Jon Beff has done his fair share of work for Lawrenny AFC in the last 20 years.

Since the age of 16 he has served the club as a first and second team player, manager, assistant manager, and secretary.

So there isn’t much he hasn’t seen there since 2000. Like others, he consulted fellow club men before picking his team of the century - and there are some well known characters in the 14!

GOALKEEPER - MARK ASHMAN

Played for us early part of the century and had played in the Welsh League and for Pembroke Borough before that. We’ve had some decent keepers in the last 20 years but he was a class above. His shot stopping and distribution for his age was unbelievable.

RIGHT BACK – JOHN FULLER

Another who played in the early 2000s. Quick, strong, and would run all day. Always up for it and as essential going forward as he was defensively. A real solid player.

CENTRE BACK - HUW GRIFFITHS

A real leader and always talking – and for a midfielder a dream to play in front of. Always had an eye on attackers and read the game really well. Was fully committed and although he didn’t have a lot of pace hist positioning was so good he was rarely beaten. And if his football didn’t annoy the striker he was marking, his talking and winding up would! Still playing for our seconds last year when he broke his leg.

CENTRE BACK – JAMES DURBRIDGE

Had a serious knee injury when he was young and without that, he would never have played for Lawrenny, he would have gone higher! Was in the same youth set up as Phil Jones at Blackburn and even now when he can barely run his reading of game so good. Built more like a rugby player never seen him miss a header. His tackling and positioning play is brilliant.

LEFT BACK - CONRAD MANDIKI

Another solid player. Not necessarily the best footballer we’ve had at full back, but would give you at least a7 out of 10 every week. Played for five or six years and I never saw him have a bad game. Could play in a few positions and would never let you down.

RIGHT MIDFIELD – PHIL COLE

Like a duracell bunny. Only trained about 10 times in 17 years but a natural who has always been stupidly fit with unbelievable pace. Good feet and can keep control of a ball when dribbling at speed – and a weopan of a long throw on him as well.

CENTRE MIDFIELD – BENJI JAMES

Everything you look for in a centre midfielder. Always up for a battle and rarely comes out second best. Good on the ball, can switch play, and always up for it.  Defensively minded but we’ve needed that.

CENTRE MIDFIELD – NICK SCOURFIELD

Early art of century. Everyones team. A dog in midfield running rounf everywhere, chasing ball winning it back. Kept ball well and passed. Never gave opoonent a second bite when on pitch.

LEFT MIDFIELD – JOE KIDNEY

Has the attitude you wish every player had. Wants to win everything, even pool in the pub after games. Can play up front or centre midfield, and although has lost a bit of pace due to injury, would run through a brick wall and drag others with him. Outstanding for us and a lovely bloke off the field as well.

STRIKER – JAMES BUCKLE

An excellent striker. Started at left back but was scoring 15 goals a season so moved up front. Quick, strong, and deadly in front of goal. Left Lawrenny to join Tenby and then Carew in Division 1 and scored goals there too. Signed back for us in his mid 30s and slotted in at centre half - and was there when we won the Third Division Cup in 2012.

STRIKER - MIKEY BEYNON

Had a couple of spells with us and was unbelievable in front of goal. Great movement and a nightmare for any defender to mark.

SUBSTITUTES

IAN JENKINS

‘Bish’ is unlucky not to start. He played best football for us at the end of the 90s and was an inspiration to youngsters - always talking and helping out. A natural leader and his commitment to the team and club was outstanding for many years. Primarily centre half but play a few positions.

MATT LEWIS

Again, could easily be in the 11. Probably our best player in the last 10 years and could still play as a centre midfielder in Division 1. An unbelievable engine but always up for the fight - half our yellow cards in recent years have been his but that shows his commitment! Tireless runner, good with the ball, and has a hell of a strike from long range.

OWEN JAMES

Probably our top scorer over the last seven seasons. His goals were crucial to us when we got promoted from Division 3 and then won the Division 2 Cup. Last year his goals kept us in the league and we’ve really missed him this season. Also tracks back and tackles and another really unlucky not to be in the 11.

MANAGER – MACKIE HARTS

In charge at the start of the century when we were at our most successful – winning Division 2 and finishing third in Division 1. Old school and demanded a certain level off you. He was all about the team and had no shame in telling you if you were in the wrong. The results he had with a small village side spoke volumes.

ASSISTANT – JONATHAN COLE AND CHRIS BUCKLE

Can’t separate these two. Jonathan Cole got us out of the third division but before that Chris Buckle took over from Mackie. He didn’t inherit a great squad but still reached a cup final. Both are really good clubmen and they still play for our seconds. Neither could have done anymore for the club in the last 20 years.