'Scousers' receive warm welcome at Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium
There were four very welcome visitors from Liverpool at the Conygar Bridge Meadow for Haverfordwest County's home match against Caerleon in the Welsh League Division One.
The quartet had journeyed down from Liverpool on Saturday morning to take in the match, stayed at the County Hotel in Haverfordwest overnight and then drove back up to Swansea to cheer Liverpool on against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium the next day.
Local connection
Ian Friar has an auntie living in the county and has been to cheer on the Bluebirds on a number of occasions, as well as bringing his family to stay in the county during summer months. He brought with him fellow Reds' fans Steve Wright and the father and son duo of Paul and Mark Phillips for their first visit and although the weather was abysmal they were full of praise for the warmth of their welcome.
“I really love coming here,†said Ian during half time, “I have got to know Mike (Ellis) and Wayne (Jones) the Haverfordwest managers and the supporters are brilliant. “It is a smashing pitch and everyone involved seems very committed to their club.â€
Quietly impressed
All four are life-long Liverpool supporters but appreciate the joys of football at this level, where players and supporters mingle and there is a family atmosphere after games.
“Football in the Premier League has been taken away from the fans like us,†said Steve Wright, who played until an injury stopped him a short while ago. “We love Liverpool FC but the cost of following them around is ridiculous and a lot of the players are earning so much money that they forget their roots.â€
Paul Phillips was quietly impressed by the quality of the football, despite the weather and son Mark, who plays five a side football, agreed.
“It's been a pleasure to come here after Ian has been on about a visit for so long. We must come back when the weather is better in the spring.â€
Long trek down – and the Liberty tomorrow!
All four had left Liverpool at 7.30am for the long drive down and after this match they were already relishing the prospect of a trip to the Liberty Stadium, where their team's current manager Brendan Rogers was previously boss, and interested to learn that new Kop favourite Joe Allen came from just a short distance away.
All agreed that Mr Rogers needed time and an infusion of cash in the January transfer market to boost The Red's chances but before the trek to Swansea there was the little matter of a few pints to be enjoyed with their new-found friends at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium!