Every sport’s club needs it’s back-room staff; it’s unsung heroes if you like – well Neyland Cricket and Football Clubs are lucky that they share one such person in Gavin Rowlands, who was born and bred in the town and doubles up in a different way because he also plays both sports and is ever-ready to play wherever needed as an extra bonus.
 
Gavin is Hon Secretary of Neyland CC after taking over the reins from Andrew ‘Bortzov’ Smith, who had done such a good job for over two decades.
“I knew it was a huge pair of shoes to fill,” admitted Gavin, “but with help from Andrew, long-time Chairman Martin Jones, my close friend Ben Noden and the support of the rest of the committee, it gets a little easier each year and I’m looking forward to the new season, on and off the field!
 
“As well as being club sec I am also coaching the All Stars/Dynamo programmes with Sean Hannon, a fantastic club man and first team captain.
 
“To be honest, when I started out in 2018, I thought it might be for a couple of seasons at most but you need that time to learn the job and I feel honoured to be part of some great players and plenty of others like John Laugharne, who sadly passed away recently after he had served the club as a player and administrator for over 60 years – now that’s dedication for you!
 
“Then there’s Peter ‘Jack’ Davies, plus my old pal Patrick Bellerby, who takes the responsibility for encouraging me back to Neyland after I had short spells with Herbrandston and Johnston in both my sports, as my son Dylan played and I went with him, especially through to Herbrandston because Andrew Williams coaxed me there.
 

Early start and a great moment with club legend Jack

 
Gavin started playing Cricket for Neyland at 11 years old, and he was lucky enough to be under the keen influence of four great coaches: Brian Keen, Jack Capon, Martin Jones and Mike Tennick as he played for the junior set up through the age groups, and eventually made his 3rd team debut under Brian Keen as captain, again with Jack and Mike playing alongside Brian. He would say that the experience was brilliant, as so many young  players came through that team and went on to represent the club in the 2nds and 1sts.
 
“One fond memory was a game when we travelled to Llanddewi Velfrey with a very young team, with myself and Jack Capon as the elder statesmen of the team. Everyone knows I can’t bowl, but due to having so many youngsters playing I ended up opening the bowling. They scored 250 odd and it was looking like a loss all day.
 
“Then our opener got out so myself and Jack were left at the crease. The wicket was terrible, with the ball popping everywhere, catching us in numerous areas around the body – but after Jack got hit, he called me down the other end and said ‘we are winning this’ and he went on to score 150+ not out with my contribution of 29 helping us to eventually get over the line. He was such a good player and such a good influence on so many younger players.




 

Family matters . . .

 
“At Neyland I have helped out the firsts whenever needed but I really enjoy the seconds, which I think is more my level – and my top score of 110 not out came for them against Haverfordwest at the Athletic Ground – and another proud moment came when I first played alongside Dylan, who is now in Canada with another local lad in Kieran Arran, both working on a ski-slope facility where they learned what was needed ‘on the job.’
 
“Travelling must be in our genes because our daughter Shannon works in Perth, Western Australia, a fantastic place where she works in admin, supplying materials for companies mining for gold and iron ore.
 
“Then our youngest daughter Laylah loves horse riding, and we want to see her enjoy her sport as much as we all have.
 
“And finally, there’s my wife Kyla, who hails from Milford Haven but has been a wonderful support for me and also Neyland Sport as she has worked so hard over the years in the clubhouse and then at the hub. My time is taken up a lot through sport, but she never complains. I think she enjoys the social Saturdays if I am honest with the other wives and girlfriends.  We hope to visit Canada next year to see Dylan at work on the slopes!”
 

Special memories of cricket in Mumbai and an Alec Colley Cup Final

 
“I’ve recently come back from Mumbai, in India, with my work, where I had cricket matches arranged for me, which was lovely, but different, to say the least. Because there were loads of matches being played around us on a sort of turf as we used a tennis ball and the bowling was underarm.
 
“It might sound easy but the low trajectory meant it was hard to get the ball away and it was only when we used a cricket ball in our final match that I felt totally at home but it was a wonderful experience where the people were so friendly that I would love to go back there, one day soon.
 
We won the Alec Colley cup under the captaincy of Paul Miller, and whilst I didn’t do much on the day after a repeat of a hand injury two weeks earlier which required 10 stitches the game was fantastic, with Nathan Banner excelling for Neyland and Simon Cole the same for Cresselly.  It came down to the final over where Jamie Smith bowled incredibly to get us the win.”
 

Football and cricket in Herbie and Johnston

 
“My football career started when my son Dylan signed for Herbrandston Juniors, under the watchful eye of Julio Galdo. I didn’t really have a thought about helping or playing but one day Julio asked me to, and I was hooked from there.  I played as a low-ability centre back and as a full back when I switched to Johnston – and Julio is one of the nicest people you could wish to meet, and someone I still consider to be a good friend.
 
“I assisted Julio through all the junior levels, where we won the league and cup double at U15 stage, so it couldn’t have been too bad,” said Gavin with a chuckle!
 
“I also played at Herbrandston CC for a few years after bumping into the legendary Andy Williams, again someone who I have a lot of respect for. It was a great time and we certainly got into some scraps together.  I am often reminded by Nathan Banner about the time I went for a catch, missed it, was hit on the head and he somehow managed to catch the ball on the re-bound. I think I still have the bump!”
 
After this we had two seasons at Johnston where I was lucky enough to play a few games alongside my son, although he rightly says he was far better and more skilful than I was – but I still enjoyed it. I have managed to do the same in cricket, so if you ask what my greatest achievement in sport is, I would say I am lucky enough to have played both sports with Dylan, there is no better feeling than being on the same pitch as your son and team mate.
 

Back to Neyland and soon helping out The Nomads

 
“After Johnston we moved to Neyland where I started to assist with the seconds and running the first aid kit for the firsts. Then the opportunity came up to take over the firsts as manager. I jumped at the chance with my old friend Jarred Campbell and whilst we had a disappointing first season, by the second season we had put together a great young team.
 
“They managed to finish mid-table with some excellent results along the way, including a run to the semi-final of the senior cup before losing out to Hakin 2-0 on the night, and although we lost, it will always be one of my proudest moments as manager.”
 
“I had a year out but the lure of football brought me back, and now run the first again with Simon ‘Jaffa Ellis’ and Martin Watkins (Dad of Ashley).  It has been a good season so far and we are re-building the team again through young players with a mix of experience.”
 

And Finally . . .

 
We asked Neyland’s outstanding sporting twins Patrick and Sean Hannon, both heavily involved in the town’s football and cricketing fraternities, for their thoughts on Gavin Rowlands and after a short conflab they were agreed in just a few words.
 
“Gavin enjoys the playing side in both clubs but it is his admin work that takes him to another level and we are very lucky to have him.
 
“His commitment is total and he has an infectious enthusiasm for all he does – so we just want to say to keep it up!”
 
Having seen the work he does, especially in the Summer Sport, we at pembrokeshiresport.co.uk totally agree and wish him lots more happy times doing what he does so well!