Swansea City v Reading - Championship Match - 21-22 - Issue 12

SEASON 2021-2022

VERSUS

READING

Saturday, November 27, 2021 - Kick-off 3pm

ISSUE 12

JOMA-SPORT.COM PAGE 2

CONTENTS Page 9 - A Message from Russell Martin

Page 20 - Meet the Opposition

Page 25 - Match Highlights

Page 34 - Interview with Matt Grimes

Page 40 - 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 >

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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 Head of Recruitment: Andy Scott Staff: Ritson Lloyd, Ailsa Jones, Matthew Murray, Adele Callaghan, Daniel Morris, Lee Watkins, Chris Watkins, Daniel Nisbet, Michael Eames, Shaun Baggridge, Huw Lake, Ashley Gill, 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 Assistant Football Secretary: Rebecca Gigg Head of Retail: Andrea Morris Head of Hospitality & Customer Services: Catherine Thomas Head of Safeguarding: Rebeca Storer HR Manager: Nicola Butt Senior Commercial Sponsorship Manager: Lee Merrells Head of Marketing: Katie Hughes Head of Media & Communications: Ben Donovan Media Manager: Chris Wilson-Barney Ticket Office Manager: Luke Hughes Operations & Events Manager: Matthew Daniel Facilities Manager: Gordon David Grounds Manager: Evan Davies Disability Access Officer: Catherine Thomas 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 Designers: Callum Rothwell, Jordan Morcom, Lewis Ward Photography: Athena Picture Agency, Natalie Davis, Alamy Videographers: Cerith White, Rhys Kemish 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

PAGE 6

A MESSAGE FROM

JULIAN WINTER G

ood afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for today’s game against Reading.

The club was saddened earlier this week to learn of the passing of our former manager Frank Burrows at the age of 77.

Frank was appointed as Swans boss in March 1991 and guided the club to Welsh Cup success shortly after.

His Swansea City side just missed out on promotion to the First Division in the 1992-93 play-offs, while he will always be remembered as the manager who took the club to Wembley for the first time in their Autoglass Trophy win over Huddersfield Town in 1994.

Frank was a popular and much-loved figure at the Swans and within Welsh football, and everyone at Swansea City sends their sincerest condolences to Frank’s family and friends at this sad time. We will pay tribute to Frank with a minute’s applause prior to kick-off today.

Today’s game sees the club celebrate White Ribbon Day, which took place on Thursday, November 25.

The day itself, and the 16 days that follow, will highlight the need to

end violence against women, and we’ve teamed up with Swansea Women’s Aid, who have a range of services for women and children who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.

Their workers have specialist knowledge on issues relating to domestic abuse and are able to provide confidential, emotional and practical support.

Today also marks 10 years to the day since Gary Speed sadly passed away.

Gary was a popular and much-loved person in football, who had a stellar playing career in the Premier League with Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton, before finishing his playing days with Sheffield United.

He also had a fine period in charge of the Wales national team and is widely considered to have helped set the foundations for their current success. All our thoughts remain with Gary’s family and friends.

As you will know, we were delighted to see Matt Grimes sign a new contract with the club recently.

Matt is an integral part of the squad, he’s our captain, and has been in great form over the past four seasons for Swansea City – and his stats more than back that up.

He has played every minute so far this season, and has played more Championship games than anyone else since August 2018.

He is central to the way Russell wants the team to play, and we are extremely pleased that he has committed his future to the club as we look forward and start planning ahead.

We also come into today’s game on the back of two games in a short space of time.

L ast Saturday ’s home draw against Blackpool was followed up with a brilliant 2-0 win against Barnsley in midweek.

To have over 800 passes in the game and almost 80 per cent possession is testament to the way we want to play and full credit goes to Russell, his staff and the players for the work we are seeing both on and off the pitch.

Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the management, players, staff and directors from Reading who have made the trip to down the M4 to Wales for this afternoon’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 with Reading.

This is our third game in the space of a week following a draw with Blackpool and victory at Barnsley in midweek.

We were frustrated not to have picked up three point s last Saturday against Blackpool – we didn’t have the energy and intensity in the second half. But it was another point, and extended our unbeaten run at home – something we’ll be looking to continue today.

Following that result, we travelled to Yorkshire to take on Barnsley and we put in a really pleasing performance.

We had 365 of you at Oakwell, and you made a lot of noise behind the goals as we won 2-0 thanks to goals from Olivier Ntcham and Jamie Paterson.

I was really proud of the guys - it was a really dominant and controlled performance. We had almost 80 per cent of possession and made over 800 passes, which is phenomenal. There was loads

of purpose and loads of patience, but a real understanding of their roles, each other’s roles and the concentration and level of detail.

The performance and victory were also important to us as we heard earlier in the day that Frank Burrows had sadly passed away.

We had the discipline to keep the structure and not get frustrated or anxious, it was brilliant to watch.

As I’m sure you’re all aware, Frank was the first manager to take our club to Wembley for the first time in 1994, and won the Autoglass Trophy that day against Huddersfield Town.

I enjoyed the first half, I know it might not have been that exciting for the neutral, but I felt we were putting a lot of work into their legs and taking energy out of Barnsley as the half wore on and they got deeper and deeper.

We had a couple of half chances but the message at half-time was to maintain that level of intensity and detail and concentration.

They did that brilliantly, the amount of courage the players showed – even late in the game at 1-0 up where it can be easy to take the easy option and play percentages – was just outstanding.

I think we learnt a lot from Saturday, and that’s the process and they showed on Wednesday night that they took everything on board.

It was a very pleasing night for us, and I’m sure it made the long trip home to south west Wales that much smoother.

Matt Gill spoke to Jimmy Gilligan, who had played under Frank, on Wednesday. He spoke about what a brilliant manager he was, and first and foremost what a brilliant guy he was.

So, it was important to mark that with a victory away from home, to give you something to think about and to try and give everyone something to smile about on a sad day.

We’ll be paying tribute this afternoon to Frank, and we will be looking to follow that with another pleasing performance and result against Reading.

Enjoy the game, Russell

PAGE 9

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A MESSAGE FROM

MATT GRIMES

G

ood afternoon and welcome back to the Swansea.com Stadium for our Championship fixture with Reading.

It’s been another busy week following Saturday ’s draw with Blackpool at home and Wednesday ’s win against Barnsley at Oakwell. We were really disappointed with the draw against Blackpool, and we were hurt to c onc ede in the manner we did so late on in the game.

We were frustrated and knew we had a chanc e to quickly make things right when we faced Barnsley four days later.

It was a real dominant performance at Oakwell and we we r e d e l i g h t e d t h at we had almost 80% possession and made over 800 passes.

We were tiring out B arnsley as the game progressed and the 365 fans who made the trip were patient with us and stuck with it.

It paid off when we found the breakthrough with goals from Olivier and Pato and ended the night with our ninth clean sheet in the league this season.

Overall it was a brilliant night and we were happy that we got a result for the fans who made such a long trip on a Wednesday evening.

You may have seen that I have recently signed a new contract at the club which will extend my stay here until the summer of 2025. I am over the moon to sign the new deal and the decision was purely made because I want to stay here and be part of this project.

It would have absolutely broken my heart if I had ended up at another Championship team and had to play against this style of football and been battered the way we have battered teams this season.

Everything happens for a reason and I’m very happy here, I love representing this club and myself and my family love living in Swansea.

The gaffer has been brilliant with me, he’s fantastic to work with and I believe he is taking this club places. He makes the whole dressing room better, I think every player can look at themselves in the mirror and say they are a lot better player under this manager, and that’s the case for whoever comes into the club.

This afternoon’s match is another tough challenge, but we have to approach the game with confidence and look at it as an opportunity to continue momentum from Wednesday’s win.

There’s a great mood in the squad and we look forward to every game and getting out in front of the Jack Army.

Enjoy the game today!

Matt

PAGE 11

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A MESSAGE FR M

CERI STONE

W

e ho s t t h e R o y a l s today and welcome arguably the nicest group of fans in the league. I have great memories of sharing a pint with them in London, both before and after the play-off final in 2011.

It helped my mood that we triumphed and reached the promised land of the Premier League on that day, but it is a l s o h a r d t o b e l i eve t h at a decade has passed and here we are doing battle again in the Championship. It is also difficult to get my head around the fact that the Supporters’ Trust is in its 20th year. That is an anniversary worth commemorating.

With Christmas approaching we have decided to celebrate the season with a bumper prize draw for our members. Entry is really simple: you just need to have joined the Supporters’ Trust

by December 7.

The prizes on offer are worth far more than the cost of membership and they include a signed first-team shirt, one home, away and third shirt for both adults and juniors, scarves, signed books, a stadium tour

and two table tennis bats signed

by Paralympic silver medallist Paul Karabardak.

We are excited by what’s up for grabs, and entry to this draw makes spending the two minutes it takes to join the Trust worth it alone.

Plus, you get to become a member of one of the few Supporters’ Trusts that owns a part of its football club. We are in regular contact with the club and are proud to have been included in some key plans recently, such as the ‘Rivals on the pitch. United against racism’ initiative with our local rivals and the discriminatory reporting initiative launched last weekend.

The club is working tirelessly to eradicate anti-social behaviour from the game and we fully support every effort they take to ensure the Swansea.com Stadium is a great venue to visit.

Last year I really missed singing Hymns and Arias on the East Stand, and this season is worth savouring, especially given the work that Russell Martin and the squad are doing.

Performances have been great in my eyes and, if we had a fair rub of the green more often we would be in, or around, the playoff positions already. How many times does Ethan Laird have to be kicked, tripped and stood on to be awarded a free kick or penalty?

S t i l l , a l l t h e s i g n s a r e ve r y positive for a successful season and are as exciting as the opportunity to win one of our Christmas prizes, just by joining the greatest supporters’ group in the country.

Membership is still only £10 for adults and £1 for juniors and joining is really e a s y. E i t h e r g o o n l i n e a t www.swanstrust.co.uk/jointhe-trust or meet us in person at the Trust Pod on matchdays.

This draw should bring a healthy dose of seasonal cheer to our members and statistically you have more chance of winning a prize than Ethan Laird does of winning a penalty. It would also be nice if our ‘Royal’ friends are equally as generous today and gift us three points.

Enjoy the game, YJB!

PAGE 13

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S

wansea City Foundation are proud to have received staff training from Football vs Homophobia.

The training focused on the LGBT+ community and looked at how our staff currently support the community and what better practices we can bring in to support these sessions.

Swansea City Foundation is passionate about creating activities that are inclusive and welcoming for all participants.

This training ensures that all our staff continue to understand the needs of those within the LGBT+ community and how we can be as inclusive and welcoming as possible within everything we do.

Swansea City Foundation would like to thank Football vs Homophobia for the excellent training delivered and are looking forward to implementing what we have learned into our sessions.

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SWANSEA CITY SADDENED TO LEARN OF PASSING OF FRANK BURROWS

S

wansea City was saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Frank Burrows this week at the age of 77.

The Scotsman was appointed Swans boss in March 1991 and guided the club away from the threat of relegation, before winning the Welsh Cup with victory over Wrexham at Cardiff Arms Park.

His Swansea side just missed out on promotion to the First Division in the 1992-93 play-offs, while he will always be remembered as the manager who took the club to Wembley for the first time in their Autoglass Trophy win over Huddersfield Town in 1994, before leaving his role the following year.

He spent his early footballing career north of the border in his homeland, but made the move to England in 1965 with Scunthorpe United and then Swindon Town. While with the Wiltshire club, Burrows and his team-mates – who were playing in the third tier at the time - made history by beating top-flight Arsenal in the 1969 League Cup final.

After retiring from playing in 1976, he moved into coaching at Swindon and found success at a series of clubs, including Portsmouth and Cardiff City, as a manager.

Frank was also part of Harry Redknapp’s coaching staff at West Ham, and was assistant manager at West Brom as they twice secured promotion to the Premier League in the early part of this century.

His final coaching role was at Leicester, where he left the Foxes after a spell in caretaker charge in 2007.

Frank was a popular and much-loved figure at the Swans and within Welsh football, and everyone at Swansea City sends their sincerest condolences to Frank’s family and friends at this sad time.

The first team wore black armbands in his memory during the midweek victory over Barnsley, while the club will pay tribute to Frank this afternoon with a minute’s applause prior to kick-off.

PAGE 17

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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.

PAGE 19

READING READING READING

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NICKNAME

FOUNDED

Dai Yongge and Dai Xiuli

The Royals

1871

STADIUM

OPENED

CAPACITY

Select Car Leasing Stadium

1998

24,161

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

@ReadingFC

@readingfc

/ReadingFC

Paunović became Reading’s fourth manager in under two years when he took over in August of 2020, leading the Royals to a seventh-place finish in his first season at the helm.

The S erbian began his managerial career in his homeland, coaching Serbia’s Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s between 2012 and 2015. A World Cup win for his under-20s side in 2015 raised his profile and saw him handed the chance to manage in the MLS, where he managed Chicago Fire for four seasons before his move to Berkshire.

VELJKO PAUNOVIC

In his playing career, Paunović enjoyed spells at Partizan, Hannover 96, Getafe, Almeria, Rubin Kazan, Philadelphia Union and, most notably, Atlético Madrid.

Reading’s skipper joined the Berkshire club from Premier League champions Leicester City in 2016.

Moore began his career in the Foxes academy before being called up to the senior squad in 2012. Since joining the Royals, the centreback has made over 200 league appearances and scored seven goals in five seasons.

Moore was named the club’s player of the season for the 2017-18 campaign, eventually earning the captain’s armband during Reading’s 2018-19 campaign and retaining it. A strong presence, and confident with the ball at his feet, Moore is an integral figure for the Royals.

READING READING READING LIAM MOORE

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G

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SELECT CAR LEASING

STADIUM MEET THE OPPOSITION

HOW’S THEIR FORM?

Reading’s last Premier League appearance came in 2013, with the Royals coming close to returning in 2017 when they lost on penalties to Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-off final.

Reading’s form has been up and down so far this season, with a slow start being followed by a sequence of five wins in six and then a run of four defeats.

Following their Wembley appearance, Reading struggled to regain that same form; two 20th-place finishes immediately followed, with five managers departing the club in that same period. The appointment of Velkjo Paunović in 2020, however, seems to have given the club a new lease of life.

The Royals did manage to end the losing streak b e fo r e t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l b r e a k b y b e a t i n g Birmingham at St Andrew’s and then drew with Nottingham Forest.

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But hopes of a promotion challenge this term have been damaged by a six-point penalty that dropped them down the table.

However, their season has been hurt by that recent six-point penalty for breaching EFL profitability and sustainability rules.

PAGE 21

ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH

SCOTT DANN

ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH

POSITION

CB

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

34 24

ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO

ONES TO WATCH S WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH

cott Dann joined Reading at the start of this season after his seven-year spell with Crystal Palace came to an end.

The centre-back began his career with Walsall, having loan spells with Danish side Koge BK, Redditch United and Hednesford Town before becoming a regular for the Saddlers in 2006.

ONES TO WATCH

Dann helped his side to the League Two title in 2006-07, spending one more season with the club before moving to Championship outfit Coventry City, where he spent two years ahead of a move to Premier League Birmingham.

ONES TO WATCH

He missed out on the Blues Wembley League Cup triumph over Arsenal with injury and joined Blackburn when they were relegated at the end of that 2010-11 season.

ONES TO WATCH

Rovers were also relegated in his first season, and the defender would spend two seasons in the Championship with Rovers before joining Crystal Palace.

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH

ONES TO WATCH ONES TO WATCH PAGE 22

Dann became an integral figure for the Eagles, chipping in with his share of goals from set-pieces, and was named the club’s player of the season in 2016 and briefly held the captaincy.

Since joining the Royals, Dann has made ten league appearances for the club, scoring one and assisting one.

JOHN SWIFT POSITION

CAM

J

NATION

AGE

OVIE EJARIA SHIRT NO.

26 10

ohn Swift began his career with Chelsea, making just one senior performance as he replaced Eden Hazard on the final day of the 2013-14 season.

Swift would have multiple loan spells, spending time with Rotherham United, S w i n d o n To w n a n d B r e n t f o r d b e f o r e eventually permanently leaving the Blues.

Swift would leave Chelsea on a free transfer to join Reading and the midfielder hit the ground running, hitting eight goals in 36 games in his first season. Swift would also be nominated for EFL Young Player of the Year that season, missing out to Ollie Watkins.

Across the next four seasons, Swift would play 149 games for the Royals, scoring 20 goals. Swift has had an excellent start to this season, scoring nine goals from 19 games, leaving him as Reading’s top scorer this campaign.

POSITION

LM

NATION

AGE

SHIRT NO.

24 14

O

vie Ejaria spent his youth career with Arsenal before joining Liverpool in 2014, making his senior debut in 2016 in the EFL Cup, replacing Roberto Firmino in a 3-0 victory against Derby County. The midfielder would make his Premier League debut later that year, coming on in Liverpool’s 6-1 win over Watford.

Ejaria couldn’t break into the Liverpool side permanently and was sent on loan to Sunderland in January 2018, playing eleven games and scoring once. He would go on loan the following season to Rangers, playing under his former academy coach Steven Gerrard.

After making just 14 appearances for Rangers, Ejaria went on loan for two consecutive seasons with Reading, making 52 appearances and scoring four goals across both seasons. In August 2020, he would move to the Royals permanently, signing a four-year deal with the club.

Ejaria made 38 appearances for Reading last season, scoring three goals and providing five assists. The 24-year-old has started this season positively, scoring two goals in the Royals 2-1 over Fulham.

PAGE 23

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PAGE 24

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

SWANS 1 BLACKPOOL 1 SWANSEA CITY WERE DENIED A FIFTH HOME WIN IN A ROW AS KESHI ANDERSON'S LATE GOAL ENSURED THE SPOILS WERE SHARED AT THE SWANSEA.COMSTADIUM.

TEAM LINEUPS Swans: Ben Hamer; Ben Cabango, Kyle Naughton, Ryan Manning; Ethan Laird, Flynn Downes, Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell; Olivier Ntcham (Korey Smith 75), Jamie Paterson; Joel Piroe (Michael Obafemi 71).

Subs not used: Steven Benda, Liam Cullen, Joel Latibeaudiere, Liam Walsh, Rhys Williams.

Blackpool: Daniel Grimshaw; Dujon Sterling, Marvin Ekpiteta (captain), James Husband; Jordan Gabriel, Callum Connolly (Owen Dale 81), Ryan Wintle, Reece James; Demetri Mitchell (Josh Bowler 66), Keshi Anderson; Jerry Yates (Shayne Lavery 71).

Subs not used: Stuart Moore, Kenny Dougall, Gary Madine, Daniel Gretarsson.

Referee: Keith Stroud Attendance: 16,886

PAGE 25

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WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

BARNSLEY 0 SWANS 2

LATE GOALS FROM OLIVIER NTCHAM AND JAMIE PATERSON SAW SWANSEA CITY GET THEIR REWARDS FOR A THOROUGHLY DOMINANT DISPLAY AGAINST BARNSLEY AT OAKWELL.

TEAM LINEUPS Barnsley: Brad Collins, Jordan Williams, Callum Styles, Callum Brittain, Cauley Woodrow (captain), Josh Benson, Jasper Moon, Romal Palmer (Obbi Oulare 77), Dominik Frieser (Aaron Iseka 57), Michal Helik, Devante Cole (Carlton Morris 57).

Subs not used: Jack Walton, Claudio Gomes, Toby Sibbick, Victor Adeboyejo.

Swans: Ben Hamer; Ryan Bennett, Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango; Ethan Laird, Flynn Downes (Olivier Ntcham 64), Matt Grimes (captain), Jake Bidwell (Ryan Manning 72); Korey Smith, Jamie Paterson; Joel Piroe (Liam Cullen 86).

Subs not used: Steven Benda, Joel Latibeaudiere, Liam Walsh, Rhys Williams.

Referee: David Webb Attendance: 11,342

PAGE 27

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.

PAGE 28

EFL.com

SWANSEA CITY SUPPORTING WHITE RIBBON DAY

P

eople across the UK are being urged to come together in their communities, organisations and workplaces to say ‘no’ to violence against women on White Ribbon Day. White Ribbon Day takes place on Thursday, November 25. The day itself, and the 16 days that follow, will highlight the need to end violence against women.

White Ribbon UK is a leading charity, seeking to engage with men and boys to educate and prevent violence against women.

Their mission is for all men to fulfil the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.

Be active on social media, follow us and spread the word using #MakeThePromise Where to go for help in our community...

Swansea Women’s Aid has a range of services for women and children who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. Their workers have specialist knowledge on issues relating to domestic abuse and are able to provide confidential, emotional and practical support. Their services include: Emergency accommodation – Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Women (and children if they have any) can stay for one or two nights, a few weeks or until they are rehoused, whatever they feel is the best option for them. There are staff on site Mondays

to Fridays who work on a one-to-one basis with the families, ensuring that their crisis needs are met including clothing, food, money and toiletries - and assisting with any ongoing issues such as accessing benefits, housing, legal advice, healthcare and emotional support.

DAISE Plus service – Offers support to women in communities across Swansea on a one-to-one basis with the option of it being face-to-face, by telephone or online. The support includes safety planning, practical and emotional support, advice and signposting for housing, finances, benefits and more.

It also offers specialist group programmes that enable women to meet, reflect on their experiences of abuse and move on positively with their lives.

Children and Young People’s service (CHYPS) – Supports children and young people aged five to 25 years, offering one-to-one face-to-face support with the option of phone or online communication if they would prefer. It also offers specialist group programmes for children and young people, play and activities and parenting workshops.

All of our services can be accessed via a dedicated phone line which is available 24/7 on 01792 644683 or by email to swa@swanseawa.org.uk or via our website www.swanseawomensaid.com

PAGE 29

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C

The Royals fell to their fifth loss in seven Championship matches and the result placed them two places and two points from the danger zone.

Of course, they have a degree of control when they play. They do their research on the opposition and they use their skill and the knowledge they have acquired as professionals to try to control the game.

Reading boss Veljko Paunovic said after the game: “Both teams were suffering from fatigue and everywhere around the league you can see it - a lot of 0-0s, not a lot of goals.

It indicates that at this point in the season, an early midweek game affects both teams in terms of quality.”

ontrol the controllable” is a line we often hear from managers and head coaches when it comes to sports psychology and you can see the logic of drilling that into players as part of their training mantra.

We all know that football, like any sport, is unpredictable in so many ways and sometimes what happens off the pitch has a huge influence on it - and vice versa.

A few weeks ago, it seemed that our captain would be heading for new challenges, away from our club. But how quickly and sometimes unpredictably, things can change when a plan is being executed and players are clearly buying into it.

Similarly, no-one from either of the sides that lined up in the tunnel on Tuesday night when Reading hosted United could have predicted that just past the hour mark Blades midfielder John Fleck would collapse on the pitch.

Early reports suggested he was conscious when he was hospitalised and United boss Slavisa Jokanovic later confirmed Fleck was speaking and even asked about the score.

Progress takes time and patience, on everyone’s part, as skipper Matt Grimes explained when he signed his new deal which keeps him at the club until 2025.

After the game he said: “He is in hospital.

He is conscious and he asked for the result.

Hopefully he will be okay. He is safe, in good hands and we pray that everything will be okay.”

“It’s a process, and the way we are playing at the moment there are games we are absolutely dominating from start to finish,” said Grimes.

Let’s hope that continues to be the case for Fleck and let’s get behind the boys as they strive to implement the Martin master plan and we continue to see progress on the pitch.

“There are also still games, like the weekend, where there is still a lot to improve on.

“I think it is about learning and growing as a group to a point where we are not making those mistakes, and we are controlling games from the first minute to the last and are blowing teams away.

“That is the end goal, to get to the point where everyone is right at it and we are doing everything the manager wants from us.”

And after disappointment last weekend, that aim to get things right on the pitch resumes today as visitors Reading arrive at the Swansea.com Stadium on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Sheffield United.

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ASTUDIA YM MHRIFYSGOL ABERTAWE DRWS I DDYFODOL DISGLAIR DYSGWCH FWY

FFRAMWAITH RHAGORIAETH & DEILLIANNAU MYFYRWYR PAGE 32

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

BEN HAMER REFLECTS ON AWAY VICTORY AT OAKWELL

B

en Hamer felt Swansea City had taken a good step in the right direction with their dominant 2-0 win over Barnsley at Oakwell.

The Swans bounced back from their weekend draw against Blackpool, having the lion’s share of possession and territory and making the breakthrough via goals from Olivier Ntcham and Jamie Paterson.

It was Swansea’s third away win of the season and moved them up to ninth in the Championship table; it was also their ninth clean sheet of the campaign.

And the goalkeeper felt the victory was evidence that the Swans are starting to replicate their home form on their travels.

It took until the latter stages of the contest for the visitors to find the breakthrough, but Hamer knows there will be times that patience is important for the Swans when facing sides happy to defend deep. “ The way we play, one of the parts of it is it allows us to keep the opposition away from our goal,” he added.

“If that means we end up keeping the ball away from the other team, and in the second half of games teams tend to tire.

“It is not easy to break teams down, there is a lot of hard work that goes into it from our side, but we know it is harder for the opposition.

“I think this was a really good step in the right direction,” he said.

“You could see they were well organised at the back in the first half, and maybe we did not cause them too many problems.

“We have been saying about bringing some of those home performances and producing them again away from home.

“But in the second half you could see that they were really tiring, and the fans stuck with us and were patient with it.

“We have been very solid at home, we have not conceded many goals, just a few, and this was a game that was a good reflection of how we have been playing at home.

“Saturday was unfortunate because we had the better of the game, we had the lead, and then there was a defensive mishap at the end, I was culpable for that.

“It is pleasing to see but we have to go on and make sure we back it up against Reading on Saturday.”

“I have to take responsibility for that. We had a bit of a talking to after that and we showed the right reaction.”

The Swans completed over 800 passes against the Tykes and had nearly 80 per cent of possession.

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PAGE 34

IT’S BEEN A BIG FEW WEEKS IN THE LIFE OF MATT GRIMES. THE SWANSEA CITY SKIPPER HAS BECOME A FATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND HE HAS COMMITTED HIS LONG-TERM FUTURE TO THE CLUB AFTER SIGNING A NEW CONTRACT. HERE, HE REVEALS THE ON AND OFF-FIELD FACTORS THAT WERE KEY IN HIM EXTENDING HIS TIME AS A SWAN. CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE....

Matt, congratulations on the new contract. It’s great news for you and the club. How do you feel now it is signed, sealed and delivered?

I am buzzing. It is a fantastic project, and obviously everyone knows how much I love the club. I am really happy to get it over the line.

You have looked to be really enjoying your football this season, the style of play seems to suit your strengths. How big a part did that play in this decision?

It has been massive. Since the manager came in, I just knew straight away that I would take to hi style. I am enjoying my football so much more than I probably have in any other year.

It is such a big part of a footballer’s life, to be enjoying your football and the football you are playing.

I know it might sound silly, but it has been a huge factor in me staying at the club and I could not be happier.

How do you see the progress the side is making? Russell Martin has only been here for three months but I think the supporters – and you as players – can see and feel that strides are being made?

I think, for sure, you can see the work we have done already over the last three months. I know we had a slow start, but obviously the manager was only in about three days before the start of the season.

So, it was a bit of a slow start while we adjusted and got used to the way he wants us to play. We have also had to get conditioned to the way he wants us to play, as well.

B u t , r e a l l y, a ft e r t h a t f i r s t international break I feel we have really shown what we are about.

We have shown we can dominate games and the direction we are going in.

L ike I say, I just wanted to be part of what I think is a really exciting project.

Your new deal could potentially see you bring up 10 years with the Swans having joined in January 2015.

Well, I don’t know if I would count the first three years because I spent a lot of time out on loan!

But, like I say, I do love the club with all my heart. My partner loves it here and my daughter was born here so it’s the perfect place to be.

And I’d imagine that’s all the more the case because you had to go through some hardship in your first few years here? It’s not always been easy, has it?

No, that’s true and I think that would be the case for any footballer. I don’t think anyone’s journey is ever easy and I know there will still be bumps in the road from this point on.

It is not just going to be plain sailing but I am enjoying my football and I have gone through a fair few tough times to get to the position I am in today.

So I am just really happy that this is done and I have another three years and more to look forward to.

PAGE 35

It obviously wasn’ t an easy s u m m e r, y o u w e r e l i n k e d with a move away and were entering the final year of your contract. How was that from your perspective?

It wasn’ t easy, and it was a bit of a topsy-turvy summer with the old manager leaving.

I think quite a few of the lads were wondering where they stood and what direction things were going to go in.

But the club have appointed a fantastic manager in Russell Martin, and we are on the way to doing something really special here, I believe.

He has been a massive driving force in that and all the lads see it, hopefully the fans see it too, and we are making really good progress.

Has there been a particular period this season where you c o u l d fe e l yo u r s e l f m ov i n g towards signing a new contract?

I think it has been a progression since the window shut, to be honest. A s I said it was a topsy-turvy window for myself and my family so I took a little bit of time to gather myself and just enjoy my football.

T here are s o many game s I would love to pick out and say it was the moment (I decided to stay), obviously Cardiff at home would be a good one!

B ut it was even game s like Derby away where, even though we didn’t win, the amount of dominance we had, the way we played. The amount of ball

PAGE 36

we had was just excellent and if we carry on in that way and carry on improving then the sky is the limit.

That is the on-field element of the decision, but there is an off - field one too with you having become a father.

C ongrat ulations to you and your family on that. What role has that played?

Of course, how we feel about the city is par t of it . I have lived in Swansea quite a long time now and I have loved it.

My girlfriend moved in with me three or four years ago, and she loves it here too.

Her family are originally from Saundersfoot, which is about an hour down the road, so there are family ties and the birth of Myla Rose has really just cemented that.

I c ould not be happier here and to bring my daughter up in a place I love, and that I know she will love as well, was a massive factor in my decision.

I know your daughter is only a few weeks old, but how have you found becoming a father?

B eing a parent is obviously such a massive moment in anyone’s life.

I have found it brilliant, there is nothing in the world like it , and it is the best feeling in the world.

Obviously, A ngela has been fantastic with her and she is t h e fo u n d at i o n of o u r l i tt l e family. I just have to thank her, thank her family and my family,

my mother, father and brother for supporting me through all these years.

It’s a massive thing, and I am just over the moon.

You’ ve spoken a lot of your love for the football club.

Yo u a r e l i k e l y t o p a s s 2 0 0 appearances this season, with many more hopefully still to come. That will put you in the company of some stellar players who have represented this club. What do those things mean to you?

I have always thought of those t h i n g s a s b e i n g t h i n g s yo u look back on at the end of your career. My aim is to keep playing and to keep playing well.

I want to keep proving myself moving forward and take this club forward in a successful m a n n e r. I r e a l l y d o b e l i e ve we can do something special here.

If I rack up 200 or 250 appearances in my time here that will be great, but I think it is something I will look back on at the end of my career.

F o r n o w, I n e e d t o k e e p working.

There’s a long time left in the season, what do you feel can be accomplished?

I don’t think we need to put a number on it so much this year. Obviously, the intention of the club, the manager and myself is to get the club back in the Premier League.

But this year is one of transition and we just need to keep building and keep improving.

If we can keep progressing the way we have been in the short period of time we have been working under the manager then the sky is the limit.

We will see where it will take us.

And can you talk us through that process of adapting to the new manager ? The style of play has a lot of hallmarks of some great Swansea sides, but it does have its own individual stamp.

I think every manager’s i d e a s a r e u n i q u e. I t h i n k i f you just copy the ideas of another manager youa re at a disadvantage already.

But you can see how we have been playing and his ideas are fantastic, and they are not the same as previous.

You can see whenever we step on the pitch that everyone knows what they are doing, everyone knows their roles and the lads are enjoying it, first and foremost.

T hat is the main thing, you need to be enjoying it , and all the lads here are enjoying playing and coming in to train every day.

We just need to keep going.

PAGE 37

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I

n the latest chapter of our series of features recalling Swansea City’s historic 1980-81 season, we hear about the squad’s unusual Christmas bonus, the togetherness of the group and the night they were raided by the police.

The return of Alan Curtis had come just in time for Christmas, with many a Jack viewing his re-signing as an early present given the affection he was – and continues to be – held in.

It also ensured Curtis got to join in what had become something of a festive tradition at the club.

Rather than any sort of monetary bonus or gift, the squad would instead see the club take care of Christmas dinner by giving each player a turkey, although some felt that there was often an underlying message to be found when it came to collecting your bird.

“The first year I can remember that happening was when Dai Gwyther was in the team,” says Wyndham Evans, already laughing.

“Someone came in and said, ‘good news boys, you’re having a turkey for Christmas’.

“The first thing Dai said was ‘That’s great, can I have one of the legs?’ He thought it was to share, instead of being one each!

“But that was where it started, and we knew things were going well because during the time under Harry and then Tosh the turkeys seemed to get bigger every year.”

“You certainly knew what sort of season you were having when it came to getting your turkey,” adds Curtis.

“If you weren’t doing so well it would be pretty small, but if you were doing well it would feed your entire family for Christmas and beyond.

“We used to get those and then we’d go and have our Christmas party. We wouldn’t go home, we would just take the turkeys with us.

“So we’d all be having a dance after a few drinks somewhere, and all the girls would be dancing round their handbags, and we’d be dancing round our turkeys.”

While fully focused on the task at hand, this was also a squad that enjoyed each other’s company away from the training field.

PAGE 40

Many of the players socialised together regularly, just underlining what a tight-knit group they were.

The Bay View on Oystermouth Road was one venue where the players would meet together, sometimes for an afternoon coffee after training, or a beer or two in the evenings.

“It was a different time then,” says Wyndham Evans.

“When I joined the Swans I was initially making less money on my basic salary than I had when I was a tool maker. I had £20 with the Swans and £40 as a tool maker. The money came from appearances and wins. But all I had wanted was to be a pro.

“You trained in the morning and you would usually be done by early afternoon. It was hard training and you can’t do it all day, and there would be no-one at home as your wife might be out working.

“So you would meet for a coffee or you might have a few beers, but obviously never near a game or anything like that.”

Toshack liked that the group had that closeness, and this was exemplified by a story from this era – although not specifically the 1980-81 season – where the long arm of the law unexpectedly found themselves taking the names and addresses of the majority of his first-team squad.

“There was a great team spirit throughout that time,” says Nigel Stevenson.

“The Bay View was one of our haunts and we were playing on a Tuesday. Pretty much all of the team were there, bar one person.

“We were there with the public drinking and the manager came on to us and asked us if we wanted afters, and he took us around to one of the back rooms with some of the public.

“We had a bit of a singsong, David Giles and Neil Robinson used to sing lots of songs and Wyndham as well. We carried on drinking until the manager’s girlfriend at the time said, ‘Put your pints down boys, there’s a raid on’.

“So we put our pints down and in came the police.

I was in Swansea Schoolboys with one of the police officers and he said ‘Sorry, Nige but I’ve got to take your name’ which he did, and we left the pub.

“The following day we were in training and Robbie (James) was captain at the time so we thought he’d better go and tell Tosh what had happened.

“He knocked on the door and Tosh let him in and Robbie said ‘We were out last night’ and you could see Tosh’s eyes roll in his head, he said ‘There was a raid and we were all booked’.

“Tosh asked who was there and was writing all the names down, he looked at the sheet and said ‘Somebody wasn’t there, Dai Davies the goalkeeper wasn’t there.’

“He told Robbie to send Dai in and he played hell with Dai for not being there. It was typical of Tosh, he just loved the camaraderie of socialising at the right times and what it could bring to the team.”

“We were friends as well as team-mates, and we enjoyed being around each other,” adds Evans.

“We liked the Bay View and one night we were there, it was a party for someone, I think.

“The police came in because we were in there after the time of stop tap. The sergeant told them to take our names, so they were going around writing down Robbie James, Alan Curtis, Wyndham Evans.

“One of them twigged and shouted, ‘Hold on, these are all the Swans’, so his sergeant told him to make sure he got our autographs!

“Tosh had a word with the police the following morning, he sorted it out and the players who were not there that evening were fined for not being out with the boys, about £30 each I think.

“He liked that blend that everyone enjoyed being with each other.”

“Yeah, I think there was one player who wasn’t there, and he was the one who got fined,” says Jeremy Charles.

“We did enjoy being together as a group, and that continued beyond our careers when we would meet up for a beer and reminisce, as you do.”

PAGE 41

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PAGE 44

SWANS U23s 1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC U23s 3

M

organ Whittaker got on the scoresheet but his goal could not prevent Swansea City Under-23s falling to a defeat against their Charlton counterparts.

Whittaker scored the only goal for the Swans, but two goals for Dylan Gavin and an incredible free-kick from Aaron Henry were enough to claim three points for the Addicks.

Swansea started the game positively, controlling possession despite not creating many clear-cut chances.

Whittaker came closest in the early stages, his curling effort going just wide of the post.

Charlton continued to test Defreitas-Hansen, with Gavin and Ben Dempsey both forcing good saves out of the goalkeeper from volleys.

The Swans continued to push in the first half but couldn’t find a breakthrough, Dan Williams won the ball back high up the pitch, but Michael Obafemi’s first-time shot was dragged wide.

But Swansea would find their goal early in the second half, Whittaker cutting in from the right-hand side and bending a low shot into the bottom corner.

But it would be Charlton who would take the lead after Gavin intercepted the ball on the edge of the Swans box. Harry Jones tried to clear his shot on the line, but could only turn it into the home net.

H o w e v e r, C h a r l t o n w o u l d restore their two-goal lead as Gavin picked up his sec ond of the afternoon, his closerange shot cannoning off the underside of the bar and in.

Just two minutes later, the Addicks doubled their lead. Henry spotted goalkeeper Nico Defreitas-Hansen off his line and hit an excellent shot from a free-kick in his own half to lob the goalkeeper and make it 2-0.

Williams' low cross looked destined to give Swansea their second goal of the afternoon, but a gre at block from Naz Bakrini denied Yan Dhanda a simple finish.

Substitute Joel Cotterill came close as he tried his luck, but his deflected effort went agonisingly wide of the goal.

The Swans continued to push for a second goal, Lincoln Mcfayden flashing a good ball acro ss the box lat e on, but the Addicks held on to their advantage to claim the spoils.

TEAM LINEUP Swans: Nico Defreitas-Hansen, Tivonge Rushesha, Jacob Jones, Azeem Abdulai (Joel Cotterill 68), Harry Jones, Brandon Cooper (captain), Lincoln Mcfayden, Dan Williams, Michael Obafemi (Sam Leverett 60), Yan Dhanda, Morgan Whittaker (Tarrelle Whittaker 78).

Subs not used: Jamie Searle, Scott Butler.

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BRISTOL CITY U18s 4 SWANS U18s 3

stirring second-half comeback was not enough for 10-man Swansea City Under-18s as they came out on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller at Bristol City.

The Swans went into the break three goals down before conceding a fourth just after half-time.

But a goal and assist from Adrian Akande as well as a goal from Filip Lissah inspired a fightback that fell just short of Swansea snatching a point.

Swansea found themselves behind after just five minutes, Jaden Brown’s initial shot was saved by Ben Hughes, but the ball fell back to Brown who played across for Dylan Lewis to tap home from close range.

Lewis almost got a second just two minutes later, but a great block in the six-yard box from Richard Faakye kept the score at 1-0.

Swansea began to make chances of their own, with both Akande and Cameron Congreve putting balls across the Robins box that weren’t converted.

Fifteen minutes before the break, Faakye was forced off the field after

suffering a head injury in a 50-50 challenge, seeing Ryan Bassett enter the field as a concussion substitute.

The Robins would make it two shortly after, Filbert Owusu-Antwi cutting in from the right and curling an effort into the bottom left corner.

Congreve almost pulled one back before the break, twisting and turning to find a yard of space on the edge of the box, but his low shot was held by the goalkeeper.

And Bristol City would make it 3-0 before the break, Brown’s cross finding Owusu-Antwi in the box who volleyed home his second of the afternoon.

Just after the break, a miscommunication at the back allowed Lewis a simple finish at the near post to make it 4-0.

But the Swans hit back as Akande pulled one back 30 minutes from time, a great ball from Charlie Veevers sending the forward through to place the ball past the goalkeeper.

Akande then turned provider just three minutes later, a great low ball allowing Geoff Bony to finish from close range.

The winger continued to inspire the fightback for Swansea, sliding the ball across to Kyrell Wilson, but he couldn’t get a strong enough connection to the ball.

But the Swans would pull back to within a goal, Josh Edwards coming short for a corner and whipping in an excellent ball for Lissah, who volleyed a shot downward that would bounce into the back of the net.

Swansea continued to search for an equaliser in the dying moments of the game, but David Roberts' mistimed challenge on a Bristol City break saw him given a red card. Isaac Richards stepped up and hit the post from the subsequent free-kick.

TEAM LINEUP Swans: Ben Hughes, Filip Lissah, Zane Myers, Joel Cotterill (capt), David Roberts, Harry Jones, Adrian Akande, Ben Lloyd, Kyrell Wilson (Kieran Petrie, 79), Cameron Congreve (Charlie Veevers, 79), Aaron Hillier (Geoff Bony, 70).

Subs not used: Sam Seager, Seb Dabrowski.

PAGE 47

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PAGE 48

SWANS LADIES 1 CARDIFF CITY WOMEN 0

S

cross picked out Katy Hosford at the back post, but she was unable to turn it home from close range.

The back-to-back champions posed near enough all the moments of attacking promise in the first half.

A strong counter attack from Swansea then resulted in a chance for Kelly Adams, however, the midfielder’s shot from the edge of the penalty area was denied by the woodwork.

wansea City Ladies extended their lead at the top of the Genero Adran Premier with a narrow win over Cardiff City Women at Llandarcy.

And that eventually paid off in the latter stages as they were given a penalty for handball, which Rhianne Oakley made no mistake with.

Swansea claimed for a penalty after Tija Richardson was taken down by Siobhan Walsh, but the referee waved the claims away.

T h e s e c o n d h a l f wa s m u c h more evenly contested but Chris Church’s side were able to see the game out to claim another victory.

C ardiff ’s defenc e held firm towards the end of the first half as they threw themselves in the way of several Swansea strikes on goal in quick succession.

Victory see the Swans move three points clear of Cardiff City and Cardiff Met at the top of the table, with a game in hand on both their rivals.

But, the Swans took a narrow lead into the break after Oakley converted from the penalty spot after Walsh was deemed to have handled the ball.

The Swans came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock early on as Stacey John-Davis’

Swansea dictated most of the play as the second half progressed and looked the more threatening of the sides.

Cardiff were kept at bay for the majority but they looked to pose a threat with a cross from Danielle Green but Claire Skinner claimed it with ease.

T he Bluebirds broke on the counter with 10 minutes left but their final product let them down.

The Swans looked to make the most of C ardiff c ommitting players forward and they nearly did so as Hosford released JohnDavis, but she was unable to find the bottom corner.

TEAM LINEUP Swans: Claire Skinner, Ellie Lake (Jess Williams 90), Shaunna Jenkins, Alicia Powe (captain), Ria Hughes, Tija Richardson, Kelly Adams, Laura Davies, Stacey JohnDavies, Katy Hosford, Rhianne Oakley (Sarah Adams 64).

Subs not used: Gemma Border, Chloe Chivers, Chloe Tiley..

PAGE 49

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PAGE 50

A

s a 15-year-old centre forward playing parks football, I remember coming up against a sweeper who was at least 40 years my senior.

JACK THE LAD

I wasn’t a good player, but I was fairly quick and was rubbing my hands in anticipation of giving my considerably more mature opponent the run around.

Surely this greying, beer-bellied defender wouldn’t be able to cope with my youthful pace and energy.

How wrong could I be? I barely got a kick.

The faster I seemed to run, the quicker he appeared to anticipate where I or the ball would go.

Wherever I turned, he seemed to be there just before me. I started to wonder whether there was a secret system of trap doors under the pitch from which he would suddenly pop up.

What was even more frustrating was that while I was running around like a headless chicken, he barely seemed to break into more than a jog and certainly didn’t raise a sweat.

It was almost as if he was playing the game at a totally different pace to me. While I was in fast forward mode, he was in slow motion, but would still get to the ball first.

I was reminded of my tormentor as I watched the Swans play Blackpool last Saturday afternoon.

For much of the match, Kyle Naughton appeared to be playing the game at a totally difference pace to Blackpool’s forwards.

Now, I’m not suggesting Kyle in any way physically resembles a Neath League and District Football League defender approaching his 60th year.

But it was the way he gave the appearance of having all the time in the world as he dealt with the opposition forwards who were huffing and puffing around him.

Not only that, he seemed to be equally comfortable in possession, picking out white shirted team-mates with nonchalant ease.

PAGE 52

The former Sheffield United and Spurs defender has been something of a revelation this season playing in the centre of the Swans’ back three.

D u r i n g t h e l a st t h re e h o m e g a m e s in par ticular, Kyle has been hugely impressive as the lynchpin of a miserly Swans defence, which has conceded just five league goals at the Liberty Stadium since the start of the season.

Three of those goals came in one match against Stoke, while the Swans were still very much bedding into their new style.

Like the silver-haired sweeper who had me in his pocket, at times Kyle makes the game look impossibly easy, whether that’s snuffing out opposition attacks, or calmly and accurately launching our passing movements from the back.

Unlike my nemesis from all those years ago, Kyle has to contend with opponents who can actually play football.

But he does so while giving the appearance of having plenty of time and having everything under control.

Russell Martin’s possession-based style of play and the new position he has been asked to play seems to suit Kyle down to the ground.

And, like the rest of the team, things are only likely to get better as everyone gets even more familiar with the new system.

Of course, all this isn’t to say that Kyle wasn’t already a top quality defender.

It’s sometimes easy to forget what a great servant the former England Under-21 international has been for the Swans.

In the same way that he goes about his business at the centre of the defence in an unfussy, unhurried, manner, Kyle has never been one to chase the headlines during his Swansea.com Stadium career.

The term unsung hero gets thrown around a lot in football, but it seems to fit the bill for Kyle.

A lot of what he does seems to go under the radar, which is probably down to the understated and professional way he goes about his business rather than any lack of headline-grabbing performances.

For a start, it’s easy to forget just how long he has been at the club - one of only a few players still here since the Premier League days.

Signed from Spurs in January 2015, the then 26-yearold slotted straight into the Swans’ first team squad.

Challenging Angel Rangel for the right back spot in those early days, Kyle made his debut in February of that year in a win at Southampton and went on to make 103 appearances for the Swans in the top flight.

Since then he has moved past the 200 match mark for the Swans, putting him up there with the likes of other Swans favourites Chris Marustik, Andy Melville, Vic Gomersall and Tommy Hutchinson in the appearances stakes.

While he doesn’t score many goals, there have been some crackers amongst his half-dozen right-footed strikes for the Swans.

His talents have certainly been appreciated by the managers he has played under for the club.

Russell Martin's predecessor Steve Cooper said of him: “Naughts is a player that everybody loves - both the footballer that he is and the lad that he is.

“He's a wonderful professional, a great guy and a really good player. He can play right-back, right centre-back, can build from the back with the ball, he is a real clever defender and sniffs out danger. He never looks flustered and we're really lucky to have him.

“He's a real role model for the younger boys, particularly in difficult moments. I can't speak highly enough of Naughts because he's just a really good guy and a really good player, it's as simple as that really."

And Martin himself has said of the 33-year-old's role at the heart of his defence: "For us to control a game and to try and dominate the ball, you need someone who is seriously comfortable to play there, and who his team mates feel really confident with. I think he's made a big difference to us."

Hopefully Kyle will carry on giving many more forwards the same kind of frustrating afternoon I suffered all those years ago at the hands of a defender who seemed to have all the time in the world and was able to anticipate my every move without putting a foot or a single grey hair out of place.

C'mon you Swans!

PAGE 53

PAGE 54

FORMER PLAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

S

wa n s e a C i t y F o r m e r P l a y e r s ’ Association has held its first social event in the form of a coffee morning at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Members of the FPA committee, including players representatives, chair Lee Trundle, deputy chair Leon Britton and life-long president, Alan Curtis, joined some former players' for a catch-up over coffee and cake.

Trundle gave a presentation to those in attendance, explaining the purpose of the association and what it could offer to ex-players who want to maintain an involvement with the club.

He said the purpose of the first event was to show what the club was trying to do to reconnect and reunite those who had represented Swansea City over the years.

“We wanted to get people together to explain what we want to do as an FPA and how we are going to try to help them,” he said.

“It was nice to see players from all different eras here as well. We want to draw and pull all the ex-players back together and show them that they’re appreciated, not only on a match day with tickets and things but we can help them in their normal everyday life as well.

“One of the reasons we started the FPA was for the players to have a contact if they needed any help in any way.

“We speak so much about mental health these days as well and I think when you've finished playing football you can feel as though you’re forgotten about a little bit.

“One minute you're in the team, you’re in front of the fans and then the next minute you’re just left to your own devices in your everyday life.

“It can be very hard for some people, so we want to be there for a shoulder for people to lean on.

“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.”

Ex Swans who want to be involved with Swansea City Former Players’ Association are asked to fill in the registration form HERE. T he 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 c a l l t h e F PA s e c r e t a r y, C a t h e r i n e Thomas, on 01792 616420 or email catherinethomas@swanseacity.com Alternatively, the three former players on the committee - Trundle, Britton and Curtis - are also happy to talk to players or their families directly.

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

Its primary aims are to promote f r i e n d s h i p, s u p p o r t a n d c h a r i t a b l e 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

QUESTION TWO

QUESTION THREE

The Swans famously beat Reading 4-2 in the Championship play-off final in 2011. Who scored a hattrick that day?

Who scored the other Swans goal that day?

The Swans claimed their place in the play-offs in July 2020 with a dramatic 4-1 win at Reading. Who scored our final goal that day?

Tip: He’s Scottish.

T ip: He went on to play for Manchester City and Aston Villa, and is now at Preston.

Tip: He’s recently retired.

QUESTION FOUR

QUESTION FIVE

QUESTION SIX

Reading have recently signed a former England striker. Who is he?

Which other Premier League club has he played for?

Tip: He’s played for Newcastle United and Liverpool.

Tip: They are based in East London.

The Royals have a Premier League and FA Cup winner in their squad.

Who is he?

Tip: He won the league with Leicester City and the FA Cup with Chelsea.

CYRIL AND CYBIL'S PREDICTION SWANS 2 READING 0

PAGE 56

PAGE 57 Cyril’s Half-Time Quiz Answers Question One - Scott Sinclair Question Two - Stephen Dobbie Question Three - Wayne Routledge

Question Four - Andy Carroll Question Five - West Ham Question Six - Danny Drinkwater The player is 1. Flynn Downes

HELP CYBIL FIGURE OUT THE PLAYER

R JACKS

PLAYER SPONSORS 2021~2022 STEVEN BENDA

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LEWIS WEBB

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JAKE BIDWELL

RHYS WILLIAMS

BEN CABANGO

RYAN BENNETT

JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE

ETHAN LAIRD

TIVONGE RUSHESHA

LINCOLN McFAYDEN

BRANDON COOPER

RYAN MANNING

FLYNN DOWNES

KOREY SMITH

MATT GRIMES

JAY FULTON

YAN DHANDA

DANIEL WILLIAMS

LIAM WALSH

MORGAN WHITTAKER

MICAHEL OBAFEMI

JOEL PIROE

TRAVEL

HOUSE .CO.UK

BEN LLOYD

OLIVIER NTCHAM

LIAM CULLEN

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WESTACRES

CALL 01792 616 624 OR PAGE 58

EMAIL L.MERRELLS@SWANSEACITY.COM FOR AVAILABILITY

TODAY'S MASCOTS DEXTER AGE: 9 FROM NEATH

POPPY AGE: 8 FROM MUMBLES

BRANDON AGE: 12 FROM LLANELLI

CEIRAN AGE: 10 FROM LLANELLI

BECOME A MASCOT Swansea City is delighted to re-introduce its mascot packages for the 2021-22 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

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 Downes

2

Millwall H D 0-0

Wed, Sept 15, 7.45pm

Hamer

Naughton

Cabango

Bennett

Laird

Manning

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

Sat, Nov 27, 3pm

Middlesbrough A

Sat, Dec 4, 3pm

Nottingham Forest H

Sat, Dec 11, 3pm

Queens Park Rangers A

Sat, Dec 18, 3pm

Millwall A

Sun, Dec 26, 3pm

Luton Town H

Wed, Dec 29, 7.45pm

Fulham H

Mon, Jan 3, 3pm

Huddersfield Town A

Sat, Jan 15, 3pm

Preston North End H

Sat, Jan 22, 3pm

Hull City A

Sat, Jan 29, 3pm

Blackburn Rovers H

Sat, Feb 5, 3pm

Stoke City A

Tue, Feb 8, 3pm

Bristol City H

Sat, Feb 12, 3pm

Sheffield United A

Sat, Feb 19, 3pm

AFC Bournemouth H

Tue, Feb 22, 3pm

West Bromwich Albion A

Sat, Feb 26, 3pm

Coventry City H

Sat, Mar 5, 3pm

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

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

Correct as of November 25, 2021.

PAGE 60

Match Statistics Key

Goal =

1

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

2

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

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

3

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

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

, Cullen 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.

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.

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

Hat-trick =

Captain =

Sub = 2 (number denotes player replaced) Booked =

Sent off =

Carabao Cup = CC FA Cup = FA

PAGE 61

TABLE 2021~2022

POS TEAM 1

Fulham

19

P W D 13

3

L 3

48

F

15

A GD PTS 33

42

2

Bournemouth

19

12

5

2

34

14

20

41

3

West Bromwich Albion

19

9

6

4

27

16

11

33

4

Queens Park Rangers

19

9

5

5

31

24

7

32

5

Coventry City

19

9

5

5

25

21

4

32

6

Stoke City

19

9

4

6

24

20

4

31

7

Blackburn Rovers

19

8

6

5

33

27

6

30

8

Huddersfield Town

19

8

4

7

22

21

1

28

9

Swansea City

19

7

6

6

23

23

0

27

10

Millwall

19

6

9

4

19

19

0

27

11

Blackpool

19

7

6

6

20

21

-1

27

12

Luton Town

19

6

7

6

26

24

2

25

13

Nottingham Forest

19

6

6

7

24

23

1

24

14

Preston North End

19

6

6

7

21

25

-4

24

15

Middlesbrough

19

6

5

8

21

22

-1

23

16

Sheffield United

19

6

5

8

23

26

-3

23

17

Birmingham City

19

6

5

8

18

21

-3

23

18

Bristol City

19

6

5

8

21

28

-7

23

19

Hull City

19

5

3

11

14

22

-8

18

20

Cardiff City

19

5

3

11

19

33

-14

18

21

Reading*

19

7

2

10

23

30

-7

17

22

Peterborough United

19

4

3

12

17

38

-21

15

23

Barnsley

19

2

5

12

13

31

-18

11

24

Derby County*

19

4

10

5

16

18

-2

1

Correct as of Nov 25, 2021.

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

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THE TEAMS SWANS

Head Coach: Russell Martin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 35 37 46

Steven Benda Ryan Bennett Ryan Manning Flynn Downes Ben Cabango Jay Fulton Korey Smith Matt Grimes Michael Obafemi Olivier Ntcham Morgan Whittaker Jamie Paterson Brandon Cooper Joël Piroe Ben Hamer Tivonge Rushesha Liam Cullen Yan Dhanda Joel Latibeaudiere Jake Bidwell Lewis Webb Kyle Naughton Ethan Laird Liam Walsh Lincoln Mcfayden Daniel Williams Rhys Williams

READING

Manager: Veljko Paunović 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 28 30 32 33 39 41 47

Tom Holmes Michael Morrison Tom McIntyre Liam Moore Alen Halilović Andy Rinomhota Andy Carroll John Swift Yakou Méïté Ovie Ejaria Danny Drinkwater Dejan Tetek Andy Yiadom Lucas João Tom Dele-Bashiru Felipe Araruna Baba Rahman Luke Southwood Junior Hoilett Scott Dann Josh Laurent Femi Azeez Mamadi Camará Rafael Jahmari Clarke Ethan Bristow George Pușcaș

NEXT UP AT Nottingham Forest Saturday, Dec 11 Kick-off: 3pm

NEXT AWAY Middlesbrough Saturday, Dec 4 Kick-off: 3pm

FOLLOW US

~ Referee: Tony Harrington ~ ~ Assistant Referees: Edward Smart and Steven Meredith ~ ~ Fourth Official: Lee Swabey ~

Correct as of November 25, 2021

PAGE 64