Hi Liam, thanks for agreeing to do this interview with me. It was a fantastic season for Monkton Swifts 2nds winning the league in convincing fashion, can you give me a little bit of background info about your footballing career as a player?

I have played for Monkton for 95% of my senior career with a brief spell at Cosheston Cougars. I Started playing for Monkton as soon as I turned 16 and remember playing my first few games as a right back. The next year I went into the Monkton 3rds Team at the time to get some more game time and play in my best position as a number 9. Then I went out to Cosh for a few months before returning to Monkton where Andrew "Webbo" Webb was the manager of the 2nds Team.

We then won the Division Five double unbeaten, the Division Four double and then the Division Three League Title in the "Covid season". After that, Cory Mair took over from Webbo in charge of the team and I was lucky enough to be chosen to be his Captain, getting the chance to captain the best group of boys I have met in my career. We went on to crown our journey as a 2nds team by winning the Division Two Title last season.

Then can give me a little bit of background about the club and how your team in particular has risen up the leagues to achieve the ultimate prize for a 2nds team? 

Monkton Swifts for me being biased is the best club in Pembrokeshire. I've grown up my whole life watching the Swifts and seeing all the success that they brought along the way. My dad and all my brothers played for Monkton which is why I'm so proud to have been able to add success and trophies to this amazing club.

I still remember laughing with Webbo, Cory and Jordan Kilby back in Division Five saying one day we will lift that Division Two trophy. We were living in fantasy back then but now it came true last season. We never thought we would actually do it and to do it by winning leagues 5, 4, and 3 has just been even better than we could imagine. Our close bond and determination to get to our end goal is the main reason how we made our way up through the divisions.

What were the expectations before the seasons started and what were your favourite moments throughout the season on the way to winning the title?

We started pre-season very early but it benefited us massively. We spoke in the first session and everyone was on the same wave length that our expectations were to aim for the double. We made some massive signings which was key to our success.

The gaffers were brilliant as well, they got us all super fit and put the philosophy and standards they wanted into the team and then the football spoke for itself with the results. Lifting the league title was of course the stand out moment of the season as that was our number one target, then there were three massive moments that stick in my head...

Going down to 10 men for 80 minutes of the game against a very good Narberth team away from home before coming away with the 3 points. We knew then that we were serious challenges.

Beating an unbeaten Herbrandston side away from home with a 5-0 win. That win for me won us the league, I know it was very early and we still had a lot to play for but everyone had a feeling after that game we couldn’t be stopped .

And then beating Merlins Bridge at home with the last kick of the game winner to basically give us the title. The celebration on the pitch was unbelievable the game

It’s always difficult managing the 2nds team with players moving up and down from the 1sts. How has that worked at Monkton Swifts, what is the relationship like between the different teams?

There is no denying and hiding that the 1sts and 2nds at Monkton have always had a little divide. I think thats has come down to maybe us 2nds boys wanting to reach our goal of winning the Division Two title which we set out to do all them years ago. We have been very fortunate that the first always have had a strong team so we have been able to stay with the 2nds and do what we have done. Next season is a massive step forward in the right direction for the club as whole now there is no more divide so there is a massive buzz around what the future is going to bring.

I see one of your managers, Cory Mair, has moved up to the 1sts for this season. What are the plans for the season ahead?

The clubs plans are to get Monkton Swifts back to the top of Pembrokeshire league football and competing for all the trophies, which is why they have gave Cory the opportunity to do it. For me he is the right man to get the club back to very top. I couldn’t speak more highly about him as a player and as a gaffer. I was lucky enough for him to be my captain and gaffer so my respect for him is massive. He like me has grown up watching and supporting Monkton so wants to bring success to the club for many years. As a coach the commitment he shows and knowledge he has is ridiculous especially for his age. The standards he set for us last year which I'm sure he will do for the 1st Team will see a very different Monkton Swifts team that teams should be very wary of this season coming.

I just want to end by saying a massive thank you to the gaffers and my team mates for last season. It was the proudest moment of my career to captain such a fantastic team with them and lift that trophy with my boy.

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