Good afternoon and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium for our final game of the 2024-25 season.
I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a period of transition for the club as we end the season full of optimism for what is ahead.
It goes without saying that we were delighted to announce that Alan Sheehan has been appointed as the permanent head coach of Swansea City. Alan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication during his time as caretaker boss, and we are confident that he will continue to drive the team forward with his vision and expertise.
We look forward to seeing what the future holds and the positive impact that we believe he will have in his new role.
This week we also held two great nights at the Swansea.com Stadium. On Tuesday night we hosted the Academy Awards night at the stadium. Alan and I attended the evening and it was great to see the next generations of talent coming together and celebrating their successes.
We have some real exciting prospects throughout the age groups and we are currently reviewing the academy operations to ensure that we provide them with the best possible chance of making it to the first team.
In addition, on Wednesday night we hosted the annual players awards evening. It was great to see so many recipients of awards across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, as well as those that have made an impact on the community.
It was particularly touching to see Esme Allchurch pick up the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Wyndham Evans and Nigel Stevenson receive the Alan Curtis Award from their former teammate. All in all, it was a real celebration of everything that makes this club special.
This programme is dedicated to two Swansea City legends, Joe Allen and Kyle Naughton, who have both made the difficult decision to leave the club. Joe will retire from football after today’s game, while Kyle will leave us after a decade of service.
Their contributions to the club have been immense, and their legacy will forever be etched in our history. Joe and Kyle have been exemplary figures on and off the pitch, and we thank them for their unwavering commitment and will massively miss them both. This programme is just a small tribute to their remarkable careers and the indelible mark they have left on Swansea City.
As we prepare for our final game of the season against Oxford, we owe a massive thank you to our incredible fans, dedicated staff, and all the players who have contributed to this campaign. Your support has been the driving force behind our efforts, and we are immensely grateful to you. This season has been a journey of highs and lows, and we appreciate every moment shared with you.
In closing, I want to wish everyone well and express our excitement for the upcoming season. We are already working incredibly hard to ensure that the next campaign is one filled with determination and passion to give us the best possible chance of success. We can't wait to see you all again and continue this journey together.
Thank you for your support, and let's look forward to a bright future for Swansea City.
Have a great summer,
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our final game of the season against Oxford United.
I want to start these notes by telling you how honoured and privileged I am to have been given the opportunity to lead this club forward as head coach.
We have enjoyed a really positive period, with some excellent performances and results, and I am very excited about the challenge and the hard work ahead as we look to continue to grow and evolve.
The discussions I had with our ownership group and our director of football, Richard Montague, were very thorough and very positive.
We have a plan to try and take this club forward, we know there is plenty to be done, and there is a lot of hard work already under way as we look towards the summer and next season.
But, first and foremost, we have a job to do this afternoon in making sure we carry the good feeling we have had among the players, staff and supporters into a positive performance and result as we round off the campaign.
Representing this club, there is no need for any further incentive than wearing the badge, but we would love nothing more than to give two Swansea City greats a winning send-off today.
Joe Allen and Kyle Naughton have been fantastic servants of this football club, they are model professionals but, more importantly, they are wonderful, humble people.
It goes without saying that we will miss them, and we would of course have loved to have them remain with us.
But, when you have had careers of such distinction and longevity as Joe and Kyle, you have more than earned the right to make such difficult decisions on your own terms, and they leave us with our deepest gratitude and affection.
I know you, our supporters, feel exactly the same and I know you will give them the tremendous reception they deserve.
I also want to take the opportunity to congratulate all the winners from our player awards evening on Wednesday night.
It was a wonderful occasion, and being in a room filled with such passion for this club was a reminder – not that one were needed - of what makes Swansea City so special.
Enjoy the game, and thank you for your support over the course of the season.
Alan
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium today for our final game of the season against Oxford United.
I have to admit that just a few short weeks ago I was predicting this game could have a dramatic impact on whether at least one of us would still be playing Championship football again next season.
Thankfully for all of us, our recent upturns in form now mean that pressure has been lifted and we can enjoy the atmosphere and watch with interest on who could be heading up – or down!
With that in mind I think it’s only fair to congratulate Wrexham on their promotion to the Championship, and what should be some cracking Welsh derbies we can all look forward to next season.
Our own run of form over the past few weeks - led admirably by Alan Sheehan - has been nothing short of remarkable and as covered in our release HERE, it was without doubt the right thing he was appointed on a three-year contract earlier this week.
This will now allow a period of stability for everyone during the close season which will also help our pre-season plans and player recruitment over the summer transfer window. It should also provide us with an excellent opportunity to take our recent performances into the new season in just a couple of months’ time.
I won’t dwell today on our ‘story of our season’, in that I simply haven’t got enough room, but when I was reading through some of the programme notes HERE that our Trust Board have prepared for our members and supporters this season it’s certainly been challenging at times.
As always, the wide variety of Trust work and regular meetings with the club management team and ownership group will continue over the summer. This will be led in the coming days by a consultation with our members on our new strategy, that we’ll be finalising and publishing later this month.
And last week we released football finance expert Kieran Maguire’s views on the club’s accounts for the 2023-24 period in our latest TrustCast - more details on how to watch or listen are available HERE.
Looking ahead it will be soon be time for members to consider putting themselves forward for election to the Trust Board. We will be announcing more details of that process in early June, but in the meantime I would strongly encourage members who feel they have the time to help us in our work and responsibilities to give it some thought, and to find out more by visiting our Trust Elections page on our website HERE.
Earlier this week the club held its annual Player Awards Evening, which is always an enjoyable event.
Once again, the Trust was proud to sponsor the Lifetime Achievement Award and I was personally delighted to see the winner being announced as the wonderful Esme Allchurch.
Esme is of course the widow of the late, great Ivor Allchurch, and is also honorary president of the club’s Former Players’ Association. Her ongoing passion for the Swans and knowledge of the game shines through whenever you are fortunate enough to be in her company.
Her award also coincides nicely with a feature the Trust and local author and Ambassador David Brayley are currently working on with Esme and her family, which we plan to release over the summer.
Esme has long championed the cause of keeping those who have worn the famous white shirt close to the club and we are sure her story will resonate with supporters of all ages once it is released.
Today’s game will also be the last one for our outgoing club chairman Andy Coleman. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Andy for all the support he has provided myself and the Trust since he, Anne and their family took the big step of moving over to Swansea from the United States two years ago.
Even though Andy is stepping away as chairman he remains a major investor in the club and will still be working alongside the majority owners to help the Swans move forward positively into the 2025-26 season and beyond.
We are also pleased to see the winners of the Swansea Junior Leagues - which the Trust have proudly sponsored this season - being recognised this afternoon with a lap of honour pre-match.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Trust members and the Jack Army for your support over the past season, and also extend a personal thanks to every one of our Swans Trust board members for all their continued dedication in the many areas of work we are involved with.
Have an enjoyable break everyone.
Dave
Izzy James has had to deal with sight loss since birth, and completely lost her vision when she was just 15 years old. Understandably, this proved a significant hurdle in her mission to look after her health and wellbeing, but taking part in the FIT Jacks programme has proved an invaluable experience.
After joining local gyms and being left with a feeling of anxiety, Izzy sought a fitness programme which would cater to her needs.
Although initially being apprehensive about how she would participate in FIT Jacks, Izzy has been inspired by the support from her peers and the coaches at Swansea City AFC Foundation, which has enabled her to fully complete the 12-week programme.
“I’ve had a sight loss from birth, up until the age of 15 I could see outline and colour and shape had no definition,” said Izzy.
“I lost my sight when I was 15 and now I have no vision at all.
“When I first heard about FIT Jacks I was quite apprehensive. My experience of doing sport and fitness has been quite varied. I’ve tried going to the gym but I found it quite intimidating and quite an anxious experience really.
“I wasn’t sure how as someone who is blind was going to be able to do the programme, but I was very open and honest when I signed up to mention that I would need some extra support.”
When Izzy signed up to FIT Jacks she spoke to Shauna Thornhill, the Swansea City AFC Foundation health and wellbeing officer who leads the sessions in New Lodge, Gorseinon. She was able to setup a bespoke support system for Izzy during her time on the programme.
Jack Havard, health and wellbeing officer at the Foundation, also supported Izzy on a one-to-one basis to enable her to understand each exercise and the correct technique.
“The way that I’ve been accessing FIT Jacks has been really empowering,” added Izzy.
“Coming to FIT Jacks has really enabled me to have a more positive outlook on what I can achieve. It’s given me the confidence to explore maybe going to the gym again, but it's also encouraged me to explore other areas of sport and fitness which I thought weren’t accessible to me.
“It’s just made me more positive and confident as an overall person about what I can achieve.”
FIT Jacks aims to welcome everyone on the programme by offering targeted support in whatever way someone may feel they need.
“It’s really important for FIT Jacks to be inclusive,” said Havard.
“Izzy is the first person with sight loss to join the programme and I feel she’s benefitted from it massively.
“We’ve seen a great improvement in Izzy’s confidence. Every week she puts 100 percent into every exercise which has improved her fitness levels.”
The new cohort of FIT Jacks begins the week commencing Monday April 28. Sign up to the free programme now to start your fitness journey.
Gonçalo Franco has been named Swansea City Supporters’ Men’s Player of the Season for the 2024-25 campaign at the club’s annual awards evening.
The Portuguese midfielder has had an excellent first season with the Swans, having joined from Moreirense during the 2024 summer transfer window.
His bustling energy with and without the ball have made him an eye-catching presence in the centre of the park, and he quickly established himself as a fan favourite with his all-action displays.
His exploits saw him come out on top when the Jack Army were asked to vote for their best player of the campaign, while Franco was also selected by his teammates as the Men’s Players’ Player of the Season.
The Men’s Top Goalscorer prize was secured by Liam Cullen, with the Wales international scoring a career-best return of 11 goals across the campaign.
The Women’s Top Goalscorer award went to striker Stacey John-Davis after another goal-laden campaign from the long-serving forward.
Experienced defender Jess Williams was named Women’s Players’ Player of the Season after another campaign where she has proved the model of consistency and helped the Swans end a tough campaign with an unbeaten run during phase two of the Genero Adran Premier.
The Men’s Best Newcomer of the Season prize went to goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux for his fine performances since joining Swansea from Burnley last summer.
Vigouroux has 14 clean sheets to his name, with seven of those coming in his last 12 appearances, and has made countless important saves and interventions.
The Women’s Best Newcomer of the Season award was given to teenager Aimee Deacon, who has enjoyed an excellent season after her arrival from Barry Town United.
Her pace and eye for goal saw her among the Swans leading scorers, and she notably netted back-to-back hat-tricks during the autumn.
The Academy Player of the Season was Jacob Cook, with the midfielder being rewarded for a campaign where he has repeatedly showcased his composure and reading of the game.
Cook recently signed his first pro deal with the club, and netted a goal at the Swansea.com Stadium when the under-21s beat Burnley earlier this month.
Defender Arthur Parker picked up the Under-21s’ Player of the Season award despite still being aged just 18.
The versatile defender, who can operate on both flanks and further forward, has produced a number of high-quality displays and was rewarded by being included in the senior matchday squad to face Burnley in March.
Off the field the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust Lifetime Achievement award went to Esme Allchurch.
The widow of the late, great Ivor Allchurch, and the honorary president of the club’s Former Players’ Association, Esme’s passion and love for Swansea City has endured for over seven decades.
She has long championed the cause of keeping those who have worn the famous white shirt close to the club, and remains as shrewd and knowledgeable a judge of the game as you could wish to meet.
The Alan Curtis award - given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the club - went to Nigel Stevenson and Wyndham Evans.
Between them the pair made over 600 appearances for the club and were among those to feature in every division as John Toshack’s side climbed from the bottom tier to the top-flight of English football during a golden era for the club in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
They have remained a presence at the club since hanging up their boots, as much loved hosts in our hospitality lounges on matchdays and as Swans TV contributors.
The evening included a vote to decide the club’s Goal of the Season award, and Josh Key's stunning strike against Plymouth Argyle beat a strong field of contenders to take the prize.
Last, but certainly not least, Helen Elton was recognised as the club’s Community Champion as she prepared to retire following 13 years of outstanding service with the Swansea City AFC Foundation.
Elton served as fundings and partnerships officer, head of community, and head of grants and funding for the club’s charitable arm.
Her tireless efforts helped the Foundation expand its range of projects and initiatives designed to help and support those within our city and community, playing a particularly key role in ensuring sessions continued to be delivered during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swansea City would like to thank all its sponsors and partners for their support over the course of the season and of tonight’s event.
SWANSEA CITY 2024-25 PLAYER AWARDS EVENING (SPONSORED BY AMMCOM)
Under-21s' Player of the Season (Sponsored by Talent Hire): Arthur Parker
Academy Player of the Season (Sponsored by Perfect Media): Jacob Cook
Swansea City Community Champion (Sponsored by the Disabled Supporters' Association): Helen Elton
Men's Best Newcomer of the Season (Sponsored by Ammcom): Lawrence Vigouroux
Women's Best Newcomer of the Season (Sponsored by Ammcom): Aimee Deacon
Men's Top Goalscorer of the Season (Sponsored by Peter Lynn & Partners): Liam Cullen
Women's Top Goalscorer of the Season (Sponsored by Peter Lynn & Partners): Stacey John-Davis
Men's Goal of the Season (Sponsored by The Resin Co.): Josh Key v Plymouth Argyle
Men's Players' Player of the Season (Sponsored by Owens Group): Gonçalo Franco
Women's Players' Player of the Season (Sponsored by Owens Group): Jess Williams
Men's Supporters' Player of the Season (Sponsored by Shirgar Welsh Butter): Gonçalo Franco
Swansea City Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Swansea City Supporters' Trust): Esme Allchurch
Alan Curtis Award (Sponsored by Aquasafe): Nigel Stevenson and Wyndham Evans
As part of a new feature in our digital matchday programme for the 2024-25 campaign, we are calling on all Swans fans to share their memories and experiences of supporting the club 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.
LOVE FOOTBALL, PROTECT THE GAME
As we approach our final game of 2024-25 Championship season, everyone at Swansea City would like to thank you for your support home and away this season.
Your backing and the atmosphere you create is a crucial part of our club, and Alan Sheehan, his staff and the players are hugely grateful for the manner in which you have got behind the team over the course of the campaign.
To show their thanks, the staff and players will complete a lap of appreciation following the conclusion of our final game of the season against Oxford United on Saturday.
With that in mind, in the interests of safety we want to remind everyone that the pitch is for the players and match officials, while the stands are there for you to support the team.
In recent seasons, some clubs have witnessed unsavoury and unwelcome scenes with a small minority of people entering the field of play, whilst other fans have taken to the pitch in celebration at the achievements of their team.
Pitch incursions are dangerous and anyone who does encroach onto the playing surface will face strong sanctions, that could include a ban from attending matches here at the Swansea.com Stadium and across the country, as well as possible police action.
It is a criminal offence to enter the pitch and the real-life consequences for these actions have seen some of those responsible receive criminal records which can impact employment, education prospects and international travel.
It is not only yourself that can be disciplined. There could also be an impact on your family members and Swansea City.
We ask you to keep the pitch for players and the stands for supporters and avoid any unnecessary disruption.
Everybody should feel safe at football, and we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe on matchdays.
We look forward to welcoming you all for our season finale on Saturday.
Love Football, Protect the Game.
Žan Vipotnik struck the winner from the penalty spot as Swansea City deservedly beat Hull City to claim a fourth victory in a row.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key, Ben Cabango (captain), Harry Darling, Josh Tymon; Joe Allen (Jay Fulton 64), Gonçalo Franco, Lewis O'Brien; Ronald (Florian Bianchini 84), Jisung Eom (Ollie Cooper 84); Žan Vipotnik (Liam Cullen 75).
Unused Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Jay Fulton, Cyrus Christie, Kyle Naughton, Ben Lloyd, Sam Parker.
Hull City: Ivan Pandur, Lewie Coyle (captain) (Mason Burstow 81), Charlie Hughes, Sean McLoughlin (Cody Drameh 37), Joao Pedro, John Egan, Lincoln (Abu Kamara 59), Gustavo Puerta (Matt Crooks 59), Regan Slater, Joe Gelhardt, Kasey Palmer (Nordin Amrabat 59).
Unused Substitutes: Timothee Lo-Tutala, Alfie Jones, Steven Alzate, Kyle Joseph.
Referee: Ben Toner
Attendance: 18,775
Swansea City picked up a fifth win in a row as a controlled display saw them defeat Queens Park Rangers at MATRADE Loftus Road.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key, Ben Cabango (captain) (Hannes Delcroix 87), Harry Darling, Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton, Goncalo Franco (Joe Allen 86), Lewis O’Brien; Ronald (Cyrus Christie 98), Jisung Eom (Ollie Cooper 81), Liam Cullen (Žan Vipotnik 81)
Unused Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Florian Bianchini, Cyrus Christie, Kyle Naughton, Sam Parker.
Queens Park Rangers: Paul Nardi, Jimmy Dunne (captain), Jack Colback, Liam Morrison, Ronnie Edwards, Harrison Ashby (Michael Frey 53), Nicolas Madsen (Ilias Chair 74), Lucas Andersen (Kenneth Paal 53), Morgan Fox, Yang Min-hyeok (Emmerson Sutton 67), Rayan Kolli (Kader Dembele 67).
Unused Substitutes: Joe Walsh, Harry Murphy, Kieran Morgan, Daniel Bennie.
Referee: Tom Nield
Attendance: 16,351 (1,733 away)
Swansea City’s winning run came to an end as George Saville’s first-half goal gave Millwall the spoils at The Den.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key, Ben Cabango (captain), Hannes Delcroix, Josh Tymon; Jay Fulton (Ollie Cooper 67), Goncalo Franco(Joe Allen 67), Lewis O’Brien; Ronald (Florian Bianchini 86), Jisung Eom, Liam Cullen (Žan Vipotnik 67)
Unused Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Cyrus Christie, Kyle Naughton, Sam Parker.
Millwall: George Evans, Jake Cooper (captain), Japhet Tanganga, Femi Azeez, Josh Coburn (Aidomo Emakhu 74), George Saville, Casper De Norre (Ryan Wintle 87), Luke Cundle (George Honeyman 58), Mihailo Ivanovic, Tristan Crama, Zak Sturge.
Unused Substitutes: Jakob Przewozny, Aaron Connolly, Daniel Kelly, Macaulay Langstaff, Ryan Leonard, Wes Harding.
Referee: Ben Speedie
Attendance: 17,239 (1,354)
Established in 1893, Oxford United were originally set up as an amateur club called Headington, a village team affectionately known as ‘the boys from over the hill'.
Post-war The U’s added the name United to their name and in 1959, after ambitious planning to appeal the club to the city, their name was changed to Oxford United and they were elected to the Football League for the first time.
Their only major honor came in 1986 in the form of the League Cup when, under the leadership of Maurice Evans, when they beat Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at Wembley Stadium with former Swan Jeremy Charles among the scorers.
The 1980s also saw their highest-ever league placing. After back-to-back championship promotions from Division Two and Division Three, they spent three seasons in the top-flight, where they placed 18th twice before relegation.
The U’s have spent much of their recent history in the lower leagues and faced a spell out of the Football League after relegation in the 2005-2006 season. Four years in the Vanarama Conference followed before Chris Wilder guided Oxford back to the Football League with a 3-1 play-off final win over York in 2010.
Promotion to League One followed in 2016, and they are back in the second tier for the first time in a quarter of a century after beating Bolton in May’s play-off final.
KASSAM STADIUM
Built: 1997
Location: Grenoble Road, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4XP
Capacity: 12,500
Ex-Birmingham City, Derby County and Everton defender Gary Rowett has been at the helm as head coach since December 2024, having taken over following Des Buckingham’s departure.
As a player Rowett was a reliable performer in all the teams he played for, amassing 381 league appearances and scoring 21 goals over a 16-year career.
Rowett moved into management with his final club Burton Albion in 2012. After initially assisting Paul Peschisolido in 2009, he took over the reins and led the club to fourth place in League Two and a place in the play-offs, backing it up the following season with another top six-finish.
Moves to the Championship to manage former clubs Birmingham and Derby County followed, with his fine work at St Andrew’s going unrewarded by the club hierarchy.
He endured a difficult spell at Stoke City, before taking up the reins at Millwall and doing a fine job at The Den, having them in play-off contention over successive seasons.
He left the Lions in October 2023, and spent the final months of the 2023-24 campaign unsuccessfully trying to keep Birmingham City in the second tier following Wayne Rooney’s departure and Tony Mowbray’s need to step down due to ill health.
Centre-back Elliott Moore has spent six years with Oxford after joining the club from Leicester City in 2019.
Moore came through the ranks with the Foxes after joining the East Midlands club when aged just six. He played alongside the likes of Ben Chilwell and Harvey Barnes and was an unused substitute in a Premier League fixture against Tottenham in 2017.
He went on to have two successful loan spells with OH Leuven in Belgium, wearing the captain’s armband on a number of occasions, before moving to the Kassam Stadium.
He has made over 220 appearances since, and was named club captain at the outset of the 2020-21 campaign.
Midfielder Cameron Brannagan is a product of the Liverpool academy and made nine senior appearance for the Reds, including three Premier League outings between 2014 and 2018.
The England youth international also had a loan spell with Fleetwood Town before joining Oxford in 2018.
He has made over 324 appearances since and scored 57 goals. Three of those goals have come this season, with the most recent of those a blockbuster 35-yard strike to secure a point against Cardiff City.
Brannagan was also on the scoresheet when Oxford knocked the Swans out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in 2022.
Former Cardiff man Mark Harris is Oxford’s top scorer with six goals, while the striker has also contributed three assists.
The Wales international came through Cardiff’s academy, and made his senior bow in 2017.
Loan spells with Newport County, Port Vale and Wrexham followed for the forward, before he became a regular part of Cardiff’s first-team squad.
After just shy of 100 league appearances, he departed to join Oxford in the summer of 2023, and netted 19 goals in all competitions as the U’s went on to secure promotion last season.
Defender Michal Helik joined Oxford in January 2025 as he left Huddersfield Town, and has played a key part in helping the U’s get to safety, with four goals and a string of assured defensive display.
Helik has always been known for being effective in both boxes, and topped Huddersfield’s scoring charts last season with nine goals before departing after two-and-half years in west Yorkshire.
Helik had previously been at Barnsley, who he joined in 2020, and where he immediately cemented himself into the Tykes backline during a campaign where the Yorkshire club would eventually lose out to the Swans in the play-offs
He previously played for Polish sides Ruch Chorzow and Cracovia before making the move to English football.
Helik became a Poland International when he made his debut in a World Cup qualifier against Hungary in March 2021. He has seven caps to his name.
Alan Sheehan has described his appointment as Swansea City head coach as an honour, and has vowed to leave no stone unturned in his efforts to help the club plot a positive forward path.
The 38-year-old will continue to lead the Swans, having been placed in caretaker charge for a second time following Luke Williams’ departure in February.
The Irishman has overseen a haul of 23 points from the last 12 games, with seven wins and seven clean sheets in that sequence.
He has put pen to paper on a three-year deal; his first game in full-time charge will be Saturday’s season finale against Oxford United.
And Sheehan – who also picked up 11 points from seven games in caretaker charge during the 2023-24 campaign – spoke of his pride at being handed the opportunity to lead the Swans into next season and beyond.
“I have always said it is a privilege to be at this football club, and now I have the honour of officially being the head coach,” said Sheehan, whose long playing career included spells with Leicester City, Leeds United, Notts County and Luton Town.
“It feels somewhat surreal, but I am incredibly privileged to have the honour of managing the football club.
“There has been a really good feeling around the place, I have spoken over the last couple of months about building something here.
“I have been in talks with the ownership for a good while now and the message has always been consistent about what we need to move forward.
“Now we have the base to move forward with those plans, we have had positive discussions with Brett (Cravatt), Jason (Cohen) and Richard (Montague), they have been excellent.
“The fans have been excellent to me, and I understand the responsibility and duty of care I now have to the football club, to the fans, the owners, the staff and the players.
“I will leave no stone unturned to make the club successful. I have said before, it’s not just about surviving, or being the manager for the sake of it. I would love to bring this football club to a better place.”
Sheehan has often spoken of the need to be adaptable amidst the varying and different challenges posed by life in the Championship.
But one consistent aspect of recent performances has been aggressive pressing and attacking play in transition, with the Swans causing opponents problems with and without the ball.
It has helped them ensure a top-half finish on the back of a run of five-straight wins, but Sheehan acknowledges the team will need to evolve into a side that can dominate in and out of possession, to make sure they progress and head in the right direction.
“There have been a lot of really pleasing things in this period,” said Sheehan, who also confirmed a decision over the make-up of his backroom team will be made during the off-season.
“We have really found momentum after the international break, and to have that run of results has been very pleasing.
“I keep saying we want to build momentum and confidence within the group to go and do something.
“This is a very unforgiving league, so to have that run and be in a place where we can finish in the top half is very encouraging.
“We want to be a competitive team, we have to build on what we have and make it better.
“We have been incredibly aggressive without the ball, and with it.
“We want to control games, but we want to control the game when we have the ball and when we don’t have the ball.
“We don’t want a false mindset where you think you are in control just because you have the ball.
“You can have the ball, but the other team can be in control because they are waiting to hurt us when we turn it over.
“So, I think the non-negotiables will be that we are ultra-aggressive, we will want to have those core principles and fundamentals, while recognising we will need to evolve to be a team that can be effective and dominate opponents in and out of possession.”
Today's game against Oxford will mark Sheehan's first in full-time charge. Following the positive recent run, he hopes players and fans can enjoy this final test of a long campaign.
"It’s the last game, we have achieved our goals but it is important we create a party atmosphere," he said.
"But anyone who knows me or has been around the training ground recently will know we want a performance, we want to give the fans something to party about.
"Every game is different, it will be a test but we want to go into and hopefully have a really enjoyable day."
Saturday May 3 2025 will be a very emotional day for everyone connected with Swansea City, as we say goodbye to two of the finest servants in the recent history of our club.
Joe Allen and Kyle Naughton say their farewells at the Swansea.com Stadium after making just shy of 600 first-team appearances between them.
Allen – who is retiring from all football - has played 230 games across two spells with his boyhood club, not to mention winning 77 caps as part of an iconic group of Wales players to have featured in three major tournaments. That’s before considering his contributions for Liverpool and Stoke City.
His place in the pantheon of Swansea and Wales greats has long been secured.
Naughton – who will leave the club and expects this fixture to be the last of his professional career – has made 329 appearances since joining from Tottenham in January 2015, with 299 of them coming in league competition, meaning there is the tantalising prospect of a final Swansea City landmark to come.
He helped the club to an eighth-place Premier League finish – the club’s second-highest league placing in its entire history – been part of two play-off campaigns, and started both games in the first-ever south Wales derby double.
The pair have exuded class, on and off the pitch. While they would typically prefer for there not to be a fuss made of them, there is no doubting that they absolutely and thoroughly deserve the tremendous reception they will get from the Jack Army on their final day in the colours of the club they have represented with such distinction.
Both acknowledge the decision to leave has been very difficult, but they also share a great deal of gratitude that Swansea – club and community – has played such a big part in their lives.
“It’s been a very difficult decision but one that, it goes without saying, I have given an awful lot of thought to,” said Allen as he reflected on his decision to hang up his boots.
“I am 35 now, and with what I have put my body through with the injuries and the level I can reach at the moment, it feels like the right time to call time on my career.
“It’s a chance for me to give huge thanks to all the people who have helped me on the way through what has been a really enjoyable career.
has been a really enjoyable career.
“I think doing it on my own terms makes it better. I spoke to so many people who were not happy with how their careers ended, be that through injury or through being released, so I am fortunate to be in a position where I am back at the club I love, and to have had the chance to come home for the last three seasons.
“To be announcing my retirement as a Swansea City player makes it extra special, I have been very fortunate. To finish my career where it started, it feels like everything has come full circle.
“My career has surpassed everything I ever thought it could be, I am proud to have had the career and the experiences I have had, whether that has been at the clubs I played for, or representing Wales. I have been part of some incredible groups with wonderful supporters, I have been very lucky.”
For Naughton, the sign of how big an impact Swansea has made on him is evident in how quickly his decade in black and white has seemingly flown by.
“It’s a very emotional week, all the family are coming down for the game. They say time flies when you are having fun, and it has gone so quick,” he said.
“It has been very difficult in some ways, but in other ways not so difficult because I think in football you have a way of knowing your time is up somewhere. That’s how it goes.
“But I have been here 10 years and I feel like I have been part of the family and part of the community. That’s a feeling I will keep forever, from playing for this club.
“With football you don’t think too far ahead. When I joined, I did not have much thought of how long I would be here because you have your length of contract and you play towards that.
“But one thing I can say is I have been glad I have been here for 10 years, me and my family have absolutely loved it and it will have a place in our hearts forever.
“I have met so many people who I know if I came back here in 10 years’ time, there would always be someone here I could call upon and that’s a special thing you don’t get at every club.”
Another topic that unites the pair is their appreciation for the club’s supporters and the backing they have received.
To get the chance to say farewell on home turf feels fitting to the two club stalwarts.
“I have had good and bad times, it’s not all been plain sailing,” continued Naughton.
“We have had a relegation, we have had near misses in the play-offs.
“But one thing I can say is that when things are going well here the fans do really get behind you, and they don’t realise how much that helps.
“When they turn up in numbers and they are shouting it does really give you a kick and help out.
“It’s not just about on the pitch though, it’s off the pitch too. I have met some amazing people and made friends for life.
“My kids have been raised here, and those are all big things for me.
“It’s not just about football when you play for Swansea City, it’s about the community as well.”
Allen agrees that the strong sense of community between team and supporters is a key part of what makes Swansea City special.
“It is fitting that my family will have the chance to be there for my final game, it has worked out great with us being at home in the last game of the season and in front of our fans,” he said.
“I am already thinking about it, and I am sure it is going to be a very emotional day. I am not one for too much drama, but for sure it is going to hit me with it being such a huge moment in my life.
“For the fans, I cannot thank them enough. They are what make this club special, they are what make wearing the shirt special, whether we are home or away.
“I have shared so many experiences with them over the years, and to be part of the family of this club has been extra special. I am grateful for everything they have done for me. I can only say thank you.”
As we say goodbye to two very special players and people, all we can say is: Diolch am bopeth Joe a Kyle.
Once a Jack, Always a Jack.
A Morgan Bates hat-trick and a Thomas Woodward brace ensured Swansea City Under-21s claimed an emphatic victory in their final away fixture of the season against Birmingham City at St. Andrew's.
The Swans surged into the lead as Woodward netted twice inside the first 25 minutes, with Ramon Rees-Siso playing a key role in both goals.
The Blues pulled one back not long after through a powerful Kurtis Havenhand strike approaching the half-hour mark.
But Bates sealed the win with his second-half treble, his second as a Swans player since joining in September as the visitors romped to victory.
There was also the welcome sight of Filip Lissah making his first start in almost eight months following injury, while the bench consisted of only second and first-year scholars.
The opening stages proved cagey, although Arthur Parker and Iestyn Jones made a couple of important blocks to prevent Birmingham attacks posing a real threat.
But the breakthrough soon arrived for the visitors as the in-form Woodward directed his header into the roof of the net following good work by Rees-Siso down the right.
Aimar Govea dragged an effort wide moments later, and Woodward headed a Rees-Siso delivery over the bar, but the Swans did not have to wait much longer for their second
Rees-Siso's shot forced a good save from Birmingham keeper Brad Mayo, but he could do nothing as Woodward lofted the rebound over him and into the net.
However, the hosts brought themselves back within one goal as Havenhand scored with his first touch with a fine strike from outside the 18-yard-box.
The Blues also applied pressure early in the second half, and Kit Margetson was grateful to be able to comfortably gather Daniel Isichei's mistimed shot following a Birmingham free-kick.
Lissah then put his body on the line to make a big block from a close-range strike while, at the other end, Mayo held Bat'es shot from Seb Dabrowski's fine cross.
But Bates would get his goal when a flowing attack ending with Govea laying a simple finish on a plate for the forward.
Margetson kept the lead at two goals, making a superb stop to prevent a trialist finding the top corner with a powerful header.
And Swansea made the most of his acrobatics by putting the result beyond doubt.
Woodward teed up Bates to fire home Swansea's fourth with a low drive from the edge of the area.
And the same combination brought up the fifth and final goal as Woodward's through ball picked out the run of Bates, who coolly finished to round off his hat-trick and cap an excellent performance.
Swansea City Under-21s: Kit Margetson, Arthur Parker, Sebastian Dabrowski (captain) (Callum Deacon 15), Jacob Cook, Filip Lissah (Ben Phillips 65), Iestyn Jones, Aimar Govea (Billy Clarke 75), Dan Watts (Harlan Perry 75), Morgan Bates, Thomas Woodward, Ramon Rees-Siso (Callum Jones 65).
Swansea City academy celebrated the best and brightest of the club’s pathway system as it held its 2024-25 end-of-season awards at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The event recognised the player of the season for each age-group team, the pre-academy and Foundation Phase goal of the season, the Youth Development Phase (YDP) and Professional Development Phase (PDP) goal of the season, and the YDP and PDP save of the season.
The occasion gave youth players, their coaches and their families the opportunity to celebrate another successful campaign, which has seen the under-17s reach the final of the Professional Development League Cup.
There have also been senior debuts for academy products Josh Thomas and Ben Lloyd, while Arthur Parker, Dan Watts and Kit Margetson and several others have trained and travelled with the first-team squad.
Internationally, 25 academy players were called up for their respective nations at age-grade levels from under-15s to under-21s, and there were a record number of academy graduates in the senior Wales squad this March international break.
A pivotal figure in defence, Arthur Parker took home the Under-21s’ Player of the Season gong, capping off a remarkable year which has seen the 18-year-old be named in the senior matchday squad for the first time.
Harlan Perry, who has featured at under-17s, under-18s, and under-21s level this season, was named the Under-18s’ Player of the Season and Carter Heywood took the Under-16s’ award, with Alex Godfrey being named Under-15s Player of the Season.
Iago Evans and Damian Dabrowski were awarded the Under-14s’ and Under-13s’ awards respectively, with both demonstrating an incredible work ethic and dedication to improve and develop.
For the younger age groups, Georgie James (U12), Cayden Jones (U11), Max Edwards (U10) and Jac Griffiths (U9) were all recognised as the outstanding player in their respective age categories, with coaches praising the way they demonstrated the club’s values on and off the pitch.
Full list of awards winners
U9s’ Player of the Season - Jac Griffiths
U10s’ Player of the Season - Max Edwards
U11s’ Player of the Season - Cayden Jones
U12s’ Player of the Season - Georgie James
U13s’ Player of the Season - Damian Dabrowski
U14s’ Player of the Season - Iago Evans
U15s’ Player of the Season - Alex Godfrey
U16s’ Player of the Season - Carter Heywood
U18s’ Player of the Season - Harlan Perry
U21s’ Player of the Season - Arthur Parker
FDP Save of the Season - Arlo Sturgess
YDP Save of the Season - Arlo Simonchini
PDP Save of the Season - Ben Hughes
FDP Goal of the Season - Dexter Breese
YDP Goal of the Season - Kaven Bloniarczyk
PDP Goal of the Season - Callum Jones
Swansea City Under-18s were defeated by their Brentford counterparts in their final Professional Development League game of the season.
Brentford broke the deadlock through Emeka Peters' close-range finish five minutes from the break, before Caio Ifans brought Swansea level with his left-footed effort on the stroke of half-time.
But the visitors regained their lead in the closing stages, Nedved Owusu netting the winning goal for the Bees.
The young Swans had Thomas Searle making his first appearance in a year, having been injured on his under-21s' debut against Sheffield Wednesday in April 2024.
They made the better start, Bobo Evans seeing a shot tipped wide by the Brentford keeper after a flowing attack.
Billy Clarke was next to test Evan Anderson in the Brentford goal. His neat one-two with Aidan Higgins sent Clarke into the area but the keeper was equal to his effort.
The game began to settle approaching the half-hour mark with Swansea having the better of the chances, and keeper Sam Seager yet to be tested.
Anderson pushed away Milo Robinson's free-kick from 30 yards, but it was the visitors who took the lead when Peters found space at the back post and slotted in the opener.
However, the Bees' lead was shortlived as Osian Williams' delivery rolled into the path of Ifans, who made no mistake to find the net for his first goal at under-18 level.
The scores were level at the interval, but Swansea had to weather heavy pressure just after the break as Callum Deacon and Williams did well to chase down Luka Bentt after his solo run had threatened to cut through the home defence.
Swansea lifted the siege, and it became an end-to-end contest, and Clarke went close with a strike from outside the box that flew narrowly wide.
Searle was then introduced as he made his comeback after a long injury absence, and he almost marked his comeback in dream fashion, only for his chip to fly just wide of the target.
Instead it was the visitors who would find a winner with Owusu finishing a smart move by tucking the ball into the bottom corner.
Swansea City Under-18s: Sam Seager, Osian Williams, Callum Deacon (captain) (Wahab Ojetoro 60), Milo Robinson, Kiel Higginson, Carter Heywood (Brogan Popham 60), Billy Clarke, Ben Phillips (Alfie Jones 60), Aidan Higgins, Bobo Evans, Caio Ifans (Thomas Searle 76).
Substitutes: Thomas Wright.
As uplifting, humbling and thoroughly enjoyable evenings go, they don’t get much better than the one I was privileged to be a part of on Wednesday at the Swansea.com Stadium.
The Player Awards are always special, but this year the night really was exceptional.
Football clubs are such an integral part of the community, though in my completely unbiased opinion, ours has the edge!
Its importance was reinforced by so many of the people who took part in the awards and in so many of the conversations that took place: from Liverpudlian Lee Trundle talking about choosing to stay in the city long after his playing career ended, to Helen Elton being awarded Community Champion for her work with the Swansea City AFC Foundation and sharing her pride and passion for the people she got to meet and work with.
When the club launched the Former Players’ Association almost four years ago, the aim was to provide a sense of community and belonging for those who had represented our club. The money raised from the Awards goes to the FPA and is used in support of our former players.
Ex-players have benefitted financially and in terms of their wellbeing as a result of the FPA. Raising money is important, of course, though it’s always the human-interest stories that have the biggest impact, and the evening was littered with them. Perhaps one of the best came from Alan Curtis who presented his outstanding contribution award to former teammates Nigel Stevenson and Wyndham Evans.
Curt, Speedy and Wyndham were stalwarts of the side in the 1970s and 80s. And while Curt got the goals and often the plaudits, no player succeeds without having a strong side around them.
Curt described Speedy and Wyndham as his ‘wingmen’, working with him and protecting him on the pitch. They had his back, and woe betide an opposition player who dared interfere!
And, 50 plus years later, that rock-solid friendship remains. Jacks through and through, an incredible partnership on the pitch which brought joy to so many people and, when their playing days ended, their friendship continued, thanks in no small part to their mutual love of our club.
It is a story replicated elsewhere no doubt, their story is ours – and that makes it special.
One name that has been synonymous with Swansea City through the decades is Allchurch. Ivor and Len need no introduction, and since Ivor’s death in 1997 his widow Esme has continued to support her childhood club.
Esme was made FPA honorary president when the association launched in 2021. It was a fitting appointment. Her enthusiasm for our club and her love of football is unmatched, she is the ‘queen’ when it comes to Swansea City, so it was even more fitting that the club and Supporters’ trust marked her contribution and commitment with the Lifetime Achievement award.
I was sat next to Esme and no-one on our table knew that she was the recipient, in fact we discussed our thoughts on who it might be earlier in the evening – we were all wrong – and absolutely delighted to be so. Esme was “shocked” and “thrilled” and the warmth of affection and appreciation in the room as Kev Johns read her name out confirmed that she was, indeed, a wonderfully worthy winner.
What a way to top off what has turned out to be a pretty decent end to the season, Jacks.
Oxford United today. Let’s go!
JULIE KISSICK
Carson, one of our half time penalty takers and a 7-year-old Swansea Jack, has a rare genetic condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. As he gets older, his muscles will become weaker. He has a much lower life expectancy. We are raising funds to support him in any way possible throughout his life. Please use the QR Code to donate now if you can. Diolch!
_______________________________________
Happy 70th Birthday, Anthony
A beloved husband, dad, cherished father in law, wonderful grandfather, and loyal friend — today we celebrate you!
Your wisdom, kindness, laughter, and stories have touched all our lives. Thank you for the love you've shared and the memories you've created.
From family gatherings to cheering on Swansea City — and walks with your faithful companion Michu — your passion and spirit bring people together.
Here’s to 70 incredible years and many more to come — just like the Swans, you’re still going strong!
With all our love,
Your family and friends
_______________________________________
IN MEMORY
Peter Jones
26.04.57 to 02.05.25
In memory of Peter Jones a lifelong supporter of his beloved Club.
He will be sadly missed by all his friends and family.
Once a Jack, Always a Jack
R.I.P. Peter
_______________________________________
Everyone at Swansea City was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong Swans fan Hugh Saunders at the age of 76.
Hugh was a huge part of the Cimla community, leading the Cubs and Scouts as well as coaching youth football teams. He also played, managed and supported the Harp Rovers in the Neath League for over 50 years.
A season ticket holder in the East Stand, he loved following the Swans home and away with his children Rhys & Sara. He will be dearly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Once a Jack, Always a Jack
_______________________________________
Remembering our beloved daughter and sister Tracey, who passed away suddenly 3 years ago. Forever in our thoughts and always in our hearts Mum, Dad and all the O’Grady family.
Wrexham were branded a “circus” by Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones in the run-up to last weekend’s crunch League One promotion match at the STōK Cae Ras.
Well, let me welcome Wrexham’s circus to the wonderful, weird and whacky world of the EFL Championship next season.
Their Hollywood owners are sure to feel at home in a division where some of the storylines would challenge even Tinseltown’s more fanciful plot twists.
This season’s Championship has once again enhanced its reputation of being a division where absolutely anything can happen.
The Premier League may be seen as the land of milk and honey, but the Championship is the place to be if you like a good thriller.
Just a couple of weeks ago, it was still mathematically possible for the Swans to be promoted and relegated!
How’s that for providing jeopardy right up to the final few pages of a script?
And who saw Real Madrid and Croatia legend Luka Modric’s special guest appearance’ as a Swans investor on the horizon before it was announced recently?
There’s certainly going to be some boardroom razzle-dazzle to go with the Championship’s characteristically unpredictable action on the pitch next season.
As well as genuine footballing royalty in Modric here at the Swans and Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny at Wrexham, there will be American football royalty thanks to the promotion of League One champions Birmingham City and their superstar quarter-backer Tom Brady.
On the footballing front, one thing Wrexham’s promotion has done is ensure the Swans will continue to have a Welsh derby in the Championship next season.
I may shock a few fellow members of the Jack Army here, but I have to admit there was a tinge of disappointment in seeing Cardiff relegated to League One next season.
I was genuinely hoping to see three Welsh clubs in the Championship for the 2025-26 campaign.
Had Cardiff not dropped to the third tier, there would have been a triple Welsh representation in the second flight of English football for the first time since the 1980-81 season.
And we all know what happened at the end of that campaign!
Apart from the Swans getting promoted to the First Division, it was brilliant to see so many Welsh derbies being played in what was then the Second Division.
The Swans emerged undefeated from the four matches against our fellow Welsh opposition.
The first derby was played in October at the Racecourse, where former Wales international teammates Arfon Griffiths and John Toshack were the managers.
David Giles put the Swans ahead after 28 minutes in front of an 8,544 crowd, only to see Wrexham equalise through yet another Wales international in Ian Edwards.
The Swans line-up that day included the likes of Jeremy Charles, who would go down in the history books of today’s visitors Oxford United.
Charlo was one of the goal scorers when the U’s won the League Cup against QPR at Wembley in 1986.
Next up for the Swans were Cardiff at Ninian Park two days after Christmas Day, and just a day after beating Bristol Rovers 2-1 at the Vetch.
This game will go down as one of the most thrilling matches in the history of the south Wales derby in front of a 20,000-plus crowd.
The Swans had led 3-1 thanks to goals by Neil Robinson, Alan Curtis and Leighton James, but Cardiff hit back and eventually equalised with a last-gasp 35-yarder from John Buchanan to salvage a draw.
In fact, the goal was remarkably similar to the wonder strike by Cameron Brannagan at the Cardiff City Stadium recently, which gave Oxford a vital point and pushed Cardiff a step nearer to relegation. Have a look on YouTube if you haven’t seen Buchanan’s goal and I’m sure you’ll see what I mean.
The first home derby of the season arrived on March 6, 1981, when the Swans beat Wrexham 3-1 at the Vetch.
The Friday night fixture saw just over 12,000 turn up and the Swans took the initiative early on with a Robbie James strike.
Legendary Wrexham goalscorer Dixie McNeil levelled in the 38th minute to ensure the match was all-square at the break.
But the promotion-chasing Swans made sure of the points in the second half thanks to a James penalty and a rare goal from popular centre-half Nigel Stevenson.
The final derby of the season saw the Swans entertain Cardiff at the Vetch on April 18 during an eight-match unbeaten run at the end of the season which would see the them go up.
The Easter Saturday fixture attracted a crowd of 19,038. James was once again on the scoresheet as the Swans went ahead, but Peter Kitchen ensured the visitors gained a share of the points.
While the Swans gained promotion to the First Division, Wrexham finished 16th and Cardiff escaped relegation on goal difference.
The following season both Wrexham and Cardiff were relegated to the Third Division, while the Swans finished sixth in the First Division.
Never mind, we’ll just have to settle for The south Wales v north Wales derby next season.
I’m genuinely looking forward to welcoming ‘the Gogs’ to the Swansea.com Stadium and a visit to the circus in north Wales!
But I’m getting ahead of myself. There are still 90 minutes of Championship football to be played out this afternoon.
Who knows what today’s match will bring against an Oxford United side who only secured their own future in the Championship with a 2-0 win against promotion chasing Sunderland last weekend.
After all the dramas of another rollercoaster championships season, it will be nice to sit back and watch a game with nothing more than three points and bragging rights at stake.
C’mon you Swans!
The 2024-25 campaign marks Swansea City’s 20th season at the Swansea.com Stadium following the ground’s opening in 2005. Throughout the campaign, club historian Gwyn Rees will reflect on some of the notable moments and personalities that have shaped the history of our home. Here he looks at a man renowned as the architect of the modern Swansea Way; Roberto Martinez.
Born in Balaguer in the Catalonian region of Spain, Roberto Martinez was surrounded by football and played the game from a young age, making his first competitive appearance at just nine years old with his hometown club.
He stayed at the club for seven years, playing through all the youth levels, until he moved to Real Zaragoza at 16 years of age.
His time with the Aragon club initially saw him remain in the youth ranks, until after three seasons he made his sole senior appearance for them when he came on as a substitute against Atletico Madrid on the final day of the 1992-93 season.
Martinez would continue to feature regularly for the ‘B’ team moving forward, and helped them to win promotion back to Segunda Division B, but he eventually opted to return to Balaguer to play for his former club while running a football school as an alternative to enrolling for military service.
But the opportunity that would change his life and career arrived in 1995 when the gregarious Wigan chairman Dave Whelan gave Martinez and his fellow Spaniards Jesus Seba and Isidro Diaz the chance to join the Latics, where they were quickly dubbed ‘the Three Amigos’.
Martinez spent six years with the club, winning a place in the PFA Team of the Year at the end of his first campaign, before making the move north of the border to Motherwell and having a short spell at Walsall.
It was at this point that fate again intervened as, unable to get into the Walsall team, Swansea manager Brian Flynn swooped to sign the Catalan as he sought to keep the club in the Football League.
It was viewed as a desperate move to sign such an elegant player amidst the hustle and bustle of a relegation fight, but it proved a shrewd acquisition. Martinez soon became captain and his professional example rubbed off on a number of impressionable young players around him.
He was instrumental as a final-day win over Hull City kept Swansea in the league and it proved the springboard for a remarkable rise.
However, following Flynn’s departure and the arrival of Kenny Jackett, Martinez found his role increasingly limited and, while he was involved in the 2004-05 promotion campaign, he would depart at the end of the following campaign for Chester City.
But less than a year later he would be back in SA1, handed the reins as manager as Jackett left.
He made an instant impact and Swansea came within touching distance of a play-off birth. It set the stage for an outstanding 2007-08 season where an attractive style of play won a number of plaudits and confounded the naysayers who said such a possession-based approach could not work in the English lower leagues.
Similar doom mongering was evident ahead of Swansea’s return to the second tier, but they performed strongly and came to wider attention when they pushed Premier League Fulham all the way across an FA Cup tie and replay, having already knocked out holders Portsmouth.
A bright future seemed to lie ahead, but Swans fans were stunned when Martinez opted to leave the club in the summer of 2009 to take charge of top-flight Wigan.
While there was an understandable emotional pull, many supporters felt badly let down by a man the club had bravely handed a first managerial role to and it still lingers for some to this day.
Martinez helped the Latics defy their status as relegation favourites for a number of seasons until they lost top-flight status in 2013, at the same time as stunning Manchester City to win the FA Cup final.
He went on to manager Everton, leading them to a fifth-placed finish in his first campaign in charge before leaving Goodison Park in 2016.
Martinez then had a spell in charge of the Belgium national team, leading them to a best World Cup placing of third in 2018, and is currently in the dug-out for Portugal.
It has been nearly 20 years since he was handed the reins in south Wales, but his influence on the club and the manner in which it plays the game has endured.
To mark Deaf Awareness Week 2025, we sat down with Swansea City’s British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter Talina Jones to discuss her journey with BSL, her pride in the matchday provision and the impact her role has had on the Deaf community.
A Swansea University report into BSL users from 2019 highlighted the fact that - despite BSL being formally recognised as an official language of the UK since 2006 - it is still not widely used by companies, sports teams or in entertainment.
But, with the introduction of a floor camera at the Swansea.com Stadium at the start of the 2024-25 season, the opportunity to include BSL as part of the matchday experience became possible.
With the club’s PA announcer Kev Johns now presenting to a camera which could be viewed by everyone in the ground on the big screens, he was joined by Jones to provide BSL interpretation of his remarks and announcements.
“I can’t really explain the impact it has made,” Jones says about matchday BSL being introduced at the club.
“BSL wasn’t an afterthought, it was just as much a thought as everything else that came with the introduction of the big screen camera. It’s amazing.”
Interpreting is not new for Jones. She’s been working in Swansea as an interpreter for years. The first of those roles was in education - giving Deaf children the chance to go to hearing schools - before more recently becoming a BSL tutor, but Jones' journey began when she was still a child.
“Being a BSL interpreter chose me,” she explains.
“I came from a Deaf family so my parents and my eldest brother are Deaf, and my paternal grandparents were Deaf. I was an unofficial interpreter for them my whole life.
“When it came to choosing a career, this wasn’t what I planned, but it just came to me. I got my qualifications and fell in love with it.
"“BSL is my home language. My parents didn’t speak to me in English, they signed to me in BSL, so it’s the language that we used at home and it’s my first language. I think in BSL.”
The club first encountered Jones in around 2020 when she was a Trustee at the Swansea Deaf Centre in Hafod.
“Someone from the Swans reached out to us, I can’t quite remember why, but I think it was Deaf Awareness Week and there was a campaign about raising the profile of BSL,” she remembers.
“Because of what I do as a living, I was asked to come down. I was working with Leon Britton and Lee Trundle, and I think we did a few phrases in BSL. The relationship blossomed from there.
“Three years ago, I came down to help the club create BSL matchday gifs for Deaf Awareness Week, which went really well. The feedback we had at the Deaf Centre and the club was really positive – not just from the Deaf community but from everyone.
“Then Talking Hands - a youth group based at the Deaf Centre – were part of the first BSL stadium tour, which was really successful and great for the young Deaf children.”
Jones was on hand to interpret the tour too, helping the club engage with its local Deaf community and ensuring everyone is able to have the same access to the club they support.
"But the matchday provision has been the big step in making Deaf people feel a larger part of the Swans community, and less isolated from the matchday experience.
“BSL interpretation for Deaf supporters is massive,” she continues.
“It’s not so much about the football itself, that’s a language of its own, but it’s the run up to the match and half-time.
“It used to be that everyone else would get what was going on, but for Deaf people, whether they are profoundly Deaf, hard of hearing, or not, they weren’t getting anything.
“They would just suddenly find there’s a minute’s applause for a testimonial, or because someone has passed, and Deaf people wouldn’t know what they were applauding or what the silence is for, or why a team is walking around doing a lap of honour.
“Deaf people can be stood in a stadium with thousands of people and yet feel completely isolated. It’s so important that they get the same amount of access.”
Over the past season, Jones has become a regular part of the home matchday and her appearances on screen have led to people approaching her to find out more about BSL.
“The first bit of feedback I had was in August after the very first home match of the season,” she says.
“I did the game and on my way home I went to the supermarket. While I was shopping I was approached by someone saying “you’re that lady at the Swans, where can I learn BSL?”
“I’ve had that a few times. There are people who have always been interested in learning, who maybe don’t know where to go or how to get started and the information they need. Things like that mean we already know that we’re going to have more people learning BSL is fantastic.”
The impact of her presence on hearing people who are thinking more about BSL is one thing, but the feedback from those within the Deaf Community – home and away supporters – has been profound.
“I had a family reach out to me who first came to a game as away fans,” she recalls.
“Their children are Deaf and they have been travelling to games at the Swansea.com Stadium from the West Midlands because there is a Deaf interpreter and the kids love it.
“We also had a group of Deaf children in the guard of honour this season, and one of those kids loved the matchday so much that they’ve bought season tickets for next year.
“I think these children feel included – they’re not different, they get exactly the same experience as their friend gets.
“It just creates community – Deaf people have the Deaf community where they feel really included and involved, but now they also have the football community where they feel equally as involved.”
The Swans are leading the way in Wales and the EFL. The club is the first in the 72 to have a permanent BSL matchday provision, something Jones admits gives her great pride.
“I’m very proud of the club,” she continues.
“We’re the only Championship club that does it, and not that many Premier League teams do it.
“I am really proud of it, and the fact it’s my home town means a lot.
“I’ve grown up with the Swans, through my parents and my grandparents. I mean, my grandfather if he was still alive would be so proud to say: one, that’s my granddaughter, but also that’s the club I love so much doing something for me as a fan.”
Interested in learning BSL?
Swansea Deaf Centre run British Sign Language courses from their base in Hafod.
You can enquire about signing up, or find out more about BSL by emailing bslswansea@gmail.com
Today we welcome the winners of the Swansea Junior Leagues U12s, U13s and U14s leagues and the winners of the U12s West Wales Women’s and Girls League.
These teams will be doing a lap of honour pre-match and at half time to celebrate their achievements.
Llongyfarchiadau pawb!
Rosehill U12s
Clydach Blues U12s
Camford U12s
Talycopa U13s
Talycopa U14s
Talycopa United U14s
Mumbles Rangers Albion U12s
Mumbles Rangers U12s
Penlan Yellow U13s
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. To learn more about accessible facilities at the stadium, please click here.
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.
Croeso nôl Junior Jacks!
We’re delighted to see you all again, but we’re also sorry that this is the final time we’ll see you until August!
We’ve had such a great season, and we were so proud of all our Junior Jacks who took over the matchday on Good Friday. Well done everyone!
For our final home match of the season, we’re predicting a 2-0 win and we think there will be goals for Franco, and Liam Cullen.
What’s your prediction? Let us know online!
For the final time this season, here’s your take five quiz. This week, it’s all about the Swans 2024-25 season.
For the final time this season, Uppa Swans!
Cyril and Cybil
Head Coach Alan Sheehan
2 Josh Key
3 Kristian Pedersen
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango ©
6 Harry Darling
7 Joe Allen
8 Lewis O'Brien
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
11 Josh Ginnelly
14 Josh Tymon
17 Gonçalo Franco
19 Florian Bianchini
20 Liam Cullen
21 Nathan Tjoe-A-On
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Cyrus Christie
25 Myles Peart-Harris
26 Kyle Naughton
28 Hannes Delcroix
31 Ollie Cooper
33 Jon McLaughlin
35 Ronald
36 Ben Lloyd
37 Aimar Govea
40 NUMBER RETIRED
41 Sam Parker
43 Dan Watts
50 Filip Lissah
Head Coach Gary Rowett
1 Jamie Cumming
2 Sam Long
3 Ciaron Brown
4 Will Vaulks
5 Elliott Moore ©
6 Josh McEachran
7 Przemyslaw Placheta
8 Cameron Brannagan
9 Mark Harris
10 Matt Phillips
11 Ole Romeny
12 Joe Bennett
13 Simon Eastwood
15 Idris El Mizouni
16 Ben Nelson
18 Alex Matos
19 Tyler Goodrham
20 Ruben Rodrigues
21 Matt Ingram
22 Greg Leigh
23 Siriki Dembele
24 Hidde Willem Ter Avest
27 Max Woltman
28 Marselino Ferdinan
30 Peter Kioso
31 Eddie Brearey
33 Jacob Knightbridge
34 Jordan Thorniley
35 James Golding
44 Stanley Mills
47 Michel Helik
Referee - James Bell
Assistant Referee 1 - George Byrne
Assistant Referee 2 - Matthew Jones
Fourth Official - Greg Rollason
STAFF LIST
Chairman - Andy Coleman
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE
Directors
Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, George Popstefanov, Chris Sznewajs, Tyler Morse, Nigel Morris, Todd Marcelle, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller.
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Executive Director and Company Secretary: Ken Gude
Associate Directors: Diane Hughes
Minority Owner: Luka Modrić
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Alan Sheehan
Head of Goalkeeping – Martyn Margetson
First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary
First Team Coach - Mark Fotheringham
First Team Coach - Richard Stearman
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Ailsa Jones, Bethany Chaddock, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Jake Dayus, Patrick Orme, Aden King, Maxwell Cambridge, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins.
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Tom Gorringe (Chief Executive Officer)
Richard Montague (Director of Football)
Ken Gude (Executive Director and Company Secretary)
Andrew Davies (Head of Operations and Facilities);
Richard Morris (Head of Commercial)
CLUB STAFF
Head of Football Operations and Administration: Ben Greenwood
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Commercial: Richard Morris
Head of Media & Communications: Kieran Watkins
Head of Marketing: Katie Doyle
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Retail: Andrea Morris
Head of Ticketing: Lewis Bullen
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, Dom Hynes, Sammy Wynne, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan, Gwyn Rees, Julie Kissick.
Designers: Callum Rothwell, Lewis Ward, Jac Elsey.
Photography: Athena Picture Agency,
Natalie John-Davis, Sam Cashel, Alamy.