Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers - 20-21 Season - Issue 5

Cadwch yn ddiogel Jacks

Issue 5 - Digital Copy

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Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers Saturday, October 31 - Kick-off 3pm

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CONTENTS Page 15 - Swans Community Trust

Page 18 - Meet the Opposition

Page 22 - Match Reports

Page 28 - Croeso Kasey Palmer

Page 40 - Black History at Swansea City

Polite Warning: The British courts have now imposed a standard minimum three-year ban from all football grounds for football-related arrests – both inside and outside the ground. CCTV is currently in operation inside and outside the stadium, while police are also using handheld video cameras.

Offences include: obscene or racist chanting or gesturing; consuming alcohol in seated areas; continual standing in seated areas; aggressive behaviour; going onto the pitch; throwing of items; drunk and disorderly behaviour or under the influence of drugs. Please note there is also a no-smoking policy within the stadium. If broken, you could be ejected. Sales of goods inside and outside the stadium is prohibited unless via official registered sellers. The club badge is a registered trademark and unauthorised use of it will not be permitted. High-quality cameras are not permitted inside the stadium.

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SWANSEA UNIVERSITY IS THE PROUD FRONT OF SHIRT PARTNER OF SWANSEA CITY FOOTBALL CLUB.

PRIFYSGOL ABERTAWE YW’R PARTNER BALCH AR FLAEN CRYSAU CLWB PÊL-DROED ABERTAWE.

At Swansea University there are many master’s courses on offer that may be of interest to you, our fans.

Ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe, mae nifer o gyrsiau meistr a allai fod o ddiddordeb i chi, ein cefnogwyr.

Whether you’re looking to build on existing skills or retrain for a new career, Swansea University offers courses in a wide range of subject areas, including:

P’un ai yr ydych am ehangu eich sgiliau neu ailhyfforddi ar gyfer gyrfa newydd, mae Prifysgol Abertawe yn cynnig cyrsiau mewn ystod eang o feysydd pwnc, yn cynnwys:

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Nursing

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Nyrsio

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Medicine

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Meddygaeth

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Management

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Rheolaeth

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Teaching

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Dysgu

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Health Sciences

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Gwyddorau Iechyd

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Engineering Law

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Cyfraith Peirianneg

You can find out more at the University’s next ONLINE POSTGRADUATE OPEN DAY on Wednesday 4 November.

As a Swansea City fan, you’ll receive exclusive access to virtual activities, such as: •

Postgraduate finance and funding talk

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Employability webinar

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Student Q & As

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Departmental talks and webinars

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Live chats with expert academic and support staff

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Live campus tours

BOOK NOW

Gallwch ddysgu mwy yn ystod DIWRNOD AGORED ÔL-RADDEDIG RHITHWIR RHITHWIR nesaf y Brifysgol ddydd Mercher, 4 Tachwedd.

Fel un o gefnogwyr Clwb Pêl-droed Abertawe, bydd gennych fynediad arbennig i weithgareddau rhithwir megis: • •

Sgyrsiau ar gyllid ac arian i ôl-raddedigion Weminar cyflogadwyedd

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Holi myfyrwyr

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Sgyrsiau a weminarau pynciol

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Sgyrsiau byw gyda staff cefnogi ac academaidd arbenigol

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Teithiau byw o’r campysau

ARCHEBWCH NAWR

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WATCH ALL THE

CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES VISIT SWANSEACITY.COM

Chief Executive Julian Winter Board Of Directors Directors: Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Huw Jenkins, Jason Levien, Stuart McDonald, Martin Morgan, Gareth Davies, Julian Winter, Jake Silverstein, Sam Porter Honorary Club President: Alan Curtis; Associate Directors: David Morgan, Cath Dyer Team Management Head Coach: Steve Cooper Assistant Coach: Mike Marsh Behind the Team Goalkeeping Coach: Martyn Margetson Head of Medicine: Dr Jez McCluskey Head of Performance Analysis: Steve Rands Head of Recruitment: Andy Scott Academy Manager: Nigel Rees Staff: David Tivey, Ritson Lloyd, Ailsa Jones, Matthew Murray, Adele Callaghan, Daniel Morris, Lee Watkins, Chris Watkins, Tom Jenkinson, Tom Goodall, Daniel Nisbett, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Huw Lake, Ashley Gill, Steffan Popham

Senior Management Group Andrew Davies (Head of Operations, Facilities & Development); Gareth Davies (CFO); Rebecca Edwards-Symmons (Head of Commercial) Club Staff Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood Assistant Football Secretary: Rebecca Gigg Head of Retail: Andrea Morris Head of Hospitality & Customer Services: Catherine Thomas Legal Counsel, Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer HR Manager: Nicola Butt Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager: Lee Merrells Commercial Marketing Manager: Katie Hughes Media Manager: Chris Barney Ticket Office Manager: Luke Hughes Operations & Events Manager: Matthew Daniel Facilities Manager: Gordon David Grounds Manager: Anthony Harry Disability Access Officer: Mark Phillips Community Trust Manager: Helen Elton Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle

Programme Production Contributors: Alex Bennett, Julie Kissick, Dafydd Pritchard, Chris Barney, Andrew Gwilym, Jonathan Davies, Sophie Davis, Adam Evans, Gwyn Rees Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jordan Morcom Photography: Athena Picture Agency, Natalie Davis, PA, REX Print: DWJ Group Ltd Swansea City AFC Liberty Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA10 2FA CP-D Dinas Abertawe Stadiwm Liberty, Landore, Abertawe, SA1 2FA Telephone/FfĂ´n: 01792 616606 Fax/Ffacs: 01792 616606 Web/Gwe: swanseacity.com Email/E-bost: info@swanseacity.com

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Chief Executive’s Notes

JULIAN WINTER G

ood afternoon to all Swansea City supporters around the world.

I’m sure you’re all looking forward to today’s fixture against Blackburn Rovers in what promises to be a really exciting game between two positive teams.

All Jacks have a spring in their step following our midweek win over Stoke, in what was a very pleasing performance and result.

The Championship is a very competitive division packed with quality teams, and our run of fixtures backs that up with Blackburn, Brentford and Norwich City the next three games on our schedule.

It’s a shame you can’t be at the Liberty again today, but the main thing is that we all stay safe and do what we can in order to move closer to normality as soon as it’s deemed safe enough.

The current lockdown restrictions mean we are having to think outside of the box in terms of what we do off the pitch.

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Instead of welcoming members of our City Business Network to the Liberty, our first event of the season was hosted virtually.

Around 30 top companies from the region took part, with the theme of Survive, Revive and Thrive.

I really like the concept of local businesses coming together to help each other and discuss ideas, particularly in these testing times, and I was delighted to be part of a Q&A to give an insight into our financial position and background on recent decisions at the club. I look forward to the next event on December 10.

Back to football matters, Swansea City Ladies are in Champions League action on Wednesday when they travel to Cyprus to take on Apollon Ladies.

It will be a great experience and a proud moment for the team and staff, and we’re all hoping they can return from Limassol with a memorable victory. All the best of luck to the team.

This week we were also delighted to team up with gambling harmreduction charity The Big Step.

The Big Step is a footballfocused gambling education project and part of the Gambling with Lives charity, which has people with experience of gambling harm delivering a community-based education, training, awareness and signposting programme in conjunction with ourselves.

The 18-month Gambling Harms Prevention programme will be delivered by Swans’ fan Nick Phillips, himself a recovering gambling addict.

This project can help the lives of not just individuals, but their families and friends t o o. A s a c l u b we’ ve o pt e d against a gambling company as our main kit sponsor, and that is with the aim of aiding the battle against gambling addiction.

The Community Trust has been busy, as ever, and are doing great things in the area.

Again, the restrictions provide obstacles, but the Trust are dealing well with it.

Ali Al-Hamadi, from our under-23 squad, took part in a recent workshop dedicated to Black History Month through a virtual Premier League Kicks programme.

Following the postponement of outdoor football sessions, the online programme was set up to include Kicks participants from around Britain and America. Ali spoke about his journey from war-torn Iraq to becoming a professional footballer and answered questions on his own experiences regarding racism.

Club ambassador Lee Trundle will be joining the online Kicks club next week for an exclusive Q&A session.

The Trust are also teaming up with Carolyn Harris MP and Julie James MS to help deliver the Everyone Deserves a Christmas Hamper campaign.

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The festive season is not too far away, and the campaign helps create food hampers with a value of £50 each to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the Christmas they deserve. This is a great idea, and again has our local community at the centre of it, which is a value the club shares.

Finally, everyone at Swansea City was saddened to learn of the passing of the club’s former chairman David Goldstone CBE at the age of 91.

Everyone at Swansea City sends their heartfelt condolences to David’s family and friends at this sad time.

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Head Coach’s Notes

STEVE COOPER G

ood afternoon to you all as we look ahead to our Championship clash with Blackburn Rovers.

It was only a few days ago that I was writing my notes for the Stoke City game, and it’s just a reminder of how quick and fast the games are coming.

After two games on the road, it was great to be back at the Liberty on Tuesday night.

Stoke have started the season well and they will always provide you with a big battle, but I felt the lads really stood up to that and placed our influence on the game.

We started very brightly and went close to scoring on two o c c a s i o n s v i a Ya n D h a n d a , including one that struck the post. The important thing was that we kept at it and stuck to the game plan.

I was delighted for Jay Fulton – not only for his goal, which grabbed the headlines, but for his performance. Jay is a really good professional and a really nice lad to have in your squad, and he really grasped the opportunity that was in front of him.

K asey P almer ’s goal, which was full of bravery more than anything, sealed the win a n d fo r m e i t wa s p ro b a b l y our best performance of the season so far.

Huge cre dit t o the player s , because they could have felt hard done by after the draw a t B r i s t o l C i t y, y e t I s a w a positive, committed group going into the S toke match and we got the performance and result we deserved.

It was also our fourth clean sheet in the Championship, and that is testament to the w h o l e t e a m a n d s t a ff, w h o put in a lot of work to make us solid defensively.

Now we face another tough test in SA1. Blackburn, despite their defeat in midweek, have made a positive start to the season and they’ll be looking to bounce back. They have shown their attacking qualities, and are the division’s top scorers currently.

Winning consecutive games in this league gives you a massive boost, and that’s what we are targeting.

Although you can’t be with us at the Liberty or up and down the country, your support from home provides the lads with extra motivation.

Once again, we are in lockdown in Wale s , and we are fully aware that there may be people who are struggling – whether that ’s via ment al health or financially – during this time. But we want you to know that we haven’t forgotten you, and you are still in our thoughts.

W h e n we g o i n t o g a m e s , i t remains a big motivation for us knowing that we can put smiles on faces and help everyone through this tough period.

Enjoy the game.

B ut we will c onc entrat e on what we can bring to the game as we look to seal back-to-back home wins.

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MATT GRIMES Captain’s Notes

H

ello and welcome to everyone joining us from around the world for this afternoon’s home fixture against Blackburn Rovers.

We go into the game off the back of a brilliant victory over Stoke City under the Liberty l i g h t s o n Tu e s d a y e ve n i n g .

I t wa s a g o o d p e r fo r m a n c e and I thought we thoroughly deserved all three points.

We played some really good stuff in the first half; we p ro b a b l y s h o u l d h ave g o n e into the break a couple of goals to the good. We showed great mentality and got the job done in the second half. It was a great team performance and all the lads put a great shift in.

It was a sensational finish from Jay and I’m chuffed to bits for him. He’s got that in his locker; he does chip in with the odd goal here and there.

Another highlight of the eve n i n g wa s K a s ey g e tt i n g his first goal in a Swans shirt.

He really put his body on the line to get the goal and it was a good goal to seal the three points for us.

Ryan Manning made his Swansea debut against Stoke which was fantastic, he has been settling in really well.

To be fair, there hasn’t been a lot of time to think about players bedding in bec ause it has been game after game after game, but the new lads have come in and hit the ground running.

It’s a great dressing room to be a part of and I like to think that it is quite easy for them to settle in. It’s a great group of lads and we’re a real tight-knit bunch.

the Liberty would have been on Tuesday evening with the Jack Army there, and it’s such a shame that the fans weren’t there to experience the victory with us.

We hope that the fans were still able to enjoy the win on SwansTV, and we assure them that their support doesn’t go unnoticed.

Saturday ’s match against Blackburn will be a tough game as they all are in the Championship, but we’ll build on our confidence and look to get the win.

Thanks for your support , as always, and enjoy the game this afternoon!

I can’t help but think how incredible the atmosphere at

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T

erry Sinnett describes the structure of the Supporters Trust’s monthly meetings which, in pre-Covid times, took place in one of the hospitality boxes at the Liberty Stadium.

I remember my first meeting walking into the reception area at the Liberty filled with excitement, especially having never been in that area before. The facilities are impressive and the view of the ground from the hospitality boxes is awesome.

The meetings are now virtual but still follow the same agenda: · Matters arising from previous meeting · Chairman’s report and Legal update · Supporters Director update · Treasurer’s report · Membership & fundraising report · Website and social media report · DSA (Disabled Supporters Association) report · School Initiative report · Any other business The Trust sub-groups that cover these matters meet regularly and bring the full board up to date on their activities and progress. Discussions then follow and, where necessary, votes are taken to decide Trust policy.

The roles of each board member and the sub-groups can be found on our website: swanstrust.co.uk/meetthe-trust-board A recent example of this was the arrangements made by the club on how to best look after season ticket holders and administer refund requests. The Trust were heavily involved in discussions with the club with

the aim of achieving the priorities that we knew were important to our supporters. Many of our goals were adopted and the consensus has been that the action taken by the club was fair and balanced, especially given the difficult and testing times we are in.

Minutes of our meetings are published on our website and can be found at swanstrust.co.uk/trustboard-and-agm-minutes Our ‘Join the Swans Trust’ campaign continues to bear fruit, and we have seen a big increase in membership. Many have renewed having let their membership lapse in recent years and we are particularly pleased to see many new members.

Welcome one and all!

We still need more of the Jack Army to join the Trust, to have a say and to take part. You can join by visiting swanstrust.co.uk/join-the-trust With 50 per cent off fees until December 31, you only pay £5/£2.50/£1 for adult/senior/junior membership. A perfect Christmas treat for yourself, family or friend.

We have also received many donations, currently exceeding £1,000. A superb gesture and thank you to those concerned.

On the field, our good start to the season continues.

Bar the disappointing result against Huddersfield, we’ve been unbeaten against all the teams we’ve faced. We have shown glimpses of the ‘Swansea Way’ and the great win against Stoke, arguably our best display of the season so far, is hopefully indicative of the way we are going.

Today we welcome the blue and whites from Blackburn to the Liberty for what promises to be an entertaining fixture.

Enjoy the game.

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HELPING FAMILIES ENJOY FOOTBALL AT HOME The ‘homemade waste pipe goal’. Waste pipes, push-fit knuckle bends and some barrier fencing. It doesn’t seem like much, but sometimes it’s all you need to transform your garden into a proper footy pitch.

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A

li Al-Hamadi was a special guest as Swansea City AFC Community Trust successfully launched their virtual Premier League Kicks programme by delivering a workshop dedicated to Black History Month.

The Kicks initiative uses the power of football and value of sports participation to help youngsters in some of the most high-need areas across England and Wales.

This was the first workshop of a 10-week online programme – devised after local lockdown restrictions led to the cancellation of several outside football sessions.

Kicks participants from across the UK and America were joined by Swansea City Under-23s forward Al-Hamadi and Ali Abdi – lead coordinator for the National BAME Youth Forum at Race Council Cymru.

After they were put through their paces with a quickfire quiz about Swansea City, the participants learned about Black History Month and the Black Lives Matter movement via an insightful presentation delivered by Abdi.

This was followed by a Q&A session with Al-Hamadi, who described his incredible journey from wartorn Iraq to becoming a professional footballer, and answered questions about his own experiences with racism on and off the field.

“I really enjoyed it and learned quite a lot myself, to be honest,” he said.

“As a footballer, I have a responsibility to give back to the community.

“When I was in school, we didn’t learn too much about racism or Black History Month, so it’s encouraging to

see it being talked about so much now. It’s only going to become more common across the UK. “It’s great to see kids engaging and trying to learn different things, and I’m grateful to the Kicks programme for putting the session on.”

Jamie T homas, Premier L eague K icks area coordinator, added: “During this difficult period, we feel it is vital that we continue to engage, support and deliver to the young participants within our local community on a regular basis.

“We aim to offer a variety of deliveries that will continue to support their personal development and wellbeing, as well as ensuring they have fun.

“It was a great honour to welcome Ali Abdi to the session. He inspired and educated us on what is a very important topic in society.

“It was also brilliant to have Ali Al-Hamadi as a role model and positive influence to our youngsters, providing them with insight and knowledge of football that they can relate to.

“The new delivery plan has had its challenges, but we’re very excited about the content we will be delivering in the coming weeks.”

Next week, club ambassador Lee Trundle will be joining the online Kicks club for an exclusive Q&A session. To register for the programme, go to: form.jotform.com/SwansTrust/KicksClub For more information, please contact: jamie@scfccommunitytrust.co.uk

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SWANS TEAM UP WITH THE BIG STEP S

wansea City team up with anti-gambling campaign group The Big Step in a trailblazing new partnership.

The Big Step is a football-focused gambling education project and part of the Gambling with Lives charity, which has people with lived ex p e r i e n c e of g a m b l i n g h a r m d e l i ve r i n g a community-based education, training, awareness and signposting programme in conjunction with the Swans.

T he 18-month G ambling Harms P revention programme will be delivered by Swans’ fan Nick Phillips, himself a recovering gambling addict.

In addition to the support of the club, the scheme has also been backed by the Swansea City Supporters Trust, Swansea City Community Trust and has been positively received by local MP Carolyn Harris.

“I would like to thank the club and the supporters trust in giving us the opportunity to talk about gambling and, in particular, the harms that are attached with it,” said Nick.

“As a lifelong fan of the club, I am excited about this education project and believe it will have a significant positive impact amongst the fans and the local community.”

James Grimes, senior programme manager at Gambling with Lives and Founder of The Big Step, added: “I am so proud to announce our partnership with Swansea City, whose community scheme is renowned for improving lives.

“As a recovering gambling addict, I am passionate about preventing young people going through the same thing that I did. During 12 years of addiction, football failed to provide adequate warnings or the help that I so desperately needed.

“This partnership will show how football can be a positive social vehicle in preventing and reducing gambling harms in its community through our education, awareness and signposting work.”

Swansea City’s head of commercial, Rebecca Edwards-Symmons, said: “We are delighted to be able to lend our full support to the fine work of The Big Step.

“At Swansea City, our suppor ters and their welfare are at the centre of our values, so we were quick to pledge our backing to this project, which can help the lives of not just individuals, but their families and friends too.

“Aside from backing The Big Step, this season we have moved away from having a gambling company as our main kit sponsor, which allows our junior Jacks to proudly wear the same shirts as their heroes. “ T hese are the big steps we are making to help strengthen the battle against gambling addiction.”

Helen Elton, head of community at Swansea City’s Community Trust, said: “As the charitable arm of the club we have health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, and are always keen to work with other charities who can help us in that work. “ T he B ig S tep has exper tise in the are a of protecting young people from the harms associated with gambling addiction.

“We are very happy to be able to work together w i t h t h e m t o c o m b at t h e n o r m a l i s at i o n of g a m b l i n g , a n d t o i m p r ove t h e l i ve s of o u r community’s young people.”

Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East, added: “I am delighted that the Swans, my local football club, are taking the issue of gambling-related harm seriously and is forming this important partnership with The Big Step. “ T his programme will play a critic al role in ensuring that young people are made aware of the real risks of gambling and gambling addiction.”

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BLACKBURN FACT FILE OWNER

Venky’s Ltd

NICKNAME

Rovers

@Rovers @rovers /1Rovers

STADIUM OPENED CAPACITY Ewood Park

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THE GAFFER

The experienced Mowbray is now into his fourth full season in charge at Ewood Park, having taken over the reins in February 2017. The former defender turned out for Middlesbrough, Celtic and Ipswich Town during his 18-year playing career, in which he racked up over 500 appearances and won three promotions.

Mowbray has also had spells with Ipswich, Celtic and Boro as a manager, as well as Hibernian, Coventry and West Brom, who he guided to the Championship title in 2008.

CLUB CAPTAIN

Bennett is set to miss today’s game as he continues his recovery from an ankle ligament injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of 2020. The midfielder is approaching five years at Ewood Park, where he has made just under 200 appearances in all competitions.

Bennett, who began his career at Wolves, has also represented Crewe, Bury, Brighton and Bristol City in the EFL, while playing over 50 times in the Premier League for Norwich City.

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FOUNDED

1875

TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

ELLIOTT BENNETT TONY MOWBRAY

CLUB DETAILS SOCIAL MEDIA FACILITIES

31,367

STADIUM MEET THE OPPOSITION

Now in their third season back in the Championship, Blackburn are aiming to build on consecutive mid-table finishes.

Blackburn are one of only six sides to don the Premier League crown, having beaten Manchester United to the title by a single point in 1994-95, although they have not been in the top-flight for nearly a decade after relegation in 2012.

They had previously won the top-flight title in 1912 and 1914, and have won six FA Cups and one League Cup.

BLACKBURN ROVER’S FORM

Blackburn are the leading scorers in the Championship with 18 goals from their opening eight games.

But only Coventry and Wycombe have conceded more than Rovers, who have shipped seven in their last three outings.

Mowbray’s side recorded impressive 5-0 and 4-0 victories over Wycombe and Derby respectively, but have been beaten in three of their five games since.

However, their last outing on the road did bring a 4-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Coventry.

THE KEY MEN

Blackburn boast the Championship’s leading marksman in Adam Armstrong, who has already netted nine goals in eight games. Those include a hat-trick in the 5-0 rout of Wycombe, and the former Newcastle striker is well on the way to beating last season’s total of 17 in all competitions.

The experienced Bradley Johnson has added a further three goals from midfield, while youngster Tyrhys Dolan has also made a positive start to the campaign, as has Harvey Elliott since completing his loan move from Liverpool.

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ONES TO WATCH

BRADLEY JOHNSON

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Johnson has made a flying start to his second season with Blackburn, with three goals in his opening four games.

The experienced midfielder, who played 100 times in the Premier League for Norwich, is rapidly approaching 600 career appearances. He also represented the Canaries in the Championship, as well as Leeds and Derby, while turning out for Cambridge, Northampton and Brighton in the lower echelons of the EFL.

POSITION

GK

NATION

AGE

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28 MF

Belgian goalkeeper Kaminski joined Blackburn from Gent for an undisclosed fee in August. The 6ft 3in stopper, who played 14 times in last season’s Europa League, has made a solid start to life in England, with four clean sheets to his name already. A former Belgian youth international, Kaminski began his career with Germinal Beerschot and Leuven before spending five years with Anderlecht, who he represented in the Champions League.

THOMAS KAMINSKI

NATION

AGE

33

TYRHYS DOLAN Dolan has made a blistering start to his senior career, scoring in each of Rovers’ thumping victories over Wycombe and Derby. The Manchester-born midfielder signed his first professional contract at Ewood Park in the summer following his departure from Preston.

Dolan, who also spent time in the youth ranks at Manchester City, built up his first-team experience last season during a brief loan spell with Clitheroe.

POSITION

MF

NATION

AGE

POSITION

25 MF

NATION

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POSITION

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Rothwell has also made a bright start to his third season at Ewood P ark , already registering a couple of assists to his name. The central midfielder began his career at Manchester United; spending 15 years with the Red Devils before departing for Oxford United, where he scored eight times in 86 appearances. He previously built up his experience with brief loan spells at Blackpool and Barnsley.

The Championship’s leading scorer, Armstrong already has seven goals to his name including a hat-trick in the 5-0 rout of Wycombe. The former Newcastle striker was Rovers’ leading marksman with 17 goals in all competitions last season, and will be eager to better that tally this term.

An England international at various youth levels, he was part of the under-20s side, alongside Freddie Woodman, that won the World Cup in 2017.

JOE ROTHWELL

ADAM ARMSTRONG 21

SWANSEA CITY 2 STOKE CITY 0

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MATCH DETAILS

LINEUPS

DATE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 VENUE: LIBERTY STADIUM REFEREE: ANDRE MARRINER

Swans: Freddie Woodman; Kyle Naughton, Ryan Bennett (Ben Cabango 74), Marc Guehi; Connor Roberts, Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain), Ryan Manning (Jake Bidwell 74); Yan Dhanda (Kasey Palmer 74); Andre Ayew, Jamal Lowe.

MATCH REPORT J

Subs not used: Steven Benda, Korey Smith, Liam Cullen, Viktor Gyokeres.

ay Fulton and Kasey Palmer got the goals as Swansea City returned to winning ways with a deserved victory over Stoke City at the Liberty Stadium.

In a performance head coach Steve Cooper rated as among the best so far this season, midfielder Fulton opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a superb improvised finish.

And the points were made safe when substitute Palmer bravely headed in Swansea’s second of the evening late on.

The margin of victory could easily have been greater, but Cooper and his staff could have few complaints following a dominant performance and another clean sheet.

The hosts were firmly in control from the off, with Yan Dhanda striking a post in just the second minute from a Connor Roberts pass.

Chances flowed as Jamal Lowe headed over, while the lively Dhanda also fired over from the edge of the area.

The opener duly arrived on the half-hour mark, Fulton using the outside of his right foot to find the net via the inside of a post after a poor lunch from Stoke keeper Adam Davies.

The Potters proved more obdurate during the second period, but did not force Freddie Woodman into a single save of note.

And, when Palmer beat substitute keeper Angus Gunn to Jake Bidwell’s lofted pass, the three points moved Swansea up to second in the table ahead of the remainder of the midweek fixtures.

Stoke City: Adam Davies (Angus Gunn 46); James Chester, Harry Souttar, Morgan Fox (Steven Fletcher 81); Tommy Smith, John Obi Mikel (captain), Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Josh Tymon (Tyrese Campbell 66), James McClean; Jacob Brown, Sam Vokes.

Subs not used: Danny Batth, Lee Gregory, Jordan Cousins, Nick Powell.

QUOTE OF THE GAME “WE WERE EXCELLENT IN TERMS OF OUR POSITIONING, OUR COMMITMENT TO THE GAMEPLAN, AND OUR STYLE. WE WERE PROBABLY AS GOOD AS WE HAVE BEEN, IN TERMS OF HOW WE WANT TO PLAY, THIS SEASON” STEVE COOPER 23

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STILETTOS & STUDS

BY JULIE KISSICK

I

’m writing this immediately after the Stoke g a m e o n Tu e s d a y e v e n i n g – w h a t a w i n .

G et in!

That was the best performance of the season so far for me – there was a real desire to win from every player on that pitch and two great goals too.

If we can play like that again today, we’ll be happy Jacks. I was certainly pleased to see Yan Dhanda making such a strong contribution to the cause.

I think he is someone with huge talent and let’s hope he has a chance to shine over the next few weeks and months.

For me, he brings something different to the team and I was pleased to see his contribution on Tuesday evening.

Club legend Alan Curtis was the second voice on commentary on Swans TV and he was saying what a great game he had against Stoke.

We’re fortunate that the former players who contribute are not only passionate about football but they are really aware of how we do things at this club.

It really is incredible how much of an impact a decent game, and obviously a win, can have on your mood. I was thoroughly fed up earlier on – now I’m grinning like a Cheshire cat!

up – and we have a lot to be fed up about outside of football at the moment, I know.

But the beautiful game has a way of lifting our spirits and, I for one, am all for as much of that as I can get at the moment.

And as tomorrow (Sunday) is my birthday, if we can get another win today against Blackburn Rovers, we will have had a very, very good week, don’t you think?

We go into this afternoon’s fixture seven points behind Reading, who surely are the surprise early league leaders at the top of the table.

They beat today’s visitors 4-2 on Tuesday evening, despite Blackburn having 66 per cent possession and six shots on target. Adam Armstrong, one of the league’s top scorers, got two on Tuesday to take his tally to nine so far this season.

His two goals against the Royals were double the number Reading’s previous seven league opponents had scored against them.

Blackburn are sitting in mid-table, but with only eight games played, that won’t be too much of a concern yet.

On a different note, a big shout out to Swansea City Ladies who face Apollon in Limassol in Cyprus next week in the Women’s Champions League.

I was smiling too while I scrolled through Twitter during the game and saw that October 27, 2019 was also a big date for the Swans – it was the day we beat Cardiff City!

Katy Hosford, who has played in the WCL before, is hoping that her experience will be a bonus to the team on Wednesday evening.

It’s easy at this time of the year when the clocks go back and the dark, cold nights loom large, to get fed

Good luck girls! I don’t want to speak too soon, but let’s hope we’re about to embark on a very good week.

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ERTHYGLAU CYMRAEG

BY DAFYDD PRITCHARD, BBC WALES

M

ae’n fraint cael gweithio ar gemau chwaraeon byw yn ystod yr adeg rhyfedd yma – ond mae rhaid i mi gyfaddef bod popeth yn teimlo braidd yn ddi-bwys heb gefnogwyr.

Yn sicr, mae’r awyrgylch tu fewn i stadiymau gwag yn ddi-enaid, bron yn arswydus ar adegau.

Ac er bod hi’n braf bod pêl-droed a champau eraill yn sicrhau rhyw fath o adloniant i bobl o’u cartrefi, dyw chwaraeon ddim yn teimlo yn iawn heb gefnogwyr.

Gweithio ar gêm yw uchafbwynt fy wythnos, a’r rheswm i mi hyfforddi i fod yn newyddiadurwr chwaraeon.

Ond mae paratoi am gêm, cerdded i’r stadiwm a wedyn cymryd fy sedd ymhlith y gohebwyr eraill… mae’r gweithgareddau yma i gyd yn teimlo’n anghyflawn heb gefnogwyr.

Does dim egni o gwmpas y stadiwm, does dim emosiwn pan fod tîm yn sgorio gol – a phan does dim emosiwn, am ba rheswm ydyn ni’n ymddiddori yn chwaraeon?

Wel, rydyn ni i gyd dal yn gaeth i bêl-droed. Rydyn ni i gyd yn dal i ddilyn ein tîmau o’n cartrefi, dal i floeddio’n ddi-baid yn ystod gêm – hyd yn oed os fod hynny at y teledu.

Mae ein hangerdd dal yn gryf, a’r freuddwyd i bawb yw y byddwn ni i gyd yn y stadiwm efo’n gilydd unwaith eto yn fuan.

Pryd fydd hynny? Pwy a wyr?

Croeswn ein bysedd – croeswn bopeth – daw y dydd yna cyn hir.

Yn y cyfamser, mae rhaid i ni gadw ’r ffydd ac mae rhaid i ni aros yn agos at ein gilydd – hyd yn oed pan fod angen i ni bellhau yn gorfforol.

Hyd yn oed os mai ar sgyrsiau Zoom neu galwadau ffôn yw hynny, rydyn ni i gyd yn gallu cadw mewn cysylltiad efo’n gilydd yn ystod y cyfnod clo.

Mae gemau bêl-droed yn helpu. Bydde bywyd braidd yn ddiflas hebddo.

Ac er dyw gemau ddim yn teimlo’n iawn heb gefnogwyr, gobeithio bydd hynny ’n newid yn fuan a bydd stadiymau yn swnllyd ac yn llawn egni unwaith eto.

Tan hynny, bydd y gobaith yn cadw i ni fynd.

Daw eto haul ar fryn.

27

CROESO KASEY PALMER

Age: 23 Position: Forward Nationality: English Former Clubs: Chelsea, 0 Apps, 0 Goals Huddersfield (Loan), 28 Apps, 4 Goals Derby (Loan), 15 Apps, 2 Goals Blackburn (Loan), 14 Apps, 1 Goal Bristol City (Loan), 15 Apps, 2 Goals Bristol City, 25 Apps, 1 Goal

28

HE MAY STILL BE JUST 23 YEARS OF AGE, BUT KASEY PA L M E R I S A L R E A D Y A WELL-TRAVELLED PRO AS O P P O S E D TO A CA L LOW YOUNGSTER AS HE SETS HIS SIGHTS ON SUCCESS WITH SWANSEA CITY. Palmer was one of four arrivals at the Liberty Stadium on transfer deadline day, signing on loan from Bristol City, but he had been linked with a move to the Swans in the previous two transfer windows.

“It’s been a long time coming, I’ ve been linked with Swansea over the last c ouple of windows and, now it ’s done, I c an’ t wait to get up to speed as quick as I c an.

“I was close to c oming here last summer in 2019, and I had good c onversations with the head c oach, so to finally be here is a relief and I could not wait to get down to work, meet the lads and get out on the pitch.

“Swansea have always been known for playing good football, especially with the manger now looking to build from the back and play through the thirds, so it is something I rec ognised in the games I have played against them and I want to be a part of it .

The talented midfielder originally emerged with Charlton, before making the move to Chelsea in 2013 as a 16-year-old.

“It ’s perfect for me, having played Swansea last year and had conversations with the manager after games, there are things that stick in your mind.

Palmer enjoyed plenty of success in the academy ranks with the Blues.

“Now we are here, and to be part of that style of play is attractive.”

He helped the club to an under-21 league title, FA Youth Cup success and repeat triumphs in the UEFA Youth League in 2015 and 2016.

The following season he joined Huddersfield on loan and featured heavily as the Terriers sealed promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

He started the following top-flight campaign with another loan spell at the John Smith’s Stadium, before moving to Derby on loan in January for the remainder of the campaign.

The 2018-19 season saw spells with Blackburn and Bristol City, with Palmer’s impressive form during the second of those moves seeing him seal a permanent move to Ashton Gate in the summer of 2019.

He made 29 appearances in all competitions for the Robins last term, playing alongside his now Swansea team-mate Korey Smith.

And, given those previous links with a move to SA1, Palmer is glad to finally be a Swan.

“I’m happy to finally be here in front of the Jack Army and have the deal done,” he said with a smile.

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Palmer will look to settle into his new surroundings quickly, and will be helped by the fact there are a number of familiar faces waiting to greet him in the Swansea changing room.

He played with Smith at Bristol City, and came through the Chelsea ranks with Marc Guehi, as well as playing with Matt Grimes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Freddie Woodman in the England age-grade ranks.

And Palmer revealed how he had spoken to his old colleague Smith about what he could expect from life at Swansea.

“We had been speaking together a bit over the few weeks while the deal was being spoken about between the clubs,” said Palmer.

“Korey had been keeping me up to date and he has been telling me about the city, the club and the players.

“He has given me a debrief, if you like, and that’s been good.

“I’ve played with Grimesy before with England, also Marc, Morgan and Freddie.

“So it’s been nice going into a new dressing room knowing a few people and I hope this will help.”

A loan move to Swansea means Palmer – who made his debut against Huddersfield and scored in the midweek win over Stoke – follows in the footsteps of a man who was a mentor and then, briefly, his manager at Chelsea.

Frank Lampard had a short stint at the Vetch back in the 1995-96 season, and is just one of a range of star players and managers Palmer has worked with.

At Chelsea alone, Palmer spent time under Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri prior to Lampard’s appointment.

That’s before you mention training with players of the calibre of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas.

“I trained with Frank Lampard quite a few times as a player, and he was then the manager when I left last summer to go to Bristol City,” says Palmer.

“Obviously, you look up to someone like that and the things he has achieved in his career – winning titles

30

and cup, playing for his country – are the things that all young players dream of doing.

“You take a lot from the experience of playing alongside someone like that, and from the managers you work under as well.

“Everyone has a slightly different philosophy, the training is always different, the tactical work is different. You learn so much.

It’s been good to go through that journey, playing with some of the best players in the world. It’s been quite a journey to get to this point.”

And what does this next chapter of that journey hold?

What does Palmer hope he can accomplish during the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign “First and foremost, it’s been good to get involved, and try and get up to speed,” he says.

“But the main aim is promotion, I don’t think you can look past that.

“If we don’t manage it, or get in the top six, we will be disappointed if you look at the players, the manager and the facilities we have here.

“I’m coming here to try and get into his team but I have to earn it, I know nothing gets given to you on a plate.

“I have to train well every day and, when I get the chance I have to assist and to score, and make a difference for the team as a whole.

“You have to contribute to the team, hopefully I can help Swansea get to where they want to be, which is the Premier League.”

If Palmer can help the Swans manage that, then it will have been worth the wait for his arrival.

KASEY 31

I

JACK THE LAD always get a little concerned w h e n t h e Swa n s p l ay o n Halloween.

No, it’s not the fact that I’m too tight to be dishing out sweets to children roaming the streets dressed as witches and warlocks while I’m on the way to the ground.

Anyway, that definitely won’t be a concern this year with the whole country in lockdown and matches being played behind closed doors.

My main worry is whether the Swans will be the victim of one of those pun-laden Halloween headlines, so popular with the tabloids.

Will the result be a trick or a treat for the Swans?

Looking back over the years we have suffered our share of dreadful defeats s on October 31.

However, we have also been treated to some spellbinding wins on this most devilish of dates.

Let’s get some of the horror shows out of the way first.

One result which will be likely to be still giving Swans fans sleepless nights was the 3-1 away defeat we suffered at the hands of Stoke City at the Britannia Ground on October 31, 2016.

It was certainly a nightmarish experience for us as two former Swans favourites returned to haunt their former team-mates.

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Wilfried Bony dealt us two killer blows, while Joe Allen ghosted in to supply two assists in a man-ofthe-match performance as they continued the long-running curse of the ex-players coming back to bite us.

The Swans’ misery was completed with centre-half Alfie Mawson chipping in with an own ghoul!

Sorry, I couldn’t resist that one!

The only consolation for the Swans was a reply from Wayne Routledge.

The last time the Swans played at the Liberty on October 31 was in 2015, when we conceded another three goals, but this time without reply as Arsenal proved to be particularly tricky callers for a Premier League match.

I don’t want to worry Swans fans too much, but the last time we won at home on All Hallows eve was way back in 1989 when a certain Alan Curtis grabbed the only goal of the game against Rotherham in front of 4,077 fans at the Vetch.

But if you take a closer look at our home Halloween results, they’re not quite as terrifying as that stat would suggest.

With its fearsome reputation and unwelcoming atmosphere for visiting teams, the Vetch proved to be an intimidating place to visit on the scariest day of the year.

Our Halloween history at the grand old ground was particularly impressive.

In 1925, we beat Port Vale 1-0 in front of a 15,612 at the Vetch and the following year we did even better, putting the frighteners on Charlton with a 2-0 win.

In fact, our first defeat on the last day of this month came during an away “Thriller” at Blackpool when we went down 3-2.

Whilst doing my research, there were a couple of away results that I had to read about while nervously peeping through my fingers, like the 3-0 defeat at Notts County in 1953, but at home - especially at the Vetch - we haven’t fared too badly.

The last Halloween match we played there saw us draw 2-2 in League 2 against Bristol City thanks to a double from Giovanni Savarese in front of a 5,286 crowd.

There have also been some particularly positive results to remember when the Swans have been the ones knocking on the door looking for treats.

In 1995, the Swans travelled to the Goldstone Ground in Brighton for a Division Two match.

We ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Steve Torpey and a teenager by the name of Frank Lampard, who netted his one and only goal for the club. I wonder whatever became of young Lampard?

In 2009, the Swans travelled to take on Scunthorpe United in the Championship and were in bewitching form once again as they proved to be party poopers for the hosts.

Craig Beattie and Cedric Van Der Gun were on target as the Swans enjoyed a 2-0 win which extended their unbeaten run to nine games and moved them up to 11th in the table.

But possibly our most satisfying Halloween road trip came when we beat Liverpool 3-1 on the way to winning the Capital One Cup in 2012.

Journalists can’t resist being topical whenever matches fall on special dates like todays.

“Fright night,” “horror show,” “nightmare result” . . . you’ll probably see at least one of these phrases used somewhere in tomorrow’s football headlines and reports.

And The Daily Telegraph report of the Anfield match predictably included the following paragraphs:

The Swans dominated the first half and went into the break a goal up thanks to a Chico Flores header.

“Sometimes, evenings at Anfield produce a performance from the home side so ghastly that the match ticket should carry a parental warning.

Nathan Dyer scored a second with 20 minutes left, before Luis Suarez reduced the deficit.

“ This was such an occasion, an 18-certificate horror show for Halloween. Swansea City returned to haunt former manager Brendan Rodgers and secure a deserved quarter-final place.”

Just five-months after Rodgers had walked out on Swansea, his ex-colleagues turned up on his new doorstep on a dark lateOctober night.

But they weren’t content with giving him the fright of his life, they carried out their threats to the full.

But Jonathan de Guzman grabbed the clincher in injury time to record a historic victory for the Swans and continue their journey towards Wembley later that season.

So, having looked back over the years, on the whole perhaps the Swans don’t have too much to fear as they prepare to take to the field on this spookiest of Saturdays.

Hopefully Blackburn will prove to be the prize pumpkins while the Swans summon a spooktacularly spellbinding performance!

C’mon you Swans!

33

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BY NIGEL REES

G

ood afternoon everybody/prynhawn da pawb. Covid continues to be a huge issue for the academy at the moment with only our professional phase players in a position to train and play.

As an academy we continue to prepare and work towards our younger players returning on November 9 and hopefully get back into the swing of our games programme. This is frustrating for both the players and staff, but we continue to deliver our online programme and sessions and hopefully the players will be ready for our imminent return. When our players return the key phrase for us all at the academy will be patience. These young players have not been involved in a scheduled training and games programme since February and we will need to ensure that they can deal with their own frustrations in terms of their development. The most important part of our programme will be the players’ welfare and wellbeing when they return, and this will be the focus until we feel they are ready to deal with the intensity of the environment. We all want to see the players happy and enjoying their football again and eager to attend every training session.

The under-23s continue to work hard and recently played Birmingham City at Landore. Owing to the absence of a number of players, we fielded a very young team and struggled a little in the first half. However, the players showed a great attitude and desire in the second half and gave a much better performance. We eventually lost 3-0 but this game was an excellent learning experience for the players, and they will have benefited from a number of important lessons for their development. Our next fixture is at Barnsley with a quick turnaround for our next fixture against Nottingham Forrest at home.

The under-18s continue to work hard but again owing to Covid we have not had a fixture since September 26. Our next fixture against Wigan next week has been confirmed and we are all eagerly awaiting the game.

The academy has been working in partnership with Swansea University for a number of seasons. Our partnership has steadily grown throughout this period and I am extremely pleased with the progress and

relationships that have been developed during this period. Both organisations are integral parts of the Swansea community and it makes perfect sense for both parties to work closely together. One of the key aspects of the flourishing partnership is the link between the football club and the University’s Sports Science and Psychology departments. The academy has benefitted substantially from this partnership and has gained access to a wealth of knowledge and research the uiniversity has in these areas along with the benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities at the newlyestablished Bay campus. We actively work with the university in securing work-based placements for the students sharing ideas and areas of good practice.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents who have supported the academy during this whole process.

We established a Parents Voice group last season with the purpose of further developing and enhancing our communication with our parents. The group was instrumental in supporting our links with all parents and players during the initial lockdown period and the relationships developed between both parties has been extremely positive. It has been a long season but one where relationships and understanding have developed and will remain ingrained in our philosophy moving forward.

We have always worked to develop our coaching and support programme for local coaches and clubs. This has developed into a very successful initiative and we will continue to offer coaching workshops and seminars when we return to some kind of normality in terms of social distancing. Our facilities allow us the opportunity to further develop this programme and give the Swansea community as a whole the chance to experience our very effective coaching programme. We are focused on ensuring that we support local coaches and clubs as much as possible and hopefully be an organisation where aspiring coaches are comfortable and confident in making contact with us with regards to coach education and support.

Enjoy the game this evening.

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DATE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 VENUE: LANDORE TRAINING CENTRE Swans U23s: Jamie Searle,

SWANS U23S 0 BIRMINGHAM CITY U23S 3 MATCH REPORT A

Ryan Bevan, Cian Williams, Jake Thomas, Jacob Jones, Erick Kenko, Morgan Clarke, Bradley Gibbings, Cameron Congreve (Adnaan Moti), Adrian Akandi (Rio Campbell), Josh Thomas (Aaron Hillier).

Subs not used: Panashe Makokowe.

“It was probably one of the youngest teams we have ever fielded at this level.

youthful Swansea City Under -23s’ side were beaten 3-0 by Birmingham City in the Professional Development League at Landore.

Despite the result, the game provided a hugely positive learning experience for the young Swans.

Jon Grey made eight changes to the side beaten

by Hull City last time out, with his matchday squad consisting entirely of teenagers.

Among them were nine scholars, while there were debuts at this level for Cian Williams, Rio Campbell, Adnaan Moti and Aaron Hillier.

Birmingham started strongly and effectively wrapped up the game inside the opening 25 minutes.

Following Miguel Fernandez’s early free-kick, Josh Andrews doubled the lead after a quickfire counter attack in the 20th minute, before Jack Concannon’s drilled strike completed the scoring.

Result aside, Grey insists the game provided many positives for his young side “At the moment, results aren’t going our way, but the exposure these players are getting at this level will definitely benefit them moving forward,” the under-23s coach said.

“We had five first-year pros and the rest of the boys are all scholars.

“It’s tough for them because no-one wants to lose games, but we want our players to have these experiences a little bit earlier than we have in the past.

“THAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO US AND, THAT WAY, THEY WILL HOPEFULLY BE READY TO CHALLENGE FOR THE FIRSTTEAM ENVIRONMENT EARLIER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN. “Birmingham started off really well and a few of our lads were a little bit nervous.

“We grew into the game as it went on and created a few chances, but were a little bit disappointed not to put one of them away.”

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A CENTURY OF LEAGUE FOOTBALL Historian Gwyn Rees looks at the club’s campaigns throughout its 100-year involvement in the Football League divisions and Premier League.

1936-1937 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (FINISHED 16TH)

1935-1936 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (FINISHED 13TH)

A defeat on the opening day at Southampton was a disappointing start, but the fact the side lost narrowly in a seven-goal thriller gave all involved hope for the future. In fact, the team performed well in the opening eight weeks of the season, reaching a high of fifth in the table at one time.

However, true to past form, the Swans began to slip down the league, and at the year’s end they found themselves in the bottom three places in the league.

The side had suffered heavily on their travels against both Tottenham and Burnley, conceding seven and five goals respectively.

They responded in true Swansea fashion, equalling their record league victory, beating Bradford City 8-1 at the Vetch Field, with Walter Bussey scoring four of the goals.

Three days later, talented centre-half Harry Hanford departed for First Division Sheffield Wednesday. This time the supporters seemed to accept the inevitability of it all, and a decent run of form in the latter part of the season saw the club finish in a mid-table position.

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One of the original members of the Football League, Aston Villa, were the first opponents at the Vetch Field in the new season.

Villa were experiencing life outside the First Division for the first time in their illustrious career and over 25,000 packed in as the visitors won 2-1.

Most of the season saw the side in mid-table; though a run in the FA Cup saw the team dispose of Carlisle United and York City, before losing away at Sunderland in the fifth round.

In mid-March the Swans were required to play two games in the Midlands in just three days. With keeper Stan Moore injured, Wilfred Milne played in goal, keeping a clean sheet in a goalless draw.

Unfortunately, he was unable to repeat this feat in the following game against Nottingham Forest, having to pull the ball out of the net six times. This was Milne’s final appearance for the club as, after a career spread over 17 seasons and a record 585 league games, he finally hung up his boots.

1937-1938 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (FINISHED SIXTH)

Manager Neil Harris shocked everyone when he broke the club transfer record in bringing Bill Imrie in from Newcastle United for ÂŁ1,500, before going on to bring Tommy Bamford to the club from Manchester United.

The hope amongst supporters didn’t last long, with no wins in the opening 11 league games, and the replayed Welsh Cup final also saw the Swans lose 2-1 to Shrewsbury Town.

Once again there was a first-round exit from the FA Cup, this time away at Blackburn Rovers, but with just one league win in the opening 19 fixtures, cup football was the last thing to worry manager Harris.

Before the start of the season, the club celebrated its Silver Jubilee, with several events marked in celebration. One player to return to the club was former centre forward Cyril Pearce, who joined from Charlton Athletic. He made an instant impact in his first game back, scoring a goal in a 3-2 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Vetch Field.

Unbeaten in their first five fixtures, everything looked positive at the club. But, as with previous seasons, this was another false dawn, and at Christmas the side were firmly entrenched at the bottom of the league.

With just six league games left to play, Swansea once more embarked on a timely unbeaten run to haul themselves clear of danger..

There was naturally relief amongst the supporters, but the one cause for celebration for all was the winning of the English Schools Shield by the Swansea Schoolboy side, who defeated Chesterfield 2-0 at the Vetch Field.

1939-1940 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (ABBANDONED)

There was an early exit from the FA Cup at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers, though the Welsh Cup saw the club reach the final, where they drew 2-2 away at Shrewsbury Town, and it was agreed by both sides to replay the final early the following season.

The final run in to the torturous campaign saw the side play Newcastle United at home in their penultimate game of the season. In a tense game, reminiscent of a cup final, the Swans managed to win 2-0.

When they followed that up with a 1-0 win at Bradford, thanks to a Harry Lewis goal, Swansea had unbelievably escaped the drop once more.

1938-1939 FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (FINISHED 19TH)

Neil Harris left the club in the summer, to take over at Swindon Town, and the experienced Haydn Green took over his duties at the Vetch Field.

The season began with an opening day defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion, and three days later they travelled to Southampton where they triumphed 3-1.

But, just one day after a humiliating 8-1 loss away at Newcastle United, war was declared and league football was cancelled immediately.

Conscription was introduced to all able men of a certain age, and the results of this shortened season were expunged from the records.

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BLACK HISTORY AT SWANSEA CITY W ith October being this year’s month dedicated to the observation of Black History Month, Jack Magazine takes a look back to some of the players who have worn the white shirt with distinction.

While the Swans were formed in 1912, it was 72 years before a black player represented the first team.

Steve Mardenborough joined the club in the 1984-85 season after being released by Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Steve was a pacy wide man, who came to the Vetch Field under then manager Colin Appleton. Although playing in a total of 50 first-team games in league and cup in his first season, the severe financial restrictions at the club - coupled with a change of manager - saw the player leave in July 1985, signing for Newport County.

Ten years later after a nomadic career that saw him appear for 10 different clubs, he re-signed at the

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Vetch Field on a non-contract basis, but played just one game before moving to Newport A.F.C.

When manager Terry Yorath was looking to strengthen his squad during the 1990-91 season, he brought in two players from his adopted city of Leeds.

Terry Connor, who had started his career at his hometown club, was an experienced forward and joined the club in a £150,000 deal from Portsmouth. He was strong and aggressive, and was signed as a partner for Jimmy Gilligan to compete in the hurly burly of lower-league football.

Andy Watson, the other closeseason signing, was a £40,000 arrival from Halifax Town.

There was no doubt Watson had a lot of ability, but a season interrupted by injuries saw him have a stop start time at the club, and he only managed a total of 20 appearances in his short time at the Vetch Field.

However, both player s won Welsh Cup winners’ medals in their first season at the club, playing at the National Stadium in a 2-0 win over Wrexham.

D u r i n g Fra n k B u r r ows t i m e at the club as manager he developed a reputation as a shrewd operator in the transfer market , bringing in player s from non-league football, and making the club large profits when the players were sold on.

A perfect example of this was John Williams, a £5,000 purchase from Midlands side Cradley Town.

Williams’ first season at the club in 1991-92 was a great success and he seemed to take professional football in his stride. A former postman, after winning the Rumbelows Sprint Challenge Trophy at Wembley in 1992 he was forever known as the Flying Postman.

The end of the season saw Williams claim a dream move to Premier League club Coventry City, in a deal that saw the club earn a £250,000 pay cheque. Something of a footballing nomad, during a career that took in over a dozen clubs, he would sign in at the Vetch Field on two other occasions, though with limited impact.

Des Lyttle was another player to follow a similar trajectory. The defender joined the Swans from nonleague Worcester City, and went on to help the club reach the play-offs at the end of the 1992-93 season.

It would prove to be his only campaign in Swansea colours, as his impressive performances had attracted the interest of Premier League Nottingham Forest for a fee of £375,00.

After playing for his country Jamaica in the 1998 World Cup in France, Walter Boyd - also known as the Black Pearl - was a surprise signing by then manager John Hollins.

A powerfully-built player, there was no denying his incredible ability on the ball, but with this you also had a man who tended to court controversy on and off the field.

This was exemplified when he scored two goals on his debut against Rotherham United, but later that season was sent off in a fixture against Darlington having come on as a substitute only to see red before play had restarted.

His first season with the Swans saw him finish as joint top scorer in a side that won the Third Division Championship. His second and final season was interrupted by injuries, and he left the club at the end of the season, returning to play back home in Jamaica.

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE...

At 6ft 4in inches tall, and with good ball control, Mamady Sidibie impressed in his short period at the Vetch Field.

But with the sacking of manager Flynn, Johnrose made the decision to leave the club, moving back to former side Burnley.

Despite a niggling knee injury that would flare up at times during the 2001-02 season, he impressed manager John Hollins with his goals and all-round play.

In March 2017 the former midfielder was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, a disease that he faces with the same courage he showed on the football pitch, and the esteem in which he is still held in Swansea was shown when he received an ovation from the Liberty when introduced to the crowd before a game against Sheffield United early in 2019.

But, at the season’s end, and with manager Hollins losing his job, Sidibe declined the offer of a new contract, choosing to sign for Gillingham.

A Mali International, his displays at the Kent club saw him secure a move to Premier League side Stoke City where he became a cult hero.

The 2002-03 season was one of the most traumatic in the club’s history, with Nick Cusack losing his job in September, to be replaced by the experienced Brian Flynn.

With the real possibility of the club falling into the Nationwide Conference, Flynn began to rebuild the side, bringing in the likes of Roberto Martinez, Leon Britton, Alan Tate and Lenny Johnrose to help the club preserve its Football League status.

Johnrose was a vastly-experienced midfielder, playing his football for over a decade with various clubs in the North of England. He was a strong player in possession, and in the final game of the season against Hull City, one that would determine the club’s future.

He scored the all-important third goal early in the second half to calm nerves and see the team through to a 4-2 win. The second season was one that was blighted by injuries, though he fought back well, even captaining the side at times.

Three players who were i n s t r u m e n t a l i n t h e c l u b’ s promotion out of the Second Division in the final ever season at the Vetch Field were Izzy Iriekpen - a towering central defender – industrious wide midfielder Adrian Forbes and Kevin Austin, a man mountain of a defender.

Iriekpen was particularly strong in the air, and was a defender who was quick around the park.

He was a consistent performer in defence for the side for three seasons until a serious knee injury sustained in February 2006 against Nottingham Forest saw him ruled out for the rest of the season. Unable to break back into the first 11, Izzy parted company with the club at the end of the 2006-2007 season after 137 appearances for the club.

Forbes played nearly every game of the final season at the Vetch Field, scoring seven goals in the process. And, though his all-action style was appreciated by the fans, it was his final two goals of this historic season that will forever mark him down as a Swans legend.

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The final league game to be played at the Vetch Field against Shrewsbury Town saw the team win 1-0, with Forbes scoring the only goal of the game. A week later at Bury the player once again scored the only goal of the game - after just 17 seconds - to help the club gain automatic promotion.

He was with the club for its move to the Liberty Stadium the following season but, with his time on the pitch limited, he left the club in May 2006, moving to Blackpool.

Austin was the epitome of the Gentle Giant, playing the game hard but fair, and was another consistent performer during his time with the club.

He was an experienced defender by the time he arrived at the Vetch Field, and was a Trinidad and Tobago International. He helped the Swans to promotion in his first season at the club, and was a regular when the side won the Football League Trophy in 2006 and the League One Championship in 2008.

In his four seasons at the club he played 150 first team games, and in June 2008 he signed for League Two outfit Chesterfield.

After two more stints of playing in the Nationwide Conference Kevin retired, taking up a coaching position at Scunthorpe United, where sadly he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017, finally losing his battle with the disease in November 2018 to the great sadness of everyone connected with Swansea City.

Adebayo Akinfenwa joined the club in July 2005, just in time to play in our new purpose-built stadium.

Nicknamed the Beast because of his immense physique, he played up front where he used his strength

42

to his advantage. His and the club’s first game at the new stadium saw Akinfenwa celebrate with the only goal of the game against Tranmere Rovers.

Along with Lee Trundle, he would terrorise League One defences, and it was both these players who scored to win the Football League Trophy later in the season.

But there was also heartbreak for the forward, when he became one of two Swansea players to miss their penalties in the League One play-off defeat against Barnsley.

The second season saw Akinfenwa continue his good form in front of goal, until disaster struck when he broke his leg in a game against Scunthorpe United, ending his season.

The campaign’s end saw the player reject a new contract at the club and he moved on to play for Millwall.

When manager Martinez needed to fill the vacancy left by the transfer of Trundle to Bristol City, he went to St. Johnston to bring Trinidad and Tobago international Jason Scotland to the Liberty Stadium, were he teamed up with compatriot Denis Lawrence.

He scored on his debut at Oldham Athletic, and would end the season as the division’s top goal scorer, in a side that ran away with the League One title. He was also included in the PFA. team of the season.

The promotion to the Championship didn’ t stop the player from scoring on a regular basis, and once again he was chosen by his fellow professionals in the team of the season. When manager Martinez left to take over at Wigan Athletic, his first signing was Scotland for a fee of £2m, not bad business for a player who cost the club a mere £25,000.

NOTABLE PLAYERS TO HAVE

REUBEN AGBOOLA, BEN CABAN GIBBS-WHITE, MARCOS BEAN, LEROY LITA, LEON HYLTON, ALDO JORDON GARRICK, KARL MO RENATO SANCHES, NATHAN BREWSTER, CAMERON CARTE DENNIS OLI, LUCIANO NARSIN FER, TERRY PHELAN, CHRIST MARTIN OLSSON, DWIGHT TI SYLVIAN MESLIEN, LEON KNI LAWRENCE, RAY WALLACE, JO LEE THORPE, KEVIN AMANKW BARROW, KENJI GORRE, JOEL STEVE MARDENBOROUGH, KO ANDY WATSON, JOHN WILLIAM SIDIBE, LENNY JOHNROSE, IZ KEVIN AUSTIN, ADEBAYO AKI ASHLEY WILLIAMS, NATHA WAYNE ROUTLEDGE, MIC ANDRE AYEW, JORDAN A WILFRIED BONY, MARC JONATHAN DE GUZMAN, KYLE COURTNEY BAKER-RICH KEMY AGUSTIEN, LUKE M JAZZ RICHARDS, NEIL TAYLOR.

PLAYED FOR THE FIRST TEAM

NGO, IJAH ANDERSON, MORGAN , JAMAL LOWE, WILLY GUERET, KALULU, TIVONGE RUSHESHA, ONROE, ANDY MACFARLANE, TYSON, KASEY PALMER, RHIAN ER-VICKERS, JOAO MOREIRA, NGH, TAMMY ABRAHAM, LEROY IAN McCLEAN, JASON PRICE, IENDALLI, BAFETIMBI GOMIS, IGHT, MARVIN EMNES, DENNIS OHN SALAKO, MATTHEW RUSH, WAAH, FEBIAN BRANDY, MODOU ASORO, JEFFERSON MONTERO, OREY SMITH, TERRY CONNOR, MS, WALTER BOYD, MAMADY ZZY IRIEKPEN, ADRIAN FORBES, NFENWA, JASON SCOTLAND, AN DYER, SCOTT SINCLAIR, HEL VORM, YAN DHANDA, YEW, KYLE NAUGHTON, GUEHI, ROLAND LAMAH, BARTLEY, DARREN PRATLEY, ARDSON, DAVID N’GOG, MOORE, STEVEN CAULKER, CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE...

Two players who made fantastic contributions to the rise of Swansea City, and joined the club within months of each other were, Ashley Williams and Nathan Dyer.

Ashley joined the club on loan from Stockport County in March 2008, playing three games in the Martinez side that won the League One Championship, and signing for a record £400, 000 fee in time for the club’s first season in the second tier since it had been rebadged as the Championship.

A born leader, the central defender created a club record playing 166 consecutive league games, and was rewarded for his consistent displays by being in both PFA teams of the year in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

A seemingly permanent fixture on the team sheet, he captained the side at Wembley when they won the League Cup in 2013, and also captained the Welsh International side on their incredible run to the semi-finals at Euro 2016.

In August 2016, Ashley left for Everton in a deal worth £12 million to the club.

Nathan joined the club on loan in 2009, playing 17 games. A £400,000 fee saw the deal made permanent, and he was one of the goal scorers when the side knocked out FA Cup holders Portsmouth at Fratton Park in the fourth round.

He had the ability to go past defenders at will, combined with electric pace, and was a nightmare for defenders everywhere.

He was an important part of the squad that won promotion to the Premier League and, in the League Cup final win over Bradford City at Wembley in 2013 scored two goals and claimed the Man of the Match award.

He spent a season’s long loan at Leicester City in 2015, gaining a Premier League winners’ medal in the process. He currently c ontinue s t o train with the Swans while seeking a new club.

Scott Sinclair was signed by new manager Brendan Rodgers in time for the beginning of the 2010-11 season, and what an inspired signing it turned out to be.

He scored his first Swansea goal in a League Cup tie against Tranmere Rovers, and at the end of this historic season he had scored 19 league goals, and another eight in various cup matches.

But it would be his performance at Wembley in the Championship play-off final against Reading that would cement his place in Swansea City folklore.

A hat-trick, with two coolly taken penalties, helped the side win a pulsating game 4-2, and see the club become the first Welsh side to play in the Premier League.

He also scored the first Premier League goal for the club against West Bromwich Albion, and had another good season.

He represented Great Britain’s football team at the 2012 Olympic Games and his play captured the eye of Premier League Champions Manchester City, with an £8m transfer seing the player move to the thenchampions in August 2012.

On promotion to the Premier League, and knowing that the squad needed strengthening, manager Rodgers brought in - amongst others - Wayne Routledge and Michel Vorm.

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Ministry

Group

Ministry

Graphics

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Routledge had played for eight different clubs before signing for the Swans in August 2011. Like Vorm he made his debut against Manchester City, finally finishing the season with 30 first-team appearances to his name.

Extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet, Routledge was not a great goal scorer, but a scorer of some great goals.

He has been a regular on the team sheet for approaching 10 seasons, and won a League Cup winners’ medal in our victory over Bradford City in 2013.

He also played a major part in our Europa League run the following season. Still at the club, he is nearing 300 first-team appearances, and can be rightly thought of as a Swans legend.

The success at Wembley in the League Cup final of 2013 meant that the club would play in the Europa League the following season.

The summer following Bony’s departure saw the signing of Ghana International Andre Ayew, son of the famous Abedi Pele Ayew.

Knowing the extra tournament would require extra bodies to compete, manager Michael Laudrup broke the club’s transfer record in obtaining centre forward Wilfried Bony from Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem.

Andre scored on his debut for the club away at Chelsea in the opening game of the new season, and his ability to run at defenders with the ball at his feet saw him move to West Ham United after just one season in South Wales, though the club could console itself with a club record sale of £20.5 million.

The £12m paid was a significant sum but the signing proved to be a masterstroke.

The Ivorian International scored two goals on his debut in the Europa League tie against Malmo, and also scored on his Premier League debut against Manchester United.

The winter transfer window of 2018 saw both brothers play for a short time together at the Liberty Stadium following Andre’s return from the Hammers.

As recently as July he produced two magnificent goals to help seal the Swans’ place in the play-offs.

Dutch goalkeeper Vorm was signed from FC Utrecht for a fee worth £1.5 million, and made his debut in the club’s first ever Premier League game at Manchester City.

He was an athletic keeper, and was adept at saving penalties. At the end of this historic first season he had kept 13 clean sheets. So impressive was his maiden season at the Liberty Stadium that, at the end of season awards dinner, he walked away with the Supporters’ Player of the Year Award, Players’ Player of the Year Award and the Away Player of the Year Award.

He continued his impressive form in the following seasons before going to Tottenham Hotspur in July 2014, the same day as Ben Davies also joined Spurs and Gylfi Sigurdsson moved back to South Wales.

Just a season later, and another Ayew would sign on at the Liberty Stadium. This time it was Andre’s brother Jordan, who joined from Aston Villa, with Welsh International Neil Taylor going in the other direction.

A stocky, strong player, he had the ability to win balls in the air against players a lot taller than him, and his strength on the ball was immense.

Bony’s first season at the club saw him finish with an incredible 25 goals. A further nine goals at the beginning of the next season alerted champions Manchester City, and a £25m transfer took him to the Etihad.

Bony returned to the Liberty Stadium in August 2017 in a deal worth £12 million, but injuries had caught up with the player and he struggled to repeat his earlier form for the club.

Unfortunately, despite their efforts the club lost its Premier League status, and Jordan remained in the Premier League signing for Crystal Palace, while Andre remains at the club and has proved a highly influential figure in the effort to return to the top-flight.

Off the field, former Real Madrid and Chelsea defensive midfielder Claude Makelele joined the club as assistant coach at the Liberty Stadium under manager Paul Clement, staying at the club for just 10 months, while Paul Williams also held a first-team coaching role for a short period.

All have played their part and seen some of the unforgettable highs and lows Swansea City has experienced over the last 35 years.

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CLUB PARTNERS

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OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

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PLAYER SPONSORS 20-21 FREDDIE WOODMAN

STEVEN BENDA

RYAN BENNETT

BEN CABANGO

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JAKE BIDWELL

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CALL 01792 616 624 OR

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EMAIL L.MERRELLS@SWANSEACITY.COM FOR AVAILABILITY 51

SEASON 2020-21

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Match Statistics

Key

Goal =

Captain =

Sub = 2 (number denotes player replaced)

FIXTURE

DATE

TEAM

Newport County (CC R2) A L 2-0

Sat, Sep 5, 3pm

Woodman

Routledge 3

Naughton

Rodon

Fulton

Bidwell 1

Preston North End A W 0-1

Sat, Sep 12, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Rodon

Guehi

Bidwell

Birmingham City H D 0-0

Sat, Sep 19, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Rodon

Guehi

Bidwell

Waycombe Wanderers A W 0-2

Sat, Sep 26, 12.30pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Rodon

Guehi

Bidwell

Millwall H W 2-1

Sat, Oct 3, 3pm

Benda

Roberts

Cabango

Rodon

Guehi

Bidwell

Huddersfield Town H L 1-2

Sat, Oct 17, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Naughton 3

Guehi

Bidwell

Coventry City A D 1-1

Tue, Oct 20, 7.45pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Bristol City A D 1-1

Sat, Oct 24, 3pm

Woodman

Roberts

Cabango

Bennett

Guehi

Bidwell

Stoke City H W 2-0

Tue, Oct 27, 7.45pm

Woodman

Roberts

Naughton

Bennett 3

Guehi

Manning 1

Blackburn Rovers H

Sat, Oct 31, 3pm

Brentford A

Tue, Nov 3, 7pm

Norwich City A

Sat, Nov 7, 3pm

Rotherham United H

Sat, Nov 21, 3pm

Sheffield Wednesday H

Wed, Nov 25, 7.45pm

Nottingham Forest A

Sat, Nov 28, 3pm

Middlesbrough A

Wed, Dec 2, 7.45pm

Luton Town H

Sat, Dec 5, 3pm

A.F.C. Bournemouth H

Tue, Dec 8, 7.45pm

Cardiff City A

Sat, Dec 12, 3pm

Derby County A

Wed, Dec 16, 7.45pm

Barnsley H

Sat, Dec 19, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers A

Sat, Dec 26, 3pm

Reading H

Tue, Dec 29, 7.45pm

Watford H

Sat, Jan 2, 3pm

Barnsley A

Sat, Jan 16, 3pm

Blackburn Rovers A

Tue, Jan 19, 7.45pm

Brentford H

Sat, Jan 23, 3pm

Rotherham United A

Sat, Jan 30, 3pm

Norwich City H

Sat, Feb 6, 3pm

Sheffield Wednesday A

Sat, Feb 13, 3pm

Nottingham Forest H

Wed, Feb 17, 7.45pm

Huddersfield Town A

Sat, Feb 20, 3pm

Coventry City H

Wed, Feb 24, 7.45pm

Bristol City H

Sat, Feb 27, 3pm

Stoke City A

Wed, Mar 3, 8pm

Middlesbrough H

Sat, Mar 6, 3pm

Luton Town A

Sat, Mar 13, 3pm

A.F.C. Bournemouth A

Tues, Mar 16, 7.45pm

Cardiff City H

Sat, Mar 20, 3pm

Birmingham City A

Fri, Apr 2, 3pm

Preston North End H

Mon, Apr 5, 3pm

Millwall A

Sat, Apr 10, 3pm

Wycombe Wanderers H

Sat, Apr 17, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers H

Tues, Apr 20, 7.45pm

Reading A

Sat, Apr 24, 3pm

Derby County H

Sat, May 1, 3pm

Watford A

Sat, May 8, 3pm

Booked =

Sent off =

Carabao Cup = CC

FA Cup = FA

Correct as of October 29, 2020

SUBSTITUTES Grimes

Smith 2

Gibbs-White

Grimes

Smith

Gibbs-White

Grimes

Smith

Grimes Grimes

Benda, Rushesha, Evans, Williams, Dhanda 2, Peterson 3, Asoro 1

Lowe

Ayew

Lowe 2

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Fulton 1, Dhanda, Routledge 2, Peterson, Cullen

Gibbs-White

Lowe 1

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Fulton, Dhanda, Routledge, Peterson, Cullen 1

Smith

Gibbs-White 1

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Fulton 1, Dhanda, Routledge, Peterson, Cullen 2

Smith

Gibbs-White 2

Lowe 1

Ayew

Webb, Naughton, Fulton 2, Routledge, Garrick, Cullen, Gyokeres 1

Grimes

Smith

Gyokeres 1

Lowe 2

Ayew

Benda, Evans, Fulton, Dhanda, Palmer 1, Garrick 3, Cullen 2

Grimes

Smith

Gyokeres 1

Lowe 2

Ayew

Benda, Manning, Fulton 1, Dhanda, Palmer, Garrick, Cullen 2

Grimes

Smith

Fulton

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Naughton, Manning, Dhanda, Routledge, Cullen, Gyokeres 1

Grimes

Fulton

Dhanda 2

Lowe

Ayew

Benda, Cabango 3, Bidwell 1, Smith, Palmer 2

1

2

1

, Cullen, Gyokeres

53

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE 20-21 POS TEAM

P

*Sheffield Wednesday deducted 12 points subject to appeal.

W D L

F

A

1

Reading

8

7

1

0

15

3

12

22

2

Bournemouth

8

4

4

0

11

6

5

16

3

Swansea City

8

4

3

1

10

5

5

15

4

Millwall

8

4

3

1

10

5

5

15

5

Watford

8

4

3

1

8

4

4

15

6

Bristol City

8

4

2

2

11

7

4

14

7

Norwich City

8

4

2

2

9

7

2

14

8

Middlesbrough

8

3

4

1

8

5

3

13

9

Luton Town

8

4

1

3

7

7

0

13

10

Stoke City

8

3

3

2

9

9

0

12

11

Brentford

8

3

2

3

13

11

2

11

12

Blackburn Rovers

8

3

1

4

18

11

7

10

13

Preston North End

8

3

1

4

10

10

0

10

14

Cardiff City

8

2

4

2

7

7

0

10

15

Birmingham City

8

2

4

2

5

5

0

10

16

Huddersfield Town

8

3

1

4

7

10

-3

10

17

Rotherham United

8

2

3

3

8

9

-1

9

18

Barnsley

8

1

4

3

9

10

-1

7

19

Queens Park Rangers

8

1

4

3

6

10

-4

7

20

Nottingham Forest

8

1

3

4

5

10

-5

6

21

Derby County

8

1

2

5

4

12

-8

5

22

Coventry City

8

1

2

5

6

16

-10

5

23

Wycombe Wanderers

8

0

1

7

3

16

-13

1

24

Sheffield Wednesday *

8

2

2

4

5

9

-4

-4

F

BRENTFORD (A)

Tuesday, Nov 3, 7pm

NORWICH CITY (A)

Saturday, Nov 7, 3pm

ROTHERHAM UNITED (H) Saturday, Nov 21, 3pm

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (H)

Wednesday, Nov 25, 7.45pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (A)

Saturday, Nov 28, 3pm

Correct as of October 29, 2020

NEXT UP AT HOME - ROTHERHAM UNITED

ollowing a first-round exit at the hands of Salford in the Carabao Cup, Rotherham have marked their return to the Championship with just one win from their opening seven games at the time of writing. However, only the concession of late goals in their draws with Birmingham and Huddersfield have prevented them from making a more than solid start to the season.

Now in his fifth season in charge, Paul Warne oversaw the Millers’ immediate return to the Championship as League One runners-up last term, and will be eager to consolidate their second-tier status. Rotherham are desperate to improve their form against the Swans, having lost three of the last five meetings between the sides, while they have tasted victory in SA1 just once since 1974.

54

GD PTS

UPCOMING FIXTURES

28 SWANS

25

25

ROTHERHAM

DRAWS 78 PAST MEETINGS

55

SQUAD LIST V

HEAD COACH: STEVE COOPER Freddie Woodman Ryan Bennett Ryan Manning Marc Guéhi Jay Fulton Korey Smith Matt Grimes Jamal Lowe André Ayew Morgan Gibbs-White Steven Benda Viktor Gyökeres Wayne Routledge Liam Cullen Yan Dhanda Joel Latibeaudiere Connor Roberts Jake Bidwell Kyle Naughton George Byers Tivonge Rushesha Oli Cooper Daniel Williams Cameron Evans Jordon Garrick Lewis Webb Ben Cabango Kasey Palmer

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 20 21 22 23 24 26 28 30 31 37 38 41 42 44 45

MANAGER: TONY MOWBRAY 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 39 41

Thomas Kaminski Ryan Nyambe Derrick Williams Bradley Johnson Daniel Ayala Adam Armstrong Joe Rothwell Sam Gallagher Lewis Holtby Harry Chapman Aynsley Pears Barry Douglas Harvey Elliott Amari’i Bell Jacob Davenport Tom Trybull Ben Brereton John Buckley Bradley Dack Joe Rankin-Costello Hayden Carter Darragh Lenihan Lewis Travis Scott Wharton Corry Evans Elliott Bennett Tyrhys Dolan Antonis Stergiakis

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE: DEAN WHITESTONE ASSISTANT REFEREES: RICHARD WILD AND IAN COOPER FOURTH OFFICIAL: ANDY DAVIES

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