Good evening and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for our first home fixture of the season against Gillingham.
We usually talk about the start of a new campaign in terms of it being the end of the off-season, but there has been an awful lot of hard work put in across all departments of the club since we were last together for our game against Millwall in May.
Head coach Luke Williams and his staff have worked relentlessly with the players throughout the summer – including having members of the squad report for testing and training prior to the start of pre-season proper – in order to have them in the best possible shape and provide a strong physical foundation for the months ahead.
We are aware we still have work to do before the transfer window closes in a few weeks, but we are excited by the quality of the players we have brought in so far, and believe they suit our playing identity and have the character to succeed at Swansea City.
Off the field, you will notice some changes to our home ground as you return for this evening’s fixture.
Following feedback from supporters across a range of formats, we have made improvements in a number of areas.
In addition to the introduction of safe standing areas, there is also new paintwork, new and improved floodlighting, and updated food and beverage menus on the concourses.
I am particularly excited about the redesign and renaming of our bar in the East Stand as the ‘Mel Nurse Bar’.
We are proud to be able to honour one of the most important people in Swansea City’s history, and I hope you will enjoy the new layout when the bar is open for our first home league fixture against Preston North End.
It goes without saying we did not make the start to the season we wanted to at Middlesbrough at the weekend, and I know Luke and the players will be looking to produce an improved display tonight.
Everyone at this club want you to be proud of being part of Swansea City, and we will all keep working to bring success back to our city and community.
Take good care,
Andy
Good evening and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium for our Carabao Cup tie against Gillingham.
It has felt like a long time since we have played a competitive fixture here at our home, and we are excited to be back in front of the Jack Army.
We will certainly want to produce a better performance than we did against Middlesbrough at the weekend.
We started the game poorly and we paid the price for that, and by the time we had conceded from the penalty we had let the game get away from us.
We were better in the second half, we had more periods of control in the game, but ultimately we did not create enough in the way of clear-cut chances.
Within that, we also still gave our opponents chances to hurt us on the counter-attack. We know it is a long season but we wanted to be a lot better than we were, and I was particularly disappointed for the more than 500 Jacks who travelled over 600 miles to cheers us on.
We did not give them enough to cheer and enough to be excited about, and we need to be a lot better tonight.
All four of our summer signings got more game time and I think they will have taken a lot from that first-hand experience of what the Championship is all about.
They are all at different stages in terms of their conditioning and us making sure they are fully up to speed, but I think there were encouraging signs.
I understand you will want to know about further incomings, and we all know we are going to need to add to our squad in the coming weeks before the transfer window closes.
There is a lot of hard work going on in order to try and help us do that and I am confident that in the coming days and weeks we will see the results of that work.
Returning to tonight’s match, with this being the second fixture in a three-game week, there will be changes for this game, but we are not planning on making wholesale alterations.
This may be a different competition, but that should not affect our desire to perform and win for our club.
Gillingham are a club with a proud history who will want to come and show us exactly what they are about tonight, so we need to be on our mettle.
Enjoy the game,
Luke
Well, another summer has (almost) passed and we find ourselves playing our first competitive home game of the season in this early Carabao Cup fixture against Gillingham.
It could be argued that it is way too early for the football season to be starting as many supporters will be away on their holidays, or are perhaps waiting until our first home Championship game of the season against Preston on Saturday.
Whatever our feelings about the summer break seemingly becoming shorter each year, it’s pleasing to see that the club have been quietly going about their business in the transfer market with what appear to be some very promising signings.
There of course is still some time to go before the summer transfer window closes and I’m sure we will see more movements as the clock ticks down.
Ultimately it will be down to head coach Luke Williams to get his squad together and playing the style of football that can get the most from his players. Personally, I’m really looking forward to the coming season and if we can get off to a solid start over the coming games it would be a great platform to build upon.
As I write this, I’d like to offer a warm YJB Croeso to Goncalo Franco, Jisung Eom, Zan Vipotnik and Lawrence Vigouroux. You are all now Swansea Jacks, and if you show the passion and desire to do all you can on the pitch there is now doubting the Jack Army will be right behind you.
It is also only right that we say goodbye to the players who left the club in the summer and wish them well for the future, unless they turn up at the Swansea.com Stadium in the opposition line up! These players have contributed to the history of our great club but, for various reasons, their futures now lie elsewhere, so thank you and we wish you well.
As well as new faces on the pitch, your Supporters’ Trust has welcomed some new board members in Peter Thomas MBE, Ollie Meller, Dave Jones and Jordan Hopkins, who have joined us for the coming season.
We expect them all to be an asset to the board and the Trust as a whole, just like those who have recently decided to step away. For those who have stepped down, I’d like to say a huge personal thanks for your hard work and commitment over the last few years.
Over the past days the Trust board has been organising its schedules of work for the coming months and we’ve also just updated our Meet the Trust Board webpage for members and supporters to learn a little more about them.
Can I also thank all Trust members who have already renewed their memberships this season. It takes just a few minutes to do so on our online system here: https://www.swanstrust.co.uk/join-the-trust/
Members and supporters can still renew or join by post or by visiting the Trust Pod on every matchday, commencing with our first Championship game against Preston on Saturday. We still accept payments by cash, card and cheque. We are an inclusive society and every member of the Jack Army is very welcome and encouraged to join the Supporters’ Trust.
By doing so you have an instant pathway to a voice in the running of our club and being involved in some of the exciting initiatives that are lined up for the rest of the Trust calendar.
Again, look out for updates throughout the season, or come and have a chat with us at the Pod or other supporter events to find out more.
Can I also take this opportunity to encourage our members and supporters once again to join the excellent Swansea City Disabled Supporters’ Association (DSA) for the 2024-25 season. You don’t have to have a disability to become a member of the DSA, but by joining you are supporting the Association in their aim to provide an inclusive environment for all Swansea City supporters.
As always if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via info@swanstrust.co.uk or supporters@swanstrust.co.uk and one of our Trust Board will respond to your query.
Finally, a warm welcome to the diehard Gillingham supporters who will be making the almost 500-mile round trip to this evening’s game.
The last time we encountered the Gills at the Swansea.com Stadium was over five years ago in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Two goals from Oli McBurnie plus others for Bersant Celina and Barrie McKay saw us run out comfortable 4-1 winners that day. Something similar for the Swans this evening would be very welcome.
Croeso nôl. and enjoy the game,
Dave
Booking is now open for Swansea City AFC Foundation’s latest FIT Jacks cohort.
The 12-week fitness programme will return in September in venues across south west Wales, providing weekly exercise sessions and health and wellbeing education.
The programme - which is now entering its sixth edition, has helped participants collectively lose over 400kg.
Thanks to funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund via UK Government, the programme reaches six different venues across GP clusters throughout Swansea.
Venues:
Mondays at 10am: New Lodge, Gorseinon, SA4 4PE
Mondays at 7pm: Pure Football, Swansea, SA5 7HR
Tuesdays at 5.30pm: Morriston Leisure Centre, SA6 6NN
Wednesdays at 6pm: Linden Centre, West Cross, SA3 5LD
Thursdays at 6pm: Swansea.com Stadium, SA1 2FA
Fridays at 10am: Penlan Leisure Centre, SA5 7BU
To book your place on our latest cohort, click HERE.
The Jack Army Noticeboard is here!
We will be using these pages of the digital matchday programme to give supporters the chance to share their stories, triumphs, and photos.
Share pictures of you wearing your Swans shirt on holiday, or – if you’re a Global Jack – share a snap of you enjoying a watch party with your fellow supporters.
You can also use this page to shine a spotlight on the achievements of members of the Swans family, or any other news you’d like to share.
To add your notice, click on the button below.
SUPPORTER UPDATE
SAFE STANDING
Following our announcement in December of last year, we can now confirm that licensed safe standing areas have been installed at the Swansea.com Stadium and will be in use from this Carabao Cup fixture.
In a move designed to improve supporter safety and the matchday experience - following consultation with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) and relevant stakeholders – we have installed independent barriers in the north-east corner of the stadium, as well as a section in the north stand for away supporters.
Supporters will be permitted to stand throughout the match at a Swansea City home fixture for the first time since the club’s move from the Vetch Field in 2005.
For the avoidance of doubt, the safe standing barriers are in row N upwards in the following blocks for home supporters: NU7, NU8, NU9, EU1, EU2, EU3 and EU4, and are now marked on the ticketing system as such.
When attempting to checkout online, you will have to tick a box to confirm you acknowledge you are purchasing in the safe standing section. If you wish to stand during games please ensure that you purchase your tickets in this area; otherwise, you will be required to sit during matches. All other areas of the ground, without barriers, will remain covered by an all-seater policy.
Season ticket holders in the north-east corner who sit below row N are advised that - as your seats are not in the safe standing area - you will be required to sit during games and persistent standing is not permitted.
If you do wish to relocate, please contact the ticket office at ticketing@swanseacity.com for further guidance.
Please note that due to strong matchday sales for the Cardiff fixture, relocations for this game may not be possible.
As a result of the installation of the independent barriers, we now have a code of conduct that supporters in these areas must adhere to. Please click HERE to view the code of conduct.
NEW FLOODLIGHTS
Over the course of the off-season, the floodlight system at the Swansea.com Stadium has been replaced and overhauled as part of the ongoing work to maintain and upgrade the ground.
With the previous floodlight network having been in place for over a decade and out of date with contemporary stadium lighting features, the decision was taken to update the in-stadium lighting to move in line with the best available technology.
The new system brings the Swansea.com Stadium up to standard with the latest in-stadium and broadcasting requirements, to meet the expectations of a contemporary sporting and entertainment venue, while – additionally – ensuring the use of less electricity as we seek to be increasingly sustainable as a business and reduce our carbon footprint across all sites.
The new lighting has a different level of intensity than that was in place previously, and we advise supporters who may suffer with photosensitive conditions to be mindful of this and to avoid looking directly into the lights.
PAINTING OF STANDS
Supporters will also notice that the beams on the underside of the roofs of each stand at the Swansea.com Stadium have been repainted during the off-season.
With the stadium now entering its 20th season since its opening in 2005, the club wanted to give the interior of the stadium bowl a cleaner look and feel.
UPDATE TO THE SENSORY ROOM
Swansea City Disabled Supporters' Association (DSA) are the new sponsors of the Swansea.com Stadium sensory room for the 2024-25 season.
The sensory room, which opened in 2019, allows supporters who may otherwise find a Swans matchday challenging to enjoy the games at their own pace.
After five years, some of the sensory room items were in need of minor upgrades, and so – after playing an instrumental role in the introduction of the space – the DSA offered to become the official sponsor of the room.
The season-long sponsorship has funded the fitting of additional sensory lights and objects to enhance the supporter experience, while the DSA have also committed to continuing to provide sensory packs for sensory room visitors.
Sensory rooms were traditionally spaces set for those with autism spectrum disorder or similar disabilities. However. Swansea City recognises that other supporters and disabilities may benefit from such as a space, such as those with dementia and so – following supporter feedback – the club now accepts requests for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s and anyone else who would benefit from the use of the space.
Swansea City DSA Chair, Andrew Brayley, said: “The sensory room is a very important facility at the club.
“The DSA's primary function is to make the matchday experience for disabled fans the best it can be, and as such are proud to be sponsoring and providing the upgrades to the room.
“The sensory room allows fans who would not normally be able to visit the stadium to watch a live game, sampling the atmosphere in a safe and quiet environment. It allows everyone to enjoy a match with their friends and family.”
Supporters who feel they would benefit from attending a match using the sensory room should contact the club by emailing: accessibilty@swanseacity.com
Formed in 1893 as New Brompton, the Gills were last in the second tier from 2000, when Peter Taylor guided them to play-off success, they also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup that year after beating Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday along the way.
Their five-year stay in the division ended in 2005 at the end of the season when the competition was first rebranded as the Championship.
They have been in League One or League Two ever since, spending three seasons in the latter between 2010 and 2013, when they finished top of the league under the guidance of Martin Allen.
In the 2021-22 season, Gillingham were relegated back to League Two and they finished 12th in the fourth tier last term.
They opened the new season with a 4-1 win over Carlisle at the weekend.
PRIESTFIELD STADIUM
Built: 1893
Location: Gillingham, Kent, England
Capacity (Record): 11,582 (23,002)
Mark Bonner. The former Cambridge United manager joined the Gills in May 2024.
Bonner started his coaching career in the academies at Cambridge and Southend United in the early 2000s. He returned to The U's in 2011, working in a number of positions in the club's academy.
In January 2018, Bonner was named as first-team coach, working under manager Shaun Derry and assistant Joe Dunne.
He was promoted to head coach in March 2020, and his first full season as a manager was a successful one.
In September 2020, Bonner was named League Two Manager of the Month after an unbeaten start saw Cambridge United sit top of the league without conceding a goal and they went on to claim second-place finish and secure promotion.
The 38-year-old went on to lead Cambridge to a 1–0 away win at Premier League Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round in January 2022.
Bonner signed a new contract with the club in September 2023, but two months later he was sacked with the club sitting in 18th position, four points above the relegation zone.
Max Ehmer. The experienced defender started his career at Queens Park Rangers and his six years with Rs included loan periods with Yeovil Town, Preston North End, Stevenage, Carlisle United and Gillingham.
After playing 27 times in the league and scoring once during his time at Priestfield in 2014-15, the German signed for the Gills permanently in July 2015 - signing a three-year contract - and went on to captain the club.
In 2023 that deal was extended by a further two seasons and, on the final day of the 2023-24 season, he racked up an impressive 400th appearance for the club.
Only six other players in the history of the Gills have achieved that feat.
French midfielder Timothée Dieng joined the Gills in January 2023. He played for his local clubs Grenoble and Brest B before moving to the UK in 2014, signing for Oldham Athletic.
Dieng had spells in League Two with Bradford and Southend United, and was named captain of the latter for the 2019-2020 campaign.
Joining Exeter City in July 2021, he was named as the Grecians' Player of the Season for 2021–22, four days before Exeter secured promotion to League One.
He was also named in the League Two Team of the Season that campaign.
Dieng made 32 league appearances for the Gills last season, netting five goals.
Following two loan spells at Priestfield, Masterson made his move to Kent permanent in the summer of 2023.
The former Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers man, who stands at 6ft, netted six goals in League Two last term.
He made 48 appearances in all competitions for the Gills during the 2023-24 season, and he was named the club’s Player of the Year at their end of season presentation dinner.
He has also featured for Swindon and Cambridge United, as well as representing the Republic or Ireland at under 17, under-19 and under-21 level.
The striker became Mark Bonner’s first signing as Gills boss in the summer of 2024.
The 27-year-old has worked his way into the professional game from non-league, playing for the likes of Everton Xaverians, Burscough and the City of Liverpool. While with the latter he scored a hat-trick at Wembley in the 2012 FA Vase Final.
Crewe signed the striker for an undisclosed fee in January of 2023 on an 18-month deal and, during his time at the Mornflake Stadium, the forward netted 18 times in 73 appearances.
He played in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final in May as Crewe lost 2-0 to Crawley at Wembley.
Azeem Abdulai is a man keen to try and make up for lost time as Swansea City get the 2024-25 campaign under way.
That may sound a strange phrase to use for a player who is still just 21 years of age, but it is a reflection of the frustration Abdulai experienced during an injury-affected 2023-24 season.
It had all started so positively for the Scotland Under-21 international, he featured in five of Swansea’s opening six games, starting the Carabao Cup ties against Northampton and Bournemouth, and coming off the bench against Birmingham, Preston and Coventry.
A first Championship start was set to follow against Bristol City but, in the final moments of the final training session before that game, Abdulai suffered a hamstring injury and was left facing a three-month spell on the sidelines.
The midfielder acknowledges some tears were shed after that disappointment, and he would have another spell out after the hamstring issue flared up in his return for the FA Cup clash with Morecambe.
Now, with a full pre-season behind him he is raring to go.
“I think this is personally the biggest season for me,” he said.
“I just want to kickstart not only my Swansea career, but my football career.
“I thought last season I would have done that but I got injured so I had to take a few steps back but I’m ready now.
“What happened last season was tough to take. I was upset really, I cried a bit. I think it just wasn’t the right time for me if that makes sense.
“I can’t lie, I probably was not the easiest person to be around during that period, in fact I was probably the worst person to be around!
“I was disappointed and frustrated but I think everyone goes through challenges in their career and it’s about how you respond.
“Hopefully this year I can go injury-free touch wood and just kick on from there.
“I’ve now had a full pre-season, it was a tough one. We had a lot of double sessions, it was very intense. That’s exactly how the gaffer wants it to be and I think that will stand us in good stead.
“I’m naturally fit but right now, physically and mentally, I’d say I’m probably the fittest I’ve been.”
Last term’s setback was the latest chapter in a football journey that has not always been plain sailing.
It has seen some tough times and heartache along the way, but he has emerged stronger from experiences with the likes of Celtic and Leicester City.
The road into football began with Abdulai playing in the park with his dad at the age of four, but he would soon find himself on the playing field and in the sights of scouts.
But, when he joined an academy, it was not initially at a club. Instead, Abdulai was snapped up by the Jimmy Johnstone Academy, a charitable foundation and community and grassroots hub based in Glasgow.
The academy is named after the former Celtic great, who was one of the Lisbon Lions who famously secured European Cup glory in 1967, and has produced a number of talented players and coaches over the years.
From there, Abdulai would end up on the books of Glasgow giants, with his time in the academy seeing him act as ballboy on big Champions League nights at Parkhead, including when a Barcelona side boasting Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez came to town.
Throw in being present for a number of Old Firm games, and these were football experienced to truly whet the appetite of any aspiring young footballer.
“I can’t remember too much about joining the Jimmy Johnstone academy. My father and I always loved football and he always wanting to get me in to playing football,” recalls Abdulai.
“He must have seen or heard something and I just went to one of the sessions. They initially said I was too young because I think you had to be seven, and I was five or six, but my dad asked them to give me a chance. From there I just loved it.
“From there I had the opportunity to go to Celtic, and if you played for the club at any level you could go to all the games, and you could be a ball boy.
“I think when opportunities like that come up you just have to take it because you get to watch the best players in the world. Not a lot of people get to do it.
“I got one of the worst seats because I was one of the younger ones at the time. Everyone wants a corner flag or behind the goal but I was by the halfway line.
“But Celtic Park on Champions League nights and Old Firm days, it’s the best atmosphere you’ll ever get.
“I’ve been to Old Firm games and I can’t see anything that would top that in the world. I was 15 at the time and it was just before they stopped letting away fans in. The atmosphere in those games was incredible and I learnt a lot at Celtic.
“For me they are the biggest club in Scotland and a massive club in the world. It’s good to have those good professional standards from when you are young.
“Wherever you went, you were representing the football club and I think it teaches you a lot, not just respect on the pitch but off the pitch to people as well, and I’ve tried to keep that the whole way.”
Abdulai would be with Celtic until the age of 16 before being released by the club, leading to a period of uncertainty as he searched for a club, having trials with Brentford and AFC Wimbledon before Covid-19 lockdowns saw him return to Scotland.
Despite the anguish of facing release from the club he had spent seven years with, Abdulai's parents would not allow him to mope or feel sorry for himself. Instead, they encouraged him to show the character to continue to chase his dream.
“When I got released from Celtic I was 18 or 19 months without a club and I had to go back home when everything was in lockdown,” says Abdulai.
“I then moved down to London when the restrictions got lifted and went on trial at Wimbledon, so I was training there for a few months just before I went to Leicester. I played showcase games and training sessions with my agent to ensure I was ready if the chance came up, and obviously I was ready.
“I was truly grateful that happened and I got that chance at Leicester because I wouldn’t be here without it.
“I was sitting in London just thinking ‘time is ticking here’. I was still young, I was 16 or 17, but in my head I thought I had to do it now.
“There were a lot of doubts, I thought maybe I wasn’t cut out for it or whatever but my mum and my dad were pushing me and helping me through everything. In the end I always hoped it would work out and thankfully it did.”
While Abdulai would quickly become a regular for the Foxes under-21s, he would leave the East Midlands club at the end of his maiden campaign.
But the chance to join the Swans came up following a trial that summer, and he has gone on to make a dozen senior appearances since arriving in 2021.
And he is hungry to kick on.
“I joined when I was 18 so it’s been three years now, I am coming up to my fourth season,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed it, it’s shown me what you need to be to be a first -team footballer in the Championship.
“I think I would have played more last season if it wasn’t for my injury but hopefully this season I can because I believe in myself, I know I can do it, and hopefully I can help the team.
First football shirt: My dad played for Wimbledon back in 2001, so I had one of his shirts from that season.
First football game: One of my dad’s games.
First football club: Pencoed in Bridgend, where I grew up.
First appearance for Swansea City/or Pro appearance? FA Cup v Stevenage in 2021.
First football hero: My Dad.
First major tournament you can remember: Barcelona winning the Champions League against Manchester United in 2011.
We sat down with under-21s' defender Jack Fanning to hear the three people he'd choose to host at his dream dinner party!
Guest One: Kobe Bryant – one of the best basketball players of all time.
Guest Two: Bobby Moore – he was my idol growing up as I’m a West Ham fan, and he’d have amazing stories.
Guest Three: Tupac – He's a legend and I love his music.
Swansea City's newest recruits have taken their first steps on the academy pathway in a presentation evening held at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Players at the event will hope to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies, and Joe Allen who were all on the club’s books at under-nine level before making the journey through the ranks to first-team football. While recent debutants Sam Parker, Filip Lissah and Aimar Govea have showcased manager Luke Williams' willingness to trust in youth players.
The new recruits enjoyed a tour of the home of the Swans before posing for pictures with friends and family pitchside, while they also had the special experience of visiting the Fairwood Training Ground to see the facilities and play against their senior team counterparts.
Head of pre-academy and coach Ben Slade said: "To gain a place within the academy is a huge achievement.
"Both parents and staff are extremely proud of the individuals who have attained an under-nine place for the 2024-25 season and we are looking forward to providing a high level of support for players both on and off the pitch.
"The academy journey provides invaluable experiences for players to train and play regularly under the guidance of a fantastic coaching and multi-disciplinary team.
“We always say we sign players and their families, we’re looking forward to supporting them all on and off the pitch as they start their football journey at Swansea City.
"We hope to create lifelong memories for the individuals moving forwards.”
Swansea City Under-18s kicked off their Professional Development League season with a win over Barnsley in south Yorkshire.
Under-16s' striker Harvey Gray got the only goal of the contest, continuing his impressive form during pre-season before the Swans played out the majority of the second half with 10 men after Kiel Higginson was dismissed for a second booking.
Gray and Alex Godfrey made their first competitive starts for the upper-age group, whilst youth phase players such as Bobo Evans, Kai Rhodes, Carter Heywood and Alfie Jones also played a part in proceedings.
The hosts put on the pressure in the early stages, controlling possession, but instead the breakthrough came for the visitors.
Excellent work from Ramon Rees-Siso on the left saw him move infield to play a perfectly-timed pass through to striker Gray, whose movement inside the box enabled him to meet the through ball and finish past the onrushing keeper.
The visitors settled into the game after the goal and began to build up momentum, whilst also defending stoutly against a more mature Barnsley side.
The second half started brightly in the Swans' favour, as they created a number of good attacking positions in the final third.
However, the young Swans were dealt a blow after 10 minutes of the second period as Higginson was given his marching orders after a mis-timed tackle saw him receive a second yellow card.
That ensured a tactical reshuffle was required from coach Jarred Harvey against a physical Tykes side, and the young Swans showed great character to hold on to claim the three points and a well-deserved clean sheet.
Swansea City Under-18s: Sam Seager, Osian Williams, Billy Clarke, Milo Robinson, Brogan Popham, Kiel Higginson, Ramon Rees-Siso, Alex Godfrey, Harvey Gray, Aidan Higgins, Callum Deacon.
Substitutes: Kai Rhodes, Elis Keating, Bobo Evans, Carter Heywood, Alfie Jones.
Four second-half goals got Swansea City's Under-21s' Professional Development League campaign off to a flying start with victory over Crewe Alexandra at Landore.
Glory Nzingo netted a 15-minute hat-trick, with last term's under-18s' topscorer Thomas Woodward also getting on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Second-year scholars Jacob Cook, Iestyn Jones and Woodward were named in the starting XI. Ramon Rees-Siso, Callum Deacon, Milo Robinson and Billy Clarke - who were all involved in the under-18s' victory over Barnsley at the weekend - were named among the substitutes.
The opening stages proved even with both sides enjoying good spells of possession.
The first chance went Swansea's way when Harry Jones and Seb Dabrowski worked space in the visiting defence before finding Nzingo, whose effort was well held by Mikolia Cenarik.
Harry Jones was soon involved again. Woodward's neatly cut the ball across to the defender, who unselfishly returned the pass to tee up the 17-year-old in the box, but the final strike as straight at the keeper.
Woodward tested the Crewe defence again moments later, but the visitors got bodies around the ball to block his final effort.
The visitors lifted the pressure and appealed for a penalty following a Filip Lissah challenge in the area, but the referee quickly waved away the appeals.
Crewe keeper Cenarik was soon back in action again as he denied Liam Smith and Nzingo in quick succession, before Mitchell Bates rattled the woodwork after racing on to Cook's lofted pass.
It was somehow goalless at the break, but it was not long before the Swans broke the deadlock as Nzingo latched onto a ball down the left and drove infield to curl a fine strike into the net.
Just four minutes later and the forward would grab another goal. The Irishman was left unmarked at a Swans corner, and smashed a finish straight down the middle from inside the box.
The Swans were firmly on top, with chances coming thick and fast for Woodward and Smith. But Nzingo would soon complete his hat-trick, again cutting inside the area to beat a handful of Crewe defenders and curl the ball over Cenarik's despairing dive.
Woodward went on to round off the scoring after a scramble in the box ended with the striker prodding home.
The visitors had a decent spell after that goal, although without ever truly causing concern for Evan Watts in the Swansea goal as the hosts started the new campaign in fine style.
Swansea City Under-21s: Evan Watts, Harry Jones, Iestyn Jones, Jacob Cook, Filip Lissah, Arthur Parker, Liam Smith, Mitchell Bates (captain), Thomas Woodward, Glory Nzingo, Sebastian Dabrowski.
Substitutes: Ramon Rees-Siso, Sam Seager, Callum Deacon, Milo Robinson, Billy Clarke.
Swansea City Women have appointed Yzzy Taylor as assistant manager ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Taylor brings vast experience and knowledge of the Genero Adran Premier to the Swansea staff, having spent 11 years with Cardiff Met Women as a player and coach.
She was named manager of the season for the 2021-22 season after Met finished as runners-up in the top-flight.
In total, Taylor helped the Archers to six league titles, three Welsh Cups and three Adran Trophy triumphs.
She departed Met at the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign, bowing out by lifting the Adran Trophy courtesy of a 3-1 win over Cardiff City.
The 30-year-old is also a part of the Wales Women Under-19s’ coaching team, a role she will continue alongside her duties with the Swans.
Jamie Sherwood is relishing the opportunity to work with Taylor, with her extensive knowledge of the league being crucial.
"I am really excited to begin working with Yzzy she is an extremely talented coach," said Sherwood.
"This appointment is integral for our squad and the team that will surround the team. Her depth of knowledge of this league and the players within gives us a great insight to some of the challenges we will find this season
"I said when I joined this club that what was crucial at this point was to bring the right people to the club to help shape and develop the programme to help us regain our identity.
"In Yzzy not only do we have an excellent coach but importantly we have another right person for this group."
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. To learn more about accessible facilities at the stadium, please click here.
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.
Head Coach Luke Williams
1 Andy Fisher
2 Josh Key
3 Kristian Pedersen
4 Jay Fulton
5 Ben Cabango
6 Harry Darling
7 Joe Allen
8 Matt Grimes ©
9 Žan Vipotnik
10 Jisung Eom
11 Josh Ginnelly
14 Josh Tymon
17 Gonçalo Franco
20 Liam Cullen
21 Nathan Tjoe-A-On
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
26 Kyle Naughton
29 Nathan Broome
31 Ollie Cooper
35 Ronald
37 Aimar Govea
40 NUMBER RETIRED
41 Sam Parker
42 Evan Watts
43 Dan Watts
44 Josh Thomas
47 Azeem Abdulai
50 Filip Lissah
Manager: Mark Bonner
1 Glenn Morris
2 Remeao Hutton
3 Max Clark
4 Conor Masterson
5 Max Ehmer ©
6 Ethan Coleman
7 Jack Nolan
8 Armani Little
9 Josh Andrews
10 Jonny Williams
11 Aaron Rowe
12 Oliver Hawkins
14 Robbie McKenzie
17 Jayden Clarke
18 Marcus Wyllie
20 Elliott Nevitt
21 Euan Williams
22 Shadrach Ogie
25 Jake Turner
29 Joe Gbode
30 Sam Gale
31 Alex Giles
32 George Lapslie
34 Stanley Sipper
35 Joshua Bayliss
38 Timothee Dieng
Referee - David Rock
Assistant Referee 1 - Declan O'Shea
Assistant Referee 2 - Grant Taylor
Fourth Official - Matthew Russell
STAFF LIST
Chairman - Andy Coleman
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE
Directors
Jason Levien, Andy Coleman, Nigel Morris, Brett Cravatt, Jake Silverstein, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller (supporter director), Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Heinrich, Todd Marcelle, Gareth Davies.
Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy: Ken Gude
Associate Directors: Diane Hughes
FIRST-TEAM STAFF
Head Coach - Luke Williams
Assistant Head Coach - Ryan Harley
Assistant Head Coach – Alan Sheehan
Head of Goalkeeping – Martyn Margetson
First Team Coach Analyst - George Lawtey
First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary
Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey
Staff: Ailsa Jones, Bethany Chaddock, Matt Murray, Thomas Gittoes, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Jake Dayus, Patrick Orme, Aden King, Maxwell Cambridge, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP
Paul Watson (Sporting Director);
Andrew Davies (Head of Operations);
Gareth Davies (CFO).
CLUB STAFF
Head of Football Administration: Ben Greenwood
Head of Women's Football: Alice Weekes
Football Operations & Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Commercial: Richard Morris
Head of Marketing: Katie Doyle
Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells
Head of Hospitality: Catherine Thomas
Head of Retail: Andrea Morris
Head of Ticketing: Lewis Bullen
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Head of Facilities: Gordon David
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Head of Supporter Services: Hayley Ford
Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Jack Otter, Sophie Davis, Dom Hynes, Sammy Wynne, Fraser Dickson, Hayley Ford.
Designers: Callum Rothwell,
Jordan Morcom.
Photography: Athena Picture Agency,
Natalie John-Davis, Alamy.