This week Bill Carne talks to Neil ‘Cookie’ Rossiter, who played football and cricket for Narberth for many years but is now working very hard in his role as fixture secretary at Narberth Rugby Club...

NEIL 'Cookie' Rossiter played football and cricket for a combined total of around 50 years for Narberth but in 2008 he took over from his brother Nigel as fixture secretary for the town's rugby team - and has been very busy in this important role for The Otters ever since!

"I didn't realise when I agreed to take it on the amount of work it entailed,” admitted Neil, and if I'm honest it can be the worst job in a big rugby club like Narberth because I look after the fixtures, not only for the firsts but for the 2nd XV, the youth and under 16 sides, so it keeps me very busy indeed!

"Of course, this current campaign has been even more trying than normal since there have been so many postponements because of the weather, and trying to get all the matches rearranged and fitting in with so many other clubs, and all that goes on in our clubhouse, needs the wisdom of Solomon to work out!

"The only consolation is the fact that I have gradually got to know my counterparts in other clubs and it has been just as well lately because you wouldn't believe how hard it's been - because as well as rearranging games I have to liaise with referees to make sure they are aware of the changes.

"I also have to sort out the sending of the team to the programme printer for home games and send details to other clubs of our team for away matches - as well as organising buses for away matches."

As if that is not enough activity, Neil also cleans the changing rooms after games ('definitely not part of my job description!' he says with a chuckle), organises the 'Guess the Score' for first team home matches and Welsh games, and links with club chairman John Owen and stewardess Ann Lonsdale for the Narberth RFC Bonus Ball!

That Neil is able to spend much of his spare time at the Jesse Road Ground owes much to the support from his wife Lisa - 'she is brilliant!' says Mr Rossiter, and also lists stepdaughters Shannon, Kelly and Lowri as others to thank alongside brothers Nigel and Paul, who has lived in Australia for over 20 years.

Prior to his work for The Otters, Neil had been heavily involved with football in Narberth, starting out as a nipper of eight years old and playing at Jesse Road until he was 33, when he finished because he had started to feel all the aches and pains.

“As a kid I always had a ball at my feet, often for many hours alone,” Neil told us, “and in 1969 I won my only trophy, at under 13 level, when we had a team in the Prince of Wales Investiture Cup at Bancyfelin. Our coach was Aubrey Scourfield and our winners’ medals were presented by Wales, Llanelli and British Lion second row Delme Thomas, who lived in the town

During that time with Narberth AFC he played in every position from keeper (two seasons) to striker, but readily admits that he liked the sweeper's role best because he was always facing play and could read the game well from there.

He certainly felt the pain with a couple of injuries, the worst coming in 1975/75 against Goodwick United when he went in for an innocuous challenge with the goalkeeper, managed to touch the ball into the net but heard a snapping noise, followed by intense pain.

"I knew it was broken straight away and my late father Dennis heard the noise from over 50 yards away - and I was in plaster for six months and out of the game for 18 months with a broken tibia and fibula.

"Believe it or not, when I returned to action, I only managed three games before I broke my ankle against Milford Athletic at Pill Lane but luckily I was only out of action for two months and didn't suffer any more major mishaps!"

Ask Neil about characters in his time spent with the round ball and he would list Ivor Badham, Noel Seabourne, Ernie Hoyland and Ralph Phillips as great Narberth men, with John 'Cundy' Evans as a great player alongside Gary Owen and Paul Phillips as his top three.

"Outside of Narberth I was lucky to play against fine players like Mickie Ellis, renowned for his ball skills and aerial ability, plus Bernie Armstrong, who was an influential player who never stopped talking to opponents and referees; a bit like Richard Fanus as a supporter with Narberth Football Club, and now the same with The Otters!"

.Neil also played cricket for Narberth from the time he was 16, making his debut at Marloes.

"My hero was Harry Tucker, a great man in every cricketing sense, and I remember how thrilled I was to score 30 in a big stand with him - and he reached three figures in the same time!

"I had a few centuries but the best was in a stand of 230 against St Ishmaels with Chris Richards where I scored 118 not out and Chris was finally dismissed for 108 - and I did play in an Alec Colley Cup Final in a losing team captained by another football stalwart in Keith Scourfield.

"My big regret was not playing with the legendary John Michael Thomas but I enjoyed being in the same team as other stalwarts like Robert Simons and Michael Evans, who also taught me to play table tennis in the youth club. Then there are great club men like Idwal Vincent and Richard Howell, who have both been excellent secretaries of Narberth Cricket Club

"As for opponents, I would have to mention Maurice Cole, a real gent, Peter Hall and Martin Cole."

Ask Neil about his current role and he would be quick to praise the hard-working committee, chaired by John Owen and including Rob 'Basher' Lewis, chairman Dorian Phillips, president Dorian Howells, plus the changing room staff like Dwyfor Morgan, John Evans, Viv Edwards and John Day.

The person he doesn't mention is Neil 'Cookie' Rossiter but there is no doubt that he is very heavily involved along with the others at Narberth RFC - and long may this