Year in Review | September
As 2019 comes to an end, we take a look back at how the month of September unfolded for Swansea City.
September saw two of Swansea City’s finest servants take up new positions at the club.
Leon Britton became the club’s first sporting director.
Britton had been appointed as advisor to the board by new chairman Trevor Birch at the end of the 2018-19 season, after retiring as a player in May 2018 with 536 appearances to his name over a 16-year period with the Swans.
The club legend, who played in all four divisions for the Swans after arriving, initially on loan, from West Ham in 2002, was heavily involved in the recruitment of head coach Steve Cooper in the summer, together with the appointment of Andy Scott as head of recruitment.
Having worked very closely with Birch and Scott in the transfer market since his appointment, the impression Britton had made meant the Swans chairman was keen to increase his status and influence at the club.
Meanwhile, Alan Tate, another man to represent the club in all four divisions, was added to Cooper’s first-team coaching staff.
Tate, who played just under 350 games for the club, had a period working in Cooper’s set-up alongside Mike Marsh and Martyn Margetson prior to confirmation of his promotion.
Tate’s new role saw him retain his involvement in the club’s youth ranks and act as a link between the academy and first team.
On the field, the Swans were not able to keep up their unbeaten start to the season as Nottingham Forest snatched a late win at the Liberty thanks to Alfa Semedo’s goal.
Cooper’s men responded by picking up a solid point at Bristol City, despite seeing Jake Bidwell controversially dismissed late on for a challenge on Niclas Eliasson.
A frustrating month ended with a draw against Reading, with Andy Yiadom smashing home a last-gasp equaliser for the Royals in a game the Swans had led almost from the off thanks to Borja Baston’s header.
Meanwhile, in the Carabao Cup, the Swans were unfortunate to exit at the third-round stage against Premier League Watford.
Danny Welbeck had put the Hornets ahead only for Sam Surridge to level. But the hosts advanced thanks to Roberto Pereyra’s 79th-minute strike.
