Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for our Championship fixture against Ipswich Town.

I want to start my programme notes by talking about the touching tribute to Chris Brown during Tuesday’s home game against Leeds.

To see the game stop – and the entire stadium on its feet applauding – was a sight to behold and I know Chris would have absolutely loved that.

It was a fitting tribute to an incredibly kind human being, and we will never forget him here at Swansea City.

The defeat against Leeds was difficult to take for everyone connected to the club, and we now have another home fixture here to put things right.

We are in the midst of a really tough run of games against high-level opposition – arguably some of the best this division has ever seen – but I know how hard Luke, his coaching staff, and the players are working day in and day out to improve and make this a positive end to the season.

I’m also delighted to say our match-worn and match-issued shirts from the club’s designated Maggie’s Matchday at home against Plymouth Argyle have raised over £7,000 at auction.

Supporters have been bidding on the signed one-off, bespoke home shirts with the Maggie’s logo on the front since February 3, and I can’t thank everyone enough for the response to such an incredible charity that is so close to us here in Swansea.

All money raised in the auction has been donated to Maggie’s to help fund their invaluable services for another year within our community.

Friday was the deadline for season ticket holders to secure their seat for the 2024-25 campaign at our discounted early-bird rates.

Thank you to everyone who has already renewed for next season – your support never goes unnoticed and we are working hard every single day to give you a team and a club to be proud of.

The easiest way to renew your season ticket is online HERE.

Enjoy the game,

Andy

Good afternoon and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium for our Championship fixture against Ipswich Town.

It goes without saying that we want to put on a much better showing than the one we produced against Leeds United in midweek.

We were facing a tough opponent who have been enjoying an excellent season, and have the quality to hurt you.

That’s the nature of football but it does not excuse playing with the lack of intensity and aggression we showed on Tuesday night.

You have to commit completely to the gameplan and be prepared to be brave, because ultimately we don’t just want to exist in this league, we want to be competitive in it.

To do that we have to play with the required level of intensity and carry the work we do on the training field onto the pitch on a matchday.

The players are working so hard every day, and it is going to take for us to implement the things we are putting in place. We are learning every day we work together and every time we go out on the pitch.

But we also know we have to be able to deliver results when we are doing that. All the good work going in at Fairwood has to come out on the pitch during a match for longer periods.

I am confident we will do that, but I am telling the players and everyone here that we have to start playing football and thinking about the game at a higher level so we can try and compete, not just be in this division but make a fist of it.

We absolutely have to get back to work, we do not have time to sit and sulk or dwell on the game in midweek.

We have to go and work and put in a much better performance.

I also want to take a moment to say how moved I was by the tribute to Chris Brown during the 29th minute of the game against Leeds.

Chris loved this club dearly, and I hope seeing the whole stadium – including the players – stand and join in with the applause in his memory has left his friends and family in no doubt as to the affection he was held in by everyone at Swansea City.

Rest in peace, Chris.

This game is also our home fixture marking LGBTQ+ History Month.

As part of their campaign, EFL and Puma have unveiled the very first rainbow match ball which will be used here at the Swansea.com Stadium, and across all matches this weekend and next.

Additionally, for every goal scored with the rainbow ball across the three leagues, Puma will make a donation to an LGBTQ+ Fans for Diversity Fund.

It is so important that we continue to raise awareness and strive for greater inclusion and diversity in football, because this great game of ours should truly be for everyone.

Enjoy the game,

Luke

Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for our 17th home Championship match of the season.

With seven home games to go, we definitely want to improve our form on home turf. Let’s all hope with 14 games until the end of the season we can make those improvements and at least move up towards mid-table.

The midweek match against Leeds United was disappointing, but I do want to give a huge shout out to the players, officials and, of course, the fans for the very emotional tribute to Chris ‘Mr Swansea’ Brown in the 29th minute.

It was obviously not the result Chris would have wanted, but it was a fitting tribute to a true Jack. The Trust would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Chris’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

Despite Ipswich Town’s comfortable win on Wednesday night at Millwall, they arrive in mixed form with only three league wins in their last 12 games. So, whilst they are flying high in the table, this is definitely a match we should approach positively.

They have been residing in the top-four spots pretty much all season after gaining promotion from League One last May, but have scored fewer and conceded more than the other three teams – those who were relegated from the Premier League last season – who are up there with them. I am sure Luke Williams’ message to the players will be to start on the front foot and take the game to them.

Off the pitch the Trust continues to work with the club and a range of fan groups on the Matchday Experience survey results, with the first whole group meeting taking place this coming Friday on February 23.

In addition, the various Global Jacks groups will be over for the Blackburn game on St David’s Day weekend, with the Trust hosting various club and local activities. If you’d like to know more about this, the weekend plan is HERE.

Financial Fair Play (FFP) or, as it is more accurately known, Profitability & Sustainability Rules (PSR) are beginning to become the talk of various football forums these days.

The spotlight is getting brighter in this area with the consensus being that Premier League clubs are holding back in the transfer market due to PSR concerns.

It’s fair to say this is a complex topic for brief programme notes, but if anyone is interested in learning more I found an article titled by The Touchline online newsletter an informative read over the past few days.

In it they analysed how even some of the top Premier League clubs have faced difficulty adhering to the financial restrictions now imposed across all clubs throughout the English football pyramid, and suggest this was very much why the January transfer window was so quiet. Not even regular big spenders such as Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal brought in a single transfer between them. I certainly would not have called that when the latest transfer window opened.

It’s an area that now heavily impacts all clubs. It will soon be time for the club to publish its accounts for the 2022-23 trading year and, like last year’s interview we did with football finance expert Kieran Maguire available HERE, we hope to do something similar this season.

We are also regularly encouraging the club to provide supporters with more information regarding this area as we believe it’s important for everyone who follows the Swans to understand how these financial regulations affect the running of the club.

Back to on-field matters and I know one thing for certain. Luke and the players really need the Jack Army’s support over the coming games. So please be loud and proud, and help propel the boys towards a positive result.

Chris Golledge

The EFL and official match ball partners, PUMA will be marking LGBTQ+ History Month by unveiling the very first Rainbow match ball which will be used by all 72 clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two between February 16-24.

The Swans will be using the ball for this weekend’s match against Ipswich Town at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The PUMA ORBITA Rainbow Ball design includes the rainbow and progress colours, symbolising that football is for everyone and representing the league’s active support for inclusion throughout the game. 

For every goal scored with the Rainbow Ball across the three leagues, PUMA will make a donation to an LGBTQ+ Fans for Diversity Fund. The money raised will be utilised to support LGBTQ+ supporters and their projects which may include initiatives to raise awareness about inclusion in football, events promoting diversity, or providing resources for LGBTQ+ fans within the football community.  

EFL partners will also show their support for the campaign, with Sky Bet donating an allocation of PUMA ORBITA Rainbow Balls to LGBTQ+ friendly community football clubs and fans, while EA SPORTS FC 24™ players will be able to use the Rainbow Ball in gameplay from February 15.  

EFL chief executive officer, Trevor Birch said: “The EFL is proud to collaborate with PUMA on this historic first for the EFL and join with our clubs, partners, and LGBTQ+ communities to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month.  

“We want the Rainbow Ball to be a catalyst for opening conversations and raising awareness and understanding of the issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community as we work to make the game truly inclusive and representative of society.” 

Bas van den Bemt, UKI Managing Director, PUMA Group added: “PUMA and the EFL are both champions of inclusivity, and we are delighted that our new Rainbow Ball celebrates this partnership in such a visible and impactful way. 

“The Rainbow Ball is not just a piece of sports equipment; it signifies progress and aspiration and we are delighted that each goal scored with the Rainbow Ball in the EFL will raise money to support Fans for Diversity and continue to raise awareness of inclusion and promote diversity in football.”

For more information on the EFL’s equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, visit www.efl.com/inclusion

Come and meet Swansea City Disabled Supporters’ Association at our Blackburn Rovers home match.

Swansea City’s Disabled Supporters’ Association (DSA) committee is hosting a drop-in session before our upcoming home match against Blackburn on Saturday, March 2.

The DSA will be based in The Cwtch (located by main reception) between 1pm and 2pm.

You can ask questions about the work of the DSA, find out more about the accessibility facilities at the stadium, or simply pop in to say hello.

The aim of the DSA is to ensure all disabled supporters have the best possible matchday experience, and act as the link between disabled fans and the club.

They also hold monthly coffee mornings to help support DSA members and friends.

For a man once clocked at a pace that would beak the recently-introduced 20mph speed limit in Wales, it’s perhaps no surprise that Przemyslaw Placheta has rapidly made an impression following his arrival at Swansea City.

The 25-year-old Poland international joined the Swans on transfer deadline day, having spent the previous three-and-a-half years on the books at Norwich City.

It means he brings proven Championship experience to the Swansea.com Stadium, and he turned in an eye-catching display on his full debut in the victory at Hull City last weekend.

The Swans will hope his pace – he was once clocked at over 22mph during a pre-season sprinting drill - can be a real asset over the conclusion of the Championship campaign, and Placheta hopes he can build on an encouraging start.

“Yeah, it is true. I cannot remember the speed in miles per hour, but I think was around 36, 37 or 38 kilometres per hour,” he says when asked about his top speed.

“I am a winger so speed is important, but it’s not the only part of the game.

“I am quite fast and I like to dribble and play direct football. I like to use my speed to put crosses into the box for players who can score.

“I will try to do my best and to work hard on the pitch for this team, I cannot wait to try and do my best here.

“I am fast and I hope I can add this quality to the team to help Swansea win games.

“I will do my best to score goals and make assists to help the team win.

“I want to play as many games as I can and put in my best performance on the pitch. I am looking forward to the challenge.

“I was buzzing after making my first start against Hull.

“I feel there is big potential in this team. I hope I will get much, much better too. I know I can do it, but I was very happy to have made my first start for the team and to have been part of a win.

“I just want more of it, especially with the way the fans have been to me since I joined.”

Placheta’s time at Norwich and with Birmingham saw him rack up over 50 appearances in the Championship, and he was part of the Canaries side that secured promotion in 2021.

So, he knows what it takes to be a competitive proposition in the second tier.

“The Championship is a very difficult league, and everyone can beat everyone,” he said.

“If you are to be competitive and in a position to achieve something you need togetherness, you need to fight for each other.

“Every player is important and everyone has to be playing with the same aims and for the same goals.

“Everyone has to know what to do on the pitch and enjoy football – you must not forget about that – and of course you need to be ready to perform every game.”

Placheta is a compatriot of former Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski, who he has played alongside him for Poland.

The forward is aware of how popular a figure the goalkeeper was during his four years with the Swans, and hopes he can connect with the supporters in the same way.

And he’ll be calling on Fabianski for some advice about his new surroundings.

“Yes, I know Lukasz. I love him, he is a top, top guy and a person who has been at the top,” added Placheta.

“He is a very good goalkeeper and you can see how many games he has got in the Premier League.

“He is still someone I need to talk to and I can ask him some questions about Swansea and the city here, I look forward to speaking to him about this club.

“He was here for four years, he had a great time here so I need to ask him how to do the same thing here."

Kosovo international Bersant Celina was an important figure for the Swans during the 2018-19 season, scoring a memorable goal against his former club in the thrilling FA Cup quarter-final defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

Celina and his family had moved to Scandinavia during his childhood due to the Yugoslav Wars, and he started his career in Norway before joining the Citizens academy set-up.

He would graduate to make a few first-team appearances, and had loan spells with FC Twente and Ipswich Town before joining the Swans following their relegation from the top-flight.

His first Swansea goal would come against the Tractor Boys and he would end the season with four league goals and six assists.

Celina would continue to feature the following season, but struggled for consistency under Steve Cooper and would leave Swansea to join French club Dijon in the summer of 2021.

He registered five assists in 32 matches for the Ligue 1 side before rejoining Ipswich on loan in 2021. Celina made 32 appearances, scoring six goals and setting up six more for his teammates.

Further loan spells with Turkish side Kasimpasa, Stoke City and Sweden’s AIK followed, before he joined the latter full-time in the recent January window.

Celina has won 37 caps for his country, scoring two goals.

Swansea City suffered defeat against Leeds United as three first-half goals set the visitors on their way to the three points at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Jay Fulton (Joe Allen 61), Ben Cabango, Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson, Josh Tymon, Przemyslaw Placheta (Ollie Cooper 78), Liam Cullen (Jerry Yates 61), Nathan Wood, Bashir Humphreys (Kyle Naughton 78), Ronald (Charles Sagoe Jr 78).

Unused Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Charlie Patino, Mykola Kuharevich, Filip Lissah.

Leeds United: Illan Meslier, Junior Firpo, Ethan Ampadu (captain), Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville (Jaidon Anthony 73), Joe Rodon, Joel Piroe (Joe Gelhardt 87), Archie Gray (Connor Roberts 77), Georginio Rutter (Mateo Joseph 77), Wilfried Gnonto (Dan James 73), Ilia Gruev.

Unused Substitutes: Kris Klaesson, Charlie Cresswell, Liam Cooper.

Referee: David Webb

Attendance: 17,897

As statements go, the one we witnessed in the 29th minute on Tuesday evening at the Swansea.com Stadium was pretty incredible.

In decades of following the Swans, I have never seen anything quite so moving or so powerful.

The applause from Swans and Leeds fans, the break in play observed by all the players, the co-operation of the referee – all as a mark of respect for Chris Brown, one of our own.

Wherever I’ve been in the last few days I’ve heard comments about the tribute from football fans and from people who have no association with our club or the game.

The international audience watching on Sky would have been in no doubt about how much Chris meant to Swansea City, and everyone who encountered him knew how much Swansea City meant to Chris.

Someone on X/Twitter shared the ‘day in the life of’ package the BBC did about Chris in October 2022, which showed the difficulties Chris encountered with his health and also from a minority who thought it permissible to treat him with anything other than the utmost respect.  

Ex-Swans youth player Richard Cleverley explained how his friendship with Chris developed when Chris needed someone to accompany him to matches.

It was clear from the piece that Chris had a strong group of friends around him who helped ensure he got to see his beloved Swans, home and away.

Comedian Simon Emanuel explained the depth of Chris’ connection with the club and the positive impact being part of it had on him.

“Everyone who has anything to do with the Swans knows who he is. You can’t walk down the street without someone knowing him. He’s just a brilliant guy,” he said.

“All football matches should be accessible because I can see from Chris the positivity it has added to his life.

“He’s now got an extra family that looks after him and cares for him with the positivity that’s added to his life.  I would hate to live in a world where he couldn’t access that.”

There is solace in knowing that being a part of the Jack Army made the challenges of Chris’ life more bearable and the tributes that have followed the news of his death have seen something that is rare in football – fans from different clubs come together to share memories and respectful tributes. We all know, sadly, that doesn’t happen often in football.

And that’s our challenge as fans of this club and friends and associates of Chris, to build on the awareness and accessibility legacy he helped to create.

There is no doubt that this club does sterling work in this regard, not least through the fantastic Disabled Supporters’ Association.

The football community has such a significant role to play in ensuring that everyone has a chance to be a part of the sport we love.

Chris told the BBC people would say to him: “You’re Chris Brown, aren’t you? You’re famous, aren’t you?” and he would reply: “Yes I am”.

And he always will be. RIP ‘Chris SwanseaCity’.

Roedd wastod gwen ar ei wyneb, mor egnïol ac yn codi’r mood yn yr ystafell pan oedd e’n cerdded i mewn.

Doeddwn i ddim yn nabod Chris yn bersonol, ond wrth ddarllen y llu o deyrngedau ar-lein mae’n amlwg ei fod yn gymeriad hoffus, cariadus a chyfeillgar.

Ac roedd yr Elyrch yn ganolbwynt i’w fywyd, roeddech chi’n gallu dibynnu arno i fod yng nghanol y dorf yn cefnogi’r bois, dim ots beth oedd y sgôr.

Ers i’r newyddion trist am ei farwolaeth cael ei rannu, mae’r teyrngedau nid yn unig gan gefnogwyr, ond y chwaraewyr hefyd, yn gwneud i unrhyw un deimlo’n emosiynol.

Munud o gymeradwyaeth yn y Swansea.com nos Fawrth i gofio am ei fywyd, wedi ei wneud hyd yn oed yn fwy trawiadol wrth i chwaraewyr Abertawe a Leeds stopio chwarae ac ymuno i gofio Chris.

Ac oddi ar y cae mae’r chwaraewyr wedi cyfrannu er mwyn helpu talu costau ei angladd, rhywbeth sydd yn dynodi’r Swansea way, fi’n credu.

Roedd Chris yn byw a bod yr Elyrch, roedd yn ffigwr roedd pob un cefnogwr yn ei adnabod a bydd ei bresenoldeb yn y stands byth yn gallu cael ei ddisodli.

Fe fyddai’n dweud wrthoch chi pwy oedd wedi arwyddo i’r clwb, pwy oedd yn chwarae ar ddiwrnod y gêm a llawer llawer mwy.

Roedd ei ymddangosiad ar dudalennau cyfryngau cymdeithasol BBC Sport Wales yn ei wneud yn gymeriad hoffus tu hwnt i gefnogwyr Abertawe, ac mae’n hawdd gweld pam.

Bydd Stadiwm y Swansea.com yn lle tra gwahanol nawr bod Chris ddim yno, ond fi’n siŵr ei fod yn gwylio o’r nefoedd ac yn cefnogi’r bois ar y cae.

Mae Abertawe’n galaru am gymeriad hoffus, angerddol a chyfeillgar.

ALED BISTON

Swansea City will be supporting ‘Unite for Access’ at Saturday’s match against Ipswich Town.

‘Unite for Access’ is a campaign from Level Playing Fields which uses two weeks of the sporting calendar to raise awareness and drive equality to create a more inclusive matchday for disabled sports fans.

For 2024, the Swans have joined with Swansea City Disabled Supporters’ Association (DSA) to help shine a spotlight on the support offered by the fan group, and the facilities already at the stadium which can help break down barriers to attending games.

Click here to find out more.

Swansea City Women players Robyn Pinder and Sophie Brisland-Hancocks surprised participants at a packed Swansea City AFC Foundation girls' soccer camp at Penyrheol Leisure Centre.

Some 100 girls signed up to Monday’s half-term session, making it the Foundation’s biggest paid girls only soccer camp.

To top the day off, those in attendance had Swans Women duo Pinder and Brisland-Hancocks on hand to take part in a signing session, as well as handing out certificates to the young participants.

“To see so many girls turn up and have fun, playing with their friends and making new ones, it’s really good to see," said Katy Hosford, Swansea City Women captain, and sports and education coordinator at the Foundation.

“When I was younger I didn’t get these sort of opportunities. I think for this camp to be sold out, with 100 girls in attendance, is absolutely amazing.

“Events like this can have a massive impact. Not all the girls here are currently playing for a team, so this gives them an opportunity to get a feel for playing football.

"All in all it’s great for them to have something like these soccer camps, and it shows how far the female game has come.”

Swans Women’s midfielder Brisland-Hancocks added: “It’s been absolutely amazing seeing all the girls playing.

“This is certainly something I didn’t have at their age, and to say you have 100 girls wanting to play football is absolutely fantastic and shows where women’s football is going in Wales.

“It’s crucial for their development as football players as well, should they want to continue to play and hopefully play for the Swans one day.

“The growth of the women’s game shows how far we’ve come, but also how far we can go as well.”

This season marks the 30th anniversary of Swansea City’s first trip to Wembley for the Autoglass Trophy final in 1994. To mark it, our club historian Gwyn Rees takes us back through the story of that campaign and some of the key figures involved. Here, he profiles striker Steve Torpey.

Big, tall and fearless, Steve Torpey was a London-born boy who, after leaving school, joined his local club Millwall from a traineeship in February 1989.

Just six months later the player made his Football League debut for the Lions against Wimbledon, but only featured seven more times that season.

A year later and he made the move to Yorkshire with Bradford City in an £80,000 transfer that saw him team up with former Swan Sean McCarthy in the Bantams attack.

Torpey’s three seasons at the club saw him score steadily if not spectacularly but, when Swansea boss Frank Burrows came in with another £80,000 fee, he was more than ready to make the move to south Wales ahead of the 1993-94 season.

An old-fashioned target man, Steve was great at receiving the ball with his back to goal, and holding the ball up to bring supporting midfield runners into play.

He opened his Swans account in a League Cup tie at the Vetch Field against Premier League side Oldham Athletic, and his first league goal came in November in the 1-1 draw at home to Leyton Orient.

He would finish the season with nine league goals, and 13 in all competitions, and would score one of the goals in a 2-0 win away at Orient that saw the club progress into the Southern Area final of the Autoglass Trophy competition.

Swansea would go on to advance to the final at Wembley but, when the big day arrived, manager Burrows made the big decision to leave Torpey on the bench, preferring Andy McFarlane in his place.

The decision by the manager was vindicated when McFarlane scored the opening goal early in the game.

But Torpey did come on for the second half and extra-time, with the game ending 1-1, and he held his nerve to score one of Swansea’s penalties in a 3-1 shootout win.

Torpey would go on to be the club’s top goalscorer over the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons, but trouble was brewing at the Vetch.

The club was sold to businessman Michael Thompson, who appointed Cradley Town youth-team coach Kevin Cullis the club’s manager. Cullis’ tenure would only last six days and proved an embarrassment to the club.

Jan Molby replace him as player-manager but it was too late to save the club from relegation back to the fourth tier.

Torpey continued to be a reliable source of goals and played his part in helping Swansea reach the 1997 Third Division play-off final against Northampton.

But the return to Wembley would not be as happy as that first visit as a retaken John Frain free-kick in stoppage time saw Northampton Town secure promotion.

It would prove Torpey’s last appearance as a Swan as – with the club about to change hands once more – he made the switch to Bristol City for a £400,000 fee.

He spent two seasons at Ashton Gate – during the first of which the Robins were promoted from the Second Division, but he was then loaned out to Notts County in August 1998, before a full-time move to Scunthorpe United followed in 2000.

It was at Glanford Park that Torpey found the sort of goalscoring consistency that had been absent in occasions during the earlier part of his career.

He would reach double figures in each of his first five seasons as he amassed over 250 appearances.

However, he was given a free transfer in the summer of 2007, joining League Two Lincoln City, where he played before being loaned out to Farsley Celtic.

Torpey finished his career with spells at North Ferriby United and York City, moving into coaching in the youth set-up at the latter.

He went on to become assistant manager and had a spell in caretaker charge in 2013.

Torpey left the club in March 2018, and went to become a coach educator with the Professional Footballers’ Association.

A couple of decades ago, respected Welsh journalist Mario Risoli published a brilliant book called ‘When Pele Broke Our Hearts’.

It was the story of Wales’ journey to the quarter-finals of the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

The progress of the Welsh squad – which featured a core of Swansea-born players – was brought to abrupt halt by a brilliant Brazil side and its emerging teenage superstar.

The 17-year-old Pele scored the only goal of the match – his first World Cup strike - to send Wales home and give Risoli a ready-made title for his book.

Brazil went on to win the tournament, brushing aside France 5-2 in the semi-finals and Sweden by the same score in the final.

Pele himself scored five more goals in the final two matches to add to the one he claimed against Wales.

Imagine if Wales, who were without their own talisman John Charles due to injury, had won that quarter-final match and gone on to win the World Cup.

It’s not such a stretch of imagination given the comprehensive scorelines Brazil managed to notch up against France and Sweden.

And what about the part Swansea would have played in that victory?

West Ham claimed to have won the 1966 World Cup single-handedly because they supplied both England’s goalscorers in the final and the Three Lions’ tournament captain.

What could Swansea’s claim have been with so many players from the then town in the squad?

Alice Steet in Cwmdu alone provided John Charles and brother Mel, who was named as the best centre-half in the tournament.

Then there were the likes of Jack Kelsey, Terry Medwin, Cliff Jones and Ivor Allchurch, who chipped in with one of the best volleyed goals seen at a World Cup finals tournament.

So, Pele did indeed break Welsh hearts and with so many Swansea-born players in the squad the disappointment was felt particularly keenly in this part of south Wales.

Despite the disappointment felt all those years ago, I don’t think anyone has ever held a grudge against Brazil.

If you’re going to get knocked out of the World Cup, who better to do it against than the nation that went on to become the most successful in the competition’s history?

In the intervening years I have come to love Brazilian football. There is always that extra little bit of extra excitement at seeing those yellow shirts and blue shorts being worn at a World Cup.

Perhaps they have never quite recaptured the magic of those Pele-inspired teams of the past – despite adding further World Cup wins.

But I for one have loved watching them since, especially the 1982 team of Eder, Falcao, Zico, Socrates, Oscar, Junior et al, who were surely the best outfit never to win the competition.

Then there are the individuals like Romario, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar, who may not quite have challenged for Pele’s crown, but provided us with so much joy over the years.

And now, the Swans have their very own Brazilian in the shape of Ronald.

I don’t want to put too much pressure on the 22-year-old from Corumbá, but he could certainly go a long way to healing some of those Brazil-inflicted wounds of ‘58!

I have to admit, just the fact that the Swans had signed their first-ever Brazilian had me regressing back to my early teens.

Along with so many of my friends I had wheeled away after scoring a school yard goal screaming “Ziiiiiiiiiiccccooooooooooo!” in the style of an excited Brazilian commentator.

Don’t worry, I was just as likely to shout “Curtis!” when I bisected the jumpers for goalpost, but that was always announced in David Coleman’s clipped BBC style, usually followed by “1-0”.

So, as soon as I heard we were lining up a Brazilian signing, I was starting to get excited – even before I knew who he was or where he was coming from!

And the youngster instantly endeared himself to me further by announcing he was joining the Swans in a social media post written in English, Portuguese . . . and Welsh!

I don’t know whether that was off his own bat or at the suggestion of a switched-on social media advisor – I care not a jot.

The fact that he did it earned instant brownie points for the Brazilian from me - long before he kicked a ball in anger wearing the white shirt.

What more could we want? Our first-ever Brazilian signing and he announces his arrival in Welsh!

Diolch, Ronald. If you bring even a glimmer of Brazilian magic to the Swansea.com Stadium in the middle of a long and particularly gloomy Welsh winter, I will be eternally grateful to you.

I am sure head coach Luke Williams will have taken Ronald to one side and reminded him of his defensive responsibilities.

And far be it from me to go against the wishes of the gaffer, but if I had the chance to whisper a few instructions in Ronald’s shell-like, they would most likely be along the lines of “go out there and run at ‘em, son”!

But that’s probably why I’m a football fan who’s never been trusted with so much as organising the kit for a Wednesday night five-a-side kickabout, let alone managing a professional football club!

Of course, exciting skills aren’t exclusive to Brazilians. The Swans have benefitted from thrilling talents from all over the globe – as well as a little closer to home.

The aforementioned Curtis and a certain scouser who used to play the game wearing a pair of Magic Daps spring to mind, along with a number of other hugely-talented players.

And then there are those Swansea-born boys of the 1950s who were thwarted by an uncharacteristically ungainly swing of Pele’s boot.

But if Ronald brings some samba sorcery to a Swans shirt, then we will be delighted to celebrate a Brazilian who has raised our hearts instead of breaking them.

Talking of raising hearts, well done to all involved in the minute’s applause in memory of Chris Brown in the 29th minute of the Leeds match on Tuesday night. In desperately sad circumstances it was a fitting tribute, which we can only hope brought some comfort to Chris’ family and friends. Seeing fans, players and staff from both clubs joining in was a hugely moving moment that I’m sure Chris himself would have loved.

C’mon you Swans!

Maliq Cadogan's stoppage-time winner completed Swansea City Under-21s’ comeback to beat Professional Development League South leaders AFC Bournemouth in a thriller at Landore Training Ground.

On a dramatic night, the hosts had opened the scoring with Cadogan netting his third goal of the season, the forward calmly sending a low-shot into the bottom corner.

But the Cherries would hit back either side of the break to lead thanks to a curling strike from Balraj Landa and a close-range finish from Max Kinsey.

Substitute Glory Nzingo levelled matters inside the final six minutes to set up a tense finale.

Then, with one minute remaining in stoppage time, Cadogan got his second of the night to snatch the three points and send the Swans up to second in the PDL South.

The hosts had Archie Matthews starting between the sticks, whilst Remy Mitchell returned to the bench.

Both sides had shown real energy and intent from the off, with plenty of purpose in their opening attacks.

The visitors had the first real chance of the evening as Charlie Osborne steered a curling effort straight into the hands of goalkeeper Matthews. 

The Swans responded, with Liam Smith causing problems down the right but unable to pick out another white shirt with his deliveries into the area. 

The Swans then suffered a blow in the 18th minute when Dan Watts was forced off due to injury. The introduction of Thomas Searle in his place marked the youngster’s first appearance for development side.

But it did not disrupt Swansea too much, and Josh Carey showed some clever skill in the middle to pinch possession and send a low shot just wide of the post.

Down the other end, Jonny Stuttle forced a great point-blank save from Matthews after smashing the ball straight at the keeper from just six yards.

The hosts made the most of the keeper’s work to take the lead just before the half-hour mark; Cadogan raced through one-on-one before calmly slotting home into the bottom corner.

The Swans were firmly on top and Cadogan went agonisingly close to a second as he steered an effort just wide.

However, the visitors would draw level with the last kick of the first half. Landa curling the ball into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Bournemouth started the second period on the front foot, and made it count by taking the lead. Skipper Kinsey smashed the ball into the net after Stuttle’s purposeful run had drawn Matthews off his line.

Back came the Swans as Richard Faakye sent a powerful header wide after a great corner delivery from Joel Cotterill.

Cameron Congreve and Smith both forced the Cherries into scrambled clearances following efforts from long range as the hosts continued to press for an equaliser.

And their hard work paid off when substitute Nzingo drew the scoreline level within minutes of his introduction.

Moments later, it had looked like the hosts had a third when Faakye found the net, but the assistant had raised the offside flag.

However, they would snatch all three points in stoppage time as Cadogan drove on to flash an unstoppable drive into the bottom of the net to complete the comeback and secure victory.

Swansea City Under-21s: Archie Matthews, Dan Watts (Thomas Searle 18), Josh Carey, Joel Cotterill (captain), Kian Jenkins, Richard Faakye, Mitchell Bates (Glory Nzingo 75), Charlie Veevers (Ben Lloyd 45), Maliq Cadogan, Cameron Congreve, Liam Smith. 

Unused Substitutes: Remy Mitchell, Jack Fanning.

Name
Ruben Davies

DOB
02/05/2004

Position
Striker

Left Footed / Right Footed
Right

Nationality (according to UEFA)
Welsh

Signed for the Swans
2017

Previous clubs
Cowbridge, Cardiff and Vale Schoolboys.

What is your best memory in a Swans shirt?
Scoring four in the first half of a game last season!

What is your favourite thing about Swansea?
The beaches and having so much stuff to do on your doorstep.

Who is your football idol?
Michu

What is your favourite film?
The Imitation Game

Who is your favourite music artist?
Lil Baby

What is your cheat meal
Burger and chips

What subject were you best at in school?
P.E. but I enjoyed history too.

Football bucket list
Play for Swansea and Wales, I’d love to play at a major tournament.

A stadium you’d love to visit (as player or fan)
Anfield or the Bernabeu.

Your first football memory
Kicking the ball around in the back garden after having some goalposts for Christmas. I think I was five or six years old.

First football shirt you owned
A Swansea shirt, one of my father’s old ones!

Other football positions you have played
I played centre-midfield and wing for my local teams growing up.

Any other sports
I played rugby a lot. I played tennis and I still do during the off-season.

Preferred shirt number
Nine

Your roommate for away games
Kian Jenkins. I’ve known him a long time outside of football. He’s a friend as well as a teammate.

Favourite computer game
Call of Duty

Aim for the season?
Try and make a senior debut, and to play as much as I can for the under-21s.

Who is the most famous person you’ve met?
Ryan Giggs

An interesting fact about you
My grandfather Terry Davies played rugby for Wales and the Lions. He was my idol growing up.

Sophie Brisland-Hancocks believes Swansea City Women’s resilience can prove crucial over the second phase of the Genero Adran Premier season after their 2-0 south Wales derby win over Cardiff City Women saw them close the gap at the top of the table to five points.

The result ended the Bluebirds 35-match unbeaten run in the league, with Chloe Chivers opening the scoring with a 35-yard thunderbolt, before captain doubled the lead in the final 10 minutes as she converted from an Emily Thomas cross.

It was the ideal way for the Swans to close phase one of the league campaign, and defender Brisland-Hancocks was delighted her side got their rewards for a fine performance.

“We took a lot of confidence from the first half, we knew we had played well but during the second half we knew we needed to step up a gear because they were going to come out quickly,” she said.

“But the fact that we matched it and were even better in the second half is really encouraging moving forward.

“They are a good team, we knew that we had to perform at our best to get the three points, which is exactly what we did.

“We respect them, but we proved what we can do in terms of our football ability and our scoring ability.

“We showed true grit and resilience which is something we pride ourselves on as a team and we dug deep and got the result from it.

“It's a huge win for us, it sets us up nicely for phase two, we have a week off now, but we have two semi-finals back-to-back and we just want to keep the momentum going.

“I have a lot of confidence in us as a group, including the staff, we will have to keep level-headed, but we will try to use the confidence to push on through phase two.”

FIXTURES FOR PHASE TWO OF SWANSEA CITY'S GENERO ADRAN PREMIER CAMPAIGN

Wrexham AFC (H) Sunday, March 10 (2pm)

Aberystwyth Town (H) Sunday, March 17 (2pm)

Wrexham AFC (A) Sunday, March 24 (2pm)

Cardiff City (A) Wednesday, March 27 (7.45pm)

Cardiff City (H) Sunday, March 31 (2pm)

Aberystwyth Town (A) Sunday, April 7 (2pm)

* Please note all fixtures are subject to change.

Date of birth

09/10/06 

Nationality

Welsh

What position do you play?

Goalkeeper

Which is your preferred foot?

Left

Which clubs did you play for before joining Swansea City?

Neyland, West Wales, Pembrokeshire Schools, Haverfordwest County.

When did you sign for the Swans?

2022

What is your best moment in a Swansea City shirt?

Being called up for the senior team and keeping a clean sheet!

Who is your football idol?

Manuel Neuer

What is the first position you played in football?

Centre-back

What is your first memory of football?

I can remember my dad telling me to use my right foot, but I didn’t listen and used my left. I scored a banger and he didn't say anything after that! 

What is the first football shirt you owned?

Swans Away 2013-14 Kit.

Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?

I have to listen to music when I’m getting ready.

Who is the most famous person you've met?

Probably Joe Allen! I was serving his family at a restaurant.

What is something that is on your bucket list?

To jump out of a plane.

What is your favourite film?

Ice Age

Who is your favourite music artist?

Dean Lewis

What is the best TV series you've watched?

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

What was your favourite subject in school?

P.E.

Swansea City 4 - 1 Ipswich Town
Championship - April 25, 2011

Swansea City secured their place in the Championship play-offs with an emphatic victory over the Tractor Boys at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Fabio Borini netted a brace for the home side to continue his impressive form since his loan arrival from Chelsea, including a ninth-minute opener.

Luke Moore doubled the home side’s lead five minutes later, only for Colin Healy to pull a goal back for the visitors.

But Borini got Swansea’s third on the half-hour, with Scott Sinclair scoring the fourth from the penalty spot after the break.

Shwmae Pawb!

Welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium, Junior Jacks!

It’s the Swans v the Tractor Boys this afternoon and so we’ve created a quiz which tests your knowledge of club’s nicknames!

How many do you know?

Our prediction for today’s match is a 1-0 win to the Swans and we think Liam Cullen will score the goal.

What do you think the score will be?

We hope to see lots of you at today’s match and we’ll be in the family zone for a dance competition before kick-off.

Uppa Swans!
Cyril and Cybil

Age:
11
 
What is your favourite memory of watching the Swans?
Every time we win!
 
Who is your favourite Swans player and why?
I like all of them. My photo is of me and Stacey John-Davis.
 
What do you like most about supporting Swansea City?
I'm from Swansea. It’s my local team.
 
Why did you start supporting Swansea City?
I love football!
 
Do you play football?
Yes, I’m a striker.
 
Do you play any other sports?
I do. I also play basketball!
 
What is an interesting fact about you?
I’ve been to trials for the schoolgirls team twice.
 
What is your favourite subject in school and why?
P.E! It’s the only subject that lets me play football.

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 Hernreich, Todd Marcelle, Gareth Davies.

Chief of Staff and Head of Strategy: Ken Gude

Associate Directors: Adam Lewis.

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, Shaun Howl, Jonathan Jones, Jono Aveston, Jake Dayus, Patrick Orme, Lewis Binns, Chris Watkins.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT GROUP

Paul Watson (Sporting Director); Andrew Davies (Head of Commercial, Operations, & Facilities);
Gareth Davies (CFO).

CLUB STAFF

Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood

Football Operations &
Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg

Head of Commercial: Richard Morris

Head of Marketing: Katie Doyle

Head of Partnerships: Lee Merrells

Head of Hospitality, Events and Fan Engagement: Catherine Thomas

Head of Retail: Andrea Morris

Ticket Office Manager: Lewis Bullen

Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer

HR Manager: Nicola Butt

Head of Media & Communications:
Ben Donovan

Head of Facilities: Gordon David

Grounds Manager: Evan Davies

Disability Access Officer: Catherine Thomas

Head of Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France

Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle

PROGRAMME PRODUCTION

Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Hayley Ford, Sophie Davis, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Dom Hynes, Sammy Wynne, Fraser Dickson, Ben Donovan, Aled Biston, Julie Kissick, Owen Morgan, Gwyn Rees, James Dow.

Designers: Callum Rothwell,
Jordan Morcom, Lewis Ward
Photography: Athena Picture Agency,
Natalie John-Davis, Alamy.