Well, what a year 2020 has been. At the start I never envisaged being a part of a football team in this capacity, and for many reasons, was the worst possible time to be involved in a football team, but would I do it again? Abso-bloody-lutely!
Despite the challenges faced, it has been a fantastic year for Haverfordwest County. Promotion from the Cymru South had been a target for a number of years and was achieved after the early conclusion to the season. An away win at Llanelli in our first game of 2020 set the tone as we lost just 2 of our last 15 games.
The team have taken to the Cymru Premier in spectacular fashion, with wins away at Bala, and a home victory most recently against Barry Town being highlights. The scenes at Bala as Jack Wilson curled the ball home in in injury time is one of my best footballing moments of my life, and something I will not personally forget. To sit where we are in the league right now is something we all would have taken at this stage of the season.
There have been some lows but each time we have suffered a hard defeat the boys have bounced back well, and there is great belief and spirit in the squad (and obviously, a huge amount of ability alongside that). The fact we have so many young players making a huge impact at this level is also extremely pleasing, and I really look forward to watching the squad develop and improve further.
Covid-19 has obviously played a huge impact on football in Wales (and of course globally), but I want to thank the wonderful dedication of all the coaching staff, players, medical team, Club Secretary, back office and ground staff, academy coaches, volunteers, Media Officer and fellow Director David Hughes, as without the hard work of all of them football would not have been able to continue in a safe environment for everyone.
The financial impacts of Covid-19 has also been devastating to most in 2020, but I want to reassure everyone that the club has been extremely well run for many years and will continue to be managed diligently to ensure that the club will be ready and able to deal with all challenges going forward. Haverfordwest County has been around for 121 years, and I hope we around for at least another 121 years, and if so, you can rest assured knowing that Micky Ellis will no doubt still be a part of the First Team squad!
I have been a lifelong supporter of Leyton Orient all my life and football is a huge part of my life. Following the O’s has had more downs than ups, but whatever the result, within an hour I’m over it and life goes on. With Haverfordwest County, I absolutely live it for days and weeks on end and considering this club has only been part of my life for 7 months, its incredible how much it means to me. I also know how much it means to everybody associated with the club, and the fans who have shown great understanding and support despite not being allowed to enjoy the games with us.
The only thing I can think of to make this experience even better is to have fans back with us. Due to the rapid increase of Covid-19 cases in Wales, there is nothing immediately on the horizon as to when spectators will be able to watch games live, we will have fans with us in 2021 at some point. It may be a longer road than any of us want, but we just need to focus on adhering to what has been asked of us by the powers that be, stay safe and well, and we will have you all at The Bridge Meadow Stadium before you know it.
Best wishes to you from all at Haverfordwest County, and Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!
Rob Edwards
