family and although he has suffered a few bad injuries over the past few seasons, Monkton will definitely be happy to have this goal-scoring machine back fit because he is definitely one to watch with his eye for a pass and goal scoring ability.
 












18. Dan James – Right Wing – Builder - Age 21 

Previous clubs Haverfordwest County, Goodwick, Pennar
 
This will be Dan’s second senior cup final after playing for Goodwick in 2024.

He signed for Monkton back in November and what a signing he’s been, hitting the road running already scoring 12 goals and providing 17 assists.
 
At 21 Dan is already making a name as one of the most exciting players in Pembrokeshire with great feet, dribbling ability and regarded as a dead ball specialist he really is one to watch on cup final day!
 












19. Paul Miller – Centre Forward - Instrument & Electrical Technician - Age 27 

Previous club: Haverfordwest County 

This will be Paul’s 2nd senior cup final after playing in the 2023 defeat to Goodwick  He is another credit to the Monkton youth setup and has played for the Swifts for 18 seasons, being hindered by injuries but the past few seasons have seen Paul get himself injury free and with no surprise Monkton have benefited from his fitness.
 
Paul is the complete number 9 and his pace power and hold-up play makes him a vital player in the club’s forward line so definitely one to watch.
 















20. Connor Davies - Utility Forward - Apprenticeship Scaffolder

This will be Connor’s 1st senior cup final and another asset from the Monkton youth setup.

He is definitely one for the future with Monkton he’s settled into senior football like water off a duck’s back 
His quality on the ball and deadlines in front of goal is as good as anyone you’ll see in Pembrokeshire.

Monkton’s future is certainly looking bright in the hands of this young man. Definitely one to watch
 
















21. Kieran Walton  - Dehydration Specialist – Aged 31
 
Kieran brings a wealth of experience in the distribution of H20, where his timing and precision on filing the water bottles is second to none! Kieran is currently the 2nd manager who is doing a brilliant job this season keeping the young 2nd team in division 2.  

He’s also a coach for the u11s and he’s a part of the  SSA academy setup, He is a big figure around Monkton Swifts and a young talent coach, he’ll enjoy this experience of being part of the 1st set with Twino and Cory on cup final day. 
 

















22. Billy Everett - Dehydration specialist assistant - School teacher – Aged 24

Previous club: Kilgetty

Billy is also part of the Monkton 2nds’ management team and doing a brilliant job this season. He’s also a part of the SSA academy set-up as a talented young coach who will love every minute of being part of Senior Cup final day.