Aneurin. What? We’re versed in the unusual at the Street yet I can say without reference to historian Ron Parrott we’ve not had an Aneurin previously. Much repeated name checking among the untidy ranks of Hereford media at Southport as his signing was made public. “Say that again? How do you spell that?”
The young Welshman was surely named after the famed Labour Minister of Health? “Not so”, explained his mother Kelly Anne, probably with a certain weariness. “We just liked the name.”
And the surname, Livermore, that also sounded football familiar? Not Jake Livermore as I half-hoped for Jake would only be 12 when the now 20-year-old Aneurin was born. But Doug Livermore, the former Liverpool and Norwich midfielder, later Spurs caretaker manager and No 2 at Liverpool? Oh yeah. His nephew is Dave Livermore, these days a popular figure around Chepstow and Aneurin’s Dad.
Dave Livermore played for the youth teams of Cardiff City and Everton but his career was cut short by injury. He managed Chepstow Town FC for many years who described him as “one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet in and out of football.” Dave is a senior coach at the Pinchard Soccer School, which is owned by Harry’s Dad and sister. Harry Pinchard isn’t officially linked to the School, but is thought to “help out”. It’s easy to envisage the link to Edgar Street and Pinchy is probably grateful to car share with our newcomer.
As a teenager, Chepstow-born Aneurin Riley Livermore was a kid in a hurry. He followed in his Dad’s boots by joining the Cardiff Academy at the age of 8. From there, he joined Newport. Cue parents taxi service. “We gave him a third year scholarship“ explained county Academy manager Damian Broad “and he’s grasping it with both hands.”
Aneurin made his pro debut for the Exiles against Plymouth in the EFL Trophy when he was just 17. He was chosen as man of the match. At 18, he made his League 2 debut, coming off the bench v Leyton Orient in September 2021. Two more games followed. He was also selected for the Welsh U19 squad but… there’s always a but for a future Hereford FC player. County manager Mike Flynn was sacked.
In came Tony Rowberry, alarmingly a distant relative of dinosaur Tony Pulis. Aneurin would have no more opportunities. His face no longer fitted. He was one of 8 scholars released at season end, to widespread astonishment.
Aneurin was offered a trial by Walsall last summer by their Gaffer Michael Flynn, now in his new job. He had pre-season playing minutes against Barnsley, Birmingham City, Aston Villa and Telford and looked the part. Flynn told the Express and Star “I know exactly what he (Aneurin) can do. He’s an outstanding footballer.” But in one of the agonising conversations which many managers have to go through, Flynn had to spend what budget he had left on a striker not a midfielder. The unfortunate Aneurin had to look elsewhere at a time when budgets were largely spent.
Peterborough, a club always open to “potential”, offered him a chance. He was with Posh for 3 weeks. The League One side were impressed and made the young midfielder an offer. But the money wasn’t great. Overnighting was financially ruinous and daily travel from South Wales wasn’t realistic so he had to decline. With that, went the last chance. No-one else had any money in these tight times to take on an extra ‘baller.
As Yan our interim revealed to us post-Southport, Aneurin has trained with our guys for a few weeks and made the bench at Southport. With our heavy schedule, there might be an opportunity for him to step off the bench to show what he can do. Aneurin’s CV is worthy of attention.
Thanks to HUST Exiles and Friends 1,000th member Kelly Anne for her assistance.
Simon Wright
