When the annual select XI was chosen for the Welsh League's top echelon at the end of last season one of the choices that received high acclaim was that of Sean Pemberton, the team captain of Haverfordwest County, along with his team mate Ricky Watts at full back.

Sean is known to all as 'Pembs' at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium and originally hails from Carmarthen, and prior to joining The Bluebirds his experience was mainly confined to local football in that county, other than a short spell with Narberth.

Then he was brought to Haverfordwest by Sean Cresser, who told us: "Sean is an outstanding defender but above his playing ability he has natural leadership qualities that others can follow.

"Whenever the team is in trouble he not only gives his usual 100% but can raise the morale of others around him by his totally committed example.

"I'm delighted that he has again agreed to skipper the team when we enter the 2017/18 campaign, with Ricky Watts deservedly chosen as vice-captain."

Ask Sean about being picked in the Select XI and it is typical of his approach that he plays down the honour; preferring praise his team-mates for helping him to be recognised, but it is clear that they appreciate him, as does club chairman David Hughes, who said,

"Sean is a terrific asset to our club, both on and off the field, and we were delighted for him to gain such deserved recognition.

"He is a natural defender whose aerial power is also evident when he goes forward for set pieces and grabs vital goals - and our supporters also hail him as a great club man."

As well as the relationship with Bluebirds' fans, Sean would also be quick to highlight the support provided by parents Tracy and Stuart in his younger days.

"They have been great and my father still pops down to Haverfordwest to watch as many games as possible.

"My wife Mared has also given me total support and also comes along to watch with our daughters Lili (9) and Lotti (5) when she can - and I really appreciate what she does for us."

Outside of his football, Sean also loves to play pool at the Railway Club in Carmarthen, as one of the better teams in the local league, as well as representing Carmarthenshire against their league counterparts from right along the M4 corridor every second Sunday of the month against tough squads of nine players in a series of 36 matches.

"We've done really well at The Railway and for the county this season,” Sean told us, "and I enjoy my involvement, but not as much as my football," he admitted with a chuckle!

"I started out in my teens and I was delighted to be picked for Wales at under 18 level in the World Championships, which took place in the Shetland Isles.

"There were 11 in our squad against the likes of England, Scotland, both teams from Ireland, France and The USA and we won the silverware!

"I've also won my share of trophies locally in singles and doubles and I'm just as competitive as I am in football, although I have to admit I don't get bumps and bruises in what is my second favourite sport."

Back on the football front, Sean started out with Carmarthen Town  and stayed there until he was 13 but then stepped back from football for a couple of years because of his fixation with pool - and now readily admits,

"It was stupid really!"

When he returned to action at 16 he went straight into senior football with village side Llangain and told us,

"I took plenty of kicks from older players eager to slow me down and I learned the hard way about looking after myself and although we didn't win any silverware I really enjoyed it and in football terms I certainly became a man at that time!"

From there Sean switched to Carmarthen United, where Sean Cresser was assistant manager, and they won the second division and showed what a good side they were by also winning the Challenge and Mond Cups against teams from the premier and first divisions.

"Sean Cresser then joined forces with manager Wayne Jones at Newcastle Emlyn and asked me to play Welsh League football for them - and I enjoyed myself there for about six months but to be honest I got fed up of all the travel so I joined Llanstephan, back in local football.

"We did well to reach the finals of the Challenge and Mond Cups but I felt I needed a change from Carmarthenshire Football and when Peter Fearn asked me to play for Narberth in Pembrokeshire I was ready for the switch to get me out of a rut.

It was to prove a vital move because after about 14 games he had another call from Wayne Jones asking him to join Wayne at Haverfordwest County at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium.

"It was a big decision because I had never been paid for playing before and I had to ask myself if I was ready for that sort of commitment - but I decided to give it a go and I've never regretted my decision because the directors, supporters and playing staff have always given me support."

That was five years ago and Sean has played well, especially switching to the heart of the defence at the start of last season, when he was also handed the captain's arm-band.

"We had lost some key players and thought it would be a transition period but under Cresser and Chris O’Sullivan we finished in a creditable fourth place in division one of the Welsh League, reached the semi-final of the League Cup, the quarter final of the Word Cup and last 16 of the Welsh Cup so in hindsight it turned out quite well really.

As well as proving to be a doughty defender Sean moved up for set-pieces and scored eight goals, six of them from headers and including one crashing effort to help beat Caldicot which summed up his commitment.

He also showed his worth to the club in a horrible 1-7 defeat against Barry Town where he never let his head drop whilst others around him did - and had his say about the performance in the changing room after!

So now Sean is eagerly looking forward to the new campaign and has been pleased with the way things have started with a relatively strong team that includes some talented young players

"I did think of retiring before last season but I'm glad I didn't and I'm looking ahead to new challenges this season.

It's a fair bet that David Hughes, Sean Cresser and Co at the Conygar Bridge Meadow are also glad to see Sean Pemberton back in action the for 2017/18 season - and we wish him continued enjoyment and success because he really is an inspirational figure as skipper of The Bluebirds!