Garry Monk's service to Swansea City

Garry Monk's love affair with the Swans started way back in June 2004 when he joined the League Two club on a free transfer from Barnsley.
The central defender enjoyed huge success at the club, having played a key role in three promotions along with lifting the Football League Trophy, Capital One Cup and Championship Play-Off trophy.
He is one of only a few players to have captained the same team in all four divisions of the English pyramid.
Monk helped the Swans to promotion from League Two in his first season with the club before a heart-breaking Play-Off Final defeat to Barnsley in the following campaign.
He was then named captain in August 2006 following Roberto Martinez's exit from the club. However, a cruciate ligament injury sustained in just the second game of the campaign ended the defender's season.
The next campaign, however, was far more successful for both player and club as Monk captained the Swans to the League One title with a club-record 92 points as they returned to the second tier of English football for the first time in 24 years.



In their third year in the Championship, the club reached the 'Promised Land' as Monk and Co saw off Reading 4-2 at Wembley in the Play-Off Final, with Monk's perfectly-timed block proving crucial in the victory.
Monk missed the opening few games of the following season due to injury, but returned to captain the side in the club's first Barclays Premier League victory courtesy of a 3-0 win over West Brom in a season in which the Swans finished 11th under Brendan Rodgers.
The following season he made 15 appearances in all competitions under Michael Laudrup, and came off the bench in the Capital One Cup Final win over Bradford City at Wembley.
Monk, who made 270 appearances for the Swans, eventually took over at the helm following Laudrup's departure on Tuesday, February 4.
With the club just two points off the relegation zone, his first game in charge came against Cardiff City, with the Swans taking the South Wales derby honours thanks to a 3-0 win.



After the Europa League campaign came to an end in Napoli, Monk's focus was keeping the Swans in the Premier League.
And after claiming consecutive league wins for the first time since December 2012 following victories over Newcastle and Aston Villa, the Swans were mathematically safe.
Due to his efforts, Monk was confirmed as first team manager on May 7, 2014.
He had a superb first full campaign in charge last season, leading the Swans to eighth place with a record 56 points - the highest haul since the club joined the Premier League.
After an encouraging start to the current campaign with victories over Manchester United and Newcastle, Monk saw his side struggle with regards to results and performance levels with just one win from the last 11 league games.