Good evening everyone and a very Happy Easter to you all as we host Middlesbrough at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Having faced league leaders Coventry in our last home fixture, we take on another side looking to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League and it is a test we look forward to after showing tremendous character in Friday’s draw at Sheffield United.
The international break leading into these fixtures has presented a real challenge in terms of preparation time, and we only had our full squad together for the first time on Thursday morning before making the journey to south Yorkshire later that same day.
It is the fourth consecutive international break in which we have been handed an away fixture upon our return to action, and all four fixtures have taken place earlier than the usual Saturday 3pm slot. You can’t underestimate the impact that the travel, changes of time zone and limited recovery times have on our players, particularly those that have travelled to Australasia.
Given that, the players deserve credit for approaching the game with a positive mindset and showing the character to keep pushing right to the end. Our Performance team also deserve credit for their work to ensure that the players are in the best possible shape to continue to play at that intensity despite the challenges of the schedule.
It was also great to see that we had a tremendous impact from the bench, as Vitor constantly reminds the group that we need everyone to be successful. It was particularly pleasing to see Adam Idah get a goal and an assist on his first Swansea appearance since returning from a long lay-off with a hamstring injury.
It was also a landmark day for Zan Vipotnik as he followed up his two goals for Slovenia in the week by reaching 20 goals for the club this season, an excellent achievement.
I also want to take a moment to echo Vitor’s praise for our travelling support. Our fans travel the second-highest number of cumulative miles in the Championship, and it was wonderful to see those of you who made the trip to Bramall Lane continue to back the team so vociferously when they were in a tough spot, and then share the celebrations with them. That unity and togetherness will be key if we are to achieve what we all want for our club.
Last week also saw us file our financial statements for the 2024-25 accounting period.
The results of ourselves and a large number of clubs in the Championship underline just how challenging the financial landscape is for clubs in the division, and we are very grateful to our ownership group for their significant backing.
The figures are skewed slightly by the fact that the latest results cover a 12-month reporting period, while our previous accounts were spread over an 11-month period, but it does also highlight the reasons why we are striving to become a more sustainable and efficient football club.
That process will not happen overnight, but we would hope that our efforts to grow the commercial side of our operations whilst operating more efficiently will pay dividends and result in an improved set of figures when we come to file our financial information for the 2025-26 campaign.
Today also marks our Junior Takeover Day, which returns after proving very popular when we held the event for the first time a year ago.
A number of young supporters get the chance to experience matchday roles across the club, from working with our groundstaff and stewards, to assisting the coaching staff. We even have a young fan named Jude who is our mini CEO for the day, and whose own programme notes you will probably find a more entertaining read than my own (no Wrexham references Jude)!
Our young fans are very important to us because they are our next generation and our future, and that is one of the main reasons we endeavoured to freeze season ticket prices for under-14s. Price increases in other areas were unavoidable but we endeavoured to keep these rises as reasonable as possible whilst managing what is an ever-increasing cost base on matchdays.
Initial sales have been really positive and we are looking forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to the Swansea.com next season as we look to continue to build something we can all be proud of.
We hope everyone involved has a great experience today, and I hope you all enjoy the game.
Thank you for your continued support,
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Good afternoon, I’d like to welcome you all to the Swansea.com Stadium. I hope you are having a really fun Easter and eating lots and lots of chocolate!!
Hello to the travelling fans who came all the way from Middlesbrough, that is a super long trip! I hope you like our stadium because I think it is the BEST one in Wales.
Today the Junior Jacks are taking over! We have been watching all season and now it is our turn. I know we will all do an AMAZING job and make the club proud and show everyone what we can do!!!
I am delighted to be the mini CEO! I have season tickets in the family stand and I have loved Swansea City my whole life.
I am going to talk to Galbraith and Vipotnik later today and tell them they are NOT allowed to leave in the summer. I am asking Vitor Matos if he can call Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent to see if he wants to come play for us. I am trying to talk to Modrić to see if he wants to finish his career here too! Also, I really, really hope Snoop Dogg can come to my 8th birthday party next year because that would be SO COOL!!!
Thank you for coming today! I hope you have the best time at the game and get home safe! ⚽😊
Jude
A Happy Easter to everyone and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for our game against Middlesbrough.
It has been a very quick turnaround for this game, having also played on Friday following an international break where a number of our players had some very long journeys, and some had to deal with disappointment in the play-offs for the World Cup.
We only had our full group back together for the first time on Thursday, when we trained before travelling to Sheffield.
So, for the group to be able to show the character and togetherness when in a really tough position at 3-1, and find the energy – with players from the bench making a big impact – to fight back and draw the game was excellent.
I also want to pay a special tribute to the supporters who made the long journey to support us at Bramall Lane.
We are always grateful for the support we have home and away, especially when we know just how long a lot of the journeys for away games are.
When we were 3-1 down, the supporters stood right with us, they kept singing, they kept cheering, they kept supporting every run, every tackle, every effort, and it was very special to see the joy it brought to them that the team had come from behind.
That’s not to say that our performance was perfect, or the result was perfect, because that is not the case. We want to play better and we want to win games rather than draw them.
But the character and togetherness we saw on Friday is what we want to have. We do not have long left in this season, yet it does not mean that we do not have things we need to do and achieve, because when you are building something every step and every moment is important.
That process is happening now, it doesn’t start in pre-season, it is about now. It’s about how we represent the club, how we represent the badge and how we represent our fans.
That’s the most important thing, whatever is to come, we have to always find the way to compete whatever the circumstances and that’s what we want to build here with you.
We know this is another tough test against a side who are trying to get to the Premier League, so we know the sort of challenge we will face and it is one where I want us to continue to show that mindset and mentality we want to be part of our foundation as a side.
I also want to take this opportunity to say to all our young fans participating in our Junior Takeover Day that we hope you have a great time being part of this matchday, and I look forward to meeting many of you when I get the chance.
Enjoy the game
Vítor Matos,
First Team Head Coach
Prynhawn da. Croeso to today’s Easter Monday match and a shout to the Boro supporters who are making the 600-odd mile round trip. Hope you’ve all had a nice Easter and did not indulge with too much chocolate.
On Good Friday we played Sheffield United and I hope the travelling Jack Army had a good trip to Yorkshire. From what I saw on TV it was a good game (I missed some of the first half due to work) and it was nice to see Adam Idah score and get an assist. Hopefully that will give the big man from Corcaigh (Cork) some confidence for the remainder of the season.
Over the years we have played Boro 59 times with the Swans winning 20 games and today’s opponents winning 27 with 12 games drawn. The first game was played in 1925 at the Vetch with the Swans winning 4-0! The last time we played Middlesbrough at home we won the game with a 1-0-victory after Jisung Eom scored in the first half.
I think it’s very unlikely we’ll make the play-offs and with the national side not qualifying for this summer’s World Cup it’s been a disappointing season but hopefully we can finish strong as we look to next season!
For the record, this Welshman will not be supporting the team from across the border who have qualified, but I am married to an Australian so I will be following their fortunes whilst drinking Bundy this summer! I wish Cam Burgess all the best, as well as all our players participating in the World Cup in the summer.
I’m also looking forward to the upcoming end of season awards dinner, which is being held at the Brangwyn Hall this year. It’s always a good night and once again the Trust will sponsor the Lifetime Achievement Award and our choice for this year’s winner is long overdue, in my opinion.
Keep an eye on our socials as we have a couple of events planned over the summer for Trust members. Hopefully, later this year we will be unveiling more of our painted murals on telephone equipment boxes recognising local players with the next phase to include the late great Robbie James, Leighton James, the Charles family and Herbie Williams.
Included in the first phase is someone who has links to both today’s clubs; ‘Mr Swansea’ Mel Nurse, who also played 113 times for Middlesbrough between 1962 and 1965.
Mel is featured on two boxes, one on Alice Street (which alone produced five Welsh internationals) and one on Burrows Road, more details of which can he see on the Heritage pages of our Trust website HERE.
Another project from the Trust I’d like to draw your attention too is a documentary film I highly recommend you see if you missed any of our showings in the stadium, Taliesin Theatre or Swansea Jack called ‘Ivor Allchurch - Golden Days’ which is available on our Swans Trust YouTube channel from today. The film is directed by fellow six-footer and friend, Trust Ambassador Dave Brayley
We are also hoping to unveil at the start of next season a tribute to our 1981 and 2011 promotions to the top-flight at a venue not too far from the stadium.
Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Trust board to wish Kev Johns a speedy recovery and return to our matches as soon as possible. Kev, it is not the same without you here at the stadium so get well soon. x
ATB YJBs, STID!
Tony
Supporters have just a few days left to secure their Swansea City's 2026-27 season tickets in the earlybird window.
Non-season ticket holders will have until midnight on April 8 to secure their seats at the lowest possible price ahead of general sale.
Earlybird adult season tickets are available from around £20 per match, offering outstanding value across the 2026-27 campaign.
Current season ticket holders still have until midnight on April 30 to renew their seats.
The Swansea.com Stadium has become a fortress during Vitor Matos’ tenure as head coach. With home form always so crucial in the Championship, the Jack Army can once again play their part and be our 12th player as the Portuguese looks ahead to his first full season in charge.
A season ticket remains the cheapest way to attend all of Swansea City’s 2026-27 home league fixtures and this earlybird window provides supporters the lowest rate to secure their seats for Our Next Chapter.
We are pleased to inform supporters that our interest-free direct debit payment option will once again be available, with no extra fees applicable, to allow supporters to spread the cost of a season ticket.
Payments can be split over equal monthly instalments (from a minimum of five months up to a maximum of eight), with more information available below in this article, and on this page.
We are also delighted to confirm that the prices for all under-14 season tickets remain at the same price for a third consecutive season. While under-18s in the South Stand can also purchase at the same rate as in 2025-26.
The cost of a season ticket renewal for an adult and an under-14 in our Westacres Family South Stand is priced at a combined £371, as we hope to see as many of the next generation of Jacks join us at the stadium to cheer on our team.
With season ticket prices having been frozen over the past two seasons, there are changes to pricing for the upcoming campaign in the majority of other areas of the Swansea.com Stadium with the full prices available to view below.
While as a club we want to make coming to watch the Swans as affordable as possible for everyone, there is also no denying the financial challenges we face as an organisation with rising costs across all areas, while we are committed to being in the most competitive position we can be on the pitch in a division regularly highlighted as among the most closely-fought in European football.
An adult season ticket holder renewing during their exclusive window would pay the equivalent of £19.13 per fixture across a 23-game home Championship season.
New purchasers of an adult season ticket for next season will pay £465, which works out at £20.22 over the course of 23 home Championship fixtures, which increases to £21.35 per game for those new purchasers who buy outside of the early-bird window.
A standalone under-14 renewal in the South Stand remains at just £50, the equivalent of just £2.17 per home league fixture. For under-18s a South Stand renewal at the launch price of £132 works out at only £5.74 per home league match.
Season tickets are also valid for all stadium league fixtures including Swansea City Women, Swansea Under-21s and Under-18s.
Supporters should also note that, in a change to previous years, there is no designated student season ticket. Those who held a 2025-26 student season ticket will be automatically shown the adult renewal rate when they log in and those who are entitled to the young persons’ rate are invited to reach out to the ticket office.
Following a review of the 2025-26 Swans Cashback scheme, and in response to supporter feedback, we have opted to remove this ahead of 2026-27. The club is committed to ensuring there will be new offers and value offered to season ticket holders throughout the season in replacement of this and these will be announced in due course.
Season ticket holders will still receive discounts across our hospitality, mascot packages, and soccer camps, while fans can also take advantage of offers from club partners and local retailers through the Your Jack Benefits scheme.
In a change to previous seasons, season ticket holders will be able to purchase additional home match tickets ahead of the general sale window.
You can find more information and renew HERE.
As part of a ongoing feature in our digital matchday programme for the 2025-26 campaign, we are calling on all Swans fans to share their memories and experiences of supporting the club this season by submitting your stories and pictures. We will publish a selection over the course of the season, and you can share your stories with us through the link below.
The start of the 2025-26 season marked 20 years since Swansea City moved into our Swansea.com Stadium home.
To mark the anniversary, club historian Gwyn Rees is profiling members of the first Swans squad to grace the stadium during the 2005-06 campaign. This time, he looks at the career of Kevin Nugent, an important figure for the club during some difficult times and in the early stages of its rise through the divisions.
Born in North London to Irish parents in 1969, Kevin Nugent represented Middlesex Boys and London Boys during a successful period in schoolboy football, and on leaving school he signed on as a trainee with Leyton Orient.
Nugent made his first team debut for Orient against Scarborough, and scored on his debut in his opening season as a professional in 1985. By 1992 he was a regular first team player and his performances caught the eye of clubs in the higher divisions.
It was a £200,000 transfer to Plymouth Argyle that saw him blossom as a leader of the line for his new club. In each of his three seasons at Home Park he was the top goalscorer, until a £75,000 transfer took him to Bristol City, with the rest of the transfer fee being made up with striker Ian Baird going in the opposite direction.
Unfortunately, things would not work out for him at Ashton Gate, and he found himself on the bench more than he would have liked.
After two seasons and 69 appearances he moved on to Cardiff City for a £65,000 fee. On signing at Ninian Park he suffered a bad injury that saw him miss most of the season, but the following campaign - with former Swans striker John Williams as his strike partner - they scored over 40 goals between them as the side gained promotion from the Third Division, and Nugent was awarded the club’s Player of the Year award.
The following season saw an Achilles injury sideline him for a long spell, and once fit he found it hard to regain his place in the first team, leading to a move back on a free transfer to his first club Leyton Orient.
After just one season back at Orient, and with the club experiencing major financial problems, he moved back to south Wales and Swansea City, initially on loan in January 2003, making the move permanent a month later.
Nugent’s experience was a real asset to the squad and, after some initial hostility from a small section of supporters due to his previous spell with Cardiff, he really showed his worth with some eye-catching performances, and he played a part in helping the Swans beat the drop under Brian Flynn.
Strong in the air, he formed a potent partnership with Lee Trundle in his second season at the Vetch, and it was something of a surprise when he was released by Kenny Jackett in June 2004.
However, he would be resigned as a player a week later, and also take on the role of assistant manager.
He continued to make important contributions on the field during the promotion campaign in the final season at the Vetch and, when Jackett left the club in February 2007, Nugent became caretaker boss for two matches before Roberto Martinez was appointed as Swans boss.
Nugent was offered the position of chief scout, but would return to Leyton Orient as youth team manager that summer and also had a spell in caretaker charge of the first team.
In January 2016 he became a first team coach at Luton Town but, after a stay of six months he moved to Charlton Athletic as assistant manager, before a brief spell at Barnet.
He went on to join Millwall as their under-21 manager in 2017, and he remains with the Lions to this day.
Having spent all bar one season between 1995 and 2009 in the Premier League - with a best finish of seventh in 2005 - Middlesbrough have been in the Championship for 15 of the 16 campaigns since.
A brief return to the top-flight in 2016 saw them struggle in front of goal, coming straight back down with only five wins and 27 goals, the lowest tally recorded during that season.
They reached the play-offs in 2018 and 2023, and are firmly in the promotion hunt as they battle to secure an automatic promotion spot.
Boro famously reached the UEFA Cup final in 2006 while, in a successful 2004-05 season, they secured League Cup glory by beating Bolton in Cardiff.
RIVERSIDE STADIUM
Built: 1995
Location: Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS
Capacity: 33,764
Swede Kim Hellberg joined Boro as head coach in late November after the departure of Rob Edwards to take over at Wolves.
The 38-year-old played as a midfielder in the lower divisions in Sweden and started his coaching career before he hung up his boots at the age of just 22.
He enjoyed almost instant success in coaching, achieving four promotions with his first three clubs before his he was added to the coaching staff at top-tier IFK Norrkoping.
Head coach positions at IFK Varnamo and Hammarby IF followed, and at the latter he led them to back-to-back runners-up finishes in the Allsvenskan and into European competition before making the move to Teesside in November.
Dael Fry was born and raised in Middlesbrough, and came thrrough the academy ranks to be a staple of the first-team squad over much of the past decade.
The centre-half took over the captaincy this season following the departure of skipper Jonny Howson, and is rapidly closing in on 300 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2015.
His only professional outings away from the Teesside club came via a short loan spell with Rotherham United during the 2016-17 campaign.
Fry's height makes him effective in both boxes, but is also mobile and possesses a deceptive turn of pace. He was on the scoresheet in their opening-day win over the Swans as well as their Good Friday defeat to Millwall.
Boro academy product Hayden Hackney joined the club at under-10 level. After becoming a mainstay during the 2022-23 season, Hayden carried on his form into the 2023-24 campaign, featuring in 21 games for Michael Carrick.
Hackney managed to get the only goal of the game in front of a sold-out Riverside in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea last season and his impressively consistent levels of performance have seen him tipped for a very bright future.
Still only 23, he brought up a century of appearances for the Teessiders earlier this year, and was part of the England Under-21 squad that won the European Championship last summer.
He has been the subject of interest from Premier League clubs, but he has remained with Boro and remains a vitally important player, although an injury forced him to miss the game against Millwall on Friday and, at the time of writing, was a doubt to face the Swans.
Young striker Tommy Conway was a high-profile signing in the summer of 2024 arriving for a reported £4.5million fee from Bristol City.
He got 13 goals to his name in his first campaign on Teesside, and his importance only increased since the January departure of Emmanuel Latte Lath to MLS side Atlanta United.
The Taunton-born Scotland international came through the academy ranks with Bristol City, and made his senior debut for the Robins towards the end of the 2020-21 season.
The 2022-23 campaign saw him make the breakthrough to become a regular, with his industry and pace making him a nuisance for opposition defenders.
He scored 20 Championship goals in 82 outings for City, and also came to wider attention when he scored against top-flight West Ham United in the original tie and the replay when Bristol knocked the Hammers out of the Emirates FA Cup last season.
Morgan Whittaker is Middlesbrough's topscorer this season with 11 to his name, and has also created a further six.
He is approaching the end of his first full season on Teesside, having joined from Plymouth Argyle in January 2025.
Whittaker started his career at Derby County before joining the Swans in early 2021.
He had a loan spell at Lincoln City during the 2021-2022 season where he scored five goals and set up one in 17 appearances, and he ended his time with the Swans with six goals in 37 appearances, including a hat-trick in a Carabao Cup tie against Plymouth.
Whittaker went on to enjoy a productive loan spell with the Pilgrims before a recall to Swansea, and that move became permanent after Plymouth sealed promotion to the Championship, with his goals a key factor in Argyle avoiding the drop during the 2023-24 campaign.
He left Home Park for Boro 15 months ago, and his goals have played a big part in their automatic promotion push.
Watching the Wales v Bosnia World Cup play-off semi-final it seemed appropriate we were approaching the weekend which celebrates a miraculous resurrection.
One visiting player after another collapsed onto the Cardiff City Stadium turf, apparently suffering serious injuries.
But within minutes, their hard-working physios had restored each player to full health with barely a touch of their healing hands.
As Welsh players attempted to fashion a winning score in the closing stages, their opponents seemed more intent on running the clock down than running after the ball.
Perhaps I’m being overly harsh. The penalty shootout defeat still stings and my opinion of the visitors’ tactics may be skewed by my admitted Welsh bias.
I hope my comments don’t come across as sour grapes. Wales were beaten fair and square and had plenty of opportunities to seal their place in Canada, the USA and Mexico long before the fateful spot-kicks.
But in recent months, I’ve been getting more and more frustrated by time-wasting tactics and other elements of football which deprive us fans from our full quota of action.
Perhaps it’s because the older I get, the more I feel the need to make every second count!
As I approach the awarding of my bus pass, I want to get full value out of every match I watch these days!
And that’s the point. In many games, I don’t feel us fans are getting the full 90 minutes.
Whether it’s the sudden increase in goalkeepers going down with mysterious injuries, or the time some teams are taking to celebrate goals, it just feels like time is quite literally slipping away.
All this is, of course, relative. If the Swans are hanging on to a 1-0 lead going into the closing stages, the seconds can’t tick by fast enough!
You probably won’t hear me complaining too much about any time-wasting tactics in these situations.
You can’t blame teams for taking advantage of loopholes in the rules to take the sting out of opponents who are on a roll, or eat up a few minutes on the clock.
Like the kids in the Madness classic Baggy Trousers, professional sports teams will always look for ways to learn how to “bend not break the rules”.
But there are a couple of practices that have been getting under my skin recently, which could be avoided.
One is goal celebrations.
I don’t want to sound like a party-pooper. But some celebrations just seem to go on way too long . . . especially when they are scored against the Swans!
I don’t know whether it’s my imagination, but teams, especially playing away from home, seem to be taking an age over their celebrations.
I love a goal celebration as much as anyone. Some my favourite footballing memories relate to those euphoric moments immediately after the ball hits the net.
Alan Curtis’ utterly joyous scamperings along the Vetch Field touchline after smashing in the sensational fifth goal against Leeds in 1981, for example. Michu’s ear-cupping salute to fans and Bafetimbi Gomis’ prowling ‘panther’.
Or, looking further afield, Marco Tardelli’s, eye-bulging, head-shaking, fist-pumping ecstasy after scoring for Italy in their World Cup final win over West Germany in 1982.
The main aim of the game is, after all, scoring goals. So these magical moments should quite rightly be marked.
But once those initial spontaneous celebrations are over, players increasingly seem to be taking an eternity to make their way back into their own half of the pitch.
It’s the slow stroll back up to the halfway line, patting each other on the back, which I find frustrating.
And I’m not alone.
One of my friends who sits alongside me here at the Swansea.com Stadium is so fed-up of the delays in getting a match restarted, he wants to see a time-limit set on celebrations.
So, if the goalscoring team aren’t back in their half within, say, 30 seconds of the ball hitting the net, the opposing team should be allowed to kick off, whether the celebrations are over or not.
I personally think this is a great idea. It would certainly get players back in their positions and ready to defend their own goal.
One of my own personal pet hates is the time it takes to make substitutions these days – especially multiple tactical ones.
When, for example, three players are being swapped at once, do we really need each substitute to be introduced individually as the player being replaced slowly walks to the touchline?
Just announce all three changes at the same time and let them run on to the field together as the outgoing players are departing. Job done!
With teams allowed to make five replacements, the glut of substitutions we now see, especially in the second half of matches, interrupts the flow of play.
The other evening, there were more than a dozen substitutions in the Wales v Northern Ireland friendly, but there were only three minutes additional time announced.
I’m not suggesting football goes as far as rolling substitutions or ‘on the fly’ changes like ice hockey, but it could learn from some other sports in many ways.
For example, if injured players aren’t interfering with play in rugby union, physios are allowed onto the field of play while the game carries on.
If a player is down injured at one end of the field and play has moved to the other end, they can be treated without stopping the game.
Obviously, this wouldn’t be suitable for all injuries and the decision to wave on the physios would be at the referee’s discretion.
Player safety should always be paramount in these decisions. But it may stop some of the ‘tactical’ injuries we are increasingly seeing if players think the game won’t necessarily be stopped immediately.
Another rugby union practice football might benefit from is having a visible match clock in the stadium, which is stopped every time play is interrupted.
Rather than additional time being added at the end of the game, the clock is stopped every time there is a break in play.
When the clock eventually ticks over to 90 minutes, the game is over. That way, everyone knows exactly how long the clock has been stopped for.
This practice should at least remove the arguments over how many minutes there should be on the board held up by the fourth official at the end of a game!
Hopefully, today’s game will be so fast flowing, it will disprove the need for any of my impatient tinkering.
As long as we get to enjoy an action packed 90 minutes – and three points for the home team - I’ll be a happy Easter Bunny!
C’mon you Swans!
Swansea City AFC Foundation is launching Franco’s 15K virtual medal challenge, with proceeds raised supporting the amazing work of the club's charitable arm.
Beginning on Tuesday March 24, Franco’s 15K challenges participants to run, walk, cycle or wheel 15 kilometres to earn a limited-edition medal.
This can be completed over the course of a day or by the challenge’s closing date of Thursday April 16.
To join the challenge, follow the link below and register for ‘Franco’s 15K' for just £20 (this includes the cost of your medal).
Participants are encouraged to fundraise £50 for the event, you can set up a Just Giving account, with a fundraising form available below.
You can also join us at the Swansea.com Stadium for a final kilometre 'Victory Lap', where those who complete the challenge will receive their medal from our very own first-team superstar midfielder, Gonçalo Franco himself.
FAQ’s
Who can take part?
The event is open to all ages and abilities and you can take part from anywhere in the world. We encourage people to complete the challenge with friends and family. The challenge is a great way to stay fit, active and motivated!
How do I complete the challenge?
You can choose to complete the 15k however you like - walk, run, wheel or cycle to cover the distance. Complete the challenge at your own pace by completing the distance in one day, over a week or spread it out between March 24 and April 16. There is no requirement to cover the distance at a particular location, you can complete the challenge whilst on holiday, on a treadmill, or anywhere that appeals to you!
How do I fundraise?
Fans are encouraged to fundraise with a target of £50 (or more!). The top three highest fundraisers will receive the following prizes:
Two LT10 hospitality spaces for 2026-27 season – for a gold or silver category fixture.
Swansea City Goncalo Franco signed shirt (From 2025-26 Season)
- Four match tickets and half‑time penalty shootout places (2026-27 Season)
You can create a Just Giving fundraising page that is linked directly to the Swans Foundation page here. We recommend sharing this link with friends, family and colleagues and asking them to sponsor you. You can also download and print our fundraising form here.
What am I fundraising for?
Every donation helps Swansea City AFC Foundation deliver life‑changing programmes across Swansea - supporting children, young people and adults through education, health, wellbeing and community opportunities.
Your donation will support life‑changing programmes like Premier League Kicks, which gives young people safe spaces and positive opportunities; Fit Jacks, which helps adults stay active and improve their fitness, and unforgettable tournaments and trips that boost confidence and open doors for young people across Swansea and wider.
How do I document my progress?
You can use screenshots of any health/tracking app from your phone (i.e. Strava, Garmin, Apple Health app). If you don’t use these, we can accept photos of treadmills or smart watches – showing distance or steps covered. We encourage you to post your progress on social media (and tag @Swansfdn) and submit your evidence to fundraising@swansfoundation.org.uk
How will I receive my medal?
On Thursday April 16 at 5.30pm, we will be hosting a ‘Victory Lap’ event, where fans can complete the final 1km around the stadium, walk through the iconic players' tunnel and receive their medal pitchside from Gonçalo Franco himself.
What happens if I can’t make the event?
If you’re unable to attend this event, your medal will be posted to the home address you provided on the form.
The medals will be posted (second class, signed for) after the challenge closes on Thursday April 16. We also ship worldwide. If you haven’t received your medal within two weeks, please contact fundraising@swansfoundation.org.uk.
What is your refunds/faulty medal policy?
All medals are thoroughly quality checked before they leave our premises. In the case of a medal being faulty or damaged during transit, please contact us at fundraising@swansfoundation.org.uk. No refunds are available after purchase.
Swansea City AFC Foundation is the charitable arm of the football club. It uses the power of the Swans badge as a force for positive change within the local community.
The Foundation supports people through programmes in education, health and wellbeing, youth engagement and inclusion, with more than 14,000 participants engaging with the Foundation every year.
First football shirt you owned?
Manchester United
Best player you've played with?
Alexander Isak
What's your go-to cheat meal?
Sushi
Who's the joker in the dressing room?
Ricardo Santos
If you weren't a footballer, what would you be?
Zookeeper
Who's your top artist on Spotify right now?
Juke Ross
Can you name Welsh word?
Croeso
Toughest opponent you've faced?
Casper Widell
Favourite holiday destination?
Florida
Who's your hometown club?
IK Wormo
Favourite football memory?
Sweden U21 debut with my little brother
Name: Finn Thomas
Age: 12
When did you join the Swans? I signed for the Swans at the age of 10
Who did you play grassroots football for? When I was younger I played for Morriston Town, I later joined Penllergaer, and then Pontardawe.
What has been the highlight of your season? Making an appearance for the Wales Under-12 squad.
What’s been your best moment at Swansea City? Winning player of the season for the under-10s.
Who is your football hero? It would have to be Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri.
Which current Swans player do you look up to most? I look up to Ethan Galbraith and Goncalo Franco in the current squad.
What’s your favourite part of playing for Swansea City? My favourite part is being able to wear the bagdge of my favourite club on my chest.
What do you hope to achieve while with the Swans? I hope I can make it all the way and break into the first team one day.
Name: Alex Griffiths
Age: 13
When did you join the Swans? I joined Swansea City development centres at the age of five, I went onto the pre-academy at seven, and then signed for the academy at the age of nine.
Which grassroots club did you play for? Meadow View.
What has been the highlight of your season? My highlight of the season was being asked to play for the under-16s against Watford.
What’s been your best moment at Swansea City? My best moment was being part of the squad for a tour to Norway.
Who is your football hero? My football hero is Brennan Johnson.
Which current Swans player do you look up to most? I look up to Ethan Galbraith because of his work-rate.
What’s your favourite part of playing for Swansea City? Being part of a professional environment and developing my skills.
What do you hope to achieve while with the Swans? I hope to achieve a scholarship, leading to a professional contract.
Swansea City Under-21s returned to winning ways with a dominant 5-0 victory over Colchester United on Good Friday.
The Swans were two goals up within the first seven minutes thanks to goals from Josh Pescatore and Caleb Demery.
Thomas Woodward got a brace to ensure a 4-0 lead at the break for the hosts, before Josiah Kallicharan got the fifth deep into the second half.
Swansea were without topscorer Morgan Bates, who suffered a knock in Monday's clash against Barnsley, whilst Thomas Searle returned to the pitch from the bench following over five months out due to injury.
The Swans made use of their bright start, with Pescatore opening the scoring with three minutes played. The winger was played in by Woodward and made no mistake to find the net from inside the area and get on the scoresheet for the third game in a row.
The lead was doubled just four minutes later, Pescatore turning provider from an initial Blair McKenzie pass as Demery volleyed home from the former's high cross.
Swansea were firmly in control and the goals kept coming. Pescatore with yet another cross and assist to his name as his delivery allowed Woodward to head home a third.
Woodward went on to complete his brace on the half-hour mark, another flowing team move saw Yori Griffith weave his way through the U's defense before sliding the ball into Woodward's path, and the midfielder tapped it home for his second of the afternoon.
Substitute Kallicharan would also go on to score a second goal in as many games - having netted for the under-18s against Bournemouth on Tuesday - as he intercepted a loose pass to leave him one on one with the keeper, and he produced a calm low finish to round off the scoring.
Swansea City Under-21s: Thomas Wright, Billy Clarke (Thomas Searle 61), Callum Deacon, Harlan Perry, Blair McKenzie, Iestyn Jones, Josh Pescatore (Josiah Kallicharan), Dan Watts (Aimar Govea 46), Thomas Woodward (Milo Robinson 46), Yori Griffith, Caleb Demery.
Substitutes: Joe Collins.
Swansea City Women could not give Stacey John and Steph Turner a winning home send-off, as The New Saints took the three points on the day the duo bade farewell to the Swansea.com Stadium.
The pair had announced their intentions to retire at the end of the season earlier in the week, and they received a thoroughly-deserved ovation from the crowd as the two teams formed a guard of honour to welcome them onto the pitch for their final home fixture as Swansea players, after a combined two decades in black and white.
Both had chances to score too, John hitting the post and going close with two further efforts, while Turner saw her close-range effort from a corner roll agonisingly wide.
Aimee Deacon also went close for the hosts, but in the end a Lexie Harrison goal gave the visitors their first win in phase two of the Genero Adran Premier.
It took the Swans a bit of time to settle in the early stages, with Lexi Jones sending an effort wide of the near post as the visitors had some joy down their right-hand side.
John then looked set to open the scoring when Taite Trivett got to the byline and rolled a cross into the six-yard box, but the forward's finish struck the inside of the post and was cleared.
The hosts were then grateful to keeper Amelia May Forkings, who made a fine low save after Harrison had beaten the offside trap to race clean through on goal.
At the other end Trivett had a shot blocked after cutting in from the left flank, before Forkings was called into action again as she parried an inviting cross from Chantelle Teare.
The next big chance went Swansea's way. Ellie Lake delivered from the right and, after two defenders had misjudged the flight of the ball, it fell for Sammy Wynne, but the midfielder could not make clean contact.
Chloe Chivers then uncharacteristically scuffed a shot from the edge of the box, after John had read a TNS pass in midfield and carried the ball forward.
John then floated a rising effort wide of the target, while Swansea had penalty appeals ignored when Aimee Deacon went down as she surged between two defenders in the area.
John's improvised volley flew just over the angle of bar and post as the Swans ended the first half on top, but with the game goalless.
Swansea were quickly on the front foot again in the second half, Trivett's knockdown from a deep cross to the far post being cleared as it failed to find a white shirt.
It then took an outstanding goalline clearance from Matilda Edge to prevent John finding the net after her audacious chip had beaten keeper Orla Howard.
TNS then struck the woodwork a few moments later as a scuffed shot rolled against the post and was scrambled clear.
And the visitors spurned a golden chance a few seconds later as Lake's backpass was picked off by Teare before it could reach keeper Forkings, but the forward took an age to get a shot away, by which time she had been closed down and her eventual effort was blocked.
But there was no let off for the Swans when Teare led a break down the right-hand side and her cross picked out Harrison, who had stolen ahead of her marker and managed to guide a low strike into the far corner of the net.
Chances kept coming for TNS, with Teare having a shot blocked following a clever reverse pass from midfielder Kelsey Richardson.
Swansea pressed for a late leveller but it was not to be.
Swansea City Women: Amelia May Forkings, Maddy Murray, Steph Turner, Maisie Miller (Monet Legall 87), Sammy Wynne (Eilish Mitchell 67), Aimee Deacon (Lowri Jones 87), Chloe Chivers (Emily Richards 87), Stacey John, Ellie Lake, Taite Trivett (Caitlin Williams 74), Jess Williams (captain).
Unused Substitutes: Opal Rayner, Susanna Cunningham.
The New Saints Women: Orla Howard, Tiggy Webb, Kayleigh Baker, Grace Dunkerley (Zara Gibbs 63), Kelsey Richardson, Chantelle Teare (Maria Ewers 88), Lexie Harrison, Lexi Jones, Lia Lewis (captain), Matilda Edge, Ava Homer (Charlotte Crees 77).
Unused Substitutes: Megan Bowen, Caitlin Chapman, Grace Thomas, Olivier Buckland.
Referee: Charlotte Carpenter
Six games to go! It’s too early to review the season, though it’s fair to say that not only has the time flown by, but it has also presented us with the usual highs and lows we have come to know all too well as football fans.
Friday’s game at Sheffield United was a great example of a game that had pretty much everything, highs, lows and in-betweens, which given the mid-table status of both clubs was pretty good going. A six-goal thriller and a point on the road isn’t to be sniffed at.
Adam Idah’s welcome return added to the drama of the afternoon, particularly given the significance of his contribution by providing a goal and an assist which secured the point from 3-1 down.
As the gaffer, Vitor Matos, said after the game, there were a lot of players who had been on international duty, including some who had travelled far and some who had the disappointment of defeats and failure to qualify to deal with.
Naturally, those factors would have played a part in team selection and game management and to get a point away from home is a decent result in those circumstances.
What was also striking post-match was Matos’ reference to building for next season now. It came after a question about not letting the season fizzle out. He referenced the importance of maintaining character and continuing “to build something further for now and for the future”.
He went on: “And it's all about that. It starts now. It doesn't start on the pre-season it starts [with] how we look at ourselves, how we look to the badge, how we look to the club, how we look to the fans and how we, in the end, we still represent them with all we have and I think that's the most important thing.”
We all know that this is a tough league and we can see for ourselves how things have improved since Matos’ arrival, but the important thing also for me as a fan is to know that the philosophy is one of on-going development.
Parking the bus because safety is guaranteed rarely finds favour with fans. What we want to see is that whoever is in the squad is being worked with and developed in order to be ready to make a contribution when called on. That matters, whether we’re on the first or the 46th game of the season.
I was fortunate enough to get even more of an insight into ‘Matos the man’ as well as ‘Matos the head coach’ last week when I came to the stadium to film an interview with him for the Rob and Blakey Commentary Box.
The podcast, which is hosted by Rob Phillips, former BBC football correspondent, and Nathan Blake, ex-Premier League player and Wales international, has been going for eight months and we record it at the University of South Wales, where I work as a senior lecturer.
Rob and I worked together at BBC Wales many years ago and when he and Nathan were looking for a studio they realised they also need a producer, so my job has been to attempt to keep them in order on a weekly basis. No mean feat!
It was the first time we had taken the podcast out of studio and we were spoiled to be able to spend some time in Swansea with the gaffer last week. The result was what I hope many of you will think is an interview which offered more insight into ‘Matos the man’, as well as the coach. You can find it on the Rob and Blakey Commentary Box YouTube channel or on Spotify etc.
JULIE KISSICK
Happy 60th Birthday Kevin!
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ONCE A JACK, ALWAYS A JACK.
Today we remember Darryl Spencer, a lifelong Jack who followed Swansea City home and away from the 1970s through to today. Through every high and every low, and unforgettable cup final moments, his passion and loyalty never wavered. A devoted partner to Carol for 29 years, and a much-loved father, stepfather, grandfather, and step-grandfather. Darryl’s love for the Swans and his place in the Jack Army will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Darryl.
Peter Stead (1943–2026)
Swansea City supporters will be saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Stead, a lifelong Jack, respected local author, and long‑standing season ticket holder at the club.
Peter was a familiar presence at the Vetch Field and Liberty Stadium over many years, often attending matches with his wife Elizabeth, sharing in both the highs and the heartbreaks that come with following Swansea City.
Beyond the terraces, Peter was one of Wales’s most distinguished cultural figures. A Welsh writer, broadcaster and historian, he was co‑author — alongside David Farmer — of the authorised biography of Ivor Allchurch, one of the greatest players ever to wear the white shirt. His work helped preserve and celebrate an important part of Swansea City’s heritage for future generations.
Peter was educated at Swansea University and went on to enjoy a distinguished career as a historian and academic, later becoming a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales. He also played a prominent role in Welsh cultural life, including as founding chairman of the Dylan Thomas Prize.
Peter’s passion for Swansea, its people and its stories never left him — whether through his writing, broadcasting, or his unwavering support from the stands.
Swansea City and the Supporters’ Trust extends its sincere condolences to Elizabeth, Peter’s family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
We are all Jacks is Swansea City’s 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 – 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 – 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 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.
PLAYER SPONSORS
Shwmae Junior Jacks,
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium!
We hope you are having an eggcellent Easter break, we’re so glad you could join us this afternoon for a super special matchday! We’ve been looking forward to this one... its Junior Jacks Takeover Day!
We would like to say a huge welcome to all our Junior Jacks taking part in today's matchday and a massive thank you to the Swansea City AFC Foundation Primary Stars participants for creating some amazing designs and graphics for the day.
As it’s Easter Monday, have a go at today's Take Five quiz... can you guess the theme?
Our score prediction is 2-1 to the Swans and we think Vipotnik will score them both!
What do you think the score will be?
Uppa Swans,
Cyril and Cybil
Head Coach Vitor Matos
1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
3 Oscar Phelps (Junior Jack)
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango (c)
6 Marko Stamenić
7 Melker Widell
8 Malick Yalcouye
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
12 Devon Ingram (Junior Jack)
14 Josh Tymon
15 Cameron Burgess
16 Ishé Samuels-Smith
17 Gonçalo Franco
18 Gustavo Nunes
20 Liam Cullen
21 Leo Walta
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Ricardo Santos
25 Joel Ward
27 Zeidane Inoussa
29 Paul Farman
30 Ethan Galbraith
31 Ollie Cooper
33 Adam Idah
35 Ronald
40 NUMBER RETIRED IN MEMORY OF BESIAN IDRIZAJ
41 Sam Parker
42 Dan Watts
43 Yori Griffith
44 Thomas Woodward
54 Iestyn Jones
Head Coach Kim Hellberg
1 Seny Dieng
2 Callum Brittain
3 Matt Targett
5 Alfie Jones
6 Dael Fry
7 Hayden Hackney
8 Riley McGree
9 Tommy Conway
11 Morgan Whittaker
12 Luke Ayling
13 David Stelec
14 Alex Gilbert
15 Finley Munroe
16 Alan Browne
17 Micah Hamilton
18 Aidan Morris
20 Kaly Sene
22 Sam Silvera
23 Lee Castledine
24 Alex Bangura
25 George Edmundson
26 Darragh Lenihan
27 Sontje Hansen
28 Law McCabe
29 Adilson Malanda
31 Sol Brynn
32 Joe Wildsmith
33 Jon McLaughlin
45 Jeremy Sarmiento
Referee – Matthew Donohue
Assistant Referee 1 – Alistair Nelson
Assistance Referee 2 – Hristo Karaivanov
Fourth Official – Ben Toner
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 Modrić, Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Vitor Matos
Assistant Head Coach - Ryan Maye
Head of Goalkeeping – Martyn Margetson
First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Leon Britton, Joe Allen, 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
Head of Operations and Facilities: Andrew Davies
Head of Football Operations and Administration: Ben Greenwood
Head of Commercial: George Alston
Head of Media and Communications: Andrew Gwilym
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Head of Supporter Services: Hayley Ford
Head of IT: Jonathan Jones
Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
CLUB STAFF
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Ticketing: Mari Tucker
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Osian Cleaver, Sophie Davis, Mackenzie Squires, Sammy Wynne, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees, James Dow.
Designers and images: Callum Rothwell, Jac Elsey, Ashley Crowden.