Trio of ex-Swans join Tate testimonial squad
Three more former Swansea City stars have signed up to play in Alan Tate’s testimonial.
Kristian O’Leary, Kevin Austin and Gerhard Tremmel will all feature for a Swans Legends XI when they take on a Manchester United Legends XI at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday, August 9 (7pm).
Swans stalwart O’Leary made more than 300 appearances for the club during a 15-year stint as a player having come through the youth ranks.
The player of the year in the Swans’ final season at Vetch Field, local lad O’Leary was a wholehearted, versatile performer who was known for his commitment to the cause.
He later returned to the club as a coach, working first at development level and then with the first team.
O’Leary was part of Garry Monk’s senior staff, and helped the Swans to their best Premier League finish yet in 2014-15 as first-team coach.
Austin played alongside O’Leary in the team which won promotion from League Two in the Swans’ last year at the Vetch.
The powerhouse defender was brought to Wales by Kenny Jackett in the summer of 2004 and proved a fine servant during four years as a Swan.
Austin racked up 150 appearances for the club, and was involved in a second promotion in 2007-08.
Tremmel will make a rapid return to the Liberty pitch having retired as a player this summer.
The goalkeeper, who has been handed a new role as the Swans’ European recruitment assistant, played 52 times for the club having signed following promotion to the Premier League back in 2011.
Tremmel’s finest hour came in the 2012-13 Capital One Cup, when he played every minute as the Swans lifted their first major trophy.
O’Leary, Austin and Tremmel join a stellar list of Swans past and present who will feature in Tate’s testimonial.
Leon Britton, Angel Rangel, Garry Monk, Roberto Martinez, Andy Robinson, Lee Trundle, James Thomas, John Williams, Adrian Forbes, Roger Freestone, Ferrie Bodde, Mark Gower, Sam Ricketts and Alan Curtis are all set to play for the Swans Legends side, which will be managed by Brendan Rodgers and Brian Flynn.
The United line-up is being put together by Stoke City’s former Red Devils midfielder Darren Fletcher, a close friend of Tate’s since their days together in the Old Trafford youth set-up.
Tickets for Tate’s testimonial are priced at £12 for adults and £6 for children.
They are available through the Liberty Stadium website here https://www.eticketing.co.uk/ssmc/Events/Index the ticket office in person or by phone on 0844 815 6665.
*The cost to call this number is 7p per minute plus your standard network charge
