Swansea City v Coventry City – Championship – 21-22 – Issue 19

SEASON 2021-2022

VERSUS

COVENTRY CITY Saturday, March 5, 2022 - Kick-off 3pm

ISSUE 19

JOMA-SPORT.COM PAGE 2

CONTENTS Page 15 - Russell Martin

Page 16 - Meet the Opposition

Page 21 - Match Highlights

Page 32 - Interview with Nathanael Ogbeta

Page 52 - Jack the Lad

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.

SWANSEA UNIVERSITY WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN

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Chief Executive Julian Winter Board Of Directors Directors: Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Huw Jenkins, Jason Levien, Martin Morgan, Gareth Davies, Julian Winter, Jake Silverstein, Terry Sinnett, Sam Porter Honorary Club President: Alan Curtis; Associate Directors: David Morgan, Sian Davies Team Management Head Coach: Russell Martin Behind the Team Technical Development Coach: Matt Gill Goalkeeping Coach: Dean Thornton Head of Physical Performance: Matt Willmott Head of Medicine: Dr Jez McCluskey First-Team Performance Analyst: Ben Parker Sporting Director: Mark Allen Staff: Ritson Lloyd, Ailsa Jones, Matthew Murray, Adele Callaghan, Daniel Morris, Lee Watkins, Chris Watkins, Daniel Nisbet, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Huw Lake, Steffan Popham, Bethany Chaddock

Senior Management Group Andrew Davies (Head of Operations, Facilities & Development); Gareth Davies (CFO); Mark Allen (Sporting Director); Rebecca Edwards-Symmons (Head of Commercial) Club Staff Club Secretary: Ben Greenwood Football Operations & Administration Manager: 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 Head of Marketing: Katie Hughes Head of Media & Communications: Ben Donovan Ticket Office Manager: Luke Hughes Operations & Events Manager: Matthew Daniel Facilities Manager: Gordon David Grounds Manager: Evan Davies Disability Access Officer: Catherine Thomas Swansea City AFC Foundation Manager: Helen Elton Club Ambassador: Lee Trundle

Programme Production Contributors: Ben Donovan, Andrew Gwilym, Sophie Davis, Hayley Ford, Sam Penfold, Adam Evans, Dom Hynes, Julie Kissick, Gwyn Rees, Alun Rhys Chivers Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jordan Morcom, Lewis Ward Photography: Athena Picture Agency, Natalie Davis, Alamy Swansea City AFC Swansea.com Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA1 2FA CP-D Dinas Abertawe Stadiwm Swansea.com, Landore, Abertawe, SA1 2FA Telephone/Ffôn: 01792 616400 Web/Gwe: swanseacity.com Email/E-bost: info@swanseacity.com

OUR FORTRESS, YOUR HOME. Season Ticket Renewal 2022-23 Visit swanseacity.com

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A MESSAGE FROM

JULIAN WINTER G

ood afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for today ’s Championship fixture against Coventry City.

We are back on home soil for the first time in three weeks following the recent postponement against AFC Bournemouth.

That fixture had to be called off due to st adium damage inflicted by the recent Storm Eunice, with supporter safety being paramount in any decision that was made.

I’d like to thank the staff at the club who played a key role in ensuring that that process was carried out smoothly and that suppor ters are back in attendance safely today.

February was a very busy month with six league games and it was very pleasing to round off the month with a 2-0 win at West Brom on Monday night.

We have had some difficult away games in recent weeks but I thought the players were

terrific at The Hawthorns and really put their stamp on the game in terms of the style and dominance that we showed.

Everyone at the club was saddened to hear about the n e w s t h a t J o h n To s h a c k i s fighting illness in hospital over in Spain.

John is a legendary figure at S w a n s e a C i t y, h a v i n g b e e n a player and manager and taking the club from the Fourth Division to the First Division and almost lifting the title in what was a remarkable period in the club’s history. All our thoughts are with John and his family at this time.

Another member of that golden era is Alan Curtis (or Alan Curtis MBE I should say!) who collected his gong from Windsor Castle recently for his services to Welsh football.

Curt enjoyed a distinguished playing and coaching career that spanned four dec ades, and he is an iconic figure around the city and someone who is loved by everyone.

It goes without s aying that everyone at the club offer s their sincere congratulations to Curt and his family on a terrific achievement.

Swansea City is also proud to be supporting Level Playing Field’s ‘ Weeks of Action’ campaign, which aims to showcase the good work being done by clubs and organisations to improve accessibility and inclusion across all sports.

This year ’s theme celebrates the return of fans to stadiums, and we would like to thank our Disabled Supporters A s s o c i at i o n ( D S A ) fo r t h e i r tireless work and effor t s in making football at the Swans accessible to all.

Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the management, players, staff and directors from Coventry who have made the trip to Wales for today’s game.

Enjoy the game, Julian

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A MESSAGE FROM

RUSSELL MARTIN G

ood afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for our Championship game against Coventry City.

We come into today’s game on the back of a fantastic win against West Brom on Monday night.

To perform the way we did, away from home, was so brave and I was immensely proud of the guys.

We have had some tough times on the road recently, notably the 4-0 defeat at Sheffield United, which was totally unacceptable.

To bounce back from that showed great courage and we won playing our way, which is what we always want to do.

We want to show the team we can be and it was a real team effort. We named the starting line-up very early, which is not always easy for the guys who are not in it, but the way they helped get the team ready was brilliant.

The players have shown they believe, we spoke about intensity and clarity after Sheffield United, we reinforced some things and we were better for it.

We are growing all the time, inconsistency is part of the process with young players, but they are giving myself and my coaching staff everything and they are a pleasure to work with every day.

But I’m really pleased for the supporters because they have been incredible since we arrived and have deserved better away from home.

Monday’s win was also the product of a great week’s work on the training pitch. When we have had a chance to work the performances have reflected that, but without the character and the courage to put that out on the pitch the work would mean nothing.

I’d like to take this opportunity to offer a message of support for John Toshack, one of this club’s legendary figures, who is battling illness in hospital in Spain.

John famously took this club from the Fourth Division to the First Division and is an esteemed figure within the game, both in Britain and abroad.

Everyone at the club wishes him and his family our continued support. Keep fighting, John, we are all with you.

Another legendary figure, Alan Curtis, was in attendance at Fairwood this week as he celebrated his recent MBE. Curt has done so much for this football club, from a stellar playing career to coaching and holding just about every other job imaginable, but he has done so with great dignity and professionalism and deserves all the messages and love he gets.

Coventry are enjoying a good season under Mark Robins, who has done an excellent job in getting them up to the Championship and more than holding their own.

Your support here against Bristol City last time out was incredible and you really drove us on that day, so hopefully we can produce another performance to be proud of.

Enjoy the game, Russell

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A MESSAGE FROM

MATT GRIMES G

ood afternoon and welcome to everyone joining us from around the world for this afternoon’s Championship fixture against Coventry City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

We were proud of our performance against Bristol City in our last home game and it showed the character of the boys to come from behind in the manner we did.

The game at Sheffield United was nowhere near good enough and we knew we had to deliver in our next game on the road.

Monday’s win against West Brom at The Hawthorns was a good win and it was great to get a win away from home. I thought we kept the ball well and I thought we defended really well too.

We had a c ouple of sc ary moments but whenever they had any momentum, we rode the storm and I thought we

dominated the game and thoroughly deserved the win.

The couple of away performances before West Brom had been really poor and we knew that we only had ourselves to blame for that.

We had a good week’s work in training following the postponement of the Bournemouth game and put some ideas out on the pitch and showed what we are capable of.

The clean sheet was massive, too.

It was so important to go there and make sure we were back to our solid ways and not conceding chances like we did in the previous two away games.

That game also showed that it’s not just about the starting XI, it’s about the lads on the bench and the ones who aren’t in the squad too.

Olivier would have been disappointed that he wasn’t starting – as anyone would – but

he came off the bench, did his job, contributed with the assist for Joel and I thought he was brilliant.

The whole squad push each other every single day and we’re making each other the best that we can be.

There is a unity, it’s a great group and we’re all in it for each other.

The fans were incredible as they always are. It was nice to give them something to cheer about and I hope they enjoyed it.

It’s our job to keep it going now and we need to back it up with another good performance this afternoon.

Coventry are a really experienced Championship squad with some really good players.

They made it really difficult in the away game so we know the threats they possess but we’ll ensure we’re as prepared as possible.

Enjoy the game today!

Matt

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A MESSAGE FR M

CERI STONE

T

t has been an eventful few weeks on and off the field since our last home game, the win against Bristol City.

T hat performanc e was ver y much a tale of two halves with, thankfully, the better half being the sec ond, when we were able to reverse the half time deficit and run out worthy 3-1 winners. We followed that up with a very disappointing performance and result at Sheffield United, losing 4-0.

Due to the recent storms and the resultant damage at the S wa n s e a .c o m s t a d i u m , t h e following home game against Bournemouth was postponed.

This resulted in a few extra days of training and rest for the team, and this no doubt contributed to a fine win earlier this week at West Bromwich Albion.

Off the field, it must be said that it has been a busy time fo r t h e Tr u s t fo l l ow i n g t h e recent announcement of the settlement agreement to the shareholding dispute arising from the 2016 sale of the club.

The announcement coincided with our AGM and to enable further discussion we held a Q&A session later that week to enable

members to put their questions to the Trusts’ legal subgroup and legal representatives. All Trust members who sent us a question in advance or since the forum have now received replies by email. The Trust Board is now looking to the future and more details of the type of work we are planning can be found in the recent update sent to our members here.

We have previously mentioned the Fan-Led Review which was undertaken by MP Tracey Crouch and her findings were published back in November.

As part of the ongoing review, some clubs are surveying their fans on a whole range of subjects. With the support of the club, over the coming weeks we will be sending a series of surveys to our members and supporters that take just a few minutes to complete. The results will be filtered through to the Football Supporters Association (FSA) who are coordinating the n a t i o n w i d e s u r v e y. T h i s i s everyone’s oppor tunity to express their views on the future of the game we love.

The Swans Trust were part of the original group of organisations interviewed as part of this review and we are pleased to see that several areas that were discussed have been included as part of this report. We are in no doubt that clubs would be nothing without their supporters and welcome the recommendations of this report, which aim to put supporters squarely at the heart of how the game is run.

Today we welcome Coventry City and following our 2-1 victory in November, we’ll be hoping to complete our second double in a week. We are sure the Jack Army will give a special welcome to Jake Bidwell, a popular figure during his time in SA1.

Today is also a special day for lifelong season ticket holder and Trust member, Mr Francis Greene. Francis became a centurion last week and as well as being a special guest of the club today, he’s been made an Honorary Member of the Trust.

We’re sure he’ll remember today and let’s hope the boys make it a memorable one.

Enjoy the game, YJB!

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wansea City AFC Foundation is pleased to announce the introduction of Welsh Language Premier League Kicks sessions in partnership with Menter Iaith Abertawe at Ysgol Gwyr in Gowerton.

The Premier League Kicks initiative is a national programme that uses the power of football and sport to regularly engage children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities in football, sport and personal development – providing a trusted, positive influence in high-need areas.

The project delivers free weekly sessions, giving young people aged eight to 16 across South West Wales the opportunities to play in football activities, whilst 16 to 18-year-old's in further education have the opportunity to become volunteer officials or coaches.

Our Welsh language sessions will look to encourage young people to communicate in Welsh through football, with the sessions only being accessible to Welsh Language feeder schools.

Sessions will begin on March 28, and you can now sign-up HERE. “We're really excited to be able to launch this new scheme in partnership with the Swansea

City AFC Foundation and Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr," said Tomos Jones of Menter Iaith Abertawe.

“Our work is to promote the use and enjoyment of the Welsh language in the Swansea area, and it's brilliant to see the football club being so supportive of the language.

“For the sixth formers who have volunteered for this scheme, there will be the opportunity use their Welsh in a sporting context as they develop their coaching skills and mentor the younger pupils.

“Enabling them to engage with the language in this way is really important, and the possibility of future paid Welsh language work as the scheme develops is something which is of vital importance to young people in the Swansea area.

“It will also provide the younger pupils the opportunity to socialise on the football pitch through the medium of Welsh. We can't wait to get started.”

“As a Foundation we are proud to be launching our first PL Kicks session in the Welsh language in partnership with Menter Iaith Abertawe and Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr," added Graham Smith, equality, diversity and inclusion lead at Swansea City AFC Foundation.

"A s an organisation we are committed to equality and inclusion and we are committed to expanding the number of activities we offer through the medium of Welsh.

“Our Premier League Kicks project has a long history of supporting young people to develop their coaching skills and providing valuable volunteering opportunities, and I’m delighted that this session has been developed with that specifically in mind.

"We’re looking forward to seeing the Gwyr sixth formers develop their coaching skills and becoming role models for Welsh speaking children and young people in their local community.”

Swansea City chief executive added: “This is a great initiative between the Swansea City AFC Foundation and Menter Iaith Abertware.

“Welsh language is something we as a club feel very passionate about and have plans to develop further, and it will be exciting to see young players communicating through the medium of Welsh during these sessions.”

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COVENTRY CITY COVENTRY CITY COVENTRY CITY COVENTRY CITY THE GAFFER COVENTRY CITY COVENTRY CITY COVENTRY CITY COVENTRY CITY CLUB CAPTAIN COVENTRY CITY COVENTRY CITY COVENTRY CITY OWNER

NICKNAME

FOUNDED

Joy Seppala

The Sky Blues

1883

STADIUM

OPENED

CAPACITY

CBS Arena

2005

32,753

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

@Coventry_City

@coventrycityfcofffical

/CoventryCityFC

The former Manchester United, Norwich, Leicester and Manchester City forward took charge of the Sky Blues for a second time when he succeeded Russell Slade in March 2017.

After hanging up his boots after a 17-year professional career, Robins started his managerial career in 2007 with Rotherham, turning the Millers from relegation battlers to promotion contenders.

MARK ROBINS

He subsequently managed Barnsley and Coventry, with his promising first spell ending when he joined Huddersfield in 2013, and twice kept them safe from relegation before departing.

A stint at Scunthorpe followed before he returned to Coventry to kickstart a revival of their fortunes.

The 31-year-old Scotland international was one of Robins’ first signings after taking over and has been an integral part of their climb back through divisions when fit.

The midfielder started his career at MK Dons, but made his first big impact at Kilmarnock, where he made over 100 league appearances in a four-year stay at Rugby Park.

LIAM KELLY

PAGE 16

After a spell at Bristol City, stints with Oldham Athletic and Leyton Orient followed, before making the switch to Coventry on a free transfer in 2017.

Injury problems have seen defender Kyle McFadzean and Dom Hyam lead the team in his absence.

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

COVENTRY BUILDING SOCIETY ARENA MEET THE OPPOSITION

HOW’S THEIR FORM?

Once a top-flight mainstay with a 34-year stint in the First Division and Premier League, Coventry are enjoying their second season back in the Championship after securing the League One title in 2020.

The Sky Blues are currently just outside the play-off places and have been pretty consistent all season, averaging 1.55 points per game.

Formed in 1883, Coventry joined the Football League in 1919 and steadily rose to reach the First Division in 1967 under the management of Jimmy Hill.

Across the season, they have fared slightly better at home picking up the eighth most points at home in the league, while they are 10th in the away table.

In the past 10 games, they have suffered just three defeats while picking up five wins and two draws.

They claimed their only major honour when they won the FA Cup with a 3-2 win over Tottenham in 1987, and there are signs of a Sky Blue revival after some tough recent times.

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ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH

DOMINIC HYAM

ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH

POSITION

CB

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

26 15

ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO

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 PAGE 18

A

n academy graduate from Reading, Hyam signed for Coventry in 2017, making over 150 appearances. The Under-21 Scottish international played a crucial role in the Sky Blues’ League Two play-offs against Exeter during the 2017/18 season, and their League One win two years later. He has since gone on to play more minutes than any other Coventry player, helping his team to reach the top 10 in the Sky Bet Championship. Standing at 6’2”, he has the ability to more than match any opposition in the air.

GUSTAVO HAMER POSITION

CDM

B

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

24 38

orn in Brazil but moving to the Netherlands at a young age, 24-yearold Hamer signed for Coventry from PEC Zwolle in 2020, having played for Dordrecht in the Dutch second tier, on loan from Feyenoord. This season, he has topped the assist charts for the Sky Blues, helping to create six goals so far. During his first season in the Championship, he won the club’s Goal of the Season, scoring four others during his 42 appearances. Among fans, he is known for his flair, passing ability, and defensive prowess.

VIKTOR GYÖKERES POSITION

ST

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

23 17

G

yökeres signed for the Sky Blues on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion after a brief spell at Swansea City during the 2020/21 season. Since signing for Coventry, he has scored 15 goals across all competitions.

Gyökeres started his senior professional career for IF Brommapojkarna in his home country of Sweden. Three years later, he signed for Premier League side Brighton. It was there he was sent on loan to clubs like St. Pauli, Swansea, and Coventry. He then signed a permanent deal with the Sky Blues in the summer of 2021.

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WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0

SWANSEA CITY 2 LATE GOALS FROM JOEL PIROE AND CYRUS CHRISTIE GAVE SWANSEA CITY A DESERVED WIN AT WEST BROM AS RUSSELL MARTIN’S SIDE PICKED UP THREE POINTS ON THEIR TRAVELS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE NOVEMBER.

TEAM LINEUPS West Brom: Sam Johnstone, Conor Townsend, Dara O'Shea (Darnell Furlong 46), Kyle Bartley (captain), Semi Ajayi, Callum Robinson, Grady Diangana, Jayson Molumby (Karlan Grant 77), Andy Carroll, Adam Reach (Quevin Castro 65), Alex Mowatt.

Subs not used: Matt Clarke, Cedric Kipre, David Button, Taylor Gardner-Hickman.

Swans: Andy Fisher; Ben Cabango, Kyle Naughton, Ryan Manning; Hannes Wolf, Flynn Downes, Matt Grimes (captain), Cyrus Christie; Joel Piroe (Kyle Joseph 90), Jamie Paterson (Olivier Ntcham 77); Michael Obafemi (Korey Smith 83).

Subs not used: Ben Hamer, Jay Fulton, Joel Latibeaudiere, Finley Burns.

Referee: Dean Whitestone Attendance: 20,209 (707 away fans)

PAGE 21

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STILETTOS AND STUDS BY JULIE KISSICK

W

hat a difference a week makes.

Actually, what I really mean is, what a difference a win makes.

This time just over a week ago I was scratching my head trying to think of a way to start this column after the 4-0 away defeat to Sheffield United.

It’s never easy to find positives after a defeat like that, but there was no need to concern myself with such a problem as that this time around. Thankfully.

A 2-0 win against West Bromwich Albion in front of the Monday night television cameras was much needed and hopefully sets us on course to take plenty of positives from the remainder of the season.

I spoke to my dad after the match and, as he usually does, he gave me his summary of the game. His assessment was positive, especially on the return of Kyle Naughton, a player we’ve become very fond of over the last few years.

I ’ ve m e n t i o n e d h i m i n t h i s c o l u m n before because to me he has become such an integral part of the team and there’s no doubt we’ve missed him over the last few games.

He’s such a diligent, understated player; a real workhorse who quietly and effectively gets on with his job.

It’s easy to think that the big personalities, the flamboyant characters are the ones who matter the most to a team, but as Naughton has shown consistently, there’s a lot more to contributing to the success of a side than scoring or providing an assist for goals.

And we know too that no side is going to be successful without support – and what an incredible job our travelling fans did to show their support at both away games. The 12th man was loud and proud, whatever was happening on the pitch.

The fans who made the long journey to Sheffield in such awful conditions as we saw a fortnight ago courtesy of Storm Eunice, deserve as many plaudits as those who travelled to the west Midlands in midweek.

Of course, many of them will be the same fans, undeterred in the face of defeat and determined to support the side they love, no matter what the result or the weather.

There’s definitely something unique about us football fans. In 2018 two academics from the University of Sussex studied the post-match responses of 32,000 football fans using a smartphone app.

The app pinged people at different times to ask them what mood they were in. Using a combination of data relating to location, match dates, teams playing and the results of matches watched, they were able to assess how people’s happiness changed after a game.

“The pain felt by football fans after a defeat is more than double the joy of winning,” according to the study. It also showed that those inside the stadium, rather than those watching the game from elsewhere, experienced a higher level of jubilation when their side won and an increased level of sadness when their side lost.

Let’s hope for smiles all round this afternoon, wherever you are supporting the Swans.

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WELSH COLUMN BY ALUN RHYS CHIVERS, GOLWG

M

ae Abertawe’n anelu am drydedd buddugoliaeth yn olynol ar eu tomen eu hunain wrth iddyn nhw groesawu Coventry i Stadiwm Swansea.com y prynhawn yma. A byddan nhw’n sicr wedi cael hwb o’r fuddugoliaeth oddi cartref yn West Brom ddechrau’r wythnos hefyd.

Byddan nhw’n hyderus o gipio’r fuddugoliaeth hefyd, nid yn unig ar ôl iddyn nhw guro West Brom ddechrau’r wythnos, ond hefyd am fod eu rhediad di-guro yn erbyn Coventry yn ymestyn dros 12 gêm – a 41 o flynyddoedd (cyn i Russell Martin gael ei eni, gyda llaw!).

Dydy John Toshack ddim wedi bod yn bell o feddyliau’r cefnogwyr yr wythnos hon. Tosh ei hun oedd wrth y llyw fis Hydref 1981, ac roedd Coventry o dan reolaeth Dave Sexton newydd golli yn erbyn tîm Nottingham Forest Brian Clough ac yn bedwerydd ar ddeg yn yr hen Adran Gyntaf. Mae’n rhaid, felly, eu bod nhw’n disgwyl tipyn o her yn erbyn tîm yr Elyrch oedd yn hedfan ar y brig. Ond fe gawson nhw amser digon hawdd yn y pen draw, gyda blaenoriaeth o 2-0 ar yr egwyl yn troi’n 3-0 wyth munud wedi’r egwyl. Gôl gysur yn unig gafodd yr Elyrch, a gafodd eu bwrw oddi ar eu hechel, gyda’r tîm mewn glas golau’n codi i’r unfed safle ar ddeg.

Ymlaen i 2022 ac mae’r sefyllfa’n dra gwahanol. Yn ail haen y cynghreiriau y tro hwn, mae’r Elyrch yn unfed a’r bymtheg, tra bod yr ymwelwyr heddiw chwe safle uwch eu pennau, ar ôl ennill dwy gêm a gorffen yn y llall yn gyfartal yn eu tair gêm ers colli yn erbyn Caerdydd ganol mis diwethaf.

Ond yr Elyrch gipiodd y fuddugoliaeth pan herion nhw ei gilydd ddiwethaf, a hynny o 2-1 diolch i Jamie Paterson a Joel Piroe wrth i rediad di-guro Coventry ers dechrau’r tymor ddod i ben ym mis Tachwedd.

Roedd yr asgellwr cefn ochr chwith Jake Bidwell yng nghrys Abertawe y diwrnod hwnnw, wrth i’r Elyrch gipio’u pedwaredd buddugoliaeth mewn pum gêm. Daeth ei gêm olaf i’r clwb dair wythnos wedyn, cyn iddo fe fynd am Coventry ym mis Ionawr.

Byddai ei gytundeb yn Stadiwm Swansea.

com wedi dirwyn i ben yn yr haf, ac yntau wedi methu dod i delerau i aros yng Nghymru.

Chwaraeodd e 92 o gemau i’r Elyrch, gan sgorio tair gôl, ac roedd e’n aelod allweddol o’r garfan gyrhaeddodd rownd derfynol y gemau ail gyfle cyn colli yn erbyn Brentford.

Cyfnod digon byr yn Abertawe gafodd y cynAlarch arall yng ngharfan Coventry heddiw.

Treuliodd Viktor Gyökeres o Sweden ychydig fisoedd ar fenthyg o Brighton rhwng Hydref a Ionawr eleni. Daeth ei gêm gyntaf fel eilydd yn erbyn Millwall, ond fe fu’n rhaid iddo fe aros tan ddiwedd ei gyfnod gyda’r clwb am ei gôl gyntaf. Daeth honno ar Ionawr 9 yn erbyn Stevenage yng Nghwpan FA Lloegr, ond roedd e ar ei ffordd yn ôl i Brighton ac at gyn-reolwr Abertawe Graham Potter bum niwrnod yn ddiweddarach.

Mae rhyw deimlad o hyd ym mêr esgyrn cefnogwyr yr Elyrch y bydd cyn-chwaraewr yn dychwelyd i’w cosbi nhw. Nid yn aml iawn mae’r pryderon yn dyblu!

PAGE 29

PAGE 32

AFTER SIGNING FOR SWANSEA CITY FROM SHREWSBURY TOWN ON TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY, NATHANIEL OGBETA SITS DOWN WITH SWANSTV FOR THE FIRST TIME TO DISCUSS HIS CAREER, HIS FAMILY, AND EAGERNESS TO HELP THE SWANS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE....

Nathaniel welcome to Swansea City. It’s fantastic to have you in the Swansea.com Stadium. How do you feel? It was a dramatic deadline day move, you must be delighted its all done.

I’m so happy, it was crazy. It was all yesterday, me and my family were waiting and waiting.

Sometimes it was on, sometimes it was off and it was just really challenging but me and my family kept praying and thanking God in advance, standing strong in faith that it will get done. When it got done, we were just rejoicing and thanking God. It was dramatic but I’m so happy it got done.

They announced it right at eleven o’clock; right at the deadline. It must have been an anxious day.

When did you first become aware that the move was a possibility?

I heard two weeks ago that there was some interest, but it was gradual. One day you were on the list, and then it started to get a bit more serious. Then come the back end of last week, it started to get really serious. It was challenging, being at Shrewsbury, still having games to play and trying to get my mind right. That was a challenge for me, but I was really happy that I was able to help the team the best I felt I could. My teammates were so supportive and the staff were really supportive as well.

When you were having your c onversations with Russell Martin and others about coming to Swansea, what was it that impressed you so much that you felt this was the right place to go?

Well, obviously my cousin Ethan [Laird], he was here. He spoke so highly of the club, and he worked

with Russell at MK Dons as well.

I’ve heard so much about him and the staff and how amazing they are, that was a big thing as well. One thing for me is the way [the Swans] want to play football. I’ve come from a background where I’ve grown up playing possession-based football.

That’s what I love to do. There was so much that it just felt like the right move. Especially the direction that the club is going in. There’s a lot of young players. I feel like it’s going to be a really good project for the future. It was a no-brainer.

You’ ve mentioned talking to Ethan, can you tell us in a bit more detail just what he said?

Yeah, he just felt so at home here in such a big family. He just felt so comfortable. Watching him every week just rip it up, it was so inspiring.

To be able to be here now, I can only thank God for this opportunity.

The supporters have been looking forward to seeing you play. Everyone knows you’re a left-sided player, but how would you sum yourself up for supporters who maybe don’t know so much about your background and the way you play?

I’d say I’m very comfortable on the ball; I like to be on the ball. As I came to Shrewsbury, I was pushed up in that left wing-back position. That really brought the best out of me.

I really see myself as an attacking threat. I like to get forward, beat my man, go both ways. I back myself defensively as well. I like to defend. I like to go one-v-one, I accept the challenge and I’m not afraid. I feel like I’m a well-rounded player. I’m very confident and I just want to help the team try and create chances, create goals, create assists. That’s where my passions are at the moment.

PAGE 33

Obviously you didn’t know the Swans as a Premier League club, but what has been your impression of the club and the football that the club has historically played right around your childhood?

It’s amazing. Just watching them as a young player, I didn’t have Sky Sports, so I was more of a Match of the Day type, seeing the highlights. It was amazing.

Coming here, seeing the training ground, seeing the facilities, I’m just taken aback. I’m really humbled to be here, honestly.

You’ve started your career at Manchester City. You were signed up at the age of ten, and spent the best part of a decade there. Mark Allen, our sporting director would have been the academy boss at City when you were there. Did you know Mark well? Did Mark play a part in this move coming off?

I’ve known Mark since I was younger, he always believed in me.

He gave me a scholarship at quite a young age, which really showed me the belief he had in me as a young player. He was doing so much to try and get this move done.

I can’t thank him enough because it was a really busy day, going back and forth, back and forth with so many different conversations. Him helping me and my family get this over the line, that’s something that I really appreciate.

There’s a couple of other familiar faces in the dressing room for you as well: Joel Latibeaudiere and Finley Burns, who’s also just joined the club.

I’ve known Joe since he came to City when I think he was about twelve and I was about eleven. As soon as he came, he was captain

PAGE 34

straight away. He’s a real leader, a real example. I’m just so happy to be his teammate again. Finley, I’ve worked with him in my later stages of being at City. He’s a young lad, humble and hungry.

I’m really happy to have some faces that I know.

During your time at City, you worked under some fantastic coaches and alongside some fantastic players.

Do any of those experiences particularly stand out for you?

I was fortunate enough, I think in the 2018 summer to do the preseason with the first team because a lot of the players were away on international duty for the World Cup. So I got to work with Pep [Guardiola], and honestly, it was the best experience ever. It was very intense, I felt the pressure because every training session was like a game where you want to impress so much. I think the pressure got the best of me, but that experience there being in the midst of a great manager like that and the detail he was giving me, the understanding of my game that I thought I knew.

As soon as I came into that first team environment for that time, it was amazing how much I’ve learnt and how much I’ve grown and how much I’ve developed, not just as a player, but also as a person understanding the pressure of when a manager has a certain philosophy and you can’t fulfil that.

It’s like you don’t want to be in that position so you do everything you can to impress the manager; to understand his philosophy and way of playing. Yeah, being able to train under him and see his concepts I really feel like it’s had a big impact on me as a player and on my understanding of the game.

You decision to move to Shrewsbury then was obviously a big one to make, but a courageous decision to go and get that senior game time under your belt. Perhaps you could talk us through that?

So I was, I think, nineteen at the time. At City, I was a bit too old for the under-23’s and wasn’t really close to the first team because they’re an amazing team. So, me and my parents, we spoke and we prayed about it and we just felt like it was time to go and prove myself.

Obviously as young players you feel like League One isn’t a good level, but I was taken aback by the level being so good. It’s such a great platform for young players to show what they can do and I was grateful enough for Steve Cotterill and the staff to take me on board.

It transformed me as a player. They believed in me. Because of the expectation coming from City, there was an expectation I had to fulfil.

That really helped me understand the pressure of being in a team with loads of talent; a team that want me to actually go and produce. It really helped me in terms of my confidence as a player and belief in my ability. I’m so grateful to God that I had that opportunity to go to Shrewsbury because It was just exactly what I needed; a really good stepping stone for me to learn the principles of the game, learning the importance of winning. I’m really grateful that I had that experience.

During your time there, you won the Player of the Year award, and there’s a certain assist at Anfield in the not too distant past as well. You’ve obviously had a really good time there at a really important period of your career.

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE....

One hundred percent. The manager wasn’t there unfortunately when I first time because he had COVID really bad. But just having the opportunity to work with a manager who was very hands on, who was very strong with me, I needed that.

As a young player, sometimes you get lost in the bubble of trying to be an influencer in society, but he just made me focus on the football; made me focus on being the best I can be and not allowing me to rest on my laurels. I really needed that.

Just the opportunity to play in the FA Cup and to play at Anfield, it was just the best feeling. I was bale to get that assist, it just what you dream of. My time at Shrewsbury was really positive, and I just thank all the players and the staff for how they accepted me.

During your initial spell, you played against an MK Dons side that was coached by Russell Martin. I think it was a 4-2 win if I’m right. What was it like to play against his side? Did it leave an impression on you?

One hundred percent. Obviously that was the first time I played against Ethan [L aird] on a professional stage, so that was a big day for both of us. It was a tough game. I can’t believe we won 4-2, to be fair, because they just dominated. They must have had like seventy or eighty percent possession, the goalkeeper was playing on the halfway line. It was crazy. From then I just knew that MK Dons was a serious team and the style of play was something I would have loved to be in. Now I have this opportunity at Swansea City to work with Russell Martin and the staff. I just can’t wait to play here and start dominating games.

PAGE 35

I’ ve got to ask you, off the pitch as well, you come from an accomplished sporting family. Your sister, Naomi, is a multiple British triple jump champion and a European under-20s medalist.

Yeah, it ’s amazing. She was doing sprinting for a while and she just made the decision when she was like 15, 16, one of those ages, just to try title jump, because my dad used to do triple jump in his younger days; in his fitter days. So she made the switch and just like that, she won English Girl’s.

The from there it was just gradual, she had her British Championship, her first one, and she won it . From there, she hasn’t looked back. She’s won every one. She narrowly missed out on the Olympic s by about eight c entimetre s which was unfortunate for us a family and especially for her.

But there were positives that came when she was able to get married. She’s preparing for the Commonwealth now, so I’m just proud of what she’s doing.

She’s such an inspiration for me, seeing how she handles the sporting world and how s h e’ s s o p r o f e s s i o n a l w i t h the things that does. It really inspires me, so it’s amazing to have a sister like her.

It must be really interesting, you both perform at such a high level, training at a high level. There must be things you learn from each other.

The way she deals with t h e p r e s s u r e, fo r m e, i s s o commendable. Because obviously I come from a sport

PAGE 36

where I’ ve got eleven or ten players by my side while she’s in an individual sport where it’s just solely focused on her. She never lets the pressure get to her, she always knows what she wants. She’s so driven and so focused. I think that’s really rubbed off on me because I used to be a guy who was really nervous, sacred to play games.

Now, just from seeing how she handles that pressure, I feel like I’ ve learnt a lot from her and I’m a lot more confident.

She’s a character, she get ’s everyone clapping before she’s jumping. I like getting involved with he fans, I like throwing my arms, trying to pump the fans up, so I think I’ve taken a lot from her and I’m so proud of what she’s doing.

As we sit here, looking ahead of the game against Luton which you can watch tonight , how much are you looking forward to the opportunity to get out on that pitch yourself and for the chance to test yourself at a Championship level?

I can’t wait . Just seeing the stadium, the lights, it ’s just amazing. I’m s o grat eful t o be here. I can’t wait to watch today ’s game to see how the t e am plays for a full ninety minutes. To see what the fans are like, I can’t wait. I wish I could play today. I’ ve got my boots in the c ar! But I c an’ t p l a y t o d a y, s o I ’ v e j u s t g o t to watch and learn from the players.

And just one last one, what do you hope to achieve at Swansea from an individual perspective? And what do you hope you can help the team achieve?

I just want to grow as a player.

I want to learn from the staff.

I want to develop my game.

Even though I feel like I’m doing well, there’s so much I want to improve on and so much I want to learn. That ’s the most important thing for me, I want to improve as a p l aye r a n d I wa nt t o h e l p the team improve, I want to help them score more goals, create more chances, and start pushing for promotion.

I feel like there’s more than enough quality to do that.

I just want to be a good presence around the team.

I’m really big on my faith and my Christianity and that’s something that ’s important .

I want to spread the love and encourage my teammates and show the love of Christ .

That’s what I want to do and I hope the fans can reciprocate that as well.

PAGE 37

I

n the penultimate instalment of our series of features on Swansea City ’s historic promotion in 1981, we get the inside track of the “mayhem” of the celebrations at Deepdale, sipping pints with Dalglish and Souness, and how some Swans literally missed the bus.

The final whistle brought bedlam, John Toshack ran on and embraced Dudley Lewis first – almost clinging to the young defender - before making his way around the rest of his players.

“Dudley was only a young boy, but he was far advanced in his thinking, and was very, very quick – possibly the quickest at the club,” says Toshack.

As it began to sink in, the scale of the achievement became apparent to the players as they revelled in the joyous scenes on that sunny spring afternoon.

“It was a feeling of immense pride.

About 10,000 Swans fans went up to Preston so there were great memories for them that they’ll live with forever,” says Nigel Stevenson.

“I get reminded of it often, even in work I meet different people who remind me of it and it’s always nice to be reminded of past achievements.”

“It was mayhem,” says Alan Curtis.

“Everyone was in the dressing room, all the people I mentioned before were the people who were at the game.

“I put him as a sweeper, and Wyndham and Speedy in front of him. So, they’d do the dirty work and Dudley would sweep up behind them.

“There’s a great picture of all of us in the big bath celebrating. It was a nice feeling to take it in, to know would be playing Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.”

“ Then we had Neil Robinson and Hadziabdic, then Robbie, Tommy Craig, Charlo, Curt and Leighton James.

“It was ecstasy for a group of local lads who had come up through the divisions together,” says Wyndham Evans.

“ When we got near the end, Dudley was just about ready to come out of the team as he needed a rest, but I felt we couldn’t leave him drop out. He just got over the line at Preston.

“In Tosh, we had a magnificent m a n a g e r. H e p u t s o m u c h confidence in you that you could not lose. That day at Preston was typical of that.”

“I remember being with him after that game, and he was so enthusiastic and pleased.”

PAGE 38

The celebrations actually kicked off in earnest in Liverpool, with the Swans heading to the Holiday Inn to meet up with some of Toshack’s former team-mates, players who Swansea could look forward to

facing the following season.

when it came on the tele.”

“I don’t think we knew that was happening until we got on the bus to go home,” says Curtis.

“There were three of us, myself, Wyndham and Dudley Lewis,” says Stevenson.

“Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness were there and they congratulated us really warmly.

“I don’t know where Dudley was, Wyndham was out celebrating and I was at home with my wife.

“But we were looking at our watches thinking about what time we would get home.”

“I don’t know why they couldn’t get hold of us, but it was strange looking at the television with the players there talking about the game and we weren’t there.”

From there it was back to Swansea and the Bay View where, despite arriving back late in the night, the party went on for some time.

The only issue for a few of the players would be that it had been arranged for the squad to head to Cardiff for a special BBC Wales broadcast to mark their historic feat.

Famously, not everyone would make it.

“We were back at the Vetch at about 2am or 3am and there were hundreds of supporters there to greet us, despite the time,” says Curtis.

“I got home so late from the Bay View and just went to bed,” says Evans.

“I woke up and my wife Jan had the TV on and she said ‘Wyn, why are you here? All the boys are on the tele?’

“I had been out so late that I did not get the call, and I was watching it knowing I should have been there.

“Soon after all my mates, family and neighbours came round and we had a great party then!”

“We drove down to the Bay View, our wives and girlfriends were with us and I don’t think we went home until 7am or 8am.

“I am surprised BB C Wales managed to get any sort of conversation out of the boys, to be honest,” chuckles Jeremy Charles.

“Then the phone is ringing at about 9am saying to get ready to get the bus to Cardiff to go to BBC Wales.

A bus parade through the city and a civic reception at the Brangwyn Hall would follow, while there was still football to be played, the Swans recovered enough to see off Hereford in a two-legged Welsh Cup final, ensuring the club would be in Europe as well as the top-flight the following year.

“We got down there and there were a few missing. Wyndham wasn’t there, Speedy wasn’t there. I think they were still in the Bay View, I think the first they knew of that programme was

There was also the small matter of Wyndham Evans’ testimonial still to come.

PAGE 39

Giving Football Back to Small Business At eBay, we know small business and football clubs used to be like chips and gravy, two peas in a pod – a match made in community heaven.

Ironmongers, ship workers, spring makers and cobblers, all formed clubs which decades later are still prospering.

But nowadays, you’d think it was all eyewatering transfers, Super Leagues and mega sponsors, detached from the humble origins of our historic clubs.

That’s why eBay are proud to support 300,000 small businesses who help power EFL clubs nationwide. We’ll be donating our advertising space to a lot of these businesses – on match day hoardings, around grounds and beyond – throughout the coming season, to ensure they can continue to thrive in our local communities. So, join us in giving your support to Small Business Power, because today, they need us more than ever.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

PAGE 40

SWANSEA CITY APPEAL FOR DONATIONS TO HELP PEOPLE OF UKRAINE

S

wansea City is working with L ow Cost Vans and the Swansea City AFC Foundation to help collect items for those in need in Ukraine.

The club is urging supporters to help with donations to the Swansea.com Stadium between 9am and 12pm on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12.

We kindly ask those donating to put their items in a box or carrier bag to allow us to efficiently deliver these items to St. Mary’s Church in Swansea. When donating, please visit the main reception area of the Swansea. com Stadium in our West Stand.

Please note that clothing donations are not required at this time, and the below list details products required for the appeal: Baby products such as nappies and dried milk. Medical items.

Toiletries. Hygiene items. Dried fruit. Nuts. Pasta. Canned meat/ fish.

As part of the appeal, the Voice of Ukraine will also be undertaking a bucket collection at the stadium for our fixture against Fulham on Tuesday (March 8). The club is pledging to match donations made up to a value of £1,000. All funds raised by Voice of Ukraine will also be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee.

We recommend that supporters who wish to donate bring cash with them for this purpose. We thank fans in advance for their support of this appeal.

If you are unable to make a physical donation at the Swansea. com Stadium but would like to support the Ukraine appeal, you can click below to donate. By donating through the Disasters Emergency Committee, the UK Government will match donations made by the public up to £20 million.

DONATE HERE

The UK’s leading Transport & Warehouse Company

PAGE 42

IPSWICH TOWN U18s 1 SWANS U18s 3

A

ggoal and two assists for C orey Hurford helped Swansea City Under18s secure a fine victory over high-flying Ipswich Town in the Professional Development League.

Hurford gave the Swans the lead early, before turning provider for both Filip Lissah and Dan Watts as Darren Davies' side continued their encouraging recent form.

The visitors took the lead after just eight minutes at St George's Park, Kyrell Wilson’s deflected cross finding Hurford in the box, who headed home from close range.

Ipswich had a couple of chances to level in the first half, Jesse Nwabueze cutting in from the left and firing just wide on the edge of the area.

Jack Manly also forced a good save from Tyler Evans from close

range, the goalkeeper pushing a powerful effort well over the bar.

Wilson almost doubled the Swans lead twice before the break, a brilliant ball from Jada Mawongo finding the forward, but his powerful volley was saved.

J u s t f o u r m i n u t e s l a t e r, Hurford sent Wilson through, but his poked effort was stopped by Woody Williamson in the Ipswich goal.

Hurford turned provider in the second half, finding Lissah in the box who fired into the bottom corner on his weaker foot to double Swansea's lead.

Just four minutes later Watts made it 3-0, Hurford again assisting with a great burst forward before Watts cannoned a shot past the goalkeeper.

Ipswich pulled one back with 20 minutes to go, Nwabueze cutting in from the left hand side and finding the bottom right corner.

But the Swans managed the game well from that point on to hold onto a well-earned three points.

TEAM LINEUP Swans: Tyler Evans, Filip Lissah (Charlie Veevers 84), Ryan Bassett, Kai Ludvigsen, Jada Mawongo, Josh Edwards (captain), Josh Carey, Dan Watts, Kyrell Wilson (Ruben Davies 59), Corey Hurford, Zane Myers (Aaron Hillier 59).

Subs not used: Ewan Griffiths, Charlie Veevers, David Roberts.

PAGE 43

Football is a game of many opinions, but there is one that we must all share. There is no place for discrimination in our game. If you do not agree, then you are not welcome.

If you see or hear discrimination in this stadium, please report it to the nearest steward or via the Kick it Out App. Because we are all #TogetherAgainstDiscrimination Download the Kick it Out app for free from your app store.

EFL.com

SWANS GREAT ALAN CURTIS RECEIVES MBE

S

wansea City great Alan Curtis picked up his MBE earlier today after being recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

The 67-year-old was recognised for services to Welsh football in a playing and coaching career that spanned over four decades.

Curtis, who now holds the role of honorary club president following his retirement from coaching in May 2019, represented the Swans during three separate spells in a distinguished playing career.

He scored 110 goals in over 400 appearances, and also won 35 caps for Wales, netting six times.

After hanging up his boots, Curtis also held roles as caretaker manager, assistant manager, firstteam coach, loan player manager, head of youth development, youth coach, community officer and matchday host for Swansea City.

“To finally receive my MBE is a great honour,” said Curt. “The overwhelming emotion is one of pride really.

“Nothing would have been possible without the support of my fellow team-mates, s t a f f, s u p p o r t e r s a n d m y family over the years and I’m extremely grateful to have had the career I did.

“To be involved in football for 40-odd years, mainly with the Swans and then other c l u b s I p l a ye d fo r t o o, h a s been fantastic and I’ve had a wonderful journey.”

PAGE 45

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Mae Coleg Gŵ yr Abertawe yn Goleg o’r radd flaenaf sy’n cynnig amrywiaeth eang o raglenni hyfforddiant sy’n datblygu sgiliau gweithwyr mewn busnesau ledled y rhanbarth.

Gower College Swansea is an award-winning College which offers a diverse range of training programmes that aim to develop the skills of employees in businesses across the region.

Bwriad portffolio rhaglenni hyfforddiant y Coleg – mae nifer o’r rhaglenni wedi’u hariannu’n llawn – yw hybu twf a sgiliau o fewn y busnes.

The College’s portfolio of training programmes – many of which are fully funded – are designed to foster growth and talent within a business.

Os hoffech chi archwilio’r hyn sydd gennym i’w gynnig fel Coleg, cysylltwch â’r tîm yn uniongyrchol drwy e-bostio training@gcs.ac.uk neu ffonio 01792 284400.

If you would like to explore what’s on offer through Gower College Swansea, contact the team directly on training@ gcs.ac.uk or call 01792 284400.

gcs.ac.uk

HERE’S HERE’S AAST STAT AT I IBET BET YOU YOU DIDN’T DIDN’T KN KN WW PAGE 50

O S T

T 6 2 O

(

A H S S A

T

OVER HALF A MILLION OVER HALF A MILLION SKY SKY BET BET CUSTOMERS USE USE DEPOSIT LIMITS CUSTOMERS DEPOSIT LIMITS TO MANAGE THEIR BETTING BUDGET. TO MANAGE THEIR BETTING BUDGET.

THAT’S ENOUGH TO FILL: THAT’S ENOUGH TO FILL: 6 WEMBLEYS. 6 WEMBLEYS. 201 ALLY PALLYS. 201 ALLY PALLYS. OR 8OR CHELTENHAM GOLD CUPCUP DAYS. 8 CHELTENHAM GOLD DAYS.

(THAT’S A LOTAOF TWEED) (THAT’S LOT OF TWEED)

ALL ALL GOOD BOOKMAKERS GOOD BOOKMAKERS HAVE DEPOSIT LIMITS. HAVE DEPOSIT LIMITS. SO WHOEVER YOUYOU BET WITH, SO WHOEVER BET WITH, SET AN ONEONE FORFOR YOUYOU SETAPPROPRIATE AN APPROPRIATE ANDAND THEN ENJOY THE THE SPORT. THEN ENJOY SPORT. DEPOSIT LIMITS DEPOSIT LIMITS

THAT’S BETTING BETTER. THAT’S BETTING BETTER.

H

earing the travelling Jack Army singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau up at the Hawthorns the other evening made me think of something former Swans manager Roberto Martinez said last November.

JACK THE LAD

“A beautiful, hostile atmosphere,” is how Roberto Martinez described the cauldron of passion as his Belgium team drew 1-1 with Wales in Cardiff.

You rarely see the words beautiful and hostile sitting next to each other in a sentence.

But you knew exactly what the Belgium manager meant.

Martinez had just watched his world number one ranked team made to look hugely uncomfortable with Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau echoing around the Cardiff City Stadium doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

Belgium's discomfort hadn't been generated by the kind of hate-filled " welcome" many nations and clubs see as essential for creating a “hostile atmosphere” for visiting teams.

Instead there were men, women and children singing their songs and s h o w i n g t h e i r p a s s i o n f o r Wa l e s including belting out the anthem.

They more than did the job. The Red Wall helped inspire the home team and put Belgium off their game to earn one of the most important results in Welsh football history.

Martinez admitted as much in his post match interview.

"I would say without the crowd that maybe we don't concede that goal," said the former Swans player, who is obviously no stranger to the passion generated by football crowds in Wales, in what was an astonishing admission.

"Every time the ball goes into the box or every time the ball goes to a certain player's feet, those emotions can give you an extra step.

PAGE 52

"For us, that's why it was so good to see our young players able to cope in that environment and we can take a lot of information out of the way that we performed in such a beautiful, hostile atmosphere."

It was the kind of passionate atmosphere he would have experienced on the pitch at the Vetch and later from the dugout at the then Liberty Stadium.

Top football managers aren’t normally the kind to admit to this kind of influence on a game.

Especially an external influence which is enough to result in conceding a goal.

Professional sport is all about marginal gains these days – those tiny elements which when added together can make a fraction of a difference to a performance.

At the last World Cup, Martinez's Belgium flew out made-to-measure mattresses to ensure their players had the best possible rest between matches.

Cycling teams go as far as to provide personalised pillows for their riders.

So for Martinez to admit that the Welsh crowd contributed to his team conceding a goal was massive.

The former Premier League boss is too experienced a manager to make rash statements – not these days anyway.

The Spaniard learned the importance of words as a young manager here when he said he would have to be forced out of the Liberty Stadium door before heading for the exit at the first wave of Wigan chairman Dave Whelan's wad.

So if the older, wiser, Martinez thinks Welsh fans played their part in a result, he is to be believed.

This marginal gain is a bit more than ordering made to measure beds.

The manager of the world’s number one football team admitted the result was influenced by the Welsh crowd.

It just goes to show "hostility" doesn’t have to be ugly.

Some "supporters" still seem to think a hostile atmosphere can only be generated by abusive chanting, flares, violence, racist chants and gestures.

Fans don't have to be abusive to opposition teams, they just have to show their passion for their own.

The singing of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau was simply breathtaking at last November's Wales matches and set the scene for outstanding performances.

The anthem is regarded as the best anthem in the world, so let’s continue to use it to our advantage - for both club and country - and both at home and away.

For decades Welsh people have been labelled with the stereotype that we walk around all day singing four part harmonies.

The thing about many stereotypes is that they quite often have some truth in them.

Singing has always been a huge part of Welsh life, in the past it has brought people together, whether they can sing or not and whatever the song.

And it gives us another reply we can sing when opposition fans throw the tired old "sheep sh****s" chant at us.

I know not every Swans fan is Welsh, we attract support from far and wide these days and every single supporter is welcomed here to get behind the men in white wherever they are from.

The Swans fan base is a broad church these days, where everyone is welcome to sing from the same hymn sheet - or any other kind of song sheet f o r t h a t m a t t e r, a s l o n g a s it contributes to the proud, passionate and peaceful support of the team.

Some may feel it's not appropriate to sing the national anthem at a club game.

But wherever you hail from, whether you are Welsh or not few can deny that the anthem certainly stirs the emotions.

I'm not saying singing the anthem inspired the Swans to the brilliant 2-0 victory up in the Midlands on Monday night, but I'm sure it didn't do any harm either.

Like Hymns and Arias, singing the anthem sets us apart from all the English clubs in the league, it gives us something different to the usual chants and songs that are trotted out up and down the country.

So it would be brilliant to hear Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau added to the Swansea.

Com Stadium musical repertoire as well as our away song sheet.

Let's see if the anthem can add to our very own "beautiful, hostile atmosphere" in our "ugly lovely town".

C’mon you Swans!

PAGE 53

FORMER PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION PAGE 54

A

vseason is a long time in football; ask any professional who started one with dreams of becoming the next club legend and ended it being told they were surplus to requirements.

It is brutal, but those tales are not uncommon.

Though no two players’ story is the same, as Andy Leitch found out in 1976 after signing his first professional contract with Swansea City in his mid 20s.

The six foot five Exeter-born centre forward’s first encounter with the Swans happened in 1970 when he had trials for the club.

He played in the Football Combination league, a competition for the reserve teams of English Football League club. But it was several years until he signed pro. Leitch remained in nonleague football, where he was scoring goals and enjoying the game.

“I played a few games in the Combination with Wyndham Evans, I always remember Wyndham, he was lovely lad. We had some great games, we played at Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City. In the reserves you played at all the big grounds. We played at some fabulous grounds,” he said.

Fast forward five years and none other than the great John Charles spotted him via Paulton Rovers and persuaded him to sign his first professional contract.

It wasn’t the beginning of a long, illustrious career, but it was a time in his life he looks back on with fond memories.

“I don’t suppose it was a bad thing to be signed by the legend John Charles.

“I was late when I went to Swansea. I was 24 or 25 and I was only playing local football then and the training at Swansea I found really hard. I wasn’t used to fulltime training. I was quite skinny anyway and I was losing weight, it was falling off me.

“I’ve never been a good trainer, always tried but I struggled with endurance and every day we used to be running miles around the cliffs

and I’d be getting home and everybody had got home an hour earlier. I found it really hard.

I used to hate running on the sand.”

The gear change was a difficult one to master for Leitch and although his career as a professional footballer was short, the memories have lasted a lifetime, including playing against one of the greatest ever, George Best.

The Swans faced Stockport County in November 1975, where Best made his debut in a 3 – 2 victory for the home side at Edgeley Park. Best got two assists and scored the third.

“Stockport when George Best played, that was one of the highlights for me. He was over in America then and he came back over and he sort of beat us on his own really. It’s a funny thing to say but it was a pleasure to play against him looking back on it. Playing with George Best on the field, it was brilliant.

“Playing away to Torquay in the League Cup where I scored two goals, my first two goals in a game for the club, that was pretty special too.

“I never really had any confidence in myself as a player so every time I got picked it felt incredible because it was another game, another go. Every game was a big game for me really.”

Unfortunately for Leitch, his playing days were numbered and in February 1976, seven months after signing a professional contract with the Swans, he signed for Minehead.

“I knew at the time that my time was up, even before Harry told me. It was the first time I had been away from home. I wasn’t happy to leave the club; I was sorry to go but I wasn’t sorry in a way because I knew it wasn’t working out.

“There wasn’t any support when you left, but you didn’t expect any in those days. Harry said it wasn’t working and I suppose I knew before it happened but it was still disappointing.

“You get a bit down and it spirals a bit I suppose but there was no support at all when I played. As soon as you stop playing it’s just a completely different life.”

He was forced to hang up his boots after an injury in his 30s put pay to his playing days.

“I was 34 when I stopped playing. I was playing for Forest Green Rovers then, who are doing very well now.

We got t o Wembley and we w o n t h e Va s e a n d I s c o r e d two goals at Wembley, again something I never thought I would do. It was incredible, words can’t describe it really. “ The start of the next season my cartilage went and I was out for about six months and I never ever got back from that.

I was on a high from Wembley but then all of a sudden, my cartilage went and I went from high to low. I did try to play again, but I never recovered from that.”

Leitch left south west Wales in the 1970s and has never returned to Swansea, but he is hoping via the Former P l a ye r s ’ A s s o c i at i o n t o g e t the chance to.

Anyone in this category i s a s ke d t o c a l l t h e F PA secretary, C atherine Thomas, on 01792 616420 or email c atherinethomas@ swanseacity.com

Yo u c a n f i n d o u t m o r e from the players who have j o i n e d t h e Fo r m e r P l a y e r s ’ Association HERE

The FPA is free to join and is open to men and women who have played for the club.

Ex-Swans who want to be involved with Swansea City Former Players’ Association are asked to fill in the registration form HERE The club is also keen to hear from relatives and friends of former player s who are not online but who might still like to join the FPA.

Its primary aims are to promote friendship, support and charitable work, including fundraising, by bringing together players from different generations and different eras.

It will also offer an opportunity to add to the archives of Swansea City Football Club by giving former players a chance to share their stories of life as a Swan.

PAGE 55

JUNIOR CYRIL'S HALF-TIME QUIZ QUESTION ONE Who scored the Swans’ second goal in the 2-1 win over Coventry back in November?

QUESTION FOUR Who scored our only goal in a 1-0 home win over Coventry last season?

QUESTION TWO What is Coventry’s nickname?

QUESTION FIVE Which Swans player was born in Coventry?

QUESTION THREE What year did Coventry win the FA Cup?

QUESTION SIX Swansea City are aiming for back to back league wins today – when was the last time this happened?

CYRIL AND CYBIL'S PREDICTION SWANS 2 COVENTRY CITY 1

PAGE 56

PAGE 57 Cyril’s Half-Time Quiz Answers

=

Question One - Joel Piroe

Question Four - Ben Cabango Question Five - Jamie Paterson Question Six - October 2021

x

CABANGO

-

MANNING

=

Question Two - The Sky Blues

+

SMITH

+

NTCHAM

Question Three - 1987

Maths Puzzle Answers: Wolf (13) + Ntcham (10) = Christie (23) Downes (4) + Smith (7) - Manning (3) = Grimes (8) Fulton (6) x Cabango (5) = Burns (30)

FULTON DOWNES

WOLF

BURNS

=

GRIMES

CHRISTIE

CAN YOU HELP CYBIL WORK OUT THE MATHEMATIC PUZZLES BELOW?

R JACKS

PLAYER SPONSORS 2021~2022 BEN HAMER

CYRUS CHRISTIE

KYLE NAUGHTON

ANDY FISHER

RYAN BENNETT

BEN CABANGO

RYAN MANNING

JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE

FINLEY BURNS

WESTACRES

NATHANAEL OGBETA

BEN LLOYD

MATT GRIMES

JAY FULTON

FLYNN DOWNES

KOREY SMITH

TRAVEL

HOUSE .CO.UK

OLIVIER NTCHAM

CALL 01792 616 624 OR PAGE 58

JAMIE PATERSON

MICAHEL OBAFEMI

JOEL PIROE

HANNES WOLF

EMAIL L.MERRELLS@SWANSEACITY.COM FOR AVAILABILITY

TODAY'S MASCOTS

JOEY PARKIN AGE: 10 FROM SWANSEA NICO JAMES AGE: 5 FROM SWANSEA

AGE: 10 FROM CLYDACH JORGE LAKE AGE: 7 FROM SWANSEA

APRIL THOMAS AGE: 10

ROBYN THOMAS AGE: 7

FROM SKEWEN

OSCAR SMITH AGE: 6 FROM SWANSEA

RHYS O'DONNELL

FROM SKEWEN

BECOME A MASCOT Swansea City is delighted to re-introduce its mascot packages for the 21-22 season.

For more info and booking click HERE.

PAGE 59

FIXTURE LIST SEA FIXTURE

DATE

TEAM

Blackburn Rovers A L 2-1

Sat, Aug 7, 3pm

Benda

Naughton

Reading (CC R1) A W 0-3

Tue, Aug 10, 8pm

Benda

Naughton

Sheffield United H D 0-0

Sat, Aug 14, 8pm

Benda

Stoke City H L 1-3

Tue, Aug 14, 7.45pm

Bristol City A W 0-1

Fri, Aug 20, 7.45pm

Cabango

Bennett

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Smith 1

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell 3

Williams

Manning

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Downes

Benda

Manning

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere 3

Bidwell

Downes

Benda

Laird

Manning

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Fulton

2

Plymouth Argyle (CC R2) H W 4-1

Tue, Aug 24, 7pm

Hamer

Manning 1

Joseph 3

Bennett

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Fulton

Preston North End A L 3-1

Sat, Aug 28, 3pm

Benda

Manning

Laird

Bennett 2

Latibeaudiere 1

Bidwell

Fulton 3

Hull City H D 0-0

Sat, Sept 11, 3pm

Hamer

Laird

Williams

Bennett

Naughton 3

Bidwell 2

Downes

Millwall H D 0-0

Wed, Sept 15, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Bennett

Laird

Manning

Downes

Luton Town A D 3-3

Sat, Sept 18, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

R Williams 1

Bennett

Laird

Manning

Downes 3

2

Brighton & Hove Albion (CC R3) A L 2-0

Wed, Sept 22 7.30pm

Benda

R Williams

Cooper

Cabango 1

Latibeaudiere

Walsh 2

Fulton

Huddersfield Town H W 1-0

Sat, Sept 25, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Manning

Laird

Bidwell

Downes

Fulham A L 3-1

Wed, Sept 29, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Manning

Laird

Bidwell 3

Downes 2

Derby County A D 0-0

Sat, Oct 2, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Manning

Latibeaudiere 1

Bidwell

Downes

Cardiff City H W 3-0

Sun, Oct 17, 12pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett 2

Manning

Laird

Bidwell

Downes

West Bromwich Albion H W 2-1

Wed, Oct 20, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Cabango 2

Laird

Bidwell 3

Downes 1

Birmingham City A L 2-1

Sat, Oct 23, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Latibeaudiere

Laird

Smith 1 Smith

Peterborough United H W 3-0

Sat, Oct 30, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Laird 3

Bidwell

Coventry City A W 2-1

Tue, Nov 2, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Laird

Bidwell

Smith

AFC Bournemouth A L 4-0

Sat, Nov 6, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Laird

Bidwell 2

Downes

Blackpool H D 1-1

Sat, Nov 20, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Manning

Laird

Bidwell

Downes

1

Barnsley A W 0-2

Wed, Nov 24, 7.45pm

Hamer

Bennett

Naughton

Cabango

Laird

Bidwell 2

Downes 1

Reading H L 3-2

Sat, Nov 27, 3pm

Hamer

Bennett 2

Naughton

R Williams

Laird

Manning

Ntcham

Middlesbrough A L 1-0

Sat, Dec 4, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

R Williams 2

Laird 3

Downes

Manning

Nottingham Forest H L 1-4

Sat, Dec 11, 3pm

Hamer

Laird 1

Cabango

Bennett

Manning

Downes

Smith

Southampton (FA C R3) H L 2-3 (AET)

Sat, Jan 8, 5.30pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

B.Cooper

Manning

Downes

Smith 5

Huddersfield Town A D 1-1

Sat, Jan 15, 3pm

Hamer

Cabango

Naughton

Manning

Christie 1

Latibeaudiere

Grimes

Preston North End H W 1-0

Sat, Jan 22, 3pm

Hamer

Cabango

Naughton

Manning

Christie 3

Latibeaudiere

Grimes

2

Queens Park Rangers A D 0-0

Tues, Jan 25, 7.45pm

Hamer

Cabango

Naughton

Manning

Christie

Latibeaudiere

Grimes

Hull City A L 2-0

Sat, Jan 29, 3pm

Hamer

Cabango

Naughton

Manning

Christie

Latibeaudiere

Grimes

Luton Town H L 0-1

Tues, Feb 1, 7.45pm

Fisher

Cabango

Naughton 1

Bennett 3

Christie

Manning

Grimes

Blackburn Rovers H W 1-0

Sat, Feb 5, 5.30pm

Fisher

Cabango

Downes

Manning

Christie

Wolf

Grimes

Stoke City A L 3-0

Tue, Feb 8, 7.45pm

Fisher

Cabango

Downes

Bennett

Christie

Wolf

Grimes

Bristol City H W 3-1

Sun, Feb 13, 1pm

Fisher

Cabango

Burns 1

Manning

Christie

Wolf

Grimes

Sheffield United A L 4-0

Sat, Feb 19, 3pm

Fisher

Cabango

Burns

Manning

Christie

Latibeaudiere

Grimes

West Bromwich Albion A W 0-2

Mon, Feb 28, 8pm

Fisher

Cabango

Naughton

Manning

Christie

Wolf

Grimes

Coventry City H

Sat, Mar 5, 3pm

Fulham H

Tues, Mar 8, 7.45pm

Blackpool A

Sat, Mar 12, 3pm

Peterborough United A

Wed, Mar 16, 7.45pm

Birmingham City H

Sat, Mar 19, 3pm

Cardiff City A

Sat, Apr 2, 3pm

Millwall A

Tues, Apr 5, 7.45pm

Derby County H

Sat, Apr 9, 3pm

Barnsley H

Fri, Apr 15, 3pm

Reading A

Mon, Apr 18, 3pm

Middlesbrough H

Sat, Apr 23, 3pm

AFC Bournemouth H

Tue, Apr 26, 7.45pm

Nottingham Forest A

Sat, Apr 30, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers H

Sat, May 7, 12.30pm

Correct as of March 3, 2022.

PAGE 60

3

Match Statistics Key

2

Goal =

ASON 2021~2022 SUBSTITUTES Cullen 2

Lowe

Paterson

Grimes

Defreitas-Hansen, Mcfayden, B.Cooper, Dhanda 1, O.Cooper, Joseph, Whittaker 2

Dhanda

Piroe

Whittaker

Defreitas-Hansen, Manning 1, Mcfayden 3, Lloyd, Joseph 2, Lowe, Cullen

Grimes

Paterson 3

Lowe 1

Cullen 2

Webb, Mcfayden, Williams, Dhanda 3, Joseph, Piroe 1, Whittaker 2

Grimes

Fulton 2

Dhanda 1

Lowe

Webb, Laird 3, Williams, Paterson 2, Cullen, Piroe 1

Grimes

Paterson

Piroe

Cullen

Hamer, Mcfayden, Williams, Dhanda, Joseph, Lowe 2, Whittaker 1

Williams

Dhanda

Lowe

Whittaker

Webb, Naughton 2, Piroe, Cullen, Cooper, Cooper 1, Laird 3

Grimes

Paterson

Cullen

Piroe

Hamer, Cooper 1, Williams, Dhanda, Whittaker, Lowe 2, Naughton 3

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Paterson

Piroe

Benda, Cabango 3, Latibeaudiere, Manning 1, Fulton, Cullen, Obafemi 2

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Paterson 2

Piroe 3

Benda, Fulton, Obafemi 1, Cullen 3, Latibeaudiere, Bidwell, Walsh 2

Grimes

Walsh 2

Paterson

Obafemi

Benda, Cabango 1, Fulton, Smith, Ntcham 2

Bidwell

Smith 3

Whittaker

Cullen

Webb, Manning 1, Rushesha, Laird, Downes 2

Grimes

Ntcham 3

Piroe

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Piroe

Grimes

Smith 3

Piroe 2

Grimes

Smith 1

Piroe

3

Grimes

Smith

Piroe

3

Paterson

Benda, Latibeaudiere 3, Williams 2, Walsh, Ntcham 1, Cullen, Whittaker

Grimes

Ntcham 2

Piroe 3

Paterson

Benda, Cabango, Williams, Fulton, Walsh 2, Cullen 3, Obafemi 1

Grimes

Ntcham

Paterson

Piroe

1

Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Downes 2

, Whittaker 3, Obafemi 1, Cullen

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Paterson

Piroe

2

Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Downes 2

, Whittaker, Obafemi 1, Cullen

Grimes

Ntcham

Paterson

Piroe

Grimes

Ntcham 2

Paterson

Piroe

Grimes

Smith

Paterson

Piroe 3

Benda, R.Williams, Latibeaudiere, Manning 2, Walsh, Ntcham 1

Grimes

Smith 1

Paterson

Piroe

Benda, Downes 1, Cooper, Cullen 2, Latibeaudiere, Bidwell, Walsh

Grimes

Smith 1

Paterson

Piroe

Benda, Bennett, Obafemi 2, Ntcham 1, Cullen, Latibeaudiere 3, Bidwell

Grimes

Ntcham

Paterson

Piroe

Benda, R. Williams, Latibeaudiere 1, Bidwell, Walsh, Obafemi 2, Cullen

Grimes

1

2 3

2

, Whittaker

, Piroe 3

, Latbeaudiere

, Dhanda 3, Piroe

Paterson 1

Benda, Cooper, Latibeaudiere, Fulton 3, Smith 1

Paterson

Benda, Cooper, Latibeaudiere 3, Fulton, Smith 1, Walsh, Cullen 2

Paterson

Benda, Williams, Laird 1, Fulton, Walsh, Cullen 2, Whittaker 3

Paterson

Benda, Cabango 2, Latibeaudiere, Walsh, Ntcham 1, Cullen 3, Whittaker

, Walsh, Cullen 2

Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Smith 1, Walsh 3, Whittaker 2, Cullen 1

Benda, R.Williams, Latibeaudiere, Smith 2, Walsh, Obafemi 1, Cullen , Cullen 3

Cullen 3

Obafemi 4

Piroe

Benda, R. Williams 5, Abdulai, Bidwell, D. Williams, Fulton 4, Grimes 1, Ntcham 2, Dhanda 3

Downes

Smith

Ntcham 2

Piroe

Fisher, Bennett, Abdulai, Fulton, Walsh, Joseph 2, Obafemi 1

Downes

Smith

Ntcham 1

Piroe 2

Fisher, Bennett, Fulton 3, Walsh, Wolf 1, Joseph 2, Obafemi

Downes

Smith

Wolf 2

Piroe 1

Fisher, Bennett, Abdulai, Fulton 2, Walsh, Joseph, Obafemi 1

Fulton 1

Smith 3

Wolf 2

Piroe

Fisher, Bennett, Abdulai, Walsh 3

Obafemi

Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Burns, Fulton, Smith 1, Joseph 3, Piroe 2 Hamer, Bennett 1, Latibeaudiere 3, Burns, Fulton, Smith 2, Joseph

Walsh

1

Downes

2

Ntcham

Wolf

Ntcham

2

, Ntcham 2, Joseph, Obafemi 1

Paterson

Obafemi

1

Piroe 3

Fulton

Smith 1

Ntcham

2

Obafemi

Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Burns, Dhanda, Paterson 2, Joseph 3, Piroe 1

Ntcham

Paterson 3

Obafemi

Piroe

Hamer, Latibeaudiere 2, Fulton, Smith 3, Dhanda, Ntcham 1, Joseph

Downes

Paterson

Ntcham 1

Piroe 2

Hamer, Bennett, Fulton, Smith 2, Dhanda, Joseph, Obafemi 1

Downes

Paterson 1

Piroe

Obafemi 2

Hamer, Burns, Latibeaudiere, Fulton, Smith 2, Ntcham 1, Joseph 3

2 3

Supporters with a visual impairment

Radio Services in the country. They have

unit after the game finishes. To

can improve their match day experience

enjoyed a long association with Swansea

request this free service please email

at the Swansea.com Stadium via a

City dating back to the days of “Swansea

accessibility@swanseacity.com

special service. Radio City 1386AM has

Town” and the Vetch.

or

Hat-trick =

Captain =

contact

the

ticket

office.

To get more information on Radio

provided audio commentary service for supporters with a visual impairment

They cover all Swansea City home

City 1386AM visit their website

since the opening of the stadium in

games with live commentary of the

on radiocity1386am.co.uk or email

2005, while it has broadcasted to the

action. Anyone with a visual impairment

sport@radiocity1386am.co.uk

patients, staff and visitors to the Health

can request a headset which will be

Board Hospitals since 1968 and is

delivered to your seat by the Disability

one of the longest running Hospital

Liaison Team, who will collect the

Sub = 2 (number denotes player replaced) Booked =

Sent off =

Carabao Cup = CC FA Cup = FA

PAGE 61

TABLE 2021~2022

POS TEAM 1

Fulham

33

P W D 21

7

L 5

82

F

29

A GD PTS 53

70

2

Bournemouth

31

18

7

6

51

27

24

61

3

Huddersfield Town

35

16

11

8

46

36

10

59

4

Blackburn Rovers

34

16

9

9

46

34

12

57

5

Queens Park Rangers

34

16

8

10

49

39

10

56

6

Luton Town

33

15

9

9

46

37

9

54

7

Sheffield United

33

15

8

10

44

34

10

53

8

Middlesbrough

33

15

7

11

43

35

8

52

9

Nottingham Forest

33

14

9

10

45

33

12

51

10

Coventry City

33

14

9

10

43

38

5

51

11

Millwall

33

13

10

10

36

34

2

49

12

Preston North End

35

11

14

10

38

39

-1

47

13

West Bromwich Albion

34

12

10

12

35

32

3

46

14

Blackpool

34

12

9

13

40

41

-1

45

15

Stoke City

33

12

8

13

42

38

4

44

16

Swansea City

32

11

8

13

34

43

-9

41

17

Bristol City

35

11

7

17

45

63

-18

40

18

Cardiff City

35

11

6

18

41

54

-13

39

19

Hull City

35

10

7

18

30

39

-9

37

20

Birmingham City

35

9

10

16

40

55

-15

37

21

Reading*

34

10

5

19

42

67

-25

29

22

Barnsley

33

5

8

20

24

48

-24

23

23

Derby County*

35

10

12

13

34

39

-5

21

24

Peterborough United

33

5

6

22

24

66

-42

21

Correct as of March 3, 2022.

*Derby County deducted 21 points and Reading deducted 6 points under EFL Regulations.

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THE TEAMS SWANS

Head Coach: Russell Martin 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 21 22 23 26 27 30 33 35 47

Ryan Bennett Ryan Manning Flynn Downes Ben Cabango Jay Fulton Korey Smith Matt Grimes Michael Obafemi Olivier Ntcham Jamie Paterson Hannes Wolf Kyle Joseph Nathanael Ogbeta Joël Piroe Ben Hamer Tivonge Rushesha Yan Dhanda Joel Latibeaudiere Cyrus Christie Kyle Naughton Josh Gould Finley Burns Andy Fisher Lincoln Mcfayden Azeem Abdulai

COVENTRY CITY

Head Coach: Mark Robins 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 13 14 15 17 18 20 22 23 24 26 27 28 30 31 34 36 38 46

Simon Moore Jake Clarke-Salter Michael Rose Kyle McFadzean Liam Kelly Jodi Jones Jamie Allen Martyn Waghorn Callum O’Hare Ben Wilson Ben Sheaf Dominic Hyam Viktor Gyökeres Ian Maatsen Todd Kane Josh Reid Fankaty Dabo Matt Godden Jordan Shipley Jake Bidwell Josh Eccles Fábio Tavares Tom Billson Ricardo Dinanga Ryan Howley Gustavo Hamer Blaine Rowe

NEXT UP AT Fulham Tuesday, March 8 Kick-off: 7.45pm

NEXT AWAY Blackpool Saturday, March 12 Kick-off: 3pm

FOLLOW US ~ Referee: Geoff Eltringham ~ ~ Assistant Referees: Andrew Dallison and Craig Taylor ~ ~ Fourth Official: Lee Swabey ~

Correct as of March 4, 2022

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