Good afternoon all and a very warm welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium as we kick-off the 2026-27 season with this Carabao Cup tie against Birmingham City.
It feels rather unusual to be commencing the competitive calendar with a cup game rather than a league fixture, but I know that does not change the desire of Vitor and the players to start the new campaign on a positive note.
And positivity was certainly the overwhelming feeling in the room when we held our first fansâ forum of the season here on Wednesday evening.
It was great to see so many of you in attendance as these events are so important in allowing our supporters to hold us to account, to express your views on all aspects of the club and the issues that matter most to you.
One thing that really stood out was the level of belief in the direction the club is heading. It feels like we have come a long way in the last 12-18 months, and this has certainly been a very busy summer with a lot of developments on and off the pitch.
I wonât repeat all of those points now, but I would encourage you to read the update we issued to fans through our official channels earlier this week which details all of these areas and where they currently stand, including our plans to restore our academy to Category One status, and our plans to purchase the stadium and our Fairwood Training Ground. You can read that HERE.
For all of us working at the club, we are greatly encouraged that so many of you are feeling a renewed enthusiasm and belief in our direction of travel. To have that is crucial and to give our supporters that hope and belief has been a key goal of our ownership group since they purchased the club.
But I would also like to make clear that no-one here is patting themselves on the back or of the view that our work is done.
We remain a long way from where we ultimately want to get to. We have made good strides, but we have to continue to push ourselves to drive forward across all departments if we are to get this great club back where we all desperately want it to be.
There will be ups and downs over the months ahead because that is the nature of football, but if we can retain our positivity, belief and connection then we will give ourselves the best chance of success.
This week we have also been delighted to add Ross Stewart to our squad. Ross is a proven Championship goalscorer and a player who brings considerable experience and leadership to our group.
He further boosts Vitorâs attacking options and we are looking forward to seeing him in action in a Swansea shirt, be that either of our recently launched home and away kits.
Our away kit has proved particularly popular with supporters, with its nod back to an iconic design from 30 years ago, and I thought our promotion material for the kit â with its nod to the cult classic film âTwin Townâ was absolutely outstanding. It was authentically Swansea and I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate those involved in our kit launches on their excellent work.
Both shirts have already proven to be very popular, and as ever we thank you for your enthusiasm and passion in your unwavering support for this club.
Whilst none of us know what lies ahead on the journey this season all we do know is that if we stick together, do our City proud and give it everything that we have got on the good and bad days, then we will be in for an memorable ride.
Enjoy the game YJBS,
Tom
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Hello everyone, itâs good to be back with you all as we start off the new season with this Carabao Cup game against Birmingham City.
I hope you have all had a good summer and are excited about the season ahead, this is always a time of year where there is a big sense of anticipation and we are all eager to find out how the months ahead are going to pan out.
Of course, none of us have a crystal ball, and that is why for us as coaches and players our focus will always be on the immediate challenge in front of us, and the quality of our day-to-day work on the training ground.
But it was great to hear and feel so much positive energy when myself, Tom and Ben met so many of you at the fansâ forum in midweek.
I think these events are very important. Not all clubs hold them, but it is vital from a democratic point of view because it gives our fans the chance to ask questions and talk about the things that matter to you.
Having that openness is a big part of the connection we all feel, and to have that connection really is absolutely massive over the course of a season where we know we will have many great moments, but that there will also be tough periods and challenges to face because this is how football is.
That connection was also a big factor in the decision to sign a new contract and extend my time in Swansea.
The welcome that I, my family and my staff have had since we arrived has been wonderful and we are truly grateful for that, and it just shows to me what a special club this is.
I have no doubt that when we are all together, we can accomplish special things, and that is what we all want to do for Swansea City.
We have been pleased with the additions we have made to the squad, and with how our pre-season has gone.
We were really pleased to complete the signings of Tiago Parente and Ross Stewart this week, two players who give us additional options and versatility in their areas of the pitch.
That flexibility is very important in the Championship when you face so many different tests and are posed so many different questions by the opposition, so we are happy to have them, as well as Stephen, Eli, Joseph and Moussa who can all help us in that regard.
Starting with a cup game is something a bit different, but we know it will be a proper test against another Championship team. Birmingham have had good results in pre-season and are one of the most aggressive teams in the division, so we know the task we face.
But we want to be the team who moves forward in the competition, and we want to start the season in the right fashion and hit the ground running.
Enjoy the game,
VĂtor Matos,
First Team Head Coach
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for this Carabao Cup game, the first competitive match of the 2026-27 season, and welcome to those Blues fans travelling from the Midlands.
This is Birminghamâs ninth visit to the .com and our matches are usually close affairs, with five draws, one win for the Swans and two for the visitors.
Today is also the fourth visit to the .com for referee Ruebyn Ricardo. Previously he has been the main man twice and once acted as the fourth official. His most recent visit was in March 2026 when the Swans beat Stoke City 2-0.
The Trust extends a warm welcome to South Wales to the Swans new signings:
- Stephen Welsh, 26-year-old defender from Celtic; a former Scotland U21 international
- Moussa Yeo, 22-year-old versatile midfielder/forward signed from Red Bull Salzburg; former Malian U20 international
- Joseph Opoku, 20-year-old winger signed from Belgian club Zulte Waregem; he has one senior international cap for Ghana
- Elijah Just, 26-year-old defender from Motherwell, who recently featured in the World Cup for New Zealand, scoring 3 goals.
- Tiago Parente, a 20-year-old left back, on loan from Benfica; a current U21 cap Portuguese international.
- Ross Stewart, an experienced striker who has just signed on a free transfer from Southampton.
We would also like to thank those who have departed the this summer for their contributions to the Swans. Liam Cullen, Cam Congreve, Sam Parker and Ollie Cooper, amongst others, have left either permanently or on loan. They may have left to pursue careers elsewhere but they will always be JBs. Good luck for the future to them and their families.
Today is the start of the Trustâs 25th Anniversary season. We are planning a range of events to celebrate and more details will be made available to members over the coming months.
We will be hosting another quiz evening, in aid of our partner charity, Faith in Families https://faithinfamilies.wales/news/ and running an online raffle, with proceeds going to our new partner charity, the Swansea Veterans Hub https://www.swanseaveteranshub.org.uk/ .
More information on the history of the Trust, our current activities and heritage work and how to join us can be found here https://www.swanstrust.co.uk/.
Supporters are also encouraged to visit our Trust kiosk on matchdays, which is located outside the West Stand. Our board members will be on hand to answer questions and provide you with a copy of the matchday team sheet.
Members are reminded that fees are now due for the new season and where possible please do this via our Join the Trust page on our website. However, you can also pay at the matchday kiosk next to the club shop before any of our home games.
Enjoy the game and letâs hope we progress further in the competition that we won in 2013.
YJBs, shout loud and proud for the boys.
Di
TIAGO PARENTE JOINS THE SWANS
Swansea City is pleased to announce the signing of defender Tiago Parente on a season-long loan from Benfica, subject to the relevant clearance.
The deal also includes an option to buy the Portugal age-grade international, who has come through the academy ranks at Estadio da Luz.
The 20-year-old made his senior debut for Benfica in May 2025, and will wear the number 20 shirt in SA1. He watched his new teammates in action during Saturdayâs friendly victory over CD Leganes at the Swansea.com Stadium.
He will provide cover and competition in the left-back position for the Swans, and could be in contention to be involved in Saturdayâs Carabao Cup tie against Birmingham City.
âWe are pleased to bring in Tiago to provide us with competition and another option in the left-back position,â said head coach Vitor Matos.
âHe is a talented young player who is excited by the chance to test himself in a different environment, we are happy to have him here and look forward to bringing him into our squad.â
Swansea City sporting director Ben Stevens, added: âWe are extremely happy that Tiago has agreed to join us, and he arrives from a club in Benfica who historically have produced very talented young players.
"He had a great season last year playing in the Portuguese second division, the Premier League International Cup and the Uefa Youth League.
"He also featured internationally for Portugal under-20s, and we are hopeful he can continue his development with us."
ROSS STEWART IS A JACK
Swansea City can confirm the club has completed the signing of free agent Ross Stewart.
The Scotland international joins the Swans on a three-year deal and will wear the number 31 shirt for the Swans.
The experienced striker, a proven goalscorer at Championship level, further boosts head coach Vitor Matos options in the final third of the pitch.
Stewart, who was part of the Scotland squad at the recent World Cup - featuring as a substitute in their meeting with Morocco - started his career in his homeland with spells with Albion Rovers, St Mirren, Alloa Athletic and Ross County.
He went on to make his name in the EFL with eye-catching spells at Sunderland and Southampton.
The powerful forward scored 40 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions for the Black Cats, helping them to League One play-off success and to establish themselves back in the Championship, as well as an EFL Trophy victory at Wembley.
He made the move to the south coast in the summer of 2023, and was part of the Saints squad that secured promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2024.
Stewart netted 11 goals in 33 club outings last term, including a run of eight in 16 games as Saints finished the season in superb form to reach the play-offs and the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Head coach Vitor Matos, said: âRoss is an experienced and proven performer in the Championship, and we are delighted to have him as part of what we are trying to build here at Swansea City.
âIn our conversations he has made clear his hunger and desire to be an important senior figure and leader in our dressing room.
âHis goalscoring record shows he is someone who relishes responsibility and we look forward to getting down to work with him and settling him into the group.â
Sporting director Ben Stevens, added: âWe are delighted that Ross has joined Swansea City. He brings a wealth of experience on and off the pitch.
âHis performances last season in the Championship were a standout, and it earned him a deserved place in Scotlandâs World Cup squad.
âWe are very excited to see Ross in a Swansea shirt.â
As Swansea City get set to lock horns with Birmingham City in the first Round of the Carabao Cup, we delve into the history books to pick-out some of the Swanâs most memorable victories in the League Cup in years gone by.
Bradford City 0-5 Swansea City
League Cup final | February 24, 2013
There could only really be one place to start.
On a historic afternoon at Wembley, Michael Laudrupâs Swansea City swept aside Bradford City 5-0 to lift the League Cup and claim the first major trophy in the clubâs history.
More than 40,000 Swansea supporters made the journey to Wembley, with the final coming in the clubâs Centenary season. And the Swans produced a performance to match the occasion.
Nathan Dyer opened the scoring after 16 minutes before Michu doubled the advantage shortly before half-time.
Dyer added his second just two minutes after the restart, before Jonathan de Guzman converted from the penalty spot after Bradford goalkeeper Matt Duke was dismissed. De Guzman then completed the rout in stoppage time to make it 5-0.
It was a record-breaking scoreline, surpassing Manchester Unitedâs 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in the 2006 final as the biggest winning margin in League Cup final history.
Most importantly, though, it ended Swanseaâs wait for a major trophy after 101 years of trying and the club became the first Welsh club to lift the League Cup, while the victory also secured qualification for the Europa League.
It was the perfect ending to Swanseaâs Centenary year, and one of the greatest days in the clubâs history.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Swansea City
League Cup second-round replay | September 6, 1978
Long before Wembley glory, John Toshackâs Swansea side produced one of the clubâs most famous cup giant-killings.
The Swans were then a Third Division side when they were drawn against First Division Tottenham Hotspur, who had just signed Argentine World Cup winners Ossie Ardiles and Ricardo Villa.
The first meeting at the Vetch Field ended 2-2, meaning a replay was required at White Hart Lane. Spurs were overwhelming favourites to progress, but Toshackâs side had other ideas.
The player-manager opened the scoring in the 18th minute, heading home a Nigel Stevenson corner. Jeremy Charles then doubled the advantage before half-time, leaving the top-flight hosts stunned. Villa pulled one back in the 65th minute, but Swansea refused to buckle.
Alan Curtis struck late on to seal a famous 3-1 victory and send the Swans into the third round. The result remains one of the defining victories of the Toshack era and, remarkably, was Swanseaâs only competitive victory at White Hart Lane to date. The Swans would go on to win promotion to the Second Division at the end of the season.
Swansea City 3-1 Cardiff City
League Cup first-round second leg | September 3, 1985
There are few things better than a derby victory - but overturning a first-leg deficit to knock your biggest rivals out of a cup competition makes it even sweeter.
Swansea travelled to Ninian Park for the first leg and suffered a 2-1 defeat, with Brian Flynn scoring a late winner for Cardiff. The Bluebirds then took the lead again in the second leg at the Vetch Field, leaving Swansea facing a huge task if they were to progress.
But John Bondâs side produced a sensational comeback. Colin Randell pulled one back shortly before half-time before scoring again just five minutes after the restart to level the tie on aggregate. And the turnaround was completed in the 55th minute when Colin Pascoe found the net to put Swansea 3-1 ahead on the night and 4-3 up on aggregate.
The Swans held on to complete a memorable derby comeback and progress to the second round.
Liverpool 1-3 Swansea City
League Cup fourth round | October 31, 2012
The 2012-13 League Cup campaign provided some of the most memorable victories in Swanseaâs modern history, and the trip to Anfield was where the run really caught fire.
Liverpool were the holders of the competition, while Swansea were still establishing themselves as a Premier League club. But Michael Laudrupâs side produced a majestic performance to send the holders crashing out.
Chico Flores gave Swansea the lead with a powerful header from Jonathan de Guzmanâs corner, before Nathan Dyer doubled the advantage after a superb counter-attack.
Luis Suarez pulled one back to set up a tense finish, but the Swans held their nerve. Jonathan de Guzman restored the two-goal advantage late on to complete a famous 3-1 victory.
The result sent Swansea into the League Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the clubâs history and what would prove to be a crucial step on the road to Wembley.
Swansea City 3-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
League Cup first round | August 11, 2009
To give the list representation from the period between the Toshack era and the 2013 triumph, Paulo Sousaâs first League Cup game as Swansea boss earns its place.
Brighton arrived at the Liberty Stadium in August 2009 looking to surpass the third round that theyâd reached the previous season, but it was Swansea who made a perfect start to their cup campaign.
Garry Monk opened the scoring with a close-range header after Alan Tateâs effort had struck the post. Stephen Dobbie then announced himself to the Swansea supporters with two goals on his debut for the club.
The Scottish forward doubled the advantage in the 60th minute before completing his brace late on, chipping the Brighton goalkeeper before calmly finishing into an empty net.
It was Swanseaâs first victory under new manager Sousa and gave the club a comfortable passage into the second round. He would go on to guide the Swans to their highest league finish in 27 years, narrowly missing out on the promotion play-offs by a single point.
Birmingham City trace their roots back to 1875, when they were established as Small Heath Alliance. The club subsequently became known as Small Heath and then Birmingham before adopting the Birmingham City name in 1943.
The Blues were among the founding members of the Football League Second Division and made history by becoming the competitionâs inaugural champions. St. Andrewâs has been Birminghamâs home for 118 years, with the club having played at the ground throughout that time.
Their best-ever league finish came in 1955-56, when they placed sixth in the First Division. That same season also saw Birmingham reach the FA Cup final, matching their best-ever finish in the competition after they had also finished runners-up in 1931.
Birmingham have lifted the EFL Cup twice, winning the competition in 1963 and 2011, while they were beaten finalists in 2001. The Blues are now in their second season back in the Championship, having secured promotion as League One champions in 2025 following their relegation from the second tier in 2024.
ST ANDREW'S @ KNIGHTHEAD PARK
Built: 1906
Location: Cattell Road, Bordesley, B9 4RL
Capacity: 29,409
Chris Davies took charge of Birmingham City in the summer of 2024 and enjoyed a remarkable first season, leading the Blues to the League One title with a record 111-point haul.
A promising young midfielder, Davies was forced to retire at 19 due to an arthritic condition in his foot and immediately moved into coaching. He joined Brendan Rodgers' staff at Swansea City in 2010, helping the club win promotion to the Premier League before following Rodgers to Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester City.
Davies enjoyed considerable success during those spells, including back-to-back trebles at Celtic and the FA Cup and Community Shield at Leicester. He later worked as Ange Postecoglou's senior assistant at Tottenham before taking his first managerial role with Birmingham.
Christoph Klarer is the current captain of Birmingham City and has established himself as a key figure at the heart of the Blues' defence.
The Austrian defender began his career at Rapid Wien before joining Southampton in 2016, where he progressed through the club's academy and represented the Under-18s. Klarer returned to Austria on loan with SKN St. PĂślten in 2020 before moving into German football later that year with Fortuna DĂźsseldorf.
He spent three seasons with DĂźsseldorf before joining newly promoted Bundesliga side Darmstadt 98 in 2023. Following their relegation after one season, Klarer returned to England in July 2024, joining Birmingham on a three-year deal.
He quickly became an important part of the Blues' defence during their 2024-25 League One title-winning campaign, helping the club secure promotion with a record 111-point haul. His performances earned him a place in the PFA League One Team of the Year, with Klarer one of seven Birmingham players selected.
Jay Stansfield has finished as Birmingham City's top goalscorer in each of the last three seasons, underlining his importance to the Blues' attack.
The son of former Exeter City striker Adam Stansfield, Jay came through the Grecians' academy before joining Fulham in 2019.
He returned to Exeter on loan in 2022-23, wearing the No.9 shirt previously retired in honour of his late father, and scored a hat-trick in his final game against Morecambe.
Stansfield then joined Birmingham on loan in 2023-24 and was named their Player of the Season before returning permanently in August 2024.
He scored 19 league goals during Birmingham's League One title-winning campaign and was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year. He has also represented England at Under-21 level and helped them win the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Jhon SolĂs completed a permanent move to Birmingham City earlier this summer after an impressive loan spell from Girona during the second half of last season.
The 21-year-old midfielder made 18 appearances in all competitions as the Blues secured a top-half Championship finish, scoring his first goal in a 2-1 victory over Bristol City in April. His energetic displays and ability to win possession quickly made him a popular figure at St Andrew's.
Solis began his career with Colombian side AtlĂŠtico Nacional before earning a move to Girona in 2023. During his time in Spain, he made 61 appearances and gained valuable experience in the UEFA Champions League, featuring against the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Arsenal.
A combative midfielder who combines defensive qualities with technical ability on the ball, Solis has now committed his long-term future to Birmingham after adapting quickly to the demands of Championship football.
Luis VĂĄzquez joined Birmingham City this summer, signing a three-year contract at St Andrew's and became the Blues' fourth signing of the transfer window.
The 25-year-old Argentine striker began his career with Boca Juniors, making just under 100 appearances and registering 23 goal involvements. He helped the club win the Primera DivisiĂłn in 2022 before moving to Europe with Anderlecht in 2023.
VĂĄzquez made 118 appearances for the Belgian side, helping them finish third in the Jupiler Pro League during his first season and secure qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
He made his mark in European competition the following campaign, scoring four goals in 10 Europa League appearances. The striker spent the second half of the 2025-26 season on loan at La Liga side Getafe before making the move to Birmingham, where he will wear the No.32 shirt. VĂĄzquez has made 233 senior appearances during his career and has also represented Argentina at Under-23 level, earning two caps.
Vitor Matos believes the growing connection between Swansea City and the Jack Army can provide the foundations for a bright future after committing his long-term future to the club.
The Swans head coach recently put pen to paper on a new contract through to 2030, but for the Portuguese, the decision was about much more than extending his stay in SA1.
Instead, Matos believes the sense of unity that he has seen develop throughout the club - from the dressing room to the stands - has created an environment where everyone is pulling in the same direction for success.
âFrom the moment I arrived here, I have sensed how powerful the connection between Swansea City and the fans and community is,â said Matos.
âThis is something very special, it is a feeling myself and the players love, and the desire to keep building that and sharing great moments together is one of the key motivations in extending my contract with the club.
"Us and the fans share a lot of common values and a clear vision. I think that has been one of the most important parts, and will be one of the most important parts moving forward. Whatever we achieve, we will achieve it together.
"From the first day, we felt at home here. We love the connection we have between players, staff, ownership and the fans, and the belief in what we can achieve together in the future."
The 38-year-old led the Swans to a greatly-improved second half of the season last campaign, winning 46 per cent of their Championship fixtures under his guidance and enjoying one of the best home records in the division.
Since arriving at the club, Matos has spoken regularly about the importance of creating a team supporters can identify with, insisting results alone are not enough without a genuine connection between those on the pitch and those in the stands.
"We want to create togetherness, a strong sense of belonging, a proper identity and prepare the team for the season. We've also made progress in the quality of our football,â he added.
"It's been especially pleasing to involve so many academy players. Giving them experience with the first team was massive. Against Bochum, if I'm not mistaken, we finished the game with 10 academy players on the pitch. That's quite nice to see that pathway growing as well.
"Overall, pre-season has been really good with some positive things. The players are enjoying the work, the group is developing well and we're moving in the right direction.
"Our new signings give us versatility, which was something we wanted. Having players who can perform different roles depending on the game is very important because of the number of matches we play and the different challenges each opponent presents.â
Togetherness has been one of Matos' key mottos since arriving in SA1 and believes that can continue to be one of Swansea City's greatest strengths as the club continues its journey.
He sees the Swansea.com Stadium as a place where players and supporters can feed off one another, creating an atmosphere capable of driving the team forward.
âI said when I arrived, Swansea needs to be committed to winning every game,â he continued.
âThat commitment comes from the history of the club and comes from the values of the club. So that's what we want to do as well.
âI think it's important that we don't think about what happens in the future, but it's more important that we think about what happens in the next game and how we can be our best version of ourselves in that game."
While his new contract provides stability off the pitch, Matos insists the focus remains firmly on what happens on it.
His ambition is to keep improving the team every day, while ensuring the relationship with the supporters continues to grow stronger.
"The most important thing is staying focused on the daily process and the work we do every day. If you lose sight of that, you stop improving," he acknowledged previously.
"The Championship is incredibly demanding. In one month, you can be close to the top of the table, and the next you can be fighting near the bottom. That's why emotional stability is so important.
"We need to focus on improving, on the next training session and the next game. We want to compete against every opponent and continue building the winning culture we started creating last season. If we do that consistently, the table will take care of itself.
"Of course, we're ambitious about the future, but we're equally focused on the present. There are a lot of good teams in this league, but on any given day, anyone can beat anyone. We want to be that team that can beat anyone in the division."
Y Clwb Cymraeg | The Welsh Club
Croeso i gornel Gymraeg Clwb PĂŞl-droed Dinas Abertawe. Ym mhob rhaglen gallwch ddysgu geiriau a brawddegau newydd, dathlu hanes y clwb a helpu i hyrwyddoâr iaith yma yn Abertawe.
Welcome to Swansea Cityâs Welsh language corner. Whether youâre a fluent speaker or just starting to learn, each programme will help you discover new Welsh words and phrases whilst celebrating the people, stories and culture that make the Welsh language such an important part of our club and city.
Oeddech chiân gwybod? | Did you know?
Aber ydy ble maeâr afon yn cwrdd ââr mĂ´r, felly mae Abertawe yn golygu âceg yr Afon Taweâ.
The Welsh name for Swansea is Abertawe.
Aber means the mouth of a river, therefore Abertawe means 'Mouth of the River Tawe'.
Y Cyswllt Cymreig | The Welsh Connection
Chwaraewyr Cymru sydd wedi gwisgo crysauâr Elyrch a Birmingham City |
Wales International players who have represented both Swansea City and Birmingham City
(Challenge | If you're learning Welsh, use the keywords list to help you navigate the facts below!)
Andy Legg
Abertawe: 163 o ymddangosiadau | 29 gĂ´l
Birmingham: 45 o ymddangosiadau | 5 gĂ´l
Ganwyd yng Nghastell-Nedd (Neath)
6 cap i Gymru
Jason Bowen
Abertawe: 124 o ymddangosiadau | 26 gĂ´l
Birmingham: 48 o ymddangosiadau | 7 gĂ´l
2 gap i Gymru
John Cornforth
Abertawe: 149 o ymddangosiadau | 16 gĂ´l
Birmingham: 8 o ymddangosiadau
Capten yr Elyrch wrth iddynt ennill Cwpan Autoglass yn 1994.
2 gap I Gymru.
David Cotterill
Abertawe: 35 o ymddangosiadau | 4 gĂ´l
Birmingham: 103 o ymddangosiadau | 14 gĂ´l
Rhan o dĂŽm Cymru yn Ewro 2016
Allweddeiriau | Keywords
Ymddangosiad = Appearance
GĂ´l = Goal
Ganwyd = Born
Chwaraewr = Player
Cymru = Wales
Capten = Captain
Ffaith Ddiddorol | Interesting Fact
Ers 1961, mae Academi Fairfax yn Sutton Coldfield, ger Birmingham, wedi cynnal Eisteddfod flynyddol, wediâi hysbrydoli gan yr Ĺľyl Gymreig syân dathlu cerddoriaeth, llenyddiaeth, celf a pherfformio.
Yr Eisteddfod enwocaf ywâr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, syân cael ei chynnal bob blwyddyn mewn lleoliad gwahanol ar draws Cymru. Yr wythnos yma, cynhaliwyd yr Ĺľyl yn Llantwd, Sir Benfro.
Since 1961, Fairfax Academy in Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham, has held an annual Eisteddfod, inspired by the Welsh festival celebrating music, literature, art and performance.
The most famous Eisteddfod is the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol (National Eisteddfod of Wales), held annually in a different location across Wales. This week saw the festival held in Llantwd, Pembrokeshire.
Geirfaâr Elyrch | Swansea Lingo
Dinas = City
Abertawe = Swansea
Stadiwm = Stadium
Cefnogwyr = Supporters
PĂŞl-droed = Football
Dyfarnwr = Referee
Llumanwr = Linesman
GĂ´l-geidwad = Goalkeeper
Rheolwr = Manager
Hanner Amser = Half Time
Asgell = Wing
Cornel = Corner
Y chwiban olaf = Final Whistle
Enillwyr = Winners
Billy Clarke is eager to continue to test himself and improve next season as he fulfils his dream signing his first professional contract at Swansea City.
The 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal running through until the end of June 2027.
In May, Clarke picked up the Under-18s' Player of the Season award at the annual Academy Awards, alongside the Tony Thomas Award; in recognition of his hard work in education and skills outside of football.
Now, with his professional future secured, he admits it is a milestone he has dreamed of achieving ever since joining the Swans.
"It's something I've been wishing for quite a while," said Clarke.
"It's always been a goal of mine, especially when I signed my scholarship. I'm so happy to have that sorted now.
"I've been at Swansea for nearly six years now, which is quite less than a lot of the boys. I moved down here when I was 16, and I love it here.â
A switch to Taffs Well Academy from grassroots proved to be the stepping stone that eventually led him to Swansea in 2020 but a short opportunity quickly turned into year-long wait as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted football across the country.
"Before the Swans, I was mainly playing for grassroots teams and Cardiff Schools. I moved to Taffs Well Academy before having a trial at Swansea," he added.
"My trial was just before COVID hit, and then my trial actually ended up being a year long as I joined late in 2020 as I finished off my trial.
"I then joined the under-12s, and ever since have gone up the age-groups up until now which is an amazing feeling."
Clarke described the first half of 2026 his 'best yet' following dramatic FA Youth Cup wins alongside winning Under-18s' Player of the Season.
He finished the 2025-26 campaign with 12 goals in all competitions across outings for the under-18s and under-21s.
In January, he scored a 120th-minute winner against Leeds United in the FA Youth Cup to send the young Swans into the fifth round for the first time in over 15 years.
"The past two years have been great, we've had a lot of great moments in the league cup and the FA Youth Cups, but this year was probably the best," he added.
"That FA Youth Cup game against Leeds United was amazing, to score the winner in extra time was an amazing feeling.
"Those types of competitions, you play Premier League teams, who are a lot more physical and dynamic.
"And those are the types of teams you also face in under-21s football, and I'm looking forward to a full year of testing myself against these teams."
Carter Heywood said he is "grateful" for the early opportunity to sign his first professional contract at Swansea City.
Heywood has been at the club since under-nine level, signing scholarship terms prior to the 2025-26 campaign.
And he has now signed his first pro deal at the relatively early stage of entering the second year of his scholarship.
The 17-year-old recently made his first senior appearances for the Swans as featured in all three pre-season friendlies out in Austria, and he was delighted after a landmark few weeks in his fledgling career.
"It's a really proud moment, I've worked so hard for this," said Heywood.
"It's something you dream of as a young boy, you just want to be a professional footballer, so to get this contract is amazing.
"Getting this contract a year early, while I'm still on a scholarship, shows that the club have trust in me and I'm so thankful for that.
"I joined at under-nine level, and I've worked my way up which is a special feeling.
"Coming from Pembrokeshire, your family have to sacrifice a lot to get you to training, I'm grateful for that. There were loads of times where they'd finish work early or I'd finish school early, around three or four times a week."
Carter became a regular figure in the under-21s' backline as a 16-year-old last season, and he featured in the Premier League Cup and Nathaniel MG Cup for the development side.
His performances have earned him numerous call-ups to represent Wales this year.
He played for the under-19s in March, and for the under-17s in October and November 2025, captaining the latter in their games against Slovenia and Portugal.
"It has definitely been a breakthrough year for me, I feel like I've been consistent and getting good game time," said Carter.
"I feel I've had been rewarded for the last year as I've had a lot of opportunities to train with the first team under Vitor (Matos).
"Everyone was so welcoming and it's definitely helped my confidence as a player being in that environment."
Heywood was named Academy Player of the Season at this yearâs annual Player Awards dinner, after a highly successful season competing for the under-18s and under-21s.
And with a first-team pre-season under his belt, the centre-back is hoping to continue to be around the senior set-up.
"That was a surreal moment, being involved at a first-team awards, let alone winning Academy Player of the Season," he said.
"It topped off a successful season for me, and I'm thankful the coaches put me forward for the award.
"Looking forward, the hard work continues. I want to continue to be consistent, whether that's with the under-18s or under-21s, but also hopefully up with the first team."
Swansea City Women will play their home fixtures at The ThermaGlaze Ground, home of Garden Village FC, from the start of the 2026-27 season.
The Swans move on from their previous home at the Llandarcy Academy of Sport, where they have played their home fixtures for the past decade.
The club believes the move marks an important step forward, with The ThermaGlaze Ground providing greater opportunities to generate matchday revenue and support the continued development of the women's programme on and off the pitch.
The move will also strengthen the club's connection with the local community, with a number of schools, grassroots clubs and residential areas situated within the ground's catchment area.
The Swans will continue to host selected fixtures at the Swansea.com Stadium throughout the season, with further details to be confirmed following the release of the 2026-27 fixtures.
Head of Women's and Girls' Football Chloe Bull said: âMoving to The ThermaGlaze Ground is another important step in the continued development of Swansea City Women. It gives us the opportunity to create a true home for the team, while also allowing us to generate matchday revenue that can be reinvested into the women's programme.
"Just as importantly, it strengthens our connection with the local community. We want to create a welcoming matchday experience, encourage more families and young girls to watch the team, and continue inspiring the next generation through the growth of the women's game.
"I'd also like to place on record our sincere thanks to everyone at Garden Village for welcoming us to The ThermaGlaze Ground, as well as all those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the venue met the Football Association of Wales' requirements. We look forward to building a successful partnership together.
"I would also like to express our sincere thanks to everyone at Llandarcy Academy of Sport, which has proudly been our home for the past 10 years. It has played an important part in the journey of Swansea City Women, and we're incredibly grateful for all the support and memories we've shared there."
Swansea City Women kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 victory over Torquay United Women at the Joma High Performance Centre on Sunday.
A second-half strike from new signing Lily Deacon proved the difference as the Swans deservedly overcame the newly promoted FA Women's National League side.
Swansea created a number of chances throughout the afternoon and, despite making several changes to build valuable minutes into the squad's legs, remained in control for the majority of the match.
The Swans started brightly and fashioned the first clear opportunity of the game when Aimee Deacon burst down the right flank before drilling a low cross into the area for Taite Trivett, whose effort was well saved by the legs of Torquay goalkeeper Ellie Mitchell.
Trivett went close again moments later, this time seeing her low effort strike the right-hand post after latching onto a chipped through ball from Chloe Chivers.
The second half began with a number of changes for the Swans, but they started brightly once again and continued to control possession.
Despite the Swans' positive start to the second half, the first chance after the restart fell to the visitors, with Connie Pengelly trying her luck from a 35-yard free-kick, but her effort was comfortably gathered by Swans goalkeeper Opal Rayner.
The home side responded well moments later when a loose clearance fell kindly to Ellie Lake inside the area, but the full-back's powerful strike flew over the crossbar.
The breakthrough finally arrived when a Trialist drove down the right before delivering a superb cross to the far post, where Lily Deacon's instinctive movement saw her arrive at the perfect moment to convert from close range.
Torquay nearly found an equaliser 10 minutes later as Beth Everson beat her marker before driving into the area, but she dragged her effort narrowly wide of the far post.
Chivers tried her luck from a 35-yard free-kick, and although she struck it well, her effort was straight at Hannah Bishop, who gathered comfortably.
The home side continued to threaten in the closing stages, with Lauren Davies picking up possession in midfield before unleashing a powerful effort from 25 yards that was well held by substitute goalkeeper Hannah Bishop.
But the Swans secured a well-deserved victory and will now turn their attention to next weekend's trip to face Plymouth Argyle Women as preparations continue ahead of the 2026-27 Genero Adran Premier campaign.
Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Lauren Davies, Ellie Lake, Emily Richards, Sammy Wynne, Aimee Deacon, Chloe Chivers, Taite Trivett, Eilish Mitchell, Caitlin Williams, Jessica Williams.
Substitutes: Opal Rayner, Trialist, Lily Deacon, Caitlin Seaborne, Trialist, Monet Legall, Katie Rowles, Lowri Jones.
Torquay United Women: Ellie Mitchell, Trialist, Mollie Taylor, Jessica Geach, Beth Everson, Ella-Mae Miller, Katelyn Bell, Trialist, Ella Pawley, Sarah Stacey, Connie Pengelly.
Substitutes: Hannah Bishop Skye Macdonald-Brown, Hope Brinicombe.
Swansea City launch final stage of club crest consultation
Swansea City season ticket holders and Jack Army members are invited to vote on the club's proposal for a minor update to our primary club crest.
The proposal is to swap the current primary badge (the swan image and accompanying 'Swansea City AFC' text) and the current secondary badge (the swan without the text). While the plan is to keep both badges firmly in use across the club's branding, this change will allow us to print the current secondary badge onto our home shirts from next season.
Throughout the consultation, supporters have suggested that being able to see comparison images will be useful to the decision making progress, and so we can share an example below.
If approved, the updated crest will be introduced for the 2027-28 season.
Eligible supporters should have received an email with further details. The vote will close on August 17 at 9am.
If you would like to vote, and meet the above criteria but have not received the email, please contact the club at support@swanseacity.com before 9am on August 12, 2026.
We will send an email to all eligible supporters who register prior to the above deadline before midday on August 12, 2026.
WHY THE UPDATE HAS BEEN PROPOSED
The Swansea City Swan is one of the most recognisable symbols in football, representing our club, our city and our supporters.
This proposal is not a change to our identity and it is not a replacement for our traditional crest. The Swan remains exactly the same, with the same design and meaning that supporters know and recognise.
The proposal is simply to make the standalone Swan - the version of our crest already used widely across our communications and platforms - our primary symbol. The standalone Swan provides greater clarity and recognition across areas such as shirts, digital platforms, merchandise and other applications where space is limited.
The full crest, including the surrounding wording, remains an important part of our history and identity. It will continue to be used where appropriate, particularly in areas where the complete crest best represents our heritage, memories, and traditions.
Key points
- This proposal does not introduce a new badge or a new identity. The Swan itself remains unchanged.
- The standalone Swan is already familiar to supporters and is already widely used by the club
- The proposal simply makes the version of the crest supporters already see, use, and recognise most often our primary symbol
- The traditional crest (with words) remains part of our identity and will continue to play an important role
- The update allows our most recognisable symbol to be clearer and more consistent across shirts, digital platforms, merchandise and other uses
This proposal is about recognising the strength of a symbol that has represented our club for generations and ensuring it continues to do so for generations to come.
We are all Jacks is Swansea Cityâs commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion both within the club and throughout the local community.
Working with international and local charities, as well as supporter groups, Swansea City strives to ensure that a visit to the Swansea.com Stadium is a welcoming experience for everyone regardless of sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, race, disability, or age.
The club takes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, victimisation, bullying and abuse.
REPORT IT â IN THE STADIUM
Supporters are encouraged to report instances of abusive and discriminatory language within the stadium by using the anonymous text and Whatsapp number (07886 276015) providing details of the incident and your location in the stadium.
Messages will be charged at the standard rate for your network provider.
The details from the message will be received at the match control room, where any necessary investigation and/or action will be taken.
The club will also record the mobile number of the individual reporting an incident to aid with any inquiries.
Supporters can also use support@swanseacity.com to report instances of discrimination.
An audio commentary service is available for blind and partially sighted fans â provided by Radio City, the Swansea University Health Board Hospital Radio Service.
Radio City has a long association with the football club dating back to the days when the club was known as Swansea Town.
Since moving to the Swansea.com Stadium, the broadcaster has provided a live descriptive commentary service for free at all Swansea home matches, meaning that blind and partially-sighted supporters in both the home and away ends can follow the action.
In order to book a headset for the match, supporters can contact the accessibility team in advance by emailing accessibility@swanseacity.com, or contacting the ticket office from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm by calling 01792 616629 and selecting option one.
Supporters can also book headsets in person in advance at the ticket office, or on the day by speaking to a Disability Liaison Steward on the day.
To learn more about Radio City, visit www.radiocity1386am.co.uk.
The inclusion room at the Swansea.com Stadium is open every matchday for supporters who may require a quiet space during games.
Supporters will be able to attend live matches at the Swansea.com Stadium with the comfort of knowing there is a designated area should they need it. The room is available to any supporter that may require a quiet space.
The space will be monitored by a designated disability liaison steward and provides a safe space with a disabled toilet, a projector to watch the live game, and dignity packs for those who need it.
While some supporters who require a time away from the crowds may prefer to use this room as a quiet space, it will also be possible to watch the match live on a screen projected onto the wall meaning supporters who require the space for any reason donât have to miss a moment of the match action.
The room is located in the West Stand and, while supporters who feel they may benefit from the use of the space will be recommended to sit in that stand, it will be accessible for anyone in any part of the stadium.
Any supporter who feels overwhelmed by the matchday environment for any reason can gain access to the room by making themselves known to a steward or disability liaison steward.
Head Coach Vitor Matos
1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango
6 Marko Stamenic
7 Melker Widell
8 Elijah Just
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
14 Josh Tymon
15 Cameron Burgess
17 Gonçalo Franco
20 Tiago Parente
21 Leo Walta
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Stephen Welsh
24 Bobby Wales
26 Filip Lissah
27 Zeidane Inoussa
29 Paul Farman
30 Joseph Opoku
31 Ross Stewart
33 Adam Idah
35 Ronald
39 Evan Watts
40 NUMBER RETIRED
44 Thomas Woodward
49 Moussa Yeo
50 Carter Heywood
Head Coach Chris Davies
1 James Beadle
2 Ethan Laird
3 Lee Buchanan
4 Christoph Klarer
5 Phil Neumann
6 Jack Robinson
7 Carlos Vicente
8 Paik Seung-Ho
9 August Priske
10 Demarai Gray
11 Scott Wright
12 Marc Leonard
14 Jhon Solis
16 Patrick Roberts
19 Taylor Gardner-Hickman
20 Alex Cochrane
21 Ryan Allsop
23 Dael Fry
24 Tomoki Iwata
25 Kristoffer Lund
26 Bright Osayi-Samuel
27 Kanya Fujimoto
28 Jay Stansfield
29 August Priske
30 Brad Mayo
32 Luis VĂĄzquez
33 Marvin Ducksch
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Assistant Referee 1: Jacob Lehane
Assistant Referee 2: Matthew Sowerby
Fourth Official: Jacob Miles
STAFF LIST
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE
Directors
Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, George Popstefanov, Chris Sznewajs, Tyler Morse, Nigel Morris, Todd Marcelle, Keith English, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller.
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Associate Directors: Diane Hughes
Minority Owners: Luka ModriÄ, Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Vitor Matos
Head of Goalkeeping and analysis â Pedro Pereira
First Team Coaches - Kris O'Leary and Leon Britton
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Toze Mendes, Goncalo Ricca, Diogo Mendeiros, Ailsa Jones, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Adam Mahoney, Patrick Orme, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins, Jack Oliver, Harri Mathias, James Cole.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Sporting Director: Ben Stevens
Head of Operations and Facilities: Andrew Davies
Head of Football Operations and Administration: Ben Greenwood
Head of Media and Communications: Andrew Gwilym
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Head of Commercial: Katie Doyle
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Head of Supporter Services: Hayley Ford
Head of IT: Jonathan Jones
CLUB STAFF
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Ticketing: David Enstone
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Mackenzie Thomas, Cerith White, Sophie Davis, Mackenzie Squires, Sammy Wynne, Osian Cleaver, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees, James Dow.
Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jac Elsey.