Neyland RFC have had to battle hard in the National League over the past few seasons in Division Three (West) A but someone who has given unwavering support which included a spell as club captain, was Andrew Slark, who led by example with typical determination, allied to optimism aplenty, as a Pembrokeshire All Black.

 Andrew has been involved with the Pembrokeshire All Blacks, apart from season at Llangwm, since his days in junior rugby and in his time at the Athletic Ground, although his favourite position is in the back row, he has played every position from full back upwards, other than in the front row, and there is no chance you will ever find him playing there (at least, that’s what he says)!

At 32 years of age, Andrew is determined to play for at least a couple more seasons, when he hopes to put something back into the club by taking up coaching.

"I have already enjoyed a couple of seasons coaching the under 14s after taking my Level One badge and later on I'll have a bash at Level Two and perhaps Three, but only when my time as a player is over.

"Being involved as captain certainly kept me busy because as well as playing there was the matter of getting players to training sessions and phoning around on weekends to make sure that we have had a full team.

"I have been lucky to have support from the likes of Rodney Chamberlain as chairman and from Chris Busby and Mark James as captains - and one of the harder things for me was giving the team talks before matches because I prefer to do my talking on the pitch," admitted Andrew!

"I first started out when I was eight years old in mini rugby with Peter 'Jack' Davies and Robert Johns as coaches, and I loved it from the start, especially once we got into the contact areas of the  game because I have always loved tackling - and was made captain of  Neyland Juniors.

"I soon found I could play virtually anywhere but although that was always handy for coaches perhaps I have been too versatile at times - but it proved handy at STP School, where we had great coaches in Gelly James, Med Richards and Jonathan Dodd.

"I played alongside quality players like David 'Bongo' Maddox and I was school captain from year seven right through until I left school - with Friday-evening games under lights at Haverfordwest RFC against Tasker Milward School as an undoubted highlight, as was playing against a Pembroke School team in which Welsh international Jonathan Thomas was a star player."

There was no youth team at Neyland in those days so Andrew sometimes trained with Haverfordwest Youth but from 16 was training alongside Neyland's first team - and played his first game as an 18 year old.

"I made my debut away to Aberaeron on my 18th birthday and included in that team was Martin 'Ted' Tamilia, who was, along with Adam Collins, the best threequarters I have ever played with - and the most outstanding Neyland player I had the pleasure of playing alongside was undoubtedly Mathew Williams; a born leader who could carry a team along with his skills and aggression.

“Tony Huddleston was another good captain and I also enjoyed playing in teams with Steve Evans, Martin Dawes, Paul Power and Mark Riley when we won the Division Five (West) trophy in 2010 without losing a game and having the highest points’ total of all the teams competing in the national leagues.  Steve Evans did a good job as coach and is still working well for the club as coach of the youth team."

Andrew's only season outside Neyland came in 2004 when he decided to have one season at Llangwm, where his family was previously heavily involved through his father Gary, who played in the centre at Pill Parks with Peter Rees, plus uncle Robert as a good full back.

Then his uncles Andrew and Derek were good cricketers, the former at Burton as a Welsh international and the latter at Llangwm.

Brothers Adrian and James are also dead keen on sport but the most deserving of a mention is Andrew's wife Jeanette, who rarely misses watching a game and gives him total support.

"My season at Pill Parks was brilliant with a good crowd of players like the Brock boys, James Lewis, Johnny James, Greg McCann and Danny Chesmer - but then Graham Richards returned to coach at Neyland and I decided to go back to my roots - and I’ve been there ever since!"

As well as playing for the All Blacks, Andrew has represented the senior Pembroke County XV in special matches when Llangwm celebrated 25 years of their existence and against the Dyfed Powys Police, playing alongside players of the calibre of Steve Williams and Alun Harries (Haverfordwest) and Ian Rusinek (Milford Haven).

Outside of his rugby, Andrew is also a more than useful cricketer with Neyland who has played in a Harrison-Allen Bowl Final in 2011 as part of a team that beat Haverfordwest.

"I made my debut at 14 for the first team and have huge respect for the likes of John Laugharne and Andrew Smith for their involvement as administrators. I also played alongside Jeremy Charles, plus top players like the late Jack Capon and Phil Sutton, and more recently with the Miller brothers, the Hannon twins, Nick Koomen and Henry Durrant.

"I also played for the county junior team coached by Ray Kane and Bobby Simons which had quality players like Tim Hicks, Paul Luke, Guy White and Jonathan Thomas - and I still enjoy playing as a means of relaxation after a long winter of rugby!"

Andrew has also played some football for Neyland AFC where he came across 'Scottie' Martin and the late Paul 'Miffy' Smith as coaching characters, and he lists Mark 'Bossy' Edwards, Gary Lloyd and Jarred Campbell for their involvement.

He was a regular midfielder in the county junior set-up - and with Martin Roberts once won the doubles in the Welsh Youth Club finals at table tennis.

So what of this season for Andrew Slark and co at Neyland RFC?

"We have Steve Martin returned as an outstanding player/coach  so if I'm needed I'll be happy to be involved as a player because we have some talented youngsters like George Williams, Alex Codd, Jack Harries and Luke Dawes all making the break-through into senior rugby."

There is no doubt that Andrew Slark has already served Neyland Sport really well, especially in rugby, and we wish him further success because he is a Pembrokeshire All Black through and through and really enjoys representing his town in both games.