CHIEF EXECUTIVE - Julian Winter

HONORARY CLUB PRESIDENT - Alan Curtis

DIRECTORS

Jason Levien, Julian Winter, Jake Silverstein, Sam Porter, Huw Jenkins, Martin Morgan, Terry Sinnett (supporter director), Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Gareth Davies.

Director of Business and Legal Affairs: Sam Porter

Associate Directors: David Morgan and Sian Davies

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FIRST-TEAM STAFF

Head Coach – Russell Martin

Assistant Head Coach - Matt Gill

Goalkeeping Coach – Dean Thornton

Head of Physical Performance – Matt Willmott

First Team Performance Analyst - Ben Parker

Set Piece Coach - Andy Parslow

First Team Coach - Kris O'Leary

Head of Performance – Tom Barnden

Head of Rehabilitation – Rhys Owen

Head of Medical - Dr Jez McCluskey

Staff: Ailsa Jones, Bethany Chaddock, Matt Murray, Daniel Morris, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Steffan Popham, Connor Lawley, Daniel Nisbet.

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Senior Management Group
Andrew Davies (Head of Operations, Facilities & Development);
Gareth Davies (CFO);
James Chiffi (Head of Wellbeing & Development); Josh Marsh (Head of Football Operations).

Club Staff
Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood
Football Operations &
Administration Manager: Rebecca Gigg
Head of Retail: Andrea Morris
Head of Hospitality & Customer Services: Catherine Thomas
Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer
HR Manager: Nicola Butt
Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager:  Lee Merrells
Head of Marketing:
Katie Hughes
Head of Media & Communications:
Ben Donovan
Ticket Office Manager: Lewis Bullen
Operations & Events Manager:
Matthew Daniel
Facilities Manager: Gordon David
Grounds Manager: Evan Davies
Disability Access Officer: Catherine Thomas
Swansea City AFC Foundation Manager: Helen Elton
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle

__________

Programme Production
Contributors: Ben Donovan, Andrew Gwilym, Sophie Davis, Hayley Ford, Fraser Dickson, Richard Bond, Dom Hynes, Julie Kissick, Owain Llyr, Gwyn Rees.

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

Good afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for today’s game against Luton Town.

This is our second home game in the space of five days following Tuesday’s draw against Millwall.

Despite the way the game ended, I thought we played some excellent football throughout the game, played with high energy and created plenty of chances.

We scored two brilliant goals and could have had a couple more on another day.

I thought the atmosphere was brilliant, too. The way the supporters got behind Russell, his staff and the players was really positive and hopefully that continues here this afternoon.

The nature of the Championship schedule means there’s not too much time to dwell on the last result and we will be looking to end this week on a high following the games against Blackpool and Millwall.

Swansea City Ladies were also in action this week as they faced AC PAOK in UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying.

Unfortunately, a 2-0 defeat in Greece saw their European campaign come to an end, however we are all really looking forward to hosting their maiden game at the Swansea.com Stadium against Cardiff Met on Sunday, September 4 (5.45pm).

The game will be shown live on S4C, online on S4C Clic and also on Sgorio's Facebook and YouTube pages, with ticket details being announced in due course.

Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the directors, management, players, staff and from Luton who have made the trip to Wales for today’s game.

Enjoy the game.

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

We head into the second part of this home double header frustrated we did not take all three points from Tuesday’s game against Millwall.

For 92 minutes we produced a really good performance. We showed real energy, intensity and connection in our play.

We knew there were improvements we had to make following our performance against Blackburn, and for the vast majority of Tuesday’s game we showed those improvements.

We should really have led by more than the two goals we scored, as is shown by the fact we had nine shots on target from 17 efforts on goal.

Millwall mustered just one effort on target, but we know that it is inexcusable to relinquish a two-goal lead like that in stoppage time of a game where we have been the better side.

Myself and my coaching staff take responsibility for that because we are ultimately responsible for the team’s mentality.

We simply have to be better in those situations, we are not far away from being a really good side who can impact this division, but we need to deal with those moments of difficulty a lot better and I’m confident we will.

We now face a Luton side who show the benefits of being given time to build an identity and way of playing over a number of years.

Nathan Jones and his staff have done an excellent job in helping develop an identity that is effective and runs throughout the club.

They did superbly well to get into the play-offs last term and I am sure they have similar aspirations this season.

We extend to them a warm welcome, but we are determined to learn the lessons from Tuesday and produce a performance that yields another positive result after taking four points from our last two games.

Good afternoon and welcome to everyone joining us from around the world for this afternoon’s Championship fixture against Luton Town at the Swansea.com Stadium.

We were pleased with so much of Tuesday evening’s performance and put a lot of things right that we hadn’t got right against Blackburn, but we have to do better than we did in the last few minutes.

When you reflect back on the game overall, there were a lot of positives to take and things we can build on and learn from going forward.

We limited Millwall for large parts of the game, defending our box well and making some vital blocks meaning they’d only had one shot on target before the two own goals. It wasn’t a fair result or a reflection of the majority of the match but we need to work together to find a solution as we did following the Blackburn defeat.

We were all devastated after the game and disappointed not to back up the Blackpool victory with another three points but the important thing now is how we react.

The performance for the majority of the game shows how much of a better place we’re in compared to this time last season and it stands us in good stead.

We were gutted for Joel Latibeaudiere who dislocated his shoulder during the match and I’m sure you will all join us in wishing him a speedy recovery. He’s a great lad, brilliant professional and he’ll be a massive loss to us while he’s out.

This afternoon’s game will be a tough game, as every game against Luton is. Our two games against them last season were tough and we’ll be expecting a similar challenge.

They have a very different way of playing to us, yet it’s a playing style that is distinctive and has been built over a number of years.

As always, we’ll focus on what we control and our philosophy rather than adjusting to the opposition and will ensure we give our all and put in a good performance.

Enjoy the game today!

Well, what a rollercoaster week it’s been. On Saturday a late goal brought home three points, but just three days later two late goals stole two points from us. It’s clear that our young team still has a lot to learn when it comes to game management, but we can’t deny that progress has been good since our disappointing outing against Blackburn Rovers. There are many positives to take from the last seven days, including the return of Joe Allen – he will undoubtedly bring class and experience to our midfield.

Off the field, there have been some changes within the Trust. I was delighted to be co-opted back onto the Trust Board and am happy to be joined by some new faces this year as we move forward with development across key areas including membership, finance, operations, and community development.

Late last season we introduced and piloted our new membership database – over the past few years, I have been collecting feedback on what our members and the Trust Board would like the system to do, including providing an option for auto-renewal, the ability to create umbrella accounts for members and dependents, and an easier way to manage our communications. I’m glad to say, despite a few small hiccups, our new system is working and it’s great to see a lot of members have already renewed online. We will continue to make amendments over the coming weeks, but I’m hopeful that this system puts the Trust on a better long-term footing.

Another of my late-season acts was to attend the Football Supporters Association (FSA) Annual General Meeting; as a London resident it was a short walk from my flat, and I had the chance to meet and talk with Trust and Supporter Group representatives from across the leagues. I wrote about the experience for members previously, but one thing stuck out to me amongst all the rest. It’s clear from many of my conversations that the Swans Trust is the envy of many of our counterparts, with our protected stake in the club and permanently provisioned director access being highlighted as so important.  We have tried to use our influence for good this season already, helping to solve several supporter issues directly, working with the club on ticket price initiatives, and identifying strategic focus areas with the club to deliver positive outcomes for all fans.

It’s a great time to be a member of the Swans Trust and takes just a few minutes to sign up online. Members from last season should have recently received their packs and raffle tickets, and you can join online or drop off your forms at the POD on Saturday or any home matchday. Our raffle is open to all members, and we have some excellent prizes on offer; we’re very grateful to the people and organizations that have helped source and donate prizes this year. Stop by the POD to pick up your book. We look forward to you joining us this season.

Wherever you’re watching from today, enjoy the game. #yjb

Adam

Academy players Corey Hurford and Josh Thomas joined Swansea City AFC Foundation for their Welsh language soccer camp in Gowerton.

In partnership with Menter Iaith Abertawe, the foundation hosted a soccer camp that encouraged the use of the Welsh language throughout the session for both participants and coaches.

Hurford and Thomas, who are Welsh speakers, joined the foundation to help celebrate the event, answering questions from participants before handing out certificates and prizes.

"It was so good to go out and be part of the soccer camps and see so many young people playing football," said Thomas.

"It was a good opportunity to give something back to our young supporters. It was also encouraging to see so many people speaking the Welsh language.

"Hopefully we can do our bit to help more people speak the language and help the use of Welsh to grow."

The foundation are running Soccer Camps throughout the summer holidays, with limited spaces still available

Golygydd golwg360 sy'n edrych ymlaen at y gêm rhwng Abertawe a Luton.

Roedd y gêm yn erbyn Millwall nos Fawrth (Awst 16) yn achlysur emosiynol, yn dilyn marwolaeth annhymig Lenny Johnrose yn 52 oed. Caiff ei gofio fel sgoriwr un o’r pedair gôl bwysicaf yn hanes y clwb, wedi iddo rwydo yn y fuddugoliaeth enfawr o 4-2 dros Hull i aros yn y Gynghrair Bêl-droed ddiwedd tymor 2002-03. Bydd y golygfeydd wrth iddo gael ei gyflwyno i'r dorf cyn y gêm yn erbyn Sheffield United yn 2019, ar ôl cael diagnosis o glefyd niwronau motor, yn aros yn hir yn y cof.

Ar ôl dechrau'n gadarn yn erbyn Millwall nos Fawrth, gyda Ryan Manning a Michael Obafemi yn rhwydo o fewn deuddeg munud, dylai'r Elyrch fod wedi ennill eu hail gêm yn olynol. Ond unwaith eto, fe wnaeth y ddwy gôl hwyr i Millwall, ar ôl 93 a 95 munud, frifo'r Elyrch. Daeth yr halen ar y briw wedyn fod Joel Latibeaudiere yn disgwyl cyfnod hir ar y cyrion wedi datgymalu ei ysgwydd. Gwellhad buan iddo fe.

Ymlaen at Luton heddiw, ac fe fydd yr Elyrch yn awyddus i dalu'r pwyth yn ôl am y golled yn erbyn tîm y Cymro Nathan Jones fis Chwefror eleni. Gôl Harry Cornick seliodd y fuddugoliaeth o 1-0 i'r ymwelwyr yng ngêm gynta'r golwr Andy Fisher.

Chwe mis yn ddiweddarach, dechreuad digon anghyson gafodd tîm Russell Martin hyd yma. Ond byddai’r fuddugoliaeth yn Blackpool, diolch i gôl gynta'r tymor i Olivier Ntcham, wedi rhoi tipyn o hyder iddyn nhw wrth ennill triphwynt gwerthfawr oddi cartref. Dod o hyd i bwyntiau yma yn Stadiwm Swansea.com fydd yr allwedd unwaith eto eleni, serch hynny.

Mae yna wyneb cyfarwydd i ni’r Cymry yn rhengoedd Luton y tymor hwn. Daeth cap rhyngwladol diwetha’ Tom Lockyer yn y gêm gyfartal ddi-sgôr yn erbyn y Ffindir y llynedd, ac mae amser yn rhedeg allan i'r amddiffynnwr canol wthio am le yng Nghwpan y Byd. Fe leisiodd ei rwystredigaeth yn ddiweddar nad yw e yn nhîm Luton y tymor hwn, ac mae’n debyg y byddai angen gwyrthiau erbyn hyn i wireddu’r freuddwyd o fod ar yr awyren i Qatar ymhen tri mis.

Un sydd bron yn sicr o’i le os bydd e’n llwyddo i gadw’n ffit yw Joe Allen. Daeth y foment fawr ganol yr wythnos ddiwethaf yng Nghwpan Carabao yn erbyn Oxford United – wrth iddo wisgo'r crys gwyn eto 3,741 o ddiwrnodau ar ôl gadael am Lerpwl. Mae’n deg dweud bod y cyfnod diwetha’ wedi bod yn un anodd i Allen yn sgil yr anaf i linyn y gâr. Ond bydd y cyfnod hwn sydd i ddod cyn y seibiant ganol y tymor ar gyfer Cwpan y Byd yn un allweddol i'r Cymro Cymraeg gael profi ei ffitrwydd mewn da bryd ar gyfer y gêm gyntaf yn erbyn yr Unol Daleithiau. Bydd munudau ar y cae cyn hynny’n hollbwysig.

A bydd triphwynt yr un mor bwysig i'r Elyrch heddiw er mwyn rhoi hwb i'w tymor a gosod sylfeini i adeiladu arnyn nhw. Ydy mae'n ddyddiau cynnar, ond gall y gemau hyn ddechrau'r tymor adrodd cyfrolau.

What terribly sad news we had this week about the passing of dear Lenny Johnrose, a member of our Former Players’ Association and someone who made a huge contribution to the history of our club.

Lenny played for us during one of the worst periods of our recent existence. He was responsible for scoring the goal which put us ahead against Hull in the final game of the 2002-2003 campaign.

The 4-2 victory ultimately secured our football league status and while we rightly remember the final goal of the game, which came via James Thomas, we cannot underestimate the enormity of the one Lenny scored to put us ahead 3-2 in that crucial match.

To those of us who knew him on the pitch, he was a tenacious player who supporters and team-mates alike took to their hearts.
‘Not all heroes wear capes,' according to the saying. The reference draws a comparison between the so called 'superheroes' of the movies and the 'ordinary' people who walk among us doing extraordinary things.

Lenny was one of those incredible people who turned terrible adversity into an opportunity to make an exceptional contribution to society. He became a primary school teacher when he retired from the game. When he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2017 the shock of the news, understandably, sent him spiralling.

Yet, he managed to find the strength to write a book, ‘Finding A Way’, set up a charity, The Len Johnrose Trust to raise funds and awareness of MND and campaigned and spoke out about the disease at every opportunity.

During the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions he worked with two journalism students from the University of Central Lancashire on The Lenny Johnrose Podcast, which offered him a platform to tell his story and speak to some of the people who had helped him in his career and since his diagnosis.

He was also instrumental in raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association via the ‘Ice Foot 92 – how cool are you?’ challenge. The current total stands at almost £38,000 and the Just Giving page is still open for donations.

On Monday the MND Association released a statement paying tribute to him and his efforts. “Len lived with this brutal disease in the public eye after choosing to announce his diagnosis in the summer of 2018. Following that he selflessly dedicated huge amounts of time to raising awareness.

“Len’s infectious smile, sense of humour, pragmatic approach to life and determination to do everything he could to work on behalf of people with MND made him a very popular figure within the MND community. He will be sorely missed.”
The association’s director of external affairs, Chris James, added: “Len helped us in almost every area of our work, responding positively to every request and invitation, and giving his time to help both nationally and locally.

“We are incredibly grateful to him and his family for all their help over the years, and we will continue to support Len’s family as they deal with this very sad news.”

RIP Lenny and thank you.

Swansea City conceded two own goals in stoppage time to draw with Millwall and miss out on recording back-to-back wins at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Swansea City: Andy Fisher; Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton, Harry Darling; Joel Latibeaudiere (Matty Sorinola 20), Joe Allen (Jay Fulton 67), Matt Grimes (captain), Ryan Manning (Ben Cabango 75); Olivier Ntcham (Cameron Congreve 76), Joel Piroe, Michael Obafemi.

Unused Substitutes: Steven Benda, Liam Cullen, Ollie Cooper.

Millwall: Bartosz Biakowski, Danny McNamara, Murray Wallace, Jake Cooper (captain) (Shaun Hutchinson 64), Benik Afobe, Billy Mitchell (Andreas Voglsammer 75), Scott Malone, Tyler Burey, Charlie Cresswell (Ryan Leonard 64), Jamie Shackleton (George Saville 64), George Honeyman.

Unused Substitutes: George Long, George Evans, Isaac Olaofe.

Referee: Gavin Ward

Attendance: 16,068

NATHAN WOOD BECAME THE FIRST OF SWANSEA CITY’S SUMMER SIGNINGS WHEN HE JOINED FROM MIDDLESBROUGH BACK IN JUNE. HERE THE CENTRE-HALF TALKS ABOUT HIS DEVELOPMENT ON TEESSIDE, HIS UNLIKELY ROLE IN A BBC SCHOOLS SERIES, AND WHY THE SWANS WAS THE RIGHT PLACE FOR HIM.

Nathan, welcome to Swansea City. You’re a couple of months into your time in SA1, but can you take us back to when you joined and the role Russell Martin played in your decision to join.

‘We must have spoken a couple of times over the years, but when he was at MK Dons we’ve always kind of kept in touch and had a decent relationship.

“As soon as I knew it was an option to come here I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I know a lot about the club, the style of play, the manager.

“We’ve obviously got some really good players. It was a bit of a no brainer to be honest. The manager obviously did play a big part.” 

You mentioned the style of play. Swansea has a very unique way of playing. What do you make of it and how do you think you fit in to that? 

‘Obviously, it’s not just with the current manager, it’s through the years. It’s a club I've looked at and thought it would be nice to play for them, the style of play, the football is played in the right way, and I feel like I'd fit in well. The manager likes to play the way the club likes to play, and I feel like it’s a good fit for me. I feel like I’ve settled in well, I am enjoying it and I am learning and improving all the time.

You seem like you’ve admired the Swans for afar over the years. Do any players stand out from watching them as you’ve grown up? 

‘Yeah, I remember one of the big ones being Wilfried Bony, loads of different ones. As a player you always have in mind clubs that you would like to go to. Swansea’s always been one of the clubs I've looked at with the style of play. It seems like a good fit for me.”

You're known as a player who is good with the ball, comfortable with the ball at your feet, powerful physically, very athletic. How do you sum yourself up as a player?  

‘I do like the physical and mental battle of defending. That’s my job at the end of the day. The most enjoyable part of it is playing with the ball, obviously it’s a big part of this club and the way Swansea play, so I fit in well with the defending side of it and the footballing side of it. 

You’re obviously a talented footballer, but you were also a talented schoolboy athlete as well. I was looking and you were in the top 10 in the UK for the high jump in your age bracket at one point. 

‘I did at one point have a buzz for it. I didn’t go to an academy [for football] until I was 13, so I got the chance to have a go at athletics, play rugby at school. I was very good at it. At one-point athletics was one of my main focuses, because when the football season finishes you have the athletics. 

‘I admired Usain Bolt, I used to do everything. Long jump, high jump, sprints, middle distance. I was good at some things. But it always came back to football, although I feel like the things I did in athletics are a big part of me as a player today. I have to thank my coaches. They are still doing the exact thing coaching people now. I’ll never forget what they have done for me, and I feel that helps me today massively. 

I’m sure a few of the Swans fans would have found the CBBC documentary series about the school you were in and you looking to get in the football team there. How did that come about? Did you enjoy it? And how much stick have you had over the years for it? 

‘It came about when the BBC came to my primary school wanting to film the transition of kids from primary to secondary school. I got picked because I was very energetic, loved my sports. It was okay, it was different, it helped me being out of my comfort zone with interviews and things like that.  

‘As I got older, I got a little more distanced from it. I just wanted to be normal like anyone else. I didn’t really want the cameras following me. It is nice though; the places I go I meet people who have seen it and talk about it. I’m totally glad now looking back on it. I was seven, all I wanted to do was be a footballer and now I'm on the right path.’ 

Do you know what happened to Alex, the kid that didn’t get through to be selected for the football team in that series? 

‘It’s funny you mention him. I bumped into him a lot in the last couple of months before I moved, just out and about in Middlesbrough. He’s like me, has a similar personality. It’s always nice to bump into people you went to school with. He’s happy to see me playing football and doing what I love, so it’s nice.’ 

You got the chance to join Middlesbrough’s academy. Can you talk me through how that came about, how you were spotted?

‘I got scouted playing for my district, just with my mates. Obviously as a kid you always want to be in an academy. Growing up in Middlesbrough, that was always my goal to play for them. I went into the academy when I was 13 and settled in quite quickly, started playing through the different age groups. I was quite a late starter.  

‘I think the most important thing was I had the grounding of the enjoyment of playing Sunday league with my friends, I was able to do my athletics. It was very relaxed. I enjoy the competitive side, the battles. I feel you get that from being a kid playing Sunday league football. I wouldn’t change anything about the way I was brought up with football. 

You become Middlesbrough’s youngest-ever player, which is a fantastic achievement for you. You were 16 years and 75 days old. How did that feel? 

‘It was nice. It was weird how it came about. When I was in year 11, I would be allowed to go and train with the first team by the school. Tony Pullis was the manager and Jonathan Woodgate was one of the coaches. He was a fan of me [Woodgate] because he came from the under-18s and worked with me, and then he went into the first team. He brought lads up to train and always got me involved.  

‘When I came in full-time Daniel Ayala was injured and I got a chance. I done quite well, nothing special, but I got my chance in the cup and it was amazing. I remember it being weird because I didn’t feel any pressure. I had nothing to lose. Playing for your hometown club is really nice and one of my proudest moments. 

You were combing that with school. Your mates must have been very jealous. 

‘I would be training with the first team and then I would be at school. I can’t remember it being that much of a big deal. I left school, did my GCSEs and had my prom and made my debut quickly after. It was nice, it was one of those things I just took in my stride. 

You got quite a few more games under your belt at Middlesbrough and a few loan spells with Crewe and Hibernian. How important were those learning experiences? The move at Crewe was a pretty successful one, the one at Hibs probably didn’t go as well as you’d liked. 

‘I loved my time at Crewe. I made 10 starts in quite a quick time. I needed that, to be thrown in and play games, but I got injured and missed a few games at the end of the season. The Hibs one though, I think I learnt more about myself as a person because it totally pushed me mentally. I was away from home, I wasn’t playing. I wanted to play; it was tough. I've come out better for it.  

‘I feel those type of experiences, you can’t look back on them with bad blood. You’ve got to believe everything happens for a reason. I really do believe in that.

My outlook on certain things is totally different. I always threw myself into my football 100%. When you go somewhere away from home, you need the balance of something to focus on outside of football. When I look back it was tough, but it helped me, and I needed it in the long run. 

You mentioned there’s a couple of familiar faces here. You know Nathanael Ogbeta and Jamie Patterson from your time at Middlesbrough.

‘I know Nat [Ogbeta] quite well. We're both chilled and quite calm and on international duty we got on quite well. He’s a pal from our time together at Middlesbrough and he’s a big character.

You have leadership experience from your time with England, where you captained the Three Lions at youth level. Is that something you see as an asset in yourself? Do you feel you are someone who likes to take the lead and set an example? 

‘Yeah definitely, I feel that adds to my performance, having that responsibility. As I get older, I see myself playing that role. It adds to your performance, helping people around you, keeping you glued into the game. I don’t think it’s something you can do when you’re fresh into a team. It’s something you have to work your way to.  

‘The best leaders are people like John Terry, I'm sure they were like that from day one. It’s just in me, I would always get told I'm a leader. As I've got older, I've realised it’s something that comes just naturally to me. 

What do you hope you can achieve at an individual level at Swansea and what do you hope you can help the club to achieve? 

‘For me I've come here to play and improve. The standard for me is that everywhere you go you want to get better. For the Swans, if you look at the facilities, the people at the club, the fans, the stadium; it’s a Premier League club and that’s where you want to see Swansea.

“It’s a no brainer, there is no point setting low goals, you should aim to be your absolute best. I think that just comes as a given. You try and win every game, take every game as it comes and hopefully that’ll bring success. If it doesn’t, you improve from it, and it makes you a better player.”

HAVE YOUR SAY

New to the 2022-23 season, Swansea City launched a new, more user friendly and integrated digital programme. With this providing new foundations to what the digital programme can provide, we’re looking for input from the fans to what they’re currently enjoying and what they’d like to see in the future.

TAKE SURVEY

IN A NEW PROGRAMME FEATURE FOR THE 2022-23 SEASON, CLUB HISTORIAN TAKES A LOOK BACK OVER OUR 110-YEAR HISTORY AND PROFILES SOME OF THE PLAYERS WHO HAVE SEALED THEIR PLACE IN SWANSEA CITY FOLKLORE. THE LATEST INSTALMENT LOOKS AT JOE SYKES, ONE OF THE STARS OF THE EARLY YEARS OF SWANSEA TOWN’S HISTORY.

Joe Sykes was, at 5ft 9ins, short for a central defender, but his ability to read the game allied to his timing in the tackle and in the air made him a natural leader on the pitch.

He began his footballing career during World War One, enlisting in the Sportsmens Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, seeing action in Salonika and India.

After the hostilities had ended, Sykes signed for his hometown club Sheffield Wednesday, but over his five seasons with the Owns he found game time limited as he served as understudy to England half-back George Wilson.

Sykes was persuaded by the then Swansea manager Joe Bradshaw to move to south Wales for the start of the 1924-25 season. No one knew it at the time, but this would be the start of a forty-four year association with the club.

Sykes made his debut in September 1924 at home to Merthyr Town, and two goals from Jack Fowler saw the new team captain's side get off to a winning start.

This was the beginning of a record breaking term, with the team losing just eight league games during the season, and lifting the Third Division (South) title Championship at the end of it.

The enthusiasm and positivity at the club continued through to the next season, with the Swans competing in the Second Division for the first time in their short history.

A creditable fifth-placed finish followed, but it was in cup football that the Swans made even more of an impression.

They defeated Exeter, Watford, Blackpool, Stoke City and Millwall, before meeting the mighty Arsenal at home in an FA Cup quarter-final.

The game would go down in folklore as goals from Len Thompson and Jack Fowler seeing the club through to its first ever semi-final. Sadly the team froze on the day, losing 3-0 to the eventual cup winners Bolton Wanderers.

A gentleman on and off the pitch, Sykes continued playing up to the 1934-35 season, when injuries and age caught up with the defender and he decided to retire, moving back to his native Sheffield where he had business interests.

Six long and bloody years of World War Two stopped all competitive football but, just after the resumption of league football in 1947, Joe rejoined the Swans as assistant trainer, combining this position with his duties as a scout at the club.

It was in this capacity that he spotted the talent of a young lad playing on one of the local fields and resolved to bring him to the Swans. That young man was none other than Ivor Allchurch, who would go on to become the club’s greatest-ever player.

When manager Billy McCandless died suddenly before the beginning of the 1955-56 season, it was Sykes - along with team manager Ron Burgess and captain Allchurch - who formed a three-man selection committee and were given the responsibility of selecting the team throughout this difficult period.

When Trevor Morris was installed as the new manager in July 1960, Sykes was promoted to be his assistant.

When the club endured a nightmare start to the 1966-67 season, manager Glyn Davies was sacked and Sykes was appointed caretaker manager, holding this position until Billy Lucas was made full-time manager in February 1967.

In June 1968, and at the age of 71, the great man resigned his position at the club, and in September 1974 it was announced with great sadness in the city that one of its greatest-ever servants had passed away at Morriston Hospital.

SWANSEA CITY UNDER-21S WERE NARROWLY BEATEN BY ARSENAL UNDER-21S IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THEIR PREMIER LEAGUE CUP CAMPAIGN AT MEADOW PARK.

Josh Thomas got the game off to a perfect start for the visitors as he took the ball past James Hillson and rolled it into the net.

Arsenal responded through Joel Ideho, then took the lead thanks to Cedric Soares, who fired the ball into the back of the net from a set-piece.

The Swans also ended the contest a man down after Joe Thomas received a red card, but there were plenty of positives to take against category one Premier League 2 opposition.

The Gunners, however, got off to a quick start from the first whistle.

Nathan Butler-Oyedeji caused danger in the box as he beat Kai Ludvigsen to take two shots on goal. However, Swansea goalkeeper Archie Matthews was equal to them.

Just minutes later, Matthews produced another fine save as he used his feet to block a powerful shot from Butler-Oyedeji.

Swansea responded well after a spell of possession as Josh Thomas saw his chance and whipped the ball past Hillson and into the empty net, giving the Swans the early advantage.

The Gunners responded by enjoying a spell of sustained pressure.

Fabio Vieira sent his effort wide of the target, however Ideho then picked up a pass from Lino Sousa to cut inside and fire the ball into the net to level the scoreline.

And the Gunners soon took the lead from a free-kick from 30-yards out. Captain and Portugal international Soares stepped up and fired an absolute rocket of a strike past the wall and Matthews.

The Swans needed a response but instead ended the half a goal and a player down following Joe Thomas’ dismissal.

It should have been a third for the home side as they took advantage of their extra man; Vieira headed the ball towards the empty net but Dan Williams was there to clear.

Following the restart, the Gunners had their fair share of chances through Butler-Oyedeji and Mauro Bandiera, but both of their low driven shots went wide.

There was a further blow for the visitors when Ludvigsen was forced off with an injury. Seb Dabrowski came on to replace him.

Between the sticks, Matthews was putting in a fine performance as the youngster was forced to make a string of vital saves to keep the Swans in the game.

The trio of Dabrowski, Filip Lissah and Williams worked well on the edge of the box to steer away further danger from Arden’s substitute Bandiera, as the battling Swans came up just short against top-level opposition.

Jon Grey and Anthony Wright's side are back in action on Monday (2pm) against Crewe Alexandra in the Professional Development League.

Arsenal Under-21s: James Hillson, Cedric Soares (c), Lino Sousa (Henry Jeffcott), Taylor Foran, Zack Awe, Miguel Azeez (Tim Akinola), Fabio Vieira (Catalin Cirjan), Amario Cozier-Duberry, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Emile Smith-Rowe (Mauro Bandiera), Joel Ideho.

Swansea City Under-21s: Archie Matthews, Kai Ludvigsen (Seb Dabrowski), Filip Lissah, Dan Williams, Ben Blythe, Joe Thomas, Joel Cotterill (Tarelle Whittaker), Sam Leverett (c), Josh Thomas (Ruben Davies) Ben Lloyd, Nathanael Ogbeta.

Swansea City Ladies fell to defeat against AC PAOK in the Women’s Champions League Group 2 Qualification semi-final with an Eva Vasiliki Vlassopoulos’ brace handing victory to the Greek side.

PAOK took the lead on the 16th minute after Nikoleta Kalesi had already passed up a number of big chances, but, while the Greek side continued to threaten, the Swans got to grips with the game after the first drinks break and turned it into a much more even contest from that point on.

Ellie Lake had Swansea’s best chance, swerving a right-footed effort wide of the near post towards the end of the first half, while Claire Skinner was in inspired form, making a number of key stops throughout the match - none better than a fingertip save to deny Thomai Vardali’s right on half-time.

Vlassopoulos got her second 20 minutes from time, but substitute Monet Legall had PAOK worried when she chased down a pass back to the keeper only to kick the ball straight into her. Unfortunately for the Swans, the ball ricocheted off target.

It was always going to be a tall task for Ceri Phillips’ side to advance against the Pan-Hellenic Women’s Football Championship side, who’ve claimed the Greek title in 16 of the past 17 seasons and haven’t tasted defeat in 12 months. The degree of difficulty was only added to by facing the Greek side at their home ground and in sweltering conditions.

The match kicked off with the temperature at a reported 38 degrees. Swansea soon got to grips with the challenging conditions, however, and a cynical foul on Katy Hosford gave Shaunna Jenkins the first chance to whip a ball into the box. However, it was overhit and straight into the keeper’s hands.

Kalesi missed two huge chances to give her side the lead. She took too long to control the ball when a cross found her unmarked at the back post, giving summer signing Lucy Finch chance to get across and block the first shot. She then skewed the rebounded effort off target from six yards.

However, Vlassopolous gave PAOK the lead just a few minutes later. Kalesi pinched the ball back from the Swans in the penalty area and cut it back to the home side’s number nine who was alone at the edge of the six-yard box and finished left-footed beyond Skinner.

PAOK continued to dominate possession, but failed to force Skinner into any more saves with an off-target strike from distance the only moment of note.  

The Swans put their best move together shortly before the half-hour mark. A one-two between Lake and Stacey John-Davis released the former down the right, but her right-footed strike swerved wide of the near post.

The teams swapped half-chances shortly before the break. Finch miscued a volley from Jenkins’ cross into the PAOK box, before Maria Mitkou attempted an audacious effort direct from a free-kick about 30 yards out, which was easily collected by Skinner.

A through ball gave John-Davis chance to stretch her legs, but she was narrowly beaten to the ball by keeper Giota Chatzicharistou.

Despite the Swans having a better share of things in the second part of the first 45, it took a very good fingertip save by Skinner to deny Vardali’s looping shot from 25-yards right on half-time to prevent the Greek side from doubling their lead.

PAOK created a good chance early in the second half. A mis-controlled pass by the Swans in the middle of the park meant the Greek side were able to release four attacking players against two Swansea defenders. However,  Georgia Chalatsogianni opted not to use her team-mates giving the Swans the chance to get bodies behind the ball and prevent a shot.

The closest the Swans came to finding the back of the net was in the 50th minute. Hosford’s ball into the box was headed narrowly wide by Alicia Powe, but it wouldn’t have counted anyway as the skipper had drifted offside.

Skinner was on hand to make a key stop down to her right when a long forward ball found Vlassopoulos.

Vasileia Giannaka put the ball in the net shortly after the hour-mark but it was, perhaps controversially, chalked off for offside.

While Giannaka herself wasn’t offside – making a run down the right from deep -  Vlassopoulos was and her movement towards the ball was enough for the assistant to raise the flag. Referee Olivia Tschon’s whistle had gone long before the ball was in the net.

The overlapping runs down the PAOK right were proving effective for the home side as Swansea struggled to contain Giannaka. The full-back got in for a second time, but a superbly timed challenge by Powe prevented the danger.

Seconds later, Mitkou made the same movement and this time she was able to get a ball into the box. Vlassopoulos rose highest to head beyond Skinner.  

Substitute Monet Legall’s tireless running saw her almost get one back. She chased down a pass back to Chalatsogianni, with the keeper’s clearance hitting the forward but bouncing off target.

John-Davis and Legall linked up in the PAOK box, but a last ditch defensive interception denied the latter a one-on-one with the host’s shot-stopper.

Gwennan Horgan used good footwork to dance away from a couple of challenges before chipping a lovely ball over the top for John-Davis. Chalatsogianni just about beat the 2021-22 Adran Premier League top scorer to the ball, denying the forward what would have almost certainly been a goal.

Giannaka drew a good stop from Skinner, when she again got down the right – but the ball rebounded straight back to her. She opted for the unselfish option, squaring the ball to Vlassopoulos at the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker ballooned the shot over the crossbar from close range, passing up her chance for a hat-trick.

Just like at the end of the first half, Skinner made an excellent stop to prevent a goal at the end of the second half. Georgia Chalatsogianni’s effort from distance had looked destined for the back of the net but Skinner got down well to her left to tip it around the post.

WIN A SIGNED LADIES SHIRT

To celebrate Swansea City Ladies playing their opening Adran Genero Premier League game at the Swansea.com Stadium on September 4, we are giving away a 2022-23 home shirt signed by the Ladies squad.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill in the form below before 11.59pm on August 26, 2022.

Congratulations to Joma, they have achieved something I never, ever thought would be possible.

The designers at the Spanish sportswear company are nothing short of miracle workers in my view.

They have taken the Swans shirt that I dislike above all others and transformed it into a second kit I would quite happily buy.

I can’t quite explain why, but I absolutely detested the old Gulf Oil sponsored away kit from mid-nineties.

While the Swans have had some absolutely stunning kits over the years, I’m sure we’ve all got examples of kits we’d rather forget.

For me, it was the orange, blue and white abomination we used to wear on the road almost 30 years ago.

I wasn’t that keen on the home kit either, although it does bring back memories of some cracking results and occasions, including the Autoglass Windscreen Final at Wembley in 1994.

However that trip to London does, also bring back unpleasant memories of that garish away kit – although it may not have been wholly to blame.

It should have been one of the most exciting days in every Swans supporter’s life – seeing the team play in the shadow of the legendary twin towers of Wembley.

But for me the day brings back some mixed memories despite the Swans picking up the trophy against Huddersfield.

It wasn’t the landlady of our local forgetting she’d promised to open up at 7am to serve us a Bow and bacon-buttie breakfast to set us up for the road to Wembley.

It wasn’t getting stuck in the mother of all traffic jams between the M4 and the stadium, which meant there was no time to stop for a pint before the game.

It wasn’t even having to fork out £2.50 a throw (this was almost 30 years ago remember) for the miniature bottles of lager on sale inside the ground, before cramming myself into the miniature seat behind the goals.

What really marred the day was the fact one of my mates had decided to wear THAT shirt.

One of the biggest events in the club’s history, and I had to sit next to that all day!

I don't know whether it was the bacon-butties which we eventually had to wolf down in a hurry along with a couple of pints before piling on the bus, or the amount I'd drunk the night before, or sitting next to that pal, but by the time we reached London my face was the colour of the Wembley pitch.

Whether it was the stripey sleeves, the strange speckled effect around the shoulders, the two-tone orange body, or a combination of the three that put me off, but I just didn’t like that shirt.

Even the home kit, with the strange red and black tiger stripes, looked good by comparison.

So when I heard this year’s second strip was based on the orange obscenity, I deliberately avoided clapping eyes on it for as long as I possibly could.

However, when I did catch a glimpse of the new kit, I have to admit I was more than pleasantly surprised.

I really like the updated version, even though it's not all that different from the original, which I know is considered as something of a cult classic by many Swans fans.

I genuinely can't put my finger on what it is about the new kit that has made me change my mind about the design, but I have.

Orange, of course has become something of a favourite for Swans away kits.

Our first away kit in the Premier League was obviously orange and Joma produced an orange and grey kit for the 2018/19 season.

The colour goes back a lot further in the Swans' history than the past decade.

The club used to wear an orange away shirt back in the 1960s, while the home kit featured various orange trims throughout that decade.

Of course, today's visitors are no strangers to the colour either.

However, their original home kit back in 1885 featured pink and blue halves to the shirts and blue shorts and socks.

For many years, the club boasted similar colours to the Swans with white shirts and black shorts being the kit of choice from the 1920s through to the 1960s.

It wasn't until the 1970s that the Kenilworth Road club adopted orange as a significant feature of their home and away kits.

They boasted some iconic strips during the late 70s and early 80s - around the time the Swans enjoyed a classic match against Luton at the old Vetch Field.

The 2-2 draw set up the Swans' promotion-clinching win at Preston a few days later, which sent the club to the old First Division for the first time.

After a brief return to the white shirts and black shorts during the early 2000s, Luton have reverted to their predominantly orange shirts over the past decade.

So there'll definitely be a distinct orange hue to proceedings on the pitch and in the stands this afternoon.

And who knows, you may even see me at a future match sporting a version of the orange shirt with the stripey sleeves, which I'm convinced helped make me feel a little green around the gills on the way to Wembley all those years ago.

C'mon you Swans!

Test your football knowledge with our Take Five Quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Guess the players from pictures of their ears!

ASHTON - AGED 9

JACK - AGED 6

JACOB - AGED 7

JACOB - AGED 10

KENNY - AGED 6

OLIVER - AGED 8

ROMAN - AGED 9