Hello everyone and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium as we begin our involvement in this season’s Emirates FA Cup by hosting West Bromwich Albion.
If feels a little strange to be welcoming the Baggies back to SA1 given we only faced each other here in the league 10 days ago, but we already know from our two meetings already this season that we can expect a hard-fought contest.
This week has provided everyone with a brief but welcome respite after the demands of the schedule over the Christmas and New Year periods.
Playing four games in just 10 days is a considerable challenge, but one I felt we handled well and we could very easily have come away with more than six points we collected courtesy of our wins over Oxford and today’s opponents.
There will be no points at stake today but that does not diminish the opportunity this game presents for players and coaches alike.
For me, the FA Cup remains a wonderful competition and a special part of our football calendar. It’s rich heritage and history has provided us with some of football’s most iconic moments.
This was underlined during my time at Portsmouth. I joined shortly after they won the FA Cup in 2008 and I saw what a tremendous source of pride and celebration it was for everyone connected to the club.
Additionally, I saw how important the run to the 2010 final was in providing some positivity amidst a very difficult time as relegation from the Premier League was confirmed after the club went into administration.
Recognising the time of year, the financial pressures that many are facing and the fact this is a tie between two teams in the same division, we have made sure tickets for this fixture have been competitively priced with adult tickets available for just £10. We hope as many of you as possible will take advantage of those prices to experience FA Cup action and to get behind Vitor and the team.
This game also gives us the opportunity to continue the positive run of results and performances we have been on over the last month which has seen us win our previous four home fixtures.
We took four wins in six games during December, followed by our New Year’s Day victory over West Brom and the heartbreak of our defeat at Millwall where we were so close to a point after a strong second-half showing and an outstanding display from Lawrence Vigouroux in goal. I don’t think I have ever seen a better goalkeeping performance live.
We have also made an addition to our squad with Joel Ward joining us on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Joel is vastly-experienced and gives us another option at right-back, a position where we have acknowledged we need greater depth.
He, of course, won this competition with Crystal Palace last season and has over 300 Premier League appearances to his name. I am sure he is going to be a valuable member of the squad in the months ahead.
I also want to take a moment to pay tribute to our former player and manager Terry Yorath, who sadly passed away earlier this week.
Terry will go down as one of the giants of Welsh football, on and off the field.
He helped our club to secure promotion during his time in charge at the Vetch Field, which came following a very difficult few years for Swansea City, while he came agonisingly close to going to a major tournament with Wales as a combative midfielder, and later a tactically astute manager.
We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time, and we will pay our respects as a club with a minute of silence before kick-off, while both teams will also wear black armbands.
Enjoy the game,
Tom Gorringe
CEO, Swansea City
Good afternoon everyone and welcome as we take on West Bromwich Albion at the Swansea.com Stadium in the FA Cup.
West Brom are an opponent we know well, we faced them just 10 days ago in the league, and this will already be the third time we have played against each other since I joined Swansea City.
The two games we have played have been tough, and I am sure today will be the same, even though this is in a different competition and they have a different coach in charge.
Although we are not playing for points today, we still want to make sure we perform, take steps in the right direction and continue to improve.
We showed a lot of positive things over a very busy and difficult Christmas and New Year period. Playing four games in 10 days is very hard, especially with three of those games being away from home and needing us to do a lot of travelling.
It’s not easy for everyone to stay fresh when the schedule is like this, but I think overall it was a positive period for us. We had two important wins and we were very close to being able to get more points in the games against Coventry and Millwall.
We have been pleased to have a full week between games, and the chance to spend more time on the training pitch, which is very important for us as the players continue to work hard and take on the ideas we are giving them.
We have also added Joel Ward to our squad in the last few days, and we are very pleased to have him with us. Joel brings us experience and leadership, and his time playing in the Premier League shows his quality and flexibility.
We have won our last four games at home, and we hope we can have the same feeling with you all again today.
Your support has been brilliant and playing in a cup competition gives us something different to go for. I know how special the FA Cup is, I was lucky enough to be part of Liverpool’s win against Chelsea in the final in 2022 and that was a really special experience.
So this is a challenge and an opportunity we want to make the best of, and keep us all moving together in the right direction.
I would also like to send my condolences to the family and friends of Terry Yorath, who we will remember with a minute's silence before today's game. He was such an important person in Welsh football, and a proud former manager of our club.
Enjoy the game,
Vítor Matos,
First Team Head Coach
A warm welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for today’s FA Cup match against WBA.
We also extend another Welsh welcome to the travelling WBA supporters for the second time in just over a week, with this our third head-to-head encounter in the last six weeks. We lost a closely fought game 3-2 at The Hawthorns in late November, followed by a 1-0 win at home on New Year’s Day thanks to a stunning strike from Jay Fulton.
With wins in our last four matches at the Swansea.com Stadium, I am sure Vitor Matos and the team will be keen to extend that run today.
The Swans’ best FA Cup runs saw them reach the semi-finals twice, in 1926 and 1964. The 1964 semi-final run included a famous away quarter-final win against Liverpool at Anfield before losing to Preston in the semis at Villa Park.
We also reached the quarter-finals in the 2017-18 and the 2018-19 seasons before losing out to Spurs and Manchester City respectively.
And in 1995 - while still in the lower divisions - we had a nice FA cup run before getting knocked out 3-0 away to Newcastle United in the fourth round.
Let’s hope for another good cup run this year.
As I was preparing these programme notes news came in over the sad passing of former Swans manager Terry Yorath. He also picked up over 50 Welsh caps and then managed Wales to the brink of the 1994 World Cup finals. Terry was a lovely man and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
I also want to take this opportunity to mention that the Trust works alongside and partners up with a range of local organisations and charities, including Her Game Too (HGT). HGT is an organisation whose mission is to promote inclusivity in sport, dedicated to tackling sexism and promoting gender equality.
You can find out more about the work of HGT here: https://www.hergametoo.co.uk/football.
The club has appointed two HGT ambassadors and they have recently set up a dedicated Facebook page for Swans fans. Please take a look and consider joining their community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/741766021904186.
Also, the Trust has introduced a new category of membership for current and former service personnel with an annual fee of just £2.50 per season. You can find out more about the Trust and join the Trust online here: https://www.swanstrust.co.uk/about/.
Over the past few days we released our latest New Year update to members and supporters, providing more details about our heritage projects, Trust events and other projects we are involved with. This is available on our website here: https://www.swanstrust.co.uk/news/new-year-update-from-the-swans-trust/.
A reminder if you have yet to join the Trust that we’ve capped our membership fees at £5, with concessions for Juniors (£1), young adults (£2), seniors (£2.50) and 90 years + (free). You can also come and chat to our board members at the Trust kiosk, located outside the West Stand each matchday before kick-off.
Enjoy today’s match and all YJBs get behind the boys at the start of another FA Cup campaign.
Di
It's a tournament which has provided the Swans and their supporters with some memorable moments down the years. Here, we look back at some of Swansea City's finest days in the world-famous knock-out competition in the third round.
Kenny Jackett's side had been without nine players through injury and suspension when they travelled to face Neil Warnock's Premier League Blades at Bramall Lane.
But it proved no obstacle for the League One Swans as three goals in 14 second-half minutes sent them into round four in fine fashion.
Tom Butler was the hero on the day, the Irishman netting the first two goals before winning the penalty that allowed Leon Britton to score the third on a day when the visitors' display received a warm reception from the home fans.
January 6, 2007
The Swans were searching for their first ever victory at Old Trafford heading into this showdown with United, who had only failed to progress beyond the third round of the FA Cup once in the previous 30 years.
Michael Laudrup’s men drew first blood in the 12th minute when Alejandro Pozuelo released Wayne Routledge in behind the defence, and he calmly looped the ball over the advancing Anders Lindegaard.
However, the lead lasted for just four minutes as United responded with Javier Hernandez finding space in the six-yard box to guide Alexander Buttner’s deep cross beyond Gerhard Tremmel.
But there was a key moment with 10 minutes remaining when substitute Fabio was sent off for a reckless challenge on Jose Canas.
And the Swans made the numerical advantage count in the dying moments when Routledge broke clear down the left before his cross found Wilfried Bony, who planted a brilliant header past Lindegaard to seal the most dramatic victory and send the travelling Jacks into ecstasy.
January 5, 2014
Enjoy a double dose of the best of our pitchside and behind-the-scenes footage from Swansea City's wins over Oxford United and West Bromwich Albion over the New Year period.
As part of a ongoing feature in our digital matchday programme for the 2025-26 campaign, we are calling on all Swans fans to share their memories and experiences of supporting the club this season by submitting your stories and pictures. We will publish a selection over the course of the season, and you can share your stories with us through the link below.
Joel Ward is excited for a “new adventure” in his career after joining Swansea City.
The 36-year-old defender has signed for the Swans on a deal through to the end of the 2025-26 season, and will provide an additional option for head coach Vitor Matos in his defensive ranks.
Now, he is eager for a new challenge as he joins the Swans.
“It’s brilliant to be here, I’ve been looking forward to this time and being back involved in the game. I’m looking forward to a new challenge and a new adventure,” he said.
“I FEEL VERY WELCOMED SO FAR FROM THE GROUP AND THE STAFF AND EVERYONE INVOLVED.
“I think the gaffer has a clear vision of where he wants to take this club, I think he’s got a great foundation in the group that he’s got, but also in how this club has been historically.
“The training ground and the stadium, the fans behind it, his vision of where he wants to take it, his plan is very clear and it aligns with me because I want to work with someone that has that desire to take this club to new heights again.
Established in 1878 as West Bromwich Albion by workers from Salter’s Spring Works, the Baggies were one of the 12 founding members of the Football League and have surpassed 5,000 EFL fixtures as a club.
Albion have spent much of their history in the top-flight of English football, winning their only league title during the 1919-20 season, whilst enjoying success in the FA Cup on no less than five occasions.
During the 21st century they have had spells in the Premier League, including an eight-year stint which was ended by relegation in 2018.
Six managers in six seasons followed and a return to the top-flight in 2020 proved short lived as they dropped back to the second tier after one season.
Last season the Baggies recorded a ninth place finish in the Championship, just four points behind sixth placed Bristol City.
THE HAWTHORNS
Built: 1900
Location: Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, B71 4LF
Capacity: 27,087
James Morrison is in caretaker charge of the Baggies following the departure of Ryan Mason earlier this week.
As a player the Scotland international was a Baggies stalwart. Having started his career with Middlesbrough, he joined West Brom in 2007 and spent the rest of his career at The Hawthorns before retiring in 2019.
In total, midfielder Morrison made 341 appearances for Albion and scored 39 goals. He was part of two promotion campaigns with the majority of his time at the club being spent in the Premier League.
Morrison, who also won 46 caps for Scotland, moved into coaching with the West Brom academy in 2019 and was quickly promoted to the senior set-up in 2020 and has remained there since.
He had a previous spell in interim charge following Tony Mowbray's departure in April 2025.
Former Millwall midfielder Jed Wallace has been a regular since his arrival at The Hawthorns, although he has been sidelined for just under three months with a calf injury, with the likes of Chris Mepham (below) and Alex Mowatt wearing the armband in his absence.
Wallace came through the youth ranks at Portsmouth and progressed all the way to first-team level, where he scored 30 goals in 121 appearances in all competitions.
From the south-coast he went to Wolves, where he spent two seasons before his move to Millwall, having already enjoyed two successful loan spells with the London club.
Having already helped them win the League One play-offs, he continued to be an integral and influential figure in the Championship, regularly being a reliable contributor in terms of goals and assists.
However, his spell in south London ended when he moved to West Brom after his contract expired.
Wallace has made over 125 league appearances for the Baggies scoring 14 times, most recently scoring in West Brom’s 3-1 victory over Wrexham back in August.
One of the Baggies’ biggest creative sparks this season has been Irish midfielder Mikey Johnston, who has registered eight assists at The Hawthorns and added two goals of his own.
Johnston was born in Glasgow and began his career at boyhood club Celtic, progressing through the academy before making his senior debut at 18 in a 4–1 victory over St Johnstone in May 2017.
The midfielder had two loan spells during his time in Scotland, including a move to Portuguese side Vitória Guimarães SC in 2022, where he made 25 league appearances and scored once.
He then returned to Celtic for the first half of the 2023–24 season, before another loan move followed as he joined West Brom in February 2024. Johnston hit the ground running, scoring his first goal just 30 seconds into his first start against Cardiff City. He made 18 league appearances during his initial spell at the club, scoring seven times and winning the EFL Championship Player of the Month award for March 2024, before joining the Baggies on a permanent basis the following summer.
Johnston also represented Scotland at youth level, but qualified to play for the Republic of Ireland through his grandad and was picked by Ireland manager Stephen Kenny for the first time in March 2023. The midfielder scored his first goal for his country that following June, netting in a EURO 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar.
Forward Aune Heggebø has been in a rich vein of form at The Hawthorns, scoring seven goals in his last nine league matches, including a brace against the Swans in November.
The Norway international began his career with SK Brann in 2018, going on to score 27 goals in 91 league appearances. That total included seven goals in 13 Eliteserien matches during the March-to-November season, before he joined Albion in July.
Heggebø has represented Norway at under-18, under-20 and under-21 levels, and received his first senior call-up in November. He made his senior international debut in an 11–1 victory over Moldova in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Isaac Price is enjoying his first full season at The Hawthorns after joining West Bromwich Albion 12 months ago.
A product of the Everton academy, which he joined at the age of seven, Price made two senior appearances for the Toffees. Both those came via substitute outings: first against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup in March 2022, before featuring for the final 12 minutes of a 5–1 defeat to Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season.
The midfielder then left England to make his first move away from Everton, joining Belgian side Standard Liège. He went on to make 50 league appearances for Les Rouches across a season and a half, with his only goal coming via a dramatic last-minute winner in a 2–1 victory over Club Brugge in October 2023.
He went on to make the move to the west Midlands last January.
Price is also a Northern Ireland international, having also been eligible to represent Germany and England. He has so far earned 28 senior caps, scoring 10 goals, most recently finding the net in a 3–1 defeat to Germany in September.
Swansea City duo Melker Widell and Zeidane Inoussa surprised young members of the Jack Army at Swansea City AFC Foundation’s ‘Festive Experience’ event at the Swansea.com Stadium.
In the build up to Christmas, over 50 families enjoyed some festivities with the help of some special guests.
After being guided through a tour of the Swansea.com Stadium, Swans fans entered a Christmas grotto where they were met by Widell, Inoussa and club ambassador Lee Trundle, who all took the time to sign memorabilia and pose for photos with everyone.
The event was in support of Swansea City AFC Foundation’s cause to take 10 street-connected young people to the Street Child World Cup in Mexico next year, with all proceeds going towards the Foundation’s fundraising efforts.
“It’s been a really magical evening,” said Beth Robinson, targeted interventions manager at Swansea City AFC Foundation.
“We’ve welcomed 140 people in total across the evening and the players have been amazing, spending time with each and every one of them.
“To see the smiles on the children’s faces when they saw Widell, Inoussa and Trundle is what it’s all about. We know these moments will live with them forever and to provide that just before Christmas is even more special.
“The fundraising for the Street Child World Cup is going well and that’s thanks to the generosity and support of the Jack Army and the local community.
“This event has just provided us with another opportunity to get closer to our target, but the most important thing is that the children here this evening have met some of their heroes and have gone away with memories to cherish.”
Swansea City AFC Foundation received immense support to provide this ‘Festive Experience’ event, including from the club, and Swansea Council through the ‘Here for you this winter’ campaign and Coast funding.
The Foundation would also like to extend its thanks to the Powell Family and Seasons Christmas Outlet for helping to create the special Christmas grotto at the Swansea.com Stadium.
First football shirt you owned?
Tottenham Gareth Bale shirt
Best player you've played with?
Yannick Bolasie
What's your go-to cheat meal?
Pepe's
Who's the joker in the dressing room?
Kyrell Wilson
If you weren't a footballer, what would you be?
Play video games
Who's your top artist on Spotify right now?
Drake
Can you name Welsh word?
Araf
Toughest opponent you've faced?
Tyrique George
Favourite holiday destination?
Greece
Who's your hometown club?
Danescourt
Favourite football memory?
My debut for Swansea City
But for sheer passion, excitement and drama, I thought it was right up there as one of the most enjoyable occasions here in recent memory.
The fans more than played their part.
I’m sure the atmosphere would have come over loud and clear for those watching the game at home and added to their overall enjoyment of the fixture.
You’ve only got to think back to the Covid-19 pandemic for proof that football just isn’t the same without a noisy soundtrack and a colourful, animated visual background.
And there’s no doubt the players and Swans head coach Vitor Matos appreciated the part the Jack Army played in helping the team fight back from going a goal down.
When asked about the atmosphere afterwards, player of the match Ethan Galbraith said: “It was unbelievable. You heard the noise of the crowd. That got us up for the game from the start. The fans are amazing, they were with us for the whole game.”
Matos said: “The feeling we all had on the pitch was just amazing, these are the moments. We can say the turnaround on the pitch started in the stands.”
Well done also to the Swans’ Matchday Experience Working Group for their work in helping deliver such an enjoyable occasion.
Trying to whip up an atmosphere at football matches doesn’t always work and some of the methods may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
But whatever the reasons behind it, the Wrexham game was a great experience and well done to everyone trying to make matchdays as entertaining as possible.
Of course, the three points won by the players on the pitch made all the difference, but the win genuinely felt like a team effort involving the players, the fans and everyone involved in creating the atmosphere on the night.
For Bobby Wales his opening six months at Swansea City have been an exercise in remaining patient, but the Scotland youth international knows better than most the importance of being calm and focusing on the things he can control.
Wales joined the Swans in the summer having previously been with his boyhood club Kilmarnock since the age of nine, the 20-year-old has been identified as one for the future at the Swansea.com Stadium, and he has already shown glimpses of his talent with a goal on his debut against Crawley and some bright cameos from the bench over the Christmas and New Year period.
It’s not that Wales isn’t hungry for more of those experiences, or any less keen to make his mark in SA1, because there's no doubting his desire to succeed.
But it is telling that as he reflects on his fledgling career to date, it is a story from his time on loan with Alloa in the third tier in Scotland that stands out as being particularly impactful in the forward’s mindset and approach to the game when it comes to dealing with the pressures of leading the line.
“I had a great time there, Andy Graham – who is still there now – took the job as manager not long after I joined and he put a lot of faith in me,” says Wales.
“I think we were eighth out of 10 when I joined, and we ended up making the play-offs and losing in the final.
“I took onboard so much of what he told me, and I am still in touch with players like Taylor Steven and Ethan Sutherland. We were the front three and were just called ‘the youngsters’ because we worked really well together and it felt like one of us would score or assist every week.
“I am so grateful and I learned a lot because I went there initially for six months with the aim of going back to Kilmarnock in January.
“I played something like 11 games and I scored twice, I did not score in my first nine games and I hated that.
“There were two strikers sitting on the bench and I almost felt bad for them, and I felt I did not deserve to be in the team because I was not scoring.
“But Derek McInnes, who was Kilmarnock manager at the time, kept telling me that once one went in for me then more would follow, and that all I could control was getting myself into positions where chances would come so that was what I needed to focus on.
“I thought it was just rubbish to try and cheer me up and make me feel better.
“There were two Scottish Championship clubs that wanted me on loan in the January, but I just didn’t think it would be right for me to go up a league when I had not scored in League One.
“But Alloa wanted me back, and I scored 13 goals in 15 games. It just clicked. I had changed my approach, I was not putting pressure on myself to score every game, I just had that focus on what I could control and he was right. I got one, and the goals flowed from there and I learned so much from that.
“I had played for Kilmarnock the season before and started games, but there’s no doubt that sending me on loan did so much for me. It worked out so well and that advice will always stick with me because it’s the best anyone has ever given me.”
That run of form for Alloa gave Wales the platform from which he saw more regular gametime for Kilmarnock, and he went on to score in European competition against Tromso for the Rugby Park outfit, making 34 appearances in all competitions before his move to Swansea.
There were a number of clubs keen on the Dublin-born player, but he quickly knew where he wanted to go, and he has loved life in south Wales.
“I think it’s been very good for me so far,” he said.
“There is a top group of lads here, great facilities, and even though I have not played as much as I would like to the way everyone is here has helped me deal with that and continue to enjoy my football.
“I have had opportunities recently to get some game time which has been really good and I’m enjoying working with the gaffer.
“He is very clear in what he wants, and the way he wants us to counter press gives us more chance to win the ball high up the pitch and attack. It requires a lot of energy, but I like that and it has been good so far.
“Adam has been injured and Culls has had a niggle, and you have to make sure you make the most of any chance you get.
“To be with the squad and to be out there on the pitch means you really feel part of things when we get a result.
“The fans have been great with me too, I really like the chant they have for me. That bit of recognition is great, when we won at Oxford and we went back out to do our running they were still there and they started singing it, which was really nice. I know it’s because my name is a good one to have playing in Swansea, but I still like it and appreciate it. I find it funny.
“There were other clubs in for me in the summer, a few in the Championship, but when I looked at the bigger picture and the ambitions for this club it was just obvious that Swansea was the place to come to.
“I did my research and when you see the players who have been here, the football the club are known for playing, and having people like Luka Modric and Snoop Dogg involved, it is incredible.
“I am really loving it here.”
Wales and his family moved to Scotland when he was just a year old, and by the time he was five he was played football for Hurlford Boys Club, and he went on to sign for Kilmarnock a few years later.
Having come all the way through to the senior ranks, Wales – in addition to that aforementioned stint at Alloa - also views a reserve team fixture against Airdrie after he returned to his parent club as another key moment in his career trajectory.
“Yeah, we moved because of my father’s work, so I do look at it and think it’s a bit of a funny one sometimes,” he grins.
“I was born in Ireland, I play international football for Scotland, and club football in Wales in the English leagues so I’ve got everything covered!
“My mother is Irish and then when dad had a new job, he’s a crane driver and mum works for Scottish Power, so we moved and I wouldn’t say I really had a football upbringing or that we were a particularly sporting family, although so many people have assumed that Gary Wales – who played for Hearts and Kilmarnock – is my dad because of the surname!
“I’ve had people tell me ‘your dad was some player’ and I then have to tell them that even though it’s the same surname, he’s not my father or any relation.
“My brother is book smart, and although my grandfather played a bit of football it was at amateur level.
“But by the age of five I was playing in mini kickers sessions with Kilmarnock Community, as it was called, and Hurlford were my grassroots team.
“I joined Kilmarnock when I was nine and I was there up until last summer, outside of that loan spell with Alloa. My mother has still got a photo of me sitting on the bench at Rugby Park on the day I signed.
“They managed me really well as a youngster and gave me the right opportunities, and that loan spell was the best thing I ever did in the bigger picture.
“When I came back from that loan spell I had my shoulders back and chest out a bit and I felt more ready for it. I did play as a 10 for a bit but that never felt comfortable for me, it just didn’t suit me.
“I came out of the squad for a bit, then started having bits of game time and I remember the reserves had a game against Airdrie and I asked the gaffer if I could play in it as I wanted the game time. We won 10-0 and I scored a hat-trick in 15 minutes.
“I got brought on the following weekend for the first team against Dundee, I scored, and that felt like the breakthrough and things really came together from there. Like I say, Kilmarnock did such a good job of managing and looking after me.
“I scored in Europe, not every player gets the chance to play in Europe and that was brilliant. I started because Marley Watkins – who is a Swansea boy – was injured and I scored against Tromso and then we played Copenhagen. They were great experiences.
“I scored at Celtic away in the cup, there’s 60,000 people in there and you cannot hear your own teammates shouting at you because it is so loud. Playing in games like that is what it’s all about and I just want more of it with Swansea.
Scoring at Parkhead could actually have been a more regular part of Wales’ career given the Bhoys were interested in securing his services in his early teens.
But the pull of his boyhood club and the logistical challenges of the move meant he was happy to stay at Kilmarnock.
“I did have the chance to move to Celtic when I was 13 or 14,” he says.
“But it was just hard to see how we could make it work. Mum and Dad were working full-time and the Celtic training ground was about 90 minutes from home so I didn’t really have any way to get there.
“At Kilmarnock, my house was a short walk from the stadium and – if I am honest – I did not want to leave. I felt if I went to Celtic it was harder to know what opportunities I would have.
“I was happy enough to stay at Kilmarnock and I think that has proven to be the right decision, but deep down I was always wanting to remain at Killie.”
But all focus for Wales is now on Swansea and continue to develop and push for more senior involvement in the months ahead.
“It’s always about playing, that’s what football is all about,” he said. "
“I enjoyed playing for the under-21s early in the season even though it was not what I was expecting, and I will always do the best at whatever level I am asked to, but obviously I am hungry for more senior football.
“I will do what is asked of me, I’ve had some great moments. Scoring against Crawley was a great moment, I had only just come on and not really settled into the game so it almost felt like it happened to someone else but I would love more of that.”
Swansea City is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former manager and player Terry Yorath at the age of 75.
One of Wales’s finest midfield players, Yorath became manager of the Swans in 1986, also making a solitary league appearance for the club.
He led the club to promotion from the fourth tier in 1988, and came agonisingly close to leading Wales to the 1994 World Cup finals.
As a player Yorath was best remembered for his spell at Leeds United, who he joined straight from school. He won a league title and was part of the squads that reached the FA Cup, European Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup finals in the early to mid-1970s.
After nearly a decade at Leeds, he moved to Coventry City and then Tottenham Hotspur. He also won 59 caps for Wales.
After a short spell playing in Canada, he returned to Yorkshire in 1982 as Bradford City player-coach and helped to build the unfashionable club into a strong unit, and he was deeply affected by the tragic events of May 11 when 56 people lost their lives in a fire at the club’s Valley Parade stadium. Yorath was among those who helped survivors to escape the inferno.
In May 1986, Yorath was appointed manager at the Vetch Field and he would also begin to manage Wales part-time 18 months later, while still at the Swans.
He led the Swans to promotion via the play-offs in 1988, but in February 1989 he left to return to Bradford City as manager.
He would, however, be back at the Swans 12 months later for a brief spell in charge before taking up the Wales international job on a full time basis and guiding them to the brink of qualification for USA 1994, only for a dramatic defeat against Romania to deny them.
Yorath also had spells in charge of Cardiff City, Sheffield Wednesday, Lebanon and Margate.
He will go down as one of Welsh football’s greats, and everyone at Swansea City sends their sincerest condolences to Terry’s family and friends at this sad time.
We will pay tribute to Terry with a minute's silence ahead of kick-off and both teams will wear black armbands.
IN MEMORY
Sadly, on Boxing Day, loyal Swans supporter Jeff Williams passed away after battling cancer. Jeff, from Portmead, worked as a welder in Port Talbot Steelworks, and was a season ticket holder in the East Stand. Not only was Jeff a familiar face at the Vetch Field and Swansea.com Stadium, he followed the Swans on the road too from a young age, making the long journeys up and down country following his beloved club.
Once a Jack always a Jack.
We are all Jacks is Swansea City’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion both within the club and throughout the local community.
Working with international and local charities, as well as supporter groups, Swansea City strives to ensure that a visit to the Swansea.com Stadium is a welcoming experience for everyone regardless of sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, race, disability, or age.
The club takes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, victimisation, bullying and abuse.
REPORT IT – IN THE STADIUM
Supporters are encouraged to report instances of abusive and discriminatory language within the stadium by using the anonymous text and Whatsapp number (07886 276015) providing details of the incident and your location in the stadium.
Messages will be charged at the standard rate for your network provider.
The details from the message will be received at the match control room, where any necessary investigation and/or action will be taken.
The club will also record the mobile number of the individual reporting an incident to aid with any inquiries.
Supporters can also use support@swanseacity.com to report instances of discrimination.
An audio commentary service is available for blind and partially sighted fans – provided by Radio City, the Swansea University Health Board Hospital Radio Service.
Radio City has a long association with the football club dating back to the days when the club was known as Swansea Town.
Since moving to the Swansea.com Stadium, the broadcaster has provided a live descriptive commentary service for free at all Swansea home matches, meaning that blind and partially-sighted supporters in both the home and away ends can follow the action.
In order to book a headset for the match, supporters can contact the accessibility team in advance by emailing accessibility@swanseacity.com, or contacting the ticket office from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm by calling 01792 616629 and selecting option one.
Supporters can also book headsets in person in advance at the ticket office, or on the day by speaking to a Disability Liaison Steward on the day.
To learn more about Radio City, visit www.radiocity1386am.co.uk.
The inclusion room at the Swansea.com Stadium is open every matchday for supporters who may require a quiet space during games.
Supporters will be able to attend live matches at the Swansea.com Stadium with the comfort of knowing there is a designated area should they need it. The room is available to any supporter that may require a quiet space.
The space will be monitored by a designated disability liaison steward and provides a safe space with a disabled toilet, a projector to watch the live game, and dignity packs for those who need it.
While some supporters who require a time away from the crowds may prefer to use this room as a quiet space, it will also be possible to watch the match live on a screen projected onto the wall meaning supporters who require the space for any reason don’t have to miss a moment of the match action.
The room is located in the West Stand and, while supporters who feel they may benefit from the use of the space will be recommended to sit in that stand, it will be accessible for anyone in any part of the stadium.
Any supporter who feels overwhelmed by the matchday environment for any reason can gain access to the room by making themselves known to a steward or disability liaison steward.
PLAYER SPONSORS
Shwmae Junior Jacks,
Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium!
We’re so excited to have you with us today, we hope you’ve wrapped up warm ready to enjoy the match! The Swans take on West Brom for the second time this year... do you think they can win again? - We think they can!
Today’s Take Five quiz is about The FA Cup, and a bit of fun too! Click the button below to test your knowledge!
Our score prediction is 1-0 to the Swans and we think Franco will score!
What do you think the score will be?
Uppa Swans,
Cyril and Cybil
Head Coach Vitor Matos
1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango (c)
6 Marko Stamenić
7 Melker Widell
8 Malick Yalcouye
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
14 Josh Tymon
15 Cameron Burgess
16 Ishé Samuels-Smith
17 Gonçalo Franco
20 Liam Cullen
21 Manuel Benson
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Ricardo Santos
24 Bobby Wales
25 Joel Ward
26 Kaelan Casey
27 Zeidane Inoussa
29 Paul Farman
30 Ethan Galbraith
31 Ollie Cooper
33 Adam Idah
35 Ronald
40 NUMBER RETIRED IN MEMORY OF BESIAN IDRIZAJ
41 Sam Parker
46 Arthur Parker
47 Sebastian Dabrowski
54 Iestyn Jones
Interim Head Coach James Morrison
2 Chris Mepham
3 Nat Phillips
4 Callum Styles
5 Krystian Bielik
6 George Campbell
7 Jed Wallace ©
8 Jayson Molumby
9 Josh Maja
10 Karlan Grant
11 Mikey Johnston
12 Daryl Dike
13 Toby Collyer
14 Alfie Gilchrist
17 Ousmane Diakite
19 Aune Heggebo
20 Josh Griffiths
21 Isaac Price
22 Samuel Iling-Junior
23 Joe Wildsmith
26 Tammer Bany
27 Alex Mowatt
29 Charlie Taylor
Referee: Elliot Bell
Assistant Referee 1: Harley Mckittrick
Assistant Referee 2: Harley Hetherington
Fourth Official: Oliver Mackey
STAFF LIST
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE
Directors
Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, George Popstefanov, Chris Sznewajs, Tyler Morse, Nigel Morris, Todd Marcelle, Keith English, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller.
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Associate Directors: Diane Hughes
Minority Owners: Luka Modrić, Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Vitor Matos
Assistant Head Coach - Ryan Maye
Head of Goalkeeping – Martyn Margetson
First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Leon Britton, Joe Allen, Toze Mendes, Goncalo Ricca, Diogo Mendeiros, Ailsa Jones, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Patrick Orme, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins, Adam Mahoney, Jack Oliver, Harri Mathias, James Cole.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Chief Executive Officer: Tom Gorringe
Head of Operations and Facilities: Andrew Davies
Head of Football Operations and Administration: Ben Greenwood
Head of Commercial: George Alston
Head of Media and Communications: Andrew Gwilym
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Head of Supporter Services: Hayley Ford
Head of IT: Jonathan Jones
Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
CLUB STAFF
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Ticketing: Mari Tucker
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Jack Otter, Sophie Davis, Mackenzie Squires, Sammy Wynne, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees, James Dow.
Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jac Elsey.