‘Around the Touchline’ Feature

 

 
Whoever we visit Bierspool, the home of Pembroke Dock Harlequins, it is always likely that we will bump into Mike Bradney, whom we first met when he was the first-aid man with The Quin’s and I used to tease him that even the toughest players would jump up when injured and say they were OK if they saw him running to treat them.
 
He always took the leg-pulling with the good humour that is very much part of his character and as well as looking after the well-being of the players he was also assistant secretary and later became Hon Sec and has had several periods as chairman in a time span of 50 years since he moved into the area to work at the old Pembroke Power Station.
 

Played football in his younger days . . .

 
Mike hails from the Burry Port area and in his much younger days he played football for Carmarthen Bay Power station and briefly for Garden Suburbs, who last year celebrated their 100th birthday and Mike contributed a small article in their celebratory brochure.
 
When he and wife Margaret came to live in Pembroke Dock he actually played football for Pembroke Power Station in the 1969/71 period but then Brian Powell, who lived a few doors away, invited him to visit Bierspool and he was soon involved as secretary of their newly-formed ‘It’s a Knockout’ and Carnival committee.
 

. . . Before switching to rugby at The Quins

 
“I started to go to training and enjoyed playing as prop for a few seasons with the seconds, although I had no illusions about my ability,” Mike admitted, “but I did have one game for the firsts, a friendly against the power station where I got injured, but found my level in the second team alongside some great characters.
 
“I had started my interest in first aid at work and when Arthur Main, who had been sponge man at Bierspool for many years, wanted to step down I was roped in to replace him - and I ended up doing the job for over 25 years.
 
“Soon afterwards I also took on the role of assistant secretary to Viv Hay, one of the greatest characters I ever met anywhere, before taking over in 1976 and staying 12 years in the role.
 

Huge honour of life membership – and great moments for some top players

 
“I’ve also had five one-year stints as chairman and I’m still on the current hard-working committee - and one of the greatest honours I ever received was to be made a life member of Pembroke Dock Harlequins over 30 years ago.”
 
The undoubted highlight at The Quins was the time that they won the Pembrokeshire League that included the likes of Narberth, Tenby United, Whitland and Aberystwyth.
 
“We sealed our success in the final game at Fishguard where I remember second row Lenny Scourfield scored two tries to take his total to 29 for the season in a team that also included Roy Scourfield, Ossie and Dai Boswell, Paul Rogers, Roland Boyett, Andy Morrissey, Martin and Roy Davies.
 
“Winning the KO Cup Final for the first time by beating Crymych was another magical moment with another cracking group of players who served The Quins so well.”
 

More great moments – as chairman of Pembrokeshire County Club Rugby

 
Mike also  got involved at county level when he went onto the executive committee as a Quins’ representative and County selector and it wasn’t long before he was hon secretary there as he replaced Carew stalwart Bryn Morgan - and also became the first aid man as an extra duty.

I also was First aid man for the County side and Welsh counties for a number of years.

“It was in the days when Pembrokeshire had a wonderful fixture list that included Neath, Llanelli, Bridgend, Swansea, South Wales Police and Pontypridd - and during the time I was involved we won the Welsh Counties’ Cup twice, after one previous success.
 
“But the undoubted highlight for me came in October 1983, when I was chairman and we were chosen to play against the touring Japanese team at the old ground in Haverfordwest. It was a huge occasion and I had to welcome them to the county and make a speech at the fantastic dinner held afterwards - but the undoubted highlight was the fact that we actually beat the Japanese to show the quality of players in our squad.
 
“We also drew with the Americans at Whitland in a great time for Pembrokeshire Rugby and I was thrilled to be a small part of it.”
 

Family matters – and a love of golf

 
During his long time at Bierspool he has had total support from his wife Margaret, plus children Sally and Mark, who played for many years as a first team centre and whose sons Gethin and Rhys are now involved. Gethin is vice-captain and renowned for his fearless defence and Rhys also plays whenever he is available as another good three-quarter - and Sally’s son Gareth now plays football for Carew.
 
Outside of his allegiance to The Quins, Mike also plays golf at South Pembrokeshire, and at one stage reduced his handicap to 11 but as old age creeps in he’s now back up to 28.

I served as Captain of the Rabbits, Club Captain in 1994 and as Seniors’ Captain some four or five years back and still play regularly for the Seniors and just stepped down as fixture  secretary of the senior section.
 
“I enjoy playing as much as ever now that I’m rapidly approaching my 80th birthday (next year!) and using my Buggy. I used to play regularly with my late friend Stuart Lewis and we had many games together in the Rabbits.”
 

And finally . . .

 
He also played cricket for Burry Port as a youngster as a change bowler and late order slogger.
“I once played against Barry John, who was on a hat-trick when I walked to the wicket - and I hit him for six first ball but he had his revenge two balls later when my next slog failed miserably!”
 
That ability to laugh at himself is typical of Mike Bradney and so is his ability to make people feel welcome at Bierspool, as he did recently when we visited to watch The Quins take on Haverfordwest.
 
They lost but Mike was very positive about the way they played and was quick to point out the plusses in defeat for their young side, which he said had promise if they could stick together - and we can honestly say that our experience around the touchline was really enhanced by bumping into a Quins’ man through and through like Mike Bradney for a chat over a cup of coffee!