A Message from Matt Grimes

MATT GRIMES A MESSAGE FROM

Go od afternoon and welcome to everyone joining us for this afternoon’s Championship game against Blackpool at the Swansea. com Stadium.

We’re back in SA1 for the first time in three weeks after two away games and the international break.

We won our fourth consecutive league game last time out at the Swansea.com Stadium in a 3-0 win over Peterborough United and we were delighted with such a dominant performance. We wanted to put things right following the defeat at Birmingham and I’d like to think we certainly did that and were able to give supporters something to smile about.

Whenever we play at home, or anywhere in front of the Jack Army, we thrive off their support and it motivates us to get results for them. We’re all enjoying playing in this team and the supporters seem to be enjoying watching it, so it’s brilliant for us all. The performance and result also underlined our willingness to give our all for each other and showed the intensity that we expect of ourselves.

Next, we faced a tough test away to Coventry and I thought we started the game really well and got the two early goals. They pressed higher and put us under pressure but we dug deep and I thought we were brilliant in the second half to see the game out and keep the ball.

It was a big win, and Coventry hadn’t lost on home soil all season so it was massive. Our away form hasn’t quite been what our home form has been so something we’re working on is trying to replicate that on the road. It was another goal apiece for Pato and Joel, they’re two great lads and the numbers speak for themselves. They’ve been fantastic for us and it’s brilliant to see them both so high on confidence.

The loss at Bournemouth was disappointing but we’ll learn from it and do everything to bounce back. In recent weeks we’ve had some brilliant results and performances and we won’t allow one performance to get us down.

We’ve had the international break to work on it and reflect on the season so far and we’re really looking forward to getting back to the Swansea.com Stadium this afternoon. Blackpool are another good side but we’ll be ready for the challenge ahead.

Enjoy the game today!

Matt

TERRY SINNETT A MESSAGE FR M

The international break is welcomed by some but not others. Our coaches no doubt look forward to it as it allows some batteries to be recharged and for some serious coaching sessions. I’m very much in the latter camp and can’t wait to get back to the stadium to see the boys in action.

Our work at the Supporters’ Trust goes on regardless and being three months into my new role as supporter director of the club, I thought I’d offer an insight into what that entails. It was a surprise to be elected to the position, it has to be said, and after a slow start due to a number of reasons, I’m now up and running.

As I see it, my job is to be the link between our members, the wider fan base (who we’d love to see join the Supporters’ Trust) and the club.

The role – as its name suggests - also carries with it a place among the directors of the football club.

This involves accepting legal responsibilities and obligations, and receiving confidential information that could on rare occasions be seen as conflicting with our interests. Hopefully, as my relationship with the ownership of the club and local management grows, this will not be an issue.

I have scheduled meetings with chief executive Julian Winter at which we discuss club matters, many raised by fans. I am intending to publish extracts from those meetings on our website.

We also discuss team matters, performances, financial reports and any plans the club has that affects the fans.

At home matches, myself and Supporters’ Trust chair Dave Dalton are invited to attend club hospitality at the Centenary Suite. This offers us the opportunity of interacting with club and opposition officials, VIPs, sponsors and other guests.

These are opportunities to ensure they know about the Supporters’ Trust and the part it has played, and will continue to play, in the club’s history. Usually only one of us will attend as we alternate between this and being available to our members at the Supporters’ Trust pod.

At this moment, I have not attended a club board meeting but will look forward to the opportunity of talking to the other directors and reviewing all of the club’s activities.

My role also entails being a member of the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG). The group is co-ordinated by Swansea Council and made up of representatives from the council, emergency services, other relevant bodies and the club. Its responsibility is to provide a forum for discussing and advising on public safety at the stadium.

So, this is a flavour of what my role entails. I am looking forward to developing it whilst continuing with my other Supporters’ Trust work - at all times having the best interests of both the club and fans at heart.

Today we welcome Blackpool to the Swansea.com Stadium. They have had a steady start to the season having won three out of their last five games. Just like us.

I hope the Seasiders fans enjoy their trip to the best coast in Wales, but leave pointless!

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Swansea City AFC Foundation and the Ospreys have teamed up with Carolyn Harris MP and Julie James MS, to help deliver the Everyone Deserves a Christmas 2021 campaign.

Now in its fifth year, the annual campaign aims to provide festive cheer to those who require an extra helping hand in the local community.

Once again, in addition to local politicians, the Foundation is working with several other partners including the South Wales Evening Post, Ospreys in the Community, Swansea Council and many local businesses. The aim is to create food hampers with a value of £50 each, and this year the aim is to create 500 hampers.

Last year’s Christmas hamper appeal raised more than £20,000 and supported many hundreds of families during the festive season.

Helen Elton, head of the Swansea City AFC Foundation, said: “This project is very close to our hearts here at the Foundation.

“Each year that we have been involved in the Christmas hamper campaign it has grown, and each year, together, we have a made a significant difference to people’s lives in our community. “Christmas should be a time of joy, not of worry. It is also a time of giving. By working together, and with your help, we can ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the Christmas they deserve.”

Swansea City chief executive Julian Winter added: “This is a campaign which means an awful lot to the football club.

“As we have seen with the events of the past 18 months, we all need to pull together within the community and make a difference.

“We want to help spread the joy and reduce the worry for those in our community this Christmas, so if you can help us in any way then it is greatly appreciated.”

NATIONAL DAY OF SAFEGUARDING IN FOOTBALL

The FA has allocated this weekend (20/21 November) to launch its Play Safe Campaign.

Its aim is to ensure that safeguarding is embedded in everything that football does, particularly when working with children and young people.

As a club we are committed to safeguarding all children and adults who engage in our activities – whether that’s in the academy, in the first team, on a matchday or in the community. Promoting the safety and welfare of children and adults at risk is extremely important to us. We seek to offer an enjoyable experience and create a safe and inclusive environment where all stakeholders feel safe, valued and respected.

Our motto is – Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility. But for that motto to have purpose, we must ensure that all our stakeholders know what ‘safeguarding’ is, how to report concerns and who to speak to.

Safeguarding is about creating a safe environment where children, young people and adults are free from all forms of harm, abuse and neglect. This is achieved through policies and procedures that are embedded into everyday practice, together with having competent, well-trained members of staff. Abuse comes in many forms and affects children, young people and adults in different ways and may not always be obvious. Sometimes they don’t even realise what is happening to them is abuse.

Abuse of children and young people can be physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect. Abuse of adults includes sexual, psychological, financial, organisational, discriminatory, physical and domestic abuse, neglect, self-neglect and modern slavery.

Common signs that there may be something concerning happening in a child, young person or adults’ life include but are not limited to changes in behaviour or personality, withdrawal, anxiety, aggression, poor peer relationships, running away or going missing or wearing clothing inappropriate for warm weather.

To report a concern on a matchday, please speak to a steward who will refer your concern to our matchday safeguarding officers, Matthew Daniel and Craig Hadley.

To report a concern any other time, please email Rebeca Storer via safeguarding@ swanseacity.com or call 07773 594470.

All suspicions, reports and/or allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly which may involve the local authority, police or governing body where necessary.

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