PHOTO: 
Bill Carne and Alaric Jones

 

Alaric’s a rising star with The Bluebirds and Wales!

 
We are delighted to award our ‘Star of the Month’ trophy for July 2018 to talented young footballer Alaric Jones, not only in recognition of the fact that at 16 years of age he was a regular in Haverfordwest County’s squad that came second in the Welsh League but also because he has carried the Pembrokeshire Flag with real style that has included his leading the Welsh under 18 team to a double success against their counterparts from Gibraltar and playing in other internationals too.
 
He has played left back for The Bluebirds and justifiably earned high praise from manager Sean Cresser for a maturity beyond his age with his strong tackling, good distribution, aerial skills and ability to push forward in support of his front runners.
 

Loads of goals for The Swans and success with the Bluebirds’ under 16s

 
As a nipper he had scored a heap of goals for Swansea City, including ten in one match against Plymouth Argyle, and represented Wales at under 13 level in unofficial internationals against Northern Ireland and France, but by then in the left-back position he made his own until switching to the heart of the Welsh team for their two matches against both Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.
 
At home he played a year up at Haverfordwest County Under 16s run by Matthew Price and helped them win the Welsh Cup for their age group before joining the club’s Development Squad run by Steve Batty for the 2017-18 season – and soon finding he wasn’t playing there but in the senior squad for warm-up games at clubs like Newcastle Emlyn and Aberystwyth.
 

Welsh recognition follows

 
He joined team-mate Charlie Davies, captaining the South Wales’ side to victory over their counterparts from North Wales in Welsh trials, and as a bonus also represented the Welsh Schools alongside Ben Fawcett and Jack Wilson.
 
Of those games for Wales at under 18 level he was picked at centre back for the Northern Ireland games, which they won and kept two clean sheets, and was vice-captain before being promoted to lead the team to similar scorelines out in Gibraltar where again there were no opposition names in the Welsh ‘goals against’ column.
 
Watching him there were parents Tony and Alison Jones; and Steve Batty, for whom he has high regard as one of the Welsh coaches.
 
So now it is all systems go for Alaric Jones in the forthcoming season and we wish him every success at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium and wherever his terrific footballing skills take him in future!