Good afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for the visit of West Bromwich Albion.

On behalf of everyone at Swansea City, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.

As 2024 gets under way, I know that players, staff, supporters and everyone connected to the club are patiently awaiting news regarding our head coach recruitment process.

I will reiterate that we have undertaken a detailed and comprehensive process that has been laser focused on finding the best head coach for Swansea City. 

I appreciate the frustration at the duration of the search. But we stand firm in the belief that it is more important to take the time to find the right leader for this club who will be here for the long term, rather than save a few days now potentially at the expense of the best candidate. 

And, while I cannot say with certainty exactly when that appointment will be made, we are hopeful to have news on it very soon.

It has been a very busy schedule on the pitch with this being our fourth game in the space of just 11 days.

The home win here over Preston gave everyone at the club a lift after a difficult period and to win in the dying minutes was pleasing.

The defeat against Southampton on Boxing Day was extremely disappointing. Our supporters deserve better, especially those who made the long journey to the south coast. 

All of us at the club share responsibility for this loss, and I pledge to you that we are all working flat out to prevent these kinds of performances in the future.

I was pleased with how the players once again kept going to the very end against Coventry on Friday night. It is a tough place to go and play against a team in good form, and it was a hard-fought point. 

That game also saw 17-year-old Sam Parker make his first-team debut for the club, and we are all delighted to see another academy graduate come through our ranks to make a senior appearance.

I’ve spoken before about the importance of our academy – both historically and for our future – and full credit goes to all the coaches who have worked with Sam and got him to this point.

I’d also like to once again praise the work and professionalism of caretaker head coach Alan Sheehan during this period.

Alan came into the position at a difficult time and his work ethic on and off the training pitch has been a credit to himself and the club, and everyone here is extremely grateful.

Your support has been critical, and I hope that we can kick off 2024 with three points together.

Enjoy the game,

Andy

Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for our final game of a busy festive schedule against West Bromwich Albion.

I’d like to open by wishing everyone a Happy New Year, and I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas period.

This time of year is always a hectic one for anyone working in football, and it has been the same for myself, the coaching staff and the players in recent days.

We are back on home turf having picked up a point at Coventry on Friday night, a result I felt we thoroughly deserved over the course of the 90 minutes.

We had challenged the players to find a response after the disappointment of our second-half performance at Southampton, which we all know was not acceptable.

They did just that and they showed great character to keep going and to finish the game as strongly as we did, it was from that effort we managed to win the free-kick that Liam Cullen scored from.

I was really pleased for Liam, he has been in and out of the team recently, but he has a tremendous attitude, he always comes in ready to work and ready to improve, and that goal was a result of the extras he puts in honing his technique on the training field.

It was also a big night for Sam Parker as he became the latest academy product to make his senior debut for this club.

I thought Sam grew into the game and he, and everyone who has played a part in his development, can be very proud of his performance.

The players put in a tremendous effort despite their being a sickness bug in the camp. They did not make any excuses and they went out and gave it their all, we cannot ask any more than that.

We now have to dust ourselves down and be ready for this latest test.

We know West Brom are a good side, they have players with plenty of Premier League and Championship experience.

They had a good result on Friday against Leeds and we know this will be a challenge for us.

But, aside from one half of football, we have been competitive and been in the mix in every game during the time I have been asked to take the team.

Our aim is to make sure we do that again, and produce a performance you can all be proud of.

Enjoy the game,

Alan

 

Welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium for our game against West Bromwich Albion.

I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to address supporters ahead of our first home fixture of 2024.

The Trust is acutely aware that this time of year can be increasingly difficult for individuals, not least due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and inflation levels.

The fact you have chosen to attend the game today to support the team and spend your hard-earned money over our recent games, home and away, does not go unnoticed.

So, before anything else is said, I would like to dedicate these programme notes to you.

This game marks an opportunity for the team to kick the new year off on a positive note after a busy festive period and set the standard for the remainder of the season.

I am sure many will remember this season’s game at West Brom in August, where we were by far the better side but let ourselves down with momentary lapses of concentration. I was impressed with the desire shown by the players to earn a point at Coventry, and hope we can take that fight into this match.

Like most supporters, I was disappointed to read club chairman Andy Coleman’s update before Christmas, in which he confirmed we would not have a permanent head coach in place for our fixtures against Preston North End and Southampton, and that of course was also extended to the battling draw at Coventry last Friday.

We are now a few weeks on from Michael Duff’s dismissal, and believe me when I say I share the frustrations we are hearing from our supporters.

However, we are in constant communication with the club, and have been kept right up to date on the ongoing recruitment exercise, and believe our new head coach will be announced in the not-too-distant future.

If you haven’t had chance to read our latest statement on the situation, which was released before these programme notes were published, it’s available to read on our website here.

I was however encouraged to read in Andy’s notes (and those in our Trust release) that we are on the hunt for a head coach who is aligned to our historic style of play and the ‘Swansea Way’.

For me, the ‘Swansea Way’ has always been about doing things differently, punching above our weight, and not being afraid to take the game to our opponents - on and off the pitch.

Simply put, we have not been good enough this season. It’s time for all of us to step up, show a bit of character, and make fans proud to support this club, which plays such an important part in our lives.

Finally, matchday also marks the opening of the January transfer window.

Last year, I spoke with the majority owners following the transfer window, and they assured me that lessons had been learned.

The club has been planning for this window since the end of the last, and I am hopeful we can bring in some much-needed reinforcements throughout the course of this month, whilst also balancing the need to be sustainable and not live beyond our means.

Happy New Year, Jack Army.

James Williams

 

Yannick Bolasie’s time at Swansea City has been short, but the experienced winger says playing for the club has made him feel like a kid again.

The 34-year-old joined the Swans on a short-term deal in November and has since made half-a-dozen appearances, including a start in the win at Rotherham United.

Bolasie has enjoyed a long and distinguished playing career, featuring for the likes of Crystal Palace and Everton in the Premier League, but reveals how returning to action after leaving Turkish club Caykur Rizespor last summer has whetted his appetite.

“Firstly I have to thank the club and my teammates for helping me get to this stage and having this opportunity,” he said.

“The fans have been great to me too, I have had a great reception, I can hear them singing the song about me and it has made me feel really welcome.

“I had always wanted to come back and play in England and Wales, I felt I had some unfinished business there and I wanted to be able to get out there and show what I can do.

“I have always been hungry to play, but this has just added to it. I’ve worked hard and trained hard and to be able to come here and play has made me feel like a little kid again.

“We have had some good results and others that have not gone our way, and the aim has to be to try and turn it around, particularly at home.

“I always found the Swansea.com Stadium a great place to play, I had some great memories of playing there and the atmosphere, it’s been good to be experiencing that while wearing a Swansea shirt.

“I’ve been taking it game by game. You always like to think you can come in flying, but at the same time I needed to find a bit of match fitness.

“I will keep doing my best and try to help the team as much as I can.”

Across his 16 years in the professional ranks, Bolasie has featured mainly as a winger but has also played as an out-and-out striker and a number 10.

And, while he has principally appeared out wide for the Swans, he did lead the line in the draw at Coventry, and hopes that versatility has been useful in providing options for caretaker head coach Alan Sheehan.

“I like to think I can add something to the group on and off the pitch,” he said.

“I’ve played in different countries and different leagues, and I am here to help the team and play to the best of my ability.

“I would like to think I bring something on the pitch with the way I play.

“Over the years I’ve always played in different positions, as a number nine, a seven or 11, and sometimes even behind the striker.

“I’ve got a wealth of experience now, I've adapted to play those types of roles and I think that might be one of the reasons the club brought me here, because I can play all three positions.”

 

Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder Kwame Ampadu featured in Swansea City's 1994 Autoglass Trophy final success.

Signing professional terms for Arsenal in November 1988, he joined West Brom for £50,000 in June 1991 and featured in their 1992-93 Second Division promotion campaign when they went up via the play-offs.

Ampadu moved to Swansea for £15,000 in February 1994 and appeared in the 1996-97 Third Division play-off final, netting 12 goals in 147 League games before joining Leyton Orient in July 1998.

He helped them qualify for the Third Division play-offs in 1998-99, then played with John Cornforth at Exeter City and Newport County before moving to Tiverton.

He is currently coaching at Columbus Crew in the United States, after previous roles with Exeter City, Arsenal, Monaco and CF Montreal.

His son Ethan is an outstanding Wales international midfielder who is currently at Leeds United after spells with Exeter City and Chelsea.

 

Swansea City suffered defeat on the road at Southampton on Boxing Day with goals for Joe Aribo, Sam Edozie, Ryan Fraser (2) and Che Adams giving the hosts all three points at St Mary's.

Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Jay Fulton (Joe Allen 59’), Ben Cabango, Matt Grimes (captain), Jerry Yates (Charlie Patino 59’), Jamal Lowe (Yannick Bolasie 70’), Jamie Paterson (Mykola Kuharevich 78’), Josh Tymon, Liam Cullen (Ollie Cooper 46’), Nathan Wood, Bashir Humphreys.

Unused substitutes: Andy Fisher, Harry Darling, Kyle Naughton, Liam Walsh.

Southampton: Gavin Bazunu, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Manning, Flynn Downes (Will Smallbone 57’), Jack Stephens (captain) (Che Adams 70’), Joe Aribo, Adam Armstrong (Sekou Mara 79’), Stuart Armstrong (Carlos Alcaraz 57’), Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Sam Edozie (Ryan Fraser 70’), Jan Bednarek.

Unused substitutes: Joe Lumley, Mason Holgate, Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Tyler Dibling.

Referee: Keith Stroud

Attendance: 30,279

Liam Cullen's brilliant stoppage-time free-kick gave Swansea City a share of the spoils against Coventry City at the CBS Arena.

Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Jay Fulton (Joe Allen 75) , Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson (Jamal Lowe 46), Josh Tymon, Yannick Bolasie (Jerry Yates 64), Liam Walsh (Charlie Patino 82), Bashir Humphreys, Sam Parker (Liam Cullen 75).

Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Kristian Pedersen, Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton.

Coventry City: Brad Collins, Luis Binks, Jay Dasilva, Bobby Thomas, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Jamie Allen (Milan van Ewijk 60), Haji Wright, Ben Sheaf (captain), Joel Latibeaudiere, Matty Godden (Ellis Simms 60), Kasey Palmer (Callum O’Hare 60).

Unused Substitutes: Ben Wilson, Kyle McFadzean, Jake Bidwell, Yasin Ayari, Josh Eccles, Fabio Tavares.

Referee: Thomas Kirk

Attendance: 25,807

Happy New Year all. I trust everyone had a good festive period, whether you celebrated or not, and I hope you’re approaching 2024 with positivity and optimism.

As always, our club has supported some great community initiatives during this time, from our Foundation staff helping to deliver over 1,000 Christmas hampers for the ‘Everyone Deserves a Christmas’ campaign, to some of our players joining club ambassador Lee Trundle visiting patients on the children’s ward at Morriston Hospital as part of the club’s ‘Christmas Week of Giving’.

Life for most of us is busy until Boxing Day, when we enter that strange time when no-one seems to know what day it is! I’ve seen a lot on social media about Twixmas, i.e. that period between Christmas and New Year where traditionally the days are lazy, hazy and all seem to blur into one, especially for those of us fortunate enough not to have to go to work during that time.

The word Twixmas is a combination of two words, betwixt meaning between and, of course, Christmas. And, if you didn’t know, the combining or blending of words like this is called a portmanteau. (A great quiz question!)

Twixmas is a specific period of time and, after the celebrations conclude for another year, most of us know that we’ll return to whatever our normal routine is.

However, not all in-between stages are as clearly defined, and that brings challenges that can be difficult to navigate.

As a club, we find ourselves in one of those betwixt times now. Following the departure of Michael Duff, we’re in a period of transition again with a caretaker head coach Alan Sheehan at the helm.

Those of us who’ve been around this club a long time know that feeling all too well. And let’s face it, so does every other football fan. There is no blueprint for success in football and it is rare that all the ducks line up in the right order at the right time.

All clubs find themselves in a state of flux periodically. This sport is not for the faint hearted, yet many of us return season after season because our club is our passion and for 90-plus minutes our presence can make a difference – so we turn up to support our team.

But we’re in 2024 now and for many years our influence as fans has gone way beyond a matchday. Social media has given us all a voice, a plethora of platforms to air and share our views about our club and those who work for it.

In my day job I teach university students how to be sports journalists and we look at the research academics are doing in related areas, including social media and how it impacts football players, from performance to mental health.

We’d be very naive to think players and coaches don’t see what is written on forums and social media platforms and, if we put ourselves in their boots, I wonder how many of us would be able to do our jobs to the best of our abilities if we thought the people who were supposed to be in our corner were questioning our commitment and our desire to get results.

My hope for 2024 is that fans everywhere would adopt the Golden Rule, ‘do to others as you would have them do to you’; because we could certainly all do with giving and receiving a bit more kindness and compassion, not just during our betwixt times, but at all times.

Swansea City AFC Foundation’s staff supported the 'Everyone Deserves a Christmas' campaign, helping to pack and deliver over 1,000 Christmas hampers for those most in need in our local community.

Now in its seventh year, the city-wide campaign, championed by Carolyn Harris MP, aims to provide Christmas essentials for families.

Twenty-five of the Foundation’s staff were on hand to help pack the hampers before heading out across the city to deliver them to those who need a helping hand at this time of year.

Hampers provide recipients with fresh food for Christmas Day, as well as gifts and other festive essentials, while a cooked meal on Christmas Eve and distributing selection boxes and treats to others, means the campaign will reach in the region of 2,000 families.

Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation, Paul France, said: “We want to work collaboratively with lots of different organisations and this project is a great example of how the whole community and local businesses come together.

“It’s driven by Carolyn Harris, but it’s great to see the whole community come together to help those facing challenging circumstances.

“I’m massively proud, we want to use Swansea City as a force for positive change and this really epitomises that.”

MP for Swansea East, Carolyn Harris, added: “It’s been fantastic, when we started doing this at the Swansea.com Stadium we had 300 hampers, this year we’ve packed and delivered 1,200 hampers and we will be providing for a further 800 families.

“It’s unbelievable just how much this campaign has grown, I get quite emotional seeing all of these people coming together because they want to help people.

“I’m grateful to everyone at the Swans for what they have done, not just this Christmas, but every Christmas and throughout the year to raise the funds to ensure families will have a Christmas."

This season marks the 30th anniversary of Swansea City’s first trip to Wembley for the Autoglass Trophy final in 1994. To mark it, our club historian Gwyn Rees takes us back through the story of that campaign and some of the key figures involved. Here, he profiles full-back Steve Jenkins.

 

A Merthyr lad, Steve Jenkins joined the Swans as a trainee in July 1990.

Halfway through the following season, it looked as though his time at the club would be a short one as manager Terry Yorath informed Jenkins he would be released at the campaign’s end.

However, a twist of fate saw Yorath leave the Vetch and his replacement, Frank Burrows, saw enough potential in the player to hand him a first-team debut in the final game of the season at Cambridge United.

Up until that point, Jenkins had been a regular feature in the reserves, helping the Swans beat Llanelli in consecutive West Wales Senior Cup finals.

He had played in midfield, but Burrows’ astute eye saw him convert Jenkins into a full-back, a position he would play for the remainder of his career.

In his first full season at the Vetch Field Jenkins played in 45 first-team games across six different competitions, including appearances home and away in the European Cup Winners’ Cup against Monaco.

Having already gained a youth cap for Wales as a trainee, Jenkins went on to feature twice for the under-21s against Cyprus and Romania.

A steady and consistent performer with the pace to start many an attack, it was perhaps a surprise that the forward-minded defender scored but a solitary goal for the Swans, that coming in a home draw against Hartlepool United as he struck a late equaliser.

Steve was a steady influence at the back, using his pace to start many an attack, though his one and only goal for the club came at home against Hartlepool United, a point earner in the dying minutes of a 1-1 draw.

The highlight of Jenkins’ time in Swansea colours came in the Autoglass Trophy final at Wembley in April 1994 as Huddersfield Town were beaten on penalties, and his form was such that he would win the first of 16 full Wales caps against Germany in October 1995.

However, just weeks later he would join Huddersfield in a deal worth £275,000

His time at the Yorkshire club was a positive one for the player and he was made captain.

However, financial problems at the Terriers saw the player move to Cardiff City in February 2003 on a free transfer. After just four appearances he went on to join Notts County on a monthly basis.

Stints with Peterborough United and Swindon Town followed before Jenkins hung up his boots in 2006, although he continued to play at non-league and Welsh league level for Worcester City, Newport County and Llanelli.

His coached in different capacities at various clubs including Monmouth Town, Hereford United, Barnet and Cardiff City before taking up his current position as manager at Barry Town United.

.

The Swans are playing West Brom, so that means it must be January 1 – I think!

If you were to bump into me at the match, there’d be no point asking me what day of the week it was, because I would have absolutely no idea.

It’s the same every Christmas, I enter some sort of twilight zone when it comes to what day it is.

Worryingly, my confusion started early this year. When I submitted my programe article for the recent Preston North End match, I kept referring to Saturday afternoon, when, of course it was played on a Friday night!

Thankfully, the hard-working Christmas elves in the Swans’ media department spotted my error and put it right before it was published.

However, I’m fairly sure I’m not the only one who finds it hard to work out what day it is over the festive period.

Days off when you’re normally in work, Christmas do hangovers, Christmas Day falling on a Monday when it always feels like a Sunday after eating a big roast dinner.

And the television doesn’t help either. The usual schedules are usually turned upside down with all the Christmas specials.

Nothing seems to be where it should be. Even the bins are collected on different days!

And with this match being played on New Year's Day, there’s a fair chance I’m not going to be 100 per cent sure of what year it is, let alone what day.

It usually takes me until at least mid-February to come to terms with the fact that the year has changed.

Thank goodness I seldom have to write cheques these days. The number I used to ruin back in the day by getting the year wrong. For those of you who don’t know what a cheque is, ask your parents, or possibly even your grandparents!

It’s going to be something of a Christmas miracle if I actually turn up at the stadium on the right day, rather than sitting in work wondering why it’s so quiet there.

If I find it so confusing, I wonder how discombobulating it must be for the players over Christmas.

It’s always a demanding schedule with matches coming thick and fast over the festive period.

I noticed a video the other day of Harry Kane being asked what he was going to do over Christmas as Bayern Munich have no matches between December 20 and January 12.

The former Tottenham striker, well used to the demands faced by British footballers over Christmas said he would be enjoying a rare festive break somewhere warm.

No such luxuries for the Swans squad, who by the time they take to the pitch against West Brom will have played three fixtures since the last time Kane would have kicked a ball in anger.

Those matches will have taken them from Swansea down to Southampton and up to Coventry before heading back to Swansea for this home clash.

But if the Swans players think they’re busy over this festive season, it’s relatively easy going compared to what their predecessors have had to deal with in the past.

Playing on Christmas Day and Boxing Day wasn’t uncommon in British football in the 1920s.

For example, on Christmas Day1923 the Swans played Watford at the Vetch, winning 1-0. The following day, they were away to the same opponents – registering a 2-2 draw.

Three days later they were entertaining Swindon at the Vetch where they picked up another point in a 1-1 draw.

The following year, they were back in action at the Vetch on Christmas Day where they drew 1-1 with Bristol City.

Twenty-four hours later, the two went head-to-head again, this time in Bristol where the game perhaps unsurprisingly finished 0-0.

If that wasn’t enough, the Swans were back in action on December 27, when they won 2-0 at Swindon.

But the new year could be just as busy. On January 1 1926, the Swans travelled north to play Stockport County. It was well worth the trip as they won 3-1.

But their work up north was far from done as, the following day, they faced South Shields 150 miles to the north-east in another league match.

Perhaps they could be forgiven for being defeated 3-1 in their second away game in 24 hours.

The Swans had to repeat the feat of playing matches on the first two days of the year in 1937.

On New Year's Day they travelled to Chesterfield where they were well beaten 4-0.

But, despite having to travel back to south Wales and play the following day, they bounced back from the defeat and the journey to beat Bradford 3-0 at the Vetch in front of 4,123 people.

As recently as the late 1980s, the Swans were playing matches on consecutive days over the festive season. This was one of the Swans' busiest-ever Christmas programmes.

On Boxing Day 1987, they travelled to take on Crewe Alexandra, where they gained a 2-2 draw.

On December 28 they drew 1-1 at the Vetch against Torquay United.

Three days later, on the first day of 1988, came the derby match against Cardiff City, which saw the Swans gain their third draw in less than a week thanks to goals from Joe Allon and Paul Raynor.

If that wasn't enough, the Swans were back in action the following day when they travelled to Hereford for a goalless match - their fourth draw in a week!

So perhaps Christmas doesn’t seem quite so bad this year after all – for me or the players!

After facing West Brom, the squad will have the luxury of almost a whole week to get ready for the next game!

And I will be back on much more familiar ground dates wise. A good old-fashioned FA Cup third-round tie played on a Saturday.

Life will be back to normal after all the confusion of Christmas. Well, almost – don’t forget that kick off is at 5.30pm!

C’mon you Swans!

 

As we reach the halfway point in the season, we take a look at how Swansea City's under-18 and under-21 sides have fared so far this campaign. 

Here we look at their league form, and the success both professional phase teams have enjoyed in cup action. 

Kyrell Wilson and DC United loanee Kristian Fletcher have been the top goalscorer for the upper-age group this season, with the duo netting 15 and 17 goals in all competitions respectively. 

Meanwhile, Thomas Woodward and Rohan Davies have been on target regularly for the under-18s with 11 and 10 goals to their names. 

Professional Development League - Under-21s 

The under-21s go into the new year in fourth place in the south division of the PDL after reaching the halfway point with a goalless draw against table toppers, Queens Park Rangers. 

Although it was a slow start to the season for the development side, with consecutive away losses against Sheffield United and Barnsley, the Swans have managed to keep their year-long unbeaten run on home turf in the league very much intact. They have not lost a PDL game in SA1 since November 2022. 

The Swans recorded their first away win of the season after Fletcher headed home in stoppage time to snatch three points against Coventry City at the CBS Arena in September, with Mitchell Bates and Wilson also on the scoresheet in a 3-2 victory. 

The youngsters have scored the highest amount of goals in the league this season with 39, they have scored four or more goals in six games this season so far. 

Professional Development League - Under-18s 

Swansea City Under-18s kicked off their 2023-24 season with a 2-1 win over Peterborough United after goals from Woodward and Aimar Govea got the youngsters off to a flying start. 

They go into the new year fifth in the south division of the PDL on 15 points, level with fourth-placed Charlton Athletic. 

After a patchy run of results following their win against the Posh, they claimed their first away win of the season against Watford thanks to a Sammy Henia-Kamau brace in October. 

They capped off 2023 with a superb 3-1 victory over AFC Bournemouth with goals from Davies and Woodward, and a maiden under-18s' goal from Jacob Cook. 

Cup success 

The under-21s were given a wildcard entry to the Nathaniel MG Cup in July and now have the semi-final of the competition to look forward to in January, where they will face Cardiff Met on home turf. 

The Swans eased through the earlier rounds with victories over Carmarthen Town, Caerau Ely, Cardiff City Under-21s and Briton Ferry Llansawel. 

In the Premier League Cup, meanwhile, the development side are in a good position to claim a quarter-final spot come February, as they currently sit second in Group A after wins against Hull City and Brighton & Hove Albion, but suffered a solitary loss – their first on home turf for over a year in all competitions – against Premier League outfit Aston Villa. 

The under-18s have also enjoyed success in their respective cup competitions this season, topping their group in the Professional Development League Cup for the first time after an unbeaten run in the competition following wins over Cardiff City and AFC Bournemouth, and a draw in their final fixture against Plymouth Argyle.

 

Name
Cameron Congreve

DOB
24/01/2004

Position
Attacking midfielder or winger.

Left Footed / Right Footed
Left

Nationality (according to UEFA)
Welsh

Signed for the Swans
2013

Previous clubs
Beaufort Colts.

What is your best memory in a Swans shirt?
The south Wales derbies we have won and I have been involved in. I came off the bench in the 4-0.

What is your favourite thing about Swansea?
The people, the fans and the atmosphere when we play in the stadium.

Who is your football idol?
Lionel Messi or Kevin De Bruyne.

What is your favourite film?
Wolf of Wall Street.

Who is your favourite music artist?
Lil Baby.

What is your cheat meal?
A steak or a burger.

What subject were you best at in school?
P.E.

Football bucket list
I would like to play in the Premier League.

A stadium you’d love to visit (as player or fan)
Nou Camp.

Your first football memory
I used to go to mini kickers sessions when I as four, those are my first memory.

First football shirt you owned
I think it was a Manchester United top, my parents are big fans.

Other football positions you played
Striker and wing-back.

Any other sports
I like playing golf.

Preferred shirt number
10

Your room-mate for away games
Joel Cotterill, we have always gotten along.

Favourite computer game
FIFA, or EA FC as it now is.

Aim for the season?
Get in the first team as much as I can.

Who is the most famous person you’ve met?
Gareth Bale.

An interesting fact about you
I used to be able to backflip as part of my goal celebration, but I cannot do that anymore!

Swansea City Women’s captain Katy Hosford is eyeing a successful 2024 as her side get ready to return to action following the winter break.

The Swans ended 2023 with a bang as they beat Barry Town United Women 4-0 in the Genero Adran Premier, extending their fine run of form to eight wins from nine games in all competitions.

That victory left the Swans second in the top-flight table with five games remaining of the first phase of the season, before the division splits for the remainder of the campaign.

The Swans have shown character to put together their strong sequence after a difficult start to the season.

Swansea - who moved to semi-professional status ahead of the start of the season - dropped points to Wrexham, Cardiff Met and Cardiff City within the first half of the phase, while head coach Ceri Phillips was replaced by interim head coach Chris Church.

Hosford is pleased with how her side have responded to the challenges they have faced, and feels confident they will continue to challenge on all fronts as they remain in contention for all three pieces of domestic silverware.

“I think the season is going really well, especially the last few weeks with the run we have been on," she said.

“There are lots of people getting on the scoresheet lately and lots of confidence in the team, so I think we’ve started well.

“To finish the year with a win, four different players of the scoresheet, three points, you can’t ask for much more and hopefully we can keep it going in 2024.

“I think there have been times where we have not gotten the ball in the back of the net as much as we should have, but that’s something we’ve overcome in the last couple of games.

“We’re still in both of the cups which is really good for us, I think everyone is performing really well and the competition is really good in the squad, so hopefully we can keep building.

“The girls that have come in have been excellent, we welcomed them in as a team and now the competition for places is high, even the ones who don’t make the starting XI have shown great attitudes.

“Big games like the one with Wrexham at the Swansea.com Stadium also give us a lot of confidence and hopefully we can take that all into the new year.

“To play in front of so many fans is something we really appreciate, every time we play at the stadium it’s an incredible feeling so hopefully there’s plenty more of that to come.”

The Swans enter 2024 with a Genero Adran Trophy quarter-final against Cardiff Met to look forward to, and a Bute Energy Welsh Cup semi-final against Cardiff City also on the horizon.

Swansea have been in free scoring form in those competitions, already racking up 27 goals, and Hosford feels cup performances have played an important part in how they have hit their stride.

“I think the cup games stand out this season, we’ve done really well with getting the ball in the back of the net, which is really good for the team’s confidence,” added Hosford.

“At the start of the season we spoke about what we wanted to achieve and getting to both cup finals was one of the goals we set.

“We are on our way there at the minute, we need to keep performing well, but we are really looking forward to it and hopefully we can get there.”

The Swans return to the Genero Adran Premier six points behind league leaders Cardiff City, having suffered a 1-0 defeat earlier in the season to the Bluebirds in the first south Wales derby of the season.

And, before their Welsh Cup semi-final clash with the Bluebirds, the Swans will have a crucial game against the champions as they travel to Cardiff for the final game of phase one.

“It’s anybody’s game; we will go into it full of confidence and hopefully get the result,” said Hosford.

“We know they are a really good team and they are difficult to break down, but I think we’ve grown in confidence over the season.

“It will never be an easy match against them, if we do everything right, we train hard and we make up for the errors we made against them last time out we can do well.

"We are in a good place going into the new year."

 

Your name:
Stacey John-Davis

Date of birth:
06/04/1992

Nationality:
Welsh

What position do you play?
Winger/Forward

Which clubs did you play for before joining Swansea City?
Newcastle Emlyn and Manorbier.

When did you sign for the Swans?
I joined for the 2012-2013 season.

What is your best moment in a Swansea City shirt?
Every Champions League campaign is special, and scoring at the Swansea.com Stadium for the first time was really special.

Who is your football idol?
Steven Gerrard.

What is the first position you played in football?
Left-back!

What is your first memory of football?
As a youngster I was always out playing football, but joining my first club with the boys at Hakin United is my first memory of training and playing with a team.

What is the first football shirt you owned?
Liverpool

Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
I always put by left shinpad on before my right. It’s the same with my boots.

What is your full-time occupation?
Office manager.

Who is the most famous person you've met?
I’ve met Tim Peake and Michael Sheen.

Do you play any other sports?
I really enjoy CrossFit.

What is something that is on your bucket list?
A Route 66 road trip.

What is your favourite film?
Tough choice but either Die Hard or Harry Potter.

Who is your favourite music artist?
Luke Combs.

What is the best TV series you've watched?
Friday Night Dinner.

What is the best concert you've been to?
Coldplay.

What was your favourite subject in school?
P.E.

Do you play computer games?
I play FC24 and Fortnite.

Swansea City 3 - 0 West Bromwich Albion
Premier League - September 17, 2011
 

 

The Swans claimed their first Premier League goals and first win in the division thanks to a comprehensive victory over West Bromwich Albion. 

Scott Sinclair’s penalty broke the deadlock after Paul Scharner had brought down Joe Allen in the box. 

Leroy Lita scored the second with a headed effort at the far post in his first league start for Brendan Rodgers’ Swans, after Sinclair flicked on a Mark Gower corner. 

Lita then put Nathan Dyer through on goal, and the winger took the ball in his stride before shooting through Ben Foster’s legs to secure the points. 

The Swans finished in 11th position in the Premier League at the end of the 2011-12 season on 47 points.

 

Name:
Theo

Age:
11

What was the first Swansea City game you attended?
Swans v Chelsea in the 2015-16 season.

What is your favourite memory of watching the Swans?
It has to be the Crystal Palace game. The Swans won 5-4 and Fernando Llorente scored the winner.

Who is your favourite Swans player and why?
Ben Cabango is my favourite current player because I loved his late winner against Cardiff last season. Lukasz Fabianski is my favourite ever Swans player, because he was such a good keeper and that’s what made me want to be a keeper.

What do you like most about supporting Swansea City?
The Swans fans are the best.

Why did you start supporting Swansea City?
My dad and Grumpa have had season tickets since The Vetch days. When my Grumpa became ill with cancer and couldn’t go anymore, I took over  his season ticket to go with my dad.

Do you play football?
Yes, I play for Swansea City academy and I’m a goalkeeper

Do you play any other sports?
I like playing cricket and golf, but football is my favourite. I love it.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I watched YouTube videos of Lee Trundle from when he played for the Swans. I wish I could have watched him play, but I’ve met him lots of times and have lots of pictures with him.

What is your favourite subject in school and why?
PE because I get to play more football. The Swansea City AFC Foundation come into my school to help with PE sometimes, which I really enjoy.

Chairman - Andy Coleman
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE

Directors

Jason Levien, Andy Coleman, Nigel Morris, Brett Cravatt, Jake Silverstein, Sam Porter, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller (supporter director), Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Todd Marcelle, Gareth Davies.

Director of Business and Legal Affairs: Sam Porter.
Associate Directors: Adam Lewis.

FIRST-TEAM STAFF

Caretaker Head Coach – Alan Sheehan

Head of Goalkeeping – Martyn Margetson

First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary

Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey

Staff: Anthony Wright, Ailsa Jones, Bethany Chaddock, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Shaun Howl, Jonathan Jones, Jono Aveston, Jake Dayus, Patrick Orme, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP

Paul Watson (Sporting Director); Andrew Davies (Head of Commercial, Operations, & Facilities);
Gareth Davies (CFO);
Josh Marsh (Head of Football Operations).

CLUB STAFF

Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood
Football Operations &
Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Retail: Andrea Morris
Head of Hospitality, Events & Fan Engagement: Catherine Thomas
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager: Lee Merrells
Head of Commercial:
Richard Morris
Head of Media & Communications:
Ben Donovan
Ticket Office Manager: Lewis Bullen
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Disability Access Officer: Catherine Thomas
Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle

PROGRAMME PRODUCTION

Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Hayley Ford, Sophie Davis, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Rhys Kemish, Dom Hynes, Sammy Wynne, Fraser Dickson, Ben Donovan, Owen Morgan, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees.

Designers: Callum Rothwell,
Jordan Morcom, Lewis Ward
Photography: Athena Picture Agency,
Natalie John-Davis, Alamy.