Sean Hannon selects the best Neyland side from the last 20 years

Sean said: “I only started playing senior football in 2003 - although I had a pretty good idea of players from playing my first ever season at football for the 16s the year before as we often trained with the seniors.

"I hope I have not done an injustice to the players at the start of the century. It was such a difficult decision to whittle it down to the 14 players, so I have cheated a little and named a five-man bench.

“Like I said, a very rough decision with many top players missing out, to name a few - defenders Nick Koomen and the late Stephen Rhead. Midfielders - Patrick Bellerby, Craig Power and Simon Morgan and strikers Gareth Hein and Geraint Rees. I could have easily picked two sides."

GOALKEEPER – PATRICK HANNON

Got to be Patrick Hannon. Not because he is my brother but because he has been the mainstay in goal since we got promoted to the first division in 2004. During that time, he had represented Pembrokeshire in the West Wales inter county league and gained a West Wales ‘Cap’ for representing the West Wales FA in the UEFA Regions Cup. 

RIGHT BACK – SCOTT JONES

The youngest member of this team but an easy pick. University has hampered his availability in recent seasons but always makes us a better side when available and someone who I would not like to receive a tackle from! A product of Swansea City's academy up until he was 16.

CENTRE BACK – ANDREW PERKINS

A big presence usually at the heart of defence but occasionally in midfield. Key player for us in the early - mid 2000s and one who I looked up to as a youngster trying to break into the side.

CENTRE BACK – PAUL HANNON

I could have easily picked him up front where he spent much of his time playing however, I went for centre back due to the influence he had on the side around 2014-2016. We went from competing to stay in the division to a team who broke into the top five and made an appearance in our first and only Senior Cup final as a club. The biggest on field ‘leader’ I have played with.

LEFT BACK – JEREMY EVANS

One of the most naturally gifted players I have played with. A versatile player who is equally good with his left and right feet. Stopped playing far too young for a player of his ability. 

RIGHT MIDFIELD - JASON PHILLIPS

Another one who stopped playing too young. Instrumental in our successful side of the early 2000 gaining back to back promotions from Divisions 3 and 2. Lost count how many assists he produced from the right flank.

CENTRE MIDFIELD – HENRY DURRANT

Our current club captain. Had a small stint at Haverfordwest County as a youngster and Bishops Cleeve in the Hellenic Football League during his university days, and to be truthful could have stayed at that level. A gifted sportsman with a great engine and brilliant left foot.

CENTRE MIDFIELD – WAYNE PARRY

The best player of his generation and arguable one of the best in our history. The strongest player and one of the best in the air I have seen. Has been completely committed to Neyland for over 20 years. Another player who could have gone on to play at a higher level. 

LEFT MIDFIELD – MIKE CHANDLER

Predominantly played on the left side of midfield for the best part of a decade and made it his own during that time (although he be the first one to tell you he is happiest in centre midfield). Another gifted player who often does not realise how good he is. Very good at set pieces. 

STRIKER – JUSTIN HARDING

Only had two seasons with us but during that time he brought something extra to the team. A prolific goal scorer regarded as one of the best strikers in the county.

STRIKER – JASON GRIFFITHS

Unbelievable eye for goal and has made an instant impact on the side this season. I deliberated whether someone who has only played one season can make the side and could have easily gone with my brother (Paul), Geraint Rees or Gareth Hein but his goal to games ratio is the best that I’ve been involved with in last 17 years. 

SUBSTITUTES

JARRED CAMPBELL

A brilliant clubman with over 20 years’ service. Another I looked up to as a youngster and someone who is prided to play for the shirt I always envied. Made so many ‘last ditch’ tackles over the years and earned so much respect from teammates.

ANDREW KEMP

A hugely underrated player and someone who has given his all for Neyland. I do not know anyone else who loves football as much as him and can back it up with ability. There is not another partner I would rather play centre back with. 

ADAM LA ROSA

Retired after a nasty cruciate injury, formed a fantastic partnership with Wayne at the start to our life in Division 1.

NATHAN WARLOW

A versatile player who is probably happiest at centre midfield although a productive couple of seasons at right midfield. A defender’s dream with the ability to cover every blade of grass on the pitch.

GARY POWER

Great footballer with an unbelievable engine. Proved a real difference when he signed for the club in 2014. Another one who should still be playing. 

MANAGER – MARK EDWARDS

For me one of the hardest to pick. Ian Baker has been the best to play under. Taking us from surviving the division to respective finishes of 6th and 5th, actually finishing with positive goal differences (+16 and +22), gaining our two highest final points tally (43 and 42), keeping a league high nine clean sheets in one of the seasons and getting us to our first ever Senior Cup final. He was hugely underrated.

Having said all that, it might surprise you to see me pick someone else. I pick Mark ‘Bossy’ Edwards, he inherited a division three side and in the 02/03 and 03/04 season secured back to back promotions and won a Division 2 Cup. He brought together a great team spirit and laid fantastic foundations for the years to follow

I also must give a mention to Bossy’s back room staff who were hugely influential during that time - Stephen (Noddy) Nordoff (first aid) and Ian Pugh (Linesman and chairman). A great time to be involved at the club - I am gutted I was too young to play in “that” Lawrenny cup match or make the Blackpool tour.