Siso-Rees triplets are fine young footballing prospects

When Camrose Football Club recently held its junior presentation evening at their clubhouse there was special cause for celebration for the Rees-Siso triplets because Ramon was chosen as ‘Player of the Year’ at under eight level and Raul was voted as the ‘Most Improved Player’ – and although Rafael just missed out on one of those awards he was the winner of the latter recognition last season.

 

The triplets are the children of Marco Siso and his wife Michelle Rees-Siso and it was perhaps only natural they should be footballers because there is an involvement with the round-ball game on both sides of the family.

The boys’ dad Marco is well known as a footballer for over 30 years in the county (more of that later) and mum Michelle was top goal scorer with Tenby Ladies FC a few years back and her brothers are Ollie and Gavin Rees, the former having played for Nottingham Forest and Stoke and the latter having played for Portsmouth, with both representing Wales under 19s.

 

Marco’s dad Pablo is a regular supporter of the triplets and spends Saturdays in the football season watching them and their cousins Miguel Howells (Clarbeston Road U12s) and Jordan Siso (Camrose U12s). Pablo used to play in goal as a youngster and Marco says,

“He must have been the shortest goalkeeper in the whole of Spain!”

Pablo bought the lads their first football boots almost before they could walk and they followed their older brother Luis, who sadly passed away when he was only four days old, in having names of footballers.

Rafael was named after Mr Benitez because Marco is a self-confessed Liverpool FC supporter, whilst Raul and Ramon were named after footballers in Spain, with Real Madrid. 

It was Ramón who caught the eye initially as he showed exceptional qualities from the time he was three and was making his debut for Haverfordwest CC under 8s just three years later.

The Cricket Club won the game 10-0 and Ramón scored eight of those!

 

Rafael and Raul joined him about six months later as all three joined Camrose FC because Marco had huge respect for Dave Haworth and decided to join the coaching staff there, taking on the under 7s and more recently the under 8s – and already looking forward to coaching the under 9s in the 1914/15 campaign.

He has a strong squad at his disposal which numbers some 18 players and when the club decided to give the lads a treat and some wider experience by entering the Minehead Football Competition held at the local Butlin’s Camp they entered a team in both the  under seven and under eight categories.

 

They were encouraged by a great family support and played superb football against teams from Devon, Somerset and Dorset – winning both age categories in some style. Indeed, the under seven team scored over 50 goals in six matches, with Ramon banging in over half of them, and causing one coach to say that he played as if he was 6 feet 3 inches and 13 stone!

The reward for both sides is qualification for the British Finals at Warwick University – and again they will have terrific support from all the families!

That the boys should love playing football and supporting Liverpool FC comes from Marco, who has played football in the county since he came here from Cardiff as an 11 year old and is still playing for the Pembrokeshire Veterans’ team alongside other real characters like Bernie Armstrong, Mickie Algieri, Gerald Hicks, Steve James, Bob Nelson, Gary Dawes and Ade Haworth

 

It was Gerald who signed Marco for Welsh League Football with Milford United and Siso senior also played for Crundale Youth, Withybush,  Scarrowscant, Camrose (eight years) and Merlins Bridge, where he played under the manager he respected most in the late Derek Roberts.

Marco played in two losing Senior Cup Finals against Monkton Swifts and Hakin United, scoring against the Swifts but being outscored by his pal James McFadden in a 3-2 defeat.

 three triplets have also started playing rugby down at Pill Parks with Llangwm RFC and are doing really well in tag rugby, where they can put their speed to good effect in the non-contact introduction to the game. 

All three have scored tries aplenty with Ramon having been chosen as ‘Player of the Year’ in the U8s’ section for being top try scorer. 

“People ask me where they get their pace and natural side-steps from because I didn’t play the game and I tell them the truth,” admitted Marco, “it’s because of all the time they have spent chasing each other around in our back garden!”

Going back to the triplets’ football, Ramon has attracted attention from clubs like Manchester City, Everton and Chelsea and he and Ramon were invited up to the Swansea City Development Centre but Michelle and Marco decided the boys were far too young to be travelling long distances for training.

“They now train with Oliver Rees at the Neville Southall PG10 Academy, which is just as good and limits their midweek travelling,” said Marco.

They recently played against Torquay and in four matches Ramon scored the only goal in three of them to maintain his scoring record!

Rafael plays at the back and is a very good tackler and loves getting involved. “He’s the hyperactive one on the field,” says Marco with a chuckle!

 

Raul plays in midfield and of Marco told us,“He’s a coach’s dream because he listens to all he’s told and is ever-ready to learn – and just loves playing, win or lose.”

 

But they are united in their support of Liverpool and a recent treat was a new shirt each from the Anfield shop, with Ramon’s emblazoned with Coutinho, Rafael’s having Suarez on the back and Raul plumping for Sterling on his.

“Mr Nick Groves at Llangwm School has been brilliant with the boys,” Marco said, “and we feel their education must definitely come first at this stage.

 

“They are all very happy there, with Raul currently being the most academic, Rafael showing his artistic talents and Ramon doing well in sport and other areas.
 

“What we love best is that they are best of pals and there is no jealousy amongst them, whatever they do.”

 

That is great to hear and we are sure to hear more about Rafael, Ramon and Raul; the Rees-Siso triplets, in footballing terms for many years to come!