One of the best Pembrokeshire footballers of his generation died at Morriston Hospital last Friday morning.

Stevie Callan, aged 50, known as Weaver, died at 10.30am following three weeks on a life support machine. It was turned off last Thursday before he died on Friday morning.

Callan had lost his wife Kathy almost 17 years ago to the day and had admirably brought up his three children, Jamie, Joanna and Laura, by himself in their family home in Pembroke Dock.

He played for Pembroke Borough, also known as the Magpies, at every age-group level under the late Frankie Donovan, who was in the 1948 Olympic Great Britain amateur football squad whose manager was Sir Matt Busby, as as his junior coach in the 1970s.

In that period, Callan was the star player scoring loads of goals and picking up many league and cup trophies.

Callan made his full senior debut for the Boro as a 16-year-old and later skippered the team at centre back when they were in the old Welsh League division one, playing at London Road under manager Des Shanklin, who is a former FAW president.

“I’ve lost a good friend and a true gentleman,” said Shanklin. “He was a big part of the Boro family. He was highly respected by everyone in the Welsh League. All teams feared Stevie Callan because quite simply he was blessed with a special gift.”

Lifelong friend and former teammate Mark Powell said: “It’s a tragedy. It was sad day when I was told Stevie had died.

“We played football and went through school together. He was one of my best mates.

“Weaver had a presence about him. He was without doubt one of the best footballers to have played in Pembrokeshire. He was so strong in the air. He could change the course of a game in the blink of an eye. He was brilliant.

“As a person he was a top man and I think he is never given enough credit for bringing up his three children when his wife died, in what must have been difficult circumstances.”

Another one of his former teammates Mike Lewis said: “I was shocked when told the tragic news. I just felt numb.”

Lewis reflected on the type of character he played with at the Boro: “As a young player Weaver had it all. He was big and strong had two wicked feet and had an immense header.

“He loved a laugh and a joke but was never afraid of telling anyone what he thought of them on the pitch if they were not pulling their weight.

“He was a true gentleman and I can’t believe that I won’t see him again.”

The funeral will take place at St John’s Church, Pembroke Dock this Friday, June 1st at 2.30pm, followed by burial at Llanion Cemetery. Family flowers only. Then afterwards back to the First and Last .