FAN FOCUS: Michael Farreny
We continue our weekly fans feature as we put our loyal supporters under the spotlight!
Fan Focus gives every member of the Jack Army a chance to share their favourite tales, games and goals from supporting the Swans over the years.
If you want to be involved in the feature, email jackwells@swanseacityfc.co.uk
Name: Michael Farreny
Age: 34
From? Originally from Marlton, New Jersey, but currently living in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, USA
How long have you been supporting the Swans?
I have been supporting the Swans since 2004. Not being of Welsh heritage and living in the US, people are probably thinking how do I know about this team that was in League Two at the time.
I was coaching Freshmen soccer and one of my players came to practice wearing a Swansea jersey. I asked him who that player and team were.
He replied: "It's a team in Wales that my family back there supports and the player is a defender named Garry Monk."
I went home after practice and looked up the Swans and have been hooked ever since. Catching games over here in the US in the lower leagues was very difficult!
What was the first Swans game you attended?
Unfortunately I have never seen a Swans game in person.
The last time I was in the British Isles was 2002, which was before I became a Swans fan, and I was in Scotland.
Visiting Wales and getting a chance to sit and watch a game at the Liberty is on my bucket list.
Why did you start supporting the Swans?
I started supporting the Swans because that freshmen player spoke so highly of the team.
When I was researching the club, I read about how the club had stayed in the league with that victory over Hull.
It was such a strong testament of will that it was hard not to follow and support them.
Swansea overcoming adversity and rising through the divisions like they did is a great story. It shows that anyone can overcome adversity, like I have done throughout my life.
What is your most memorable Swans moment?
My most memorable moment was when Swansea won promotion to the Premier League at Wembley in 2011.
It was a great moment and the culmination of a journey that started on May 3, 2003. I was able to watch it at a local sports bar that had it on via stream.
Can you tell us about the greatest sacrifice you have made to watch the Swans?
Not so much a sacrifice, but having to scour the internet to try to find a way to watch the Swans during their time in the lower divisions was pretty difficult!
Describe to us your typical pre-match ritual?
If I'm at home, I would put on one of my many Swans jerseys from over the years, head to the basement and view my signed programme collection and my 2011-12 signed jersey before heading upstairs to watch the game.
If I'm at work, I have my Swans jersey under my scrubs. I turn off my notifications and open the NBC sports live app and watch the game as best I can.
Who is your favourite Swans player of all time, and why?
Garry Monk is my favorite player of all time. He was the reason I started following the Swans.
Monk was our captain for a long time, gave everything he had for this club and most importantly made that £90 million block that helped send us to the Premier League.
Now as Gaffer, he is helping Swansea move even further forward.
Who is your favourite current player, and why?
Ashley Williams - I guess I favour defenders! The captain is another player that personifies the Swansea way.
Coming from a non-league club and working hard to become one of the top central defenders in the Premier League, he is another player that will give his all for club and country.
What is your favourite Swans kit from over the years?
Two kits really stand out for me. I fell in love with the centenary jersey, but I am really enjoying our current copper stripe jersey this year.
If you could sign one player for the club, who would it be?
I would like to see an American-born player don a Swansea Jersey. Maybe Zareck Valentine, who is a young hungry defender that currently plies his trade in the Norwegian Tippeligaen.
We could also bolster our midfield by signing Henri Lansbury from Nottingham Forest, who I believe is another good and solid young player.
What has been your most disappointing moment watching the club?
I don't really have a disappointing moment while watching Swansea. If I had to choose, it would be losing the second leg against Napoli in the Europa League in 2014.
What makes Swansea City special to you?
For me, Swansea is special because they have a true underdog story.
The rags-to-riches story, the history, and the passion the fans have for the club around the world.
