Jack Britton started his footballing career playing for Camrose at eight years old where his team won the Pembrokeshire Cup and got the opportunity to play in a Welsh competition at the Millennium Stadium. It was there that he was scouted by Cardiff City and after three weeks into a six weeks trial was offered a full-time contract by them.

At the time he was like any other kid at Johnston school, so the contract offer meant a substantial routine change that would see him leave early on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Thanks to the dedication of his mum and dad without who he says “nothing would have been possible", he was able to train four days a week with games on Sunday taking place up and down the country against the best teams around.

This schedule stayed consistent up until under 16s with Jack receiving the honour of captaining the side from age 12 to 16, also playing up an age group at under 15s and 16s.

When he was 14 years old he was asked to be part of the Wales International set-up and was able to play as part of the Under 16s Victory Shield Squad. His highlight at international level was scoring against rivals England.

His future was dealt a devastating blow when at 16 years old he was told the heartbreaking news that he would be released from Cardiff because they did not believe he was physical enough with his small size for his age. 

Photo: Jack playing for Cardiff Under 14s

From the joy of captaining the side and scoring against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea to receiving this news was a gutting moment for someone so young, having to accept a new reality after being told things were not going to work out the way he planned.

Following his release, Jack and other players participated in “exit trials” - an opportunity for scouts to pick up talent that has been overlooked elsewhere. Jack was offered trials at a number of clubs including Swindon, Cheltenham and Bristol Rovers but it was an offer from abroad that piqued his interest.

A Spanish academy in La Manga had just been set up by footballing legend Glenn Hoddle where players from all around the world would come for professional development. Jack can recall the surreal moment he answered his house phone to Glenn Hoddle on the other end to offer him a chance in Spain.

At the La Manga Club every player was given a mentor with whom they would communicate with daily to help improve their game. Jack was given Ian Wright who would travel and stay with him as they played against some of the best teams’ academies in the country including Barcelona and Real Madrid.

 

Photos: La Manga Academy Stadium and Training Facilities

Among the talent at the club was Ádám Nagy, a now international Hungarian defensive midfielder who Jack still keeps in touch with. Following La Manga Club’s demise, Nagy signed for Ferencvaros and later Bologna, Bristol City and now Pisa. He has been capped 58 times by Hungary and was included in their EURO 2016 and 2020 squads.

As well as Nagy, Jack also tells me how he has stayed in touch with many of his friends from his Cardiff City days such as Declan John, Wes Burns and Tom Lockyer, who have all been part of the Wales National Team with Lockyer currently flying high at Luton in the EFL Championship this season.

Jack remembers going to watch Declan John play in a South Wales derby between Cardiff and Swansea City in unusual circumstances - being in the Swansea supporters' end, although it does not seem to have dampened their relationship too much with Declan helping support Jack’s business endeavours last year.

Jack loved his time at La Manga Club where the style of football suited his technical style of play to a tee. He loved the free-flowing playing style and felt he learned a lot from the coaches and facilities available to him. The Academy also enjoyed a year playing out of Lisbon, again facing top opposition from the likes of Porto and Benfica. There was a lot of money invested in flights, accommodation and travel for his family but unfortunately, the business eventually broke down over trouble securing funds going forward.

Among the academy team in Spain and Portugal was fitness coach João Lapa who recently worked at Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur as part of Nuno Espírito Santo’s team.

 

Photo: Jack Britton and the La Manga Academy prepare to face Barcelona

Following the unfortunate demise of the academy, Jack returned to the United Kingdom where he enjoyed a trial at Bristol Rovers. He was pleasantly surprised to be reunited with his old friend Tom Lockyer who would eventually rack up 255 caps for the side. Jack tells me about how big the transition was going from the football he was playing in Spain and Portugal to the style of League Two. 

Having recently turned 18 years old, Jack took the decision to return to Pembrokeshire and focus on his studies. He went to Pembrokeshire College to do a Sports diploma and was signed by Haverfordwest County who were at the time in the Welsh Division One.

Jack recalls telling his college friends about his time in Spain being tutored and staying in the same room as Ian Wright, which they initially struggled to believe. Jack picked up his phone and gave Wrighty a call and to his surprise, he answered before eventually being told "Jack, please delete this number now, we’re not in Spain any more" - sending Jack’s friends into hysterics. 

Whilst he was studying at college Jack was invited to join the Welsh Colleges team where Wales defeated Scotland, Ireland and England, where he scored the winning goal to lift the trophy for the Welsh Colleges side.

He won the league to gain promotion to the Welsh Premier League but began to find that his chances were limited and was struggling to enjoy his football, which was taking its toll on his overall life.

After picking up a Saturday sales job, he was struggling to manage his work/life balance and made the assessment that it would be best to leave Haverfordwest and join a local side where he could balance things better.

Jack was unsure who to join as he had no previous ties to any clubs but received interest from the county's top two sides, Goodwick and Hakin.

He was put in touch with the Hakin coaching team after a few friends had recommended him including the father of Laurie Haworth who he played with all those years ago at Camrose. He decided to join the club as he was also living in Milford - it was the move that made the most sense with former Haverfordwest County players such as Ashley Bevan and Nicky Woodrow also at the club.

Photo: Jack Britton making his debut for Hakin

Jack admits to struggling in his first few months at Hakin. He was trying to play the football that he knew but it was not working and he felt he was not performing to his full potential. He was not used to the size and styles of pitches but began to adjust his game to become more of an athlete, focusing on the gym and getting fitter and strong.

As he grew fitter and adjusted to the playing style, he went from strength to strength, growing into a confident player and more importantly a fan favourite. In his first season, Hakin picked up a League and Senior Cup double. In the Senior Cup final versus Kilgetty he scored and was awarded the Man of the Match award - an amazing moment to end his first season in Pembrokeshire football.

Photo: Jack Britton with the Senior Cup Final MOTM award

Unfortunately this year Hakin are unable to defend their Senior Cup title, due to a rule stipulation following their West Wales Cup participation, where they had a strong run to the Last 16. 

Where the club are looking to go further this season is the West Wales Cup, in which they reached the semi-finals last year. They are back in the semi-finals again following an impressive victory over Pontlliw in which Jack scored the only goal during a 1-1 draw, with the Vikings holding their nerve in a penalty shootout in which Jack stood up to take and score the first spot-kick. This year they face fellow Pembrokeshire League side Carew, with the possibility of facing St Josephs or Penlan should they reach the final.

After suffering many setbacks throughout his footballing career, Jack says he is finally happy with where he’s at and can’t wait to pick up more silverware with Hakin, who have really taken to him as a player and made him feel at home. 

He has had the highs of professional football to the lows of being released but you would never know that speaking to him with his unbridled confidence and enthusiasm. Jack has always got a smile on his face and loves talking about football and the memories he has made and will never forget. We would love to wish Jack all the best in his future endeavours on and off the field.