Swans servant Tate granted testimonial

Swans stalwart Alan Tate has been granted a testimonial by the club for his services to Swansea City.

Tate, who spent nearly 13 years as a player at the club, will select a Swansea City Legends side to take on a Manchester United Legends XI put together by former Reds midfielder Darren Fletcher.

The game will take place at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday, August 9 at 7pm.

Tickets will be priced at £12 for adults and £6 for children.

Tate spent his early playing days at Old Trafford before making his switch to Swansea permanent in February 2004 following two successful loan spells which ended with him displaying a t-shirt famously declaring “Once a Jack, always a Jack’.

During his first loan spell at the Vetch Field, the central defender helped the Swans maintain their Football League status by playing in the famous 4-2 final-day victory over Hull City in May 2003.

He went on to make over 350 appearances for the club and led the Swans out for their first ever fixture in the Premier League at Manchester City in 2011.

A former player of the year, he was also part of the Play-Off final team that clinched a place in the top-flight at Wembley where he set up two of the goals.

He played at right-back, centre-half, midfield and even as an emergency goalkeeper on two occasions to aid the Swans’ cause.

Currently a coach with the Academy, his commitment to the cause made him a huge fans’ favourite over the years and his testimonial is richly deserved.

“I had some great times at Old Trafford as an apprentice and a young professional and it proved the perfect grounding for me to develop my career at Swansea,’’ explained Tate.

“The fans at Swansea were always fantastic to me. They made my playing days here so special and I still can’t thank them enough, even now.

“I’m proud I managed to establish a strong bond with the fans. They have always supported me and I hope I have given them plenty in return. There were probably a lot better footballers than me who have worn the Swans shirt over the years, but I’d like to think that there have been few who tried harder. I found over the years that if they can see you giving 100 per cent then that’s good enough for them.

“Although I am a Sunderland lad, Swansea has become my home now and I’m sure it will be a great night at the Liberty on August 9.’’

Details of when the tickets will go on sale will follow, together with squad announcements for both teams.