PRE-SEASON MATCH
SEASON 2021-2022
VERSUS
SOUTHAMPTON Saturday, July 31, 2021 - Kick-off 3pm
ISSUE 1
JOMA-SPORT.COM PAGE 2
CONTENTS Page 10 - Swans Badge History
Page 14 - Meet the Opposition
Page 19 - Match Highlights
Page 26 - Nathan Dyer Announces Retirement
Page 35 - Meet Joël Piroe
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.
STUDY STUDY AT AT ASTUDIWCH YM SWANSEA MHRIFYSGOL SWANSEA UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY ABERTAWE WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN
WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN DISCOVER MORE DISCOVER
MORE >
DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR DYSGWCH FWY
>
TEACHING EXCELLENCE & STUDENT OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK
FFRAMWAITH RHAGORIAETH TEACHING EXCELLENCE & &STUDENT DEILLIANNAU MYFYRWYR OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK
(The highest award for Teaching Excellence at UK universities)
(Y dyfarniad uchaf am Ragoriaeth Addysgu ym mhrifysgolion y DU)
(The highest award for Teaching Excellence at UK universities)
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 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 Director: Mark Allen Staff: David Tivey, Ritson Lloyd, Alan Tate, Ailsa Jones, Matthew Murray, Adele Callaghan, Daniel Morris, Lee Watkins, Chris Watkins, Tom Jenkinson, 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 Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer HR Manager: Nicola Butt Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager: Lee Merrells Commercial Marketing Manager: Katie Hughes Head of Media & Communications: Ben Donovan Media Manager: Chris Wilson-Barney Ticket Office Manager: Luke Hughes Operations & Events Manager: Matthew Daniel Facilities Manager: Gordon David Grounds Manager: Evan Davies Disability Access Officer: Catherine Thomas Community Trust Manager: Helen Elton Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle
Programme Production Contributors: Ben Donovan, Chris WilsonBarney, Andrew Gwilym, Sophie Davis, Rachael Tucker, Efan Willis, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jordan Morcom, Lewis Ward Photography: Athena Picture Agency, Natalie Davis, PA, REX Swansea City AFC Liberty Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA10 2FA CP-D Dinas Abertawe Stadiwm Liberty, Landore, Abertawe, SA1 2FA Telephone/Ffôn: 01792 616400 Web/Gwe: swanseacity.com Email/E-bost: info@swanseacity.com
Home Kit 2021-2022 Available in-store and online Visit swanseacity.com PAGE 6
A MESSAGE FROM
JULIAN WINTER G
ood afternoon and welcome back to the Liberty Stadium for today’s pre-season friendly against Southampton. I’d like to start my programme notes by addressing our ongoing search for a new head coach. I understand the frustrations our supporters will be feeling given the close proximity to the start of the new season, but I can assure you we are working hard to ensure we find the right person to take this club forward. The appointment of a head coach or manager is a key one for any football club, and is one we want to ensure we get right. We feel we are making good progress in the recruitment process, and I am confident we will have a new head coach in place in good time for our Championship opener against Blackburn Rovers next Saturday. Alan Tate has been taking charge of the team in the interim and I can’t praise him enough for how professional and diligent he has been under the circumstances. He has been a loyal and proud servant of this football club over nearly two decades and we are fortunate to have a man of his calibre to lead us at this time. This afternoon will see supporters back inside the Liberty for only the
second time since March 2020, and we have missed you greatly. There was a wonderful atmosphere here against Barnsley in the playoff semi-final back in May, and everyone at the club is hopeful we can have even more fans inside the stadium for our first home game of the campaign against Sheffield United on August 14. Today will be our final pre-season game, and it was pleasing to see the players record victories over Plymouth and Forest Green in the build-up to this afternoon’s clash. We also managed to arrange a second behind-closed-doors game against Newport after our friendly with Swindon was cancelled, and that allowed the players some valuable minutes as we look ahead to the trip to Ewood Park next weekend. The pre-season games have also seen our summer signings settle into their new surroundings. Kyle Joseph was the first to arrive from Wigan Athletic and is a young player with a lot of potential and someone we were delighted to bring in. Joel Piroe is another exciting addition from PSV Eindhoven, while Liam Walsh will add great quality to our midfield options this season. We are aware of the need for further additions to the squad, but it is a testing market for many clubs this summer as the financial impact
of Covid-19 becomes apparent. However, we are hopeful that additional signings will arrive in due course to add further quality and depth to the squad. Yesterday saw Nathan Dyer announce his retirement from the game. Nathan started his career with today’s opponents and arrived at Swansea City in 2009 before going on to make 347 appearances for the club, scoring 38 goals. Nathan played a key role in the club’s promotion to the Premier League in 2011, helping the Swans become an established top-flight side, win the League Cup in 2013 and play in the Europa League. Everyone at Swansea City wishes Nathan the best of luck for the future and we look forward to welcoming him back to the Liberty Stadium. I’d also like to congratulate academy goalkeeper Jamie Searle, who was part of the New Zealand squad that progressed to the knockout stages of the Tokyo Olympics. Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the management, players, staff and directors from Southampton who have made the trip to Wales for today’s game. As always, we thank you for your continued support. Enjoy the game, Julian
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W
ith Swansea City having chosen to mark a special anniversary with a new club crest for the 2021-22 season, club historian Gwyn Rees takes a look at the history of our club badge and its various incarnations over the last 109 years. Despite the preconceptions of many, Swansea City did not regularly play with a badge displayed on the club’s shirt until the beginning of the 1970-71 season, with the only rare exceptions being individual pre-season fixtures during the 1930s, and occasional games during the war years. However, various crests were used on official club documentation or the players’ blazers for the first half-century and more of the Swans’ history. For that 1970-71 season, the famous white shirt was adorned with a large black swan sitting in the topleft hand corner. It stood out proudly in all weathers. That badge stayed in place for two seasons, before a change of motif was introduced for the 1973-74, season with Harry Gregg the man at the helm. The new badge was a large Welsh dragon displayed in red, with the initials ‘SCFC’ directly underneath it. Again this shirt was used for two seasons, although it was also worn when the youth team won a tournament in Holland in the summer of 1976 under the guidance of Harry Griffiths. By the time the first-team’s campaign had started, Griffiths had been promoted to the hot seat and so began a three-season run with another new badge in place. This time the black Swan was placed in the centre of a black circle with the ‘Swansea City’ letters sitting on top and ‘Football Club’ underneath.
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It proved a popular design, with the badge now moved into the centre of the shirt. For the next two seasons, the side would strangely alternate between the two previous badges, until with the club now on the verge of becoming a First Division outfit - a new iconic badge was unveiled. This comprised of a black swan, once again in a black circle, with the wording ‘Swansea City F.C.’ underneath. The badge was placed in the centre of the shirt, once again just below the V in the collar. During this period, there was a separate crest used on matchday programmes and promotional material for the club, and it is this image that has been modernised and updated for this campaign to mark 40 years since John Toshack and company first took the Swans into the top-flight. Sadly, those halcyon days were not to last, and amidst a decline in fortunes and regular managerial comings and goings, the start of the 1985-86 season saw another new badge, as well as the introduction of the club’s first shirt sponsor in DP. This design was completely different to anything the club had used before, with a motif that included a black swan with a gold crown atop a gold castle, with the wording ‘Swansea City Football Club’ in a band underneath. This design proved popular, being used for eight seasons, until once again the badge was changed. By the time of the beginning of the 1992-93 season, and with Action the new shirt sponsors, the club unveiled another new design. This consisted of a white swan with his dark wings spread out on top of
a white castle, on a blue background, and with the words ‘Swansea City F.C.’ underneath in blue writing. This design was extremely popular, with the motif used extensively on programmes, letterheads etc, and stayed in place for six seasons.
After two seasons the badge was moved from the centre, back to the top left hand corner of the playing shirt. And it was this badge that remained on the shirt through the promotions through the leagues, reaching the Premier League in 2011.
Then in the summer of 1997 - after long and protracted negotiations - the club was taken over by the public limited company Silver Shield, eventually reverting to Ninth Floor Limited just 18 months later.
The badge was retained in its current style until the centenary season of 2012-13, when, for one season only, the team wore shirts with a gold-coloured shield with a gold swan above the word centenary in a solid block. The words ‘Swansea City AFC’ were shown in three scroll-like bands underneath the shield as the club secured its first major honour by winning the League Cup at Wembley under the guidance of Michael Laudrup.
Along with the new owners, Steve Hamer (chairman), and Neil McClure (vice-chairman), and merchandising manager Peter Barber, it was decided to create a new badge for the coming new millennium. What materialised was a style of design that was certainly futuristic in appearance. The Swan was worn at the top-left hand side of the shirt, and the body of the Swan was broken up into three separate sections. As on previous shirts, the words ‘Swansea City A.F.C.’ sat beneath the image.
The badge as used from the 2007-08 season has been used – with some minor modifications – to the present day. However, for the 2019-20 season the yellow third shirt sported a retro badge on its breast, with the old Swansea Town coat of arms on it, complete with blue shield and a castle to mark 50 years since Swansea was granted city status.
The original colour was purple – and it was worn for three seasons - before the same image changed to black, and was used up to the final season at the Vetch Field, where the Swans secured promotion from League Two under Kenny Jackett.
With the club celebrating the 40-year anniversary of promotion to the First Division under the guidance of Toshack, the club have unveiled a new shirt for the forthcoming season.
For the start of life in the new Liberty Stadium, the badge, retaining the new style logo in black, sat just above the sponsor ’s logo, once more enclosed in a black circle with the wording ‘Swansea City AFC’ beneath.
The club has once again been sponsored by Swansea University but, with a nod to the past, the badge that is featured on the playing shirt is of a circular design, with the Swan once more perched on top of a brown castle, with the Swans wings spread out, and ‘Swansea’ spelt out above, and ‘City AFC’ underneath.
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SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON OWNER NICKNAME FOUNDED SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON STADIUM OPENED CAPACITY SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON THE~GAFFER SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON RALPH ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON HASENHÜTTL SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON CLUB CAPTAIN SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON JAMES WARD-PROWSE ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON SOUTHAMPTON ~ SOUTHAMPTON Gao Jisheng
The Saints
1885
St Mary’s
1993
32,384
@SouthamptonFC
@southamptonfc
@southamptonfc
Aft e r s p e n d i n g 1 3 ye a r s c o a c h i n g i n t h e G e r m a n fo ot b a l l pyramid, Hasenhüttl was announced as manager of the Saints in December of 2018. Starting his coaching career as assistant coach for second-division German outfit Unterhaching in 2005, the Austrian impressed quickly, eventually taking over managerial roles at VfR Aalen, FC Ingolstadt and, finally, newly-promoted RB Leipzig in 2016. The Austrian enjoyed a 19-year playing career, notably making 144 appearances and winning three Austrian league titles with Austria Wien.
Ward-Prowse, 26, has already proven himself to be one of the world’s most dangerous dead-ball specialists, netting four times from set-pieces in the Saints’ 2020-21 campaign, which left him one off the Premier League record of five in a single season, held by David Beckham. The England international has already notched up 314 total appearances for his boyhood club, scoring 33 goals – 10 of which have come from direct free-kicks – and registering 29 assists. The midfielder is another Saint to have been linked with a summer move, and they will be desperate to keep hold of their skipper.
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ST MARY’S MEET THE OPPOSITION
WHO HAVE THEY SIGNED
Southampton were one of the founder members of the Premier League, and were a mainstay in the topflight for over a quarter of a century.
The Saints have added Romain P erraud and Theo Walcott to their ranks so far ahead of the new campaign.
However, the 2004-05 season saw the Saints relegated and playing their football in the second tier for the first time in 27 years.
Left-back Perraud, 23, has joined from Ligue 1 side Stade Brest for a reported fee of £7.2million. The defender started his career with Nice, and also had a spell with Paris FC.
Spells of Championship and League One football followed until, in the 2011-12 season, Southampton gained automatic promotion back to the Premier League, where the 1976 FA Cup winners have remained since.
Walcott, meanwhile, makes a full-time switch from Everton after a loan spell with the Saints last term. The winger spent six years in the Saints academy as a teenager before moving to Arsenal in 2006, where he spent 12 years before his switch to Merseyside.
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ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH PAGE 16
JANNICK VESTERGAARD POSITION
CB
NATION
AGE
SHIRT NO.
28 4
V
estergaard, one of the st ars of Denmark’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020, joined the Saints from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2018, having come through the Brondby academy and later featuring for Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen. Vestergaard, who chose to represent Denmark instead of Germany – he was eligible to represent them through his mother - at international level, is a towering presence at 6ft 6ins, but he brings far more than just physicality to the Saints. While effective in the air, and a threat from setpieces, he reads the game well and underlined his quality with an outstanding showing in the Euro 2020 semi-final against England. In 72 appearances for the Saints, the Dane has scored four goals, and he has been linked with a move away from St Mary’s this summer, with Tottenham among those reported to be interested.
KYLE WALKER-PETERS POSITION
RB
NATION
AGE
SHIRT NO.
24 2
W
alker-Peters rose through the ranks at the Spurs academy, winning the Under-20s World Cup with England and being called up to the London outfit’s senior squad in 2017. The full-back looks to get forward and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Despite not yet registering a goal in his professional career, Walker-Peters has tallied seven assists in 52 Premier League appearances. Those include a hat-trick of assists in Spurs’ 5-0 win over Bournemouth in 2018, which made him the youngest player to achieve such a feat since Jermaine Pennant in 2003. Despite making his breakthrough at Spurs, the young defender opted for a move away in 2020, joining Southampton on loan in January until the end of the season. He impressed at St Mary’s, prompting the Saints to make the move permanent in a deal worth £7million and has been a key figure for Ralph Hasenhüttl.
DANNY INGS POSITION
ST
NATION
AGE
SHIRT NO.
29 9
I
ngs began his career in the Bournemouth academy but it was at Burnley that he really made his name. The striker scored 43 goals in 130 appearances for the Clarets, including 26 during the Lancashire club’s promotion campaign of 2013-14. He made the move to Liverpool when his contract expired in the summer of 2015, but a cruel run of injuries would hamper his time at Anfield, where he made just six league starts in four years. However, a loan spell with Southampton during the 2018-19 campaign saw him get his career moving once again with seven goals in 24 league appearances. The switch was made permanent in the summer of 2019. He has been a key figure ever since with Ings netting 34 times in 67 games in the Premier League. The Saints will be hoping that run of form continues into the new season.
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WATCH HIGHLIGHTS
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 SWANS 2 FIRST-HALF GOALS FROM MORGAN WHITTAKER AND LIAM CULLEN SAW SWANSEA CITY CONTINUE THEIR PRE-SEASON PREPARATIONS WITH VICTORY OVER PLYMOUTH ARGYLE AT HOME PARK.
TEAM LINEUPS Plymouth Argyle: Michael Cooper; James Wilson, Dan Scarr (Oliver Tomlinson 89), Brendan Galloway (Macaulay Gillesphey 62); Ryan Law, Danny Mayor (Finley Craskie 89), Adam Randell, Conor Grant (Panutche Camara 56), Joe Edwards (captain); Ryan Hardie (Luke Jephcott 62), Niall Ennis (Rhys Shirley 79). Subs not used: Callum Burton, Jordan Houghton. Swans: Steven Benda; Kyle Naughton (Dan Williams 73), Ryan Bennett (Scott Butler 73), Joel Latibeaudiere (Ben Margetson 79), Jake Bidwell; Jay Fulton (Liam Walsh 46), Matt Grimes (captain, Korey Smith 61); Morgan Whittaker (Kyle Joseph 73), Yan Dhanda (Joel Piroe 61) Jamal Lowe (Ryan Manning 73); Liam Cullen. Subs not used: Ben Hamer, Lewis Webb.
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WATCH HIGHLIGHTS
FOREST GREEN 1 SWANS 2 A YAN DHANDA STRIKE AND A FAIRYTALE DEBUT GOAL FOR 16-YEAROLD BEN LLOYD SAW SWANSEA CITY MAINTAIN THEIR 100 PER CENT RECORD IN PRE-SEASON WITH VICTORY AT FOREST GREEN ROVERS.
TEAM LINEUPS Plymouth Argyle: Luke McGee (Lewis Thomas 46), Kane Wilson (Dom Bernard 46), Baily Cargill, Ben Stevenson, Jack Aitchison (Dan Sweeney 46), Nicky Cadden (Matty Stevens 46), Jamille Matt (captain) (Taylor Allen 46), Jordan MooreTaylor, Regan Hendry, Udoka Godwin-Malife (Jack Evans 46), Sadou Diallo (Jake Young 46). Subs not used: Opi Edwards. Swans: Ben Hamer; Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango (Joel Latibeaudiere 46), Ryan Bennett (captain), Jake Bidwell (Lincoln McFayden 81); Liam Walsh (Ben Lloyd 69), Korey Smith (Dan Williams 62), Yan Dhanda (Scott Butler 78); Joel Piroe (Liam Cullen 61), Jamal Lowe (Kyle Joseph 61), Ollie Cooper (Morgan Whittaker 46). Subs not used: Steven Benda.
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JUNIOR CYRIL'S HALF-TIME QUIZ QUESTION ONE
QUESTION TWO
QUESTION THREE
Name the two brothers who have most recently played in the same Swansea City team.
Which former Swansea City striker had the nickname ‘Magic Daps’?
Which current Swans player lists Yeovil Town, Bristol Rovers and Middlesbrough as his former clubs?
Tip: They both play for Ghana.
Tip: He is currently the Swans’ club ambassador.
Tip: He’s a Welsh international.
QUESTION FOUR
QUESTION FIVE
QUESTION SIX
Who is the only player in the club’s history to have scored a Champions League goal whilst still contracted to the Swans?
Which current Swan scored a hattrick in the Under-19s European Championships in 2017?
The Swans currently have two former Wigan Athletic players in the squad. Who are they?
Tip: He joined the Swans this summer from PSV Eindhoven.
Tip: They are both strikers.
Tip: He scored while on loan at The New Saints.
CYRIL AND CYBIL'S PREDICTION SWANS 1 SOUTHAMPTON 1
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PAGE 23 Cyril’s Half-Time Quiz Answers Question One - Andre and Jordan Ayew Question Two - Lee Trundle Question Three - Connor Roberts
Question Four - Ben Cabango Question Five - Joel Piroe Question Six - Jamal Lowe and Kyle Joseph The real ball is Ball Number 3
2 3 1
HELP CYBIL FIND THE REAL BALL
R JACKS
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AFTER 439 APPEARANCES AND 45 GOALS, NATHAN DYER HAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM FOOTBALL.
The fact it comes the day before Southampton – the club where he started his career – take on the Swans in a pre-season friendly at the Liberty makes it even more fitting.
T he winger has c alled time on a 15-year career in professional football, with 11 of those spent at Swansea City during a golden period in the club’s history.
“I signed back with Swansea until January under a training contract to give me time to find somewhere, which I was grateful for.
A Premier League medal, League Cup triumph and a memorable promotion at Wembley stand tall amongst his achievements. It has been some ride. Dyer last played for the S wa n s o n M a r c h 7 , 2 0 2 0 – coincidentally the last game before the Covid-19 lockdown – and his contract ran out later in the season. H e h a s n’ t k i c ke d a b a l l fo r anyone since and, after a period of serious consideration, he wished to announce his news via the club he served with distinction since first arriving in SA1 in January 2009.
CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE....
“It’s the right time for me to announce my retirement from football,” confirmed Dyer. “I have had a lot of thought about it over the last couple of months, and I think it’s the best decision for me to step away from playing. “It was a weird one because when Covid hit the first time around, the season went on longer than usual. The transfer window wasn’t the same, everything was different, so I finished my contract and everything was up in the air with everyone.
“I was ready to move onto the next chapter, and I had a lot of offers from abroad and in the UK. Some of them weren’t right for me, so when my contract to train with Swansea was up I wasn’t too sure whether I wanted to keep playing or finish. So I took my time to reach a decision.” D yer ’s c areer kicked off at Southampton, where he would mark his debut with a goal in a League Cup win at Southend. A short spell on loan at Burnley followed, before Dyer would start to show his potential on his return to St Mary’s. But, having fallen down the pecking order on the south coast, he would find himself out on loan – this time at Sheffield United.
It was with the Blades where his eureka moment arrived. “It was a strange one for me because I was down here (in Swansea) for a game while on loan with Sheffield United, and I wasn’t even in the squad,” he recalls. “I watched the game in the stands, and the way Swansea played was incredible. “Swansea had Leon Britton, Darren Pratley and Jason Scotland in that team – the way they were popping the ball around was amazing. 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!’ “So the ball was rolling from there.” Dyer became a Swan soon after as he arrived on loan, making his debut as a substitute during a 2-0 win at former club Burnley. It was the first of 347 appearances for the Swans, in which he would score 38 goals. He quickly won the hearts of the Jack Army, and that of his manager Martinez. The move was turned permanent in the summer of 2009, though Martinez had departed for Wigan by the time the new season had started. But Dyer’s journey in SA1 was off to a flying start. Here, to mark his incredible journey in south-west Wales, Dyer recalls some of the highs and lows during his time at the Liberty Stadium.
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PREMIER LEAGUE PROMOTION “To look back on that year, with the way we played and the freedom we had to play, was unbelievable. “Brendan Rodgers was such a people person. He was like your dad. He included everyone – I’m not just talking about players, I’m talking about all staff around the stadium. “On top of that, he was a great manager tactically and with the way he made us play football. He trusted us. “He wanted us to play one touch. If we lost the ball he’d say it was his fault as that’s the way he wanted us to play. He took full responsibility, and that allowed us to go and play football. “I had mates who played against us saying during the game ‘hey Nath, come on, let us have a kick!’ “We enjoyed keeping the ball and creating opportunities. We didn’t do it for the sake of it. “We trained in tight spaces, and that’s what we did from day one under Brendan. Everyone had an option, and we worked very hard on that. We loved every bit of it in training – tiki taka he called it – and everyone bought into it. “ Winning the play-off final is the number one achievement in my career. “I know people will probably think it’s other achievements, but that is absolutely the best moment. “Don’t get me wrong, winning the Premier League was incredible, but at the time I was in and out
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of the team at Leicester, while I started a lot of games on the way to the play-off final. “It was a dogfight, and we had to battle so hard that season to get promoted. “The way we played that season – finished third, and a few points behind second – I felt we deserved to go up. “That’s the first time I had goosebumps and felt sick before a game. When we approached Wembley on the team bus, we couldn’t see the stadium as fans were all over it! “We looked at each other and said ‘okay, it’s go time now’. We have to do it for us, our families, coaching staff, fans, everyone connected with Swansea because we wanted to put Swansea on the map. “We were always seen as a little team down in Wales, but we came out and made sure we looked enormous on the pitch. “We had a few scares, but we did what we needed to do. It was a lifechanging game, and that was it – we were off to play the big guns.”
PROVING PUNDITS WRONG IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE “I remember our first game against Manchester City. We played well that day, but then they brought Sergio Aguero on for his debut! “ That was a welcome to the Promised Land for us! But I think a lot of the big teams were shocked by the way we played.
“We got a lot of plaudits from them, and I remember a lot of big players came into our changing rooms afterwards and said we were among the best teams they had played. “ There were some fantastic performances and results that season. We shocked a lot of people, and I think people quickly realised that we were a different type of team to what they had seen. “A lot of hard work had gone in to get us to the Premier League, and we were all determined to make sure it wasn’t a one-season experience.
CENTENARY SILVERWARE AND WEMBLEY ACCOLADES “We lost a very good manager in Brendan Rodgers and gained a very good manager in Michael Laudrup. We’ve been very good in that respect over the years. “Laudrup would play in our five-aside games and he was the best player! He was unbelievable. As a manager, he would just tell me ‘Nath, I won’t tell you what to do, just go out and do your thing.’ “We kicked on again and built on our style of play. We went on and won the League Cup, which was just an incredible moment for the club. “We were expecting to get smashed around a little bit in the final because Bradford were a physical team, but we exploited the spaces on a big pitch, Michu was up top and everyone was interchanging.
“For me personally, to score twice and get man-of-the-match was unbelievable. It would have been nice to get the hat-trick though! “I had scored twice and we got a penalty. I wasn’t the penalty taker, and I never would usually take it, but Ben Davies came up to me and said ‘Nath, you’re on a hat-trick you take it’. “So I went to get the ball. Michu had taken a few of our pens before that, but no-one was really our penalty taker. I asked to take it, and de Guzman said no, which I was shocked by as I would never deny anyone the chance to score a hat-trick in a final. He wanted to say he’d scored in a cup final. “I had no backing and I wasn’t happy! Everyone said just to leave it, but I don’t think they understood the magnitude of what was happening. I missed the chance to be the first person to score a hat-trick in a League Cup final. That hurt a little bit. “If he missed, I was ready for him! Seriously though, I celebrated with him and we moved on from it pretty quickly. “I was just happy I had man-ofthe-match and more importantly, we won the cup. “It came on the back of some calls for myself, Wayne Routledge and Leon Britton to be called up by England. “I actually had lunch soon after and Roy Hodgson, who would become England manager, was on the table next to me. He congratulated me and said well done for playing so well – I thought ‘hopefully he will pick me!’ The call never came, but I didn’t let it affect me. “It was a great year, nevertheless.”
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EUROPA LEAGUE ADVENTURE
RECORD BREAKERS, HISTORY MAKERS
“ When I was a kid playing Football Manager, unless you created your own team and cheated then you only saw the big teams winning leagues and the Champions League!
“ T h e s e a s o n aft e r we we r e in Europe, we were in the moment and chugging along. But when we look back at it, it was quite remarkable.
“But there we were, Swansea City in Europe playing against the likes of Valencia at the Mestalla and Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo. We played against some great players like Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain. “Going back to the Mestalla, we didn’t look out of place and we shocked teams with the way we played. “It was great to have played in the Europa League and experiencing that. The fans had an amazing time too following us around Europe, which was great.”
SWANSELONA “When I used to go on holiday, wherever I went, people knew about Swansea. At one stage we were one of the top teams in the world when it came to passing. T he Swanselona brand was talked about a lot and we just loved that way of playing. “It took a lot of hard work , but when it paid off, wow, it was amazing to be a part of. That style really grabbed the attention of football fans not just in the UK but around Europe and the world, and it put Swansea City on the map.”
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“To finish where we did, on top of having a load of new signings, was amazing. It confirmed we were an established Premier League team. “Eighth in the Premier League and 56 points is something we were so proud of. I think we reached 40 points near the end of February, which is some achievement.”
PREMIER LEAGUE WINNER “At the start of the season I was left out of the squad for the opening game at Chelsea, which was very surprising for me. “I was told I wasn’t really going to be involved, which I didn’t understand because I’d played well the previous year. It hurt because Swansea meant a lot to me, and I was told to find another club. “There were a number of clubs that were interested in me. Bournemouth had just been promoted and were keen, but I’d spoken to my agent on deadline day and he said Leicester were interested. I wanted to go somewhere that I wouldn’t be involved in a dogfight, so I thought ‘why not?’ “It was like 1pm, but I needed to sign in Leicester before 5pm.
“ T he chairman of L eic ester at the time - Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha – made an effort to make sure I got there before the deadline. I got there in time and made the breaking news on Sky Sports, which I had always wanted to do. “It was very similar to Swansea – a family-orientated club where everyone was together. The boys were a great laugh too, and worked hard for each other. “I made my debut against Aston Villa. I came off the bench and scored a header, which I haven’t done too much of in my career. “Claudio Ranieri took it each game as they came, and there was no pressure within the club. “It was a great feeling to lift the trophy and say you’re a Premier League winner. Some of the best players haven’t got their hands on that trophy, but I managed to be part of a special group that has.”
END OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE JOURNEY “It was a really sad time, but it was more a mixture of anger and frustration because we had such a good squad. It didn’t make sense how bad we were doing. “We held so many meetings, but nothing was changing on the pitch. “I was part of the Swansea team that went from changing in a metal container walking across the road to the training pitch to having a great, big complex.
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“Having seen that progression, you don’t want to lose it. I felt, at the time, there were a few players that weren’t too bothered if we went down because they were already going to x, y and z. “But for myself and the others it was a big drop to go down. It affects your livelihood, it affects the staff in and around the stadium – all the people that work their socks off here. Jobs were lost. “So it was a sad situation because I felt we didn’t deserve to go down. At one point it looked like we were going to make it, but we didn’t have enough in the tank. “It was hard to take because we had been an established Premier League team.”
TESTING TIMES IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP “It was a very difficult season because throughout my career I’ve always played and started. I’d play 20-plus games all season. “I was told I was surplus to requirements and I should find another club. It was strange for me and Wayne Routledge because we’d done very well in pre-season. “I think there was more to it, but going through the same thing with Wayne was a bit easier to take because we helped each other and we weren’t bitter at all. In fact, if you ask anyone around the club, we were always looking to help the boys.
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“Then we were thrown into the team to play Brentford away, and our season changed from there. “We didn’t end up in the playoffs, unfortunately, but we gave it a good go.”
THE LAST DANCE “I remember the West Brom game as it was the last time I played for Swansea. I didn’t know that would be the last time I pulled on the shirt. “Football can be full of highs and lows – you’re rarely in the middle. That was the end and, looking back, it’s hard because I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye.
“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.”
WHAT’S NEXT? “ That’s the main one for me. Everyone is asking if I’m going to get my coaching badges, but it’s not for me. “I was lucky to have the late Cyrille Regis as my mentor and agent since I was 14, so I’ve thought a lot about that. That’s the role I want to step in to. “I’d like to help and be a mentor for the younger generation coming through.
“Hearing the fans cheering my name was amazing, and I like to think I gave them a lot of reason to smile over the years too. They helped me massively, and got me going when I wasn’t going.
“I’ve been through the highs, lows, playing, not playing, off the field problems – I am better equipped now to give my advice and be a shoulder to lean on for those that want and need it.
“I like to think they knew I gave 100 per cent every single time I played.”
“I’ll definitely be here for the next year, so I’ll be down the Liberty I’m sure for some games.
ONCE A JACK, ALWAYS A JACK “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.
“Swansea will forever be in my heart.”
STATS 2009-2020
SWANS APPEARANCES 347
SWANS GOALS 38
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MEET JOËL PIROE
H
e was once labelled the next Ruud van Nistelrooy, and was then coached by the Dutch legend. Now, Joel Piroe wants to make his own name at Swansea City. The striker became the Swans’ second summer signing after arriving from PSV Eindhoven, and has got some valuable game time under his belt during pre-season. He arrives with plenty of potential, with a hat-trick in the Under-19s European Championships and a brace in the Europa League among his career highlights so far. His treble for his country in 2017 led to comparisons with former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker van Nistelrooy, whom he would be coached by at PSV. Now the 21-year-old is looking to realise his potential in the
Championship with the Swans, and he looks to do that having learned from one of the best in the business.
also spent time on loan with Sparta Rotterdam as he gained further experience of the Dutch top-flight.
“It was a huge honour to be mentioned in the same sentence as van Nistelrooy,” said Piroe.
Prior to that, Piroe’s potential was highlighted as he found the net regularly for PSV’s youth team in the second tier.
“He’s a great man who has done great things at Manchester United, PSV, Real Madrid and Holland. I look up to him as a Dutch striker. A lot of strikers in Holland want to be like him. “He trained me at PSV, and I learned a lot from him. After training, we’d grab a bag of footballs and do all the work of what’s important for strikers. “It was great to work under him and be compared to him, but hopefully I can make my own name here.” Piroe scored three times in 14 appearances for PSV, while he
Now he’s got games and goals in his sights for the Swans as he looks to make the most of his opportunity. “My time at PSV was really good. It’s a big club with big players,” h e a d d e d . “ E ve r yo n e k n e w what we needed to do and the ambitions of the club. I had seven great years at PSV. “It is a big move for me. I’ve come to a new country and don’t know anyone here yet. “But I look at my career and the options in front of me, and this is the best place for me.”
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MEET LIAM WALSH PAGE 36
L
i a m Wa l s h h a s a l r e a d y experienced a number of the highs and lows football can throw at a young player, and the new signing is determined to make sure his time at Swansea City is a successful one. The 23-year-old midfielder has joined the Swans on a free transfer after leaving Bristol City. The Everton academy product has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Liberty Stadium and linked up with his new team-mates during their pre-season training camp at Pennyhill Park in early July. The highly-rated playmaker – who joined the Toffees at the age of just five – has had to endure injury frustration over recent seasons. But he is feeling strong and ready to make his presence felt at his new club. “I know the two sides of football. I had a good loan spell at Yeovil where I met Connor Roberts and we have kept in touch since - and I played every week,” says Walsh. “I had a spell at Birmingham that did not quite work out with a change of manager, so those experiences helped me a lot. “I went to Bristol City looking to play week in, week out, but I had a few injuries. It maybe did not go to plan. “But I have been working hard over the summer and over the last year. I am looking forward to being here and hopefully trying to achieve promotion for the club. “I am energetic on the pitch, I am quite loud on the pitch, I am a proper winner and if things are not going our way, I try my best to try and turn it round.
“I like getting on the ball, I like running games and there is nothing better than winning. I am very passionate about that.” Having known Roberts from his time at Yeovil, there were also another familiar face Walsh spoke to when the chance to move to SA1 came up, in the form of ex-Bristol City team-mate Korey Smith. “It’s been a long summer for me, especially after the way last season went. But everything that has been said to me (about Swansea) was exactly what I wanted in a club, and I cannot wait to play in front of the fans at the stadium,” he said. “I spoke to Korey a lot about the possibility of coming here, and he was on my case pretty much every single day to be honest. “I also spoke to Connor and David Tivey and they had nothing but good words to say about the club. Everything they said was positive and I think this is perfect for me.” Walsh also brings promotion experience having helped Coventry City reach the Championship during a successful loan spell during the 2019-20 season. He made over 30 appearances and scored four goals for the Sky Blues, including an eye-catching solo effort against Rochdale that is certainly worth searching out on YouTube. “I have been asked about that a few times - that’s probably my best goal,” says Walsh with a smile. “As I say, I like to get on the ball and run games, but I like to think I’ve also got a dribble in me. I want to be confident on the ball and make things happen. “I want to do that at Swansea.”
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CSKA IS A TOUGH DRAW, BUT WE WILL GIVE OUR ALL
I
an Owen knows Swansea City Ladies face a tough Champions League assignment against CSKA Moscow, but has vowed they will give their all to try and create Welsh football history.
Should the Swans overcome CSKA they will then face the winner of the other semi-final between Apollon Ladies – who the Swans fac ed last season - and FC Dinamo in the final.
The two-time defending Welsh Premier Women’s L eague champions will face the Russians in Group Six of the round one draw in Cyprus.
And Owen is under no illusion as to how difficult a task it will be to defeat the Russian champions.
Each group is contested as a mini tournament made up of two semi-finals, a third-place playoff and a final. The winner of each mini tournament advances to round two.
“CSKA will be tough opponents, as a seeded team they will have good players and they will be very organised,” said Swans team manager Owen. “As we do every year, we will give our all, the aim is always to qualify for the next round and to be the first Welsh team to do that would be great.
“But we are taking one game at a time, and as I said CSKA will be formidable opposition. “We are preparing well, and we will try our best; we are under no illusions that the competition is of the highest level so let’s see what happens.” Swansea City Ladies captain Alicia P owe echoed Owen’s sentiments, but is looking forward to the challenge ahead. “I am really excited to be competing in the Champions League this summer,” she said. “We know CSKA Moscow will be tough opponents, but pre-season is under way, and the squad is preparing for the challenge ahead.”
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SWANSEA CITY ACADEMY REVEAL NEW SCHOLARS AND PRO DEALS
S
wansea City has signed eight players to academy scholarships ahead of the upcoming season, as well as making additions to the club’s professional ranks. Winger Kyrell Wilson, centreback David Roberts, versatile defender Filip Lissah and leftback Zane Myers have all joined from Chelsea, while Richard Faakye (Crystal Palace), who can play in central roles in defence and midfield, centre midfielder Charlie Veevers (Manchester United), forward Kieran Petrie (Arsenal) and goalkeeper Ben Hughes (Chippenham Town) have also become Swans scholars.
Geoff Bony, Josh Carey, Joel Cotterill, Ben Lloyd, Jada Mawongo and Evan Watts are also making the step up as scholars having come through the academy ranks. The new scholars will link up with the under-18s squad under coach Byron Anthony. Defender Scott Butler and forward Michael Murphy have signed their first professional deals after impressing during their respective scholarships. They join fellow youngsters Josh Thomas and Lincoln McFayden in signing pro deals, with the pair having penned contracts in the second half of last season.
The Swans have added goalkeeper Nico Defreitas-Hansen, midfielder A zeem Abdulai and forward Tarrelle Whittaker to the under-23 squad as they arrive after time on the books with Everton, Leicester and Tottenham. Centre-backs Ben Margetson and Ben Erickson have also signed. Margetson arrives on the back of an impressive trial at the end of last season, while Erickson rejoins after a spell away from the club. Midfielder Sam Leverett has also joined the Swans after leaving Leeds United.
Jacob Jones and Jamie Searle – who is currently away with New Zealand at the Summer Olympics - have also signed new contracts.
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JAMIE SEARLE REACHES OLYMPICS QUARTER-FINAL WITH NEW ZEALAND
S
wansea City goalkeeper Jamie Searle is hoping to make even more Olympic history with New Zealand this weekend.
The youngster has been part of the squad that made history in his home nation by becoming the first football team to reach the knockout stages at the Summer Olympics. Danny Hay’s side progressed from their group, which contained South Korea, Honduras and Romania.
Searle, who played a part in the warm-up victory over Australia prior to the tournament, was on the bench as New Zealand drew 0-0 with Romania - a result which saw them finish second in the group behind South Korea. The Swans under-23s’ shotstopper was also on the bench for the opening 1-0 win over South Korea and the 3-2 defeat to Honduras. New Zealand now face hosts Japan - victors over France, Mexico and South Africa - on Saturday as they look to seal a place in the last four of the tournament.
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TRAINING WITH FIRST TEAM PROVIDES EXTRA MOTIVATION
S
wansea City Under-23s centre-half Scott Butler says training with the first team has provided extra motivation as he steps up his preparations for the 2021-22 season. The 18-year-old joined the Swans from Wrexham in the summer o f 2 0 1 9 a n d r a c ke d u p 1 6 appearances for the under-18s in his debut season before regularly appearing for the under-23s and under-18s last season. B utler, who also c apt ained the under-18s on a number of occasions in the 2020-21 campaign, made the trip to Pennyhill Park earlier this month along with a handful of his academy colleagues. “It’s great to see all the hard work I have put in being rewarded,” said Butler.
“My first year was a massive learning curve coming to Swansea and it was a big shock to me. I think I straight away found out what it takes to be a footballer. “I really kicked on in my second year and played about 40 to 45 games last season and it definitely helped me adapt to what a first-team schedule would look like; hectic and a lot of games in a short period.” Before spending the week at Pennyhill Park, Butler had previously relished the opportunity of training with the first team on a few occasions at the club’s training base at Fairwood. “I have been up to Fairwood three times now and sometimes you just have to pinch yourself when you look around and see who you’re playing with, it’s brilliant,” added Butler.
“After training with the first-team you just think ‘I want more of that’ and every time you do it’s a big occasion and gives you that bit of extra motivation. You need to remember those days and hopefully they come around more often.” The demands of the pre-season schedule have whet Butler ’s appetite for the upcoming season, but the defender is determined to keep learning at any opportunity. “I want to kick on, I want to just see where the season goes. I want to pick up as many minutes as I can with the under-23s and just go from there,” he added. “I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, just take each game as it comes. I don’t want to look too far into the future, I just want to keep learning, keep developing and see where it takes me.”
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WONDERKIDS, LEARNING FROM HENRY AND THE SWANSEA PATHWAY
H
e may be only 16 years of age, but new Swansea City scholar Kieran Petrie has already found himself under the media spotlight and learning his trade from one of the best in the business. Now the teenager is hoping to bring all those experiences to bear during his time at the Swans, as he looks to make his mark following his departure from Arsenal. The forward – who can play as a striker, winger or number 10 – has made the move to south Wales from north London after being impressed with the development pathway at the Swans. Petrie proved himself a regular goalscorer in the Arsenal set-up, which saw him feature in one of BBC Sport’s Football Wonderkids Challenge series. You can watch that video HERE. All the while, he had the opportunity to develop under the watchful eye of Freddie Ljungberg and a certain Thierry Henry as the Gunners pair worked in the club’s academy. Petrie acknowledges those were all experiences which boosted his confidence and belief.
“I enjoyed those opportunities,” he said. “The BBC approached me, and felt what I had been doing was good. It was good fun. It is always great to get that sort of exposure. It’s good for your confidence too, plus it was also something I could show to clubs when it came to deciding to move. “The media side of things has ups and downs, but I think it helped me a lot as a person, although they said I’d scored 16 goals in three games when it was actually 16 goals in that part of the season! “But I enjoyed that and I enjoyed my time at Arsenal. They had a lot of experienced people there like Freddie Ljungberg, and Thierry Henry was there too. “We used to get to work with them, and I had the chance to be able to talk to Thierry about all different types of finishing. “It was amazing to have someone like that alongside you to learn from and ask questions of. I used to watch him back in the day, and he was an unbelievable player.
“There were a lot of good players there, but I felt it was time to move on to a new challenge.” Since arriving in Swansea, Petrie has taken part in the academy’s pre-season training camp in the Lake District, and is now looking forward to throwing himself into the rest of the campaign. “It’s going to be good, getting down to work and training will be important to get the ball rolling and then starting to get some game time under my belt with our pre-season friendlies,” he said. “We are going to face a mix of academy sides and men’s sides, which I think will be really good for us so I cannot wait to get down to work. “I came here in March, everyone was really welcoming to me and I saw from the conversations I had that there is a clear pathway here. “That is the main thing for any young player, if you are going to pursue being a footballer you have to be able to see a clear pathway to get to where you want to go.”
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ASTUDIA YM MHRIFYSGOL ABERTAWE DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR DYSGWCH FWY
FFRAMWAITH RHAGORIAETH & DEILLIANNAU MYFYRWYR PAGE 48
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he Blades are back in the Championship after their two-year stint in the top-flight came to an end in May.
Chris Wilder had guided them from League One to the Premier League, but Slavisa Jokanovic is the man tasked with securing a return to the top division this term. United are one of only four clubs to have won all top four tiers in English football, joining Burnley, Preston and Wolves on an illustrious list. They also have four FA Cup triumphs to their name in 1899, 1902, 1915 and 1925.
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Correct as of July 30, 2021
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