Fan focus: Tom Sutch
Members of the Jack Army go under the spotlight in our regular feature where one fan recalls their favourite memories and stories of following the Swans over the years.
NAME: Tom Sutch
AGE: 27
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Llantwit Major
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SUPPORTING THE SWANS? 20 years.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST SWANS GAME YOU ATTENDED? It was against Northampton Town at Vetch Field in 1997.
WHY DID YOU START SUPPORTING THE SWANS? I was born a Jack!
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SWANS MOMENT? There have been so many now, but the one that stands out for me was the 3-0 win over Valencia in the Europa League. It was such a great experience travelling to Spain with my best mate to watch the Swans.
WHAT IS THE BEST GAME YOU’VE SEEN AT THE VETCH/LIBERTY? That would have to be when we turned Manchester United over to win 2-1 in 2015.
WHAT IS THE BEST GOAL YOU’VE SEEN AT THE VETCH/LIBERTY? Gylfi Sigurdsson’s free-kick against Arsenal in 2014.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE GREATEST SACRIFICE YOU HAVE MADE TO WATCH THE SWANS? From 2009 to 2012, I was at university in Liverpool. I couldn’t attend every home match, but I regularly drove to Swansea and back to watch the games. Also, attending a lot of games up north with the Swans was a bonus.
DESCRIBE TO US YOUR TYPICAL PRE-MATCH RITUAL? I’ve had a season ticket for over 10 years now. I drive an hour from Llantwit Major to the Liberty, get some chips and go straight in for the game.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE SWANS PLAYER OF ALL TIME, AND WHY?
Lee Trundle – the magic man himself. The best goal ever scored at the Millennium Stadium was his against Carlisle in the Football League Trophy final. On the edge of the box, he controls with his shoulder and volleys into the top right corner – what a goal!
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CURRENT PLAYER, AND WHY? It would have to be Alfie Mawson because he shows full commitment from start to finish, and I believe there’s a lot more to come from him.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SWANS KIT FROM OVER THE YEARS? Our home kit that we wore in the Europa League.
IF YOU COULD SIGN ONE PLAYER FOR THE CLUB, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Neymar.
WHAT MAKES SWANSEA CITY SPECIAL TO YOU? It’s my hometown club and the fans are special here. They genuinely love the club and that stadium is always filled with Jacks.
