Luke Williams | The warmth the fans have shown us has been incredible

Luke Williams has thanked Swansea City fans for the warm reception he has received since returning to the club, as he looks to build the connection between team and supporters heading into his first full season in charge.

Head coach Williams took over in SA1 in January and, after a challenging start, helped the Swans to an encouraging end to the 2023-24 campaign.

The 43-year-old has regularly spoken of the importance of the bond between those on the pitch and in the stands, and felt that was a special part of results and performances like the south Wales derby win over Cardiff City.

Williams acknowledges there is work to do to foster that connection, and says it will be key for Swansea City.

“The first thing to say to the fans is a huge thank you for the warmth I have felt from them, and it is a feeling,” said the Swans boss. 

“This is what is so tough about connection is that it is a feeling, and you cannot bottle it, you cannot write it down or even describe it, but when you have it, you have it. 

“I feel I understand the fans here because this is a working class club and that means a lot to me. 

“When we can create something that is respected from the grass to the stands and vice versa, we will be able to feel it, and no-one will be able to tell us we don’t have it.

“We have some work to do to try to create the respect and the bottom-line standard we should expect from one another. 

“We are definitely moving in the right direction, I have no doubt, but it is my job, and the job of the players and the staff, to try and harness that and we will get there. When we do, we will know it.”