I understand that the recent south Wales Derby result against Cardiff City was incredibly disappointing for all of us. A loss in such a significant match is hard to accept, and I share your frustration.
However, it is in these challenging moments that our true character is revealed, and I have every confidence that our team will respond with determination.
Our focus now is on recovering and demonstrating the resilience that has defined our season so far. Sheffield United will present a tough challenge, but I believe in our players and coaching staff to rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that makes us all proud.
Looking ahead, we have some important fixtures on the horizon. After today's match, we travel to face Norwich City on January 25, followed by a home game against Coventry City on February 1. These matches will be vital as we aim to put in strong performances and bounce back from recent disappointments.
As we navigate the January transfer window, I want to acknowledge the challenges it presents. Every club is looking to strengthen their squad, but at the same time, no club wants to lose key players. This makes it a very difficult window to navigate and get right.
We only want to sign players who will genuinely improve our first team, which means we have to be absolutely sure about the targets we are pursuing. Rest assured, we are working diligently to try and make the best decisions for the team and the club's future.
On a personal note, I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering support. Your passion and dedication are what make this club special. I am proud to be part of this incredible community, and I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure we see the kind of performances that reflect our hard work and spirit.
Your support is more important than ever. The passion and energy you bring to the stands can make a real difference, and I urge you to get behind the team from the first whistle to the last. Let's create an atmosphere that inspires our players.
Together, we can overcome our recent setbacks. Come on you Swans!
Andy
Good evening and welcome to the Swansea.com Stadium for our home fixture against Sheffield United.
It goes without saying we are desperate to make amends for our performance in Saturday’s derby.
Collectively, we all have to take responsibility for the defeat and the manner of it. We know what these games mean to our supporters, and the many people at the football club who are fans themselves.
I assure you it means every bit as much to us as players and coaches, too. We are hurting, we know you are hurting and it is down to us to start putting things right against a very good Sheffield United side.
I actually thought we started the game okay on the weekend, we had control without really causing any problems for our opponents.
But we became sloppy, forced ourselves to defend a series of set-pieces towards the end of the first half and we fell away badly. There’s no getting away from it, it was a bitterly disappointing day for everyone connected with Swansea City.
The nature of football is that you will lose games, but what it comes down to is the manner in which that happens and the manner in which we lost on Saturday was not acceptable.
So it is imperative that we respond really well because we do not want there to be a hangover from that result and display.
We have to regroup very quickly, get back to making consistent performances and putting points on the board.
We have to get ourselves heading back in the right direction and being competitive in games.
We have to get the maximum out of ourselves collectively as a group, and we will need to do that against a visiting team who are going strongly at the top of the table.
Luke
A warm welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for tonight’s game against Sheffield United. It has been a difficult start to 2025 with the Swans being knocked out of the FA Cup and a deflating derby defeat at the weekend.
On a more positive note, it was great to see the inclusion of three academy players over the latest fixtures with Sam Parker back making his return after a spell on the sidelines, Ben Lloyd making his senior debut and Dan Watt included in the matchday squad.
As we enter the last couple of weeks of the January transfer window, it would give us a lift to bring in some quality additions so we can add some more depth to the squad. However, it is important to remember that the January window is notoriously frustrating to operate in and most business is conducted in the closing weeks.
This evening, we welcome Sheffield United to the Swansea.com Stadium. The visitors are once again having a strong season in the Championship and pushing for a return to the Premier League.
The Blades have had the better of us recently, winning four and drawing one of the last five games, and I am sure they will provide another tough test tonight.
Late last week the Trust notified members that its 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Monday February 10 2025 at 7pm.
As a reminder, if any member wishes to put forward a Notice of Motion they can do so via email with their name and address to the secretary paul.barrett@swanstrust.co.uk by no later than 5pm on Friday January 31 2025.
The AGM will be held through Microsoft Teams to accommodate as many members as possible with chairman Andy Coleman joining us for any questions you may have. More details and an agenda will be emailed out to members ahead of the date of the AGM.
For those of you who are unsure if your membership has yet to be renewed we encourage you to contact us at info@swanstrust.co.uk, at the Trust kiosk located by the club shop, or using the links provided within the email we sent out to members last week
A couple of other matters we’ve recently gone out to members and supporters about are views on the proposed FAW changes to revamp the Welsh League Cup. You can read more about that HERE.
We’ve also created a short online survey for supporters to give their own views and comments on that topic, which takes just a few minutes to complete HERE.
Additionally, we announced earlier this month that our chosen charity partner for 2025 is Faith in Families (FiF). The Trust chose FiF due to the outstanding work it does with young people in Swansea and the surrounding areas.
We have already provided them with a donation of £2,500 to aid their tremendous efforts, and supporters will be able to add to this at our Trust kiosk on matchdays, plus via other fundraising events we will be looking to hold throughout the year.
I hope you all enjoy the game this evening.
Jordan
BOOKING FOR SWANSEA CITY AFC FOUNDATION SOCCER CAMPS IS NOW OPEN
Booking is now open for Swansea City AFC Foundation's February soccer camps.
The popular soccer camps will run between 10am and 2.30pm across eight different venues throughout the February half-term week and are suitable for boys and girls of all abilities, aged five to 12.
Participants can expect a morning full of fun technical activities and an afternoon of small-sided games, competitions and prizes.
Spaces are limited so book now to avoid missing out.
Monday 24 February
Ammanford
Cefn Hengoed
Penyrheol (girls only)
Tuesday 25 February
Penyrheol
Bishopston
Cefn Hengoed (girls only)
Wednesday 26 February
Coleg Sir Gar
Bishopston
Thursday 27 February
Pembroke
Llandarcy
Friday 28 February
Pembroke
Llandarcy
Swansea City season tickets are now on sale for the 2025-26 season, offering fans incredible value with prices frozen across all categories.
The club is pleased to announce new family-friendly ticket options, reductions on previous family ticket options, and can confirm an increase in age ranges on select concessionary categories giving young Swans the opportunity to watch live football for less.
To launch the 2025-26 season ticket campaign, Swansea City will be encouraging fans to make new memories, whilst also celebrating twenty years since the Swansea.com Stadium first opened.
For the first time in recent years, season tickets will be available for all supporters to purchase from day one of launch. Of the exciting new offers available for next season, an adult and child (Under 14) package will mean that they can attend all home games for just £350 per season in the South Stand, which is just over £15 per game combined. This is a significant saving from this season’s current offer of £420, providing a £70 saving.
The Swans will continue to offer one of the most affordable season ticket packages in the Championship after the price freeze, with a standard adult season ticket costing just £411 - the lowest average adult season ticket price when compared to fellow Championship clubs. All Swansea City season ticket price classes (adults, seniors, youth, junior, and child) are below the league average, with adults £91.67 below.
Andy Coleman, Chairman of Swansea City, said:
"We want to offer our supporters exceptional value both on the pitch, and off the pitch, and that is why we’ve decided to defy inflation and freeze season ticket prices. We’re also going one step further and introducing new family-friendly options to get the South Stand bouncing in the 2025-26 season. Our commitment to keeping football accessible and affordable remains, and we look forward to what we are sure will be another exciting season at the Swansea.com Stadium."
As part of a new feature in our digital matchday programme for the 2024-25 campaign, we are calling on all Swans fans to share their memories and experiences of supporting the club by submitting your stories and pictures. We will publish a selection over the course of the season, and you can share your stories with us through the link below.
SWANSEA CITY WELCOMES TWO NEW HER GAME TOO AMBASSADORS
Swansea City welcomes lifelong Jacks Harriet Williams and Sophie Hughes as the club’s new Her Game Too ambassadors.
Her Game Too is a non-profit organisation which launched in 2021 to tackle sexism and support women in sports ensuring football remains a game for all. The Swans were one of the first clubs to join the campaign when it launched.
Sophie and Harriet will take on similar but differing roles as the club works with supporters to make playing and watching football as accessible as possible for female football fans.
Harriet joins the campaign in a role primarily focusing on the Swansea City Women team and access for girls playing football, while Sophie becomes ambassador focusing on supporting women in attending men’s games.
Both women have experienced the ups and downs of following the Swans from the heights of playing in the Premier League and Europe to the lows of relegations and cup exits - while pursuing their own footballing journeys as players.
Harriet fell in love with football at the age of three and joined her first club - a mixed team - aged six, when her family moved to north Wales.
“There were no girls' teams locally so, aged 11, I joined Pilkington Glass Women’s team, where I played until returning to Swansea and joining Kingsbridge Colts at the age of 13,” she explained.
“My football journey has continued into adulthood, with Neath, Afan Lido and Briton Ferry, but sadly my knees no longer like me and I play walking football instead, with Trefelin and Cymru Amdani Hi.”
As well as playing the game, Harriet loves watching and being part of the matchday atmosphere.
“I’ve supported the Swans for as long as I can remember and loved my time with my best friend down at the Vetch (Swansea’s home stadium until 2005),” she added.
“When we were not joining in the songs and chants from the North Bank, we were being chased around the stands by club mascot Cyril the Swan!
“I am so pleased and excited to be a part of Her Game Too for Swansea City, and hope to make football journeys a much less bumpy ride for women and girls of all ages who love to watch or play this wonderful sport.”
For Sophie, rediscovering a love of playing football as an adult - having not had many opportunities to play as a child - has motivated her to become a Her Game Too volunteer.
Sophie’s highlights of following Swansea include watching the men’s team win the Carabao Cup in 2012-13 and going on to play in the 2013-14 Uefa Europa League, when they progressed through the group stage before losing to Napoli in the last 32.
“I’m delighted to join Her Game Too as a keen football fan with many happy memories of watching Swansea,” she said.
“I also enjoy playing the game. Even though I didn’t have many opportunities to play football when I was younger, I’ve recently rediscovered my passion for playing again and have attended a casual football group and joined a walking football group.
“I’ve really loved seeing women of all different ages discovering and rediscovering football, and it’s great to see the opportunities that are available.
“That inspired me to be a part of the Her Game Too campaign.”
Swansea City was one of the first football clubs to partner with Her Game Too following the campaign’s launch in 2021, and it’s been a strong partnership with plenty of room to grow.
Hayley Ford, Swansea City's head of supporter services, said: “We are delighted that Sophie and Harriet have agreed to be our new Her Game Too ambassadors.
“Our previous ambassador did a great job and we want to thank her for all her efforts over the years. But I can already see that Sophie and Harriet have loads of ideas for what they want to bring to their roles.
“They’ve shown so much passion and drive to help us improve the club and spread the brilliant work of Her Game Too far and wide across Swansea. I’m really excited about what we can all achieve together.”
Roopa Vyas, COO of Her Game Too and director of Her Game Too Cymru, also welcomed Sophie and Harriet to the Her Game Too Cymru team, which is entering its third year in March.
“I am thrilled to welcome Sophie and Harriet as our new ambassadors for Swansea City,” she said.
“Their roles, focusing on different areas, will provide invaluable support to fans in unique ways, while also working collaboratively to strengthen the Her Game Too and Swansea City partnership.
“This collaboration will greatly benefit our campaign and we’re excited to build on the incredible progress made so far.
“We look forward to continuing to grow our partnership with Swansea City - championing equality and celebrating the love of football for everyone.”
Joe Allen struck in the final moments to give Swansea City a share of the spoils against West Bromwich Albion at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Key, Cyrus Christie (Kyle Naughton 75), Harry Darling, Josh Tymon; Matt Grimes (captain), Gonçalo Franco (Azeem Abdulai 88), Liam Cullen (Joe Allen 88); Ronald, Jisung Eom (Myles Peart-Harris 75), Žan Vipotnik (Florian Bianchini 57).
Unused Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Jay Fulton, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Ben Lloyd.
West Bromwich Albion: Alex Palmer, Darnell Furlong, Mason Holgate, Callum Styles, Jed Wallace (captain) (Tom Fellows 57), Jayson Molumby, Josh Maja (Grady Diangana 80), Torbjorn Heggem, Ousmane Diakite (Alex Mowatt 57), Karlan Grant (Devante Cole 80), Mikey Johnston (John Swift 67).
Unused Substitutes: Joseph Wildsmith, Kyle Bartley, Caleb Taylor, Uros Racic.
Referee: Sam Allison
Attendance: 14,729
Swansea City exited the Emirates FA Cup as they were beaten by Premier League Southampton at St Mary’s.
Kamaldeen Sulemana’s lofted finish and a brace for youngster Tyler Dibling sent the Saints into the fourth round by a comfortable margin.
Swansea City: Jon McLaughlin, Josh Key, Kyle Naughton, Cyrus Christie (Liam Cullen 66), Josh Tymon; Matt Grimes (captain) (Jay Fulton 66), Gonçalo Franco (Joe Allen 66), Myles Peart-Harris; Ronald (Azeem Abdulai 79), Jisung Eom (Josh Ginnelly 79), Florian Bianchini.
Unused Substitutes: Lawrence Vigouroux, Žan Vipotnik, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Ben Lloyd.
Southampton: Aaron Ramsdale, Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Manning, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, James Bree, Jan Bednarek (captain) (Nathan Wood 73), Joe Aribo (Adam Lallana 85), Lesley Ugochukwu (Will Smallbone 67), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Adam Armstrong 67), Mateus Fernandez, Tyler Dibling (Cameron Archer 67).
Unused Substitutes: Alex McCarthy, Yukinari Sugawara, Charlie Taylor, Paul Onuachu.
Referee: Tony Harrington
Swansea City suffered defeat in the south Wales derby at the Cardiff City Stadium.
After a goalless first half, two goals in six minutes from Callum Robinson put the home side in control, before Dimitrios Goutas added a third with a header.
Swansea City: Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Key (Kyle Naughton 76), Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Josh Tymon; Matt Grimes (captain), Gonçalo Franco, Joe Allen (Žan Vipotnik 55); Ronald (Sam Parker 84), Jisung Eom (Florian Bianchini 55), Liam Cullen.
Unused Substitutes: Jon McLaughlin, Jay Fulton, Cyrus Christie, Myles Peart-Harris, Dan Watts.
Cardiff City: Jak Alnwick, Dimitrios Goutas, Jesper Daland, Joe Ralls (captain), Callum O'Dowda (Joel Bagan 24), Calum Chambers (Manolis Siopis 76), Alex Robertson (Rubin Colwill 76), Ollie Tanner (Yakou Meite 83), Andy Rinomhota, Cian Ashford, Callum Robinson (Yousef Salech 84).
Unused Substitutes: Ethan Horvath, Will Fish, Chris Willock, Perry Ng.
Referee: James Bell
Attendance: 26,536
A side steeped in history, Sheffield United were crowned champions of the Football League in 1899, and have won the FA Cup on four occasions - in 1899, 1902, 1915, and 1925.
After over a decade of top-flight football, they were relegated to the Championship in 2004, once again in 2007, and spent six seasons in League One before finally tasting Premier League football again in 2019.
They finished ninth in their first season back, but their second campaign ended with them finishing bottom and returning to the second tier.
They missed out on an immediate top-flight return after losing out to Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-finals, but returned for the 2023-24 season before again being relegated back to the Championship.
BRAMALL LANE
Built: 1855
Location: Highfield, Sheffield, S2 4SU
Capacity: 32,050
Chris Wilder is once again in charge of the Blades and looking to lead them back to the top-flight.
The former Sheffield United defender's playing career saw him feature for 11 clubs, including stints at Rotherham United, Bradford City and Notts County.
Having started his managerial career at Alfreton, Wilder moved on to Halifax, and achieved promotions during his stints with Oxford United, Northampton Town and Sheffield United.
It was at his hometown Blades that he secured promotion back to the Championship and then on to the Premier League, before a ninth-place top-flight finish in 2020.
He left as relegation neared the following year, and was appointed at Middlesbrough following Neil Warnock’s departure before a spell at Watford followed.
Wilder returned to Bramall Lane following Paul Heckingbottom's departure in December 2023.
Experienced defender Jack Robinson started his career at Liverpool and made his senior debut at the age of 16, which made him the youngest player to have played in a first-team match for the club.
He enjoyed spells on loan with Wolves and Blackpool before joining QPR on a permanent deal and being loaned to Huddersfield Town on the same day, going on to make the left-back position his own for the Terriers.
The 2017-18 season saw Robinson cement his place in the QPR first team where he played out of position at centre-half.
Following 18 months at Nottingham Forest, Robinson made the switch to Bramall Lane in January 2020.
Robinson helped United win promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2022-23 season and ended the 2023-24 season as skipper. Despite the Blades' troubles last season, Robinson came out of the campaign with plenty of credit for his steely displays, bagging a couple of Player of the Year awards in the process.
Goalkeeper Michael Cooper was a summer recruit from Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 2024, and he has enjoyed an outstanding first season in red and white.
Cooper has kept 15 clean sheets from 25 Championship appearances, and has save percentage of nearly 80 percent. Only Burnley's James Trafford can beat those figures.
Born in Exeter, Cooper joined Plymouth at the age of nine and went on to make his senior debut in 2017.
He made over 170 appearances for the Pilgrims, helping them secure promotion to the Championship and then avoid relegation before making his move to Bramall Lane.
Brazilian-born midfielder Gustavo Hamer began his career at Feyenoord after moving to the Netherlands as a child.
Following a season-long loan at Eerste Divisie club Dordrecht, Hamer joined PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie on a permanent contract.
A move to Coventry City followed where he scored 17 goals in 123 appearances across three seasons. He netted the winning goal in the second leg of the Sky Blues' Championship play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough, whilst he also found the net in the final against Luton at Wembley.
The Netherlands youth international signed a four-year deal with the Blades in August 2023 and impressed during his first season at Bramall Lane despite the club's relegation from the Premier League. He has netted six times and provided five assists already this season.
Wales international Kieffer Moore joined United in July after a successful loan spell with Ipswich Town, where he helped the Tractor Boys reach the Premier League.
Moore started his career in non-league before joining Yeovil in 2013. The striker spent two years with the Glovers before moving to Norway, where he had a spell with Viking FK.
Moore had something of a nomadic existence as he went on to have stints with Forest Green Rovers, Torquay United, Ipswich, Rotherham United, Barnsley and Wigan Athletic before moving to Cardiff City for £2 million in August 2020.
Twenty-five goals in 64 league appearances for Cardiff attracted the interest of Bournemouth, for whom he netted nine goals in 39 league appearances.
He has also scored 13 times in 45 appearances for Wales, most recently in the 2-1 win over Montenegro in September.
When Florian Bianchini discovered he had the chance to join Swansea City, there was excitement at what the opportunity could mean for his career, but also knowing he would get to follow in the footsteps of players he had long admired by pulling on the famous white shirt.
Bianchini, who was born in Reims but raised in Paris and is a lifelong Paris St Germain fan, may have spent most of his formative football years cheering on the Ligue 1 giants.
But when watching the Premier League on TV he developed a great appreciation for players making an impact for Swansea as he watched them confound the pundits by flourishing in the top-flight.
There was Bafetimbi Gomis, France international who had 17 goals in 71 Swansea appearances, including goals against the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
Then there was the talismanic figure of Andre Ayew, who made 141 appearances over two spells in SA1, scoring 47 goals.
And, last but certainly not least, there was Wilfried Bony. The Ivorian became a cult hero in this part of south Wales after arriving from Vitesse Arnhem in 2013, who bagged 34 goals in 70 outings during his first stint before adding four more during an injury-hint second spell.
So, when in discussions with chairman Andy Coleman and head coach Luke Williams over his move, images of those players in Swansea colours were clear in Bianchini’s mind.
“I was always a football fan as a kid because all my family loved football, my parents, my brother. We loved football but I never thought football could be my work until I joined the academy in Amiens,” he said.
“But we used to go and watch PSG a lot when I was young, I am a big fan, and I just loved playing with my friends.
“Like a lot of kids my age I loved Cristiano Ronaldo and also, because I am a PSG fan, Neymar. I got to see him play, which was fun.
“Also, when I knew that Swansea wanted to sign me and I had good conversations with the chairman and the coach, I was remembering seeing them when Andre Ayew was here, when Bafetimbi Gomis was here.
“And the one I always really liked was Wilfried Bony, he was such a strong player. I watched a lot of the games he played in and he stood out.
“So for me to play in this team is special. If you had said to me two years ago that I would have the chance to play for a club that all these great players had played for, I might not have believed it.
“So, I am very happy to be here, and also when I come to the training ground to work every day I know I have the best facilities I have had to work with in my career.”
Signed late in the summer window, Bianchini is the first to acknowledge it has taken him time to adjust and adapt to life in SA1.
Living outside of his homeland for the first time has been a part of that adjustment, although he admits he loves the pace of life in this corner of south Wales.
But he is confident as he continues to build up his form and fitness, he is only going to improve in a Swansea shirt.
“I thought that this would be a big moment in my career, and I have really enjoyed the challenge of playing for Swansea,” he said.
“I hope we can have a good second half of the season and I can help and contribute, but for sure I am happy to be here.
“I knew it would be a lot of change from what I was used to, the biggest one for me has been the number of games there are quite a lot more than we played in France.
“I think the intensity of the league is different too, on both sides – when you have the ball and when you don’t have the ball.
“We are a team who wants to press a lot in games, and that is a bit different for strikers. It was very hard physically for me to get used to this at the start, but I have really enjoyed it and I know that if I work on this part of my game it will only help the team and this is the most important thing.
“Because of how we play, the team needs the forwards to press a lot and I am happy to do this.
“Of course, life is different off the pitch too. I enjoy that this is a nice city but that you can live quietly too.
“I try to see my family as much as I can if we have days off, but I like to have a simple life, a quiet life and it is great to be living by the sea too. It’s very nice.”
To that end, Bianchini believes netting his first goal for the Swans in the victory at Oxford United at the start of November was a big moment for him.
Not just in terms of getting off the mark, but the very manner of the goal with his clever movement and calm first-time finish doing plenty to boost his confidence and believe.
“That goal was very, very important for me because I was still adjusting to being in a new country, in a new league,” he says.
“It meant a lot for me to score this goal, to make a big contribution to the team in an important game.
“When you are able to do that it gives you a lot of confidence and belief in yourself.
“I just want to be able to play, and the manager has asked me to play in different positions. I am happy to do this, I can play as a winger, I can play as the striker or I can play coming in off the left, but I am here to help the team and I will do that however the coach wants me to.
“I think now I have a good understanding of how the manager wants me to help the team, I think the second part of this season can be better.”
It can be easy to forget that Bianchini, still only 23, is barely four years into his senior career, having made his first-team debut for Amiens in Ligue 2 in September 2020.
He has come a long way in a short space of time, and is confident there is plenty more to come looking forward.
“It is true that a lot has happened quickly. I was scouted with Amiens, I had a trial and played well and the coach wanted to sign me.
“It is only four years since I made my first-team debut. I was only 18, but I had two loan spells and I needed to play as I was young and I was on the bench.
“You need to test yourself and play, and I found those to be really good experiences. I was a better player, I had progressed a lot.
“The same with moving to Bastia. I had been with Amiens a long time and I needed a change, I needed something different. I always want to be improving and progressing. I want to have the same at Swansea.”
Swansea City Under-21s kicked off 2025 with three points after a dominant victory over Colchester United at the Joma High Performance Centre.
Swansea had the better of the early exchanges, and Kyrell Wilson won and converted a penalty to put them a goal to the good.
Thomas Woodward added the Swans' second of the afternoon from a Sammy Henia-Kamau cross, before the visitors pulled one back through Alfie Bendle.
However, Wilson instantly restored Swansea's two-goal lead before the break, with Henia-Kamau the provider again.
Morgan Bates rounded off the scoring in the closing stages, curling the ball into the net from distance.
The hosts asserted themselves from the off, and almost had the lead 30 seconds in when Wilson's delivery found Woodward on the edge of the area, but the midfielder took too long to get a shot away.
Moments later, Wilson had the ball in the net with a powerful strike, only for the linesman to rule out the goal offside.
It was a strong start for the Swans, who were playing some slick passing football, while barely letting the visitors out of their own half in the opening 10 minutes.
And the Swans were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after Wilson was fouled in the box, and the forward stepped up to calmly slot the spot-kick home for the opener.
The hosts doubled their advantage just before the break, Henia-Kamau made a clever turn and pass inside the area to find Woodward racing through, and the 17-year-old made no mistake as he lofted the ball over Harrison Chamberlain and into the net.
However, the Swans' two-goal lead was shortlived, and the U's skipper Bendle sent the ball into the bottom corner after he was first to the rebound following a free-kick.
But that two-goal was restored seconds later. Henia-Kamau was the provider again, laying off for Wilson, who dispatched the ball into the bottom corner.
The Swans started the second-half in control, and had a handful of chances to extend their lead. Josh Pescatore was proving a threat down the right wing, and two of his deliveries created chances which neither Wilson and Henia-Kamau could take.
Wilson had the chance to seal a hat-trick when he latched on to Ramon Rees-Siso's follow-up in the area, but struck his effort well over the bar.
Substitute Dan Watts tried his luck in front of goal, but his low effort, on course for the bottom corner, was deflected away at the last second.
But Swansea put the game to bed in the stages after substitute Morgan Bates finished with a wonderful strike from outside the box to make it 4-1.
Swansea City Under-21s: Kit Margetson, Zac Jeanes (Ben Phillips 67), Sebastian Dabrowski (captain), Jacob Cook, Arthur Parker (Jack Fanning 61), Iestyn Jones, Josh Pescatore, Thomas Woodward (Dan Watts 61), Sammy Henia-Kamau (Morgan Bates 61), Ramon Rees-Siso, Kyrell Wilson.
Substitutes: Sam Seager.
KYRELL WILSON EXTENDS SWANSEA CITY CONTRACT THROUGH TO 2027
Swansea City forward Kyrell Wilson has signed a contract extension through to the end of June 2027.
The 20-year-old’s previous deal had been due to expire at the end of the season, but the under-21s’ striker has committed his future to the club.
Wilson first joined the Swans on a scholarship in 2021, and put pen to paper on his first professional deal in November 2022.
He was involved in the first-team matchday squad on several occasions last season, before injuries curtailed his campaign.
Wilson recently returned to action after a lay-off and scored a brace in the under-21s’ victory over Colchester United earlier this week.
Swansea City Women reached the Genero Adran Trophy final for the second year running with victory over Wrexham at the Rock.
Aimee Deacon gave the Swans an early lead as she tapped home Stacey John-Davis' low cross.
Deacon was the. brought down in the box just before the break, allowing captain John-Davis to step up to the spot and convert.
Carra Jones gave the hosts a lifeline in the second half, her cross finding it's way beyond Charlie Haynes in the Swansea goal.
But, with eight minutes left, Emily Richards would arrive at the back post to restore Swansea’s two-goal cushion, and Amber Lightfoot late effort for the hosts couldn't prevent the Swans reaching the final.
Swansea will face The New Saints in the final after the Oswestry side came from two goals down to beat Briton Ferry Llansawel.
At the outset, Wrexham had the chance to go ahead early, Jones forcing a great save from Haynes after Rosie Hughes’ cutback.
But Deacon would put the Swans in front after just two minutes, John-Davis broke down the left before cutting across for the 16-year-old to finish at the back post.
Deacon looked to be through on goal again shortly after, but was hacked down by Phoebe Davies, only for the referee not to award a foul.
The Swans continued to search for a second, John-Davis found time on the edge of the box, only to fire a shot into the hands of Delyth Morgan.
Hughes then had the chance to equalise for the hosts when Lightfoot’s cross came through to the forward, but the effort with the outside of her foot would go over the bar.
Instead the Swans would have their chance to double the lead just before the break as Deacon was brought down in the box by Davies. John-Davies stepped up to the spot and calmly found the net.
The Swans started the second half positively, John-Davis having an early chance as Chivers slid her through on goal, but she couldn’t find the target.
But the hosts would find a lifeline, Jones’ cross to the back post sneaking in to get the hosts on the scoresheet.
Wrexham continued to pile on the pressure as they sought a leveller, but struggled to test Haynes.
And, with eight minutes to go, the Swans would restore their two-goal lead as Richards tapped home at the back post from Emily Thomas’ low cross.
Wrexham responded as Lightfoot bundled home inside the six-yard box, but it wasn't enough to stop the Swans reaching a second consecutive Genero Adran Trophy final.
Wrexham AFC Women: Delyth Morgan, Phoebe Davies (Natalie Clark 60), Olivia Fuller, Erin Lovett, Rebecca Pritchard (Abbie Iddenden 60), Brooke Cairns, Rosie Hughes, Amber Lightfoot, Carra Jones, Lili Jones, Keren Allen (captain).
Unused subs: Liz Craven, Katie Sharp, Mari Gibbard.
Swansea City Women: Charlie Haynes, Lucy Finch (Sammy Wynne 76), Sophie Brisland-Hancocks, Robyn Pinder, Chloe Chivers (Emily Richards 72), Stacey John-Davis (captain), Maddy Murray, Aimee Deacon (Lauren Davies 72), Emily Thomas, Jess Williams, Nia Jones.
Unused subs: Verity Jones, Katy Hosford.
There really is nothing like a defeat in the south Wales derby to not only ruin your weekend, but also to make a Monday morning even more miserable than usual. And if, like me, you work in Cardiff, to make you dread going into work.
I’ve been fortunate not to have to endure too many defeats in recent years. Latterly, Ian, one of the security guards, who is also a Jack, and I have exchanged wide grins for days – probably weeks - after the victory. The double double? I’m sure we were unbearable!
Not so this week. Head down and ideally no football talk, although that’s an impossibility when you teach sports journalism. The ‘banter’ will be nauseating for a while, but that’s the price you pay for nailing your colours to the mast of your hometown club.
Things don’t always go your way, and while those feelings are common to every football fan, they linger longer after some games.
I guess one of the good things about football is that there is always the prospect of a swift bounce-back as the games come thick and fast. Sheffield United will arrive in SA1 having started the New Year with a mixed bag of results – two wins and a loss in the league and a defeat to last weekend’s victors in the FA Cup.
However, their Championship position – behind Leeds United in second place – and their points tally of 55, 21 more than us, suggests tonight will be a tough test and there will be no opportunities for the players to dwell on the disappointment of last Saturday.
We all know a former Swan with links to United who’d have no doubt watched the game at the Cardiff City Stadium with interest. Oli McBurnie was a favourite here during his four years at the club and when he left to join the Blades in 2019 he ‘returned’ on a regular basis, a familiar face in the crowd, a ‘fan’ as well as a former player.
There’ll be no on-pitch reunion with McBurnie tonight, though. The striker is now living the life on the island of Gran Canaria and plying his trade with Union Deportiva Las Palmas, in the land with 235km of coastline, beautiful beaches, glorious golf courses.
McBurnie signed for Las Palmas in July, making him the first Scottish footballer in their history. But, wherever he was in the world, I don’t doubt that like the rest of us, he was gutted about Saturday’s result.
And that says it all, doesn’t it? This club gets under the skin of so many of us, often for very different reasons, but always because it’s ‘home’. There is an affinity and a sense of belonging that is impossible to explain and feels so heavy to deal with when things don’t work out the way we want them to – especially on derby days.
Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow and the best way to make it more palatable is to get back to winning ways. Onwards and upwards, Jacks.
Julie Kissick
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“He’s one of our own . . .” is one of the proudest chants that echoes around the Swansea.com Stadium.
The Jack Army have a special place in their affections for local players who have come through the system here.
I have recently written about how delighted I was to see local boy and academy product Ben Lloyd make his league debut against Queens Park Rangers.
But two thirds of the way through the current transfer window, I started to think of some of the players who have arrived here from further afield and made the club and the city their long-term home.
Every now and then, players come along that may not have started their careers here but, in my mind, have very much become “one of our own” albeit in a different way.
They are players who you perhaps wouldn’t expect to build a long-standing affinity with the club, and yet they do.
I first started thinking about this when I recently saw a 40th birthday greeting for Wayne Routledge from a QPR-related account on social media.
I remember thinking to myself: “If every account related to every club Routs has played for sends him a birthday message, his phone is going to explode!”
My second thought was: “No way is Wayne Routledge 40!”
But then, I thought about how long he played for us and the fact he was 36 when he played his final game for the Swans.
A serious injury in the Championship play-off semi-final against Barnsley in 2021 meant his playing career was over – 10 years after he arrived in Swansea.
I have to admit, when Routledge rocked up here back in August 2011, I never imagined he would stay for a decade.
The winger’s previous career had been nomadic to say the least! Between loans and ‘permanent signings’ he had played for a total of eight clubs since making his debut for his actual boyhood outfit Crystal Palace in 2001. He’d even made nine appearances for Cardiff City!
I thought he would stay for a season, perhaps two, at the very most. How wrong could I have been?!
In fairness to me, even Routledge himself acknowledged his playing wanderlust during the first decade of his career.
Speaking to the Swans website after his retirement, Routledge said: “Before I came here, I was a bit here, there, and everywhere.
“Then I came here and found a way of football that suited me, found a place that loved having me here, found a place that I loved being at and it all clicked.
“I’m just thankful that I found Swansea and Swansea found me.”
Of course, Routledge isn’t the only player who has found his footballing home here during the club’s 113-year history.
Another from that particular era was Nathan Dyer, who played even more times than Routledge – clocking up 347 appearances during an 11-year stay.
Once again, there was little to hint that Dyer would stay here as long as he did on his arrival from Southampton in 2009.
Without dwelling on the details, it would be fair to say the young winger had experienced something of a chequered recent past prior to arriving here.
Coincidentally, it was while he was on loan at today’s visitors Sheffield United that Dyer first made a connection with his future club. He travelled to Swansea for a match as a non-playing member of the Blades squad.
Dyer watched from the stands, which offered him an opportunity to admire the attractive passing football being played by the Swans.
Dyer recalled: “I’m a big fan of Barcelona, and the way that team played was similar to that.
“I saw Roberto Martinez in the tunnel, and he asked if I’d like to be part of Swansea’s plans. I said, ‘yes please!’
The rest, as they say, is history. Dyer settled immediately and showed himself to be a model professional.
On his time in the city, Dyer has said: “To know why Swansea is a special club and city you have to live here.
“For example, when I was at Southampton I had no idea of the Swansea-Cardiff rivalry. But from the first moment I was here, I knew all about it.
“Everyone is together here, and if you go for a walk then people come up and talk to you like you’re a mate.
“It’s always been such a nice place to live – who doesn’t like being by the beach. Raising a family here too is fantastic.”
One of the players Dyer was impressed with that day was Leon Britton, another who perhaps didn’t expect to find a long-term home at Swansea.
Early in his career, Britton had become the most expensive 16-year-old in football when he signed for West Ham from Arsenal for £400,000.
However, things didn’t quite click at Upton Park for Britton, who found himself setting off on what seemed like a never-ending car journey to sign on loan for then struggling Third Division Swansea.
Britton has famously since spoken of driving past Port Talbot steelworks on his way from his native London and wondering where in the world he was going to end up.
It obviously didn’t put the little midfielder off. He went on to play more than 500 times here and establish himself firmly as one of the club’s greatest-ever servants.
Britton couldn’t even resist the lure of south Wales after signing for today’s opponents, where he stayed for six months before returning ‘home’.
From helping to prevent the club dropping out of the league in 2003 to Premier League promotion and a League Cup win – Britton did just about everything during his 16-year playing stint here.
A Swans signing whose career followed a remarkably similar path to Britton’s was Alan Tate, who initially left Manchester United to travel here on loan in 2002.
But, like Britton, Tate was involved in the highs and lows of the Swans’ rise from the third division to the Premier League, where he captained the team in their historic first match at Manchester City.
When Tate ended his 13-year, 350-game playing career here, the proud native of the north east of England said: "Swansea is my home now and this is where I want to live once I finish playing.
"The supporters have been brilliant to me from the very first day I left Old Trafford.
"I'm proud I have managed to establish a strong bond with the fans. They have always supported me and I hope I have given them plenty in return.”
There are others from that era, of course, who became “one of our own” by adoption and incredibly long-service. They include the likes of Garry Monk, Ashley Williams and Spaniard Angel Rangel, who boasted a shade under 1,000 appearances between them.
The latter earned his own song to the tune of “one of our own” after he and his wife spent time feeding the homeless of the city which he made his home.
One man who didn’t perhaps reach the number of matches achieved by those mentioned above after coming here from Wrexham is Lee Trundle.
But what he may have lacked in the number of games, which was a not inconsiderable – almost 150, he made up for with the number of goals and the sheer longevity of his connection with Swansea off the field as a club ambassador.
It’s a role the ‘Magic Daps’ still undertakes with huge pride and enthusiasm, having first headed south as a player back in 2003. In recognition of his work here, Trundle recently received an honorary Masters Degree from Swansea University.
And when you look through the current first-team squad there are three ‘imports’ to south Wales who stand out as players who have become “one of our own” in all but birth certificates.
Kyle Naughton, Jay Fulton and Matt Grimes have played well over 800 games for the Swans between them over a combined period of more than 30 years.
There must be something in the air down here to inspire such dedication from players who may never have imagined they would one day pull on the white shirt.
I wonder who will be the next arrival to become “one of our own”.
C’mon you Swans!
The 2024-25 campaign marks Swansea City’s 20th season at the Swansea.com Stadium following the ground’s opening in 2005. Throughout the campaign, club historian Gwyn Rees will reflect on some of the notable moments and personalities that have shaped the history of our home. Next up is a night when the Swans went toe to toe with European heavyweights under the lights in SA1.
Swansea City 0 Napoli 0 – February 19, 2014 – Europa League, last 32, first leg.
A European adventure that had began in early August with victory over Malmo had continued through a comfortable win over Potrolul Ploesti and a group-stage campaign that included the never-to-be-forgotten 3-0 thumping of Valencia at the Mestalla.
A place in the knockout stages had been secured at the final group game against St Gallen in Switzerland, and the reward was a glamour tie against Italian giants Napoli, fancied by many to be among the favourites to lift the trophy after being knocked out of the Champions League despite finishing level on points with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in their group.
They had Rafael Benitez in charge, with all his vast years of experience, while the Swans had Garry Monk still in his first weeks as interim boss following Michael Laudrup’s departure. Benitez, of course, had been Chelsea manager when the Swans had beaten them in the League Cup semi—finals the previous season, on their way to the silverware that had granted them a return to European competition.
Monk had spoken of his players needing to be brace and relish the occasion and, after a nervy start where Jose Callejon and Marek Hamsik had threatened Michel Vorm’s goal, they set about taking the game to the Serie A visitors.
Rafael Cabral, who would have an inspired night, tipped a Nathan Dyer shot over the bar, while Wilfried Bony was off-target after using his strength to roll his marker.
The Ivorian was more accurate a few minutes later, but Cabral was equal to his effort with an outstanding save.
Swansea chances kept coming, and a wonderful pass from Pablo Hernandez had Bony in on goal again, with Cabral doing superbly to smother the ball as the striker attempted to round him.
Injury saw Cabral replaced by Pepe Reina at half-time, but he proved every bit as much of a frustration to the hosts as his colleague had.
Blerim Dzemailli and Gonzalo Higuain had rare chances for the visitors early in the second half but Swansea were soon on the front foot again.
Hernandez had a shot blocked after skipping into the area, while Ashley Williams roared with annoyance when Reina got fingertips to his header from Jonathan de Guzman’s cross.
Reina was soon in action again as he pushed away Wayne Routledge’s powerful drive and, despite wave after wave of Swansea attacks, the game ended goalless.
Swansea would lose the tie after a pair of late Napoli goals in Naples, but they had made their mark on their return to continental competition.
Guest One: Kevin Hart
Guest Two: Tiger Woods
Guest Three: Messi
We are all Jacks is Swansea City’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion both within the club and throughout the local community.
Working with international and local charities, as well as supporter groups, Swansea City strives to ensure that a visit to the Swansea.com Stadium is a welcoming experience for everyone regardless of sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, race, disability, or age.
The club takes a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, victimisation, bullying and abuse.
Supporters are encouraged to report instances of abusive and discriminatory language within the stadium by using the anonymous safe text number 88440, starting the message with the word SWANS and providing details of the incident.
Messages will be charged at the standard rate for your network provider.
The details from the message will be received at the match control room, where any necessary investigation and/or action will be taken. The club will also record the mobile number of the individual reporting an incident to aid with any inquiries.
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.
Welcome back Junior Jacks!
We’re back under the lights at the Swansea.com Stadium as the Swans host Sheffield United.
We’ll be hosting our usual party in the family stand from 6.15pm tomorrow and we’d love to see you all there for a dance. We’ll be there around 30 minutes before kick-off so make sure you come and say hello!
Today’s quiz is all about animals!
Click here for the quiz
Our score prediction for this evening is 1-1 and we think Zan Vipotnik will get the goal for the Swans.
Uppa Swans,
Cyril and Cybil
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
19 Florian Bianchini
20 Liam Cullen
21 Nathan Tjoe-A-On
22 Lawrence Vigouroux
23 Cyrus Christie
25 Myles Peart-Harris
26 Kyle Naughton
29 Nathan Broome
31 Ollie Cooper
33 Jon McLaughlin
35 Ronald
36 Ben Lloyd
37 Aimar Govea
40 NUMBER RETIRED
41 Sam Parker
42 Evan Watts
43 Dan Watts
47 Azeem Abdulai
50 Filip Lissah
Manager Chris Wilder
1 Michael Cooper
2 Alfie Gilchrist
3 Sam McCallum
4 Oliver Arblaster
6 Harry Souttar
7 Rhian Brewster
8 Gustavo Hamer
9 Kieffer Moore
10 Callum O’Hare
11 Jeserun Rak-Sakyi
14 Harrison Burrows
15 Anel Ahmedhodžić
16 Jamie Shackleton
17 Adam Davies
18 Jack Robinson ©
21 Vinícius Souza
22 Tom Davies
23 Tyrese Campbell
31 Luke Faxon
33 Rhys Norrington-Davies
34 Louie Marsh
35 Andre Brooks
38 Femi Seriki
42 Sydie Peck
N/A Ben Brereton Diaz
Referee - Dean Whitestone
Assistant Referee 1 - Daniel Leach
Assistant Referee 2 - Conor Brown
Fourth Official - Paul Howard
STAFF LIST
Chairman - Andy Coleman
Honorary Club President - Alan Curtis MBE
Directors
Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, George Popstefanov, Chris Sznewajs, Tyler Morse, Nigel Morris, Todd Marcelle, Martin Morgan, Paul Meller, 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
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 Media & Communications: Kieran Watkins
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 Swansea City AFC Foundation: Paul France
Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
PROGRAMME PRODUCTION
Contributors: Andrew Gwilym, Rachael Tucker, Cerith White, Jack Otter, Sophie Davis, Mackenzie Squires, Dom Hynes, Sammy Wynne, Hayley Ford, Owen Morgan, Gwyn Rees, Julie Kissick.
Designers: Callum Rothwell, Lewis Ward.
Photography: Athena Picture Agency,
Natalie John-Davis, Alamy.