Antonio Facciuto's family originally hails from Bari, in Italy, but the talented footballer who was brought up in the Llanelli area has played for Wales at under 16 and under 18 level, and is currently serving Haverfordwest County well as a talented left back.
 
Antonio was also on Cardiff City's books for some time before being released and this is his second stint at the Conygar Bridge Meadow because last season he took time out to focus on passing his PGCE qualification to become a teacher.
 

Made welcome from the start

 
Ask him about playing for the Bluebirds and he would be quick to say how much he enjoys the ethos there, singing the praises not only the players and management but the directors and especially supporters too.
 
"I have been made very welcome from the start and I was delighted when we gained promotion to the Welsh Premier League - and disappointed when we went back down into the Welsh League, because although the top level of Welsh football demands so much more travel we all want to play at the highest possible level.
 
"I successfully obtained my teaching qualification and when I received a phone call from Sully I was thrilled to return to action - and although a lot of my old team mates had left I was immediately impressed by the total commitment of the current squad as they have showed what they are made of after an understandably slow start with so many inexperienced players involved.
 

Early start with Kalsonic – and St Mary’s!

 
Antonio made an early start in the game as he played from under eight to under 13 level for Kalsonic, a factory side on the outskirts of Llanelli, which did well in the local junior leagues.
"I also played on the right wing for the St Mary's Primary School team that included Emyr Hughes, who went on to play for Cardiff City and is now on loan at Ipswich Town.
 
"At 13 I switched to Morriston AFC in the Swansea League, which was a very good standard as we took on the likes of St Josephs and Treborth, with my dad Rino, who played for Welsh Schools Rugby as a centre, taking me everywhere so that I could play in midfield.
 

Played for Cardiff City as a teenager

 
"At 15 I was spotted by a Cardiff City scout and after a six-week trial period where I had to travel up two evenings a week to train at the superb indoor facility at The Vale, I was accepted by the other version of the Bluebirds!
 
"We played our home matches on the Treforest Industrial Estate facility on Saturdays and we took on the likes of Aston Villa, Chelsea, Southampton, West Ham and Watford both home and away, which meant getting up at 5am for the long distance travel and an 11am start at the top training quarters of these famous clubs.
 
"Parents weren't allowed to travel with us and sometimes my father would share transport with other parents to cheer us on."
 

County recognition – then selected for Wales

 
"I was allowed to have Fridays off at St John Lloyd's Comprehensive and I also played for the Carmarthenshire Schools' team which reached the Welsh Schools Final at the Millennium Stadium alongside the likes of ex-Haverfordwest County player Luke Borelli, Emyr Hughes and Kayne McLagan, who played for Manchester United and Southampton and is now with Merthyr Town.
 
"At under 16 level I was invited for trials with Wales and I can still remember how thrilled I was when I was told I was selected to play against Ireland and Scotland in the Tri-Nations Cup at Aberystwyth and then in the Victory Shield Game against England.
 

More caps soon follow

 
"There were other internationals against Belgium and Slavakia and the whole build up was amazing, especially pulling the red shirt on and singing the national anthem. We were coached by Martin Evans and presented with our caps - and mine has pride of place on the wall at home."
 
"I also played at under 18 level against Slovakia at Port Talbot, with Brian Flynn as our boss, and we were allowed to keep our shirts, which didn't happen at the younger level
 
"Eventually I was given a year's contract as we trained and played with the reserves: with a highlight being an FA Youth Cup match against Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium alongside players of the calibre of Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter and Davy Blake in front of a good crowd.
 
"But sadly, after we went on a tour to Italy, our brilliant academy manager John Kerr passed away and under new manager Lee Robinson I was told I would not have my contract renewed - and to say I was gutted would be an understatement!
 

Lost his spark – but found it again in university

 
"I did go on trial to Swansea City and Cheltenham Town but I lost my footballing spark for a while - and dad persuaded me to further my education with a degree in Maths at Swansea University.
 
"I played football for the university in the inter-college championships against the likes of Hartbury, Glamorgan, and Loughborough as we gained promotion from division one to the premiership section."
 
He also played for Carmarthen Town in the Welsh Premiership for a while after making his debut against Bangor City, and this was another invaluable gaining of experience for young Antonio.
 

Now teaching in the county town – and also looking after his cafes

 
After gaining a 2.1 honours degree Antonio decided to look for a career in teaching and took his PGCE course, which meant he had to reduce his footballing commitment because of his academic workload.
 
Outside of his football he is enjoying his teaching role at Fenton County Primary School in Haverfordwest, and building for his future in another unlikely area as he and partner Rhiannon Howells have busy cafes in Swansea City Centre (called 'The Cwtch') and Llansamlet (at the Giant's Bike Shop).
 

High praise from Sully

 
Antonio is really enjoying his involvement at The Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium and delighted that the team is progressing well under the guidance of co-managers Chris O'Sullivan and Sean Cresser, for whom he clearly has the utmost respect..
 
But it clear that feeling is mutual because Chris O’Sullivan told us,
"Antonio is proving to be a real asset, and we are delighted to use his skills and experience in serving Haverfordwest County so well. He has talent aplenty but also trains well and has a commitment which is rubbing off on our younger and inexperienced players.”
 
High praise indeed from someone who knows his football and we could only follow that by wishing Antonio Facciuto further success and continued enjoyment with the premier club in our county as someone who is a credit to  Haverfordwest County AFC and football in general!