Global Jacks enjoy winning weekend at Swansea City

Swansea City hosted a Global Jacks weekend during the 2024-25 season with supporters travelling from Europe and the USA to watch the Swans in-person as the side edged past Derby County to claim three points.

Supporters arrived in SA1 from Greece, Ireland and the US state of Philadelphia to meet up with other fans based outside the UK, while there were also visits from some UK-based fans who live further field. 

The group were greeted by Lee Trundle, staff from the club and members of the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust as they were treated to a tour of the stadium’s facilities, before a coffee and catch up sharing stories of how they became Swans fans.

After an evening in the sun, the group returned to the stadium on Saturday to watch the Swans face The Rams with Jisung Eom’s late goal sealing the win.

Global Jacks is made up of Swans fans from right across the world all with their own reasons for choosing to support the club. While many of these stories include moments like the 2012 League Cup victory, or players like Michu, Athanasios Demertzis' Swans journey stands apart as he was nine years old when he chose to support League One Swans from Greece.

"It all started when my uncle was playing a video game (FIFA) in 2007," he explained.

"The Swans were on the game in the third division and I liked the crest. I was nine years old.

"I started to follow the results and who the players were, I looked at the history of the team and after I saw the Jack to a King movie, I understood what the club meant to the city and I fell in love with the club and city.

"The city is very beautiful and the weather is so good this year – it was pouring last year – so that’s been nice. And we have a good record with Global Jacks – we’ve seen two wins and one draw."

Athanasios and his girlfriend Maria - who has become a fan of the Swans - are hopeful of bringing some more members of the Greek Jacks with them to a future game.

He added: "There are 40 of us all across Greece but we use social media to talk about the Swans and one day I think we would like for a lot of us to travel to a game all together."

Martin Gibbins who travelled from Philadelphia to back the Swans on Saturday grew up in Mayhill but after emigrating to the states shortly before the turn of the millennium he has been supporting his beloved Swans from afar ever since.

“I’m part of the Philly Jacks, and the Stateside Jacks and I’m over for my second Global Jacks event," said Martin.

“I’ve been in the states 30 years now and I took the passion of the Swans with me when I went.

“Within the Global Jacks, you meet up with ex-pats and people from overseas who just learned about the club – but everyone has the same passion for the Swans. 

“With a win, how can you not enjoy the weekend and the club has been absolutely amazing and we appreciate everyone who has helped make it happen.”