If ever there was someone who deserved recognition for involvement in a local sporting fraternity then there is no doubt that Johnny Sutton would be a candidate for his immense work in the junior sections at Neyland rugby and football clubs.

 
Johnny would be quick to point out that he gets a great deal out of his efforts because his young son Tyler (9) is involved but the other parents would say that he does outstanding work that helps provide their children with the chance to be involved in either sport, irrespective of ability.
 

Innate ability not vital!

 
Perhaps that is why the Neyland Pirates junior football teams and the Junior All Blacks have boys and girls joining them from Milford Haven and Hakin, Johnston, Hook and Llangwm, Pembroke Dock and other areas, some of whom weren’t very good players when they arrived but have had lots of encouragement and got into the swing of things, and enjoy playing without too much pressure of worrying about winning medals.
 
It was the way that Johnny himself started out in rugby because although he had a sharp turn of speed he didn’t have a clue about the rules of the oval ball game and when he was told he had been picked for his junior school team his grandfather, Donald Williams, gave him a crash course in the family garden!
 

Starting out in rugby

 
Johnny was soon enjoying the game on a regular basis under the watchful eyes of Roger Price and Chris Palmer at Neyland School, where they were unbeaten for a while. He was soon in the county team which was coached by Andy Grey and Wayne Davies, playing alongside players of the calibre of Steve Williams (Haverfordwest) and Mark Riley (Neyland), who are still involved in local rugby.
 
He also enjoyed the Neyland mini-rugby, where characters like Leslie Rossiter, Robert Johns and Eric Mathias were a great help – and as he grew into his teens he played anywhere in the back division for STP School, helping them win the Pembrokeshire Schools Cup against Fishguard under the coaching of Gelly and Ronnie James.
 
He thought he was going to score in the final at Milford Haven but he was hauled down a yard short, leaving skipper Adam Cumine the simple job of picking up and claiming the winning touch-down.
 

Playing both sports brings injuries – and a chuckle!

 
As he moved into youth rugby Johnny captained the Neyland under 18s in the Griffiths’ Cup Final but after being level at the end of the match and expecting extra time were upset to learn it was going to be decided on try count and they just missed out!
 
But then Johnny dislocated his shoulder and although he had it operated on it still went a few times again and so after playing a few times for the firsts he lost all confidence in tackling and was forced to stop playing.
 
Johnny then played football, having had county trials as a 16 year old, with Paul ‘Miffy’ Smith as Neyland coach, and played senior soccer alongside characters like Mark ‘Bossy’ Edwards, Michael McQuillan and Tommy Grey, who was an excellent manager.
 
But then he had a nasty knee injury and had to stop that as well, but tried to help out in other ways, not always with success.
 
“On one occasion I volunteered to drive the mini-bus to a match and when we found ourselves a man short I had to play,” said Johnny, “but put my knee out again and couldn’t drive on the ‘tour’ back home. I was told not to moan so much in the back seat and it was ages before I was allowed to forget about what was certainly my last game ever!”
 

Getting involved behind the scenes

 
And that was when Johnny became more and more involved  in the junior sections as Tyler got going with the Pirates under sevens team and Johnny joined in the coaching at under 8s.
“At first we were a little short on players and I used football-themed parties at the club as scouting missions, he chuckled, “but when news filtered through that we wanted players to just enjoy themselves we soon had lots more players on our books at all age levels.
 
“I took over as secretary and treasurer two years ago and my duties include organising fixtures, registration of players, acquiring and looking after kit, using our social media like Face Book and Twitter, plus sponsorship, where we are lucky to have good support from Andrew Hewitt of R & M Electrical, the Pembs Group in Pembroke Dock, Mark Evans, Mark ‘Bossy’ Edwards and Here To Buy mobile phone repairs.
 

Family matters

 
“I was also lucky to rope in my father Jeff to help, plus Simon Morgan, Dai Davies, Robert Davies and Martin Williams, who are all brilliant helpers.
 
“My brother Andrew also played rugby and we were rivals, but I always scored more tries than him,” laughs Johnny.
 
And then there’s Tyler, who plays as a defender with Neyland, Haverfordwest County and PG10, with whom he recently went on a memorable tour to Dubai alongside other matches against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion.
 
Moving to the adjoining rugby pitch, Johnny is now assisting Colin Picton as coach with the Junior All Blacks, with the added role of organising fixtures for all the age groups, plus referees for home games.
“When Tyler plays I wince at some of the tackles he makes,” Johnny told us, “and now I understand why my mum Maureen was never keen to watch me play when I was a nipper!”
 

A touch of cricket – and a very busy schedule

 
When he was younger, Johnny also played cricket for Spittal Seconds but readily admits that he wasn’t the best of players in comparison with Gelly James, Dai Isaac, Billy Jones, Robert Johns, Byron Williams and Dekker Thomas. But he enjoyed the social side and says that on one tour it was lucky he didn’t have to bat because he slept throughout the innings!
 
But now it is junior sport in Neyland that occupies almost all of Johnny’s spare time and a quick look at his diary provides real proof of his commitment:
Monday: Sort out fixtures for next weekend
Tuesday: Football training on astroturf at Neyland Junior School
Wednesday: Rugby training
Thursday: PG10 training for Tyler in Swansea
Friday: Training at Haverfordwest County with Brian Kelly
Saturday: Football matches in morning – 7am start for Johnnie, putting out nets and marking pitch etc
Sunday: Rugby matches with Colin Picton
 
It provides real proof of his total commitment to the cause of junior sport in Neyland and we can only say a huge well done to Johnnie Sutton for his considerable contribution, which is really appreciated by the young kids and their parents!