Swansea City

After a much better season than last year and seeing magicdaps (Lee Trundle) play I have decided to write a review on Swansea City FC
Here is a brief history
Before the Football Stadium was built, children would like to play football on the dirt ground which had vetch growing on it.(Vetch was a cabbage like plant used as cow feed) By 1911, the field was available for rent as the owners of the land, , had failed to utilise it for the installation of a Gas Plant. A committee of the Swansea League, which was also formed in 1911, rented the field and the present football club emerged.

The 'Swans' club as a professional outfit was formed in 1912 at the Vetch Field, being played on a terrible surface. But it is a well know fact that soccer was being played in Swansea many years before this event happened.
Not much happened after we got into the football league for 60 years, we just stayed around the 3rd and 4th division but in just a few glorious years 1977-78 - promotion to Division 3, 1978-79 - promotion to Division 2 and in 1980-81 for the first time, to Division One. What was more, in that first season, the club headed the table three times and were never out of the top 6.

Unfortunatly, after that, things went wrong on and off the field, and the club slipped to Division Two and then Three in successive seasons. Indeed, it was necessary to get a point from the final game of the 1984-85 season to stop the team slipping from one to four in successive seasons. In retrospect, 1985-86 proved to be the blackest in the clubs seventy odd year history. On 'Black Friday' - 20th December, 1985, Swansea City A.F.C. Ltd. was closed. It was just said that it ceased to exist.

However, thanks to the hard work of a group of former directors, there was a resurrection and permission was granted for the club to play at Cardiff (THE SCUM!) on Boxing Day. What a Christmas present that was! Whilst the Swans were beaten in the final minute, the supporters went home with their heads in the air. From then until March 1986, several visits to the High Court were necessary in order to keep the club alive.Still, Manager Tommy Hutchison blooded some fine youngsters whilst showing them a tremendous example of dedication and skill.Saturday, a weight was lifted when the voting was 10-1 in favour and subject to final High Court approval, Swansea City was alive again.

Season 1986-87 under Manager Terry Yorath, saw the Swans finish in 17th position but this was just the forerunner of a remarkable season to follow under his guidance and inspiration. Reaching the play-offs they deservedly won promotion to Division 3 with a capacity crowd at Plainmoor, Torquay cheering the 3-3 draw to lift them out of Division Four.
Since division 2 became division 1 and 3 became 2 and so on in the year 1991(I think that it was that year) we haven't got further that division 2. We won the Welsh Cup in 1990 and Division 3 a couple of years back but not much has happened since then.

Now back to the present. We are 7th in the 3rd Div, still in the play off zone which is not bad considering we were the worst professional team in Britain this time last year! Thanks to the skillful management of Brian Flynn, not only has the club decreased it's debt, it has also improved its league position and players.
We also have skillful players, especially Lee Trundle- a favourite on Sky Sports Soccer AM whos amazing skills don't belong in div 3, Leon Britton, England youth star, on loan from West Ham who is only 5ft5 and Martinez the silky Spanish star who we recently signed.

The Vetch is an old stadium not at its prime It has 2 standing terraces and 2 seating sections. It is safe but not exactly the most comfy stadium in the world. If you want a good atmosphere Stand in the North Bank where the Welsh singing never stops. You also get the best view there but sitting is also a good view and more sheltered and comfortable.
the website is www.swanseacity.net .

The kit is white and black. The tickets range from £5-£8 for Kids and £10-£14 for adults and on some weeks ladies get in for free. The normal attendance is anything from 5000 to 9000 for a league game, not bad for a div 3 side. So if you are in Swansea today come and watch the Jack boys play!!