NEWCASTLE Emlyn AFC recently celebrated 50 years of football, having formed back in August 1969 after a lapse of 10 years from the local Cardiganshire Football league.

On Saturday, June 22, in glorious sunshine, an all-day gathering of ex-players met up to reminisce about past experiences at Parc Emlyn.

Junior matches of various age groups were held in the morning and early afternoon, with a ex-players’ match arranged for 3pm.

A Newcastle Emlyn squad brought together by Carwyn Thomas consisted of a cross-section of Emlyn players having won the title in 1999 and they were up against a squad of Newcastle Emlyn Welsh league players, having gained promotion to the Welsh league Division Two led by Mathew Price.

Although the result was 4-1 in favour of Carwyn Thomas’ side, it was a most enjoyable match with numerous stoppages for water refuelling due to the heat.

The match was admirably refereed by Alan Thomas (Cardigan) who, incidentally, was a player with Cardigan Town in the very first match played against Newcastle Emlyn in September 1969.

Now living in London, his commitment of travelling all the way on Friday evening and then returning on Saturday afternoon was gratefully appreciated.

Later on in the evening, a dinner function was held in the marquee on site with ex-players, committee members and supporters.

Excellent catering was undertaken by Orwig Davies, of Pontgarreg, Llangrannog.

MC for the evening was Tommo, who firstly introduced club chairman Morlais Davies, of O.C Davies Penparc Motors.

He welcomed all present with special thanks to club president Einsley Harries for his generous donation towards club funds.

Thanks was also expressed to fellow committee members involved in the running of the club.

This was followed by Michael Davies, former Newcastle Emlyn player and other numerous clubs and of ‘scorio’ fame, now headmaster of Ysgol y Preseli at Crymych and Ysgol Caereleyn Haveerfordwest.

He gave an informative peek into the history of the club, running through each decade in turn with various entertaining stories relating to players, matches and the club.

The came Colin Price of ITV’s The Comedians fame.

To round off the evening an auction of various memorabilia was conducted by Roger Davies with a responsive audience contributing to club funds.

An enjoyable evening with grateful thanks to all concerned from Newcastle Emlyn AFC.