Jay Fulton | The journey to 200 Swansea City appearances
When Jay Fulton walked out onto the pitch at Bramall Lane he joined Swansea City’s 200 club, following in the footsteps of team-mates such as Matt Grimes and Kyle Naughton who have reached the milestone.
It also puts the Scot in the company of the likes of Tommy Hutchinson, Andy Melville, Vic Gomersall and Chris Marustik in surpassing 200 outings in Swansea colours.
Since arriving from Falkirk in January 2014, the midfielder has matured into a proven all-round Championship performer and an integral figure for the Swans, as adept at producing a crunching challenge as a classy assist or finish from distance.
Here is his Swansea story.
Debut
Swansea City 4 Aston Villa 1 – Premier League – April 26, 2014
Fulton made his Swans and Premier League bow as a late substitution on a memorable afternoon as Jonjo Shelvey scored a wonder goal and Swansea City all but secured their Premier League status with a commanding victory over Aston Villa.
Shelvey’s stunning 45-yard volley – a contender for goal of the season – was the pick of the goals, while Wilfried Bony struck twice and Pablo Hernandez was also on the scoresheet as the Swans moved eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Garry Monk’s side went ahead after just 10 minutes at the Liberty when Shelvey’s neat through ball sent Bony clear, and the Ivorian made no mistake in slotting home his first Liberty goal since January.
Villa hit back 12 minutes later with Gabriel Agbonlahor applying the finish touch to Marc Albrighton’s low cross from inside the six-yard box.
However, the Swans were back in the ascendancy within four minutes. Ron Vlaar’s poor clearance went straight to Shelvey, who controlled on his chest on the edge of the centre circle inside Villa’s half, before unleashing a fierce volley that flew into the net over a helpless Brad Guzan.
Shelvey was involved again as the hosts established breathing space 17 minutes from time. His deep cross was met by Hernandez, who skipped inside a challenge before sending a curling shot into the far corner.
And the victory was completed in the first minute of stoppage time when Bony calmly slotted past Guzan from the penalty spot after Nathan Baker had barged into Marvin Emnes.
First goal
Peterborough United 1 Swansea City 3 – EFL Cup – August 26, 2016
Fulton grabbed his first Swansea goal, with Oli McBurnie also on the scoresheet, as Francesco Guidolin’s side eased into the second round of the EFL Cup at London Road.
In a convincing victory, the Swans were ahead after 15 minutes via Fulton, who headed home his first goal for the club after McBurnie had nodded the ball back across goal after seeing an initial effort saved.
Then the 20-year-old striker took his chance with two goals in three minutes.
First, he raced onto a through ball before cutting inside and slotting home, then he blasted into the net from close range after fellow debutant Mike van der Hoorn was denied by keeper Mark Tyler.
Sub Leo Da Silva Lopes fired in a thunderous consolation goal for the League One hosts, but the Swans comfortably moved into the third round.
Loan moment to savour
Wigan Athletic 1 Manchester City 0 – FA Cup – February 19, 2018
While the Swans were battling for Premier League survival under Carlos Carvalhal, Fulton was out on loan at Wigan and would play a part in one of the great FA Cup upsets of recent years.
Few gave the League One Latics a hope against all-conquering City, but Paul Cook’s side would advance thanks to Will Grigg’s finish, after Fabian Delph had been sent off for the Premier League visitors, who at the time were chasing a quadruple.
Fulton started the game on the bench, but was introduced after Nick Powell was injury inside the first half hour, and he won rave reviews for a disciplined and combative display in the middle of the park on a night Wigan fans are unlikely to forget.
50th appearance
Swansea City 1 Millwall 0 – Championship – February 9, 2019
After an inconsistent opening half of the season, Graham Potter’s Swans were just on the cusp of a strong run of form that would see them come tantalisingly close to a play-off place over the final weeks of the campaign when they beat Millwall in Fulton’s 50th appearance.
George Byers scored his first senior goal to settle the contest, the 22-year-old fired home into the top corner from inside the box at the second attempt in the 43rd minute.
It proved the difference in a game where the Swans were comfortably on top in the first half but then had to hold off a determined Millwall effort after the break.
Victory moved the Swans onto 44 points from 31 games and up to 11th.
100th appearance
Swansea City 1 Brentford 0 – Championship play-off semi-final, first leg – July 26, 2020
Fulton’s Swansea City ton was brought up amidst an empty stadium and the unusual circumstances of play-off football in July at the end of a campaign derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Having forced their way into the top six on the last day of the season, the Swans stunned a Bees team who had just missed out on automatic promotion by taking the advantage thanks to Andre Ayew’s late winner at the Liberty Stadium.
With the Swans having been involved in a night of huge drama at Reading just a few days earlier, there was no shortage of incident to be found in this first leg either.
Ayew was denied from the penalty spot in the second half after Pontus Jansson had fouled Rhian Brewster.
Moments later Brentford had Rico Henry sent off, and Steve Cooper’s side made the most of the opportunity when Ayew dispatched his 18th goal of the season high into the net with his left foot.
It settled an entertaining and intriguing contest on the night, but the Swans were unable to build on the victory as a 3-1 defeat in the return game at Griffin Park saw them miss out on a place at Wembley.
150th appearance
Bristol City 0 Swansea City 1 – Championship – August 20, 2021
Joel Piroe’s superb finish saw Swansea City pick up their first Championship win under head coach Russell Martin, and secured just a second victory at Ashton Gate in 28 years to mark Fulton’s 150th appearance in fine style.
The Dutch striker netted his third goal in four Swansea appearances since a summer move from PSV Eindhoven, emphatically finding the net after his original strike had come back off the post.
He went close to adding to the Swans tally, as did Jamie Paterson, while Steven Benda made a handful of fine saves at the other end in what was an entertaining encounter.
For Swansea this was a fine win given they were without six first-team players through a mixture of injury and illness as Ryan Bennett, Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango, Flynn Downes, Korey Smith and Liam Walsh were all absent.
Handed the armband
Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Swansea City 0 – Carabao Cup – September 22, 2021
Fulton skippered the Swans for the first time as they exited the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage despite a brave effort against Premier League hosts Brighton.
Two first-half goals from Republic of Ireland international Aaron Connelly effectively did the damage for the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium, with the striker finding the net in the 33rd and 38th minute as Graham Potter saw off his former club.
Russell Martin’s side put in a spirited display, and had enjoyed the better of the first half before Connolly’s brace, while they rattled the crossbar twice after the break.
200th appearance
Sheffield United 3 Swansea City 0 - Championship - February 11, 2023
It would not have been the way he wanted to bring up such a landmark, but Fulton reached a double-century of appearances at Bramall Lane on Saturday afternoon.
The Scot featured prominently in a bright opening for the Swans, but ultimately goals from Sander Berge, Jack Robinson and Oli McBurnie would give the hosts all three points.