Chris Coleman, Welsh international footballer – and a knight in shining armour

 

Chris Coleman was the Welsh Football team manager when Haverfordwest County’s chairman David Hughes brought him to speak at one of the club’s special evenings at the Merlin Theatre in Pembrokeshire College, and because he was quite late arriving some concern had been expressed that something was amiss - but all was explained when he finally arrived and it was discovered that he had been involved in two acts of kindness.
 
The first was expected because over his years of involvement as a Welsh player (he was capped 32 times) he had formed a close friendship with Des Shanklin, who had been manager of Pembroke Borough for many years, was later president of The Welsh FA and Haverfordwest County, and knew Sepp Blatter and most of the other officials in World Football, as he had reached the top in terms of administration with Wales.
 

Delayed by two acts of kindness

 
Chris had learned that Des wasn’t at all well and had decided to pay him a visit en route at his home in Pembroke, but Haverfordwest County officials knew that fact and Chris had left in plenty of time to factor that into the evening’s equation - but after crossing the Cleddau Bridge and turning down towards Burton en route to the college, Chris’s plans had to change.
 
He spotted an elderly lady walking along in her dressing gown, clearly lost and very distressed, and so he stopped and tried to comfort her, phoning the relevant authorities and staying with her until help arrived - hence his late arrival at the Merlin Theatre.
 

Well worth the wait

 
The wait was worth it for us all, however, because he clearly showed his passion for football, especially with Wales after he had taken over the management following the untimely death of Gary Speed, and knew it was indeed a big pair of football boots to try and fill.
 
But fill them he did and he took Wales to the European Finals in 2016 and he helped them reach the semi-finals - and was rewarded by being awarded the freedom of Swansea (he was very much a local boy) and delighted with an Honorary Degree at the local university. In 2017 he also received the OBE from her majesty The Queen, for his services to football.
 

Great experience gained in his playing career

 
He spoke very well and then answered the questions from the audience that were passed to me as MC and it was a pleasure to listen to what he had to say about his time at the helm and his involvement as a player.
 
I asked him if there were any questions he didn’t want and his answer was like his honest approach to playing, which was to give it his all.
 
He played 160 games for Swansea City as an uncompromising centre half, followed by spells at Crystal Palace (154), Blackburn Rovers (28) and Fulham (136) before he broke his leg in a car crash at the age of 32, which forced him into retirement.
 

Much-travelled as a manager too

 
When he moved into management he started out at Fulham and then worked at Real Sociedad in Spain, Coventry City and Sunderland, as well as in lesser-known footballing countries like China and Greece.
 
Chris also acted as a football pundit for ITV and Sky Sports and on that evening in Haverfordwest he really provided us all with a fascinating picture of what it was like to be a player and manager in the game - and clearly a caring person, judging by his two acts of kindness that night.
 
The late Des Shanklin, who I was visiting in hospital, later told me that Chris was one of the nicest and most genuine people he had met in his long time in football — and we could pay Chris Coleman no higher tribute!