The Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League has long been held in huge regard by other sporting organisations as a shining example of how a sport can be governed at a local level – but now are earnestly seeking some football lovers who are prepared to stand up and be counted in maintain that outstanding reputation.
 
From early administrators like Joe Vernon through to great long-serving stalwarts like Eddie Oliver, Keith Scourfield and Phil Devonald, and more recently from the likes of Brian Hawkins, Micky Phillips and Trevor Morgans, there have been pro-active leaders – and now is perhaps the time that some new blood comes in to help.
 

Too many jobs – too few officers

 
Because the eight major roles in the league’s set-up are dealt with by only for fellers, with Micky Phillips having the onerous task of being Hon Treasurer, Hon Secretary and Senior Fixture Secretary, followed by Phil Devonald (Registration Secretary and Youth Secretary), and Trevor Morgans (Mini Football Secretary and Child Welfare Officer.
 
Brian Hawkins stepped down last season after nine years as Hon Secretary; six of them doubled up as Fixture Secretary, but has continued as Referees’ Appointments Secretary as a means of still putting something back into a game he loves.
 
And there lies the problem because these enthusiastic, but stretched officials would be able to maintain the superb standards set by their predecessors if the work load could be shared with others ready to take on part of a specific role.
 

Micky needs a bit of a break
 

Micky Phillips provides the perfect example because he took over as Hon Treasurer from the splendid Mr Scourfield in 2010 and enjoys what he does in that capacity.
 
“I have spent my life working with figures and so looking after the League’s money is no problem,” admitted Micky, “but I work full-time and have a family so there is just too much for me to do.
 
“But there was no-one ready or willing to take over from Brian (Hawkins) at the last Annual General Meeting so I agreed to add the Hon Sec’s role to my work-load, but only for this season.
 

Challenging, but interesting work

 
“We also need two active committee members to take us to our full quota and would welcome any interest shown, especially by former footballers who want to put something back into their sport, or anyone who has an enthusiasm for football even if they haven’t played the game.
 
“The work is interesting, challenging and enjoyable but I do have difficulty for example, as Senior Fixtures Secretary because as well as organising the fixtures week by week and putting them on our excellent web-site, I have to collate the incoming results and scorers every Saturday, between 4pm and 6pm.
 
“Then they go on site and are sent out to the local press and if someone would take on that role it would be brilliant, especially since we could help if that person had to go off from time to time.”
 

Micky loves being involved

 
What Micky forgets to add is that he is also so keen to put something back into his favourite sport that since he retired as a player with Johnston, Solva and Haverfordwest Cricket Club he took up refereeing.
 
But since our League rules understandably forbid League officials from being in charge of matches in our area he travels to Carmarthenshire to officiate, charges the minimum possible fees to clubs there, and then rushes back to co-ordinate the results service!
 

Amazing impact on local sport

 
It is worth remembering that every Saturday during the season, weather permitting, there are upwards of 2,000 footballers taking part in the five senior divisions and their respective cup competitions, five junior football divisions (aged between 11 and 16) and 76 mini-football teams which cover the ages from 7 to 11.
 
As Micky says, “This has a significant impact on the Pembrokeshire sporting weekend, and if you factor in the parents, supporters, coaches etc who are also involved then there is no doubt that we are running the most popular sport in the county in terms of participation rates!
 
It all might sound quite daunting but as Micky added,
“The current officers will still be there to give a hand and offer advice, and if anyone is interested this would be a great time to join the committee because they could shadow the work of the current officers and fit in somewhere gradually.
 

Work can be done to suit volunteers

 
It is also worth pointing out that much of the work can be done at home at a time convenient to the incumbent, like checking the team sheets, which are normally sent by clubs to arrive by Tuesday after the matches, to make sure that only registered players take part, or that cup fixtures for second teams have only a certain number of first team players from the previous week included.
 
As well as volunteers needed for the Hon Secretary and Senior Fixtures Secretary there is also the need for a new Youth Secretary because after  ten excellent years in the role (and 21 years as Registration Secretary), Phil Devonald wants a break. He will continue to make sure that all players are properly registered but now our county needs someone to take over the reins of football for our youngsters.

 
Cup finals and disciplinary matters

 
The other time when these officers are quite busy, but in a nice way, is at the end of the season where they help run all the cup finals, played at neutral grounds.
 
“There is a great camaraderie amongst the league officials who show up,” Micky told us, “supported by a number of Life Vice Presidents that include the indomitable Messrs Eddie Oliver and Keith Scourfield (still ever-ready to announce a ‘record gate’!”)
 
The only other matter that needs explaining is the disciplinary side of being involved because inevitably there are times when players or clubs transgress.
 
Decisions have to be made at committee level in dealing with those, some of which get transferred to the West Wales Football Association on appeal, but everyone takes part in those decisions so it isn’t as onerous as it sometimes sounds.
 
So there we are then, the clarion call is out to anyone who wants to help to get in touch with Micky Phillips, who can let you know what choices there are for you.
 
It involves some work but with the satisfaction of knowing that you are putting something back into a terrific sporting organisation alongside those mentioned, plus the industrious Mr Phillips, who sums up all that is good in Pembrokeshire Football.