Brian works so hard at Phoenix Park!
PHOTO:
Bill Carne presents Brian Morris with 'Star of the Month' trophy
Ask Brian Morris about Goodwick United AFC and he would reel off a list of names of players, officials and supporters who have helped the club but with no hint of his own name included anywhere.
And that is why we are really pleased to award him our March ‘Star of the Month’ trophy because the name ‘Brian Morris’ is synonymous with his long service as an excellent player, linesman, committee man, tote helper, club volunteer at the Phoenix Centre and now chairman since 2009!
Started out 46 years ago
In fact, Brian has been involved with Goodwick since he started out as an eager youngster and apart from four years when he worked in London, plus six years with Solva when he needed a change of surroundings, and at 61 years young he still enjoys giving up his spare time as much as he possibly can, which includes travelling with the team every Saturday without fail and then Sunday mornings sorting out the tickets for their highly successful tote.
During his time as a player he started out as a sweeper and then switched to midfield, helping Goodwick United win the Pembrokeshire League in 1988, where they beat Milford Athletic at London Road, the home of Pembroke Borough, after a replay, and won the Division One championship in 1994 after scoring the winner against Monkton Swifts which sealed the silverware.
Ups and downs of football
“There were a couple of disappointments as we twice lost in the West Wales Cup semi-finals,” admitted Brian, “but overall I had a great time until; I stepped down at 42.
“But I did help out when we were short until my last game at 49 when I turned out against a young Neyland side and some of them thought I was Les Battersby off ‘Coronation Street’!”
Sandwiched neatly in between, Brian also played alongside Stuart ‘Matey’ Wilson for Swansea City Reserves (they were Swansea Town in his teenage years!) and signed for Haverfordwest County, for whom Cliff Saies was a gentleman, but didn’t settle there and was soon back at Goodwick.
He also represented Pembrokeshire in inter-league games more often than he can remember and says that he always regarded it as a huge honour to be chosen.
Banter is fine – abuse is not!
“I took over as chairman from Tony Jones some six years ago and I still enjoy running the line, although there are sadly a few louts whose bad language saddens me. A bit of banter is fine but when my parents’ marital status is questioned that goes beyond the pale, although fortunately it is just a few people at a few clubs!”
It goes without saying that Goodwick United winning the treble of League, Senior Cup and West Wales Cup under Nigel Delaney and Chris O’Sullivan was another huge highlight as he wore his ‘lucky pants’ in the team’s red and black colours, complete with their badge – and there was a nice touch when he was presented with a new pair at the annual dinner!
It summed up the spirit at Phoenix Park and the regard in which Brian is held.
In our view he sums up all that is good in local football – and that is why Brian Morris has been chosen as our ‘Star of the Month’ for March, 2017!