It was a huge milestone for Ammanford’s Euros Griffiths against Briton Ferry Llansawel last month – his 400th start and a new club record.
Representing his hometown for 400 matches across the Welsh pyramid is an achievement that means a great deal to him.
“Don’t get me wrong, there’s been sacrifice along the way in order to reach that number,” he says, “missing the odd boys’ trip on a weekend, not to mention the countless arguments with the other half, but it’s been an experience I wouldn’t change for the world!”
Over the course of those years with Ammanford, Griffiths – now 33 years old – can pick out plenty of highlights, from televised matches to securing promotion.
That’s not to say it’s all been a breeze – his disciplinary stats do make the eyes widen, with 51 yellow cards and six reds during those 400 matches.
“I must admit it does stand out a bit!” he agrees. “I think in my younger playing days my discipline wasn’t great, especially playing in the lower leagues. I’m still convinced I didn’t deserve some of them, though!”
And as a local boy, playing for Ammanford in the JD Cymru Leagues is a dream come true.
“My bedroom window as a kid overlooked our old ground on Rice Road and my first sporting dream was to play for Ammanford Town,” he reveals.
“Being a local boy just makes it that more special, really. Living and working locally, it’s not often a day doesn’t go by when I’m speaking to someone in the street about the club or where we went wrong or right on the weekend!
“I think a lot of people don’t realise that I spent a few years in the third team, eventually working my way in to the second team and then the first team. I hope it shows to current young players coming through that you might not be guaranteed first-team football from the off, but the pathway is there.”
