PHOTOS:
Trophies galore
Players' gift for Colin
Players' gift for Daisy
Mums and dads galore

 
Hakin United AFC's talented under 16 football team celebrated a record-breaking season with their annual presentation evening at the British Legion Club in Milford Haven where their special treble of Pembrokeshire League, local cup and West Wales cups were on display to mark their success in their final year of existence before they move into senior football.
 
In their five years together they so dominated their age group that they only lost two games, both coincidentally against their counterparts from Pennar Robins, as they won the league title on all five occasions, picked up the cup trophy four times - and won the West Wales Cup on all three times it was on offer; the first team ever in West Wales to complete this historic treble!
 

Much to remember – and celebrate

 
Hosted by co-coaches Daisy Picton and Colin Fawcett there was therefore much to celebrate, with silverware galore, special awards, fun certificates and very special mementoes for the coaches that were enjoyed by the players and their families, plus a crowd of sponsors, supporters and guests Gordon Thomas, the sports editor of The Western Telegraph, and sports journalist Bill Carne.
 
Opening the evening in his inimitable style, Daisy recalled the day when his grandson Camron was joined by five others aged seven in an impromptu kick-around at The Obs which saw the formation of their group, with others joining before they set out in league football and dominated it over the intervening time.
 
This season was a great way to finish because the Young Vikings scored an amazing 210 goals whilst conceding only 11 - and just one of them at home!
 

Trophies presented – and sponsors thanked

 
All three trophies were presented in turn to team captains for that particular competition in Jake Merry (Pembrokeshire Cup), Jack Wilson (Pembrokeshire League), plus Camron Thomas and  Lee Davies (West Wales Cup) were clearly delighted to collect the trophies from Norman Mathias, who played in the inaugural Vikings senior team and scored their first-ever goal.
 
Also receiving special framed certificates were sponsors Phil Thomas (TBS Skips) and Chris Beavis (Kimberley) - and there was a special moment when Colin Fawcett announced that the normal 'Player of the Year' and 'Managers' Player of the Year' trophies were not being awarded because such was the high level of performance that there was a special memento for every player in recognition of their contributions.
 
Colin also mentioned the fact that Lewys Rhead, Jaden Chapman and Jake Houston had all been sidelined through injury but were there at training sessions and matches, such was the close camaraderie of the whole squad - and when he asked anyone who had been sent off in their five years to raise their hands there was not a single red card in the entire five years!
 
Also thanked were the parents, who have provided terrific support throughout the season, and the local press for their coverage - and Gordon Thomas and Bill Carne responded with congratulations for players and coaches.
 

Special gifts for ‘special coaches’

 
A real highlight of the evening came with some surprise gifts from the players for both coaches and Stuart McDonald, who helps coach the senior team but worked wonders with the squad in the second half of the season was also recognised.
 
Stuart was rightly praised by everyone for his impact and he had helped organise special framed photographs from Wolfgang Ackerman for Daisy and Colin, superbly framed and terrific mementoes - and had also contacted their favourite clubs with some details of the coaches, asking if they could provide a certificate.
 
Leeds United had sent a lovely certificate for Colin, plus all the players' autographs - and although Manchester United couldn't manage to do the same for Daisy, despite his life-long support, Stuart was not to be deterred and managed to get a certificate from Manchester City!
 

Fun finish of a special evening

 
Each player also received a special certificate, read out by the previous recipient and highlighting not only footballing skills, but another snippet, like the fact that Lewis Tingey always looked smart in his pink suit and Camron Thomas hadn't yet learned to tie his boot laces!
 
Ben Fawcett rounded off the presentation by thanking the coaching team of Daisy, Colin and Stuart - and another highlight came when the normally hard-nosed Daisy was clearly moved by his presents and one of the players' comments that he was ‘filling up’ brought huge laughter from everyone in attendance at a memorable evening for the Young Vikings!