WITH the new rugby campaign underway at Crymych it is a fair bet that one of the long-serving workers there who is being sorely missed is Adrian Howells, who as team manager has done yeoman work and decided not to go on for what would have been his 20th season as team manager at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

Adrian would be the first to admit that he didn’t play much rugby in his younger days but as ex-coach Robin Davies told us: "Adrian has been a key component in the club’s rise to becoming one of the top two Pembrokeshire teams in the National League set-up, with his flair for organisation, enthusiasm and total commitment!”

“I started out helping in the 1998/99 season and the role of team manager has changed dramatically since, with much more chasing around,” admitted Adrian, “but I enjoyed my involvement with a great bunch of players and coaches.

“For example, I would have to check all the players’ ability for the next match and feed this information to the coach, whereas years ago we more or less knew that all the squad would be available, barring something serious, and would be eager to maintain their places.

“Training nights are on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in the middle of Winter I liaised with coaches as to whether training was indoor or outside, depending on weather conditions - and I also gave the players selected for the first team all the details for games, especially with regard for leaving times and pick-up points for away matches."

To show how modern technology has improved communication, Adrian had to learn how to use computer programmes like ‘Whats App’ to get all the information out to everyone - but he still used good old-fashioned chat to sort out things like hire of buses via club Hon Sec Gordon Eynon, who doubles up as District H representative on the WRU and does both jobs really well.

On match days Adrian made sure that all the playing kit and first-aid stuff was available and during games he helped look after injured players and, more often than not, ran the line to help out the referee for the day.
At home matches he also put out the players’ jerseys, shorts and socks and there were no favourite seats for special players as far as he was concerned.

“I just put 1 to 8 on one side, plus a few replacements, and then put 9 to 15 and the rest of the subs, on the other, so it was up to the players if they wanted to swap around,” he said with a chuckle!

Throw in the fact that he also filled in the Crymych team sheet for the match official and also acted as unofficial club press officer to local reporters plaguing him for details, not only after the game but often at half time, and it is easy to see why he enjoyed a few pints when the games were over and everything was put away!

During his time at the club, Adrian has been part of a meteoric rise from the old Division Seven (later switched to Division Five) right down to their creditable place in Division One West.

“It’s been an amazing journey which we have all enjoyed together but there is no doubt that it is a very tough league now with no easy games as we have played against the likes of Dunvant, Kidwelly, Felinfoel and others from West Wales, who have so many experienced players and are remarkably well funded, plus Whitland and Tenby United.

“We rely almost totally on home-grown players brought through from our wonderful youth and junior set-up which sees so many former players involved, led at youth level by former Welsh international hooker and Neath skipper Kevin Phillips, plus Tudor Harries."

Adrian is also on the club’s Management Committee and is always ready to help out in any way he can, as he has done by taking muddied kit to the laundry after matches - and a mole at the club tells us that there have been odd occasions where they have needed a quick turn-over and he had been known to take it home and wash it in his own washing machine!

He worked well with club Hon Secretary Gordon Eynon and over the years has been involved with Chairmen of the calibre of Brian Francis, Tudur Lewis, Wyn Jenkins and Brian ‘Beaky’ Davies - and regularly had his leg pulled by current players like Aled Harries, Rhys ‘Beaky’ Davies and Lewis Davies, but insists he gave as good as he got!

It is clear that there is an excellent rapport between Adrian, the players and others involved off the pitch, like long-serving player and former coach Robin Davies.

“Adrian typifies all that is good in our club,” he told us, “with his no-nonsense approach and the willingness to fill gaps as soon as they appear. There was bound to come a time when he decided to take a deserved rest but we hoped not in the near future because we regard him as an important part of the furniture in the clubhouse."

Ask Adrian about highlights during his long stint and he is bound to nominate the season in Division Three where they won every game and scored piles of points.

“Winning the Pembrokeshire KO Cup for the first time was also special as we beat Milford Haven at Whitland and then Aberystwyth at Aberaeron.

Gordon Eynon added: “Every club needs  unsung heroes and there is no doubt Adrian is one of those at Crymych. As club secretary it has been great to have someone helping that is ultra-reliable. I don’t know how we would have managed without him.”

Sure enough, Adrian is understandably proud of his involvement.

“There have been occasions where I have been tempted to take a rest and I know I have done the right thing by stepping down and giving the chance to the club carry on with someone younger, with more energy."

We know just how hard Adrian has worked, especially as press officer, and would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to someone who typifies all that is good at Crymych RFC!