We do, however, have a great sense of anticipation as we approach a derby match but I feel this season that the great expectancy that is created might have lost a little edge. The point I’m making is that we have played local rivals Aberystwyth four times already this season, and our near neighbours Haverfordwest three times, which prompts me to suggest that you can have too much of a good thing. After saying that, however, two of our matches against Aberystwyth, one in the League and one in the Premier Cup, were cracking games as befits a derby and I’m sure Haverfordwest must have left Richmond Park after their game here at the beginning of the month in buoyant mood having undoubtedly produced their best display of the season. But still, a surfeit of these derby games can be counterproductive and perhaps our League Officials may have second thoughts about regionalising the Gilbert Cup.

As it is generally recognised within the Club, with oft-repeated references in this programme, our main sponsors are indeed the lifeblood of the club. Once again we are grateful to those that are supporting our Club today in the various sponsorship packages. However I feel bound to single out one of our sponsors today, namely British Telecom and its Customer Services Manager Malcolm Williams. The reason for doing so is that Malcolm is one of our leading stalwarts within the club structure. After completing his course at the Bristol Polytechnic in the early 70's Malcolm joined BT as a raw 20 year old and has indeed come a long way since those early days reflected by his current position in BT. He has also come a long way with Carmarthen Town after initially playing rugby for Carmarthen Athletic. Following a five year period in sporting limbo he decided to join Town in the mid 80s, firstly as a player and then becoming manager of our third team. No doubt one of his claims to fame was piloting his team to promotion from Division 2 to Division 1 of the Carmarthenshire Reserve League. Malcolm is now the Club's Operations Manager and is responsible for the development of the Richmond Park ground and its maintenance and takes pride in the excellent condition that the pitch is in these days.

A WARM WELCOME today to Alun Evans, a former Secretary General of the FAW, who once again has provided us with a most entertaining contribution. And just a note to inform you that I have received Christmas greetings from Des Shanklin, President of the FAW, and David Collins, Secretary General, offering the season’s greetings to our club and our supporters.

Enjoy today’s game.

You will note from the programme that our two guest contributors are very much involved in broadcasting So it is appropriate for me to comment on the excellent coverage that is now forthcoming from the BBC for our clubs which, I think, is improving in leaps and bounds. Radio coverage, especially in the Welsh media, cannot be faulted, with reporters attending LoW matches regularly every Saturday afternoon for transmission to the wavelengths. In this respect Ar y Marc early on Saturday morning is worth a listen and, of course, Camp Lawn which gives extensive coverage to LoW matches. On Radio Wales, of course, there are regular references in the sports bulletins to information regarding LoW matches,etc., and the Saturday afternoon edition of Sportstime also keeps us informed.

On the television front, there is again excellent coverage with the Wales on Saturday programme providing highlights of LoW matches just after they have finished, whilst on S4C I think the Gôl programme is second to none and, of course, there is the FAW Premier Cup and I’m sure that the BBC authorities were not let down by the contribution made by LoW clubs in the three matches that have already been televised this season. That doyen of sports writers, the award winning Alun Rees, in his article in the Western Mail, paid tribute to the coverage of Welsh football by the BBC. Mr Rees has always presented splendid reading, as far as I’m concerned, in his articles in the Western Mail and some well-known journalists who report on football in Wales could well take a leaf out of his book. If I may also refer to BBC Choice Wales, a Digital Channel which at present not everybody receives, is another champion of the LoW with some excellent coverage in its sports bulletins.

One little note of dissent, however, which I’m sure Lawrence Hourahane will forgive, is the BBC’s sports presenter Bob Humphrey’s reluctance to give publicity to our League in his news reports, especially on Wales Today, whilst I’m sure that the inclusion of subtitling on the Gôl programme would be welcomed in many households.

A warm welcome to our friends from Haverfordwest for tonight’s game, and special good wishes to the club’s new chairman, David Hughes. I’m sure David will be an asset to the club and will complete his tasks with distinction.

AND FINALLY, best wishes to our Chairman Jeff Thomas on his recent retirement. I can assure you that Jeff has great respect for us all at this Club as we have for him. As was quoted in the press this week ‘he always has time to listen and communicate with people regardless of their position in life and deals with everyone fairly’. Isn’t that an attribute that some of us could aspire to?

A Merry Christmas to you all and hope to see you Boxing Day for the Cwmbran game!