A Keith Harding Selection
19th July 2008 Reunion
1940's 1950's 1960's
Latham Park
Newtown


Mrs Kay Harding centre, with daughter Nicky, grandson Cai
and W.F.D.A. member, Ken Davies

W.F.D.A. Keith Harding Collection
Scores with Former Newtown F.C. Players.

A remarkable reunion took place at Latham Park on the 19th July 2008 following the amazing success of the collection of photographs held in memory of Keith Harding, former Chairman of Newtown F.C.. Players came together from the 1940s, 50's and 60's to celebrate Keith's memory and a minute's applause was held in respect of Keith and all the sadly departed players. 

The Reunion was arranged by Welsh Football Data Archive member Ken Davies, Keith's daughter Nicky and former players Edgar P. Williams and Brian F. Jones.

Keith's collection, which was also kindly put on display in Newtown by Age Concern, Montgomeryshire, captured the town's football community's imagination.  

Former players of the club came forward with their amazing private collections and press cuttings relating to Newtown's football past, to enhance the collection being compiled at http://www.wfda.co.uk/ with the full support of the Club. 

These additional collections are being prepared for inclusion on the site, and it is envisaged that a collection relating to Mid-Wales clubs will soon be commenced. 

Age Concern and Newtown White Stars Junior Football Clubs have benefited by sharing £350 following a Football Fun Quiz based on the window display. 

W.F.D.A. member Ken Davies has been amazed by the response." I have had complete strangers entrusting me with their precious photos which were all scanned and returned to their owners, to add to Keith's collection. Surviving wives have called at Age Concern to make donations in memory of their late husbands featured in the window. 

"We have created a fantastic opportunity for other clubs in Wales to follow suit and also benefit local charities. Each club has someone similar to a Keith Harding, whose memory could be kept for posterity through photos relating to their club at www.wfda.co.uk. The success has been such that I now have three pages on my www.penmon.org site, not only relating to Keith's photos but, to a History of Newtown A.F.C., football in Newtown generally and the Reunion. 

"I can't thank everyone enough. Each person feels that they have contributed to something truly worthwhile. 

"In addition to Mrs May Harding, daughter Nicky, her son Cai, many former players, surviving wives, friends and officers of the Club attended. We were honoured to have the presence of Mr Tegwyn Evans M.B.E., Vice president of the F.A.W. and Mr Edward William Griffiths, Patron of the Central Wales League with us. 

"Former Newtown hero Brian F. Jones reminisced  about the halcyon days of the 1950s.  

"It was an honour for me to attend and to have played a part, on behalf of the W.F.D.A., in arranging the Keith Harding Collection, and to witness the sheer enjoyment of those who attended the reunion. I just hope that other clubs will follow this lead - it can only benefit communities and bring pleasure to so many people who played football because they loved doing so."

Click here to see the W.F.D.A.'s
THE KEITH HARDING COLLECTION 

Click here to see the UP TO 1959 KEITH HARDING SELECTION of photos, which includes
a history of football in Newtown 

Click here to see the 1960 ONWARDS KEITH HARDING SELECTION of photos, which includes
a history of football in Newtown


THE
KEITH HARDING
REUNION

Tegwyn M. Evans Life Vice President, Football Association of Wales
Edward Griffiths Very enjoyable. Nice to meet old friends. 
May Harding
Brilliant Afternoon - Keith would have been so proud
Edgar Pugh Williams
Pam Williams

Congratulations to Nicky and Ken for producing a link in the History of Newtown Footall Club.
Thanks Ken and Nicky for a wonderful afternoon.
Brian.F. Jones

Bob Wildblood
R. A. (Bert) Evans

Brian Rees
Colin Rees
Mike Rutter

Excellent. Lovely Day.
Gilbert Jones
Stephen Jones
Rhian Jones

We have enjoyed meeting old friends and enjoying memorabilia.
Megan Powell
Keith Powell
David Powell


Excellent day - well done.  Very interesting, very good. An excellent display of memorabilia and photos. Well done.

Margaret E. Oliver


Thank you so much for bringing back so many happy memories


Gareth Ll Owen
Mike  Harding

Great turnout
Nicky Morris
Cai Morris
What a great success. Thank you Ken
Mike Lewis Brilliant, old friends, team mates, memories!
Cled Evans Most enjoyable afternoon. Glad I came
Dorrie Jones A lovely afternoon.
David Rowlands
Brian Rowlands


Great idea. Good turnout. Great to see old friends again.

Jack and Rhoda Blayney

David 'Ish' Davies Extremely interesting - must do it again.
Maurice Jones Great exceptionally super. Thank you all.
George Williams A very good day.
Mike Williams A very good day
Ivor Breeze    Nice to see old friends
John R. Smout
Keith Bowen A great opportunity to meet up with 'old' friends. Thank you.
Valerie Jones Very nice to see a lot of old players.

John Deakin
Jim Murray


Everything has gone well today!!

David Jones Thanks for a lovely afternoon. Nice to meet old friends.
R. M. Hibbott Thank you very much. Lovely day.
Bryan Jones Thank you very much
Milwyn Owen    Thanks for a great day.
Alfy Syers Had a great afternoon.
Merrick Corfield Great day - with lovely memories
J. W. Evans


Thank you for arranging such a memorable day.

Pat Lovell

Great afternoon. Really good to see so many old faces.
Philip B. Watkins
Marian Davies Wonderful to see people I have not seen for years. Well done Ken and Nicky
Ken Davies Real pleasure compiling everything - my thanks to everyone who have contributed - Keith Harding lives on!


Mr Brian F. Jones addresses the audience with his memories from the 1950's. Details to follow.

 SOME PHOTOS OF THE REUNION

 

 


  LEMBIT ÖPIK MP 

Constituency Office: 3 Park Street, Newtown, Powys, SY16 1EE

Telephone No: 01686 625527 Fax: 01686 628891
18th July 2008

 Dear Ken,

Just a short note to thank you for the very kind invitation to the reunion on Saturday 19th July.  I am very sorry that I can't be there in person but am certain that you will have a great time. 

Congratulations must go out to everyone involved in organising today's event.  I'm sure that everyone at the reunion will do Keith and other ex-players proud and the money raised will be well spent on two very good causes, Age Concern and The Newtown Whitestar Junior Football club. 

Once again apologies for my absence, have a great time tonight and a drink on me!! 
My most sincere and best wishes,  

Lembit Opik MP

'ON THE BALL' 

Players attending the Keith Harding Reunion signed a football which will be kept in the Newtown A.F.C. Boardroom for posterity. 

 

   SHROPSHIRE STAR
20th August 2008

COUNTY TIMES
29th August 2008

Reunion rekindled many
fond memories

My Dad was there in spirit at Club Reunion

May I take this opportunity to thank Mr Ken Davies, Welsh Football Data Archive member, Mr B.F. Jones and Mr Edgar Pugh Williams for a remarkable reunion that took place at Latham Park on July 19th.

Former Newtown Football Club players from the 1940s, 50s and 60s came together following the amazing success of the collection of photographs held in memory of my Dad, Keith Harding, former Chairman of Newtown F.C..

It was absolutely brilliant to see so many old players and their wives, wives of players who have sadly passed away and also their grandchildren, remembering old times and reflecting over the old photographs.

It brought a tear to my eye thinking how much my Dad would have loved to have been there and how grateful I was to Ken - even though my Dad has passed away, he was definitely there in spirit.

I would also like to thank Age Concern Montgomeryshire for letting us place the Keith Harding Selection display in their window, which was the catalyst for the reunion causing so much interest around the town.

Ken also produced a Football Fun Quiz based on the window display, with a prize kindly donated by Keith Pratten of the Black Boy, which was won by Neil Gorman.

Age Concern and Newtown White Stars Junior Football Clubs shared the £350 raised.

It was a special day for me and I'm sure for everyone who attended.

I am indebted to Ken for all his hard work and dedication and would like to thank everyone else who helped make the day possible.

NICKY MORRIS (HARDING)

NEWTOWN

MATCH OF THE DAY
Brain F. Jones and Edgar Pugh Williams
roll back the years at Latham Park with Cai,
Keith Harding's grandson


DEDICATION

This stand is dedicated in memory of the late Keith Harding for his tremendous service to Newtown Football Club. It was his vision and energy in making the club one of the best equipped grounds in Wales.
3rd December 2005.
The plaque commissioned in 2005, was put in place on the 19th July 2008 - fittingly the day of the Reunion in Keith's memory. 

 Let's have a look around Latham Park, 19th July 2008;-