Making a welcome return to the shores of Pembrokeshire recently was Eric Summons, who in his early days at the old Milford Haven Grammar School received four caps as goalkeeper in the Welsh Schools' under 18 team that was captained by John Toshack.

He has also played a range of other sports and at 67 still manages to play squash four times a week to a decent standard in the local league in Queensland, Australia - and still ranks in the top 15 magicians, comedians and motivational speakers 'Down Under' so that any chat like we had with the former Milfordian is laced with card tricks or disappearing coins or balls!

TV appearances galore!

Amazingly, Eric also had his own two television programmes for children on Australian television that were screened seven days a week for two decades, featured in an environmental film as underling to Spike Milligan, and worked with a number of top personalities in films and shows that ranged from Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, to Ken Dodd and Steptoe and Son!

Sadly, Eric's return to his roots was tinged with great sadness because his mother Dorothy, a legendary worker for good causes in Milford Haven, who was affectionately known to all and sundry as 'Auntie Dot', had passed away.

Back home in sad circumstances but enjoying some sport

He did take the opportunity, however, to watch a little local sport that included a visit to watch Haverfordwest play rugby at their Merlins Bridge ground with Blues' chairman Alun Wills, a relative of his. They went in for a pint afterwards and Eric regaled the supporters from both teams with his inimitable brand of comedy and magic with such acclaim that he has promised to return on his next trip to our county and put on a full show for players and supporters. It is sure to be to a packed house!

A goalkeeper by accident!

Eric began his sporting career in school, where the late Mr Frank Davies was his mentor from the very first day as he spotted that Eric had a woolly jumper on as football was on the timetable in warm September weather. Mr Davies put Eric in goal so that he wouldn't get too hot and the young Summons took to it like a duck to the proverbial water!

"It was Mr Davies who also took me off to the Welsh trials in Swansea and then to the final test at Somerton Park, Newport where my place between the sticks was confirmed.

"I was absolutely thrilled and when I got home my father was up a ladder cutting the hedge and I led him to believe I had missed out on selection - and he was very understanding, but nearly fell off the ladder when I told him I was joking because I had been selected for the Welsh team!

Played alongside ‘Tosh’ for Welsh Schools

"We played Scotland at Merthyr Tydfil and afterwards we were presented with our Welsh caps and allowed to keep our jersey, both of which I still have today.

"Then we took on England at Elland Road, Leeds, where Gary Sprake was playing - and when I went into changing room before the game I took my jersey off the peg and there was a note which said, "Good luck Eric" and signed by ace Welsh keeper Sprake!

"We also lost away to Scotland and took on England again at Ninian Park, Cardiff, with Liverpool legend Steve Heighway in the opposing team - and although we were only awarded the one cap we were presented with a plaque for each of the other games, with the date and opposition suitably engraved."

Enjoying a range of sports

Eric also played football for Milford Athletic, Hakin United and Pembroke Borough in the Welsh League at London Road - but he also played at prop for the school rugby team and for Milford RFC as he successfully tried out most sports, including cricket as a wicketkeeper/opening batsman at Steynton and Esso Petroleum Club.

"I also played for the Metropolitan Cricket Club for 20 years when I moved to Australia, so I was able to truthfully tell friends back home that I was a regular with the MCC!"

Aussie-bound after showing his entertaining skills

But it was his boyhood interest in magic tricks that led him to eventually become an entertainer in London and then he became cruise director with Chandos where two successful sailings saw him visit 22 countries. Then a chance meeting with Norman Yemm, a well-known baritone singer saw Eric move to Australia, where he used to perform as a clown in shopping malls.

He received a phone call from Bobby Limb asking him if he wanted to take part in a live TV show which ended after 17 weeks but someone was clearly impressed because Eric suddenly found himself acting as the Black Knight in 'Boris's Breakfast Show' and as the host in 'Wombat', which was the Aussie equivalent of 'Blue Peter'.

Still found time for sport in Oz

"They were great fun," admitted Eric, "but I also managed to find time to play soccer for Dutton Park United in the first division of the Brisbane League, where we won a pile of trophies."

He also played golf for a while and reduced his handicap to 14 but is so busy now that he mainly restricts himself to pro-celebrity stuff.

Even at the age of 55, Eric remained involved as he took part in the Masters Games on the Gold Coast, which saw him compete in a range of sports.

"My team won the gold medal in cricket and the silver medal in soccer, and I also picked up a bronze medal in the field events of shot, discus and javelin as we played eight games of football in five days so I could hardly walk afterwards!

And finally . . .

"As a result of that participation I became public relations officer for a team in the Australian National League called the Brisbane Strikers and when the Youth World Cup Finals were held I was given the plum job of looking after Pele, the legendary Brazilian super-star!"

"It is certainly a hard life being Eric Summons," he says with a typical chuckle before leaving us feeling a little brighter than before as a result of his smashing sporting walk down ‘Memory Lane’, allied to his inimitable brand of magic!