Good afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for the visit of Bristol City.

We now return to league action after the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Premier League side AFC Bournemouth – a game in which we performed really well against a solid outfit.

It’s clear that we are making great strides and I’m looking forward to it all coming together on Saturday.

As I write these notes, the transfer window is still open so it is difficult to go into too much detail at this stage!

What I do know, however, is that Paul Watson and the recruitment team have done fantastic work this summer and we are expecting to do more business in the final hours.

There has been a great deal of change at the club over the past few months. It will take some time for everything to come together, but we really believe in the direction the club is heading both on and off the pitch.

Once the transfer window closes and the dust settles, I will update supporters in more detail regarding this and how we intend to push forward.

This fixture against Bristol City is certainly one that supporters look forward to each season, with the relative proximity of the two clubs making it an exciting game for everyone.

After the game we head into the international break, which is an opportunity to take stock ahead of returning to action on September 16 for the south Wales derby – a fixture that needs no introduction.

Everyone at the club is also really looking forward to Swansea City Women kicking off their season 24 hours later as they take on Wrexham.

This will be their first league game since formally becoming part of the club and the move to semi-professional status. 

We are really excited for the season ahead and with the game being shown live on S4C I’m sure it will be a great advert for the women’s game in Wales. 

I’m certain that the atmosphere for this game against Bristol City will match the energy shown here by our supporters already this season, and hopefully we can all pull together to get that first league win of the season.

Enjoy the game,

Andy

Good afternoon and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium for our Championship fixture against Bristol City.

Today’s game sees us round off the first block of league fixtures ahead of the international break, and we are wanting to put together a performance that continues to show the progress we are making with and without the ball.

I felt we were very good with the ball for the first hour against Preston, but were punished for not kicking on and getting that second goal, while I was really pleased with how the players defended against a top-flight Bournemouth side who have heavily invested in their squad in midweek.

The challenge for us is to put together those different elements into a more complete performance. We can see progression, but it’s now about making sure we start coming out on the right side of key moments in games.

We will need to do that because Bristol City, like all sides at this level, have players that can hurt you, and all Nigel Pearson’s side have a robustness and a resilience about them.

This is something of a derby fixture given how relatively close the two teams are geographically, and I am sure it will be a great atmosphere, and we want to put on a performance that feeds off that, and also feeds into that.

I am writing these notes ahead of the closure of the summer transfer window, but I do believe the window coming to an end will be good for us as a group.

There is always a lot of noise around players while the window is ongoing. You have people coming in, people going out, and obviously we are trying to put in an awful lot of work on the training pitch while all that is going on.

So, it does make for a challenge, and the work that is put in during the window is very important, but I also fully believe that you have to be prepared to focus on what you have got at your disposal, not what you haven’t.

Any manager or head coach will always want more, that’s the nature of it. You might have the two best strikers in the league at your disposal, but I think any head coach would always like the third to work with too.

So, the focus for me, the staff and the players remains the same, to work hard and improve every day.

We will come in to work every day and look to get better, that’s the way I work. It made me successful as a player, it has helped me have success as a manager up to this point, and I believe in working in that way.

Football owes you nothing, but I firmly believe that hard work pays you back and all I can ask is for the players here to work as hard and be receptive as they have been.

Enjoy the game,

Michael

Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for today’s lunchtime kick-off against our neighbours from just across the border, Bristol City.

This is the first of two local derbies for us in the space of a fortnight, meaning this is an exciting period of the season.

While we have yet to record a league win, it’s worth remembering Burnley won just one of their first five games last season and it turned out pretty well for them.

Michael Duff is still figuring out what his best 11 is, and it’ll likely be a few games yet given the number of incoming and outgoing players we have seen this summer.

I’m sure most fans will have been pleased to see the end of the summer transfer window, which now allows the team to knuckle down and focus without the constant speculation that accompanies the window.

It's been an extremely busy time for Paul Watson, Josh Marsh, and the whole football operations team – they deserve credit for the work they have done to reshape the squad.

We have brought in some very exciting players including Jerry Yates, Harrison Ashby, Charlie Patino, Josh Key, and Josh Ginnelly, who have all seen first-team action already. It’s also been great to see an assured start from Carl Rushworth between the sticks.

We’re looking forward to seeing what Nathan Tjoe-A-On and Mykola Kuharevich will do when called upon throughout this long and gruelling season, and we’d also like to welcome Nathan Broome, who joined as a free agent, as well as any further additions we made before last night’s deadline as I write these notes with a day still remaining before the window closes.

Perhaps one of our biggest coups this summer was re-signing our skipper, Matt Grimes, to a new contract. He has been a hugely influential player under three separate managers and it’s clear to see that Duff also recognises his importance to the team.

We shouldn’t overlook how critical a player like Matty is in keeping the boys together during the tough periods of the season, as well as for everything he does on it.

Fond farewells

Along with players who departed at the end of last season, it was sad to see Joel Piroe and Steven Benda depart recently – both have had a big impact for the club and personally I was a huge fan of them.

However, with just a year to run on their respective contracts, it made sense for the club to cash in rather than lose them on a free transfer next summer, and I’m sure that most supporters will agree that they both represented fair deals. We wish them both well.

Swansea City relies on player sales each year to balance the books, like most clubs across the football pyramid, and the ability to operate astutely in player trading is very important in safeguarding the club’s financial future.

Trust in us

The Trust is delighted to have seen a huge majority of our members already renew for another year, as well as a host of new members joining recently.

But we still need more of you to join so we get the strongest and most diverse voice possible – ultimately, we work for you, and are focused on ensuring your views are represented at all levels of the club.

Just this week, we worked with the club regarding the ticketing and travel process for the upcoming fixture at Cardiff City. This is a collaborative effort between club and Trust and is just one example of the work we do; we have a pipeline of ideas and initiatives that we hope to launch during the season to give you an even clearer voice. So, a personal plea from me – please consider joining the Trust (online or by visiting us at the Pod on a matchday) and providing regular feedback on all aspects of your experience by emailing us (supporters@swanstrust.co.uk).

Our counterpart supporters’ trusts have been in the news this week, with Chelsea Supporters’ Trust protesting the club’s decision to remove a subsidy for away travel coaches and Tottenham Supporters’ Trust organising demonstrations against ticket price increases, which will take the most expensive matchday ticket to £103.

It’s another sign that some clubs continue to operate without due consideration for fans and, without a mandate for supporter representation on the Board, this is allowed to happen unchecked. We stand with them as they battle for a seat at the table. We’re lucky not to have that problem as a shareholder and director of the club, but it still takes work, and that work continues every day.

It will be another tough game today, but hopefully one where we can get three points on the board.

Enjoy the game.

Adam

Josh Key has wasted little time making an impression since his arrival at Swansea City earlier this summer.

Here, whe wing-back talks proudly of the rich sporting heritage in his family, reveals how his sisters have ended up playing the Glastonbury festival with their band, and underlines why he is willing to play wherever he is needed for his new club.

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a man coming from a musical family, it hasn’t taken Josh Key long to hit the right notes following his move to Swansea City.

The wing-back was among the first arrivals in SA1 during the summer transfer window, joining the Swans after eight years on the books at Exeter City.

The 23-year-old defender has spent the opening weeks of the season featuring mainly on the left side for the Swans, even though he is naturally right-footed.

But his energy has marked him as a stand-out performer, with head coach Michael Duff praising Key’s attitude towards his task.

Heading into this weekend’s round of Championship fixtures, no player in the second tier has won more individual duels than Key’s tally of 34.

Indeed, according to football stats experts WhoScored.com, Key is right up there among Swansea’s best performers so far this season. Only midfielder Charlie Patino can top his average match rating of 6.92 out of 10.

Key is committed to his craft and determined to continue to learn and improve, but he is as far removed from the stereotype of the one-dimensional footballer as it is possible to be.

Spend any time speaking to him and you quickly realise you are encountering a thoughtful, measured and rounded individual.

While a career in football was always Key’s goal, he did have moments where he pondered other options in life, and he has a number of hobbies and interests outside the game; be that exploring the great outdoors or his aforementioned love of music.

While Key has been focusing on getting a tune out of his performances on the left flank, his two sisters – Beth and Emillie - and a cousin – Meghann - have enjoyed playing at the world famous Glastonbury festival.

Their band, Wildwood Kin, were at one point signed to Sony and have won acclaim for their Americana-flavoured brand of music.

They were nominated for the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award, and – in addition to Glastonbury – played the Cambridge Folk Festival.

They have released two well-received albums and, when you then add in that Key’s father Myles played rugby union for Exeter Chiefs, while his great-grandfather Myles Abraham was an Ireland rugby international, boxing champion and decorated First World War hero, then it’s fair to say they are family of many talents.

“We have always been a musical family,” says Key with a smile.

“I play guitar, I can also play a bit of piano and we can all sing in my family. We can harmonise together.

“My father is the only one in the family who does not play an instrument, although he can sing.

“I did music at GCSE and got an A, the theory part of it was a bit much for me. I didn’t play in a band, I used to play with my family and with friends. One of my friends is a drummer and a session musician.

“My cousin is also a musician, and she is in the band with my two sisters. We always used to play music in the house, in the car.

“We listened to all genres and it just stuck. We liked things like Stevie Wonder and James Taylor. There was Crosby, Stills & Nash, there were so many but those stand out as we speak now.

“They all picked up instruments at an early age, we were always around each other and it grew from there.

“I just remember them playing gigs at a place called The Church House, and someone was watching them there and – a bit like football for me – things kicked off from there and they got a record deal.

“They are still working hard, they played at Glastonbury a few years ago but I had to miss that which was a real shame as I would have loved to see it, but I have seen them play quite a few gigs locally where we are from.

“I always love it, but football does make it difficult to follow them around but they are great and I hope people check them out.”

Key is also a Christian, and he credits his faith with giving him a sense of perspective on the highs and lows of a career in professional sport.

“I have grown up in a Christian family, so that has always been there for me. People may look at it from a standpoint of it being about your morals and how you conduct yourself, but for me it is about how I live my life,” he said.

“That part of my life and who I am would not change based on what I do. I am a footballer, but it would not be any different to be me if I was a musician or whatever else I might have done or might do in life.

“I understand that not everyone has that faith, but it’s very important to me and is a central part of who I am.

“It gives me a sense of peace, a sense of perspective, but it is not something I would want to force on anyone. I feel like it’s a very personal thing.

“It’s a foundation for me in terms of my values. Everyone is different but it is important to me, and it is something I draw on in my life.”

While Key’s sporting heritage is mainly rooted in rugby, and the south-west is something of a union hotbed, his sporting dreams always revolved around football, and he credits playing on hard-top surfaces with his friends as a child with forming his all-action style of play.

Torquay-born Key initially joined the academy of his local club, but made the move to Exeter when the Gulls closed their youth set-up.

It was at that time he briefly considered whether there were other avenues he wished to pursue, but football was always going to win out ultimately.

“All my family are Irish and pretty much all played rugby,” he said.

“My father did play football too, though, and my school in Torquay – while a good rugby school – did also offer plenty of football and I used to play a lot with my mates on hard courts too, so I fell into the game that way.

“I did still play rugby, and I did have some trials because I was athletic. I used to play full-back or centre.

“But, in terms of football, I just played pretty much every day, you couldn’t really play rugby on the surfaces we were playing football on! I think that played a big part in developing the way I play because my earliest experiences were of having the ball and dribbling with it and getting up and down the pitch.

“It wasn’t until I was 13 or 14 that football got a bit more serious for me, but up until then it was about athleticism, having the ball at your feet and taking people on.

“I did play local league football for Waldon Athletic. We had a successful side. Callum Morton was there with me, he is a good mate who is at Salford after being at West Brom.

“I did not take it seriously really until I joined an academy, but there was a period when I did question whether I really wanted to follow on with football, which I know probably sounds a bit crazy.

“I had always dreamed of being a footballer, of maybe one day playing in the Premier League.

“But after Torquay’s academy folded, I thought about whether I wanted to go to university, or explore a different side of things.

“I loved things like physics in school, but I also love music. My sisters did music at college level. I would have liked to pursue that, but you cannot do that and football!

“But joining Exeter was a really good move for me, I loved it and I really just wanted to press on from there.

“I had a broken hipbone when I joined Exeter, at the time Plymouth and Yeovil had offered me scholarships but when I was at Torquay we had played against teams from Exeter and lost very heavily.

“It stuck in my mind, and when I got fit I immediately felt like I was improving there, I was developing all the time. The coaches were fantastic and pushed me really hard, and when I got the scholarship I just knew it was an opportunity I did not want to waste.

“I wanted to give it absolutely everything. If it had not have worked out, then I would have had to find another path to pursue, but I knew if I could make it work then there was a chance for me to have a career in the game I had dreamed of playing from a young age.”

He has certainly made the most of that opportunity.

Key had loan spells with Bideford Town and Tiverton Town, before being offered his first professional contract in the spring of 2018.

The defender made his Grecians debut in November 2018 with a substitute appearance against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy, and enjoyed two further outings in that competition the following season.

The 2020-21 campaign proved to be his breakthrough season as he made 48 appearances in all competitions, scoring his first senior goal in an EFL Trophy victory over Forest Green Rovers.

He made another 49 appearances the following season as Exeter finished second in League Two to secure promotion, and he remained an integral figure as the Grecians finished 14th in League One.

Now he is a Swan, and has quickly settled into life in south Wales on and off the pitch.

“It’s my first time changing teams really, and it is a completely different environment to what I have been used to,” he said.

“There is a really good atmosphere in the changing room, the lads have made it very easy for me to settle in. It’s lively, but the guys have just helped me get to know everyone and settle in and find my way around things.

“The biggest challenge is the football side of things, the step up from League One to Championship level is a big one.

“I have played in League Two and in League One and I did not find the step up to be a big one, but the one to the Championship is.

“I have to adapt to it, I have to get used to quickly but this is the step I wanted in my career.

“I feel confident I can do it, there’s been a lot to take on board but I am enjoying it and I just want to keep improving.

“Off the pitch it’s my first time living outside the south-west. But I don’t feel too far from home because on a clear day when I look out from where I live I can see the south-west!

“I am an independent person, I like my own space and company and the nice thing about here is that it’s very similar to home with nice beaches, some lovely scenery and places to explore.

“I like doing a lot of walking, playing golf. I’ve already been over to Rhossili which was beautiful and, like I say, reminds me a lot of home.

“I am an outdoors person, so it’s great to be in an area to explore.

“I am enjoying life on and off the pitch at the moment, and long may that continue.”

If Key can build on his encouraging start to life with the Swans, it won’t only be his sisters' band who prove to be a hit.

Korey Smith was the first new signing through the door when he arrived in SA1 during the summer of 2020, having previously had spells with Norwich City, Barnsley, Yeovil, Oldham and Bristol City.

The midfielder signed a two-year deal at the club following the expiration of his contract at Ashton Gate, where he spent six seasons and won the League One and EFL Trophy double in 2015. In total he made 195 appearances and scored five goals for the Robins.

He made 40 appearances during the 2020-21 season and registered three assists as Swans reached the play-off final. Starts were harder to come by in his second year, but he was a valuable squad player and turned out 37 times for the Swans before leaving for Derby County at the end of his contract.

Swansea City bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the hands of Premier League Bournemouth after an entertaining tie at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Matt Grimes gave the Swans an early lead from the penalty spot after a handball by Chris Mepham, but the visitors made changes and responded in the second half with goals from David Brooks and Hamed Traore turning the tie around.

Jamie Paterson pulled the Swans level with 15 minutes to go with a drilled shot from outside the box, but Ryan Christie regained the lead for the visitors in injury time.

It was cruel on the Swans, for whom there were plenty of positives to take as they took top-flight opposition all the way.

Swansea City: Carl Rushworth; Harry Darling, Ben Cabango, Kyle Naughton; Josh Key, Joe Allen, Matt Grimes (captain), Ollie Cooper; Azeem Abdulai; Liam Cullen, Josh Ginnelly.

Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Jay Fulton, Jerry Yates, Jamie Paterson, Brandon Cooper, Charlie Patino, Mykola Kuharevich, Nathan Wood, Harrison Ashby.

Bournemouth: Andrei Radu, Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham, David Brooks (captain), Joe Rothwell, Kieffer Moore, Hamed Traore, Marcos Senesi,  Philip Billing, Jaidon Anthony, Max Aarons

Substitutes: Neto, Milos Kerkez, Lewis Cook, Dominic Solanke, Ryan Christie, Justin Kluivert, James Hill, Antoine Semenyo, Gavin Kilkenny.

When I worked as a television producer, back in the days when viewing choices were limited and popular programmes regularly attracted audiences in excess of 20 million, you only knew what someone thought of your work if they wrote to the station, the local newspaper or, usually if they were very angry, they made a phone call to convey their views.

Today, everyone’s opinion is the click of a keyboard away and whether we want it or not, we can find it with very little effort.

As a TV producer I worked with some high-profile people, professional broadcasters and journalists and contributors who were experts in their field and those who held significant roles in society or their industry.

One of the presenters who was a household name at the time used to regularly tell the production team that ‘feedback’ - good, bad or indifferent - was something to be celebrated because it meant people cared enough about what you were doing to have an opinion on it.

Fast forward a few decades and opinions are 10 a penny, but we are still more likely to see negative comments than we are positive. In fact, according to a study of 11 billion mentions, social sentiment has become considerably more negative in the last decade.

Imagine my delight (okay, horror) then, when I was pouring over the posts on the clubs’ official Facebook page and discovered that this column got a mention.

Some context: My focus for the last home game was ‘Coventry connections’ i.e. players and managers who had associations with both clubs and I confessed that beside Chris Coleman, I hadn’t immediately been able to come up with any, so I embarked on some research to determine some others.

However, given that there is a word count restriction on this column and time constraints determine the extent of the background work I undertake, I couldn’t produce a comprehensive list of ‘connections’.

There was a significant omission though, and thanks to a supporter who pointed it out, I want to add Scotland international Tommy Hutchison to the list.

A Coventry player between 1972 and 1981, he played a significant role in the history of Swansea City during some particularly bleak years, from 1985 to 1991. As well as being the oldest player to sign for the Swans at 38, he also holds the record for being the oldest player to wear the shirt at 43.

And, months into his contract, he was given the unenviable task of managing the side following the departure of John Bond - during the time when a winding up order threatened the future of the club.

You can read more about Hutchison’s contribution to Swansea City and his wider career in an interview he did with the club website in May, following the publication of his book, ‘Hutch, Hard Work and Belief: the Tommy Hutchison Story’.

Interestingly, following his retirement from the game, Hutchison went into community work, initially with today’s opponents, Bristol City, which brings us full circle. That couldn’t have worked out better if I’d planned it!

Thanks James. Glad to be able to give Tommy the mention he deserves.

Mae sylw'r Elyrch yn troi'n ôl at y gynghrair unwaith eto heddiw, wrth iddyn nhw groesawu Bristol City i Stadiwm Swansea.com gan chwilio am fuddugoliaeth gynta'r tymor.

Roedd Michael Duff yn pwysleisio ar ôl y golled yn erbyn Bournemouth yng Nghwpan Carabao fod angen tynnu ynghyd elfennau gorau'r gêm honno ac awr gynta'r golled yn erbyn Preston er mwyn bod yn agos ati o ran yr hyn mae'n ei ddisgwyl. Gyda'r 25 munud cyntaf yn erbyn Bournemouth wedi ei blesio hefyd o ran yr ymosod, byddai'r arwyddion fod yr amddiffyn hefyd yn gadarn wedi bod at ddant y rheolwr newydd wrth iddo fe barhau i geisio gosod ei stamp ar y tîm.

Ond anghysondeb yw'r gair sy'n crisialu canlyniadau'r Elyrch yn eu pedair gêm gynghrair hyd yma, gyda dwy golled a dwy gêm gyfartal. Mae newid strwythur i 4-4-2 gyda dau ymosodwr yn lle un am gymryd ychydig o amser i ddwyn ffrwyth hefyd. Ond fe wnaeth Jerry Yates a Carl Rushworth ben draw'r cae oddi wrth ei gilydd greu argraff o'r cychwyn cyntaf yn y gêm yn erbyn Birmingham i ddechrau'r tymor, gyda'r naill yn sgorio a'r llall yn achub y gêm gydag arbediad allweddol yn y munudau olaf. Ond cyfrannodd gôl Rushworth i'w rwyd ei hun at y golled o 3-2 yn erbyn West Brom wedyn - colled gynta'r Elyrch mewn gêm gystadleuol ers mis Mawrth - gyda gôl arall gan Semi Ajayi wedi dod o gamgymeriad amddiffynnol arall.

Does dim modd mesur faint o golled fydd Joel Piroe i'r Elyrch, gyda'i 46 o goliau mewn 96 o gemau dros ei ddau dymor. Gydag Everton, Southampton a Chaerlyr yn y ras i'w arwyddo, roedd hi'n dipyn o syndod, efallai, ei fod e wedi dewis Leeds, a bydd yr Elyrch wrth gwrs yn wynebu'r posibilrwydd o'i herio fe yn Elland Road ddiwedd mis Tachwedd ac eto yma yn Stadiwm Swansea.com ym mis Chwefror.

Yn ariannol, doedd dim dewis gan Abertawe ond gwerthu cyn-ymosodwr PSV pan ddaeth cynnig o arian mawr amdano fe. Ond gydag ymadawiad Piroe a newid strwythur i 4-4-2, bydd mwy o gyfleoedd i Liam Cullen ym mlaen y cae. Daeth Cullen drwy rengoedd yr Elyrch cyn mynd ar fenthyg i Lincoln yn 2022, ond prin fu'r cyfleoedd gafodd e yng nghrys Abertawe hyd yn hyn. Mae Stoke a Hull wedi dangos diddordeb yn yr ymosodwr ifanc, felly bydd sicrhau amser ar y cae i'r Elyrch yn allweddol i'r chwaraewr sydd wedi bod ar y fainc dipyn hyd yn hyn o dan Duff gyda'i gytundeb yn dod i ben ymhen blwyddyn.

O ran y gwrthwynebwyr heddiw, mae'r rheolwr Nigel Pearson wedi beirniadu penderfyniadau ac amddiffyn ei dîm yn eu gemau blaenorol, er mai unwaith yn unig maen nhw wedi colli gyda dwy gêm gyfartal ac un fuddugoliaeth. Yr un yw ei gwynion bob tro, bron, felly bydd hi'n ddigon amlwg i'r Elyrch lle mae'r gwendidau a'r posibiliadau os byddan nhw wedi gwneud eu gwaith cartref yn ddigon trylwyr.

Mae gan yr Elyrch record dda yn erbyn eu gwrthwynebwyr heddiw hefyd. Dydyn nhw ddim wedi colli yn eu herbyn nhw yn y gynghrair ers 2021, sy'n golygu rhediad o bum gêm - daeth eu hunig golled yn eu herbyn nhw yng Nghwpan FA Lloegr fis Ionawr eleni.

Hon yw gêm ola'r Elyrch cyn y ffenest ryngwladol, a'r un olaf hefyd cyn y gêm fawr yn erbyn Caerdydd ymhen pythefnos. Byddai triphwynt, felly, yn werthfawr iawn ar yr adeg iawn.

ALUN RHYS CHIVERS

This season marks the 30th anniversary of Swansea City’s first trip to Wembley for the Autoglass Trophy final in 1994. To mark it, our club historian Gwyn Rees will take us back through the story of that campaign and some of the key figures involved. 

The mid-table Swans started October by facing Reading side at the Vetch Field. The Royals started the day sat third in the league table, and were amongst the bookies early favourites for promotion that campaign.

Heavy rain meant sodden playing condition, and there was something of a frantic start.

Newly-crowned Welsh young player of year Jason Bowen was at the heart of many of Swansea’s positive moments, with the hosts commanding position without testing Shaka Hislop in the Reading goal as much as they would have liked.

Just six minutes after the break the visitors had their first real chance when Roger Freestone pulled off an excellent save from Stuart Lovell. This spurred on the Swans and, after Bowen showed a lack of composure when unmarked at the far post, the same player raced to the byline and whipped in a cross which Hislop failed to gather cleanly.

Andy McFarlane was on hand to tap the ball in from close range, and this looked like being the winner until - with only three minutes remaining - Freestone and John Ford got in each other's way when under no pressure, and Uwe Hartenberger stroked the equaliser home totally unmarked.

A break from league action saw the Swans travel to Oldham Athletic for their second leg tie against the Premier League side in the League Cup, carrying a one-goal advantage from the first leg.

Early goals from Gunner Halle and Paul Bernard inside the opening eight minutes looked to have sealed the Lancashire side's passage through to the next round.

But, after the shock of conceding, the Swans regrouped and played some excellent attacking football, only to be let down by a lack of composure in front of goal.

Such was the Swans display that at the end of the contest, the sporting home fans gave the side a standing ovation.

If ever a game summed up the inconsistency at this point of the campaign, it was an incredible 4-4 draw against Blackpool.

Twice Swansea led by two goals, only to surrender their advantage and concede a last-gasp equaliser.

A tricky fixture away at Rotherham showed the other side to the Swans game, as for most of the contest Frank Burrows’ side were forced to defend against a home team who had struggled early in the campaign.

The outstanding Freestone in goal was beaten on half-time by a header from Imre Varadi, but a McFarlane goal 20 minutes from time earned a hard-won point for the Swans.

Next up, on a bitterly cold night at the Vetch Field, the Swans guaranteed a home tie in the next round of the Autoglass Trophy by beating Exeter City 2-0.

Both goals came in the first half from Bowen and Mark Harris, and it was revenge for the Swans as it was the Grecians who had defeated the Swans at the semi-final stage the previous season.

A hard-fought 1-0 win at the Vetch over Hull City followed, victory coming courtesy of an early second-half strike from McFarlane,

It was a first league win in five games but it was followed up by a pre-Halloween horror show on the road at Stockport County.

A red card for Warren Aspinall after he was adjudged to have handled in the box saw the Swans fall behind from the spot, and when manager Burrows and skipper Cornforth were also given their marching orders there was no way back as the nine men succumbed to a 4-0 defeat.

Last month saw the death of national treasure Sir Michael Parkinson.

Most people would know ‘Parky’ as a chat show host who first came to prominence during the 1970s.

The proud Yorkshireman’s interviews with the likes of world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali are the stuff of TV legend.

His ‘Parkinson’ show was required Saturday night viewing along with Match of the Day, attracting such diverse guests as former USA secretary of state Henry Kissinger to comedian Billy Connolly.

But many people forget, or didn’t know, that Parkinson was also a massively talented and respected sportswriter.

His first love may have been cricket, but he also had a huge passion for football in general, and Barnsley FC in particular.

A talented opening batsman in his youth, Parkinson’s writings and opinions were respected across the sporting world.

One of my favourite Parkinson articles surrounded one of Swansea and Wales’ most famous sons.

John Charles may never have played in the senior first team at the Vetch Field, but he was a born and bred Swansea boy, who started his career at his local club.

The ‘Gentle Giant’ may have made his name at Leeds United and Juventus, but his footballing talent was forged and nurtured on the streets and football pitches of Swansea.

When Charles passed away in 2004, Parkinson wrote: “In my lifetime, there have been three British footballers who would walk into St Peter's All Time XI. They are Tom Finney, George Best and John Charles, who died on Saturday.

“The claims of others, and there are only one or two who could be compared without embarrassment, must be discounted because they lacked the versatility of my trio.

“And taking that ability to be the best, whether in attack or defence, as the criteria even Finney and Best would be hard-pressed to challenge Charles, who at his peak could justifiably claim to be both the best centre-forward and the best centre-half in the game.”

The best centre-forward and the best centre-half in the game – what an accolade for one player!

Parkinson continued: “Italy saw the best of Charles. He went from Leeds United to Juventus in 1957 where he spent a sublime five years demonstrating his unique talent in what was indisputably the most tactically-sophisticated league in the world.

“The dreaded 'catenaccio' defensive system made goals a rarity and rendered impotent even the most prolific goalscorers. Not Charles. He scored nearly a goal a game - mostly in the first half - whereupon he would be withdrawn to defence to prevent the equaliser.

“He was a tall, broad-shouldered man, with a graceful almost balletic tippy-toe way of running. He was a perfectly balanced athlete, adept with either foot and practically unbeatable in the air. Defending or attacking he seemed to hover over opponents looking like an eagle among sparrows, a predator surveying lunch.

“For all his commanding physical presence there was a gentle side to Charles which made him a perfect sportsman but also a target for other players who were less gifted but more aggressive.

“In all his career he was never cautioned or sent off. Often he was sorely provoked but he never retaliated.

“One anecdote about Charles tells you everything you need to know about the man.

“In the early Seventies, I attended a charity event in the Midlands. I was standing at the bar when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and there was my hero.

"Excuse me, Mr Parkinson," he said. "You don't know me, but my name is John Charles.”

For a man who spent his life rubbing shoulders with A-list stars, that kind of humility from the Swansea-born player obviously impressed the son of a Yorkshire coal miner.

Parkinson didn’t just concern himself with the superstars of the sport in his writing. Like all football fans he appreciated the cult heroes - players who one way or another found their way into supporters’ hearts.

As a lifelong Barnsley fan, he would write in his Sunday Times column about legendary Tykes defender Skinner Normanton.

As a result, tales of the tough-tackling coal miner became famous around the globe. There was even a Skinner Normanton appreciation society in Kuala Lumpur.

I think it is safe to say that Skinner, who played for Barnsley between 1947 and 1953, was ‘old school’.

According to Parky: “Mothers would tell their children to stop mucking about, or they would send for Skinner.”

“He was the hard man of the side,” recalled Parkinson, in an obituary to the wing-half written in 1995. “The minder for ball-playing colleagues of delicate disposition. There wasn’t much of him but every ounce counted. He was destructive in the tackle, as unrelenting as a heat-seeking missile in pursuit of the enemy.”

Talking about famous sons of Swansea and cult heroes, how could I end this article without mentioning a player who represented both of today’s opposing teams.

Lee Trundle may not have been born in Swansea like the legendary Charles, but he has certainly become one of the city’s favourite adopted sons.

During the height of Trundle’s career he became a cult hero, not just at the Swans but around the country thanks to his remarkable natural skills, which found an additional outlet on platforms such as ‘Soccer AM’.

Of course, the Jack Army didn’t need to watch TV shows, scroll the internet, or read newspaper articles to know just how good Trunds was. We just had to turn up at matches to experience his talent in the flesh.

And while his time at Bristol City never hit the heights of his Swansea career, it’s easy to forget Trundle helped the Robins to within 90 minutes of promotion to the Premier League.

In his first season at the club, the Scouser scored a superb curling extra-time strike in their 4-2 play-off semi-final win over Crystal Palace. Unfortunately, his new club were beaten in the Wembley final by Hull City.

Apart from Trundle’s phenomenal skills, his undoubted love for the game has also endeared him to us fans.

Although his league career may have come to an end a decade or so ago, Trundle has continued to delight fans around Wales with the likes of Neath, Llanelli, Haverfordwest, Ammanford, Trefelin and now Mumbles Rangers benefitting from his silky skills.

I don’t think I ever read Parkinson’s opinion on Lee Trundle, but the king of entertainment chat show hosts would surely have agreed ‘Magic Daps’ was pure box office.

C’mon you Swans!

Swansea City Under-21s fell to defeat at Sheffield United as three first-half goals set the Blades on the way to victory in the Professional Development League encounter.

Antwoine Hackford opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes, with Fernando Macedo grabbing a brace for the hosts.

Sam Parker pulled a goal back for the Swans after the break - netting for the second straight game - before Hackford added his second of the afternoon with 20 minutes to go.

Parker struck again for the visitors but it was too late to salvage a result for the Swans.

It meant the Blades remain unbeaten so far this season, whilst the Swans still search for their first away win.

There were eight changes to the Swansea side that beat Crewe Alexandra at the Swansea.com Stadium last time out. Evan Watts came in for Ben Hughes between the sticks, whilst Kian Jenkins, Mitchell Bates, Liam Smith, Maliq Cadogan, Kyrell Wilson, Harry Jones and Dan Watts all came into the starting XI. 

Both sides got off to an energetic start. Wilson saw a shot blocked by Levis Pitan early on, before Watts’ palmed away a Josh Smith strike.

It wasn’t long until the PDL North champions did find the net, with Sai Sachdev heading home from a Blades’ corner, but the referee adjudged there had been a foul in the build-up and it was chalked off.

However, the breakthrough did come less than two minutes later. 

Hackford was picked out by an incisive, sharp attack from the hosts, and calmly finished into the bottom corner of the net. 

Swansea needed a response, and despite some good work from Smith and Parker on either flank, they could not find an equaliser.

Instead the hosts doubled their advantage after Macedo got on the end of a Smith delivery to slot home at the back post. 

Watts then produced an excellent stop to deny Sachdev following a Blades corner, with the Swansea defence then scrambling the ball clear.

Just before the break, the home side found their third. Macedo completed his brace, heading home from close range to put the Blades in a dominant position.

The Swans did make a bright start to the second half. There was a big chance for Cadogan after he was played through on goal, but his effort rolled just wide at the far post.

But the Swans did pull a goal back just beyond the hour mark. A short corner was played to Parker, who curled the ball in from the edge of the area.

But the home side would restore their three-goal advantage, Hackford netting from close range.

The Swans would have the last word, Parker scoring his second of the contest in the final minutes as his half-shot, half-cross found its way into the top corner of the net.

Swansea City Under-21s: Evan Watts, Sam Parker, Ben Blythe, Dan Watts, Harry Jones, Kai Ludvigsen, Liam Smith, Mitchell Bates, Kyrell Wilson, Maliq Cadogan, Kian Jenkins.

Substitutes: Josh Carey, Remy Mitchell, Zane Myers, Richard Faakye, Thomas Woodward.

Name
Kai Ludvigsen

DOB
26/03/2004

Position
Centre-back

Left Footed / Right Footed
Right

Nationality (according to UEFA)
Welsh

Signed for the Swans
2016 - 2017

Previous clubs
Porthgate Panthers.

What is your best memory in a Swans shirt?
Playing at the Swansea.com Stadium.

What is your favourite thing about Swansea?
Probably the beaches. Three Cliffs is lovely in the summer.

Who is your football idol?
Sergio Ramos.

What is your favourite film?
Wolf of Wall Street.

Who is your favourite music artist?
Dave.

What is your cheat meal?
McDonalds.

What subject were you best at in school?
P.E.

Football bucket list
To play for my country, maybe in a major competition or qualifiers.

A stadium you’d love to visit (as player or fan)
I’d love to play at Wembley.

Your first football memory
The first ever game I played in for Porthgate Panthers. We won 4-0 against Rhoose and I scored two, I was about four years old.

First football shirt you owned
I think it was a Chelsea shirt. I used to love Didier Drogba, so I got Drogba on the back.

Other football position you played
I played right-back, right wing-back and centre-back.

Any other sports
I used to play rugby. I was going to go for trials with the Cardiff and Vale team but that was around the same time as football, so I chose football instead.

Preferred shirt number
I’ve always had number six.

Your room-mate for away games
Ruben Davies, we were in digs together for three years and now we live together. I used to play against Ruben when we were around five or six so I’ve known him for ages.

Favourite computer game
FIFA, or EA FC as it now is.

Aim for the season ahead?
Maybe get some first-team experience.

Who is the most famous person you’ve met?
Ashley Cole, I met him in the airport in LA. A couple of years ago we went to LA on a trip and saw him there.

An interesting fact about you
I’ve got about five different nationalities running through me. Welsh, English, Scottish, St Kitts and Nevis through my grandparents, and my great-great-grandparents were Norwegian.

It was a five-star performance from Swansea City Women as five different goal scorers helped the Swans to a comfortable win away at Forest Green Rovers as they ramped up their preparations for the new season.

Robyn Pinder, skipper Katy Hosford, Chloe Chivers, Chloe Bull and Stacey John-Davis all found the net for Ceri Phillips’ side as they close in on the start of the new Genero Adran Premier campaign.

The visitors got off to a blistering pace at Hartbury University with new striker Pinder giving the Swans the lead in the third minute. Her pressing forced a mistake from the home side and she was able to take advantage and slot beyond the goalkeeper.

The home side had a good chance to equalise in the 20th minute, hitting the woodwork twice and forcing a save from Chelsea Herbert.

But the Swans quickly put a stop to Rovers’ momentum when Hosford headed in from a cross after good work out wide from the visitors.

The Swans extended their lead shortly after half-time through Chivers, but they didn’t have it all their own way and the home side pulled one back on the 54th minute through a lofted free-kick which evaded everyone and crept in at the back post.

But the Swans were able to go up the gears again and exert their dominance on proceedings. They restored their three-goal lead four minutes later when Bull turned the ball in.

John-Davis was on hand to put the icing on the cake of a strong performance when she scored the Swans fifth with just over quarter-of-an-hour of the match remaining. 

Swans City Women starting XI: Chelsea Herbert, Kelsey Thomas, Steph Turner, Alicia Powe, Lucy Finch, Rachel Cullen, Katy Hosford (c), Chloe Bull, Stacey John-Davis, Chloe Chivers, Robyn Pinder.

Subs (all featured): Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Sammy Wynne, Monet Legall, Nieve Jenkins.

Your date of birth

17/12/1990

Your nationality

Welsh

What position do you play?

Centre midfield

Which is your preferred foot?

Right footed

Which clubs did you play for before joining Swansea City?

Cardiff City, Keynsham town

When did you sign for the Swans?

I was also at the club from the age of 12-17, but I most recently signed in the 2022-23.

What is your best moment in a Swansea City shirt?

Probably winning the under-16s Welsh Cup

What is your favourite thing about playing for Swansea City?

It’s my hometown club who I support and am lucky enough to play for.

Who is your football idol?

Xabi Alonso

What is the first position you played in football?

Centre midfield

Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

I always put my right boot on before my left.

What is your full-time occupation?

I’m a postwoman

What is your favourite film?

Sister Act

Who is your favourite music artist?

I like all music. It depends on my mood.

What is the best TV series you've watched?

The Seal Team

What is the best concert you've been to?

Queen & Adam Lambert

What was your favourite subject in school?

PE

Swansea City 7 - 1 Bristol City
League One - September 10, 2005
 

 

The Swans recorded one of their most memorable Swansea.com Stadium victories when Bristol City crossed the Bridge in 2005.

This was only the Swans’ fourth game at their new stadium, yet it was one of the most memorable the venue has seen in 13 years.

Remarkably, the contest was goalless until Kevin McLeod curled home the opener in the last minute of the first half.

Bayo Akinfenwa made it 2-0 early in the second period before Lee Trundle scored from the spot after Roberto Martinez was fouled.

McLeod made it 4-0 on 69 minutes before Trundle grabbed his second goal two minutes later.

Leon Britton scored the home side’s sixth on 75 minutes before future Swan David Cotterill pulled one back.

There was still time for McLeod to complete his hat-trick and ex-Bristol Rovers defender Kevin Austin to see red for a second booking on a stunning afternoon.

Shwmae Pawb!

Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium!

We’ve had a brilliant time at the recent matches in our fan park, but we’re back in the family stand for today’s game.

It was brilliant to see so many of you at the family fun day a few weeks ago. We loved having the players train at the stadium, and it was so much fun meeting all the Junior Jacks.

To get you ready to go back to school, we’ve put together a “Squad Number Maths” quiz.

All you have to do is use the players squad numbers to complete the sums.

We hope you have a brilliant matchday. Our joint matchday prediction is a 2-1 win for the Swans and we think Jerry Yates will get both goals.

Enjoy the game!

Cyril and Cybil

Your age:

11

What is your favourite memory of watching the Swans?

When they beat Cardiff City.

Who is your favourite Swans player and why?

Joe Allen is my favourite! He is amazing.

What do you like most about supporting Swansea City?

I support the best team.

Why did you start supporting Swansea City?

Because they are the best, and they are my home team.

Do you play football? If yes, what position do you play?

Yes, I play as a striker!

Do you play any other sports? What are they?

I go to sea cadets and I used to play basketball

What is an interesting fact about you?

I like to help others.

What is your favourite subject in school and why?

PE because I love sport.

An audio commentary service is available for blind and partially sighted fans – 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. To learn more about accessible facilities at the stadium, please click here.

INCLUSION ROOM

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 don’t 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.

Chairman - Andy Coleman
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis

Directors

Jason Levien, Andy Coleman, Nigel Morris, Brett Cravatt, Jake Silverstein, Sam Porter, Martin Morgan, Sian Davies (supporter director), Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Gareth Davies.

Director of Business and Legal Affairs: Sam Porter.
Associate Directors: Ceri Stone.

FIRST-TEAM STAFF

Head Coach – Michael Duff

Assistant Head Coaches - Alan Sheehan and Martin Paterson

Head of Goalkeeping – Martyn Margetson

First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary

Head of Performance – Tom Barnden

Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey

Staff: Ailsa Jones, Bethany Chaddock, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Connor Lawley, Jonathan Jones, Jono Aveston, Jake Dayus.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP

Paul Watson (Sporting Director); Andrew Davies (Head of Operations, Facilities & Development);
Gareth Davies (CFO);
James Chiffi (Head of Wellbeing & Development);
Josh Marsh (Head of Football Operations).

CLUB STAFF

Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood
Football Operations &
Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Retail: Andrea Morris
Head of Hospitality & Customer Services: Catherine Thomas
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager:  Lee Merrells
Head of Commercial:
Richard Morris
Head of Media & Communications:
Ben Donovan
Ticket Office Manager: Lewis Bullen
Operations & Events Manager:
Lee Davidson
Facilities Manager: Gordon David
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Disability Access Officer: Catherine Thomas
Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle

PROGRAMME PRODUCTION

Contributors: Ben Donovan, Andrew Gwilym, Sophie Davis, Hayley Ford, Fraser Dickson, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Rhys Kemish, Dom Hynes, Julie Kissick, Owen Morgan, Alun Rhys Chivers.

Designers: Callum Rothwell,
Jordan Morcom, Lewis Ward
Photography: Athena Picture Agency,
Natalie John-Davis, Alamy.