Good evening all and a very warm welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium as we host Watford for our first game under the lights this season.
We return to home soil in good spirits after an excellent performance and result at Derby on Saturday.
Winning away in this division is never easy, so to have a 100 per cent record on our travels thus far is very pleasing, and once again we were cheered on by a large away following who never stopped singing and hopefully enjoyed their day.
We were thoroughly dominant with and without the ball at Pride Park, and to do that without the calibre of some of the players who were absent is a testament to the depth we are building in the squad.
Itâs nice to see our name right up near the top of the table in these early stages, but we know there is a long season ahead of us, and we are now entering a period where we play four games in the space of 12 days.
These periods are a quintessential part of what the Championship is all about and maintaining that consistency is really important.
Tonight also sees the end of the summer transfer window. I am writing these notes with a little while still left to go before the deadline, but we feel we have had a strong window. The aim in every transfer window is to leave the window stronger than you started it and we feel that this is the case, this time out.
We have increased our options in a number of positions, and â as I mentioned earlier â the depth and competition for places in the group looks to have increased and that can only drive standards.
We will see what unfolds over the final hours, but one thing I would say is that I hope that in the future we move away from having the deadline on the same night when a number of teams are playing.
Given the amount of football that is played, I know it would be difficult to find a date and time that does not clash with fixtures somewhere but there is no doubt it is challenging for teams to be preparing for games when the window is still open with the potential for situations to arise that disrupt those preparations.
Off the field, we were pleased to climb to third out of 116 clubs in the Think Fan Engagement Index for the 2025-26 season; up one spot from the prior campaign.
The index ranks clubs for their transparency with supporters, and the manner in which they communicate and take on board fan feedback.
We have made a concerted effort as a club to be authentic in how we engage with supporters, and to be as open and clear in our communications as possible
The role of the Supportersâ Trust is a vital part of this, and we believe we are entering an exciting time where we can further develop our dialogue with Swansea fans, and make sure your views are heard and represented.
Finally, we are joined by the family of Kenny Jackett tonight for this game between two of the clubs he is most synonymous with. I have known his son David for some time and I am sure that this has been a tough period for the family however hopefully they have taken some comfort in the love and support from the football community.
We will remember Kenny prior to the teams taking the pitch, as we pay tribute to his considerable contribution to our game, and to our respective clubs.
His role in starting Swanseaâs rise through the divisions with promotion in the final season at the Vetch Field should never be underestimated, and he was a loyal servant of Watford as a player, coach and manager. It is only right that he is in our thoughts tonight.
Enjoy the game YJBs,
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Hello everyone and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium as we face Watford.
We have had a good start to the Championship, but nothing is decided this early in the season and so we have to make sure that we keep our focus on the task in front of us.
The next game is always the most important one, and so everything has been about preparing for this game and the challenge we will face against a Watford side who are also unbeaten, and have a clear way of playing under a new manager who has brought in some new ideas.
We were really pleased with how we performed at Derby on Saturday, they are always a difficult side to play against and so to go away from home and to be able to control so much of the game was very good to see.
We scored early, and that gave us the calmness and composure to have that control, we got the second goal at a good time, and then defended really well when we knew they would look to come out fast in the second half.
Then we were able to pick the right moments when the opportunities came and we created more good chances before getting the third goal.
We showed maturity and we showed that we are growing as a team, and that we have a group who are enjoying playing together.
It was an excellent away performance and we were delighted to be able to do a good job for all of you who made the long journey and gave the players so much support.
But, as I said, it is one game and being in the Championship means you do not have too long to think about what has happened, because the next test is already waiting for you.
We now have a difficult run of games where we play Tuesday and Saturday in back-to-back weeks, so we will need to be ready.
Tonight also marks the end of the transfer window, there is always a lot of focus on what deals may or may not happen, but we feel we have had a positive summer and we have added quality and versatility to the group.
It will be very unusual to be playing a game on the night the deadline arrives, and I am sure a lot of coaches, myself included, would prefer not to have fixtures taking place so near the end of the window.
But it is something we have to deal with, our focus has been on preparing as well as we can and trying to produce a performance that gives us the best chance of getting a result.
Enjoy the game,
VĂtor Matos,
First Team Head Coach
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for another night under the lights, the kind of night that reminds us why we love this club, this city and this team.
Saturdayâs 3â0 win away at Derby County wasnât just a result; it was a statement. A second away win in a row, something we struggled to put together last season, and a performance full of confidence and control. From Opokuâs early breakthrough to Eomâs sharp finish and Ronaldâs stoppageâtime spark, it was the sort of display that makes you sit up and think: weâre building something here.
The backing from the Jack Army has been outstanding, home and away and the players feel that energy every time they step out. Performances like Saturday show what we can achieve when that connection is strong.
This connection between the club and its supporters has also been recognised nationally. Swansea City has been ranked in the top three of the Think Fan Engagement Index, highlighting how successfully the club integrates supporters into decisionâmaking. Itâs an achievement the Supportersâ Trust is incredibly proud of and weâre always looking to strengthen that relationship even further. If youâd like to get involved, supporters are always very welcome to join the Trust and you can catch up with our board members at the kiosk before any of our home games.
Last week we sent round a comprehensive new season update to our members and this is now available to read on our Trust website here: https://www.swanstrust.co.uk/supporters-updates/new-season-update/
This summer brought fresh faces and fresh energy to SA1. At the time of preparing these notes weâve made eight new signings: Tiago Parente, Elijah Just, Stephen Welsh, Joseph Opoku, Ross Stewart, Moussa Yeo, Stephen EustĂĄquio and Jensen Seelt. Theyâve come in not just to strengthen the squad, but to push the club forward. You can already see it, Opoku adding goals from the wing, Welshâs composure on the ball, and EustĂĄquio making an immediate impact with an assist on his debut. These arenât just signings, theyâre foundations.
Thereâs a feeling around the club right now that weâre turning a page, with our best start to a season since 2020. The identity weâve always cherished, possession with purpose, bravery on the ball, unity off it, is returning with real force. Nights like this, with the Jack Army behind the boys, are where that identity grows.
Watford will bring their own threats and ambitions, but this is our home. Our noise. Our future. And if Saturday showed anything, itâs that this team is ready to meet the moment.
Thank you, as always, for your incredible support. Enjoy the game and letâs make tonight another step forward.
Teo
Teachers have an important role to play in helping children enjoy physical activity and develop a positive relationship with sport. But for teachers, planning PE lessons, assessing pupils and keeping track of their progress isnât always easy.
Through Premier League Primary Stars, Swansea City AFC Foundation works directly with teachers to help them develop their confidence and make PE lessons more effective and enjoyable for pupils.
Mr Aled Hughes, PE teacher at Ysgol Bro Penfro in Pembrokeshire, took part in the programme after identifying a few areas of his teaching that he wanted to develop. In particular, he wanted to improve how he assessed pupils, tracked their progress and planned lessons around their individual development.
Over 12 weeks, Aled worked closely with Swansea City AFC Foundation Sports and Education Area Coordinator Matthew Davies.
At first, Matthew led the PE sessions while Aled watched, took notes and asked questions. Matthew was able to talk him through the different activities and explain why he was delivering certain parts of the session in a particular way.
For Aled, it became a valuable opportunity to learn while still being in his usual teaching environment.
âIâve been able to use these sessions as a professional development session for myself,â he said.
As the weeks went on, Aled gradually took on more responsibility for planning and delivering the sessions. By weeks three and four, he was leading lessons himself, with Matthew stepping back to observe and offer feedback afterwards.
The difference soon became noticeable.
âThe Premier League Primary Stars has had a huge impact on my knowledge and Iâve gained a deeper understanding of the curriculum and whatâs required in that area of learning,â Aled explained.
Matthew has also seen Aled become more confident and precise in his teaching.
âThe information he gives now is more specific,â he said.
Another important improvement has been Aledâs ability to recognise how individual pupils are developing and progressing â something that had been one of his main aims when he first started the programme.
For Matthew, that progress is what makes the programme so worthwhile. Rather than simply delivering PE sessions for the school, the aim is to give teachers skills and knowledge they can continue to use themselves.
As a young teacher, Aled can now take what he has learned during those 12 weeks and use it throughout his career, helping pupils at Ysgol Bro Penfro enjoy better quality PE lessons for years to come.
MATCHDAY SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE TRIAL CONTINUES FOR WATFORD FIXTURE
Swansea City is trialling a new matchday shuttle bus service that will be available to all home fans, and free for season ticket holders, Jack Army members, seasonal hospitality guests and younger supporters to travel on.
The introduction of the service is part of an effort to alleviate the impact of the loss of a number of matchday parking options due to circumstances beyond the clubâs control.
The shuttle bus service came into effect immediately for our first home Championship fixture against Sheffield United, and will be trialled for every home fixture over the remainder of 2026. Further details on the service for tonight's fixture against Watford can be found below.
The club is putting these measures in place due to the loss of a significant number of car parking spaces at the Landore Park and Walk site and the Virgin Media site.
These sites are not owned or controlled by Swansea City, but run by third-party operators.
However, the club is acutely aware that a number of supporters will have relied on these venues to park their vehicles for a number of years, and we are looking to offer an alternative solution.
We appreciate this will mean a change to long-held matchday routines for a number of supporters, but the loss of such a significant number of parking spaces which we are not able to directly replace immediately, means we have to explore new matchday travel options.
We remain in regular ongoing discussions with numerous third-party sites and operators, as we continue to explore options that we hope will provide greater matchday travel choices for supporters in the future.
Shuttle service routes
There will be buses running along two routes before and after home games.
Services will operate from two hours before kick-off and until one hour after the final whistle.
Route 1 (City Centre)
Route 2 (Fabian Way)
Pricing
Supporters should note that travel on the service does not include parking arrangements, and so fans will need to pay for parking separately and independently at whichever site they choose to leave their vehicle in order to join the bus service.
The shuttle service only offers return journeys, and there will be no provision to purchase one-way or single tickets.
Prices are ÂŁ5 per adult, but a number of supporters will be able to travel on the service for free if they meet any of the following requirements:
- Are a 2026-27 season ticket holder (will require presentation of a digital or physical season ticket card at point of purchase).
- Are a 2026-27 Jack Army member (will require presentation of a digital membership card at point of purchase).
- Are aged under 18.
- Are a seasonal hospitality guest (will require presentation of matchday accreditation at point of purchase).
Please note, payment to use the service will be by card only. A ticket/wristband will be issued at the point of purchase and this must be worn in order to access the return services following the game.
Additionally, anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Feedback
Once supporters have had the opportunity to use the shuttle bus matchday service, we would appreciate any feedback on any improvements that can be made.
Supporters can leave us their thoughts using the form in the link below.
You can find further information regarding the matchday shuttle bus service HERE.
Itâs fair to say that Stephen EustĂĄquio has had quite the journey in football so far.
Born in Canada to Portuguese parents, he moved to Portugal as a child and has since built a career that has taken him across two continents, to the biggest stage in international football and into the ranks of one of Portugalâs biggest clubs.
Now, at 29, EustĂĄquio has added another chapter to that journey after completing his move from Porto to Swansea City.
The midfielder has signed a two-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, and arrives in SA1 with 61 international caps, two World Cup appearances and more than 150 games for Porto to his name.
But for all the places football has taken him, EustĂĄquio says the principles that have guided his journey were instilled much closer to home.
âMy family always taught me the best things: to be very humble and to work hard,â he said. âThat got me to big places, so I just want to continue like that.â
Family has remained at the heart of EustĂĄquioâs journey, with his brother Mauro, a former player who has since moved into coaching, one of the most influential figures in his career.
EustĂĄquio has also had to deal with profound personal loss, losing both his mother and father in the same year. The support and values instilled by his family have remained an important part of his life as he has continued to build his career.
âI always say that I have had a lot of coaches during my career that have helped me loads, but my brother is the main one,â EustĂĄquio explained.
âAfter every training session and every game, heâs always there to call me and give me his opinion.
âHeâs somebody that understands the game a lot. All the feedback that heâs been giving to me over the past couple of years has been right.
âFor me, itâs always good to have somebody in the family that breathes football, and that helps me a lot.â
Those values and that support have remained with EustĂĄquio throughout a career that has seen him progress through the Portuguese game, enjoy a spell with Mexican club Cruz Azul and eventually earn the opportunity to join Porto.
Playing for one of Portugalâs biggest clubs brought a different level of expectation, but EustĂĄquio believes those demands helped make him the player he is today.
âI think a player that plays in Porto really has the experience to know that they can play in any club in the world,â he added. âThe pressure is very high. The demands are very high. The standard is high. Basically, you have to win every game and you have to perform.
âFor me, the fact that I was able to play for Porto for so many years and in big competitions really made me a better player - a player that knows the responsibility that it takes to be at the top level.â
While his club career continued to develop, so too did EustĂĄquioâs international story. Having represented Canada at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he returned to the global stage this summer and played a key role in a historic campaign for his country.
EustĂĄquio scored against South Africa as Canada secured a first-ever World Cup knockout-stage victory, while he also wore the captainâs armband for much of the tournament in the absence of Alphonso Davies.
âThis summer was amazing,â he reflected. âFor us as a country it was a dream come true to go so far in such an amazing tournament.
âThe fact that we broke some records was amazing, and the fact that I was able to help the team with that goal against South Africa was a really big moment of happiness.â
That marked another landmark moment in his journey that has already taken EustĂĄquio to some remarkable places. But rather than looking back, his focus is now on using those experiences to help Swansea City climb the Championship this season.
âI just want to bring that to Swansea and really push the team to make it to the highest standard,â he admitted.
The decision to make the move was also helped by EustĂĄquioâs familiarity with Vitor Matos and his work at Porto. While the pair did not work together at the Portuguese club, EustĂĄquio had seen the way Matos operated during his time there and knew what the Swansea head coach could bring.
âIt was a big part of my decision to come here,â he admitted. âI know what type of work he does, and I know how much he means to the Swansea fans as well.
âFor me, it was an easy pick when he called me saying that he really wanted to give me the opportunity to play for Swansea.
âIt was a no-brainer for me. I know what Iâm going to get here, so Iâm very happy that I made this decision.â
And so, after a journey that has taken him from Canada to Portugal, Mexico, the World Cup and the summit of European club football, EustĂĄquio has arrived in SA1 with another challenge ahead.
He knows the Championship will test him in different ways, but believes the experience he has accumulated can help Swansea navigate the demands of a tough season in the second tier.
âFor me, itâs just the fact that thereâs no days off,â he insisted. âEvery day is important, every metre is important, every decision is important for the team.
âI know that the Championship is a lot of games, a lot of dirty moments in the game, a lot of pitches that are very tough, but we still have to get a result.
âHopefully, I can just help the team in the best way possible.â
A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
To celebrate the launch of Swansea Cityâs new away kit, which pays tribute to the strips worn during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons, we look back at two memorable campaigns in the clubâs history.
Club historian Gwyn Rees takes us back to the Vetch Field, revisiting the stories, characters and memorable moments from those seasons, beginning with the 1996-97 campaign.
After the disastrous relegation season previous, when the club went through three managers and two caretaker managers, and the short but embarrassing seven days when Cradley Town Youth team manager Kevin Cullis made the Swans the laughing stock of British football, the former Liverpool great Jan Molby was the man in charge, and the supporters of the club were looking forward to a period of stability and hopefully progress at the Vetch Field.
The new manager had taken over the previous season at a club that was rock bottom of the Division Two table, and though the team would be relegated at the seasonâs end, the side had gathered more points under the new manager in the final two months of the season than in the previous six, so hopes were high that the team could begin the season in the manner it had finished the previous one.
The new season saw the opening fixture begin at home to Rochdale, with the club giving league debuts to Richard Appleby and Damien Lacey. The side swarmed all over the visitors, and after just thirteen minutes went ahead with a goal from a corner scored by Dai Thomas.
It was a lead that was well deserved, and just minutes from half time the Swans doubled their lead with a spectacular curling shot from just outside the area from Dave Penneys.
But the player manager became the talk of the game in the second half, when first he missed a penalty, the first he had missed in eight years since playing in a Liverpool shirt, and then, after two yellow cards in quick succession, found himself sent off for the first time in his professional career.
Molbyâs dismissal meant the side had to see out the final fifteen minutes of the game with ten men, but though Mike Cecere scored for the visitors with three minutes remaining, the Swans held out for an opening win that their overall dominance deserved.
The Swansâ first cup tie of the season saw them entertain Gillingham in a first-round, first-leg tie at home. A lively first half saw the team strike the visitorsâ woodwork on three occasions, and though shading possession over their opponents, they could not find a way through a well-organized defence. The second half saw the visitors come into the game more, and Roger Freestone in the home goal pulled off a series of fine saves. With time running out, and the game looking like ending goalless, Steven Torpey got his head to a Gillingham corner kick, and the ball flew into the net past a wrong-footed Freestone. So, the side went into the second leg two weeks later with Gillingham holding a single-goal advantage.
After the promise of an opening-day win, reality hit the Swans hard in their first away fixture against Darlington. The talk in the summer was all about playing expansive football, in a division where strength and aggression were the benchmarks for most sides. And though the side dominated the opening twenty minutes, once Roberts opened the scoring for the hosts, the Swans fell apart, with the home side scoring four on the night, and Linton Brown scoring a consolation goal for the Swans nine minutes from time
As Swansea City prepare to face Watford at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday night, we turn the clock back to revisit four memorable victories over the Hornets from years gone by.
Swansea City 3-2 Watford
Division Three | March 20, 1979
Swansea and Watford were enjoying remarkably similar rises through the divisions when they met in a top-of-the-table clash at the Vetch Field.
The Hornets sat at the summit and had been unbeaten in the league since November, while second-placed Swansea had the chance to close the four-point gap with victory.
And it was the Swans who prevailed in a thrilling encounter, with Alan Curtis scoring twice to take his tally for the season to 10, while Robbie James was also on target in a narrow victory.
Despite the defeat, Watford would join Swansea in securing promotion to the Second Division at the end of the campaign.
Swansea City 3-1 Watford
Championship | November 9, 2008
Swansea maintained their unbeaten home start to the season as they came from behind to claim an impressive victory over a Watford side without a permanent manager.
The Hornets struck first in the 33rd minute when Will Hoskins embarked on a jinking run before finding Lee Williamson, who calmly slotted the ball beyond Dimi Konstantopoulos.
But the Swans hit back almost immediately after the restart, with Ferrie Bodde producing a spectacular 35-yard strike that swerved and dipped beyond the reach of Richard Lee.
Bodde was at the heart of the turnaround again 14 minutes later, picking out Jason Scotland with a pinpoint 50-yard pass. Scotland rounded Lee before finishing from a tight angle to put Swansea ahead.
The points were secured in stoppage time when substitute Guillem Bauza capitalised on some sloppy Watford defending to complete the comeback.
Swansea 1-0 Watford
Premier League â January 18, 2016
Ashley Williams proved the difference as his header secured a vital victory that lifted Swansea out of the Premier League relegation zone.
With new head coach Francesco Guidolin watching from the stands, Alan Curtis took temporary charge as the Swans looked to end a run of just one win in 11 matches.
The decisive moment came in the 27th minute when Williams met Ki Sung-yeungâs cross, sending a firm header beyond the reach of Heurelho Gomes.
It was the Swansea captainâs first Premier League goal in almost two years, but his contribution at the other end was just as important as he produced a commanding man-of-the-match display.
Watford were looking to respond and came close through Miguel Britos and Manuel Jurado, but neither could find the target from promising positions.
Swansea held firm to secure a hugely important three points and move out of the bottom three.
Swansea City 4-0 Watford
Championship â December 30, 2022
Swansea City ended 2022 in style, returning to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over Watford at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Joel Piroe opened the scoring after being picked out by Liam Cullen, who had been a constant threat with his energy and movement up front.
Cullen then got on the scoresheet himself after the break, producing a superb first-time finish to make it three goals in as many games.
Piroe added his second of the evening soon after, taking his tally to eight for the season with a superb strike from the edge of the area.
There was still time for a fourth, with Joel Latibeaudiere finishing at the far post after a flowing Swansea move involving Piroe and Matt Grimes.
The emphatic victory was thoroughly deserved and brought an end to an eight-game winless run.
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 of the last nine seasons, but the Hornets have also become synonymous with managerial upheaval, going through a succession of head coaches in recent years.
Their latest change came when Alessio Dionisi succeeded Edward Still in June, who managed just 12 games at the helm.
Vicarage Road
Built: 1921
Location: Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0ER
Capacity: 22,220
Alessio Dionisi was appointed Watford head coach in June 2026, bringing extensive experience from Italian football.
A former centre-back, Dionisi moved into coaching in 2014 and worked his way through the divisions, enjoying spells with Imolese and Venezia before joining Empoli.
He guided Empoli to the 2020/21 Serie B title and promotion to Serie A, before taking charge of Sassuolo and spending two-and-a-half seasons in Italyâs top flight.
Dionisi later returned to Serie B with Palermo and Empoli before making the move to Watford.
Mattie Pollock is Watfordâs current club captain, having joined the Hornets from Grimsby Town in 2021.
The centre-back came through the Leeds United academy before making his senior debut for Grimsby at 17, going on to make 58 appearances for the Mariners.
After loan spells with Cheltenham Town and Aberdeen, Pollock established himself at Watford and enjoyed a breakthrough 2024/25 campaign, making 47 appearances.
He followed that with 36 appearances last season, surpassing 100 games for the Hornets and being voted the clubâs Player of the Season.
Luca Kjerrumgaard initially joined Watford on loan from Udinese in July 2025, before the Hornets made his move permanent this summer.
The 6ft 4in Danish striker made his professional debut with Odense BK in 2022 and enjoyed a productive loan spell with Nykøbing that season, scoring 13 goals in 25 league appearances.
After a spell with Norwegian side StabĂŚk, Kjerrumgaard returned to Odense and enjoyed a standout 2024/25 campaign, finding the net 22 times in 29 games. He carried that form into his first season at Watford, scoring nine goals, including braces against Queens Park Rangers and Norwich City.
The Denmark Under-20 and Under-21 international has made a bright start to the current campaign, scoring once in his opening two appearances.
Watford confirmed the signing of Edoardo Bove in January 2026, with the Italian midfielder signing a five-and-a-half-year deal.
Bove came through the ranks at AS Roma, making his senior debut against Crotone in May 2021. He went on to make nearly 100 appearances for I Giallorossi, including 65 in Serie A, while also gaining valuable European experience.
One of his standout moments came in May 2023, when he scored the winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen to send Roma into the Europa League final. Bove joined Fiorentina on loan in August 2024, making 15 appearances, before moving to Watford following the end of his Roma contract.
He made his Hornets debut in February 2026 during a 2-2 draw with Preston North End, and opened his Watford account in Marchâs 3-1 victory over Wrexham. Bove finished the 2025/26 season with 11 appearances for the Hornets.
Othmane Maamma joined Watford from Montpellier in July 2025, signing a four-year deal with the Hornets.
Primarily a right winger, the Moroccan can also operate on the opposite flank and came through Montpellierâs academy before making 14 Ligue 1 appearances for the first team.
He scored on his first senior start in a 2-2 draw away at Lens, becoming Montpellierâs third-youngest goalscorer in the process.
Maamma joined up with Watford after helping Morocco win the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, where he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournamentâs best player.
His Watford debut was delayed until November due to his international commitments, but he quickly established himself in the first team, scoring four goals and providing an assist during his debut campaign.
His impressive outside-of-the-boot finish against Leicester earned the clubâs Goal of the Month award for December, while his performances saw him named Watfordâs Young Player of the Season.
There are managers remembered for trophies. Others are remembered for promotions, great teams or iconic moments.
For Swansea City supporters, Kenny Jackett should be remembered for all of those things â but perhaps most importantly, for the foundations he helped put in place.
Jackett passed away in June at the age of 64, bringing an end to a remarkable football journey which had begun at his hometown club, Watford. He spent his entire playing career at Vicarage Road, making 428 appearances and earning 31 caps for Wales, before eventually making the move into management.
His managerial career would take him to Millwall, Wolves, Rotherham, Portsmouth and Leyton Orient, but Swansea would always hold a special place in his journey.
Appointed in April 2004, Jackett inherited a talented Swansea squad which had plenty of ability but needed greater discipline and structure. What followed was the beginning of a period of sustained progress.
Jackett guided the Swans to promotion from League Two in his first full season, securing a memorable farewell to the Vetch Field, before leading the club to Football League Trophy success and another FAW Premier Cup triumph.
For Andy Robinson, one of the key figures in that side, Jackettâs impact went far beyond what happened on the pitch.
âWhen Kenny came to the club, we needed discipline, we needed organisation and we needed structure,â he said. âThat's no disrespect to those who had come before him, but it was just what was needed at that time.
âWe had some fantastic times with the team he built. We had a solid foundation and a good structure, and he brought in great players like Sam Ricketts, Garry Monk and the late Kev Austin.â
Robinson had already established himself as an important player at Swansea, but Jackett was quick to make it clear that talent alone would not be enough. One of Robinsonâs earliest memories of his new manager perfectly captured Jackettâs approach.
âI can remember in his first game at the Vetch, he took me off after about 70 minutes,â he recalled. âMe, thinking I'd made it as a professional footballer and maybe thinking I was better than what I was, said to Kenny, âI play 90 minutes for this football club.â
âThe minute I said it, I knew I'd done the wrong thing and he just told me to go and sit down. I expected I might get a bit of a telling-off after the game, but he didn't say anything, and I was trying to figure out what sort of manager he was.
âThe following Friday, we were preparing to travel away and he left me out of the squad, and I understood immediately what he was doing.
âI went to speak to him, and he made it clear what was expected, that I would not be speaking to him in that manner again or behaving in that fashion while at the football club. Otherwise, I would not be playing and I would be looking elsewhere.
âI took it on board. I knew he was right, and from that point on there was no doubt what he was going to give me as a footballer. You always learn from your managers. Brian Flynn was almost my father figure at Swansea in terms of giving me the chance, but it was Kenny Jackett who disciplined me.â
It was a lesson Robinson admits he never forgot. Jackett demanded discipline and respect, but that did not mean he failed to understand the personalities within his dressing room. Robinson was one of the players given the freedom to express himself, provided he delivered when it mattered.
âI wasn't always easy to manage,â he admitted. âI was a bit like a bottle of fizzy pop in some ways, but he understood and knew when to let the lid off a bit because he knew it would pay him back on the pitch.â
That relationship would become an important one. The 2004/05 campaign culminated in one of the most memorable days in Swanseaâs modern history, as the Swans secured promotion at Bury to seal a return to the third tier and give the Vetch Field the farewell it deserved.
For Robinson, sharing that moment with Jackett remains one of his standout memories.
âWe had some amazing memories. The promotion season was wonderful all the way through, and the way it happened at Bury, with the fans on the pitch, sharing that with Kenny was a memory I will cherish all my life, as well as that last game at the Vetch when we beat Wrexham and I scored the winner,â he added.
âHe came up to me at the end of the game and told me, âYou've done something very special there, lad, that you can have next to your name and be proud of for the rest of your life,â and it certainly is.â
The following season brought further success. Swansea lifted the Football League Trophy at the Millennium Stadium, while Jackettâs side also reached the League One play-off final, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Championship after defeat to Barnsley.
That Wembley defeat was one of the most difficult moments of Robinsonâs career, but once again Jackett was there with words that would stay with him.
âThere were tough times too. That play-off final defeat to Barnsley was one of the most difficult days of my career.
âI was sat on the pitch, almost wanting to feel the hurt of those moments so it would drive me on to come back and be where Barnsley were in that moment.
âKenny came up to me, put his arm around me, and said, âDon't worry, son. You will learn and you will get there one day, no doubt about it.â
âHe was too confident in me as always, but those words stuck with me. He wasn't there to see us win the league, but he gave Roberto [Martinez] a terrific group and foundation to build upon. It was all of the base laid by Brian Flynn and Kenny.â
Jackettâs time at Swansea ultimately came to an end in February 2007, but his influence did not. He had helped establish a culture, brought in players who would go on to play major roles in the clubâs future and created a squad that would provide the foundations for the successes that followed. For Robinson, there is no doubt that Jackett deserves his place in Swanseaâs history.
âHe did a fantastic job and he will go down as a true great of Swansea City, and of football in general.
âHe had some characters in that squad who got into a few scrapes, but he would always be there for you. He taught you the rights and wrongs of how to conduct yourself as a person and a footballer.
âI will be forever grateful for that. It was what I needed, and I took what I learned from him everywhere I went in my career. He gave me that opportunity and he understood me as a person. Not many managers in my career did, but he got me and we got the best out of each other.â
There was also something else that stood out to Robinson â the person behind the manager. Away from the training ground and touchline, Jackett was known for his calm nature, dry sense of humour and meticulous approach to his work.
The two remained in contact long after their time together at Swansea had ended. Indeed, Robinson had recently reached out to his former manager before Jackettâs passing, wanting to thank him for the influence he had on his career. That final exchange is something Robinson will treasure.
âEvery club he went to, he did a fine job. He was a top guy. We shared a message just before he passed away, and I am forever grateful that he replied to me. I had wanted to get in touch with him to thank him for everything he had done for me and to stay strong.
âHe came back and thanked me, and I will treasure that for the rest of my life. I owe a lot to Kenny Jackett, and so does Swansea City Football Club. We have lost a stand-up guy, and he is a loss to the world of football.â
TRIBUTES TO THE LATE, GREAT KENNY JACKETT
Following his passing in the summer, a number of the club's former players paid tribute to their old boss, and you can read them below.
Kris O'Leary
"Coming to Swansea was one of the gaffer's first managerial jobs, and we had a good team but maybe without the discipline or mentality to win promotion.
"From the moment he came in he demanded discipline, and on the pitch he left you in no doubt as to where you stood, and what was expected of you. Even all these years later I can remember what jobs he wanted me to do at set-pieces.
"That first pre-season took everyone by surprise, it was incredibly tough, but it set the foundations for what was to come. It was the last year at the Vetch, we needed promotion to give it the farewell it deserved and to move into the new stadium on a positive note.
"He was a strong man, he was a family man, but with a dry sense of humour. He was a leader and a great guy. I got on really well with him, I'd come in early for breakfast and he'd already be in there and we'd have some great chats.
"He knew there was a time to laugh, but when it was time to work it was time to work. He came at a perfect time, and we had some of our very best times with him.
"He will go down in the history of the club and rightly so, we will miss him and my prayers go out to his family. He will be a massive loss to football and he was a truly great character. I will be forever grateful for what he did for me, and for Swansea City. Rest in peace, gaffer."
Alan Tate
"Kenny played a huge part in the rise of the club. It was one of his first jobs as a manager and he joined the club when we had a fantastic team spirit among us.
"He used that to his advantage and also added his own stamp to the team, making us fitter and turning young players like myself and Leon Britton into winners, and that started with that promotion from League Two, two FAW Premier Cup wins and a Football League Trophy victory.
"All those experiences played a part in the development of the club and led to its further successes. He brought some important players to the club like Garry Monk, who would go on to captain the club at Wembley when promotion to the Premier League was secured.
"There was also Darren Pratley, who was a brilliant and consistent midfielder during the club's rise.Kenny has to take full credit for those two players, they were another two he turned into winners.
"Kenny had great belief and conviction in how he worked and during his time we had some brilliant performances. The 7-1 win over Bristol City, in which we played some amazing football and scored some great goals, stands out, as does the 3-0 away win at then-Premier League Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup.
"That was a day when a young Joe Allen was first included in a first-team matchday squad, having trained with us a number of times prior to that, which showed Kenny had an eye for the young talent being produced.
"Kenny will be sorely missed by his family and friends, and he will be remembered fondly by all of us players who worked under him and enjoyed such success with him as our manager.
"On behalf of everyone at the club, the players and staff who worked with Kenny, I would like to say thank you for the memories and rest in peace. Once a Jack, always a Jack."
Lee Trundle
"Kenny came in at a time when we had a good squad and were playing good football, but he made a few tweaks on and off the field to give us that mentality and edge to get out of the division.
"He made us hard to beat and a real strong unit, and I don't think he gets enough credit for the amazing job he did at Swansea City.
"We got promoted in his first full season, but we also won a trophy and got to the play-off final the following season.
"He had a very dry sense of humour. He was a great football man, but he was also a great person and a great leader. Rest in peace, gaffer."
Leon Britton
"It is such sad news to hear of Kenny's tragic passing at such a young age.
"He will always be remembered at our club for the big part he played in starting our journey going up through the leagues.
"We had so many great moments under him. We had that unforgettable day when we were promoted at Bury, winning the LDV Vans Trophy in Cardiff, and then being within a penalty shootout of going to the Championship.
"My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Kenny."
Shaun MacDonald
"Thank you for everything gaffer, thank you for giving me the opportunity of my first professional contract, for my debut and for all the happy memories you created.
"I couldn't have wished for a better man or manager to guide me, help me and show trust and faith in me at the time you did. RIP Gaffer.
Y Clwb Cymraeg | The Welsh Club
Croeso i gornel Gymraeg Clwb PĂŞl-droed Dinas Abertawe. Ym mhob rhaglen gallwch ddysgu geiriau a brawddegau newydd, dathlu hanes y clwb a helpu i hyrwyddoâr iaith yma yn Abertawe.
Welcome to Swansea Cityâs Welsh language corner. Whether youâre a fluent speaker or just starting to learn, each programme will help you discover new Welsh words and phrases whilst celebrating the people, stories and culture that make the Welsh language such an important part of our club and city.
Oeddech chiân gwybod? | Did you know?
Y gair Cymraeg am hornet yw âCacynenâ.
Mae Watford yn cael eu hadnabod felâŻThe Hornets, ac mae'r gacynen yn symbol sydd wedi bod yn gysylltiedig â'r clwb ers degawdau.
The Welsh word for hornet isâŻCacynen.
Watford are known asâŻThe Hornets, with the hornet being a recognisable symbol of the club.
Y Cyswllt Cymreig | The Welsh Connection
Kenny Jackett
Cymru: 31 o ymddangosiadau
Watford: 428 o ymddangosiadau | 34 gĂ´l
Abertawe: Rheolwr | 2004â2007 | Enillodd dyrchafiad i âLeague Oneâ
Mae Kenny Jackett yn enw cyfarwydd i gefnogwyr Watford ac Abertawe, ar Ă´l treulio ei yrfa chwarae gyfan gydaâr Hornets cyn mynd ymlaen i reoliâr Elyrch rhwng 2004 a 2007.
Ond efallai bod ei gysylltiad â Chymru fel chwaraewr yn llai cyfarwydd. Er iddo gael ei eni yn Watford, roedd Jackett yn gymwys i gynrychioli Cymru drwy ei dad Cymreig. Enillodd 31 cap dros Gymru rhwng 1982 a 1988, gan gynrychioliâr wlad am chwe blynedd yn ystod ei yrfa gyda Watford.
Kenny Jackett is a familiar name to Watford and Swansea supporters, having spent his entire playing career with the Hornets before going on to manage the Swans between 2004 and 2007.
But his connection to Wales as a player may be less well known. Despite being born in Watford, Jackett qualified to represent Wales through his Welsh father. He went on to win 31 caps for Wales between 1982 and 1988, representing the country for six years during his playing career with Watford.
Ffaith Ddiddorol | Interesting Fact
Mae Watford FC yn chwarae yn Vicarage Road, stadiwm sydd wedi bod yn gartref i'r clwb ers 1922. Mae'n un o'r cartrefi pĂŞl-droed hynaf sy'n dal i gael ei ddefnyddio'n barhaus yn Lloegr.
Watford have played at Vicarage Road since 1922, making it one of the longest-established football grounds still in continuous use in England.
Swansea City Under-21s were edged out 3-2 by Peterborough United in the Professional Development League last Tuesday.
Ejiro Abbey gave the visitors the lead in the first half before Thomas Woodward levelled from the penalty spot to ensure the sides went into the interval all square.
Patryk Sykut struck twice after the break to put Peterborough back in front, with Joe Davies pulling one back late on, but the Swans were unable to find a deserved equaliser.
Anthony Wright made four changes to the side that was defeated by Sheffield United last week, with Joe Collins, Carter Heywood, Kai Rhodes and Ben Lloyd coming into the starting XI.
The visitors made a bright start and almost opened the scoring when McWilliams dispossessed Seb Dabrowski high up the pitch before driving towards goal and forcing Collins into a strong diving save.
Peterborough did take the lead on 20 minutes. Abbey made a darting run in behind the Swansea defence before showing composure to beat the onrushing Collins and slot home.
Swansea looked to respond immediately and came close when Dabrowski delivered an inviting cross towards the far post, where Griffith was unable to make the necessary connection.
The Swans continued to move the ball with purpose, and neat interplay between Joe Davies and Billy Clarke created another opening. Clarke's dangerous delivery into the box was punched clear by Peterborough goalkeeper Bastian Smith just before Woodward could connect after making a well-timed run.
Swansea's pressure was rewarded on 31 minutes when Griffith made a clever run into the box and was brought down by Smith, leaving the referee with no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Woodward took responsibility and confidently converted, sending his penalty high into the net to restore parity.
The Swans almost completed the turnaround before half-time. A promising move involving Lloyd created space for Davies, who got across his marker but dragged his effort narrowly wide.
Peterborough regained the lead shortly after the restart when Sykut's effort found a way through to beat Collins. The visitors then had an opportunity to extend their advantage when Abbey's low cross found McWilliams at the far post, but he could not keep his effort on target.
Peterborough did find a third soon afterwards. Joe Andrews' free-kick from distance was parried by Collins, but the rebound fell perfectly for Sykut, who made no mistake from close range to claim his second of the afternoon.
Wright made a quadruple change midway through the second period, which included the long-awaited return of Ramon Rees-Siso, who made his first appearance in eight months.
Statham Bowen came close to pulling one back shortly after the changes when he struck the post, while the Swans continued to threaten as the game entered its final stages.
Their persistence finally paid off with just under 15 minutes remaining. Rhodes lifted a cross towards the back post, where Davies rose highest to direct a downward header beyond Smith and give the Swans hope of salvaging a point.
Swansea pushed forward in search of an equaliser and continued to ask questions of the Peterborough defence, but the visitors stood firm during the closing stages to secure all three points.
Swansea City Under-21s: Collins, Clarke, Fanning, Cotterill (Asemokhai 63'), Dabrowski (Kallicharan 63'), Heywood (Bowen 46'), Rhodes, Woodward (Robinson 63'), Davies, Lloyd (Rees-Siso 63'), Griffith (C).
Substitute not used: Wright.
Swansea City Under-21s head coach Anthony Wright was left to rue missed chances as his side suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to Peterborough in the Professional Development League.
Ejiro Abbey gave the visitors the lead in the first half before Thomas Woodward levelled from the penalty spot to ensure the sides went into the interval all square.
Patryk Sykut struck twice after the break to put Peterborough back in front, with Joe Davies pulling one back late on, but the Swans were unable to find an equaliser.
âWe certainly had enough chances to get something from the game,â admitted Wright.
âWe could have potentially won as well with the chances that we had but overall I have to be honest and I think Peterborough probably deserved their win today, so no complaints from our side.
âI think the way we finished the game was really positive. The last half hour I think itâs fair to say we really pushed them. It looked a lot more like us with a lot more energy and a lot more purpose.
âIt had a real feel for an under-21 game at the end and I feel thatâs a real positive Iâll take from that performance.
âWhen I look at that game, weâve got so much quality out on the pitch. We created a lot of opportunities in that time. I think Kai (Rhodes) has two or three good one on ones and on other day he puts them away.â
Ramon Rees-Siso was introduced as a substitute midway through the second half, making his first appearance in eight months.
And Wright was delighted to see the midfielder make his long-awaited return from injury.
âIt was brilliant. Heâs been tremendous through his rehab to get back on the pitch and weâve been really excited to have him back, âhe added.
âI think he really showed that today, heâs got a real appetite to play, lots of energy and he plays with a real purpose. Hopefully, now he can build his minutes up and that helps us along through the season.â
Swansea City Women rounded off an impressive pre-season campaign in style with a 5-0 victory over Penybont at the DragonBet Stadium.
A first-half strike from Chloe Chivers was followed by second-half finishes from Lauren Davies, Ellie Lake, Caitlin Seaborne and Emily Richards to round off an excellent afternoon's work in Bridgend and maintain the Swans' 100 per cent record in pre-season.
It was also a fifth clean sheet in as many pre-season games, with Swansea limiting the hosts to very few opportunities in front of goal.
The Swans made their mark early, taking the lead through a trademark Chivers strike from distance.
The game settled as the first half progressed, with the hosts dropping into a low block and limiting Swansea's opportunities before the interval.
However, the Swans came flying out of the blocks after the restart, with Davies doubling the advantage before Lake added a third just minutes later.
Seaborne then headed home from a corner before Richards rounded off the scoring in spectacular fashion with a superb long-range effort.
Swansea started positively, with Lake having the first opportunity after Penybont failed to clear their lines. The full-back struck the loose ball on the volley from a tight angle, but her effort flew over the bar.
The Swans would take the lead soon after, with Chivers receiving the ball on the half-turn before shifting it out of her feet and firing a powerful effort into the bottom corner from 30 yards.
Chivers was involved again as Swansea went in search of a second, delivering a dangerous ball across the face of goal which was met first time by Davies, but her effort struck the post.
Swansea continued to dominate and went close again following a swift attacking move. Chivers flicked the ball into the path of an unmarked Lake, but the full-back drilled her effort over the bar.
Richards had a half-chance shortly before half-time, but her free-kick was comfortably held by Penybont goalkeeper Molly Bird.
The Swans came flying out of the blocks in the second half and quickly added a second, with Davies producing a fantastic solo run to evade several Bont defenders before calmly slotting the ball past Bird.
A third followed just minutes later. Davies' corner was initially dealt with by the Penybont defence, but the second ball fell to Lake, who fired home from close range.
Swansea continued to push for more and added a fourth with 15 minutes remaining. Chivers' corner was met at the far post by Seaborne, who guided her header beyond the Penybont goalkeeper.
A fifth arrived with seven minutes remaining as Richards produced the pick of the second-half goals, striking a superb half-volley from 25 yards which cannoned off the post and into the net.
The result rounds off an unbeaten pre-season campaign for the Swans, who now turn their attention to next weekend's Genero Adran Premier opener against Cardiff City.
Swansea City Women: Amelia Forkings, Lauren Davies, Ellie Lake, Emily Richards, Chloe Chivers, Caitlin Seaborne, Monet Legall, Caitlin Williams, Jess Williams (C), Annabel Stokes.
Substitutes: Opal Rayner, Quianna Wheeler, Lily Deacon, Aoife Sheridan, Lowri Jones.
Penybont Women: Molly Bird, Poppi Coggins, Trialist, Freya Grandin, Erin Bater, Trialist, Maisey Fahey-Pennell, Trialist, Layla Williams, Anwen Thomas, Catrin Edwards.
Substitutes: Trialist, Mae Taylor, Mikaela Hood, Maddie Priday, Ella-Mai Dawe, Georgia Cobley, Trialist, Moli Thomas, Lola Williams, Holly Broad
Swansea City Women's opening Genero Adran Premier fixture against Cardiff City Women on Sunday has been selected for live broadcast by Sgorio, with a new kick-off time of 5.15pm.
The south Wales derby was originally due to kick off at 2pm, but will now get under way at a later time and will be shown on S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and Sgorio's YouTube channel.
The fixture will mark the beginning of the Swans' 2026-27 Genero Adran Premier campaign as Yzzy Taylor's side get their league season under way against their south Wales rivals.
It will also mark the Swans' first game at their new home, the ThermaGlaze Ground, home of Garden Village AFC.
Further matchday and ticketing information will be communicated ahead of the fixture.
Steve Jones was a loyal Swans fan for 53 years through thick and thin. Rest in peace Steve.
Shwmae Junior Jacks,
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium!
Weâre so excited to have you join us tonight for our match against Watford. We have a busy week ahead⌠two matches in a week, we canât wait!
The Swans take on the Hornets, who do you think will win Junior Jacks?
Todayâs Take Five quiz is about the visitors and of course some questions about the Swans. Click the button below to test your knowledge!
Our Score prediction for todayâs game is 1-0 to the Swans and we think Adam Idah will score!
What do you think the score will be?
Uppa Swans,
Cyril and Cybil
With the Swans entertaining Watford for an evening match, there was an almost overwhelming temptation to cast my mind back to the classic floodlit clashes between the two clubs in the late 1970s.
The two games, played on 3 March 1978 and 20 March 1979 produced 11 goals as the two clubs established a rivalry which saw them racing each other up the divisions from the Fourth to the First.
But those thrilling matches, which finished 3-3 and 3-2, were played almost 50 years ago now and probably have little or no significance to the majority of fans attending todayâs fixture.
So, Iâm determined to concentrate on current events in tonightâs programme notes, or at least the immediate past.
Despite both being forward thinking clubs back in the late Seventies, one thing neither boasted back then was a match day mascot.
Cyril the Swan and Harry the Hornet in their full size forms were yet to be twinkles in imaginations of their respective creators.
But the opening weekend of this Championship season witnessed a memorable moment which provided an early season sting in the tail for Southampton following last termâs Spygate scandal.
Harry cheekily recreated the infamous photograph of the Southampton member of staff spying on a Middlesborough training session from behind a tree in the run up to last seasonâs promotion play-offs.
Directly in front of the visiting Saints fans, the mascot playfully peeped around a goalpost with his hands cupped around his eyes as if using a pair of binoculars.
As you can imagine, the mascotâs antics didnât go down too well with the south coast clubâs travelling contingent.
However, social media clips of the incident were extremely well received by the wider football community.
I have a feeling Southampton are destined for a lot more of the same on their travels this season.
I wonder if Cyril owns a trenchcoat, fedora and sunglasses?
Perhaps I shouldnât encourage the mischievous side of our mascotâs character, seeing as heâs been on the relatively straight and narrow in recent years.
Once known as the bad boy of footballâs mascot community, Cyril seems to have turned a new leaf since settling down with wife Cybil.
Although Iâm sure he wouldnât take much persuading to ruffle Southamptonâs feathers.
Iâm all for a bit of banter in the game. Football is, and always will be, tribal. If you donât believe that, just wait for whatâs in store with three Welsh clubs challenging in this seasonâs Championship.
Thereâs nothing like large and rowdy followings exchanging âpleasantriesâ at a football match â as long as it doesnât go too far.
I certainly donât want to go back to the bad old days when football rivalries became toxic and violent. Thereâs plenty of scope for letting your opponents know what you think of them without things getting out of hand.
Talking of good natured banter, I was reminded of an all time classic when Kevin Johns returned to the microphone at the Swansea.Com Stadium before the Swansâ first home league match this season.
It was fantastic to see Kevin back on the touchline once again after he suffered a stroke in February.
The long-serving stadium announcerâs appearance sparked memories of one of my favourite footballing put downs.
Before the play-off final against Reading, both clubs were invited to whip up their supporters with a speech and a club anthem.
The Royals went first and rounded off their motivational section with a rousing rendition of Journeyâs Donât Stop Believinâ, which to be fair had their section of the stadium rocking.
Until Kev stepped up and described Reading's "anthem" as "their lovely song from Glee".
Cue roars of laughter and cheers from the Jack Army, as the Swansâ cheerleader in chief launched into his âthis is our dayâ speechâ before cueing up the Swansea City Song.
One-nil to the Swans before a ball was even kicked.
Johns will forever be a club legend for that moment and for all the other work he has done for the Swans â and the city itself - over the years.
His status within the hearts of Swans fans was illustrated by the emotional reception he received from the stands before the Sheffield United match.
It was a genuinely heart-warming moment, and there was another the following day at St Jamesâ Park in the Premier League.
The way Newcastle and Liverpool fans came together to celebrate the life of Kevin Keegan was truly moving.
It just goes to show that football stadiums can still generate all kinds of atmospheres - from downright intimidating to truly inspirational and even uniting.
For all of footballâs tribalry, the pre-match tribute to Keegan showed that football can unite two of footballâs most passionate and partisan fanbases to produce a fitting tribute to one of the gameâs most respected personalities.
Going back to those Swans v Watford clashes under the Vetch Field lights all those year ago. They had an electric atmosphere all over their own which helped inspire those high scoring and thrilling matches.
But Iâm sure tonightâs Swansea.Com Stadium crowd will generate an equally unique and inspirational atmosphere, which hopefully will also be talked about for many years to come.
Câmon you Swans!
Saturdayâs game at Derby County was the first outing of the season for our new retro-inspired away kit. The red and blue striped option is a real eye catcher and, unsurprisingly, has generated lots of comment and plenty of opinions.
Long gone are the days of a single kit sufficing for a season â home and away, league and cup. Historians of the game credit Don Revie when he was Leeds United manager as being one of the architects of change for the humble single kit. He apparently met Admiral sports wearâs CEO Bert Patrick and they came up with the idea of a redesigned and copyrighted kit which Patrick wanted to sell to fans and he was willing to pay Leeds to wear.
As other manufacturers saw the benefits they jumped on the bandwagon and when black and white television became colour in 1967, the look of the kits became more and more important. Fans were keen to wear the shirts of their footballing heroes and the desire for replica kits opened up an untapped market for clubs to generate revenue.
Marketing of new kits has become much more sophisticated over time and the stories associated with them often tap into the psyche of fans, regardless of their allegiances. A case in point, a Watford supporting friend of mine loved the iconic Gulf racing blue and orange colours of our third kit so much last season that he bought it - and I can confirm, he wears it!
Prior to the Derby game, I spotted a poll on Facebook which informed me that our away kit had made it into the final six of the âbest away kit of 2026/27â. Who knew such a thing existed? Not me, thatâs for sure.
Supporters were invited to vote for their favourite shirt and ours was up against the light blue with white trim of Dundee, yellow with double black stripes of Sheffield Wednesday, black tonal patterning with light blue trim of Hartlepool, purple and teal patterned shirt of Port Vale emblazoned with Robbie Williamsâ initials and the yellow of Leeds United which is âa bold tribute to the cityâs 400th anniversaryâ.
Ours was, without doubt, the most striking.
The poll was generated by Proper Football, a website I wasnât familiar with, but which claims to be âa platform for fans to have a voice and to share their passion for the beautiful game at all levels of the football pyramidâ.
The websiteâs Facebook account has over 170,000 followers and the poll generated a lot of comments. Fans of the six teams shortlisted were divided about whether they should vote for their team or enter into the spirit of the competition and select the emoji that represented the kit they liked the best.
Some supporters of clubs who didnât make the final cut were keen to score points over their foes. Others offered insight into the often acerbic, dare I say âentertainingâ mind of a football fan ⌠One Port Vale fan wroteâ only chance weâll get of being in the top six this seasonâ, while another lamented the fact that the club with the biggest fanbase, âLeeds Unitedâ, was always going to win, which meant the competition wasnât fair.
The result of the poll wasnât known at the time of writing, but one comment on our kit made me laugh â and got me thinking. It said: âSwanseaâs kit looks like a stick of rockâ, which of course is wholly appropriate for a seaside town like ours. The marketers could have a lot of fun with that theme and I expect the shirt will do good business for us in terms of sales and brand awareness.
Iâm not sure my Watford supporting friend will be sporting last seasonâs away kit tonight, though ⌠Enjoy the game Jacks.
JULIE KISSICK
We are all Jacks is Swansea Cityâs 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 â 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 â 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 donât 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.
Head Coach Vitor Matos
1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
3 Jenson Seelt
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango (C)
6 Marko Stamenic
7 Melker Widell
8 Elijah Just
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
14 Josh Tymon
15 Cameron Burgess
16 Tom Iorpenda
17 Gonçalo Franco
20 Tiago Parente
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Stephen Welsh
26 Filip Lissah
27 Zeidane Inoussa
29 Paul Farman
30 Joseph Opoku
31 Ross Stewart
33 Adam Idah
35 Ronald
39 Evan Watts
40 NUMBER RETIRED
44 Thomas Woodward
46 Stephen Eustaquio
49 Moussa Yeo
50 Carter Heywood
Head Coach Alessio Dionisi
1 Federico Ravaglia
2 Jeremy Ngakia
4 KĂŠvin Keben
5 Hector Kyprianou
6 Mattie Pollock (C)
7 Othmane Maamma
8 Edoardo Bove
9 Luca Kjerrumgaard
10 Imrân Louza
11 Rocco Vata
14 Kwadwo Baah
16 Marc Bola
17 Iker Bravo
19 Nikoloz Chikovani
20 Mamadou Doumbia
21 Amin Nabizada
22 MartĂn Payero
23 Omar TraorĂŠ
24 Sam Walker
26 Daniel Bachmann
33 Jordan Zemura
39 Edo Kayembe
43 Jack Grieves
Referee: Edward Duckworth
Assistant Referee 1: Hugh Gilroy
Assistant Referee 2: Jacob Lehane
Fourth Official: John Busby
STAFF LIST
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE
Directors
Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, George Popstefanov, Chris Sznewajs, Tyler Morse, Nigel Morris, Todd Marcelle, Keith English, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller.
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Associate Directors: Diane Hughes
Minority Owners: Luka ModriÄ, Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Vitor Matos
Head of Goalkeeping and analysis â Pedro Pereira
First Team Coaches - Kris O'Leary and Leon Britton
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Toze Mendes, Goncalo Ricca, Diogo Mendeiros, Ailsa Jones, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Adam Mahoney, Patrick Orme, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins, Jack Oliver, Harri Mathias, James Cole.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Sporting Director: Ben Stevens
Head of Operations and Facilities: Andrew Davies
Head of Football Operations and Administration: Ben Greenwood
Head of Media and Communications: Andrew Gwilym
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Head of Commercial: Katie Doyle
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Head of Supporter Services: Hayley Ford
Head of IT: Jonathan Jones
CLUB STAFF
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Ticketing: David Enstone
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Mackenzie Thomas, Cerith White, Sophie Davis, Mackenzie Squires, Sammy Wynne, Osian Cleaver, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees, James Dow.
Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jac Elsey.