Dai Davies was still playing for Milford Athletic until 2007 when at the age of 51, father time called for him to help the club in other ways.

Like the players and coaches at the moment, he is wating to see if the team will be promoted after finishing second in Division Three via the points per game average system.

Since he stopped playing Dai has managed at the club, served on a number of committee roles, and been an ever present behind the scenes. Currently, he serves as both the Chairman and Secretary and has put together his best Athletic squad since 2000.

Like many others, he found it hard to cut the squad down to simply 14 so has snuck two extra subs in…..

GOALKEEPER – IAN HAWKINS

A good commander of his box and talked throughout games. A good shot stopper too and in general, a reliable all round keeper.

RIGHT BACK – MIKE EVANS

Played for the club in the early part of the century and was a very good full back and midfield player. Distributed the ball really well and was strong in the air too.

CENTRE BACK – NATHAN LEWIS

Been at the club for all of his playing days and has been a fantastic centre half. Strong in air and good on ground, and a general for us at the back. Could have played for Division One sides but chose to stay with us.

CENTRE BACK – JAMIE BIRD

Another loyal servant who has been at the club since youth level. A tenacious tackler and solid in the air.

LEFT BACK – STUART MACDONALD

Played in the two Second Division Cup finals that we won in 2006 and 2007. Started out as a left back and was very good there but later in his career played up front and did well there too. Scored many goals and in fact I remember him once scoring six or seven in a game against Pendine. One of those players who could slot in anywhere.

RIGHT MIDFIELD – MIKE FULLER

Actually played in centre midfield for us in recent times, and a rea grafted who always gives you 100%. Will get up and down the park all day long.

CENTRE MIDFIELD – STEFAN SMART

A player who joined us at a young age. Unfortunately he was working away at sea for both of the finals I mentioned which was a real shame because for a great club servant and very good player. Fantastic work rate and effective defensively and when going forward.

CENTRE MIDFIELD – CHRIS SCOBLE

Breaks up play very well and very good at the passing and movement side of things in midfield. Another hard worker.

Have gone for Stefan and Chris in midfield but will say Gary Power came very close too.

LEFT MIDFIELD -MARTIN DAVIDSON

Similar to Mike Fuller in that he could also be picked in the middle or even at full back - but a strong player out wide. Robust style and if anyone was in his way they knew about it. Not dirty, but very solid.

STRIKER – STEVE PARKES

Very strong in the air and a good goal scorer as well – ideal for us as a target man. Also a good centre half in his later career and partnered me there a few times!

STRIKER – JAMIES DAVIES

In his prime a great goal scorer who scored loads in our first cup winning season (2005/06). A lot of ability and although his temperament sometimes let him down, a classy player when at his best.

SUBSTITUTES

CLIFF DAVIDSON

Effective centre forward. Again, robust and a good target man, very similar to Parkesy. A real nuisance for defenders to mark.

JASON HISCOCKS

Another who has spent a lot of time at the club. Great centre half for us but can also slot in anywhere. A solid player, brilliant in the air, and takes a no nonsense approach.

GEOFF SMITH

Played out wide for us and a very quick player who worked the flanks well. A great work rate and a player you could really depend on.

LEIGH POWER

Could play through the spine of a side as a centre half, midfielder, or up front. A real workhorse who would always give 100% regardless.

HAYDN DIMOND

Had 13 goals in five games this season before it was cut short for him and been a very good attacking player for us over the years.

There are loads more players I wanted to name and this is something that wasn’t easy!

MANAGER – NICKY BEAVIS

The manager who oversaw those two cup wins in 2006 and 2007 and was good at the tactical side of things. Got a system in place when in charge and would set his side out well.

ASSISTANT MANAGER – BRIAN CLAYTON

A good club man. To his credit, stepped into the assistant job reluctantly at the time but was great alongside Mickey. Also run the line and done first aid for us, a really reliable figure.

I should say though that Ducky (Paul Howard) and his team are currently doing a good job as well, and a couple of seasons ago took us to a Thurd Division Cup final. I can’t praise him too much yet though as I don’t know if he’s won promotion or not!