It is typical of Daniel Williams' support of his young team mates in the Development Squad at Haverfordwest County that although he has been injured of late he still goes to the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium to cheer them on at every opportunity.

Dan started this season in fine fettle after some good training sessions with coaches Steve Batty and Ceri Phillips, and was enjoying himself until the moment during the second match at home to Merthyr that he felt a nasty pain as he sped up the left touchline and knew straight away that he'd tweaked his hamstring and had to be helped off the pitch.

"It was a bit of a blow," admitted Dan, "but I've been back in light training and hope to return to action pretty soon now.

High praise for coach Steve

He has played at left back on a regular basis over the previous two campaigns and so his disappointment is evident because he realises that at 18 years of age this might be his final fling at this level.

"Steve Batty has been a terrific coach to our squad, who have come from all over the county to play and so I'm keen to get back into the action with him as soon as possible, especially since we have a very good squad where we all get on really well together on and off the pitch - and are eager to do well for him and Haverfordwest County."

Early start at home and with the Villa Juniors

Like a lot of football-mad youngsters, Dan started off by kicking a ball in his back garden with his dad Chris, who used to play for Prendergast Villa.
"He has always encouraged me to play and has been a terrific taxi driver, whilst my mum Emma has also given me 100% support."

From the very outset Dan was a natural left-footer and by the time he was six he was training with the youngest players in the Prendergast Villa junior set-up and attending every summer camp session that he could find.
"To be honest," said Dan with a chuckle, "my right leg has always been for standing on, although I've still managed to score a few goals with my right boot, after great efforts by Villa junior coach Michael 'Glenys' Davies to persuade me to practice far more more with it!

Great help from ‘Glenys’

"'Glenys' was a brilliant coach right through to our mid-teens as we had a strong team which included his son Jake alongside other quality players like Leon Luby, Patrick Pearce and Scott Jones, and we were undefeated for almost four seasons.

“We won the league and cup double every year, usually against old rivals Tenby, who included Fraser Findlay and in our final year together against a useful Hundleton outfit in which Dylan Davies was a key player.

"We also reached the semi-final of the West Wales Cup but our real top performances came when we went to the annual Ian Rush tournament in Aberystwyth, where we not only played against other good teams from Wales and England but also against others from as far afield as the USA, Dubai, the Cayman Islands and even South America!

Success at Aberystwyth

"We reached the final at our first attempt but sadly bad weather prevented it taking place - but we won it in our age group for the next two seasons as Kyle Williams, and Jordan Frank were others who played well.

"We hoped to finish off in style with our third win on the trot but after reaching the final we lost to Barmouth, who had become a bit of a bogey team for us, which was a bit of a disappointment after so much success in the competition."

Finding his feet after The Villa

When the Villa didn't have a team at under 16 level Dan joined a Camrose outfit coached by Chris Oliver and they reached the Pembrokeshire Cup Final for their age group against Carew at Monkton Swifts' ground but after a titanic struggle where the teams were level 1-1 at the end of full and extra time, Dan & Co lost in a penalty shoot-out.

Dan then had one season back at senior level with Prendergast Villa as a 16 year old and played quite a few games in helping their second string before they just missed out on promotion and reached their divisional final against Hundleton on the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium - but he missed out on a final place, to his evident disappointment.

Learning a lot with the County youngsters

He had already started to play for the Haverfordwest Juniors squad coached by Lukas Gamble and straight from there he moved up to the Academy Squad playing in the McWhirter Youth League, now known as the developmental team for all ages whereas before it was for under 18s only.

Now there is provision for more senior players to also get involved which means that places are sometimes harder to come by, but Dan relishes that sort of challenge.

"When I started out I learned so much from quality players like Joe Brill, Mark Davies, Dan Evans, Gwion Howell, Glen Fiteni and Owen Coombs, and now I see it as part of my role to try and help youngsters breaking through, as I was then.”

Getting over injuries and grateful thanks

As well as his current injury, Dan has sustained a few before, starting with breaking his tibia and fibula as a seven year old in a kick about, a broken ankle and two broken collar bones - but each time he has shown his commitment by getting back into action as soon as possible.

Ask him about help he has been given and as well as his parents he would nominate his uncle, Michael 'Glenys' Davies, Steve Batty and Ceri Phillips. His family are lifelong Manchester United fans and Dan continues that tradition, with Welsh legend Ryan Giggs as his favourite star and another left-footed player like Dan.

Dan Williams is a very keen young footballer and we wish him every success for his future, especially at Haverfordwest County in a game where he is a real asset in all he does, on and off the pitch!