Swansea City v Preston North End – SkyBet Championship – 21-22 – Issue 15

SEASON 2021-2022

VERSUS

PRESTON NORTH END Saturday, January 22, 2022 - Kick-off 3pm

ISSUE 15

JOMA-SPORT.COM PAGE 2

CONTENTS Page 9 - A Message from Matt Grimes

Page 16 - Meet the Opposition

Page 21 - Match Highlights

Page 32 - Interview with Andy Fisher

Page 38 - History Makers

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

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

STUDY STUDY AT AT ASTUDIWCH YM SWANSEA MHRIFYSGOL SWANSEA UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY ABERTAWE WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN

WHERE BRIGHT FUTURES BEGIN DISCOVER MORE DISCOVER

MORE >

DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR DYSGWCH FWY

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TEACHING EXCELLENCE & STUDENT OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK

FFRAMWAITH RHAGORIAETH TEACHING EXCELLENCE & &STUDENT DEILLIANNAU MYFYRWYR OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK

(The highest award for Teaching Excellence at UK universities)

(Y dyfarniad uchaf am Ragoriaeth Addysgu ym mhrifysgolion y DU)

(The highest award for Teaching Excellence at UK universities)

Chief Executive Julian Winter Board Of Directors Directors: Romie Chaudhari, Bobby Hernreich, Huw Jenkins, Jason Levien, 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 Assistant Head Coach: Luke Williams 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

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, Chris Wilson-Barney, Andrew Gwilym, Sophie Davis, 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

PAGE 6

A MESSAGE FROM

JULIAN WINTER G

ood afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for today’s Championship fixture against Preston North End. I’d like to start my programme notes by talking about the return of supporters to the stadium for the first time since December 11.

It will be fantastic to see you all back and cheering on Russell and the players this afternoon – almost 1200 of you made the long trip to Huddersfield last Saturday, which was unbelievable and I know your support is greatly appreciated by Russell, his staff and the players.

Had it not been for the postponements we experienced over the festive period, we would have had to play several games here behind closed doors, which would have been disappointing for everyone associated with the club.

As it transpired, we played just one game here without fans – the FA Cup defeat against Southampton – and with the quick turnaround since the Welsh Government relaxed restrictions, the staff here have been working round the clock in order to get you all back safely this afternoon.

T his week has seen us add H a n n e s Wo l f t o t h e s q u a d following his loan move from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Hannes is a very talented young player who we were delighted to bring to the club for the second half of this season.

He can play in a couple of positions but showed a real desire to want to come and play for Swansea City, which is testament to the work being put in place here.

We’ve also seen some players depart the club recently. Jake Bidwell has moved on to Coventry City and I’d like to thank Jake for his excellent contribution during his two-and-a-half seasons at the club.

It was a deal that suited both parties but he was a key part of the teams that reached two successive play-off campaigns, as well as scoring and assisting at key times and we wish him every success for the future.

Rhys Williams has returned to parent club Liverpool following his loan spell here, and of course we thank Rhys for his efforts while he was here and wish him well. We’ve also seen Liam Cullen, Morgan Whittaker, Lewis Webb and Dan Williams seal loan

spells elsewhere and we hope that those moves benefit each of them and they can return to the club with that experience under their belt both on and off the pitch.

The club was saddened to learn of the passing of our former striker Keith Todd earlier this month at the age of 80.

Keith represented Swansea City across a nine-year period between 1959 and 1968, and was part of the side that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1964, eventually making 245 appearances for the club and scoring 96 goals.

Everyone at Swansea City sends their sincerest condolences to Keith’s family and friends and we will remember Keith with a minute’s applause ahead of kickoff this afternoon.

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

Enjoy the game, Julian

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PAGE 8

A MESSAGE FROM

RUSSELL MARTIN G

ood afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for our Championship fixture against Preston North End. It is fantastic to have you all b a c k w i t h u s i n t h e st a n d s this afternoon. We are really excited to be playing in front of you again.

It has been a long time since we last played in front of you at home, and I c an tell you the impor t anc e of your return is something we have spoken about as a squad and a staff this week.

It has been a difficult period for us with po stponement s e n s u r i n g we d i d n ot p l ay a league game for five weeks, and it can be so easy at times like that to feel disconnected from your team and club.

But the outstanding support we received at Huddersfield last weekend – and from the first day we arrived at Swansea – underlines how strong that connection between the coaches, the staff, the players and you really is.

I hope you were all able to see how desperate the players are to succeed for you and the club, and to make you all proud. We want to be the team we know we can be, we have shown it on numerous occasions this season and we did it again in the last game.

I was certainly proud of how the players performed after a nervous start. Huddersfield are a team who have been in good form and we ended up being a bit disappointed we had not taken all three points.

We hope to use that as a springboard for the second half of the season, and we are very excited as a group about the games to come.

We have also been able to add Andy Fisher, Cyrus Christie and Hannes Wolf to our squad so far this month, and we are delighted with all three of those additions.

They all fit the profile we look for, of players who are hungry, ambitious and desperate for the opportunity to come here and be involved in what we are trying to do. I have every confidence they will be important players for us.

We have also seen some of our younger players head out on loan to gain more valuable senior experience, while Jake Bidwell has joined Coventry and departs with our best wishes.

Jake is an outstanding professional, and we did not want to stand in his way if an opportunity came up that he felt suited him and his family.

I am sure there will be more business before the end of the month, but our focus is very much on taking on Preston this afternoon.

They have been doing well under Ryan Lowe, a coach I came up against last season and again at the start of this when he was at Plymouth.

He did a fantastic job there, which has seen him having this opportunity and you can already see the impact he has had.

We know it will be a tough test, but we are determined to try and make sure we mark your return to the Swansea.com Stadium with a positive performance and result.

Enjoy the game, Russell

PAGE 9

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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 match against Preston North End at the Swansea.com Stadium.

As a team we are delighted to welcome back the Jack Army on home soil this afternoon for the first time since December 11th.

The incredible support we received from the away end at Huddersfield last weekend and the boost it gave us just cemented how important the supporters are to us. Football is nothing without fans and even though it was only one home game without the Jack Army, it was difficult and we hope to never have to experience it again.

Saturday’s game in Huddersfield was a real game of two halves and we were disappointed to

concede in the manner we did and know we could improve in those situations.

We showed what we are capable of as a team and the type of performance that we can produce in the second half. There are plenty of positives we can take and if anything we were frustrated that we didn’t take all three points after coming so close to a winner at the end of the game.

We were also buzzing for Flynn to get his first goal for the club, he’s a fantastic lad and player and he’s really important for us as a team.

The aim is to now carry on that momentum into this afternoon’s match and build on the positives.

We’ v e h a d a g o o d w e e k o f training in Fairwood and are hoping that the performance can be a catalyst going into the second half of the season.

We’ve recently seen the arrivals of Andy Fisher, Cyrus Christie and Hannes Wolf and they are all brilliant additions to the squad.

Andy and Cyrus have had a bit more time to settle in and have done so superbly but Hannes has also been able to hit the ground running in training after arriving on Thursday.

This afternoon’s game will be challenging against an in-form Preston side. They’re a side that like to dominate games and they press teams really hard so we know what to expect but we’ll be ready and prepared. We’re excited to hear you in full voice and will use your support to our advantage as much as we possibly can.

Enjoy the game today!

Matt

PAGE 11

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A MESSAGE FR M

CERI STONE

J

ust when we thought it was safe to go back in the water along came another shark in the form of the Omicron strain of Covid-19 to close the beaches, or in our case the Swansea.com Stadium.

At Swansea City we have overcome many struggles over the decades and we tackled this current battle as we have all others, by singing Hymns & Arias and moving onto the next game.

It does seem that we suffered from this recent lockdown far more than other sides in the Championship, both through the stadium being closed for a month and Covid-19 impacting the squad.

However, the enforced break provided an opportunity to reflect on an eventful year and look forward to some new highs, starting with a positive result against Preston North End this afternoon.

door closed another opened and in walked a new hero in the form of Russell Martin.

It is early into Russell’s tenure but he seems to have transformed the feeling around the club. The squad has been reinvigorated and he has brought back the ‘Swansea Way’ of playing possession-based football.

If we can cut out some small errors and take more of our chances surely more success will come our way.

We have added quality to the squad and already new cult heroes have emerged in the guises of Joel Piroe and Flynn Downes. We are also in the middle of a hectic transfer window and it will be exciting to see the balance of the squad come the end of January.

For both the club, and your Supporters’ Trust, 2021 was a year of great change.

In your Supporters’ Trust we lost almost 30 years of experience as three senior members stepped away from the board. In turn, we welcomed five new board members who are incredibly committed and we elected a new Chair and Supporter Director who have been superb.

We went from watching games online to being allowed into stadiums just in time for a trip to Wembley. Defeat in the play-off final saw Steve Cooper depart in the summer, but as one

Healthy levels of membership and engagement have been maintained and we are delighted to have celebrated our 20th anniversary this season.

Looking forward, we would love to continue being one of the most impressively run clubs in the league. A great deal of credit goes to chief executive Julian Winter and his team for their impressive efforts over the past 18 months.

It would be great to see the team continue on its exciting path and convert impressive performances into points. A couple of new signings, plus a change of luck and dispatching some of those chances should reap rich rewards.

At the Trust we are already looking ahead to the summer elections for our board. It would be great if more of our supporter base would consider putting themselves forward because your Trust is only as strong as its members and you have an important role to play in taking us through the next 20 years.

On a personal level I want us to do the double over Cardiff on the way to another day out at Wembley, which starts with a victory over the Lilywhites today. Not asking for much but we are ready to dip our toes back into the water.

PAGE 13

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T

he Swans Foundation is the charitable arm of the Club and through football inspired projects we aim to help local people with their health, learning and wellbeing. To deliver the best results for the children, young people and adults we work with, the Foundation are proud to partner with a number of national and local charities including Streetgames who specialise in running sports activities with disadvantaged young people, Platform, a mental health charity and Football Vs Homophobia who recently ran a workshop for us highlighting the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ people within football and how we can support them effectively.

Working alongside these organisations enhances the positive impact we have in Swansea and the surrounding area.

Many of our key partners, as you would expect are drawn from the world of football. These include Premier League Charitable Fund, the EFL Trust and the FAW Trust. These three organisations enable us to carry out innovative, football-based projects in schools and in the local community. Recently the Foundation has developed a strong relationship with the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s office to help provide more opportunities for young people from disadvantaged communities to take part in sport, improving their confidence and reducing anti-social behaviour.

In addition to our football-based projects, the Foundation provides donations to other smaller charities and good causes through our grant giving scheme, SwansAid. Since its inception in 2013 the scheme has awarded nearly

£200,000 to various organisations and causes including, Surfability who provide suitable equipment so young people with disabilities can surf, as well as local community groups such as Baglan Boys and Girls Club, West Wales Pan Disability Football League and Mumbles Lifeguard Club.

In October the group completed a memory walk to help raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, which is the clubs chosen charity of the 2021/22 season. This season the club asked its supporters to nominate which charity they felt should be the Clubs Charity of the season. Overwhelmingly the jack Army told us that that recipient should be Alzheimer’s Society Cymru.

Through this nomination process the club discovered other charities which are close to the hearts of the local community and as such it has looked to provide support to others, even though they did not achieve the full ‘charity of the season’ status.

We are always on hand to support with donations of kit and memorabilia that can be utilised to raise funds for those in need. We have a long-standing relationship with Matthews House, who work with the most vulnerable people in the city. The charity is a key member of the food poverty network and was at the heart of the pandemic response locally.

The Club and Swans Foundation are proud to play a prominent role in supporting the ‘everyone deserves a Christmas’ campaign, spearheaded

by Foundation Trustee Carolyn Harris MP. The annual campaign aims to provide festive cheer to those who

require an extra helping hand. The campaign provides families in need with a Christmas hamper consisting of festive food, drink and treats. This year, over 1000 hampers were delivered to families across Swansea.

At Christmas time we announced our initiative of ‘whose coat is that jacket?’, whereby Swansea City, the Ospreys, and Ministry of Furniture worked together for those in need this Christmas through the scheme, which aims to provide the homeless and those in need with warm layers of clothing to help them fight the chill at this time of year. The Jack Army once again showed the power of community through supporting the donation scheme and in the end over 500 coats and jackets were distributed to locations including the City Church in Dyfatty, Matthew's House and Zac's Place.

We also work very closely with several charities to support their campaigns to raise awareness at certain points during the year. For example, in November we worked with Stonewall to deliver workshops in local schools around LGTBQ+ awareness as part of their Rainbow Laces campaign. We also worked alongside Show Racism the Red Card delivering anti-racism activities centred around Black History Month, with the support of Swans legend Nathan Dyer. These events are crucial in helping to raise awareness of important issues. By working alongside well-known charities, coupled with the power of the Swansea City brand, these messages can really hit home and make a big difference in the lives of the children and young people we work with.

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PRESTON NORTH END

PRESTON NORTH END PRESTON NORTH END PRESTON NORTH END PRESTONTHE NORTH END GAFFER PRESTON NORTH END PRESTON NORTH END PRESTON NORTH END PRESTON NORTH END CLUB CAPTAIN PRESTON NORTH END PRESTON NORTH END PRESTON NORTH END OWNER

NICKNAME

FOUNDED

Deepdale PNE Holdings Limited

The Lilywhites

1880

STADIUM

OPENED

CAPACITY

Deepdale

1878

23,408

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

@pnefc

@pnefcofficial

/OfficialPNEFC

The former Plymouth boss began his managerial career at the now defunct Bury, coaching them in a caretaker capacity from 2017-2018, before earning a permanent role in 2018.

Lowe made the move to Plymouth the following year, taking over a month before they were relegated from the third tier. In his first full season, Lowe gained immediate promotion back to League One in 2019-20, and finished 18th last season. They had made a strong start to this season before he chose to leave Argyle to take over at Deepdale.

RYAN LOWE

In his playing career, the forward made 626 total league appearances for nine different English clubs, including over 50 appearances for Shrewsbury Town, Bury, Crewe Alexandra and Chester City

The Republic of Ireland international has been a stalwart at Deepdale, and is now in his eighth year with the club having joined from Cork City in 2014.

The midfielder helped Preston return to the Championship via the play-offs in 2015 and has been an integral and influential figure during his time at the club.

Scored his first senior international goal in the Republic’s defeat to Serbia during the March international break last year.

ALAN BROWNE

PRESTON NORTH END PAGE 16

D

D D D DEEPDALE D D D D D D D D

D

MEET THE OPPOSITION

HOW’S THEIR FORM?

Preston have firmly established themselves in the second tier since their promotion from League One at the end of the 2014-15 season, and finished 13th in the standings last term.

Improving. Preston have lost just one of their last six league games, winning three of them.

They are one of few sides who have twice lifted the FA Cup, once in 1889 and again in 1938.

They were also the First Division champions during the maiden year of the Football League in 188889, and followed that up by retaining the title the following season.

They have drawn eight games so far this term, with only West Brom and Millwall (nine) having more and a lack of consistency has hurt them over the course of the campaign.

But they appear to be moving in the right direction under recently-appointed boss Ryan Lowe.

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ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH

SEPP VAN DEN BERG POSITION

CB

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

20 2

ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO

ONES TO WATCH

WATCH ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH

T

ONES TO WATCH

Van den Berg came through the ranks in his homeland and PEC Zwolle, who he joined aged 11 and went on to make a first-team debut for as a 16-year-old.

ONES TO WATCH

Able to play as a centre-back or a full-back, the Holland Under-21 international was soon attracting admiring glances from outside the Eredivisie and he made the move to Liverpool in June 2019.

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH PAGE 18

he young Dutchman is in the middle of his second loan stint with Preston, having spent the latter stages of last season with the Lancashire club.

A senior debut for the Reds quickly followed against MK Dons in the Carabao Cup, before also facing Arsenal in the next round.

A loan to Preston followed in February 2021 with Van den Berg making 16 appearances over the remainder of the season, and he has returned for the duration of the 2021-22 campaign.

DANIEL JOHNSON POSITION

CAM

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

29 11

I

t is now seven years since Daniel Johnson joined Preston, and he has been an important and influential figure throughout his time with the Lilywhites.

Born in Kingston, Johnson was initially on the books at Crystal Palace before joining the Aston Villa academy.

Despite being involved in Premier League matchday squads, he did not make a league appearance for the Villans and had loan spells with Yeovil, Chesterfield and Oldham.

He left Villa Park for Deepdale in January 2015, and has a fine strike rate of 51 goals in 277 appearances from midfield, with his set-piece and penalty duties contributing to that figure.

EMIL RIIS JAKOBSEN POSITION

ST

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

23 19

T

he Danish under-21 international is enjoying his best season to date in English football, having joined Derby in 2015 after a stint in the youth system of Danish club Randers FC. He went through the ranks with the Rams, but found first-team opportunities limited and returned to Randers – having also had a brief loan spell in Holland with VVV-Venlo.

He became an established part of the first team on his return to Denmark, and helped Randers twice reach the play-offs for European qualification in the Superliga.

A return to English football with Preston followed in 2020, and he scored two goals last term, but he has really found his stride this season and already has 12 goals under his belt with his hard-running style and pressing work making him a nuisance for defenders.

PAGE 19

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WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

SWANSEA 2 SOUTHAMPTON 3

SWANSEA CITY EXITED THE FA CUP AS THEY LOST OUT TO SOUTHAMPTON AFTER EXTRA TIME IN AN ENTERTAINING THIRD-ROUND TIE AT THE SWANSEA.COM STADIUM.

TEAM LINEUPS Swans: Ben Hamer; Ryan Bennett, Flynn Downes (captain), Brandon Cooper (Olivier Ntcham 61); Kyle Naughton, Korey Smith (Rhys Williams 113), Liam Walsh (Matt Grimes 61), Ryan Manning; Joel Piroe, Liam Cullen (Yan Dhanda 85); Michael Obafemi (Jay Fulton 91).

Subs not used: Steven Benda, Jake Bidwell, Dan Williams, Azeem Abdulai.

Southampton: Fraser Forster; Jan Valery, Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek, Romain Perraud; Stuart Armstrong (Ibrahima Diallo 65), James WardProwse (captain), Oriol Romeu, Nathan Tella (Mohamed Elyounoussi 77); Nathan Redmond (Adam Armstrong 65), Armando Broja (Shane Long 77).

Subs not used: Willy Caballero, Lyanco Vojnovic, Dynel Simeu, Kgaogelo Chauke, Kazeem Olaigbe.

Referee: Simon Hooper

PAGE 21

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HUDDERSFIELD 1 SWANSEA 1

FLYNN DOWNES’ FIRST SWANSEA CITY GOAL CAPPED A SUPERB SECONDHALF PERFORMANCE TO EARN A POINT AT HIGH-FLYING HUDDERSFIELD.

TEAM LINEUPS Huddersfield Town: Lee Nicholls; Ollie Turton (Jordan Rhodes 86), Matty Pearson, Tom Lees; Sorba Thomas, Jonathan Hogg (captain), Lewis O'Brien, Harry Toffolo; Danel Sinani (Scott High 46), Josh Koroma (Pipa 72); Danny Ward.

Subs not used: Nicholas Bilokapic, Josh Ruffels, Naby Sarr, Jon Russell.

Swans: Ben Hamer; Ben Cabango, Kyle Naughton, Ryan Manning; Cyrus Christie (Michael Obafemi 68), Flynn Downes, Matt Grimes (captain), Joel Latibeaudiere; Korey Smith, Olivier Ntcham (Kyle Joseph 88); Joel Piroe.

Subs not used: Andy Fisher, Ryan Bennett, Jay Fulton, Liam Walsh, Azeem Abdulai.

Referee: David Webb Attendance: 20,535

PAGE 23

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

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIE SECURES SWANS LOAN

S

wansea City has completed the signing of defender Cyrus Christie on loan for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

The experienced 29-yearold joins the Swans from Championship rivals Fulham, and adds to Russell Martin’s options following the recall of Ethan Laird

by Manchester United.

Christie started his career in the youth ranks at Coventry City and went on to make over 100 league appearances for the Sky Blues – while also

having loan spells at Nuneaton Town and Hinckley B orough – b e fo r e m a k i n g a m o v e t o Derby in 2014.

He was a regular over his three years with the Rams, helping them reach the play-offs in 2016 and making 119 appearances in all competitions.

A transfer to relegated Middlesbrough followed in 2017, and he subsequently joined Fulham in January of 2018.

During his time with the Cottagers he has twice featured as a substitute in Championship play-off finals; coming off the bench in victories over Aston Villa and Brentford in 2018 and 2020 respectively.

Christie spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, and made 44 appearances in all competitions, including both Championship games against the Swans.

Christie has won 29 caps for the Republic of Ireland, scoring two goals, and was part of their squad for the Euro 2016 finals in France.

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SWANS SIGN GLADBACH MIDFIELDER HANNES WOLF ON LOAN

S

wansea City has completed the signing of Hannes Wolf on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, subject to international clearance.

T h e 2 2 - ye a r - o l d m i d f i e l d e r links up with the Swans for the remainder of the 2021-22 Championship campaign, and will wear the number 13 shirt.

T he A ustrian is available to potentially make his debut in this weekend’s home fixture against Preston, as supporters return to the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Austria Under-21 international had been linked with a number of clubs during t h e J a n u a r y w i n d o w, a n d becomes Russell Martin’s third signing of the month

following the arrivals of Andy Fisher and Cyrus Christie.

Wolf played for a number of clubs in his homeland at junior level before joining Red Bull Salzburg in 2014.

His first senior appearances came for their reserve side, FC Liefering, in the Austrian sec ond tier, where he scored seven goals in 35 league appearances.

That earned him an opportunity with the senior side, making four appearances during the 2016-17 se ason before becoming a regular over the following two campaigns.

He made 70 appearances in total, scoring 17 goals – briefly playing alongside Erling

Haaland - before making the move to RB Leipzig but he suffered a broken leg while on international duty and missed the first few months of the season.

He returned to make five a p p e a ra n c e s , a n d b o u n c e d back impressively when loaned to fellow Bundesliga side Monchengladbach for the 2020-21 campaign as he made 41 appearances and scored four goals.

His performances saw the deal made permanent, but has not seen as much game time as he would have liked since the departure of coach Marco R ose – who Wolf previously worked with at RB Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund.

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I STILETTOS AND STUDS BY JULIE KISSICK

'm writing this column on Monday, the third Monday in January to be precise and the day dubbed ‘Blue Monday’.

If you’re a social media user, you will have seen that it caused more outrage than usual on Twitter.

The day was labelled ‘Blue Monday ’ because back in 2004 psychologist C l i ff A r n a l l w a s a s ke d t o c o m e u p with a ‘scientific formula’ for the so-called ‘January blues’.

Interestingly, it was a travel company that made the request, and the cynics among us won’t be at all surprised to learn that. Clearly, it would be in the interests of the industry to get people believing they were in dire need of an escape to warmer, sunnier climes and the best way to do that is reinforce the message that they ’re miserable where they are.

It’s another example of a PR stunt people buy into needlessly.

Don’t get me wrong, I know it has been difficult over the last 22 months to find the positives, but we are, hopefully, on the cusp of a much better time in terms of Covid, the restrictions we’ve all endured and we’re already half way through January, which means longer days, more natural light and better weather is on its way.

And, the return of fans to stadiums in Wales is a huge positive. The most recent ban was much shorter than feared and let’s hope there is no need for a repeat this season, (or ever again).

There is a lot to look forward. We know we’re in a building process as a team and time is needed to put the foundations in place. Let’s approach the second half of the season with renewed optimism - and a decent dose of realism - as we support Russell Martin and the 11 he selects to have the privilege of wearing the colours of our club.

A s m a n y o f y o u k n o w, I ’ v e b e e n interviewing former players who have signed up to the Swansea City Former Players’ Association and it has been emotional to hear some of their recollections of life as a Swan.

Being a professional footballer means living a life of uncertainty and sometimes having to make tough decisions about your future.

As fans, our loyalty is constant. Players can’t operate like that, even though many of them fall in love with one club and have a real affinity to it that lasts way beyond their playing days.

I hope you’ ve enjoyed reading their stories as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them. I’ve had times when I’ve felt like Davina McCall from Long Lost Family because you start talking to former players and invariably, they want to know if you’ve spoken to their ex room-mate or a friend who became estranged simply because life made it too difficult for them to remain in touch.

Do check the stories out on the club website. They’re HERE and I’m adding to them weekly. It’s a wonderful opportunity to be nostalgic and to look at how far we’ve come as a club.

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ASTUDIA YM MHRIFYSGOL ABERTAWE DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR DYSGWCH FWY

FFRAMWAITH RHAGORIAETH & DEILLIANNAU MYFYRWYR PAGE 30

(Y dyfarniad uchaf am Ragoriaeth Addysgu ym mhrifysgolion y DU)

WELSH COLUMN BY ALUN RHYS CHIVERS, GOLWG

O

’r d i w e d d , b y d d c e f n o g w y r Abertawe yn ôl lle mae nhw’n perthyn y prynhawn yma.

M a e' n t e i m l o fe l o e s y n ô l m a i t î m Steve Cooper o Nottingham Forest a achosodd y golled gartref drymaf yn y tymor i'r Elyrch.

Chwe wythnos ar ôl y prynhawn diflas hwnnw, mae'r llun yn sydyn yn edrych ac yn teimlo'n wahanol iawn.

Dyw tîm Russell Martin ddim wedi bod mewn cyflwr da o ran canlyniadau pan maen nhw wedi llwyddo i fynd ar y cae ers mis Tachwedd.

Ond roedd gêm gyfartal 1-1 dydd S a d w r n g y d a H u d d e r s f i e l d To w n yn rhoi llawer iawn o bethau c adarnhaol, nid lleiaf ymdrechion yr Elyrch yn yr ail hanner.

Roedd hi'n addas hefyd i Flynn Downes daro'r gôl a ddaeth â rhediad Abertawe o bedair colled yn olynol i ben.

R o e d d o' n c a p t e n i A b e r t a w e a m y tro cyntaf yn erbyn Southampton yng Nghwpan FA L loegr yn gynharach y mis hwn, ac mae R uss ell Mar tin yn llygad ei le i siarad am gyn chwaraewr canol cae Ipswich Town mewn termau mor ddisglair.

"Mae ganddo'r holl gynhwysion sydd eu hangen arno i chwarae ar y brig. Mae'n gwybod sut rydw i'n teimlo amdano a sut rydyn ni'n teimlo amdano fel staff h y ffo rd d i a b et h a l l e i n e nfwd fo d .

Rwy'n meddwl y gall fynd i chwarae lle bynnag y mae eisiau yn y pen draw," meddai prif hyfforddwr Abertawe.

Wrth gwrs, mae pethau y tu ôl i'r llenni wedi torri rhywfaint yn y cyfnod cyn gêm heddiw gyda Preston North End sydd eu hunain wedi gwella'n sylweddol o dan gyn-reolwr Plymouth Argyle Ryan Lowe.

Ond mae perfformiad dydd S adwrn diwethaf yn cynnig digon o obaith ar gyfer y flwyddyn sydd i ddod, ac un y gall cefnogwyr Abertawe obeithio bod yn rhan arwyddocaol ohoni unwaith eto.

Wrth gwrs, mae mwy nag wythnos ar ôl o hyd yn ffenestr drosglwyddo mis Ionawr.

Ar adeg ysgrifennu, mae Abertawe eisoes wedi dod â’r golwr Andy Fisher o MK Dons a’r amddiffynnwr Cyrus Christie i mewn ar fenthyg o Fulham.

Mae'r clwb yn obeithiol o gynnal mwy o fusnes, yn enwedig o ystyried y nifer sylweddol o ymadawiadau yn yr wythnosau diwethaf.

Mae Morgan Whittaker, Dan Williams, Liam Cullen, Steven Benda a Lewis Webb i gyd wedi mynd allan ar fenthyg tra bod Ethan Laird a Jake Bidwell wedi symud ymlaen.

Mae wedi gadael Abertawe yn brin o ran niferoedd mewn rhai meysydd, yn enwedig o ystyried y ffaith y gallai mwy o chwaraewyr gael eu gwerthu y mis hwn.

Y gobaith yw y gall y clwb ddod â mwy o berlau fel Flynn Downes, Joel Piroe ac Olivier Ntcham i fewn i sicrhau bod canlyniadau yn gwella rhwng nawr a mis Mai. Gyda haf mawr arall o'n blaenau, fe allai tymor 2022/23 fod yn un lle mae Abertawe'n dechrau dangos ffrwyth eu llafur o dan Russell Martin a'i staff hyfforddi.

PAGE 31

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ANDY FISHER BECAME SWANSEA CITY’S FIRST SIGNING OF THE JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW WHEN HE COMPLETED HIS MOVE FROM MK DONS FOR AN UNDISCLOSED FEE. HERE, HE REVEALS HOW FAMILY CONNECTIONS HELPED GET HIM A BREAK AT BLACKBURN, HIS DELIGHT AT WORKING WITH RUSSELL MARTIN AGAIN, AND WHAT HE HOPES TO BRING TO HIS NEW CLUB. CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE....

A ndy, welc ome to Swanse a City. I think it’s fair to say you had been heavily linked with Swansea before this move was completed. How does it feel now it is all done and dusted?

I am delighted to be here.

It has felt like it has been going on for a while and I know there has been a lot of c h at i n t h e m e d i a , b u t i t i s great to be done and have it all sealed and sorted.

Walking in here from day one has been unbelievable, the way I have been treated by all the staff and all the players. Stuff like that is so important and I could not wait to get started.

Yo u w e r e w e l l e s t a b l i s h e d at MK Dons, and playing regularly in a side doing well.

What was it about the chance to come to Swansea City that made you feel it was the right time to move?

The chance to play C h a m p i o n s h i p fo ot b a l l wa s a big part of it , no question.

But also everyone knows I was at MK with the gaffer, I know his style of play and it is unbelievable.

It was something I was very keen to get back to, because I really enjoy it.

I remember going to MK on loan at first, and I did not really know too much about the gameplan they were looking to implement, but you would be on the ball and t h ey wo u l d b e e n c o u ra g i n g you to bring it out at your feet, or look to play.

You do think ‘what is going on here?’ It’s obviously different to an awful lot of teams but once you are in that position it is an unbelievable way of p l ay i n g . I t i s exc i t i n g , i t c h a l l e n g e s yo u a n d p e o p l e may think it looks a bit scary, but I don’t see it that way.

I enjoy being tested, I enjoy b e i n g i n vo l ve d i n t h e g a m e that way because I don’t t h i n k a m o d e r n g o a l ke e p e r can expect to just stand between his posts all day and just save shots and catch crosses. T he game is about far more than that now.

I fe e l c o mfo r t a b l e w i t h t h e ball at my feet, and the level of det ail that R ussell, L uke (Williams) and Dean ( Thornton) put into training is incredible.

It prepares you to deliver what they are asking of you.

It makes it so much easier, it comes from the tone they set.

I suppose it also comes down to the coaching staff knowing your capabilities. They always say the best job interview is one where you’ ve worked with the people before, you must come here knowing the coaches can get the best out of you?

Exactly. I loved working with them all, Dean Thornton has always been class with me and I know that all they want is the very best for me. They want me to be the very best I can be.

I feel they will be able to get the most out of me.

PAGE 33

You talked about the role of the goalkeeper in the modern game.

You’re still a young man at 23, but have you seen changes in the demands of the position even in your career? As you say, the position has come a long way from days when keepers could just pick up a backpass and largely used their feet to punt the ball long.

I think you have to be able to be very good with your hands and your feet. It’s not like back in the day where it was purely about keeping the ball out of the net.

Don’t get me wrong, that is still very, very important, but it is not the only part of the position.

Keepers now have to be able to play with your feet, just look at top teams like Liverpool and Manchester City. Ederson and Alisson are great keepers, but they play from the back and a lot of that comes from the keeper.

As far as I am concerned the game is changing for the better on that front.

You talked earlier about wanting the opportunity to play in the Championship, that speaks to you being ambitious and keen to play at the highest level possible.

T hat ’s what it ’s about . It ’s definitely a factor. I was at Blackburn when they were in the Championship but my game time was limited and I did not really have that opportunity.

I made the decision drop down to get games, and now I have managed to get back to the Championship, so I have got to make the most of it.

PAGE 34

In terms of your background and career to date, you were born in Wigan and joined Blackburn as a youngster. How did the chance at Rover s c ome about , and who did you get the chance to work with there?

My cousin put me in for a trial there, to be fair. He is also involved in football so those family ties came in handy.

He knew what it was about, and he thought I would be a good candidate for it.

I enjoyed my time there, I remember when I joined that Paul Robinson was their goalkeeper. Obviously he was the England number one at the time so it was a really big deal to have him there and see him around.

I was very young so I can’t say I worked with him, and the year I got the chance to step up he left. But I got to see him train and watch what he was doing and working on.

I also worked with David Raya at Blackburn, I trained with him a lot and he is a good guy and a very good keeper.

My time at Blackburn was great and I do not have a single bad word to say about the club.

You had loan spells during your time with Rovers, including one with FC United of Manchester.

That must have been an interesting club to play for.

It was really good fun there, and they had brilliant support. Again, that was about me just wanting to get out and play games regularly.

I just thought it made sense, I really enjoyed it there and I got plenty of game time.

Yo u t h e n w e n t t o M K o n loan, with the start of the pandemic disrupting that, but that experienc e of working with Russell Martin, L uke Williams et al clearly made an impression on you because you joined permanently the following season.

Ye a h , t h a t i s 1 0 0 p e r c e n t right. Their man management is absolutely brilliant and it was something I was keen to get back to and experience again.

I want to come here and play well for them, and do well for this club because I know how b i g t h i s c l u b i s a n d I k n ow where it belongs.

I c annot thank the c oaches and the club enough for this opportunity.

T he facilities are brilliant . I actually played at the academy training base for Blackburn’s under-23s and I didn’t know there are another training base.

I was blown away, the facilities are just class, the pitches are great. There’s no excuses here.

Finally, what do you hope to achieve on an individual and collective level during your time at Swansea City?

Firstly, I want to play as many games as I possibly can, and achieve some real good things with the club.

I think overall the aim is the same for everyone, everyone wants to be promoted and get the club back to the Premier League.

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I

n the latest chapter of our series of features recalling Swansea City’s historic 1980-81 season, some key figures reflect on the nerves and excitement in the lead up to the big day at Deepdale with promotion on the line.

Victory over Preston at Deepdale at the end of the week would secure promotion to the First Division for the first time in the club’s history.

The goal was within tantalising reach.

“You don’t want to drop points, but when we came out of it we knew we needed a win and it ruled Luton out of promotion,” said Alan Curtis.

“That makes it easier and is a great incentive. There is nothing worse than knowing you could win but be waiting on other teams.

“We were back in the groove by then and it came down to that final week.”

“At that stage of the season, where you need every point you can get, it could have been a major slipup,” says Jeremy Charles.

“But we ended up knowing exactly what we had to do. We had to win, there were no ifs and buts.

“If we won, we were up, and Preston knew they had to win to stay up.”

B ut a few members of the squad were also left with an uneasy feeling about the identity of their opponents.

The Jacks in John Toshack’s ranks could still remember Swansea facing Preston in the FA Cup semi-finals in 1964, a game that ended in desperate disappointment for Trevor Morris’ Swans.

Could lightning strike twice and North End deny Swansea on another crucial day?

“Preston had to win to stay up so there was plenty at stake,” says Wyndham Evans.

“I could remember that Preston had beaten the Swans in the FA Cup semi-finals, and now here we were all those years later and it’s Preston again in such a big game.

PAGE 40

“You just wanted to make sure that this time it was Swansea who would be smiling.”

All roads led to Deepdale.

There was a tangible excitement all week in the city, with some 10,000 Jacks making their arrangements for the journey to Lancashire, for what they hoped would be a day of jubilation and celebrations.

Toshack and his players were well aware of what was at stake, but they were not short of reminders whenever they bumped into supporters in the days leading up to the game.

“It was training as normal, but there was a lot of press and media there and that continued throughout the week following our every move,” says Nigel Stevenson.

“Everywhere we went throughout the city, there was just a buzz everywhere. As a local lad from Port Tennant, I’d go and see my parents often and people would just come around me and shake my hand and tap me on the shoulder. It was fantastic.”

“There was a definite excitement,” adds Curtis.

“It was more relaxed in those days and people would come and stand on the bank to watch us train.

“There were more and more people coming that week, and it was everywhere. You could not set foot in town without people mentioning it and talking about Preston because they remembered the 1964 FA Cup semi-final.

“When we travelled up you could see the buses and people in their cars making the journey themselves and beeping their horns and waving flags at us.

“People say there were 10,000 there but I must have spoken to at least 20,000 or 30,000 people who have told me they were there over the years.”

“All I thought about was whether I had done enough to play in that game,” Wyndham Evans.

“I knew it could be a historical game and I was desperate to play, that’s what I was thinking about.”

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PAGE 42

HURFORD READY TO MAKE THE MOST OF DREAM MOVE

C

orey Hurford is ready to get stuck in and make the most of his dream move to Swansea City.

The 17-year-old joined the Swans from Briton Ferry earlier this week, penning a deal through to the end of June 2023, with the option for a further year.

Hurford has notched five goals so far this season and will be looking to continue his fine from with the Swans.

The wing-back joins the club he supports and loves, and cannot wait to pull on the white shirt for the first time.

“I’m really happy to be able to sign with Swansea City, I’m a supporter of the club, I’ve supported them since I was a young boy and I just can’t wait to get started,” said Hurford.

“I’ve been dreaming of this for years, ever since I was a boy I’ve wanted to play for Swansea City, I know how lucky I am to get the chance to represent the club and I know a lot of people would love to be in this position and I’m so happy that I get this chance.

The teenager joined Briton Ferry as an attacking midfielder, but has seen himself converted into a rightwing-back across the season.

Hurford feels that his versatility will be an asset for both himself and the team

going forward, feeling that he has a number of traits that will be beneficial.

“I started as an attacker, mostly as a number 10, but I’ve most recently been playing out wide - both as a winger and a wing-back - so I can play in a couple of different areas, but I’m just happy to be playing anywhere, especially for Swansea City," he added.

“I like to be direct and run at players, I work hard, and I don’t stop running, one of my major strengths is to attack players and run at them.

“I started playing as a number 10 with Briton Ferry, but they saw that I could potentially play wing-back, and they played me there and now I’m coming into the Swans as a wing-back.”

Hurford began his young career with Chippenham Town, joining Briton Ferry at the start of the season, and he says that he owes his success to these clubs and can’t wait to develop even further.

“I owe a huge thank you to Briton Ferry, they’ve help make me the player that I am today, it’s a great club that I really enjoyed playing with," he said.

“I can’t wait to get started, it’s obviously a dream come true, I just can’t wait to get stuck in and give it my all because now the hard work starts.”

Hurford will split his playing time across the under-18s and the under-23s, with his two-week trial period having been with Kris O’Leary’s under-23 side.

O’Leary was impressed with Hurford’s hard work and understands what it’s like to join Swansea City as a fan of the club.

“He’s come in and he’s worked really really hard and it’s a testament to Briton Ferry, something we’ve done as a club in previous years is identify local talent and it comes in waves,” said O’Leary.

“Corey is a little bit younger so he will mix between the age groups when Covid rules permit, he’s coming into an environment he’s never experienced before and it won’t be easy but it’s a great opportunity.

“Corey being a Swansea fan, it’s something that the club has had over the years, I came in as a fan that became a player, it always means a little bit more because it’s in your blood and it’s fantastic “We can give him the opportunity, but he has to grasp it, the hardest part will be the mental side and that’s what really distinguishes the players who make it.”

PAGE 43

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PAGE 44

SWANS U23s 2 BRISTOL CITY U23s 2

S

w ansea City Under-23s fought back from two goals down to earn a draw against Bristol City in the Professional Development League.

The Swans extended their unbeaten start to 2022 with a third draw from three games so far this year.

The Robins netted a goal at the start of each halves, but two goals in the space of two minut e s from S am L everett and Jaden Forrester earned a point for the Swans.

Azeem Abdulai returned to Kris O’L eary ’s side after a spell with the first team, having been a part of Russell Martin’s matchday squad for games against Southampton and Huddersfield.

But the hosts fell behind after just 12 minutes, a short corner allowing Tommy Conway to be p i c ke d o u t i n t h e b ox fo r a simple finish.

Swansea started to grow into the game as the half progressed, C ameron Congreve and Joe Thomas causing trouble down the Robins flank, but struggling to find a clear-cut opportunity.

Sam Bell had the chance to double the lead for Bristol City before the break, a long ball over the top catching out the Swansea defence, but the forward squandered the opportunity.

Thomas thought he had found an equaliser just after the break, but the wing-back’s header at the back post went agonisingly wide.

But four minutes after the break, Bristol City would double their lead, Bell being sent through once again, this time firing into the Swansea net.

However, Leverett pulled one back for the Swans just five minutes later, cutting in onto his left foot and hitting a fantastic curling effort in off the post.

And just one minute later the Swans were level, Lincoln Mc fayden finding Forrester in the box, who converted his fourth goal in as many games.

Mcfayden had the chance to put the Swans ahead with five minutes to go, Ben Lloyd putting in an excellent cross for the left back, but he couldn’t get a strong enough contact on the ball as it ended even.

TEAM LINEUP Swans: Jamie Searle, Joe Thomas, Jacob Jones, Azeem Abdulai (Rio Campbell 89’), Cameron Evans (captain), Trialist, Tarrelle Whittaker (Ben Lloyd 74’), Sam Leverett, Jaden Forrester, Cameron Congreve, Lincoln McFayden.

Subs not used: Scott Butler, Nico Hansen, Joel Cotterill, Rio Campbell.

PAGE 45

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SWANS U18s 1 SHEFFIELD UNITED U18s 1

T

en-man Swansea City Under18s battled to a draw against Sheffield United in their Professional Development League encounter at Landore.

But as the half progressed Swansea began controlling the game, creating a number of shooting opportunities and playing some fantastic passing football.

The Swans found themselves behind in the first minute of the game as George Dickinson struck early for the Blades, but Iwan Morgan soon levelled matters.

Morgan would level for the Swans 17 minutes in; a flowing move that started with Jada Mawongo at centre-back finished with Josh Edwards putting the ball on a plate for Morgan, who fired home to level.

However, Swansea were reduced to 10 when Charlie Veevers was given his marching orders for a tough challenge in the middle of the park, setting up a difficult hour with a man disadvantage.

But the hosts dug deep to hold strong at the back and earned a point against an unbeaten Sheffield United side.

Before the game both teams paid tribute to former Swansea academy player Bailey Owen, who tragically passed away, with both sides observing a minute’s silence.

From the kick-off Sheffield United immediately pegged the Swans back, with Dickinson giving the visitors the lead after just 27 seconds.

Swansea continued to control possession through the half, but they were soon down a man after a challenge from Veevers.

The tackle sparked a melee in the middle of the pitch with a number of players being pulled apart and yellow cards being dished out, alongside the red shown to Veevers.

The Blades regained control of the game after this but couldn’t create any clear cut chances against the 10 men before the break.

The Swans battled throughout the second half, keeping Sheffield United chances to a premium and being patient in waiting for their opportunity to break.

Morgan came close for the Swans, breaking down the right, but his shot was fired just wide of the post.

Louie Marsh came closest for the Blades, his glancing header from a corner going just wide of the post.

But the Blades couldn’t find a breakthrough, with the 10 men of the Swans earning a hard fought point, while the visitors had Sydie Peck dismissed following the fulltime whistle.

TEAM LINEUP Swans: Ben Hughes, Filip Lissah, Seb Dabrowski, Kai Ludvigsen, Jada Mawongo (Richard Faakye 70), Josh Edwards (captain), Josh Carey, Charlie Veevers, Geoff Bony (Kyrell Wilson 45), Iwan Morgan, Aaron Hillier.

Subs not used: Tyler Evans, Dylan Perkins.

PAGE 47

HERE’S HERE’S AAST STAT AT I IBET BET YOU YOU DIDN’T DIDN’T KN KN WW PAGE 48

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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.

D

oes anyone else feel like Swans fans have been part of the world’s biggest hokey cokey over the past two years.

In, out, in, out, shake it all about!

JACK THE LAD

Well we’re back in today and hopefully we’re here to stay.

I’m not going to get into the arguments over whether fans should or shouldn’t have been restricted from attending matches over the past few weeks.

But what I will say is that having seen Swans shirts draped on empty stadium seats in memory of supporters we have lost over the past two years, it’s important we all carry on doing what we can to keep as safe as possible and look out for each other whatever the future holds.

For now, it’s brilliant to be back and looking forward to seeing some live football again.

As things turned out, we didn’t miss that much football here at the Swansea.com Stadium due to postponements.

But it was a shame we weren’t here for the FA Cup match against Southampton.

As was mentioned on the TV coverage, you can only imagine what the atmosphere would have been like had there been fans present, especially when Joel Piroe equalised.

No matter how big the attendance, the volume would have been ramped up with the Jack Army getting behind the boys for the last 15 minutes or so against ten-man Saints.

There’s a fair chance the match wouldn’t have gone to extra time with that kind of support, but even if it had, the stadium would have erupted when the Swans took the lead four minutes into the extra half an hour.

I’d like to think we wouldn’t have conceded an equaliser within a minute with the crowd roaring the Swans on, but who knows?

The whole episode made me think of some of my personal favourite atmospheres I have experienced while watching the Swans both at the Vetch and our current home.

PAGE 50

The first was a Friday night promotion decider against Chesterfield on the eve of the 1979 Arsenal v Manchester United FA Cup Final.

It was the last game of the season and in order to gain promotion the Swans needed to win and hope some of their rivals slipped up.

With over 22,000 cheering the Swans on, I can remember thinking that the 100,000 at Wembley the following day would do well to make more noise and create a better atmosphere.

However, it all went a bit quiet after 15 minutes though when Chesterfield took the lead. We needn’t have worried, Alan Waddle grabbed an equaliser and eight minutes from time, player-manager John Toshack, having brought himself off the bench, thumped in a brilliant header to win the match.

After an agonising wait for the other results to come in over the tannoy, the Swans were going up and the Vetch Field celebrations could begin.

The ground was known for its electric atmosphere generated partly by the fans being so close to the pitch and the huge North Bank terrace.

But even when the capacity was greatly reduced on the North Bank and the stadium as a whole, the Vetch retained its unique atmosphere.

This was never truer than the last day of the 2002-03 season when we played Hull City with the threat of relegation from the Football League hanging over us.

I’ve seen the Swans play at some of the biggest stadiums in the country but I have never, ever, experienced an atmosphere anything like the one at the Vetch that afternoon.

Although the old stadium was filled to less than a third of what was once it’s capacity, the 9,585 fans generated a wall of noise, which was ramped up even further every time the Swans won so much as a throw-in.

When they started pulling down the Vetch, the former BBC sports presenter Ollie Hides, said his most memorable occasion

during his career covering sport was the Hull match because of the passionate atmosphere it generated.

During the early days of the Swansea.com Stadium, many were worried it wouldn’t live up to the Vetch atmosphere wise.

Those fears were well and truly put to bed in 2007 when Leeds United arrived at a sold-out Liberty to take on top-of-the-table Swans in a League One clash.

With the Swans 2-1 up, thanks to a typically brilliant Andy Robinson free-kick and a thumping Garry Monk header, they were reduced to 10-men when Ferrie Bodde was sent off after 38 minutes.

The Liberty was a cauldron of emotion and Leeds sensed a way back into the game following the departure of the influential Bodde.

E nter J ason S c otland, who outmuscled two Leeds defenders to run through on goal and put the Swans 3-1 up just before half time, sparkling wild scenes of celebration on three sides of the packed Liberty.

Although Leeds pulled a goal back within a minute of the restart, the

home side went on to register a sixth straight win to cement their place at the top of the table.

The Premier League, of course produced so many memorable atmospheres here, but one of my favourites came after the final whistle of our 1-0 victory over Manchester City in 2012.

As the Swans players headed for the tunnel having beaten the Premier League leaders, I thought the applause echoing around the ground couldn’t get any louder.

I was wrong. As the last player disappeared under the West Stand, manager Brendan Rodgers took a few paces onto the pitch, raised his hands above his head to return the applause and the volume was turned up further still. This was a standing ovation to end all standing ovations.

Only when he turned to follow his players and disappeared through the tunnel to join the dressing room celebrations did the majority of the fans head for the exits.

As I walked out, an excited fan wearing a Swans shirt and a delirious smile looked down at his hands and then lifted them to show his friend.

“Look at that,” he said, “I’ve clapped so hard, look at my hands!”

I couldn’t resist taking a peek.

They were almost purple! Then I looked at my own and they were the same colour.

As Rodgers said afterwards: “We have great confidence when we play here at home with the crowd behind us. It's 20,000 but it feels like 50,000.”

Bringing things more up to date, I absolutely loved the atmosphere at the C ardiff game e arlier this season.

Having lived through the bad old days of the 80s and 90s, it was brilliant to see the rivalry between the two clubs alive and well but without the problems of the past.

It just goes to show you can still generate an intimidating atmosphere without the violence endured in the Ninian P ark and Vetch days.

Let’s celebrate being back in the stadium today by creating yet another memorable Swansea atmosphere.

C'mon you Swans!

PAGE 51

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 52

JAKE BIDWELL COMPLETES COVENTRY CITY TRANSFER

S

wa n s e a C i t y d e f e n d e r Jake Bidwell has completed a move to Coventry City on a f r e e t r a n s f e r, s u b j e c t t o international clearance.

During that time Bidwell has featured at left-back , wingback and centre-back, and has racked up 105 appearances since joining ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

The 28-year-old, who was due to be out of c ontract in the summer of 2022, leaves the club after two-and-a-half years as a Swan.

The former Everton, Brentford and QPR player helped the Swans reach the play-offs in each of his two full seasons at the club.

He started the play-off final at Wembley last t erm while he scored three goals for the club, including a closerange effort in the South Wales Derby victory over Cardiff in October 2021.

Everyone at Swansea City thanks Jake for his contribution to the club, and wishes him every success for the future.

FORMER PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION PAGE 54

T

o ny C ottey joined the Swansea City Former Players’ Association because he believes it has a vital role to play in the well-being of ex Swans, regardless of when or how long they played for the club.

The man who made his name as a successful cricketer for Glamorgan and Sussex was a boy with ambitions of being a professional footballer.

And the childhood dream came true when Cottey signed for his beloved Swansea City in 1984 after captaining Welsh youth sides as a teenager and starting as an apprentice at the Vetch Field in 1982.

He showed considerable talent in cricket and football as a youngster and had been allowed to play both spor t s u n d e r J o h n To s h a c k , b u t when Tosh exited in 1985 his replacement, John Bond, was not keen on Cottey doing both.

“These are never easy decisions, particularly when you’re a kid and you can play t wo s p o r t s t o a r e a s o n a b l y good standard,” he explained.

“Ultimately all I wanted to do was play football and at 13/14 I wa s c a pt a i n i n g t h e yo u t h sides but I didn’t grow, I was eight and a half stone and a l t h o u g h To s h h a d a l l owe d m e t o c o n t i n u e p l a y i n g fo r Glamorgan, when John Bond came in he stopped me.”

T he weeks and months that followed were difficult for the teenager who was forced into making different choices when he was released by the Swans.

History shows that life in professional sport was something that suited Cottey well, but he says regardless of the success someone experiences, everyone needs support when their career ends – and that’s why he joined the FPA. “I did wonder about joining because I wasn’t at the club that long really but when I heard about it, I felt it was something I wanted to support.

“When I was working in a commercial role at Sussex (Cricket Club) I saw the importance of these types of organisations, particularly when they put on social events because people get a huge amount from them.

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 players who are not online but who might still like to join the FPA. Anyone in this category is asked to call the FPA secretary, Catherine T homas , on 01792 616420 or email c atherinethomas@ swanseacity.com

“Life after professional sport can be a lonely place, no matter how much money you have in the bank or what you do after you finish.

Alternatively, the three former players on the committee, chair Lee Trundle, deputy chair Leon Britton and lifelong president Alan Curtis, are also happy to talk to players or their families directly.

“The way you live your life is very different and for most people it takes some adjusting to, so having somewhere to belong and something to belong to is going to be beneficial to all those who get involved.

The Former Players’ Association exists to unite those who have worn the club shirt and who wish to continue or renew their links with Swansea City Football Club.

“It doesn’t matter if people don’t know each other, they all have something in common and that opportunity to meet others who share that can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.

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

“The level of uncertainty you experience as a former professional isn’t something that gets talked about enough. Most people experience it but don’t know where or how to talk about it and getting people together physically and as part of a group of individuals who have a common history is a really good thing.

“I saw the importance of it at Sussex because they have something similar and it’s great that the club have done this at Swansea as well. It will be more significant than they know to a lot of ex players.”

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.

“If we can help them in any way we will do that because they've been massive for this football club and we want to give back as much as we can.”

PAGE 55

JUNIOR CYRIL'S HALF-TIME QUIZ QUESTION ONE

QUESTION TWO

QUESTION THREE

Which current Preston player scored a hat-trick for Swansea City in the 2011 play-off final?

What was the score when we face Preston at home last season?

What is Preston’s stadium called?

QUESTION FOUR

QUESTION FIVE

QUESTION SIX

Which former Swan scored a sensational long-rang goal away to Preston in 2008?

Which Swansea City fan favourite scored against Preston in a thrilling FA Cup at the Vetch Field in 2004?

Who scored Swansea’s goal when they two sides met earlier this season?

CYRIL AND CYBIL'S PREDICTION SWANS 1 PRESTON NORTH END 0

PAGE 56

PAGE 57 Cyril’s Half-Time Quiz Answers Question One - Scott Sinclair Question Two - Lost 0-1 Question Three - Deepdale

Question Four - Ferrie Bodde Question Five - Lee Trundle Question Six - Joel Piroe The player's number are (From top to bottom) Flynn Downes - 4, Joel Piroe - 17, Korey Smith - 7

CAN YOU HELP CYBIL FIND WHOSE WHOSE SQUAD NUMBER IS WHOSE?

R JACKS

PLAYER SPONSORS 2021~2022 BEN HAMER

CYRUS CHRISTIE

OLIVIER NTCHAM

KYLE NAUGHTON

BEN LLOYD

ANDY FISHER

RYAN BENNETT

BEN CABANGO

MATT GRIMES

JAY FULTON

RYAN MANNING

FLYNN DOWNES

KOREY SMITH

TRAVEL

HOUSE .CO.UK

JAMIE PATERSON

CALL 01792 616 624 OR PAGE 58

MICAHEL OBAFEMI

JOEL PIROE

HANNES WOLF

EMAIL L.MERRELLS@SWANSEACITY.COM FOR AVAILABILITY

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

Benda

Bristol City A W 0-1

Fri, Aug 20, 7.45pm

Benda

Cabango

Bennett

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Smith 1

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell 3

Williams

Manning

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Downes

Manning

Cabango

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere 3

Bidwell

Downes

Laird

Manning

B.Cooper

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

Fulton Fulton

2

Plymouth Argyle (CC R2) H W 4-1

Tue, Aug 24, 7pm

Hamer

Manning 1

Joseph 3

Bennett

Latibeaudiere

Bidwell

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

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

Peterborough United H W 3-0

Sat, Oct 30, 3pm

Hamer

Naughton

Bennett

Manning

Laird 3

Bidwell

Smith

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

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

Hamer

Cabango

Naughton

Manning

Christie 1

Latibeaudiere

Grimes

Huddersfield Town A D 1-1

Sat, Jan 15, 3pm

Preston North End H

Sat, Jan 22, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers A

Tues, Jan 25, 7.45pm

Hull City A

Sat, Jan 29, 3pm

Luton Town H

Tues, Feb 1, 7.45pm

Blackburn Rovers H

Sat, Feb 5, 5.30pm

Stoke City A

Tue, Feb 8, 7.45pm

Bristol City H

Sun, Feb 13, 1pm

Sheffield United A

Sat, Feb 19, 3pm

AFC Bournemouth H

Tue, Feb 22, 7.45pm

West Bromwich Albion A

Mon, Feb 28, 8pm

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

Nottingham Forest A

Sat, Apr 30, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers H

Sat, May 7, 12.30pm

Correct as of January 22, 2022.

PAGE 60

2

2

Match Statistics Key

1

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

Grimes

Ntcham 1

Grimes

Ntcham

Grimes Grimes

Grimes

1

, 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

Paterson

Piroe

1

Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Downes 2

, Whittaker 3, Obafemi 1, Cullen

Paterson

Piroe

2

Benda, Cabango, Latibeaudiere, Downes 2

, Whittaker, Obafemi 1, Cullen

Paterson

Piroe

Ntcham 2

Paterson

Piroe

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

Cullen 3

Obafemi 4

Piroe

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

Smith

Ntcham 2

Piroe

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

Walsh

1

Downes

2

2

, Whittaker

3

Supporters with a visual impairment can improve their match day experience at the Swansea.com Stadium via a special service.

Radio City 1386AM has provided audio commentary service for supporters with a visual impairment since the opening of the stadium in 2005, while it has broadcasted to the patients, staff and visitors to the Health Board Hospitals since 1968 and is one of the longest running Hospital Radio Services in the country.

Hat-trick =

Captain =

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

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

They have enjoyed a long association with Swansea City dating back to the days of “Swansea Town” and the Vetch.

They cover all Swansea City home games with live commentary of the action.

Anyone with a visual impairment can request a headset which will be delivered to your seat by the Disability Liaison Team, who will collect the unit after the game finishes.

Sub = 2 (number denotes player replaced) Booked =

, Cullen 3

To request this free service please email accessibility@swanseacity. com or contact the ticket office.

To get more information on Radio City 1386AM visit their website on www.radiocity1386am.co.uk or email sport@radiocity1386am. co.uk

Sent off =

Carabao Cup = CC FA Cup = FA

PAGE 61

TABLE 2021~2022

POS TEAM 1

Fulham

26

P W D 16

6

L 4

70

F

23

A GD PTS 47

54

2

Bournemouth

26

14

7

5

43

23

20

49

3

Blackburn Rovers

27

14

7

6

44

30

14

49

4

Queens Park Rangers

25

13

5

7

38

30

8

44

5

West Bromwich Albion

26

11

9

6

31

20

11

42

6

Middlesbrough

26

12

6

8

31

25

6

42

7

Huddersfield Town

27

11

8

8

33

30

3

41

8

Stoke City

25

11

5

9

30

25

5

38

9

Coventry City

24

10

7

7

33

28

5

37

10

Nottingham Forest

26

10

7

9

33

28

5

37

11

Luton Town

24

9

8

7

36

29

7

35

12

Sheffield United

24

9

6

9

31

32

-1

33

13

Millwall

25

8

9

8

27

28

-1

33

14

Preston North End

25

8

9

8

29

32

-3

33

15

Blackpool

26

9

6

11

27

32

-5

33

16

Bristol City

26

8

6

12

32

45

-13

30

17

Swansea City

23

7

7

9

27

32

-5

28

18

Birmingham City

26

7

7

12

26

39

-13

28

19

Hull City

26

7

5

14

22

31

-9

26

20

Cardiff City

25

6

5

14

26

44

-18

23

21

Reading *

26

8

4

14

30

47

-17

22

22

Peterborough United

24

5

4

15

21

48

-27

19

23

Derby County *

26

8

11

7

25

24

1

14

24

Barnsley

24

2

8

14

16

36

-20

14

Correct as of Jan 21, 2022.

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

GLANMOR CHARTERED SURVEYORS Commercial Property Consultants

SERVICES

• • • • •

Agency Lease Advisory Asset Management Investment & Development PAGE 62 Occupier Acquisition

01792 439105 info@glanmorproperty.co.uk

JOMA-SPORT.COM

THE TEAMS SWANS

Head Coach: Russell Martin 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26 27 28 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 Brandon Cooper Joël Piroe Ben Hamer Tivonge Rushesha Yan Dhanda Joel Latibeaudiere Cyrus Christie Kyle Naughton Josh Gould Liam Walsh Andy Fisher Lincoln Mcfayden Azeem Abdulai

PRESTON NORTH END Head Coach: Ryan Lowe 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 32 33 38 40 44 45

Declan Rudd Sepp van den Berg Greg Cunningham Ben Whiteman Patrick Bauer Liam Lindsay Alan Browne Ched Evans Josh Harrop Daniel Johnson Daniel Iversen Ali McCann Jordan Storey Joe Rafferty Andrew Hughes Lewis Leigh Ryan Ledson Emil Riis Jakobsen Izzy Brown Matthew Olosunde Paul Huntington Sean Maguire Connor Ripley Adam O’Reilly Mathew Hudson Tom Barkhuizen Jack Baxter Scott Sinclair Josh Earl Ethan Walker Joe Rodwell-Grant Jamie Thomas Brad Potts Josh Murphy

NEXT UP AT Luton Town Tuesday, Feb 1 Kick-off: 7.45pm

NEXT AWAY Queens Park Rangers Tuesday, Jan 25 Kick-off: 7.45pm

FOLLOW US

~ Referee: Joshua Smith ~ ~ Assistant Referees: Sam Lewis and Jonathan Hunt ~ ~ Fourth Official: Leigh Doughty ~ Correct as of January 21, 2022

PAGE 64