Craig Templeton    
Aged 42    
Referee    
Police Officer

Craig has been the man in the middle in Pembrokeshire Football for the past seven seasons and was understandably delighted when the call came inviting him to referee the Senior Cup Final between Hakin United and Kilgetty at The Bridge Meadow Stadium.

“I regard it as the ultimate honour for any referee,” Craig told us, “and I have very experienced assistant refs to work with on the day too.”

Craig played his own football in the Swansea Junior League for Gowerton and Senior League as a centre half with Dunvant but had to retire early because of an ankle injury, but not on the football pitch.

“It certainly was a freak accident on a day it was snowing so some pals and I decided to go up to the Neath Valley and do some bobsledding and when I fell off my sled, heard the crack and felt the pain I knew something was up.

“I had no choice but to call a halt to my playing days and my only regret is that I didn’t take up the whistle much sooner because it is a great way to put something back into the game.”

I have received nothing but encouragement from other referees in the Pembrokeshire Referees’ Society and really enjoy being involved every Saturday, with a once a moth game West Wales Premier League – and  I recently officiated the Premier League semi-final at Garden Village between Trostre and Rockspur in front of a 700+ crowd, which was a great experience.”

 

Angus Scourfield    
57    
Assistant Referee    
Parts Manager, Riverlea Tractors

Angus has probably been a match official at more Senior Cup Finals than anyone else because when he assists Craig Templeton in the forthcoming final it will be his FIFTH appearance on the big day: one as match referee, two as assistant referee and one as fourth official.

“I have been tremendously lucky to part of them all because it is a great day for match officials as well as players because it is the pinnacle of their careers which in general happens just once.
He had played his football in the Ceredigion League and in 2004 he officiated at their Cup Final between Newquay and St Dogmaels before moving to Pembrokeshire and continuing to referee here.

“I was assistant referee in 2012-13 to Sean O’Connor and 2014/15 with Paul Rooney in the middle – and then I took charge of the match between Goodwick United and Hakin United the next season, which Goodwick won 2-1.

The following season I followed tradition when I was fourth official and now I’m back again – which is a real treat after missing games early on with hip and knee problems but soon getting back into the swing of things.

 

Sion Jenkins        
35    
Assistant Referee        
Teacher

Sion has been involved in local football since he was a nipper, initially as a player starting out as a junior with Lawrenny and in senior football mainly with Carew, where he also plays cricket after a long time at neighbours Cresselly.

Eight years ago he contacted Brian Hawkins, the league secretary and attended a course with Brian as tutor, and has never regretted his decision to stop playing, after one least season where he managed Carew Thirds, played in goal and helped them win the Fifth Division.    

“That’s when I decided to retire at my pinnacle of playing,” says Sion with a chuckle!

So far he has reffed the fifth division and under 16 cup finals and was involved in the Senior Cup semi-final two years ago when Tom Bevan reffed and I was assistant with James Olyott as Goodwick United beat  Merlins Bridge but the final wasn’t played because of COVID so it is nice to be involved in the final this year as assistant referee.

“I have also been reffing in the West Wales Premier League and enjoying the experience there, as well as plenty of being involved at Academy games with Haverfordwest County.”

 

Tom Bevan        
35
Fourth Official    
Electrician        

As tradition demands, Tom Bevan has been appointed to the role of fourth official by dint of the fact that he was the referee in the final before  Covid struck and is delighted to be back in Pembrokeshire Football because he has since been appointed as a referee for the JD Cymru (South), the second tier of Welsh Football – and at the time of writing his most recent game was as fourth official in the Easter Monday JD Cymru Premier League relegation clash between Barry Town and Aberystwyth at Jenner Park.

“So far this season I’ve visited every ground in the JD Cymru (South) League and I was referee for both matches between Llantwit Major and Barry Town at the top of the table, which was nice – and by the end of the campaign I will have done over 40 games.

“I’ve also been busy officiating in the Welsh Women’s Premier League and was fourth official at their cup final between Cardiff City and Cardiff Met – now that was a local derby!

“I do miss reffing in the county but I hope I’m flying our flag so that others can follow at this level – but it will be great to resume old friendships in this year’s final”