KILGETTY AFC held their annual Junior Football Festival on Bank Holiday Monday, but this year it was something special as the event was the first of many planned to mark the club’s centenary.

Kilgetty AFC chairman Lukas Gamble, Rhys, Matt, Ollie and James worked tirelessly preparing the pitches after the recent wet weather, with fears of having to postpone; cutting, rolling and marking seven pitches, several times.

As the almost 700 junior players, with over 800 spectators arrived volunteer stewards parked cars. The club are beyond grateful for the use of Stepaside School and Begelly Arms for use of car parks.

The festival hosted 61 teams from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, with teams travelling from Leicestershire and Droitwich.

The morning session included games for U7s, 8s and 12s mixed, including Kilgetty U8s Girls.

The afternoon included U10s mixed and U10s, 11s and 13s Girls.

Sharron Hardwick, KAFC U8s Girl’s coach and secretary, said: “It was worth all the hard work to see the players enjoying the festival, this was the biggest one we have ever had! Such a lovely atmosphere of football and fun.”

Visitors enjoyed ice creams and BBQ cooked by Kilgetty AFC cenior players Ben, Mike and Jimmy whilst Louise, Brian and Becky worked hard serving hot and cold drinks.

The festival could not have been held without the organisers and volunteers.

Months of Kilgetty Committee planning, including Lukas producing the programme, pitch layouts and fixtures.

Coaches and parents volunteered on car parks, registration, on the gate, with Caleb, Abigail and Phoebe running miles collecting scores all day.

Kilgetty Under 16s and seniors volunteered as referees, alongside Pembrokeshire League referees Richard Gwyther, Daniel James, Paul Rooney, and Mark Hicks.

Special thanks go out Julie and Peter who drove the Pembrokeshire Voluntary Services park and ride bus, to Jerry Long who spent all day tallying scores and Mike John, Kilgetty AFC Treasurer.

Visiting and home teams praised the event and its organisers and volunteers.

Kilgetty Centenary Celebrations could not happen without sponsorship. Thanks are expressed to: Primary Sponsors: Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo. Gold Sponsors: Cleddau Financial Services. Silver sponsors: Valero and RWE. Bronze Sponsors: Puffin Cottage Holidays and Ascona Group. Programme sponsors: Dynamix Dance School, Hughes Locks, Rib and Oyster, HC Plumbing and Heating – Property Improvements.

Organisers also made a special mention to the Howells Family: In Memory Of Dai and Shelia Howells, proud supporters of Kilgetty AFC for over 70 years.