Alaric Jones is a regular member of the successful Haverfordwest County team in the first division of the Welsh Football League, playing as a talented young left back in a team constructed this season by coaches Sean Cresser, Micky Ellis and Tim Hicks.
 
He is strong in the tackle, can hold his own in aerial duels, has got good distribution skills and loves pushing forward in support of his front runners - which is terrific because he is the youngest member of the squad and could rightly lay claim to being one of the youngest players in the Bluebirds' strip for many years!
 

On the road to success

 
Unusually, Alaric started his footballing career at the opposite end of the pitch where he was a proven goal-scorer with Swansea City junior teams. Indeed, in one match against The Swans' counterparts from Plymouth Argyle he score ten goals in a 14-1 win!
 
His play caused him to be chosen at under 13s level for Wales in unofficial matches against Irish and French Select XIs in Cardiff, and coincidentally played those games where he is now - at left back.
 
"I think I was asked to play there because there was no-one selected for that position," Alaric told us, "and I enjoyed it, although I mainly played in midfield for Swansea."
 

Decided to return to Pembrokeshire Football

 
He had been coached by John Beale and Tony Pennock but when they left and a new coach started Alaric didn't find his involvement so enjoyable and he decided to return to play alongside his pals in this county.
 
At under 15 level Alaric joined Merlin’s Bridge and really enjoyed it as they came third in the table and lost narrowly in the age-group final under the guidance of his dad Tony, Steve 'Pelly' Price and Duncan Hart.
 

Belated silverware with the Young Bluebirds

 
He also a played a year up with Haverfordwest County under 16s with Matthew Price as coach of a team that came fourth in their league that was very high standard and included quality young players like Max Brindley, Danny Llewellyn, Travis O'Connor and Nick Jones.
 
"Last season we had a much more experienced squad that included Ben Fawcett, Jack Wilson, Jake Smith, Zac Rowell, Rhys Kemble and Jack Ackerman - and we eventually won the Welsh Cup, playing at the heart of the defence with Zac Rowell.
 
"We beat Risca in the quarter-final and then Cambrian & Clydach in the last four to set up a final against Cefn Druids at Newtown, which was filmed live by Welsh FA official Facebook page with 30,000 views.
We were level 1-1 at the end of full time and we were gutted to miss out on the silverware as we lost 3-1 on penalties - and I missed my spot-kick as I put it low in the corner but just the wrong side of the post!
 
"But it wasn't long before we heard that the Druids had fielded an unsigned player and although it wasn't the best way to take the silverware we were all thrilled to have Welsh Cup winners' medals.
 
"It was too late then to have the cup presented to us but The Welsh FA came down to the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium to hand us our medals and the cup before the first team's first match of this season in front of our own families and supporters, which was great."
 

Called in to senior squad

 
At the start of this campaign Alaric was eager to cement his place in the Development Squad but prior to pre-season training he received a text from first team manager Sean Cresser inviting him to join the squad and went along with other teenagers in Leon Luby, Charlie Davies, Alfie Stottor and Fraser Findlay.
 
"We were made really welcome by the first team players like Greg Walters, Ricky Watts, Kristian Speake and Sean Pemberton, the captain - and I was delighted to be in the team for the whole game against Newcastle Emlyn, which we won 6-0.
 
"Then I had half a game against Welsh Premier side Aberystwyth and was also involved in all the other pre-season matches, as well as for the Development Squad coached by Steve Batty for their games against Llanelli and Penybont.
 

Settling into Welsh League football and two Welsh squads!

 
"The  Welsh League began with an away match at Port Talbot, which we won 2-1, and I enjoyed 85 minutes - and so far I have made seven starts and been on the bench five times, which I have to be pleased about at my age."
 
As well as his success at senior level, Alaric was nominated by Steve Batty, whom he describes as 'one of the best' for Academy trials and was given the added responsibility of being nominated as captain of the South Wales' side to play their counterparts from North Wales, winning 3-2 as Bluebirds' team-mate Charlie Davies scored two of the goals at Newtown.
 
Since then both have played in friendlies for Wales v Newport County 11 (whom they beat 5-0) with the ultimate aim of Welsh recognition against Northern Ireland and Gibraltar, both away and with the prospect of a week in those countries.
 
Not content with that little lot, Alaric, who attends Tasker Milward School, has been selected alongside Ben Fawcett (Pembrokeshire College) for the Welsh Schools under 18s squad as well!
 

Triathlon triumph as a bonus

 
Outside of his football, Alaric tried triathlon as a nipper when his sister Alicia represented Wales under 13 team in the British Triathlon and he went along to watch.
 
He was nine then and was already a useful swimmer and runner so he was allowed to have a bash in the under 11s competition against some of the best young triathletes from all over the UK at Dorney Lake in Eton.  Alaric won his wave, doing well in his swim, bike and run before setting off home.
 
He enjoyed taking part and readily admits that he and his family were amazed a while later when
a trophy turned up in the post and he had won the triathlon for under 11s!

He went on to be undefeated in Cross country in Pembrokeshire and Dyfed Junior schools for four years and hold seven club records with Haverfordwest Seals with some still standing today.

And finally . . .

 
Throughout all that he has done in such a short time Alaric would say that he has had amazing support from his mum Alison, who played county hockey and has a Welsh Schools' vest for hurdles, plus dad Tony, one of the best-known local footballers over a long period of time, as well as the rest of his family.
 
It looks like being a very busy time for this talented young footballer and we wish Alaric Jones even more success in the future because he is clearly committed to the game and has all the necessary skills to go even further in the future!