22 minute read
Croeso Kasey Palmer
HE MAY STILL BE JUST 23 YEARS OF AGE, BUT KASEY PALMER IS ALREADY A WELL-TRAVELLED PRO AS OPPOSED TO A CALLOW 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.
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The talented midfielder originally emerged with Charlton, before making the move to Chelsea in 2013 as a 16-year-old.
Palmer enjoyed plenty of success in the academy ranks with the Blues.
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. “It’s been a long time coming, I’ve been linked with Swansea over the last couple of windows and, now it’s done, I can’t wait to get up to speed as quick as I can.
“I was close to coming here last summer in 2019, and I had good conversations with the head coach, 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 recognised in the games I have played against them and I want to be a part of it.
“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.
“Now we are here, and to be part of that style of play is attractive.”
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
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
JACK THE LAD
Ialways get a little concerned when the Swans play on 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. 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:
“Sometimes, evenings at Anfield produce a performance from the home side so ghastly that the match ticket should carry a parental warning.
“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. The Swans dominated the first half and went into the break a goal up thanks to a Chico Flores header.
Nathan Dyer scored a second with 20 minutes left, before Luis Suarez reduced the deficit.
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!
SWANS ACADEMY BY NIGEL REES
Good 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.
SWANS U23S 0 BIRMINGHAM CITY U23S 3
DATE: MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 VENUE: LANDORE TRAINING CENTRE
Swans U23s: Jamie Searle,
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. Ryan Bevan, Cian Williams, Jake Thomas, Jacob Jones, Erick Kenko, Morgan Clarke, Bradley Gibbings, Cameron Congreve (Adnaan Moti), Adrian Akandi (Rio Campbell),
Subs not used:
Panashe Makokowe.
MATCH REPORT
Ayouthful Swansea City Under-23s’ side
Josh Thomas (Aaron Hillier). “It was probably one of the youngest teams we have ever fielded at this level.
“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.”
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Manager Neil Harris shocked everyone when he broke the club transfer record in bringing Bill Imrie in from Newcastle United for £1,500, 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.
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.
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.
BLACK HISTORY AT SWANSEA CITY
With 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 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 players won Welsh Cup winners’ medals in their first season at the club, playing at the National Stadium in a 2-0 win over Wrexham.
During Frank Burrows time at the club as manager he developed a reputation as a shrewd operator in the transfer market, bringing in players 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.
