Charity Rugby Match:
The Valero XV’s captain for this important charity match against The Pembroke County XV is prop Geoff Martin, who at 36 years young will be one of the oldest players on view but still playing with the enthusiasm he had when he started out with Tenby United when he was a nipper.
Geoff is an engineer at Valero and replaces Jonathan Rogers, whom he describes as a ‘Brylcreem Boy’ because he plays amongst the backs and will be looking to inspire his squad to gain revenge for a narrow defeat last time.
Geoff has played all his rugby in the hurly-burly of the front row for over almost three decades, other than rest periods when the kids were young or work commitments caused him to miss some time.
Total family support
He and his wife Charlotte, whom he describes as ‘amazing’ in terms of support have three sons in Geoffrey (7), Oliver (5) and Joshua (18 months).
“They all come to matches and will be there on Saturday cheering everyone on, especially me, and the Martin clan will be helping to boost the attendance figures because my mum Vivi and dad (also called Geoffrey and a former Tenby player) will be there on the touchline.
The middle of the three Geoffreys, the 36 year old, played county rugby as a junior, for the schools and youth – and loves being involved at Heywood Lane with a talented young squad under coach Jonathan Evans.
Loves playing for The Seasiders
“He does a great job in bringing on the young players, who all seem to treat me like a favourite uncle because they even pick me up off the floor in matches and training sessions, whilst another of the coaches in Ossie Boswell has a good memory because says he can still remember me when I first started turning out for the Tenby United first team!
But just for Saturday ‘The Seasiders’ will be forgotten as Geoff Martin will be trying his best to lift the silverware but safe in the knowledge that in victory or defeat this genuine character will be helping to promote a very worthwhile local cancer charity!