Justin 'Skinny' Harding - Hakin United's prolific goal scorer

Justin 'Skinny' Harding – Hakin United goal scorer

One of the most talented young goal scorers to emerge in local football over recent years is Justin Harding, who is known throughout the county as 'Skinny' and has scored over 50 goals for Hakin United since he joined them 18 months ago.

His tally includes a hat-trick in last season's 5-0 Senior Cup final win over Monkton Swifts, where his exploits earned him the man of the match award and the match ball, which was presented to him by sponsor Chris Tansey, who doubles up as Justin's boss at Manderwood's, the main sponsors of the Pembrokeshire Football League.

This season sees Skinny and Co at Hakin as the league's front runners, with a nine-point league to start out 2013, having reached the last four of the Senior Cup again – and looking for a good run in the West Wales Cup, which is a big target for the Vikings but an extra challenge because they have to travel to the Llanelli area to meet top Carmarthenshire team Seaside in the next round!

Started at seven!

Now 23 years of age, Skinny started out as a seven year old under the watchful eye of John Hawkins at Milford United and enjoyed himself at Marble Hall until almost all the team moved to The Obs to play as Hakin United under 10s, with dad Jimmy as manager and assisted by Joff Lennon. Skinny was a regular player with the county juniors at that time and played so well in a match at Tenby that he was invited to trials with Swansea City and Cardiff. He had a six-week trial with the Swans and then travelled up for a spell at Cardiff City – and when he was offered a place in both squads he elected for Cardiff City because they were the stronger team in those days.

Great start

“One of my first games for the Bluebirds was against the Swans,” said Skinny, “and we won 2-0 as I scored from the penalty spot and also volleyed home from the edge of the area in a match I won't forget in a hurry because of the behaviour of some parents. There was also lots of travel because we trained twice a week in Cardiff and we played Sundays so it meant a great deal of time spent away from home at weekends. One of my first games was a match at Bournemouth which meant that dad and I left home at 3am and got back in the early hours of the next day – so school wasn't easy the day after that!

“Other matches took place in Exeter and Plymouth and a memorable tournament came when we travelled north to take on the likes of Everton, Newcastle and Aston Villa – and lost by 2-1 in the final against Everton.”

Feeling gutted

But things changed after four years with Cardiff City because they switched to an Academy Scheme which meant that 14 youngsters of his age group were jettisoned because there was no room for them.

“I was gutted,” admits Skinny, “but we are a close-knit family and I had every encouragement from parents Jimmy and Trudy, plus brothers James, Jordan and Josh.

The only consolation I had was that I could start playing again with my old pals at Hakin United. We just missed out on the league but won the West Wales Junior Cup with a 2-0 win at Carmarthen Town where I scored alongside Ricky Dimond.”

Skinny then played as a 17 year old for Hakin under the management of Gary Dawes and Malcolm Jones before he joined Milford United.

Robins bound

“My dad went to Marble Hall as manager and I decided to go with him and in that season we won the 2nd Division Cup but just missed out on promotion.

“I enjoyed it with the Robins but my heart was still at The Obs so I went back and in my first season I was lucky to be part of a squad which won the league title by beating Narberth on a sunny day. Gary and Malcolm have looked after me and we have an amazing team spirit which we showed in winning the Senior Cup and this season with our overall performances.”

Happy to keep playing

So what about ambitions left for Skinny in football?

“I just want to enjoy scoring loads of goals for Hakin, and playing plenty of football. My partner Tasha Narbett and baby daughter Raya have joined our close-knit family,” said Skinny, “and at work there is loads of football interest because as well as Chris Tansey, who is a good boss, we have Shaun Mills, Paul Chapman, Dai Malloy, Scott Davies from Hakin and Sean Hannon from Neyland. I'm very happy to be involved and with a bit of luck I've still got loads of time to add to my goal tally!”

PHOTOS:
'Skinny' Harding today
Skinny causes problems with his pace

Skinny (far right) delighted to win another medal with the Vikings