Club Connections | Burnley
As Swansea City prepare to face Burnley at the Swansea.com Stadium, we take a look back at some notable names to have represented both clubs.
Leighton James
Leighton James is one of the most notable links between Swansea City and Burnley, enjoying successful spells with both clubs while also becoming a key figure for Wales.
James made his Burnley debut in 1970 and helped the Clarets win the Second Division title in 1973. After spells with Derby County and Queens Park Rangers, he returned to Turf Moor before joining Swansea in 1980.
He immediately made an impact, scoring 15 league goals in his first season and netting a famous long-range strike against Preston North End that secured promotion to the First Division.
James helped Swansea finish sixth in the top flight in 1981-82 and won two Welsh Cups before leaving for Sunderland in 1983. He later returned to Burnley for a third spell, making 335 league appearances and scoring 67 goals for the Clarets across his three spells. He also won 54 caps for Wales.
Jack Cork
Jack Cork has a unique Swansea-Burnley connection, having played for Burnley before and after his spell with the Swans.
The midfielder first spent two loan spells with Burnley in 2009-10 and 2010-11, making 57 appearances, before establishing himself in the Premier League with Southampton.
Swansea signed Cork - the son of former manager Alan - in January 2015, and he went on to make 83 appearances for the Swans, scoring twice, including in the memorable 3-1 win over Liverpool in May 2016.
Cork returned to Burnley permanently in July 2017 and went on to make more than 230 appearances for the Clarets, helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2022-23. He also scored against Swansea in Burnley’s 2-0 victory in November 2017.
Tommy Hutchison
Tommy Hutchison is another notable link between Swansea City and Burnley, representing both clubs during a remarkable career.
The Scotland international joined Swansea in 1985, just two months before his 38th birthday, and briefly served as player-manager. He returned to playing duties and helped the Swans win promotion in 1987-88 before lifting the Welsh Cup in 1989.
Hutchison made 178 league appearances for Swansea, with his final outing coming against Southend United in March 1991 at the age of 43 years, five months and 19 days. He remains the oldest player to represent the club.
Earlier in his career, he had made 92 league appearances for Burnley, scoring four goals. His extraordinary career also included more than 1,000 first-team appearances and selection for Scotland’s 1974 World Cup squad.
Connor Roberts
Connor Roberts is a more recent link between the two clubs, rising through Swansea’s academy before becoming a first-team regular and eventually moving to Burnley.
Born in Neath and raised in Crynant, Roberts joined the Swans at nine and made his senior debut against Wolves in the FA Cup in January 2018. He went on to make 152 appearances, scoring 11 goals and winning the Supporters’ Player of the Year award in 2020-21.
Roberts joined Burnley in August 2021 and played a key role in their 2022-23 Championship title win, earning a place in the EFL Team of the Season.
He has also had major tournament experience with Wales, featuring at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
