When this new season's football started, someone who was looking forward to the new campaign as much as anyone was Angus Scourfield, who refereed the 2015/16 Senior Cup Final between Goodwick United and Hakin United at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium - and helped make it a cracking final with his quietly firm control.

Angus cut his refereeing teeth in the Ceredigion League and after taking charge of their equivalent of our Senior Cup Final in 2010 he decided it was the right time to change his allegiance to the Manderwood Pembrokeshire League.

Worthwhile change

It was a decision made on the premise that it meant far less travel from his home in Whitland, where he is parts manager at Riverlea, but also because he had got to know a number of the Pembrokeshire whistlers at seminars and enjoyed their company.

It is certainly easier for him than sometimes driving deep into mid Wales - and the respect he has earned from his current refereeing pals, and the camaraderie that exists amongst them, was very evident on the day of the final when so many of them turned out at the now-traditional pre-match brunch at The Friars Bar in Haverfordwest, to share a meal with him.

Great support from family, friends and colleagues

"It was great to meet up with my assistant refs Charles Davies and James Olyott, plus fourth official Paul Rooney," said Angus, "and a number of our other colleagues for a pint and a meal - but I settled for a sandwich and a glass of water before we strolled across to the Conygar Bridge Meadow!

“I really enjoyed the game, other than having to show a red card, which no ref likes to do, especially on a big day for the players, but you always know if it has to be done and that’s all about it.

“I was delighted that all my family and lots of friends were there from Whitland to share my big day with me.”

Midfield player with Llanboidy

His involvement as a player began as long ago as 1981/82 when he set out with a Llanboidy team that had joined the Ceredigion League a year earlier.

"I played in almost every position for over two decades but principally as a hard-tackling midfielder and I must admit that I had my share of yellow cards so I suppose that in my present role in the game I am now a bit of a poacher turned gamekeeper!

"During my time there I think I was the only player to captain both the first and second teams and it was a smashing club to be involved with.

"I played in SEVEN cup semi-finals but I didn’t once reach a final and my only silverware came when the seconds gained promotion from division three."

Time to stop playing and take up the whistle!

Angus stopped playing because he found it was getting harder to recover from the bumps and bruises but didn't really consider taking up the whistle until the seconds found themselves short of a ref and he was 'volunteered'.

"A few players suggested I ought to take up refereeing and I attended a course at Ffostrasol where Alun Thomas was a superb instructor.

"I began taking charge of games in the Ceredigion League with my debut between Lampeter 2nds and Newcastle Emlyn 3rds - but before that I also had a game in Carmarthenshire, in a match between Abergwili and Loughor.

Highlights follow

It was the start of appointments every weekend and at the end of his first season he was chosen as assistant referee for the league's Youth Cup Final and a year later was in the middle as Aberaeron took on Ffostrasol.

"I reffed the Mond Cup Final, which is sanctioned by the West Wales FA, where Johnstown took on Newcastle Emlyn at Richmond Park, Carmarthen.

"The undoubted highlight was taking control of the 2010 Cardiganshire Cup Final between St Dogmaels and Newquay at Aberaeron and it was afterwards that I decided I needed a new challenge, and at the same time cut my travelling down.”

Family matters

Angus would say that he is very lucky to have total family support as his wife Jenny Davies-Scourfield is with him all the way alongside son Iestyn (this season's Whitland CC captain and Narberth AFC player) and daughter Ffion (who also played cricket for Wales when they were younger), plus stepsons Jack and Conor Bowen, who are also good all-round sportsmen.

His footballing interest continues as he is an avid Cardiff City supporter and likes to watch them as often as he can.

Starting out in Pembrokeshire and soon in the top echelon

Back on the refereeing front, Angus told us,
"I had been to several courses with Dave Badger and Jonathan Twigg and when I contacted league secretary Brian Hawkins I was made very welcome, as I was when I started going to the monthly meetings of the Pembrokeshire Referees' Society, where I encountered real characters like the current president Danny Thomas, Graham Shepherd, Pedr McMullen, Sean O'Connor and Chris Stapleton, plus excellent younger refs like Kevin Bowen and Tom Bevan - and the refereeing 'Legend' that was John Gow from Swansea.

"After a season in the lower divisions I took charge of my first match in the top echelon between Johnston and Haverfordwest County at Glebelands.

Great highlights in our county

"In 2012 I took charge of the under 12s final, followed by running the line for Sean O'Connor in the Senior Cup Final - and a year later I officiated at the third division final between Tenby and Haverfordwest Cricket Club.

"It was a great year but things got even better in 2014/15 because I was fourth official at the West Wales Youth Final at Stebonheath Park, was in the middle as Hakin United beat Tenby in the Youth Cup Final and was again on the line when Paul Rooney took charge of the Senior Cup Final, where Goodwick beat Neyland.

And finally . . .

"But my overall highlight came off the pitch in the Referees' Society's centenary dinner when I was presented with the 'Referee of the Year' award by top Premier League official Mike Dean!"

At the start of this campaign Angus took charge of the Jubilee Cup Final, between Goodwick and Hakin at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium, with Goodwick winning a good game 3-1.

He has also had a few moments when he thought 'What the hell am I doing here?' but says that they are few and far between - and one only has to chat to Angus Scourfield for a short time to see his love for football and his enjoyment of refereeing - and we wish him continued success in this new season of Pembrokeshire football!