Good afternoon all and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium as we head into another busy week, starting with today’s game against Millwall.
We return to action on the back of a week full of drama in which we experienced the range of emotions that make this a game we will love, despite the frustrations.
Our outstanding comeback victory over Nottingham Forest was a thrilling night for everyone connected with our club and will live long in the memories of all those who were there.
On the flip side of that, we suffered the disappointment of conceding late on against Hull City and Birmingham City.
Those moments just underlined the fine margins that are at play in the Championship. Without those two goals, we would have three additional points and find us in the top-five places in the division. That’s how close it is.
Nevertheless, there has been plenty to be encouraged by in the manner in which we have started the season, and this run of three games in a week gives us the opportunity to head into the upcoming international break with momentum behind us.
On the subject of that Forest game, we saw it confirmed that we will face Manchester City in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.
It promises to be an exciting fixture for us as a club, and is exactly the sort of night and occasion we want to be enjoying on a regular basis. We want to be performing on this type of stage, and I know you will all share in that excitement.
Ticket information for this game will be confirmed as soon as the fixture details are set in place, but we are working on a sales structure that will provide priority access to tickets for those supporters who have joined us for the early rounds of the competition.
On the subject of ticketing, we have this week relaunched our grassroots ticketing scheme for local sports, social and community clubs, who can purchase up to 30 tickets per team at a highly discounted rate.
Additionally, we have launched the Junior Jack Pack, which will see young fans aged 13 and under able to take advantage of discounted tickets in the South Stand across four selected home league games.
These initiatives are designed to try and give our young supporters as much opportunity and incentive to watch their heroes in action as possible, and hopefully help us fill up our South Stand over what we believe will be a positive season for our club. We want as many of you as possible to be a part of it.
We were also pleased to be able to provide the Swansea Junior Leagues a Rainy Day Offer and invited ten junior teams who have had their fixtures called off due to the weather to this afternoon’s game.
I would also like to take the opportunity to extend the thanks and gratitude of myself and family to all those who have been in contact with messages of support following my mother’s diagnosis with cancer.
It means a tremendous amount to all of us and is just another example of the sense of community and togetherness that makes Swansea City so special.
Enjoy the game YJBs,
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Good afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium as we take on Millwall in the Championship.
We will be looking to extend our strong run of home form, which has seen us unbeaten over our last 10 games here, and bounce back from our defeat at Birmingham City last time out.
That result at St Andrew’s came at the end of a rollercoaster of a week, where the emotions ebbed and flowed from game to game.
We had the brilliant high of scoring twice in stoppage time to beat Nottingham Forest and knock Premier League opposition out of the Carabao Cup.
Then we had the flip side of the coin against Hull and Birmingham, where late goals have seen us lose three potential points.
A quick look at the table tells you we would be in the top five if we had come through the final minutes of those games, but it’s a long season and I believe there are plenty of positive signs in terms of how we are evolving and developing as a team.
We have been competitive in every game, we are causing teams problems and if we continue to do that on a consistent basis then I am sure results will follow.
We also have another meeting with a Premier League opponent to look forward to after being drawn against Manchester City in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
We obviously have plenty to focus on as a team before we turn our attentions on that game, but that is a night for everyone connected with the club to be excited about.
These are the sort of nights we want to have more of as a club. We will be facing a team who have been the dominant force in English football over the last decade and more, and who are led by one of the most influential coaches in the history of the game.
It’s a night we are really looking forward to, but our focus is firmly on facing a Millwall team who will provide us with a tough test.
Across my career as a player and a coach, I have never had an easy game against Millwall and I don’t expect that to change today.
But we have had a good week of preparation, the players are giving us everything and we will be looking to impose ourselves on the game.
We also have a notable landmark to celebrate today as our head of goalkeeping Martyn Margetson gets set for his 800th game as a club coach. Marge is a universally-respected figure in football and is an outstanding coach. His longevity is a testament to that, and we are very lucky to have him with us at Swansea City. Let's hope we can mark the occasion with a positive performance and result.
Enjoy the game.
Alan Sheehan,
First Team Head Coach
Welcome back to home turf at the Swansea.com Stadium for today’s match against Millwall.
We have made a decent start to the Championship season considering the number of players joining and leaving the club during the transfer window, and the inevitable time needed for new teammates to build rapport and understanding.
We go into today’s game in 11th place at this early stage of the season, one place behind Millwall, with eight points from six games. Today’s encounter may well be challenging as Millwall are unbeaten away from home over 90 minutes in all competitions so far this season, with their only away defeat being on penalties against Crystal Palace in the League Cup.
Our stunning comeback win against Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup on September 17, when we overturned a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in dramatic style in added time, was a joy to watch and shows the potential we have to make this a successful season.
That result was sandwiched between a 2-2 home draw with Hull and 1-0 away defeat to Birmingham, games where we conceded late goals in added time that relinquished three points, which illustrates the fine margins that exist at this level.
So far this season we have seen promising signs of purposeful attacking football and strong team performances that should yield more positive results over time as the squad gels and further develops.
These are exciting times to be following the Swans, thanks to the ambition and commitment shown by the leading members of the majority ownership group Swansea Football LLC.
With the recruitment of 12 new players in the recent transfer window, many of whom have already demonstrated their quality and potential, this looks to be our strongest squad for many years.
Securing the involvement of Luka Modric and Snoop Dogg in the club has raised the profile of Swansea City globally, potentially bringing significant footballing and commercial benefits. The majority ownership group recognises the key role the Supporters’ Trust and wider fanbase continues to play in shaping the future of our football club.
The Trust has a range of projects, events and activities underway in conjunction with local stakeholders, building on the progress made in recent years.
These include the Matchday Experience Working Group, our Swans Heritage programme, the updated Trust Strategy, Fans’ Forums, a Copper Jack sailing, and our most recent initiative of linking up with local travel company Vaughan Voyage to provide family friendly coaches to weekend away games, including for the upcoming game at Southampton on October 18.
If you haven’t yet joined the Trust for this season, it’s easily done at www.swanstrust.co.uk or you can stop by the Trust kiosk outside the West Stand before kick-off on matchdays.
As a member you will receive our regular communications, advanced booking options for our events, and can influence the direction of the Trust. We are always looking for people who would like to be directly involved in the work of the Trust.
We continue to provide teamsheets from the Trust kiosk from around 45 minutes before kick-off for all home games in exchange for a small contribution to our chosen charity Faith in Families.
Back to the match, let’s get right behind Alan Sheehan and the Swans, and keep making the Swansea.com a difficult place for other teams to visit, to help us collect all three points today!
Enjoy the game!
Rupert
Swansea City Women have made a 100 per cent start to the new Genero Adran Premier season, and a family of four can watch Yzzy Taylor’s side at the Swansea.com Stadium for just £14 when they take on Wrexham on Sunday, October 5 (2pm KO).
The Swans are the only unbeaten side in the Welsh top-flight, and have yet to concede a goal, having opened the season with a 4-0 win at Barry Town United and a 2-0 victory over Aberystwyth Town on home turf.
The stadium fixtures are a special highlight of the calendar for players, coaches and staff, with aspiring young footballers getting to watch their heroes in action at the home of the Swans.
And, following a strong start to the season, you can roar the Swans on in their hunt for silverware with adult tickets priced at £5 and children’s tickets costing just £2 each.
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 Jack Army are invited to take advantage of free eye health screening ahead of Saturday’s match against Millwall.
To mark Eye Health Awareness Week, Yasin Elhassan from the Singleton Hospital Ophthalmology department will be offering a free eye screening to supporters in the club shop. The free screening will be available to people between 10.30am and 12pm.
The screening looks for early signs of diabetic retinopathy, optic disc changes, and other retinal disease; and is capable of identifying these conditions prior to other symptoms being present. Early detection of these conditions gives people the best chance of intervention and reversing the conditions through simple lifestyle changes.
The screening will take around three minutes and is available to anyone.
Earlier this week, Yasin and his colleague Gwyn Williams offered eye screening to Swansea City AFC Foundation’s Fit Jacks participants as part of the 12-week programme which provides people aged 30 and over with activities, advice and guidance related to health and wellbeing.
Yasin said: “We’re grateful for the opportunity to do the screening at both the Fit Jacks evening and the game, and we hope people take up the opportunity to receive their screenings ahead of Saturday’s match against Millwall.
“Of course, it’s Eye Health Awareness Week, so it’s just about making people aware of their eye health and just making them aware of conditions, and picking up things early before they deteriorate.
“Picking up things early makes things easier to treat, whereas the longer you leave it, it can be more difficult. So it’s just about making people aware, and reminding people that their opticians can pick up things quickly.
“Some conditions often don’t have any symptoms until it’s quite late. We just want to give people the option to come along and get tested, because it’s important to look after healthy eyes. And we can also refer people and get them heading to the right treatment as early as possible."
The start of the 2025-26 season marks 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 former defender and manager Garry Monk.
Bedfordshire born Garry Monk began his career in football at Torquay United, making five appearances for the first team in the 1995-96 season while still a trainee.
His potential was spotted up the coast at Premier League side Southampton, and at the end of his maiden season he moved to the Saints, becoming a full-time professional with them in May 1997.
His time in the first-team squad was limited, and though he did make his senior debut against Derby County in 1998, he found himself back at Torquay United on loan playing in a further six games.
He spent the next four seasons out on loan playing for clubs like Stockport County, Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley, before finally leaving Southampton in 2004 and signing on at the Vetch Field on a free transfer.
Garry's leadership qualities were obvious to manager Kenny Jackett, and the central defender was made club captain for what was the final season at the Vetch.
Although his debut at home to Northampton Town saw the team fall to a disappointing 2-0 loss, the end of an emotional season saw the Swans gain promotion out of League Two, and win the FAW Premier Cup in the final-ever game at the famous old ground.
The opening season at the club’s new home – soon to be known as the Liberty Stadium - saw the team never out of the top six.
The Swans would win the Football League trophy by beating Carlisle United in Cardiff, but they would also suffer the agony of a play-off final penalty shootout defeat to Barnsley at the Millenium Stadium just a few months later.
With Monk proving such an influential player on and off the pitch, it was a big blow to the team and to the player himself when he was sidelined the following season with a cruciate ligament injury.
However, on his return to action with a new manager in former teammate Roberto Martinez , the side ran away with the League One title, with Garry striking up an effective defensive partnership with Ashley Williams.
Swansea’s return to the Championship after a 24-year absence saw Monk and Williams impress throughout a campaign that saw the side finish comfortably in the top half, and in the 2010-2011 season the ultimate promotion was secured as Brendan Rodgers’ side reached the Premier League via a Wembley play-off final win over Reading, with Monk making a crucial block to prevent the Royals making the score 3-3 after being 3-0 down at half-time.
Garry played his part in the first season of Premier League football, and came on as a substitute at Wembley the following season as the club won the League Cup with a 5-0 win over Bradford City.
A recurring back injury saw his playing time at the club restricted, but with the unexpected departure of manager Michael Laudrup in February 2014, the Swans board turned to Monk to take interim charge.
He successfully led the club away from a potential relegation battle and his reward was being named as full-time manager.
His first complete campaign in charge could hardly have gone any better. Swansea finished eighth in the Premier League – the second-highest finish the club has ever recorded in the football pyramid – and claimed notable league doubles over Manchester United and Arsenal.
However, his second season at the helm proved more difficult, despite an encouraging start. A poor run of form saw Monk’s near 12-year association with the Swans come to an end as he was relieved of his duties in December 2015.
He has since gone on to manage at Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, Sheffield Wednesday and Cambridge United; but he will always be inextricably linked with a special period in Swansea City’s history.
Millwall are in their ninth-straight season in the Championship having secured their place in the second tier via the play-offs in 2017.
They have been mainstays of the second tier, having spent just two of the last 13 campaigns in League One.
The Lions haven’t been in the top-flight of English football since the 1989-90 season; the closest they have come to a return was when finishing just outside the play-offs in 2018, 2020, 2023 and 2025.
They famously reached the 2004 FA Cup final, but were beaten 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
THE DEN
Built: 1992
Location: Bermondsey, London SE16
Capacity: 20,146
A former midfielder, Alex Neil was appointed Lions boss in December 2024, replacing Neil Harris and leading them to the brink of the play-offs.
He had previously been in charge of Stoke, but departed the Potters in December of 2023.
Neil started his managerial career at Scottish side Hamilton Academical in 2013, having skippered them when former Swans assistant Billy Reid held the managerial reins.
He went on to be appointed as player-manager on an interim basis and led the club to promotion back to the Scottish Premier League in his first full season in charge.
Neil took charge of Norwich City in January 2015 and enjoyed a phenomenal first few months in charge, leading the Canaries to promotion to the top-flight with a play-off final victory over Middlesbrough.
However, their time in the top-flight lasted less than 12 months as they suffered relegation the following season.
He left Carrow Road and was appointed as Preston manager in July 2017 and had the Lilywhites challenging for a play-off spot for the majority of his time at Deepdale.
He departed the Lancashire club in 2021, and a year later took the reins at Sunderland to guide the Black Cats back to the Championship via the play-offs.
Towering Bracknell-born centre-half Jake Cooper has been a crucial figure in defence for Millwall for a number of seasons, and has taken over as club captain from Shaun Hutchinson having skippered the side on a number of occasions previously.
Cooper has a remarkable 393 appearances to his name since joining from Reading and is an effective presence in both boxes.
His consistency and durability were underlined by a run of playing every minute of 136 consecutive league games between August 2018 and December 2020.
Cooper had come through the academy ranks at Reading, joining the Berkshire club at the age of 14 before progressing to the senior ranks.
An impressive loan spell with Millwall in 2017 paved the way for his permanent move and he has been a stalwart ever since.
Young Serbian striker Mihailo Ivanovic was Millwall's top scorer last season with 12 goals to his name, playing a key part in their late-season surge towards the play-off spots.
The 20-year-old joined the Lions from Vojvodina in his homeland, having also had a loan spell with Sampdoria in Serie A.
His showings in the Championship saw him rewarded with a first senior international cap against Denmark last autumn, while he has yet to net this season, the manner in which he adapted to the division last term mean he will be expected to be a key performer.
Defender Tristan Crama broke into the Millwall team as a result of injuries shortly after he joined from Brentford in January 2025, but his excellent performances mean he nailed down a place in the team that he has not relinquished.
The centre-back, who spent most of the second half of last season at right-back, hails from Beziers in the south of France and first emerged at his hometown club before being snapped up by Brentford in 2020.
He came close to a first-team appearance for the west London club, but was a regular for their 'B' team, and had successful loans with Bristol Rovers and Exeter City, before being recalled from the latter spell to make the permanent move to The Den.
He may have only just returned to fitness, but midfielder Will Smallbone's undoubted pedigree mean he may well prove to be a key acquisition for the Lions over the season ahead.
Smallbone, 25, only made his debut as a substitute in the win over Watford on Monday night, having joined on loan from Southampton on deadline day, but he is a player with no shortage of experience of the second tier, nor the composure and competitive nature required to succeed.
The Republic of Ireland international was a key figure in the Southampton side that got promoted in 2024, and he made 18 Premier League appearances for Saints last season.
Born in Basingstoke, Smallbone joined Southampton's adademy at the age of eight and rose all the way through to the senior ranks., making his debut in an FA Cup tie against Huddersfield Town in 2020.
He spent the 2022-23 campaign on loan with Stoke, where he was signed by current Millwall boss Alex Neil, and returned to Southampton to be one of the spearheads of their promotion, scoring in the semi-final second leg win over West Bromwich Albion.
I think it’s fair to stay that Marko Stamenić has made quite an impact since joining the Swans.
Within seconds of his second-half introduction against Watford last month the New Zealander was flying into an eye-catching challenge.
It was just what was required against a Hornets midfield which had shown they certainly had a sting in their collective tails.
The new signing instantly imposed his considerable physical presence on the game as the Swans battled back to claim a point.
A few days later, Stamenić once again played a significant part in the Carabao Cup against Plymouth Argyle.
Illustrating he’s not all crash, bang, wallop, the midfield signing displayed his passing prowess when he slid the ball through to Zan Vipotnik in space.
This time, it was the big centre forward’s turn to show his power as he lashed home a brilliant long-range shot which cannoned in off the crossbar.
Unfortunately, an injury Stamenić picked up in the win at Sheffield Wednesday meant he missed the 2-2 draw against Hull and the thrilling Carabao Cup win against his former club Nottingham Forest.
Even though he was out of action for a couple of weeks, something Stamenić did during that spell on the sidelines made quite an impression on me.
Despite suffering an adductor injury at Wednesday, he still travelled Down Under to link up with the New Zealand national team for their two cross-Tasman matches against Antipodean rivals Australia.
Some media headlines described his marathon trip to Canberra and back as a “wasted journey”.
But to me, that shows admirable commitment to the cause.
Swans boss Alan Sheehan said: "He's an honest guy so he travelled halfway round the world to pull out of training with New Zealand.”
However, I do wonder whether Swans teammate and proud Aussie international Cameron Burgess had any words of consolation for Stamenić when he returned from the Socceroos’ double victory?!
I know these are early days, but it already seems clear that Stamenić has all the gritty qualities usually associated with Kiwi sportsmen and women.
As well as his performances on the pitch, some of the interviews I’ve heard from the midfielder back up this theory.
After the gut-wrenching last-minute defeat at St Andrew’s last Saturday, Stamenić -who played the full 90 minutes on his return from injury - said: “I feel good, the motivation was big especially with that away support we had. I want to give everything I can and fight for this club.
“I am enjoying myself so much here, and I said from the beginning I will die for the badge so if I have cramp or feel sore I will push through to help the team as much as I can.”
After picking up that booking on his debut against Watford, the 23-year-old said: "I do my role and I fight for the badge.
"I fight for my teammates. In that situation, I saw a danger threat, and I thought, 'just take him down and eliminate him'.
"I just had to keep my head mellow for the rest of the game but also have that intent to be strong and to be aggressive."
That’s just the kind of fighting talk football fans love to hear, although it’s also good to know he has a “mellow head” to keep him just on the right side of officials!
Stamenić isn’t the first New Zealand international to play for the Swans, of course.
Under-23 goalkeeper Jamie Searle was included in the All Whites squad for the Tokyo Olympics before he was released by the Swans in 2022.
But a far more memorable former Swan was centre-forward Rory Fallon, who starred for the club between January 2006 and 2007. scoring 13 goals in 48 appearances.
Fallon’s stand-out strike was the brilliant overhead kick in the League One play-off final against Barnsley in 2006.
Goals scored in defeats sometimes suffer the indignity of fading from the memory.
But Fallon’s strike will live long in the memory of Swans fans despite the match at the Millennium Stadium ending in penalty shoot-out heartbreak.
Fallon would have plenty of other reasons to remember his time in Swansea as his wife’s family are from Clydach.
On the international front, he scored the goal which sent New Zealand to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he played all three games.
While Kiwi footballers have been relatively rare here at the Swansea.com Stadium, they are not the only imports from the Land of the Long White Cloud to settle here.
The Ospreys rugby union region, based at the stadium until the end of last season, boasted a number of New Zealand internationals including 81-times capped former All Blacks skipper Justin Marshall and tough as teak back-rower Filo Tiatia.
Another was the late, great Jerry Collins, whose tough tackling style earned him a fearsome nickname – ‘The Terminator’.
Stamenić has already shown he’s a physical presence on the field, if he emulates the kind of impact made by his rugby-playing countryman, we should be in for quite a ride.
C’mon you Swans!
First football shirt you owned?
It was a Hearts home kit.
Best player you've played with?
Scott Parker or Liam Delap.
What's your go-to cheat meal?
Smash Burger.
Who's the joker in the dressing room?
Lawrence Vigouroux.
If you weren't a footballer, what would you be?
The world's number 1 padel player.
Who's your top artist on Spotify?
Lewis Capaldi.
Can you name a Welsh word?
Croeso.
Who is the toughest opponent you've faced?
Alexander Isak or Erling Haaland
Favourite holiday destination?
Dubai.
Who's your hometown club?
Aberdeen or Perth Glory.
Favourite football memory?
Promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich and my first Premier League win.
Mention Manuel Benson’s name to most followers of the English football pyramid and chances are they will recall him lighting up the Championship as Burnley marched to promotion under Vincent Kompany.
Across that 2022-23 campaign it was a familiar sight; Benson receiving the ball towards the right flank, drifting infield past anxious defenders onto his left foot and either producing a lovely final pass, or sending the ball careering into the net past a startled goalkeeper.
There were 11 goals and three assists in 33 appearances, but the two seasons since have proved frustrating for the Angola international, with injuries playing their part.
Now, he links up with the Swans looking to make his mark as part of Alan Sheehan’s squad, and there were signs during the recent Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest that the forward will be a lot of fun to watch.
But the man himself is clear that this is not a case of trying to recapture former form or glories, it’s about pushing himself to play the best football of his career to date.
“I learned a lot from that season, it was a massive step up from what I had experienced before and it made me see the game differently,” he says.
“I put a lot of hard work in and I was rewarded for it with goals and assists. But I took a lot from it.
“Obviously the years since have been a bit tougher but from that I have gained a level of maturity. It’s helped me to grow.
“I know people will look at it and say it was the best season or the best period of my career when it comes to form on the pitch, but honestly I think I am capable of better.
“That season we played against a few Premier League teams, and I felt good in those games and it just means I feel I can do more than what I have done already.
“It’s all about making sure I show it, and show it over and over again. So I am here to try and make that point again, and hopefully to try and take some more steps.
“You have to dream big, you can never know what is coming next. You have to believe and have the positivity that good things will come and I hope so.
“I am a stronger person for what I have experienced. So I try to keep my emotions in the middle, not letting them get too high when things are going well, and not letting them get too low when things may be going bad.
“I try to have a steady base and be in control of myself, in my head I am always motivated and ready to show what I can do. I don’t think about any time off the pitch or injured as being broken time, I just take it on as a lesson to prepare myself for the next battles, and to grow as a player and a person. I want to strive for the next goal.”
Benson had an anxious wait to see his loan move be completed, with the switch having been worked on right up until the 7pm deadline.
The 28-year-old was already on his way to link up with Angola for their World Cup qualifiers against Libya and Mauritius, but he was a happy man when he found out that everything had been approved.
And he was happier still at making his debut in a thrilling night at the Swansea.com Stadium as the Swans came from 2-0 down to stun Nottingham Forest with two stoppage-time goals to seal a 3-2 win and book a last 16 tie against Manchester City.
“For sure, it was an anxious time,” he says.
“As a player you have to look at your opportunities and where you can fit in when it comes to the systems and the clubs.
“When I spoke with the coach I had a good feeling and it then went on until very late with a lot of discussions.
“My family and I had the most confidence and the best feeling about this club and we went with it.
“It was stressful while we were waiting for it to be approved, but I was happy when it was done and now I am here.
“Then you have the Forest game, and those nights are special because you know how many people follow the English football leagues all around the world and how crazy it can be.
“That’s especially the case with those nights when you are down 2-0, maybe you turn of the TV and you go to bed thinking it is over, then you wake up and you have ended up winning the game.
“It’s an incredible feeling and I am proud that was my first game, and to experience that swing of emotions. It was massive, and I a can only applaud the team for what they did because I was not on the pitch at the time when we scored those goals.
“But it was big moment to be a part of with this team.”
Born in Lokeren, Benson came through the ranks at his hometown club and also had stints in the youth set-ups at Anderlecht and Lierse, going on to reach the senior ranks with the latter.
Moves to Genk and Royal Antwerp followed, and it was with the latter that he caught the eye of Vincent Kompany who brought him to Turf Moor in the summer of 2022.
He was capped at youth level by Belgium but, from 2024, he has represented Angola on the international stage, qualifying to represent the African nation through his father, Jorge Hedilazio, who played for them in the 1990s.
Benson has won five caps since making his debut against Eswatini, and speaks openly of the impact the decision has had on him.
“It is a very sensitive subject as I grew up in Belgium and I did not go to Angola very much,” he said.
“My father grew up there, and he played out there. But to be there was not something I have experienced before.
“The first time I went over there I had the decision in my head that I should have made the decision to play for Angola earlier.
“When I saw the emotions it brings to my family and how proud it made my father to see me where the jersey was something I cannot describe.
“That feeling, I don’t think I could have had it anywhere else. When I made that choice, and when I go there I cannot describe how I feel and the love I get. I feel very proud.”
When Benson was mulling over his move to Swansea, he did have a certain notable Jack to provide him with some sage words of advice.
Former Swan and current Wales international Connor Roberts has been a teammate of Benson’s at Turf Moor over the last three years, and had plenty of positive things to say.
“Connor told me this was a good place and a good club. We always had a good connection when we were playing together,” said Benson with a smile.
“He is a good guy, but a crazy guy also. He gave me good impressions of this place, so I feel like when I arrived it was as I expected.
“It is nice and it is calm, the people are lovely at the club, and the guys in the dressing room have given me a really warm welcome.
“Everything Connor said to me has been proved right.”
Swansea City Under-18s suffered their first home defeat of the season after a 3-1 loss to Wigan Athletic at the Joma High Performance Centre.
Goals from Daniel Gelhardt and Charlie Hughes gave the away side a two-goal lead, before Harvey Gray pulled one back for the Swans four minutes before half-time.
However, Erdis Reci added a third for the Latics with a half-volley eight minutes from time to seal victory for the visitors.
The opening exchanges produced few chances for either side, but the game burst into life with three goals in the space of 11 minutes to close out the first half.
Swans captain Harlan Perry forced the first big save of the game, with his strike from distance being parried away by goalkeeper Ewan Dodgson.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead after just 10 minutes when Reci headed past Evan Anderson, but referee Craig Scriven ruled the effort out for offside.
But the Latics did open the scoring 15 minutes later after a quick break from the away side saw Gelhardt released through on goal, and the forward calmy placed the ball past Anderson.
There was almost an instant response from the young Swans; Caio Ifans delivered a ball into Bobby Lewis, who tried to direct his header on target but saw it drift just wide of the post.
Brogan Popham then sent a free header wide of the target from a corner as the Swans pushed for an equaliser, but instead they fell further behind when they were caught on the break.
Gelhardt turned provider by delivering a low ball to Hughes, who finished from close range to double the visitors’ lead.
The Swans pulled one back four minutes before half-time when Perry’s corner to the near post was diverted past Dodgson by Gray, who managed to turn the ball in as he went to ground, halving the deficit.
The momentum was beginning to swing in the Swans’ favour, and a whipped ball into the box was met by Evans’ header, but his effort drifted wide of the post.
The final chance of the half fell to the visitors. Liam Edwards drove into the box from the left before unleashing a low effort towards the corner, which Anderson held.
The Swans started the second half brightly and almost equalised five minutes after the restart. Perry raced onto a through ball from defender Wahab Ojetoro and drove into the box, only for his chipped effort to be denied at close range by Dodgson.
The tempo slowed through the mid-point of the second half but substitute Ioan Johnston was close to getting Swanse back on terms after a ball was played across goal by Gray, but the arriving winger was unable to find the touch needed to poke an effort on target.
Heading into the final 15 minutes, the Swans continued to look for an equaliser with Lewis delivering a dangerous ball into Gray which the forward was unable to divert goalward.
Instead, the away side secured all three points with eight minutes to play when a ball fell kindly in the area for Reci to smash the ball past Anderson to add the Latics' third goal.
Swansea City Under-18s: Evan Anderson, Carter Heywood, Caio Ifans, Harlan Perry, Brogan Popham, Wahab Ojetoro (Jack May 66), Billy Clarke, Alex Godfrey (Alffi Hughes 85), Harvey Gray, Bobby Lewis, Elis Thomas (Ioan Johnston 66).
Unused Substitutes: Dempsey Singer.
Wigan Athletic Under-18s: Ewan Dodgson, Zachariah Edwards (Herbie Cairns 88), Erdis Reci, Sebastian Spelman, Mason Goulding, Henry Miller, Liam Edwards (Charlie Wesseldine 70), Joseph Gilbertson, Charlie Hughes (James Pugh 78), Joshua Clague (George Sumner 78), Daniel Gelhardt.
Unused Substitutes: Lucas Hagan.
Swansea City Under-21s missed the chance to go top of the Professional Development League table as AFC Bournemouth came from behind to secure victory at the Vitality Stadium.
Morgan Bates headed home his sixth goal in five games from a Dan Watts cross inside the opening 10 minutes to give the visitors the lead on the south coast.
But quickfire goals from Dacosta Gonzalez and Ash Clarke had the Cherries 2-1 up, before Koby Mottoh added a third on the cusp of half-time.
Thomas Wright made some crucial saves after the restart, but Bournemouth would go on the seal the three points as substitute Balraj Landa tapped home the fourth and final goal.
Swansea still remain in the top half of the table, having now won four of their six Professional Development League fixtures.
The Swans had the first meaningful effort on goal, with Bates heading over the bar from a Kai Rhodes cross.
Down the other end, keeper Wright produced a fine diving save to deny a powerful strike from Gonzalez.
Swansea then rattled the crossbar when Josh Pescatore's curving delivery found the feet of Sebastian Dabrowski, with the latter's effort cannoning off the woodwork.
But the Swans did take the lead when the in-form Bates headed home the opener after good work by Watts.
However, the Cherries would rapidly hit back as Clarke's thunderous strike flew past Wright and into the top corner, before Gonzalez saw his left-footed effort take a deflection and find the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.
The visitors were dealt further blows when Bates and Harlan Perry were forced off with head injuries; Callum Jones and Ramon Rees-Siso were summoned in their place.
And in eight minutes of stoppage time, Bournemouth went on to add a third as Mottoh's close-range volley was dispatched beyond Wright.
The visitors went closest early in the second half. Watts' strike from 25 yards was tipped over for a Swans corner, with Blair McKenzie heading the ball over the bar from the resulting set piece.
Despite a promising spell from the Swans, the Cherries would net a fourth with substitute Landa tapping home from inside the box on the hour mark.
Callum Jones went close twice in quick succession for the Swans as they sought a way back into the game in the closing stages while, at the other end, Wright was called into action to make his first save of note in the second half with a brilliant one-handed stop to deny Gonzalez once again.
Swansea City Under-21s: Thomas Wright, Josh Pescatore, Sebastian Dabrowski, Harlan Perry (Ramon Rees-Siso 38), Blair McKenzie, Iestyn Jones, Dan Watts (captain), Thomas Woodward, Morgan Bates (Callum Jones 40), Yori Griffith, Kai Rhodes.
Substitutes: Callum Deacon, Zac Jeanes, Thomas Searle.
Swansea City Women maintained their perfect start to the season with a victory over Aberystwyth Town at Llandarcy Academy of Sport.
A first Swans goal for defender Eilish Miller gave the hosts the lead in the 11th minute, before forward Aimee Deacon sealed the win with her strike five minutes from full-time.
The result backed up the 4-0 opening day win over Barry, with last week’s meeting with Pontypridd abandoned due to the weather.
The visitors had entered the game having taken two wins from two but the Swans took the early ascendancy and carved out a great chance inside the opening minutes when a superb cross-field ball from Chloe Chivers found Taite Trivett.
She squared the ball to Deacon in the box, but she couldn’t adjust her feet and scuffed her effort.
However, it didn’t take long for the Swans to break the deadlock, as Chivers’ pinpoint corner was met by Mitchell, whose powerful header flew past Sophie Steele.
With momentum on their side, the Swans pushed for a second goal as Lauren Davies unleashed an audacious strike from distance, but it rose just over the bar.
The Seasiders’ solid defensive shape forced the Swans into long-range efforts. Chivers tried her luck from 30 yards, but Steele gathered comfortably, while Sammy Wynne’s effort was dragged wide of the left-hand post.
The home side continued to lead at the break, and Trivett sparked a promising attack early in the second half when she drove down the right flank and picked out Stacey John, but the forward’s final effort lacked power and rolled safely into Steele’s arms.
Swansea keeper Amelia Forkings was called into action for the first time just past the hour mark when an Aberystwyth corner was met by a pink shirt, but the goalkeeper got down well to make the save.
Minutes later, the visitors carved out another chance as Carys Bufton drove past Caitlin Williams and unleashed a powerful strike, but it was straight at Forkings.
The Swans were still continuing to create chances. Chivers delivered a fine cross to the far post, where Deacon sent her header wide of the target.
The Swans finally made their pressure count five minutes from time. Deacon won the ball through a high press, drove into the box, and fired a low effort into the bottom corner of the net.
There was a late chance for a third Swansea goal, which fell to John from a free-kick 20 yards out but her strike was held by Steele as the Swans took all three points.
Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Lauren Davies, Maddy Murray, Maisie Miller (Ellie Lake 58), Sammy Wynne (Emily Richards 58), Aimee Deacon, Chloe Chivers (Caitlin Seaborne 85), Stacey John, Eilish Mitchell, Taite Trivett (Emily Thomas 73), Caitlin Williams.
Substitutes not used: Steph Turner.
Aberystwyth Town Women: Sophie Steele, Rebecca Mathias, Sian Evans (Paige Harvey 70), Lily Moralee-Hughes (Magi Rowlands 89), Libby Isaac, Imogen Scourfield, Shauna Chambers, Dani Mawle (Sioned Kersey 70), Amy Jenkins (Caitlin O’Shea 86), Modlen Gwynne (Alaw Davies 70), Carys Bufton.
Substitutes not used: Megan Ryan.
Swansea City stunned Premier League Nottingham Forest as two stoppage-time goals secured a dramatic and deserved Carabao Cup third-round win at a delirious Swansea.com Stadium.
Swansea City: Andy Fisher; Josh Key, Kaelan Casey, Cameron Burgess (captain), Ishe Samuels-Smith (Josh Tymon 64); Goncalo Franco (Melker Widell 64), Malick Yalcouye (Liam Cullen 86), Ethan Galbraith; Jisung Eom, Manuel Benson (Ronald 64); Adam Idah (Zan Vipotnik 77).
Unused Substitutes: Paul Farman, Ben Cabango, Bobby Wales, Zeidane Inoussa.
Nottingham Forest: John Victor, Morato (Jair Cunha 46), Douglas Luiz (Morgan Gibbs-White 61), Igor Jesus (Arnaud Kalimuendo 46), Omari Hutchinson, Ryan Yates (captain), James McAtee, Dilane Bakwa (Callum Hudson-Odoi 61), Willy Boly, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Nicolo Savona.
Unused Substitutes: Angus Gunn, Ibrahim Sangare, Taiwo Awoniyi, Dan Ndoye, Zach Abbott.
Referee: Robert Madley
Attendance: 11,354
Swansea City cruelly saw their unbeaten run ended as Lyndon Dykes' stoppage-time header denied them a deserved point on the road against Birmingham City at St Andrew's.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux: Josh Key, Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Marko Stamenic, Goncalo Franco (Melker Widell 94), Ethan Galbraith (Malick Yalcouye 89); Ronald (Liam Cullen 94), Zeidane Inoussa (Jisung Eom 74); Žan Vipotnik (Adam Idah 74).
Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Manuel Benson, Kaelan Casey.
Birmingham City: Ryan Allsop, Christoph Klarer (captain), Jack Robinson, Paik Seung-ho (Tommy Doyle 87), Demarai Gray, Alex Cochrane (Eiran Cashin 80), Tomoki Iwata, Bright Osayi-Samuel (Ethan Laird 66), Jay Stansfield (Lyndon Dykes 87), Lewis Koumas (Patrick Roberts 66), Marvin Ducksch (Kyogo Furuhashi 66).
Unused Substitutes: James Beadle, Phil Neumann, Marc Leonard.
Referee: John Busby
In memory
We sadly announce the death of our beloved Giuseppe (Joe) Soccio, beloved husband to Linda, dad to Anthony and Bampa to Josh, Jordan, Liam & Mia, he will forever be missed. A massive lifetime swans supporter and season ticket holder who was extremely proud of his team and looking forward to the new season. Rest in peace Joe, once a Jack always a Jack 🖤🤍
Supporter News
Melanie says: A massive Jack Army welcome to my nephews David and Haydon Slee, who are here today, sat in the West Stand having travelled from New South Wales, Australia xx
I do love a good cup run. Manchester City. At home. Last-16 of the Carabao (EFL/League) Cup. Let’s hope this time it’s the stuff of dreams and not a nightmare, because they do have a habit of spoiling the party for us.
When we beat Nottingham Forest a friend of mine, who is a big Forest fan, was absolutely fuming. We all know that feeling, those last-gasp defeats always feel toughest to take, but they add to the jeopardy of the game – one of the many reasons we love football. Fantastic if you’re on the winning side. Devastating if you’re not.
The wait for the draw was a long one, wasn’t it? When the last round was completed, I was convinced we’d draw Cardiff and while the south Wales derby may be missing this season - for obvious reasons - I’m actually relieved that we didn’t draw our nearest neighbours, or our friends in north Wales for that matter.
Those opportunities will come in the league against Wrexham and, as a football fan, I’m keen to see how those two sides fare against each other. It’ll be the first time they’ve met since 2002. Their draw means it is guaranteed that there will be at least one Welsh side in the last eight, of course. Hopefully, there will be two.
Our draw is an exciting one for us. Every club wants to compete against those at the highest level and even though Manchester City are not the side they once were, there is no denying their pedigree. I’m so pleased we drew a Premier League side. I saw plenty of fans sharing their ideal opposition and many felt a lower league team would be preferable.
Every Swans fan will have their own ‘dream’ opposition and for me it will always be Liverpool. I have such fond memories of their connection with the Swans during the Toshack era and I would have loved the chance to see them play here again. A quarter-final draw maybe?
As 2013 winners of the League Cup, I’m sure many of us feel a real affection for it, and we’re looking forward to the end of October when it returns. There’s a lot of football to play between now and then though, and there’s no doubt that points in the Championship are the priority.
Today, we welcome Millwall for a lunchtime kick-off. They did the double over us last season with two narrow 1-0 wins. It was a smash and grab in their visit here, and when we went to them in the penultimate game of the campaign, they put an end to our run of five consecutive wins.
Alex Neil’s side are unbeaten on the road so far this season, and our home form continues to be impressive, so when 10th face 11th in the Championship table, on paper it looks to be a fairly even affair. Let’s hope our seventh game of the season is anything but predictable.
Millwall will bring a familiar face with them as ex-Swan Steven Benda is between the sticks for The Lions following a season-long loan move from Premier League Fulham. It’s a league Benda knows after six-year spell with us which started in 2017. He made 31 senior appearances before departing for The Cottagers and he seems to be settling into life at Millwall well. I’m sure he’ll get a warm welcome on his return to south west Wales.
JULIE KISSICK
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.
Shwmae Junior Jacks,
Shwmae Junior Jacks,
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium!
Today we’re celebrating all things Swans Academy and we want to say a big Croeso to all the academy players joining us in the South Stand today!
We’re looking forward to seeing you all on the pitch later, and taking you on in the dance off at 2.30pm.
Today’s Take Five quiz is also all about the academy - click the button bellow to test your knowledge!
Our prediction for today’s game, is 2-1 to the Swans and we think Adam Idah and Zan Vipotnik will score our goals.
What do you think the score will be?
Uppa Swans,
Cyril and Cybil
Head Coach Alan Sheehan
1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango (c)
6 Marko Stamenić
7 Melker Widell
8 Malick Yalcouye
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
14 Josh Tymon
15 Cameron Burgess
16 Ishé Samuels-Smith
17 Gonçalo Franco
20 Liam Cullen
21 Manuel Benson
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Ricardo Santos
24 Bobby Wales
26 Kaelan Casey
27 Zeidane Inoussa
29 Paul Farman
30 Ethan Galbraith
33 Adam Idah
35 Ronald
40 NUMBER RETIRED IN MEMORY OF BESIAN IDRIZAJ
41 Sam Parker
46 Arthur Parker
47 Sebastian Dabrowski
54 Iestyn Jones
Head Coach Alex Neil
1 Lukas Jensen
2 Danny McNamara
3 Zak Sturge
4 Tristan Crama
5 Jake Cooper ©
6 Caleb Taylor
7 Thierno Ballo
8 Billy Mitchell
9 Mihailo Ivanovic
10 Camiel Neghli
11 Femi Azeez
12 Adam Mayor
13 Steven Benda
14 Alfie Doughty
15 Max Crocombe
16 Daniel Kelly
17 Macaulay Langstaff
18 Ryan Leonard
19 Josh Coburn
21 Massimo Luongo
22 Aidomo Emakhu
23 Joe Bryan
24 Casper De Norre
25 Luke Cundle
26 Benicio Baker
27 Kamarl Grant
28 Ajay Matthews
29 Zak Lovelace
31 Ra’ees Bangura-Williams
39 Will Smallbone
41 George Evans
43 Joel Coleman
45 Wes Harding
49 Derek Mazou-Sacko
Referee - Dean Whitestone
Assistant Referee 1 - Daniel Leach
Assistant Referee 2 - Hristo Karaivanov
Fourth Official - James Durkin
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 and Snoop Dogg
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Alan Sheehan
Assistant Head Coach - Darren O'Dea
Head of Goalkeeping – Martyn Margetson
First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary
First Team Coach - Richard Stearman
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Ailsa Jones, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Jake Dayus, Patrick Orme, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins, Jack Oliver, Harri Mathias.
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Tom Gorringe (Chief Executive Officer)
Andrew Davies (Head of Operations and Facilities);
CLUB STAFF
Head of Football Operations and Administration: Ben Greenwood
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Commercial: George Alston
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Ticketing: Mari Tucker
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Jack Otter, Sophie Davis, Mackenzie Squires, Sammy Wynne, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan.
Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jac Elsey.