FAN FOCUS: Daniel Ingram
We continue our fan feature as we put our loyal supporters under the spotlight!
Fan Focus gives every member of the Jack Army a chance to share their favourite tales, games and goals from supporting the Swans over the years.
If you want to be involved in the feature, email jackwells@swanseacityfc.co.uk
Name: Daniel Ingram
Age: 21
From? Beautiful, sunny and picturesque Aberdare.
How long have you been supporting the Swans?
All my life. I was dragged down to the North Bank of the Vetch Field from the age of 3 with my dad.
What was the first Swans game you attended?
I've been reliably told by my old man that my first match was a home game at the Vetch Field against Scarborough on Saturday, February 15, 1997 - a game we lost 2-1.
Why did you start supporting the Swans?
I never really had a choice to be completely honest. The Swans were in my life before I could even make a decision for myself. You could say I was a very privileged child to be given the best club in the country as my only option.
What is your most memorable Swans moment?
There's a number of obvious 'memorable' moments, each worthy of that title. However, my most memorable Swans moment has to be the day we got promoted away at Bury.
There were 5,000+ Swans fans there that day and we turned Gigg Lane black and white - including the pitch invasion at the end resulting in Willy Gueret getting arrested, greeted by the fans chanting "Free Willy" on the pitch. Brilliant.
What is the best game you've seen at the Vetch/Liberty?
There's been some pretty amazing days/nights at both grounds: beating Preston North End in the FA Cup at the Vetch; the crucial 4-2 victory over Hull City and then at the Liberty; the 7-1 drubbing of Bristol City; the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, which took us to our victorious afternoon at Wembley.
But for me, the best game I've seen watching the Swans has to be the playoff semi-final against Nottingham Forest. I don't think I've heard a roar as loud when Darren Pratley scored that third goal since the days of the Vetch Field.
What is the best goal you've seen at the Vetch/Liberty?
The best goal I've seen has to be Scott Sinclair's solo effort against Nottingham Forest, when he carried the ball down the wing from the halfway line, beating the defence and slotting the ball past Lee Camp in the bottom corner. Wonderful.
Can you tell us about the greatest sacrifice you have made to watch the Swans?
Not so much a sacrifice, but I've spent most of the last three years away at university in Salford, Manchester, which made watching the Swans (at home especially) very difficult. The lengths we go to in order to follow our team!
Describe to us your typical pre-match ritual?
Commuting has always been a part of watching the Swans for me, whether it be the drive from Aberdare, the train from Manchester or whatever. No matchday is the same without it involving a lot of travelling. There's no time for pre-match beers, no matter how tempting.
Who is your favourite Swans player of all time, and why?
That's a very tough question because there are many players who could rightfully fill the title of my favourite Swan of all time.
One player, however, really stands out for me. He gave everything for the club in all four divisions over a number of years - and even filled in as a goalkeeper now and again.
Anyone that shows that much commitment and effort for a club - every single week - deserves to be recognised for their efforts. For me, it's got to be the super Alan Tate.
Who is your favourite current player, and why?
My favourite current Swans player is Gylfi Sigurdsson. The man just doesn't stop running, while he's lethal from set-pieces and just an all-round nice guy.
What is your favourite Swans kit from over the years?
The 1996-97 season away shirt, with Evening Post as the sponsor. The maroon and blue striped kit. It was just an unusual shirt that always pops to my mind when thinking of unusual Swans kits.
If you could sign one player for the club, who would it be?
It has to be Lionel Messi. He's an obvious choice, but what a player.
What has been your most disappointing moment watching the club?
As with the good moments, there's been quite a few disappointing times following the Swans - most of which are now thankfully over a decade ago.
The most disappointing moment I can remember is losing to Barnsley in the League One play-off final a decade ago. We outplayed them and to get all the way to penalties, you just knew it wasn't going to be our day - which it wasn't.
What makes Swansea City special to you?
Swansea City is special to me as the club has been a large part of my life since I was dragged along at the age of just three.
The Swans have been in my family for nearly 60 years, with my grandparents and my dad being season ticket holders for a long time.
I featured on the back of the 'Nice Swan Cyril' CD released by the club and my dad named a previous club DVD titled 'Total Football'.
I was also a mascot some time ago at the Vetch, a game which we unfortunately lost 4-2 to Southend United. I couldn't imagine life without following the Swans.
