One of the main reasons Narberth Athletic are now playing in Division 4 West (A) of the WRU National League is the perseverance and enthusiasm of one former player in particular – and that is Bill Ridge.
 
Over the past few seasons he has, more or less single-handedly, pushed the Athletic’s case and acted almost as a full-time Team Manager and his commitment to the Athletic’s cause has been immeasurable .
 

Originally from The Potteries – with little time to play sport

 
Bill originally hails from the Stoke area, where his family were dairy farmers, as they are now. He  milks around 650 cows and says the industry has had a tough couple of the years, but the market is improving now – although it still leaves him his time to be so involved at The Lewis Lloyd Ground.
 
“I didn’t play any sport in  the Stoke area, perhaps because I was so busy on the family farm, but I in football I have been a lifelong supporter of Stoke City. We used to have several holidays in Llangrannog and became good friends with Edward Perkins, who kept a weather eye on suitable farms in West Wales for my father.
 
“One day in 1981 he phoned us and said he had found the ideal dairy farm – and he was right because we are still there now in Bethesda!
 

A rugby convert from the round-ball game!

 
“I played football for Llawhaden and Narberth, although I wasn’t much of a centre half or centre forward when I first came to Pembrokeshire, but converted to rugby at the age of 28, just for the crack!
 
I soon adapted to this new sport and I played over 50 games for the first team, with loads for The Seconds where my last game finally came when I was 53. I played most of my games  at second row alongside Iestyn Evans, with great players (and characters) like Chris MacDonald, Simon Davies (a fantastic captain), Steve ‘Bopper’ Pearce and Ieuan Matthews there to learn from.




 

Played for The Otters in a KO Cup Final win

 
“My highlights include being picked for The Otters for a Knock Out Cup Final against our big rivals Tenby United – and beating them, which led to great celebrations, I can tell you.
 
“In the national League set-up, we were in danger of relegation going into our last match of one season, at Rumney, on the outskirts of Cardiff, knowing only a win could save us. They had former Welsh flanker Glen George and ex-Pontypridd skipper Nigel Benzani in their team but we beat them, stayed up and the rest is history!
 
“And then I got suckered onto the committee, probably my punishment for being English!” says Bill with a chuckle.



 

Tried ‘Iron Man Wales’ on a bit of a whim . . .

 
As well as that huge commitment, Bill and his wife Lisa are also keen triathletes and he told us,
“I have completed two ‘Ironman Wales’, in 2013 and 2014 (I must be mad), but of which I’m very proud.
 
“The first came after I had been to cheer on The Lions in Australia and as soon as I got back, I decided I was going to give the special challenge a bash, which wasn’t the best idea I have ever had because I’ve never been much of a swimmer and although I like getting on a bike I’m not over-fussed on running either!
 

Enrolled for Tenby – and soon discovered how tough it was

 
“I enrolled the next day and eventually off I went on the big day after not the most ideal training programme - and I somehow managed to get through the swim with still a few trailing even further behind than I was – and I was pleased with the cycling because I had done a couple of long charity events before.
 
“But the running of a marathon after 112 miles on a bike (and it seemed far longer than 26 miles) was unbelievable and I still can’t describe the excruciating pain;  but the old cliché is true that it is the crowd that gets you through it.
 
“I finished in 15 hours 45 minutes so I was well within the cut-off time of 17 hours – and vowed ‘never again’!
 

. . . And ended up making it a difficult double!

 
“But typically, I had another bash a year later, determined to improve on my time, with a much-improved training programme and some great advice from Martin James – and I was well pleased I beat my previous time by 30 minutes, despite a very tough swim in rough water so it was every bit as demanding!
 
Since then, I have toyed with the idea of a hat-trick of ‘Iron Man Wales’ entries but common-sense has prevailed and I have never gone through with it so it seems that particular itch has now been well and truly scratched!”
 

Took up golf – and enjoys the walking

 
Since then, though, another equally aggravating sporting challenge has emerged in the form of golf!
 
“Some of my friends were playing at Tenby Golf Club and I was urged to join them and am still a member with a handicap of 24 on a very difficult seaside links course.
 
“At least I get a fair bit of walking in and my leg pulled about my lack of technical ability – and I just enjoy being involved in another sport!
 

Family Matters . . .

 
Bill and Lisa already walk a lot as relaxation from their varied business interests and both enjoy ‘exotically different’ holidays on a very regular basis, as well as spending time with the five children that they have between them.
 
Bill’s three daughters  are Nicola, Stephanie and Katie, whilst Lewis and Eve are Lisa’s offspring – and they all enjoy each other’s company as one big happy family. In her school days in Milford Haven, Lisa played netball and also ran in the 100 metres for Wales’ Schools – and is ever ready to own up to the fact that she was taught by a certain Mr Carne!.



 

Savours the Second XV successes

 
Bill has already mentioned his most memorable moments with the Otters’ senior side but there have also been great moments to savour since he got heavily involved with the second string.
 
“The success of the Athletic side has seen my proudest moments. We managed to get a very competitive squad over the last few years; of all local lads, and together with managing to secure a talented coaching team, including Matthew Davies, James Merriman, Richard Furneaux and Richard ‘Stag’ Jones as a great coaching team.
 
“’Stag’ is a true club legend who has done everything as a top player and inspirational coach – and ‘Mezza’ played for Gloucester as well as Wales 7s before joining us from the start and being totally committed.  We are lucky to have such top coaches playing their part so that my work as team manager is a real pleasure to be involved



 

Proud moments with The Athletic

 
“The proudest time so far, was winning the West Wales Scarlets Cup Final at Parc y Scarlets a couple of seasons ago, where the team played out of its skin and absolutely ran Felinfoel off the park. In fact, we sent them home early!
 
“Other highlights definitely include being the consecutive winners of the WRU Conference League, and pushing Crymych 1st XV all the way in the Pembrokeshire KO Cup Final – now that was some match against a team playing four divisions above us!
 

Division Four (West) A rugby is another challenge

 
“Doing well naturally creates a great environment for the boys. Being told by some within the club that we’d never get a Second XV going in the town was motivation enough, and now we have successfully started and doing well in our first season in the Division 4 West (A) league has proven the doubters wrong.
 
“One problem now, is that we have to peak every week, and have to cut the starting squad down to 20 (instead of 30-odd in some games over the last few seasons, and without doubt, another challenge in itself!)
 

And finally . . .

 
“On a serious note, I have also enjoyed my organising of fund-raising events at the club, and we can be proud of the fact that we have raised well over £60k for good causes close to the heart.
 
“That fact shows the ‘hwyl’ within the club and I am just happy to continue in my role for as long as I’m needed – I regard it not only as a pleasure but an honour to play my part as an incoming Englishman in a smashing Welsh town!”
 
Chat to Bill Ridge about his time in Narberth, as we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk did, and his commitment to Narberth RFC shines through – and we can only say that The Otters are indeed lucky to have him so involved, because he is a credit to the club!