Visitors to the Conygar bridge Meadow this season will see the immense amount of work undertaken there and an impressive new look to the home of Haverfordwest County in readiness for the European Girls (Under 19s) championship matches scheduled there at the start of the new campaign.
Gone are the rickety old office and both the Bluebirds and College Hospitality Suites and in their places are now new buildings previously used in the Olympic Games set up and sure to be great for watching the Bluebirds play or as meeting places for anyone looking for somewhere to hold sessions in a congenial setting.
Two tier press box and 20-stage press area
On the half way line, right opposite the main stand, is a two-tier media suite which will also be multi-functional but in the first instance will provide a spacious room on the ground floor and a viewing gallery on the first floor for television cameras due to arrive for the European games.
The media are also looked after in the main stand, at the back of which is a bank of 20 desks, complete with individual power points, for more sports reporters.
The pitch looks a picture
Emblazoned in front of these is ‘Haverfordwest County AFC’, in 3 feet high letters, sure to attract the attention of the Sky TV cameras, and everything there looks resplendent in the club’s blue colours. To round things off really well, the pitch looks a real picture, despite the heatwave, as Rob Summers directs operations from the touchline as Derek Roberts and Lenny Lewis man the mowers. The surrounds are all neat and tidy as Kevin Haldene led the way and Alan Thomas, Ernie Tucker, Eddie Bunston and others give up their time to get everything looking spick and span. Even the secretarial staff of Barry Vaughan, Richard Friday and Billy Marchant have got stuck in to work on the surrounds of the pitch.
David is delighted
Small wonder then that David Hughes, the club’s commercial director, is delighted at the progress made. He has been the inspiration behind the immense amount of hard work and as well as all the negotiations has been seen with a paintbrush in his hands on a number of occasions!
Hughes, who has been at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium for long hours, was quick to praise the support the Bluebirds have received.
“The development could not have happened without the splendid support provided by the Football Association of Wales Trust and especially Neil Ward, the Chief Executive, whilst Peter Batchelor and the Conygar Investment Company, our main sponsor, has also been extremely generous with their support.
“Add real help from the Bridge Meadow Trust, under the chairmanship of Peter Lewis, plus assistance from Pembrokeshire County Council with regard to its ‘Major Events’ fund and we have been able to make sure that the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium will be in fine fettle for the new season”.
“We hope for plenty of support for our pre-season friendlies against Cardiff City and Swansea City, the European Girls (Under 19s) matches and what we are confident will be another great season for Haverfordwest County”.