Regular visitors to the main stand at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium to watch Haverfordwest County play in the Welsh Premier League might often notice a gentleman quietly sitting towards the back with his trademark glasses and Dai cap, making notes throughout the match.
 
We bumped into that gentleman, whose name is John Davies, when The Bluebirds played Barry Town recently and as usual it was a pleasure to chat to someone whom we now regard as a footballing friend.
 
We are delighted today to pay tribute to John because although he has been a Swansea football man through and through he has been a great supporter of football in this county for almost half a century, initially as a top-class referee and for at least half of that time as a referees’ assessor, now at Haverfordwest County matches, but previously, when they had teams in the top echelons of the old Welsh League at Pembroke Borough, and Milford United.
 

Important role as a referees’ assessor

 
His role as referees’ assessor means that he observes the officials’ overall performances, recording the details in his trusty notepad and then having a short post-match discussion with them after each game.
 
Then there follows the more arduous part of the role because back in Swansea he must then complete a full written report for the Elite Referees’ Manager, which can take up to three hours because, like all of us of a certain age, he likes to do things right.
 
To do this well he calls upon his own refereeing days when officials from Wales were also involved, prior to the English Premier League being formed, along with all the other sections in their pyramid.
 

 Refereed or assisted at matches in The English League and across Europe

 
As a result, he officiated as a linesman (now called assistant referees!) or in the middle for games involving Liverpool, Manchester United and Wolves, and as assistant to the great Welsh whistler Clive Thomas, plus George Courtney of England.
 
Not content with those impressive facts, John also officiated in European Cup clashes involving Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven and others- as well as being on the line for an under 19 EUFA cup final match between Hungary and Russia in Budapest - but more of all that amazing detail a little later, plus some fascinating programmes attached of his English League involvement.
 

Amazingly long service as Treasurer of the WSFAA

 
He has also been attached to football in our county by dint of the remarkable fact that he has been Hon Treasurer of the West Wales Football Association for 38 years and on the committee for 47 years so has got to know well a succession of football folk from our county who have either been county representatives on that august body, or have attended disciplinary meetings as witnesses or miscreants who have been shown red cards for serious matters!
 
One of these is Ian Baker, the Hon Secretary of the Pembrokeshire FA, who told us,
“John is held in high regard by our committee, not only for the fact that he is very prompt in making payments due to us but is always fair as a member of the WWFA Disciplinary Committee. He also co-ordinates the ‘Fair Play’ awards with the same sort of efficiency.”
 
Outside of his football, John has also been heavily involved in other community areas like being a magistrate, school governor for many years and a second tenor with the famous Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir.




 

Honoured by the late Queen – at Windsor Palace!

 
So, it is small wonder that in 2012 he was nominated for recognition in the Queen’s Honours List and he received his MBE from HM Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, with his wife Jennifer, son Simon and daughter-on-law Rachel in attendance.
 
John has never been one to blow his own trumpet and, like his refereeing achievements, says he wouldn’t want too much made of it, but he did admit it was a memorable moment in his life and after chatting to him for a short while we can say we feel it is fitting reward for his immense contribution to the community in his area as well as his own!
 
On the subject of Mrs Davies, it is worth mentioning that although she has been his rock for the 56 years of married life, she has her own interests and has only been to three football matches in that time.
 
“We started off with a match between Exeter City and Workington Town in the lower reaches of the English League set-up, where I was down to officiate a week after we were married - but later I spoilt her a bit when I took her to watch Manchester United and Coventry, plus Chelsea versus Spurs; but it didn’t cause her to say that she would like to keep coming with me,” said John with a hearty chuckle.
 

No great shakes as a footballer – but took to reffing like a duck to water

 
With typical honesty, John readily admits that he wasn’t any great shakes as a footballer as a youngster and with no substitutes in those days was often confined to running the line or managing the sponge bucket.
 
So, at 20 he made the decision to take up refereeing in the Swansea League.
“I made my debut in an under 18 tussle between Penlan and St Josephs,” John told us, “and I sent a player off from each team in what was something of a battle - but I must admit I enjoyed it and so started a time when I moved into reffing senior league matches and eventually made it onto the Welsh League panel.
 

Loved Pembrokeshire derbies in the old Welsh League – and 11 years in the English set-up

 
“It was the start of my long association with Pembrokeshire because I loved being involved with Haverfordwest County, Pembroke Borough and Milford United in local derbies, which often attracted partisan crowds of 2,000+.
 
“Easter Monday games between The Bluebirds and The Borough in particular were great - and then I had 11 seasons with the football League. I was on the supplementary list for two years, running the line at top games and reffing in the lower divisions.
 

Amazing memories – almost too many to recall in top English games . . .

 
“There we were too many games to recall but a particular favourite as a linesman was assisting top ref George Courtney for a game between Wolves and Liverpool in front of a massive crowd, with The Reds needing a win to take the title and the Black & Ambers facing relegation if they lost.
 
“Wolves were leading for a while but Liverpool drew level — and late goals from Kevin Keegan and John Toshack saw the celebrations - and a feeling of desolation begin, depending on which team you supported! We were in the refs’ changing room afterwards when in walked manager Bob Paisley with a bottle of champagne - but none of us could drink because we had to drive home afterwards, although it was a nice thought from the Liverpool boss!
 

. . . And in Europe too . . .

 
John also reffed in the European Cup as he made his debut at this level with Hibernian (Malta) entertaining Real Madrid, followed by Dundalk in Ireland, at home to PSV Eindhoven, who had sic of the current Dutch team playing for them. His final game in Europe featured Barcelona against Shakhtar Donetsk!
 
“I was also on the line for a World Cup qualifier where Austria took on East Germany and thought they had won with a late goal - but it was disallowed by referee Tom Reynolds so the game ended 1-1.
 
“We had to be escorted back to our changing room where we found ourselves in the company of a burly policemen and his German Shepherd Dog until we were allowed to leave two hours after the game ended!
 
“Then there was an under 19 match between Hungary and Russia at the Nep Stadium, built for the Olympics and holding up to 100,000 people - but with fewer than 20,000 there it had a strange feel to it!”
 

. . . Plus Wales – and Pembrokeshire!

 
But John would say that equally memorable for different reasons was coming nearer to home and running the line in two Welsh Cup Finals, including a cracker between Wrexham and Bangor City.
 
“I also have vivid memories of finals nearer to home, including a West Wales Senior Cup Final between Pembroke Borough and Llanelli at Stebonheath Park, with respective managers being my old pal Des Shanklin at The Boro’ and Gwyn Grant (Llanelli). The Boro’ were underdogs as they played away but won 3-1, with their hardy band of supporters celebrating in style afterwards!
 
“This game has been my second visit to the Bridge Meadow Stadium this season, accompanied by Brian Jones, my great friend and fellow chorister at Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir, and we had our usual warm welcome.
 
“I can only say, long may those visits continue because I am full of praise for what goes on there, and with the hard work done by some stalwarts at the Pembrokeshire Football League!”