Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium as we look to record a third home win in a row against Watford this afternoon.
I know, there has been a lot of discussion regarding the attendance at last weekend's game, so I thought it would be useful to provide some wider context. There were 15,816 supporters who attended the Sheffield United game last weekend, for the first game of last season the attendance was 14,067. The increase of 1,749 from 12 months ago shows we are moving in the right direction but there is still more work to do.
Today’s game is a category B fixture ensuring that prices remain affordable for supporters to get behind the team. A family joint adult and child ticket in the South Stand are just £25 and there is a huge amount of activities within the stand to ensure that there is plenty to keep the kids entertained outside of the game.
We are delighted to be joined today by Brett Cravatt and Tyler Morse from our ownership group as well as Snoop Dogg's son Cordell. They are all part of the driving force moving the club forward so I am sure you will join me in welcoming them back to the stadium and hope that we can put on a good show.
Alan and his team have given us all plenty of reasons for cheer here at the stadium over the last six months or so huge credit must go to him, our staff, the players and, of course, you for your fantastic support.
When I spoke at the fans’ forum last week I mentioned one of my first experiences after joining the club was a home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on a Wednesday night in February.
That occasion felt far removed from how I had always perceived and known watching Swansea City playing at home to be.
I am glad to say that since then we have managed to recapture a sense of connection, and the way you have responded to the efforts of the players has played an important role in this fine run of home form we are enjoying.
I believe we have lost just once at the Swansea.com Stadium since that night in February, with the sole defeat being against a Burnley side on their way to promotion.
The atmosphere has been terrific over this sequence of games, and I know how much your backing means to the squad and the staff.
We want the Swansea.com Stadium to be a place no team looks forward to playing at, and the way our team and our fans feed off each other’s energy at the moment is proving to be a powerful and positive force as we seek to make progress on and off the field.
We were also delighted to launch our new third kit for the 2025-26 season earlier this week, in partnership Gulf and Reviva Coffee.
Early indications are that the new design, featuring those iconic Gulf colours so often seen on the world’s racetracks over the years, is proving very popular. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mike Jones, the CEO of Gulf and his teams at Gulf and Reviva for all of their support.
We have been pleased to see the favourable reception for all of our kits this season, and we hope all three go on to be remembered fondly because we have enjoyed a successful campaign in these designs.
There is of course a lot of football still to be played and, like all teams, we will have good times and difficult periods, but I have no doubt that if we stick together, continue to strive to get better everyday and put in the work, that we will continue to move in the right direction, on and off the pitch.
Let’s hope for another good day today at our home.
Enjoy the game YJBs,
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Good afternoon Jack Army and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium as we take on Watford in the Sky Bet Championship.
This is the third of four home games in a row due to the way our Carabao Cup draws have fallen, and we’re certainly happy to have the chance to build on the two wins we have picked up here so far.
Before last weekend’s win over Sheffield United I spoke of how keen we were as a group to continue the strong run of form and performances we had in our own backyard towards the end of last season.
While we want to be looking forward rather than back, our 1-0 win here seven days ago shared a lot of hallmarks with some of our displays from last term.
We could feel the positivity in the stadium, we could feel the connection between the team and the fans, and I hope you could see a team that was giving its all for you and for each other.
The only frustration I could have with our showing was that we did not win by a greater margin than the solitary goal.
We were completely dominant prior to the first water break, our energy and intensity were exceptional and we had chances to get the breakthrough.
The break disrupted our rhythm a bit and they started to have a number of set-pieces, but I thought we came out on the front foot in the second half and never let up, and Ronald got the important goal.
Ronald is an absolutely tireless worker for the team, and we have spoken about wanting him to get more outcomes in terms of goals and assist. He already has two goals to his name this season, so that is an encouraging early sign.
We have also been really encouraged and pleased to add Marko Stamenic to our squad. We believe Marko can be a real point of difference for us in the middle of the park and we look forward to seeing what he can do in a white shirt.
We now have to make sure we carry the momentum from last weekend into what will be a difficult test against a Watford side who claimed a good win over Queens Park Rangers last weekend.
But we have had a good week of preparation, and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Enjoy the game,
Alan
Alan Sheehan,
First Team Head Coach
Welcome back to the .Com stadium for our second Championship home match of 2025/26 season – with a success in our opening home game v Sheffield United, following a win against Crawley in the Carabao Cup, let’s hope we can keep the momentum going.
Our overall head-to-head record versus Watford since 1920 shows P57, W26, D11, L20. More recently, over the past four seasons in the Championship the Swans have won 4, losing 3, with 1 draw. Goals scored 10, conceded 7. These statistics suggest we may be in for a close encounter today.
The referee for today’s match is Stephen Martin and this is his 11th time refereeing at the Swansea.com. The Swans have won on 5 of those occasions with 2 draws and 3 losses. He has shown 32 cards in those games (12 for the Swans) and 1 red card (to an opponent).
Following on from the earlier transfer activity, we would like to welcome another new Jack to the fold – the New Zealand international midfielder, Marko Stamenic, who joins from Nottingham Forest. A successful season for Marko should ensure he is on the plane to the US for next summer’s World Cup. To date he has made 31 appearances for his nation, scoring 3 goals and he is in the squad for next month’s Soccer Ashes Trophy versus Australia’s Socceroos.
The Trust fully supports the Former Players Association and there is still an opportunity for fans to bid for a match-issued shirt from the Sheffield Utd fixture, which will raise funds for the FPA. The online auction concludes at 8pm on August 25th. Click here for details:
https://www.swanseacity.com/news/swansea-citys-sheffield-united-match-issued-shirt-auction-now-live
The Trust welcomed the appointment of two Her Game Two Ambassadors earlier this year. Harriet Williams and Sophie Hughes are both are life-long Swans fans and season ticket holders. Harriet is focusing on the Women’s team and access for girls playing football whilst Sophie is focusing on supporting women in attending men’s games. For more details on their roles, click here: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/swansea-city-welcomes-two-new-her-game-too-ambassadors. For more information on Her Game Two, see https://www.hergametoo.co.uk/football
You can show your support to the HGT Swans team by following them on Instagram: (@hgtswans) • Instagram photos and videos
Thanks to the Trust members who have already renewed their membership for the 2025/26 season and to our new members joining for the first time. Renewing or joining can be done in a few minutes online at: https://www.swanstrust.co.uk/join-the-trust/.
Alternatively, visit the Trust kiosk outside the West Stand on a matchday. If you have any difficulties with the online system or have any other queries, you can contact us via: info@swanstrust.co.uk.
A warm welcome to our opponents today and their travelling fans but that welcome does not extend to a win!
Let’s all get behind the team,
Di
SWANSEA CITY IS EXCITED TO UNVEIL THE CLUB’S NEW THIRD KIT FOR THE UPCOMING 2025-26 SEASON
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GULF, JOMA AND REVIVA COFFEE.
Following on from the success of our commemorative fourth kit from the 2023-24 season, when the Gulf logo featured on the front of the Swansea City shirt celebrating the 30th anniversary of our Autoglass Trophy win, the new third kit features the iconic Gulf colours of racing blue and orange.
Who got their hands on our third kit today? 🤩@GulfOilIntl | @JomaSportUK | @VisitCentralFL pic.twitter.com/EzkYhkBzKB
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) August 22, 2025
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.
SWANSEA CITY UNDER-21S ARE BACK AT THE SWANSEA.COM STADIUM ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 24 AS THEY HOST HUDDERSFIELD TOWN IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE, AND TICKETS ARE FREE (1PM).
The age-grade side will play a Professional Development League fixture at the stadium for the second time this season, and will be looking to continue their 100 per cent record in SA1, having been unbeaten at the stadium over the last three seasons and beyond.
Swansea won their opening fixture of the campaign in SA1 with a 3-2 victory over Crewe Alexandra thanks to goals from Kyrell Wilson (2) and Morgan Bates.
Tickets can be claimed for free below.
THE SWANS HOST PLYMOUTH AT THE SWANSEA.COM STADIUM FOR A 7:45PM KICK OFF ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 26 FOLLOWING THE 3-1 WIN AGAINST CRAWLEY IN THE FIRST ROUND.
Tickets for Swansea City’s Carabao Cup second-round tie are now on sale to all Jack Army members with prices all being just £10 or less.
This game does not constitute part of a 2025-26 season ticket, so season ticket holders will not have access to their usual seat.
Tickets prices can be found below:
Adults: £10
Seniors (65+): £8
Ages 18 to 23: £8
Under-18s: £8
Under-14s: £1
*Please note that anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
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, Kevin Austin.
Kevin stood at an imposing 6foot 2inches,and was the epitome of a gentle giant, predominantly a central defender, but was equally at home as a full back.
He was a much-travelled professional footballer, who spent the majority of his career in the lower divisions of the Football League.
Born in 1973 in the London borough of Hackney, Kevin's career in football began at non-league Saffron Walden Town, before entering the full-time time professional ranks at Leyton Orient in 1993 for a fee of £1000,000.He spent three seasons at Orient, featuring in over a hundred first team games, before a £30,000 deal saw him move to Lincoln City where he became a firm favourite with the supporters, where in 2007 he would be voted in at number 56 in Lincolns all time League Legends.
In July 1999 Kevin moved to Barnsley via a Bosman free transfer, but after only five first team games he suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury that saw him miss the rest of the season. He resumed playing the following season, but was then loaned out to Brentford in an effort to gain playing time after such a long time out with his injury. This was also at the same time that ,due to his dual eligibility, that he was chosen to play for Trinadad and Tobago against Panama in Port of Spain in a 1-0 win for the Warriors. Unfortunately for the player he was once again side lined with a recurrence of his old Achilles injury, and in the summer of 2001 was released by Barnsley.
He moved to Cambridge United, then Kettering Town in the following season, but his injury restricted his playing time at both clubs, and in the eighteen months only played in a total of nine games for both clubs. In the summer of 2002 Bristol Rovers appointed John Still as their assistant manager, and Still who had previously worked with Kevin at Lincoln, gave the player a contract at the club, with the player playing a full season in the first team , and regaining full fitness for the first time in two seasons.
New Swansea manager Kenny Jackett wanting to strengthen his squad for the club's final season at the Vetch Field in June 2004 , signed the experienced defender to help bolster his defence. And the likeable Londoner repaid his managers faith in him, playing in forty-two league games and ten other cup games in a season that saw the Swans gain promotion out of League Division Two , and the player playing in the final ever competitive fixture at the old ground in a win over Wrexham in the F.A.W. cup final. He continued to feature in the first eleven the following season, and was an unused substitute in the sides Football League trophy win over Carlisle United ,and played the full one hundred and twenty minutes in the end of season Play Off final loss to Barnsley at the Millenium Stadium. His final season at the Liberty Stadium saw Kevin part of a Swansea side who would finish as Champions of League One, with the player in thirty games throughout the season.
He was released at the end of the season, and went on to sign for Chesterfield, Darlington and finally Boston. In September 2016 he joined Scunthorpe as youth team coach, but tragically a year later was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and passed away in November 2018 at just forty five years old.
Established in 1881 as Watford Rovers, the club changed name to its current moniker in 1898.
Affectionately known as the Hornets or the Golden Boys, Watford gained Football League status in 1920 and, after spending 60 years in the lower divisions, gained promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 1982.
Under the ownership of Elton John and management of Graham Taylor the club finished as runners-up to Liverpool in that maiden First Division campaign.
In a golden era for the club, they spent six seasons in the top-flight, and reached the FA Cup final in 1984.
Recently, Watford have competed in the Premier League in six out of the last nine seasons, but it has been a period of regular managerial upheaval with the Hornets going through 21 managers in the last 11 years.
The latest change happened in the summer, with Tom Cleverley being replaced by Paulo Pezzolano.
VICARAGE ROAD
Built: 1921
Location: Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER
Capacity: 22,220
Paulo Pezzolano. The Uruguayan took the helm and became the latest figure in the managerial hotseat at Watford after Tom Cleverley departed the club.
The 42-year-old former midfielder joined the north London club having last been in charge of Spanish club Real Valladolid.
As a player, Pezzolano had a 15-year professional career taking in spells with Rentistas, Atletico Paranense, Defensor Sporting, Penarol, Liverpool Montevideo, Mallorca, Zhejiang FC, Necaxa and Torque.
He moved into coaching with the latter, and has since had the reigns of Liverpool Montevideo, Pachuca, Cruzeiro and Valladolid.
Pezzolano guided Torque to the Uruguayan Segunda Division title in 2017, and led Cruzeiro to Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B success in 2022.
The vastly-experienced Frenchman, Moussa Sissoko, has had the armband so far this season for the Hornets, having led the team on a number of occasions during the 2024-25 campaign.
Sissoko began his professional career with Ligue 1 club Toulouse and spent nearly six years on their books before securing a move to the Premier League with Newcastle United in 2013.
His form on Tyneside saw a £30million switch to Tottenham follow in 2016, and Sissoko would make more than 200 appearances for Spurs, appearing in their Champions League final defeat in 2019, and their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City two years later.
He made his first move to Vicarage Road later that year, but spent a solitary season in Hertfordshire before returning to France with Nantes.
But Sissoko was back with the Hornets two seasons later, and was one of their strongest performers last season.
At international level, Sissoko played for France at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 European Championships, where Les Bleus lost the final to Portugal after extra-time.
Luca Kjerrumgaard has had an eye-catching start to his loan spell, having joined from Udinese.
The Danish striker netted a brace in last weekend's victory over Queens Park Rangers and, while admitting he needs to adapt to the physicality of the Championship, he has wasted little time getting off the mark.
The 22-year-old started his career in his homeland with Odense, and had spells on loan with Nykobing and Stabaek.
A reliable goalscorer, he made the move to Udinese earlier this summer and was loaned straight out to the Hornets.
Defender Jeremy Ngakia is a proven Championship performer, and is now heading into his sixth season with Watford.
The Deptford-born right-back was in the youth ranks at West Ham United and made five Premier League appearances for the Hammers before making the move to the Hornets.
Injuries mean he has only just brought up a century of league appearances for Watford but, when fit, he has been an integral figure.
Midfielder Hector Kyprianou is another new recruit for Watford, having joined from Peterborough United over the summer.
The Cyprus international was on the books of Tottenham as a youngster before joining Leyton Orient.
While with the O's he had loan spells with Harlow Town, Bishop's Stortford and Hampton & Richmond Borough, but became a regular and increasingly influential figure before departing for Peterborough in 2022.
His development continued apace with Posh, who he helped to secure back-to-back EFL Trophy success in 2024 and 2025, scoring a stunning free-kick in the second of those against Birmingham City.
Kyprianou's move to the Championship arrived with Watford and he has started their opening two league fixtures.
Normally, I wouldn’t give a flying fig about what colour the Swans away jersey is.
As long as it’s a nice design, then the colour really doesn’t matter to me.
I know some are against us wearing blue because of the connection with our rivals from down the M4.
Personally, that argument goes out of the window when I think of the classic two-tone blue adidas kit we wore to clinch promotion at Preston all those years ago.
But this year’s away shirt has caused me a little bit of a problem.
It’s not because I don’t like it. In fact, the opposite is true, I really like it.
The difficulty I have is: what colour is it?
One minute I look at it and I would describe it as a “kind of purplish colour”. Then, I’llsee it from another angle, or in different light and it looks “brownish”!
The official description of the colour doesn’t really help me either.
According to the blurb accompanying the shirt, the colour is “fig”.
I should probably disclose at this point that I was told in school I was colour blind having failed to find the numbers in those multi-coloured dot tests.
Apart from crushing my dreams of becoming a bomb disposal expert, my colour impairment has never caused me any other problems.
Other than the occasional argument with family members over whether something is yellowy orange or orangey yellow, I’ve never really had a problem with distinguishing colours.
I did have a slight wobble at the start of the 2020-21 season with the Swans’ turquoise and raspberry kit.
Despite being confident the main colour was indeed turquoise, a BBC Wales radio commentator made be doubt my eyes by constantly referring to it as lime green throughout the opening day fixture against Preston.
A quick check of the Swans website on that occasion did confirm I was right and it was the man from the Beeb who should perhaps avoid unexploded bombs and electrical DIY.
But seeing “fig” on the Swans website this time around didn’t really help with my current dilemma.
I’m aware this is more my failing than the good people at Joma, but I had never heard the word fig being used as a name for a colour.
A quick Google of “what colour is fig?” didn’t really help much either. Descriptions there ranged from a “warm, earthy brown” to a “deep, warm colour with hints of red and purple”.
Just to confuse things further, the fruit itself can be a variety of colours including purple, black, green, yellow, and brown!
A straw poll amongst friends and family came up with some other options including aubergine, which left me almost as clueless as fig and feeling a little peckish.
Whatever happened to good old fashioned colour names like red, blue, green and yellow? At least we’re always on solid ground with the home strip.
Anyway, I like the shirt is the long and the short of it all.
There is, of course, a serious side to this silliness. While my colour blindness/ignorance doesn’t cause me any problems day-to-day, for many people it’sa genuine difficulty.
However, it’s one that football has recognised.
It is estimated that one in 12 men and one in 200 women are affected by colour blindness. That’s an awful lot of people in an average crowd here at the Swansea.Com Stadium.
And in a men’s match, there could be at least two players on the pitch suffering from colour blindness at any given time.
Former Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town midfielder Matt Holland, who is colour blind, once said: “In one particular match when we were in red and the opponents were in dark green, I couldn’t tell the colours apart.
“I had to really concentrate in that game looking at socks, because they were easier for me to distinguish. There was nothing else I could do.”
FIFA, UEFA and the FA have issued guidelines to be followed when deciding on kit colours.
In the EFL, home teams are allowed to wear their away kit to avoid any kit clashes that would be problematic to fans and players.
When you see teams wearing an alternative kit where the colour clash isn’t obviouslyapparent to the majority of people, it’s not necessarily just a desire to show off a new strip.
It’s because distinguishing colours like red and green can be impossible for manypeople.
When Wales and the Republic Ireland have met in recent matches, one side or the other has switched from their preferred traditional red or green.
While in rugby union, it was ruled in 2024 that Wales and Ireland would never meet again with both nations wearing their first choice colours.
Back to this season’s away kit, the important thing is there’s sufficient contrast compared to our home colours. That makes it an appropriate alternative when there is a potential colour clash on the road.
Anyway, as I say, I’m a big fan of this year’s offering and I really do like the colour.
Just don’t ask me to tell you what it is – beyond a brief answer starting with the letter F!
C’mon you Swans!
Ethan Galbraith has enjoyed a bright start to life at Swansea City, but if you think the midfielder has paused for a moment of self-satisfaction or for the proverbial pat on the back then you could not be more wrong.
The 24-year-old has settled into life in SA1 with a minimum of fuss, and his technical ability allied to his work ethic will have reminded supporters of a number of players to fulfil that deep-lying midfield role over the club’s recent history.
There has been a memorable first goal to savour too; Galbraith dispatching a perfectly-placed but unhurried volley into the back of the net in the Carabao Cup win over Crawley Town.
But Galbraith’s journey to Swansea has not been built on any sense of self-congratulation when things are going well, it’s always been about working and striving to improve and get better.
So, no matter how much Galbraith is relishing life in his new surroundings, he is only focused on getting better.
“I have been absolutely loving it in Swansea. I have been adapting to a different style of football but I am really enjoying it,” he said.
“I am still sorting out things off the field so far, but my family have been down and once we are settled into our house I am sure that side of things will be great and we will enjoy it even more.
“The gaffer and the staff have been brilliant, they have all helped me settle and been really clear in terms of what they want from me.
“I can feel the passion the fans have for the team, I didn’t think I would really be recognised around the place but a few people have come up to me to wish me well, there was a guy the other week who literally stopped in the middle of the road to shout over to me when I went to get a coffee. It’s mad but it shows what the club means to people.
“It’s been unbelievable, I wanted to test myself and I am buzzing to have this opportunity because I have wanted it for a while.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here, but that does not mean the hard work stops because I am here.
“If anything this is the time where you have to be ready to work even harder. This is a higher level, this is a big club, and so I need to kick on. That’s the aim.”
That drive to improve has been a central part of Galbraith’s life and career. Born and raised just outside of Belfast in a working class community, football was a central part of his life as a child.
It did not take long for his talent and application to be spotted by Manchester United, who – perhaps not surprisingly given the likes of George Best hailed from the Northern Irish capital – had a centre of excellence in Belfast.
“I am from Glengormley just outside Belfast,” says Galbraith when asked about his experiences as a junior.
“I enjoyed school, but it was not really for me. I would far rather have just been outside running around causing carnage or playing football.
“I am from a working class background. My mother worked nightshifts at an office, and dad worked on ventilation systems in buildings.
“He played football as well so he really got me into the game. But my childhood was a good one, just running round on the estate playing football with my mates.
“Football was always the game for me, it was the one I focused on. I would get involved in anything that was going on, but it was always football that came first.
“I played junior football for Carnmoney Colts, and then I moved to Linfield, one of the best clubs in Northern Ireland, at the age of around 12 and worked my way up through the age groups before moving to Manchester United at 16.
“In Belfast there are a couple of schools of excellence, a lot of clubs have them and United were one of them. I started off there and then I had a couple of trials. There was a scout called Tony Colter who was unbelievable for me and my family. It all happened quickly from the trials.
“I was in the centre of excellence from maybe 10 or 11, and then the trials were when I was older. I got offered a contract and it was a massive moment for us as a family.”
Galbraith worked his way through the ranks, and went on to captain the Red Devils at under-21 level, and his first-team debut would come in a Europa League contest against Astana in November 2019.
Loan spells with Salford – when challenging for promotion – and Doncaster Rovers – when fighting a losing battle against relegation - followed.
And Galbraith makes no bones about how valuable those experiences were on the back of his years at United.
“Moving to Manchester at the age of 16 was a big challenge but I was lucky that the digs I had there had a great family,” he says.
“They were so good at helping me settle in, and I had good people looking after me at the club, they were excellent. There was always someone there if you needed anything.
“There were some great players in there with me. I was privileged to play with guys like Angel Gomes, James Garner, Brandon Williams, Dylan Levitt; I actually shared digs with Dylan. There were so many great talents, and it was a great challenge for me.
“When I got the chance to make my debut in Europe it was incredible, my phone was just blowing up with messages from people.
“About a week before there were a few of us younger players in the training group and we knew a few of us would be going but seeing your name on paper on a Manchester United squad list was very special.
“But when it came to leaving, it was a decision between me and the club. I was at an age where I was not realistically going to break into the first team, and you know that clubs have to make a decision about the futures of young players. I just felt like I needed to go and play men’s football.
“Thankfully, Richie Wellens – who I worked with at Doncaster – wanted me to join him at Orient.
“It was tough to leave, but my mindset was that I needed to go somewhere else if I was going to kick on and get better and have a career. Once I had that in my mind, it was an easier decision to make.
“Once I moved I knew I had done the right thing. When you play under-21 or under-23s’ football you can win or lose, because ultimately it’s about developing players. Going on loan and into those dressing rooms, it was about winning.
“I like to think I am a winner and I have that mentality, and I enjoyed that pressure of having three points on the line and livelihoods being on the line.
“ also feel fortunate I had experiences of teams doing well and also struggling. They were vital experiences, they really test your character and whether you are resilient enough to keep going.
“Fighting to go up is the best feeling, and being down there is so tough, but those things build that character.
“It’s so important, no-one can win every single game, everyone will have tough times, but if you have a consistent group with that balance and focus it makes a real difference.”
After those loan spells, a full-time move to Leyton Orient with Wellens would soon follow.
Across his two seasons at Brisbane Road, Galbraith grew into a vital figure for Orient, whether playing at right-back or in his preferred midfield role.
Their play-off disappointment may not have been the way he wanted to end his time with the O’s, but he is grateful for his time in Waltham Forest, and his time with a former Swans great.
But while Galbraith is well aware of the history of his new club, his focus is firmly on writing the next chapter for the Swans.
“I feel very lucky to have played with Darren Pratley. I know what a great guy he is and what he has done for Swansea in the past,” he said.
“Prats is a legend, he is such a great guy. I think he has been a popular figure at every single club he has been at. He talked about what it would be like playing in the stadium and it has lived up to that.
“When I was growing up I was always aware of Swansea. I think Michu was around at that time, and that team they had. That was a team that took no prisoners, it gave quite a few of the big boys a bloody nose with how they played. They have had some great teams.
“I would love to be part of a team that did something special for this club. We have a lot of hard work to do, and I think everyone here has been honest in saying we are looking to build something.
“I was lucky enough to be part of something I really enjoyed with Leyton Orient, I believe Swansea can be another club where I can have a really memorable time.
“But, to do that, me and everyone here has to be ready to work and strive to improve every day and every week. It’s a great club, I would love to help it have success.”
Swansea City picked up their first win of the Championship season as Ronald’s second-half finish gave them all three points against Sheffield United.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux; Josh Key, Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Josh Tymon; Malick Yalcouye (Melker Widell 62), Ethan Galbraith, Gonçalo Franco; Ronald (Jay Fulton 90), Jisung Eom (Zeidane Inoussa 62); Liam Cullen (Bobby Wales 90).
Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Žan Vipotnik, Kaelan Casey, Ollie Cooper, Sam Parker.
Sheffield United: Michael Cooper, Tyler Bindon, Gustavo Hamer, Callum O'Hare, Harrison Burrows, Djibril Soumare (Andre Brooks 76), Jack Robinson (captain), Tyrese Campbell (Tom Cannon 63), Louie Barry (Ryan One 76), Femi Seriki, Sydie Peck.
Unused Substitutes: Adam Davies, Sam McCallum, Ehije Ukaki, Sam Curtis, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Owen Hampson.
Referee: Thomas Kirk
Attendance: 15,816
Swansea City is delighted to confirm the signing of New Zealand international Marko Stamenić for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance and visa approval.
The 23-year-old joins the Swans from Nottingham Forest and will bring considerable physicality and athleticism to Alan Sheehan’s midfield.
Head coach Alan Sheehan, said:
“MARKO IS AN EXCELLENT PLAYER, ONE WHO HAS BEEN ON OUR RADAR FOR SOME TIME, AND HE WILL BRING US DIFFERENT ATTRIBUTES IN OUR MIDFIELD WITH HIS PHYSICALITY AND ATHLETICISM.
“HE WAS CLEAR IN HIS DESIRE TO BE PART OF WHAT WE ARE BUILDING AT SWANSEA CITY, AND WE BELIEVE HIS CHARACTER WILL MAKE HIM A REALLY GOOD FIT FOR THIS GROUP.
“WE WANT TO BE AN ADAPTABLE TEAM THAT IS ON THE FRONT FOOT WITH AND WITHOUT THE BALL AT ALL TIMES, AND MARKO WILL HELP US TO DO THAT.”
Lifelong member of the Jack Army from the Vetch Field to the Liberty Stadium. Rest in Peace David Pettifor, known by friends as Dai Pet.
Rosie & Adam
________________________________________________________
Mae’n deg dweud bod yr haf yma wedi bod yn brysur iawn i’r Elyrch, gyda datblygiadau a wynebau newydd ar y cae ac oddi ar y cae (croeso mawr Mr Snoop Dogg!).
Wrth i’r Elyrch rhyddhau eu trydydd cit ar gyfer y tymor yma Aled Biston sydd yn edrych ar rai o gitiau gorau’r clwb sydd wedi mynd yn angof ymysg cefnogwyr ar hyd y blynyddoedd diwethaf.
Yn 25 oed dwi wedi colli allan ar rai o gitiau gorau’r clwb. O gitiau cyntaf gyda’r noddwr Gulf i rai gyda’r Evening Post ar eu blaen, mae cwpl o gits hyfryd wedi bod ar hyd y blynyddoedd. Ond dyma rai o fy ffefrynnau i ers i fi fod ar wyneb y ddaear.
2006/07. Trydydd cit - melyn a gwyrdd. Noddwr: Travel House. Wedi creu gan: Macron
Mae hwn yn biwtar o git. Mae’r melyn llachar gyda’r tonau gwyrdd lawr ei ochr mynd law yn llaw yn hyfryd gyda’i gilydd. Dyma’r cyfnod roeddwn i wedi dechrau cefnogi’r Elyrch, ac roeddwn i yn 6 oed ar y pryd. Mae’r noddwr Travel House yn un o’r rhai mwyaf eiconig ar hyd y blynyddoedd sydd yn aros yn y cof, fel roedd Sharp i Man United a Carlsberg i Lerpwl. Yn fy marn i dyma’r trydydd cit gorau mae’r Elyrch erioed wedi cael.
2007/08. Cit oddi cartref - navy a glas golau. Noddwr: Swasea.com Wedi creu gan: Macron
Dwi’n meddwl bod hwn yn git sydd heb gael y sylw mae’n haeddu. Mae’r navy i gyd ar y torso ac wedyn y glas golau ar y llewys yn canmol ei gilydd yn wych - ac mae’r cit hyd yn oed yn well gyda llewys hir. Mae’r noddwr Swasea.com yn un sydd ag atgofion melys hefyd, llwyddiant ar y cae wrth godi o Adran 1 i’r Bencampwriaeth. Y tymor yma roedd y drydydd cit gwyrdd a du fyd, ac atgofion o un chwaraewr yn sefyll allan, Guillem Bauza. Dwi’n meddwl achos y cit hwnnw nad oes llawer yn cofio’r un glas yma. Dwi’n meddwl mai dyma’r cit glas gorau ‘da ni erioed wedi cael.
2008/09. Cit cartref - gwyn. Noddwr: Swanea.com. Wedi creu gan: Umbro
Newid o Macron i Umbro ar gyfer gwneuthurwyr y cit yn y flwyddyn hon, ac er nad oes llawer o wahaniaeth mae’r cit yma yn aros yn fy nghof i am un rheswm. Gol Joe Allen oddi cartref yn erbyn Caerdydd. Am achlysur i sgorio am y tro cyntaf i dy glwb. Beth sydd yn wahanol o’r cit yma sydd yn sefyll allan i mi ydy, nid y crys, ond y sanau a siorts navy roeddem yn gwisgo'r diwrnod hwnnw. Er mai gwyn y byddwn yn gwisgo i’r gemau cartref, roedd rhywbeth am y navy oedd yn gweithio ac yn edrych fel ei fod yn perthyn i’r cit - er wrth gwrs roedd rhaid ni newid gan fod Caerdydd yn gwisgo siorts a sanau gwyn. Ta waeth, ennill yn erbyn yr Adar Gleision mewn cit hyfryd sydd yn bwysig.
2010/11. Cit oddi cartef - du. Noddwr: 32Red. Wedi creu gan: Umbro
Cit y tymor roedd yr Elyrch wedi creu hanes. Y tymor hwn ni ddaeth y clwb cyntaf i sicrhau dyrchafiad i Uwch Gynghrair Loegr. Er nad oeddem yn gwisgo’r union git hwnnw tra’n creu’r hanes honno, mae’n un dwi’n hoff iawn ohono. Dwy don wahanol o ddu gyda’r 32Red yn wyn i gyd yn gweithio yn wych gyda’i gilydd. Y flwyddyn honno roedd cefn y rhifau yn wyn gyda darnau o aur arni, oedd yn gwneud i’r rhifau ar gefn y cit du edrych yn ddeniadol iawn. Dwi wastod ‘di meddwl bod citiau du yn hyfryd ond roedd y gwyn ar y blaen yn gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr, dwi’n credu.
At the time of writing, Marko Stamenic has just been confirmed as our latest addition to the squad for the new campaign.
He’s our ninth signing – and one that was less of a surprise than some of the others, given that he’d been spotted in the stand last weekend and referenced by Alan Sheehan in interviews.
Some things take longer than others to get over the line, but now that he’s here and he’s ‘one of our own’, it feels to me as though we are nearly there in terms of squad strength.
Of course, the need for an out and out striker has been discussed and while everyone acknowledges the need is there, the trouble with strikers is, they’re difficult to come by.
I think as fans our frustration with situations and timings sometimes means we forget that if running a football club was easy, we’d all be doing it. I also think we’re in a position now where the people who are in charge here at SA1 are communicating with the fans, they seem to have a clear strategy and there is definitely a greater sense of everyone pulling in the same direction – one which is going to build firm foundations for the next phase of success for Swansea City.
I was encouraged by the responses from the leadership team at the recent fans’ forum and again when CEO Tom Gorringe spoke to BBC Radio Wales last week. There’s a clarity about the direction of travel and a sense that there is a lot being done behind the scenes.
The interview is well worth listening to if you haven’t heard it. He talked about the input and the impact our new investors Luka Modric and Snoop Dogg have already had in the marketing of the club and he also spoke about their involvement in the recruitment process:
“They’ve both been involved in the recruitment process. I think that has probably been evident over the course of the summer and obviously makes the club more marketable, not just to supporters but also to players.
“They’ve both opened doors in terms of commercial opportunities around partnerships and sponsorships and new things that we can do to start generating income, which as a club in the Championship is an extremely difficult league to compete in.
“We’ve seen the impact of their involvement just in terms of the additional interest to the football club and obviously now the opportunity is for us to try and maximize it and see where it can take us.”
Inevitably, comparisons will be drawn with Ryan Reynold and Rob McElhenny at Wrexham
“They’ve shown the world of football what can be achieved commercially, what opportunities can be opened by utilising the profile of external investment and ultimately (that is) the challenge for us now is to work out how we can make the right decisions based on the interest that has already been generated by Luka and Snoop and use that to drive the football club forward and ultimately, improve performances on the pitch.”
All of that was music to my ears and I’m sure to everyone else’s as well.
As Snoop would say, let’s hope this time, we’re on course to be the best hamburger flippers in the world.
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,
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium.
We hope you enjoyed last weekend’s game. We loved seeing you all back at the stadium again.
Don’t forget to look out for us outside the club shop and ticket office before turnstiles open, and we’ll be pitch side just before kick-off and again at half time. We’ll have some prizes to give away at half time, so if you’re in the family stand, make sure you give us a wave!
Our prediction for this week is a 2-1 win and we think Ethan Galbraith and Liam Cullen will score the goals.
What do you think the score will be?
Don’t forget to take part in this week’s Take Five quiz, and let us know how you get on.
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
11 Josh Ginnelly
14 Josh Tymon
15 Cameron Burgess
17 Gonçalo Franco
20 Liam Cullen
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Ricardo Santos
24 Bobby Wales
26 Kaelan Casey
27 Zeidane Inoussa
28 Joel Cotterill
29 Paul Farman
30 Ethan Galbraith
31 Ollie Cooper
35 Ronald
40 NUMBER RETIRED IN MEMORY OF BESIAN IDRIZAJ
41 Sam Parker
45 Cameron Congreve
46 Arthur Parker
47 Sebastian Dabrowski
49 Kyrell Wilson
50 Filip Lissah
54 Iestyn Jones
Head Coach Paulo Pezzolano
1 Egil Selvik
2 Jeremy Ngakia
3 Max Alleyne
4 Kevin Keben
5 Hector Kyprianou
6 Mattie Pollock
7 Tom Ince
8 Giorgi Chalvetadze
9 Luca Kjerrumgaard
10 Imran Louza
11 Rocco Vata
12 Nathan Baxter
14 Pierre Dwomoh
16 Marc Bola
17 Moussa Sissoko ©
18 Vivaldo Semedo
20 Mamadou Doumbia
22 James Morris
24 Tom Dele-Bashiru
25 James Abankwah
26 Caleb Wiley
34 Kwadwo Baah
39 Edo Kayembe
41 Alfie Marriott
42 Othmane Maamma
43 Jack Grieves
45 Ryan Andrews
66 Nestory Irankunda
42 Sydie Peck
Referee - Stephen Martin
Assistant Referee 1 - Emily Carney
Assistant Referee 2 - Callum Gough
Fourth Official - Richard Eley
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, 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, Aden King, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins, Jack Oliver, Harri Matthews.
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Tom Gorringe (Chief Executive Officer)
Richard Montague (Director of Football)
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 Media & Communications: Andrew Gwilym
Head of Marketing: Katie Doyle
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.