Ball in hand: Gethin Roberts.

It's only natural that Gethin Roberts should end up playing for Haverfordwest County youth team as full-back because his father Derek, now assistant manager of the Bluebirds senior squad, once occupied the same position.

Derek played for years for Merlins Bridge and he was coach there when Gethin started playing for their juniors before he moved to Camrose because all his friends were there.

Gethin says: "It was a great place to play because all my pals were there and we won the cup at under-14 and under-16 levels, as well as being runners-up to Tenby in the league. My dad was brilliant and taught me a lot, but George Barrah was also a top man at Camrose because he made us all feel important and never let us down. I also played for the first team at Camrose in the first division and we did well to finish mid table with such a young side."

He played on the right side of midfield in his junior days but switched to right-back when he joined the County youth team and doubles up by playing for the Bluebirds' Pembrokeshire League team in the first division under the guidance of Steve John.

His biggest moment so far at the Bridge Meadow Stadium came when he was called into Derek Brazil's first team squad for a league cup match against Cwmbran - and was delighted to discover that he was in the starting line-up at Cwmbran Stadium.

Gethin says of that match: "It was great because I was on for 70 minutes and I was surprised to have more time on the ball. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to play again because Derek Brazil was smashing to me, as were all the senior players."

Haverfordwest lost that match 6-2 but it was another part of Gethin's learning curve. He says that he is already a good tackler and passer but needs to work at improving his pace. Ask him about favourite player and there's no doubt - that's Roy Keane, who Gethin says had everything as a top player and is going to be an even better manager.

Gethin plays for the Haverfordwest County under-19s but although he attends the Pembrokeshire College it is only for a day each week because he works as an apprentice carpenter with Mervyn Williams.

He trains every week at the Bridge Meadow with Ronnie Beynon and Steve Briers at the helm and really looks forward to match days, especially with the youth team because there is a genuine camaraderie among them and they should do well this season if they maintain their current form.

It is easy to see that Gethin knows what he wants from football and has support from dad Derek and mum Buddug. He is certainly one to watch at the Bridge Meadow Stadium in years to come.

1:38pm Tuesday 5th February 2008

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