Swansea City remember Terry Coles

Swansea City remember Terry Coles today, a passionate Swans fan and season ticket holder who tragically lost his life 20 years ago.

Terry was trampled to death by a South Yorkshire Police horse in the narrow lanes leading to Millmoor before the club’s Third Division Championship decider at Rotherham United on May 6, 2000.

The 42-year-old father of two from Morriston died in hospital from spleen and kidney injuries.

He left a wife, Christine, and two children, Matthew and Natalie.

A review by the Independent Police Complaints Commission found the actions of three officers amounted to "a failure of duty" after the horses cantered down a confined lane packed with supporters at the back of the ground.

Unfortunately, a civil court case undertaken by the family failed amongst further calls to review the evidence surrounding the incident.

Once the Coronavirus threat has ended, Terry’s family will officially open a small Swansea City Memorial Garden in memory of those supporters who have passed away over the years and also suffered loss during the current pandemic.

Work on the memorial garden was completed just before the lockdown with support from builders’ merchant Exall and Jones. Situated around the Ivor Allchurch statue in front of the South Stand, it includes a number of benches for reflection, a potted remembrance tree potentially for ashes, and two presentation displays for flowers.

A special plaque will be unveiled in due course along with a memorial service in memory of Terry and all former Swans fans who are sadly no longer with us.