Haverfordwest County manager Wayne Jones, his staff and squad took their first tentative steps towards the much-hoped for new football season in the Welsh Premier League as they met up for their first registration and practice session at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.
 
In a carefully-rehearsed session to ensure that the rules on the coronavirus were observed everyone, including this reporter, had to register with hon secretary Julie Le Grice and  then answer a series of questions on their health status with the club’s honorary medical officer, Dr Richard Thompson.
 

Dr T gives a short talk on health safety

 
Dr Thompson also checked everyone’s temperature and gave a short talk on health safety in the grandstand, with everyone observing a two-metre separation, followed by some clear instructions from Jones and Mark Murison on what could be done in the training session which followed on the second-team pitch, which had been carefully mapped out for small-group work by coaches Murison and Micky Ellis.
 
Making a welcome return from Carmarthen Town was talented young player Alaric Jones, looking back to full fitness after a niggly leg injury, plus four new players and three trialists who were obviously eager to impress the management.
 

The pitch looks a picture and ‘Wolvesy’ is looking forward to the challenge

 
Whilst all this was going on the dedicated backroom boys who are involved on pitch maintenance were hard at work, led by Kevin Haldane as he carefully mowed the lush grass that makes the ground look a real picture.
 
Manager Jones, who is known to all as ‘Wolvesy’ told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk afterwards:
“It was great to get our squad together at last and it was pleasing to see the attention to detail and commitment already in evidence.
 
“Our new signings showed some nice touches that auger well and we are hoping to be able to announce a new squad member, whose name will excite supporters, in the next few days.
 
“We know we face some huge challenges from clubs who are full-time professionals but we are aiming to give it our best shot!”


 

New Signings:

 
Alaric Jones

Still only 19 and making a welcome return to The Bluebirds’ defence will be Alaric Jones, who played at Carmarthen Town last season but has been welcomed back. Injuries prevented him from trials at Hull City and after captaining Wales at Youth level is looking forward to showing his ability in the Welsh Premier.
 













Wojciech Gajda

The Bluebirds’ Polish recruit comes on the recommendation of Glan Letheren and is very tall and agile, having played for Stalmielic in the Polish second tier and New York Red Bulls in the USA, and Herts in Scotland where he had a few games before sustaining a nasty hand injury and returned to Poland. Still only 21 and eager to impress!
 










Cameron Keetch

Cameron is 21 and was highly regarded in his only previous club at the quaintly-named Cambrian and Clydach Vale Boys and Girls AFC, where he came through their junior coaching set up as part of a schools link with the local council. As a strong left-sided player he gives the team lots of options and can also fill in the No 10 role if needed.
 













Corey Sheppard

Corey is 22 and also hails from Cambrian and Clydach after a previous stint with Newport County. He is an attacking midfield player who loves to push forward in support of his front men and will also be looking to score vital goals.
 












Kieran Lewis

At 27 years of age Kieran is an experienced centre midfield player whose work rate from box to box is regarded as exceptional. He has previously played for Merthyr Town in the English League set-up and for Carmarthen Town and Port Talbot in Wales.