Follow this link back to Management:

Tom Forse

President

Playing career:

A former Cardiff City FC, Cardiff Corinthians FC and Welsh Amateur International player.

Football administration career:

Elected to the Management Committee of the Welsh League in 1960, Tom was the League's Vice-Chairman from 1971 to 1973 and Chairman from 1973 to 1975.  He became a Life Member of the League in 1981 and a Life Vice President in 1992.  In 1999 he was elected unopposed as the League's President.

Tom was elected to the Council of The Football Association of Wales (FAW) in 1966.  He is a past Chairman of the FAW's International Committee and was President of the FAW from 1989 to 1992.  He is currently a Life Vice-President of the FAW.  

Brian Fear

Life Vice-President

Football administration career:

Aberaman Athletic AFC

Secretary 1957 to date.

The Welsh Football League

Elected 1965; Past Vice Chairman; Past Chairman; currently a Life Vice-President.

The Football Association of Wales

Elected to council 1977; Past Chairman & Vice Chairman of  Intermediate Committee; member International Committee; Treasurer three years; Vice-President three years; President 1994 –1997; Life Councillor 1997; and Life Vice President 2002 to date.

UEFA

Transfers' Committee member for three years.

International FA Board

Represented the FAW on above for nine years 

Aberdare Valley Football League

Vice President.

Outside football: 

Family

Two children, Peter and Nicola

Employment

Retired since 1995; employed British Gas for 27 years; NCB one year; British Rail six years; National Service two years; and Dunlop Rubber Co three years.

Church 

Server Sacristan for 50 years; Administer sacrament; Licensed for Holy Communion 25 years; Peoples' and Vicars' warden for 35 years; member of the Governing Body of The Church in Wales.

Rotary Club 

President of the Cynon Valley Rotary Club for 2004-05.

David Jenkins

Life Vice-President

My earliest recollection of being involved with the beautiful game was following my father Selwyn marking white lines on Victoria Road football ground in 1950! 

I travelled around a lot of Welsh League grounds with my father In the 1950s as he made himself known as a potential Welsh League Secretary.  I also remember winning a lot of bottles with the raffle tickets he used to buy.

My playing career was with the Port Talbot YMCA side of 1962/64, winning the League and Cup Final.  My "claim to fame" being sent to Cardiff for a trial with the City.  I was found not guilty! 

Not to miss the playing side of things I refereed in my local league, having passed a very difficult (!!!) exam, under the watchful eye of Eric Danter, secretary of the South Wales and Mon as it was in 1966. 

I did manage to get on the  Welsh League's list of linesmen.  My first game being on the line with John Phillips and Len Howells in the middle.

I suppose after becoming Secretary, and Chairman of the Port Talbot League, it was a natural progression to become involved with the Welsh League so I became Assistant Secretary to my father.

When he finished with ill health it wasn’t practical, distance wise, to liaise with John Burrows of Tonyrefail, communications were not as they are now, so in 1972 I stood for the Management Committee of the Welsh League.

I then became involved with Port Talbot AFC, as Committeeman, Secretary and Chairman. One usually joins a club and then progress to a league position, I did it the other way round!

After 21 years on the Welsh League I became a Life Member, and now Life Vice-President. 

I suppose looking back over all these years the Welsh League has come on leaps and bounds and it’s high status is well earned, and in good hands for the future. 

My career high spots, meeting the Duke of Edinburgh at Cardiff Castle... and marking Port Talbot’s ground!

Peter Rees 

Life Vice-President

Playing career 

Played at youth, local league and  Welsh League level before retiring to concentrate on football administration.

Football administration career: 

Treharris Athletic Football Club:  In 1962, appointed Club Secretary of South Wales' oldest club, a position held for many seasons, since resigning as Secretary has held various positions including Vice-President and Trustee.

The Welsh Football League: In 1968, elected to the Management Committee of the League, serving the League as Committee Member, Vice Chairman and Chairman. Made a Life Member of the League in 1989, currently a Life Vice-President of the League.

The Football Association of Wales:  In 1982, elected to the governing body, serving the Association on various committees including Chairman of the Intermediate Committee during the formation of a senior league to cover the North of the country. This was the forerunner to the setting up of The League of Wales national. In 1998 elected as Treasurer of the Association, before moving up to Vice President in 2000, and President in 2006, a position currently held.

The National Assembly for Wales Football Forum:  In 2001, appointed to sit on this newly elected body by the Sports Minister to look into the funding, participation and development of youth football in the principality.

UEFA:  In 2004, elected to the European governing body, serving on the Assistance Programme Committee, Fair Play & Ethics Panel.  Also, appointed UEFA Match delegate.

Outside football: 

Employed in the Newspaper industry for over 35 years.  Currently the Advertising Sales Manager for Cymru/Wales Ad Trader, part of Trader Publishing Limited.

Married with two children.

Mike Casey

Life Member

Playing career:

Commenced playing football at Merthyr Vale Junior School in 1955, also played for Merthyr Schoolboys Under 12.  Then at Pantglas Senior School, Aberfan, also played for Merthyr Schoolboys Under 15.

Joined Treharris Boys' Club as a 12 year old playing for Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 teams.

Played for Troedyrhiw FC in the Welsh League from the age of 14.

In 1962 was signed by Cardiff City FC, playing in the South Wales Amateur League and Welsh League, released after one season.

Played for Tynte Rovers FC from 1963 to 1973, except for one season played for Treharris Athletic FC before rejoining Tynte, making about 400 appearances in the Welsh League in total.

Football administration career: 

Joined Treharris Athletic FC in 1973 as Secretary/Treasurer, a position still held today.  Became a Life Member of Treharris in 2003 after 30 years' service.

Also Life Member of the Merthyr Tydfil Football League.

Elected to the Management Committee of the Welsh League in 1982, elected Vice Chairman from 1990 to 1992 and Chairman from 1992 to 1994. Became Life Member of the Welsh League in 2003 after 21 years' service.

Elected to the Council of the FAW in November 2000, a position still held.

David Griffiths 

Life Member

Playing career:

Maesteg Park Youth, Bridgend and District League and Welsh League player.

Football administration career:

Secretary of Maesteg Park in Bridgend and District League from 1963-1965, and Welsh League from 1965 to date.  Member of Welsh League's management committee from 1981 to 1992 and 1995 to date.  Vice-Chairman of Welsh League 1988 to 1990, and Chairman from 1990 to 1992.

Represented Welsh League clubs on South Wales FA from 1988 to 1992.

Member of The League of Wales Steering Committee from 1990 to 1992.

Represented South Wales clubs on The League of Wales Board from 1992 to 1995.

FAW Council Member from 1992 to date.  Chairman FAW Referees' Committee from 1998 to 2001.  UEFA  Match/Referees' delegate from 1998 to 2000.  FAW Referees' Liaison Officer for home internationals from 2000 to date.  Chairman of FAW Disciplinary Commissions from 2003 to date. Vice-Chairman FAW Management Committee from 2004 to date.  Member of Board of Directors, The League of Wales from 2004 to date.

Outside football:

Employed at Bridgend Paper Mills as converting maintenance engineer from 1961 until retirement in 2002.

Secretary of Maesteg Park Social Club from 1980 to 2003.

Bob Fry 

Chairman

Playing and refereeing career:

Played for Lake United FC in the Cardiff Combination League and took up refereeing in 1966, progressing to the Welsh League in 1968.  Officiated in the Alliance Premier League (Conference) and the Football Combination, retiring to go into club administration in 1988.

Football administration career:

Appointed Assistant Secretary, AFC Cardiff in 1988 until club changed name to Inter Cardiff FC in 1990.

Appointed Assistant Secretary, Cardiff Civil Service FC in 1990 on the club's election to the Welsh League, subsequently becoming Secretary in 1992.

Appointed Secretary, Ely Rangers FC in 1998, a position still held.  Helped club rise from Division Three to Division One where the club currently play.

Elected to the Management Committee of the Welsh League in 2000 and appointed Vice-Chairman in 2004, and Chairman 2006.

Other football interests: 

Member of the "Groundhoppers" which involves, when time allows, mainly mid week, travelling mostly to the West Country to see matches in the Western League, also the Hellenic League.

Past member of the 92 Clubs, seeing matches on all 92 Football League grounds, completed in 1988 at Scarborough.

Have visited over 400 grounds since starting in 1955 as a Cardiff City fan. Remaining are two Welsh Premier grounds and two Welsh League grounds which will be completed during season 2004-05.

Ken Tucker 

Secretary 

Playing career: 

Played at schoolboy level for Wales.  Joined Merthyr Tydfil FC and made first team debut in the Southern League at the age of 17.  Represented Wales at youth level before National Service in 1953.  Became a physical training instructor in the Army, and signed for Aston Villa FC during this period, playing in the Central League, also, representing Wales at amateur international level.

On demobilisation became full time professional with Cardiff City FC in 1955.  Played in the First and Second Divisions with Cardiff City before being transferred to Shrewsbury Town FC in 1957.  Played in Shrewsbury Town's promotion team of 1958-59 before being transferred to Northampton Town FC in 1960. 

Joined Hereford United FC as a part time professional in 1961, and rejoined Merthyr Tydfil the following season.

Played for Merthyr Tydfil in the Southern League.  Made player coach in 1966, became player manager 1967 to 1969.  Qualified as a FAW coach and retired as a player before becoming Secretary of Merthyr Tydfil in 1969.

Football administration career:

Secretary of Merthyr Tydfil from 1969 to 1987.  Presented with long service award by the Southern League in 1983.

Resigned in 1987 and appointed Secretary of The Welsh Football League a month later.

Elected to the Council of the FAW in 1989.  Currently holding the position of Chairman of the FAW Management Committee, and previously Chairman of the FAW International Committee.

Outside football:

Entered the Civil Service in 1961, whilst continuing to play as a part time professional.

Retired as a manager in the Civil Service in 1995. 

Kieran O'Connor

Treasurer/Assistant Secretary

Never played football in my life! 

Educated at Pontypridd Boys' Grammar School where football was a crime.

Played Rugby for Pontypridd Schools & Youth before retiring at 17 with a spinal injury. .

Commenced football refereeing in the Cardiff & District League circa 1975 before retiring again in 1986 following a recurrence of back problem. 

Appointed Assistant Secretary of The Welsh Football League in 1986/87 and Treasurer in 1988/89. 

Elected to the council of The Football Association of Wales in 1998, currently Vice Chairman of the Football Committee. 

Outside football:

Married with three children. 

Employed as Group Financial Director & Company Secretary of the GAC Group based in Cardiff.  

Former Chairman of the Wales division of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

Tony Griffiths 

Fixtures Secretary

(Profile to follow)

John Harris 

Assistant Match Appointments Secretary

Refereeing career:

Commenced as referee in Neath and District and Swansea Leagues in 1960.  Became an A class referee in 1963 and promoted to the Welsh League's Linesmen's list and the South Wales Amateur League's Referees' list the same year.

Promoted to the Welsh League's Supplementary Referees' list in 1966 and Referees list in 1968.  Compulsorily retired from the Welsh League's Referees' list in 1980 at the age of 40.

Retired from refereeing, South Wales Amateur and local leagues in 1983.

Football administration career:

Appointed Secretary, Skewen Athletic FC, in the Welsh League, in 1980, whilst still continuing to officiate as a referee in other leagues.

Elected to the Welsh League's Management Committee in 1995.

Appointed Secretary of BP Llandarcy FC, now known as Neath FC, in 1998.

Elected Vice-Chairman of the Welsh League, 2000-02 and Chairman, 2002-04.

Council member of the FAW from 2001 to date.

Covers for Welsh League's Match Appointments Secretary when he is away on FAW duties.

Outside football:

Employed in accountancy profession by National Coal Board, British Steel, Thysens, and latterly by British Petroleum for 23 years prior to retiring in 1993.

David Cole

Management Committee Member 

I was born in Barry in 1948 and attended Barry Island Junior and Barry Boys Grammar Schools. I joined the Royal Army Pay Corps in 1966 and left in 1988 when I returned to Barry to live with my family. 

I am currently employed as the Finance & Human Resources Officer for The Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Wales based in Maindy Barracks, Cardiff. My hobbies include reading (Crime thrillers) and collecting records, in particular 60’s and 70’s singles. 

Football career 

I played football for Barry Island Junior School and Barry Island YPA before joining the Army at 17 (Football was banned at my Grammar School). I played in goal for most units I served with until I received a serious leg injury in 1980 when I decided to take up refereeing. I was Appointments Secretary in Herford, Germany and Catterick, North Yorkshire. On leaving the Army in 1988 I gave up refereeing except in local youth football where I managed or assisted a youth team of Barry Bluebirds and Barry Island YPO until 1995 (we had to supply the referee for youth games). 

Football Administration 

Between 1990 -1996 I held at various times the appointment of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of Barry Town Supporters Club before being invited to assist the Club in various admin functions. I was the Assistant Secretary from 2001 to 2003 before being appointed Secretary in October 2003 after the Club had gone into Administration. 

In my capacity as Assistant Secretary I accompanied the team in European Champions League games against FC Porto, Skonto Riga and FK Vardar Skopje.

Alf Germain

Management Committee Member

Playing career:

Played for Aston Boys, Birmingham City Transport.  Represented Royal Air Training Corps and Birmingham Federation of Boys' Clubs.

Played for Garw Athletic in Welsh League.

Football administration career:

With Garw Athletic for 27 years in numerous positions: player, trainer, Secretary, bus driver, ball boy, pitch marker and general dog's body – and loved it all!

Secretary of Port Talbot for three years.

Secretary and Chairman of Pontypridd Town for 10 years.

Elected to Management Committee of the Welsh League in 2000. Chairman of the Welsh League in its Centenary year 2004.  Previously Vice-Chairman from 2002 to 2004.

Steve Rumble

Management Committee Member

(Profile to follow)

Alan Watkins 

Management Committee Member

Playing career:

Commenced adult playing career in 1951 at the age of 16 with Christchurch FC in the Newport and District League.  Subsequently played for a number of other clubs in that League.

Passed FAW provisional coaching award in 1974 and managed Christchurch's Gwent County League side for one season, 1975-76. Managed Spencer Works FC's reserve team in the Gwent County League in 1981-82.  In both cases subsequently moving over into club administration.

Football administration career:

Secretary, Christchurch FC, Gwent County League, 1977-79.

Secretary/Treasurer, Spencer Works FC, now known as Llanwern FC, from 1982 to date.

Member of Newport and District League, Gwent Youth League and Gwent County League committees in 1970s and 1980s.

Member of Management Committee of The Welsh Football League from 1988 to date.  Vice-Chairman of the Welsh League 1994-1996 and Chairman 1996–1998.

Outside football:

Employed as and Industrial Chemist and for the last 28 years of working life in the electricity generation sector, power station laboratories. Accepted early retirement in 1992 and have led a busy life since.  Currently Secretary, Llanwern Bowls Club.

Mike Windsor 

Management Committee Member

Playing career:

Played for Caldicot Town from under eleven age group up to senior football in the East Gwent League, the old Mon Senior League and the Gwent County League.

Football administration career:

Elected to the Management Committee of the Welsh League in 1989 and was Welsh League Chairman in the Millennium year 2000.

Outside football:

Employed in steelworks for 31 years until retirement.