SITUATED in North Pembrokeshire and famous for Fish and Chips is one of the county’s largest villages Letterston.
This well kept village boasts two Pembrokeshire league football teams. The first team managed by Gareth “Gaffa” Thomas are currently sitting pretty mid table in the second division, with a Division Two cup semi final to look forward to.
At present the second string are high flying in Division Five and occupying third place. The manager Gary Scott has a wealth of experience and young talent to choose from and is excited at the prospect of being the first second team manager to guide the team to promotion. We here at the Herald are convinced that this new found form is due to the fact that they have the Herald as their main sponsor. Lets have a look at some of the key players from each team:
First Team Captain: Karl Hedley. Karl has had itchy feet over the last few seasons, hopping from Goodwick to West Dragons then back to Letterston. But this season after an early injury scare is back to full fitness and form. He is leading by example and bossing the midfield.
First team goalkeeper: David “Cheese” Lawrence. Signed from Goodwick this year in a merry goround that saw James Gwilt sign for Goodwick while Carl Woodhouse put pen to paper for Merlins Bridge. Cheesy commands his box and dictates what he wants from his back four. A great signing for the Letts, but yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
First Team Defender, James George: James joined from rivals Goodwick this season. The pull of playing for his home village was enough to leave Phoenix Park. Playing most of his games at present in the left back role he can also fill in at centre half and has had the odd game middle of midfield. “A great lad, and one of the in-form players”.
First Team Defender Michael “Lunchbox” Lawrence: Known as Lunch to his team mates he has had a bumpy start to the season. Letterston through and through and playing more than 10 years as a regular in the first team Lunch has found himself warming the bench for the first time in his career. At 30 years old last years player of the year is still an important part of Gaffa’s plans.
Second Team Captain: Nick Lawrence. Former first team captain suffered a major injury near on 10 years ago and never thought he would play again. Got back to form after a lengthy period on the sidelines. Nick the retired last season. After many a conversation with team mates decided 1 more year was a must. This slight, hard tackling centre half leads by example always.
Second Team Mid-Fielder: Bernard Hearne. The little Jack Russel. Always niggling at ankles, never scared of a challenge and always gives 110%. Guaranteed to wind up the opposition with a sly pull of the shirt or a word in the ear. Bernard would be welcome in any team as his work rate is second to none. If injury hits the first team midfield I’m sure Gaffa will be monitoring Bernard as a replacement.
Second Team Striker: Brian Mathias. Brian is one of three Mathias brothers that play for the Letts. Son of Derick and nephew of the late Wayne, Brian certainly carries the family tradition of being a strong player with a undeniable presence. After a spell in the first team at the start of the season he is now scoring for fun in the seconds and is on course to win the “Tony Evans” top goal scorer award for 3rd year running.
One from the Archive: Billy Robb: A charity football match was held in honour of Letterston’s most famous retired player. This testimonial match, herald in June this year, raised money for local charities. Billy is re-nowned throughout the county as being the past goal scoring machine of Letterston. Old team mates, and family members, turned out for the game and fun day. The ex-player’s impressive 600 goal tally was celebrated. Known for his straight talking ways, he will definitely be the legend that current and new players will aim to beat for many years to come.
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