Dear Haverfordwest family,

After five-and-a-half years of highs and lows, and after an adrenaline-filled summer of European football, I think it’s important to take stock of what we have achieved together, but also look to the future, be proactive in addressing any future challenges, and ensure the club has a process in place that ensures we can compete for years to come.

Over the last five years, the success has been incredible. After taking over from David Hughes in May 2020 on a strong footing, we have achieved European football twice in three years (including winning the first tie in the club’s history), a third place finish last season, our under-19’s doing themselves and the club extremely proud by winning the domestic treble and competing in the UEFA Youth League for the first time – with many of that squad already making first team debuts.

Off the pitch, we have a brand-new state-of-the-art artificial pitch, improved facilities, a highly talented off field team, a girls’ academy with a new women’s team, a highly impactful community programme that improves the lives of thousands of adults and children on an annual basis, and the highest average attendances in south Wales. The club really is the community asset I wanted it to be when I took over.

With success comes expectation, and it’s my expectation and that of the staff, players, fans and everybody at the football club that we continue to keep moving forwards. However, we need to be realistic in how far we can take the club forward as a Board.

We feel we have created an opportunity with huge potential, and we have a very clear and concise business plan on how we take Haverfordwest County towards full-time football, pre-empting future challenges with the development of the league, winning trophies, competing in European football year on year, and investing in youth development to create a clear pathway to full-time football for all talented players in Pembrokeshire, whilst creating assets.

We are now actively looking for investors to help us on this journey and achieve the goals we have for the club. Although I want to stick around for what comes next, if I find an individual or team of people who have the capacity to get the club to where we want to be, then I would consider my position in the best interests of the club.

What I will make very clear is that anybody coming into the club in a minority, majority or fully controlling position must have the ambition, desire and resources to achieve our goals for the club and buy into our business plan, alongside the ethos of community and social impact. We are already in discussions with a number of parties, but welcome new interest.

In the meantime – and I can’t make this clear enough – I am 100% committed to Haverfordwest County. We will continue to push forward with our strategy to grow the club as much as we can and continue to back the coaching and playing staff, and our off-field team, to achieve our goals across all areas of the club.

I love this club very much, and it’s been the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced, but also given me some of my best memories and will live me forever (none more so than that epic night in Cardiff in 2023). We want to make sure we can get Haverfordwest County to where everybody associated with the club, the fans, and the local community, deserve.

If anybody has interest in joining us on this journey, please reach out on r.edwards@hcafc1899.football

Uppa Blues!