Swansea City A.F.C.

Swansea City

File:Swansea City AFC.png
Full name	Swansea City A.F.C.
Nickname(s)	The Swans, The Jacks
Founded	1912 (as Swansea Town)
Ground	Liberty Stadium Swansea, Wales
Capacity	20,532
Chairman	Huw Jenkins
Manager	DIego Maradona league = The Championship
2009–10	The Championship, 7th
Home colours Away colours

Swansea City Association Football Club (Welsh: Clwb Pêl-droed Dinas Abertawe) is a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales, currently playing in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1912, they joined the Football League in 1920, and have been members ever since. They played in old Football League First Division period of 1981–83; finishing as high as 6th in their first season.

Since 2005 Swansea City have played their home games at the Liberty Stadium, a ground they share with the Ospreys Rugby Union Club. Before 2005 the club's home ground was Vetch Field.

Swansea City and its supporters are unofficially known as the 'Jacks'. One explanation for this name is that during the 17th century, sailors from Swansea were respected and any 'Swansea Jack' was allowed to join the crew based simply on the town's reputation for good sailors. Many, however, believe that the name originates from the renowned life-saving dog Swansea Jack.

History

Early years

The area around Swansea traditionally had been a rugby union area, and despite previous attempts by a football club named Swansea Villa, there were no notable football clubs until the establishment of Swansea Town AFC in the summer of 1912. They, following the lead of many other South Wales sides, joined the second division of the Southern League for the following season. J. W. Thorpe was the club's first chairman. A site near the town centre owned by Swansea Gaslight Co., called Vetch Field was rented to the be the club's ground. The club's first professional match was at the Vetch Field against arch-rivals Cardiff City on 7 September, 1912; the result was 1-1. During that first season the Welsh Cup was won for the first time, and the following season the Swans became the first side to reach the First Round of the FA Cup. Blackburn Rovers were the first First Division side to the visit Vetch Field for a competitive game in the 1914-1915 FA Cup - Blackburn Rovers were then the Champions of England, but Swansea Town from the Second Division of the Southern League beat them 1-0 at Vetch Field, Swansea's goal coming from Ben Beynon, while Blackburn Rovers' penalty taker Bradshaw missed a penalty. There is little remarkable about that, but before the game Bradshaw had scored with thirty-six consecutive spot kicks. Even more remarkable was that the Swans played most of the second half with ten men and the final fifteen minutes with just nine men as two players were forced to retire through injury The Swans drew at another First Division side, Newcastle United, in the next round, before losing narrowly in the replay.

Following the First World War the Southern League dropped its second division, and with many clubs dropping out due to financial difficulties, the Swans were placed in the first division. After just four seasons in the Southern League, Swansea Town became founder members of the new Third Division of The Football League in 1920 and then Division Three (South) the following season.

After five seasons in Division Three (South) and a few failed bids for promotion, the Swans reached the Second Division for the first time in 1925, beating Exeter City 2-1 at home on the final day of the season to beat perennial runners-up Plymouth Argyle to the Championship. The side had remained unbeaten at home in the league all season - something the next promotion team would emulate over twenty years later. The following season the Swans reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time - beating Exeter City, Watford, Blackpool, Stoke City, Millwall and Arsenal on the way to playing Bolton Wanderers at White Hart Lane. Sadly for the Swans, an experienced Bolton side won the game 3-0 and went on to win the cup. The remainder of the interwar period consisted mostly of finished in the bottom half of the Second Division.

Post-war

After just one season back from wartime football, the Swans finished 21st in the Second Division, and thus returned to Division Three (South) for the first time since 1925. The following season was one of consolidation, however in 1948-1949 the Swans stormed their way to winning the division for the second time. Only one point was dropped at home all season as the feat of the 1925 promotion side was emulated, with the side finishing a whole seven points ahead of second placed Reading. Billy McCandless was the manager who led the side to promotion, and in doing so he completed a rare hat-trick of winning the Third Division (South) title with all three South Wales clubs - and without losing a home game with Swansea or Cardiff.

Following promotion, the Swans had another 15-years of Second Division football to look forward to, however despite what successive managers and chairmen were to say, Swansea Town only once during that time looked like they could genuinely challenge for promotion. That came in the 1955-1956 season, when a side containing the likes of Ivor Allchurch, Terry Medwin, Harry Griffiths and Tom Kiley led the table early in the season, before an injury to Kiley, referred to as the linchpin of the side, in mid-November led to a decline in form. He was never adequately replaced, but despite this and the sale of some of the club's best players, the side remained in contention for promotion until the beginning of April. Following a 6-1 win over second placed Leicester City at the Vetch Field at the end of March the side was just two points behind second placed Liverpool with a game in hand - however subsequent results were not as encouraging, and they eventually slipped away to finish tenth.

In 1964 the Swans reached a second FA Cup semi-final, beating Barrow, Sheffield United and Stoke City on the way to a famous sixth round victory at Anfield. Few gave the Swans, struggling for their lives at the bottom of Division Two, any chance of causing an upset against the league leaders. But the Swans were 2-0 up at half time thanks to Jimmy McLaughlin and Eddie Thomas. Liverpool turned up the pressure in the second half, pulling a goal back before being awarded a penalty nine minutes from time. Ronnie Moran had established an excellent record as a penalty taker, but he failed to beat the excellent Noel Dwyer on this occasion. Fellow second division side Preston North End awaited in the semi-final at Villa Park, but despite taking the lead through McLaughlin again the Swans were to be denied by a second half penalty and a wonder goal from nearly 40 yards.

After flirting with relegation on a few occasions during the previous seasons, the Swans' luck finally ran out a season later in 1965, and they were back in the Third Division.

1965-1977: A downward spiral

Following relegation Trevor Morris, who had been manager since 1958, was sacked and Glyn Davies , a former Swansea player, was appointed in his place. Davies re-signed the 36-year old Ivor Allchurch from Cardiff City, but despite winning the Welsh Cup the season saw some of the club's heaviest defeats, and the manager only lasted the season. Relegation to Division Four followed in 1967 and Ivor Allchurch retired. Strangely, the 1967/8 season saw the record attendance of 32,796 at the Vetch Field for an FA Cup Fourth Round match against Arsenal. In 1969 the club name was changed to Swansea City, and Roy Bentley's side celebrated by securing promotion back to the Third Division. A record run of 19 matches unbeaten founded the base of a promotion challenge in 1971-72, but an awful run towards the end of the season result in a mid-table finish. A poor start the following season, combined with falling attendances saw Bentley resign, and he was replaced by Harry Gregg. Gregg failed to stop the rot and the club was back in the Fourth Division for 1973-74 season.

A record low crowd of just 1,358 watch the Swans against Northampton Town, and the following season the Swans were forced to apply for re-election to the football league after a last day defeat at Rochdale condemned them to a 21st place finish. The application was a success, although by now former player Harry Griffiths had replaced Gregg as managed. Malcolm Struel also took over as chairman, having previously been on the board, and promised a return to former glories, stating the he would not sell the clubs best young talent as previous boards had done.

1977-1986: Meteoric rise and equally rapid fall

Despite promising performances during the first half of the 1977/78 season, Harry Griffiths resigned as Swansea City's manager in February 1978, doubting his own ability to take the club any further. The new manager was former Liverpool, Cardiff City and Wales striker John Toshack. On 1 March, 1978, at the age of 28, Toshack became the youngest manager in the Football League, with Griffiths as his assistant. Thus began a remarkable climb from the Fourth Division to the top of the entire league. Despite relinquishing his role as manager before the end of the season, this was Griffiths' team, and the promotion from the Fourth Division was largely his doing. During this season the Swans' record league win was achieved - 8-0 against Hartlepool United. Before promotion was secured, however, tragedy struck when Harry Griffiths died of a heart attack on 25 April, 1978 before the home game against Scunthorpe United.

A further promotion followed the following season and the club returned to the Second Division after an absence of 14 years, with Toshack himself coming off the bench to score the winning goal against Chesterfield and thus secure promotion.

After a season of consolidation, Swansea City again challenged for promotion and travelled to Preston North End on 2 May, 1981 in the knowledge that victory would assure them a place in the First Division for the first time in the club's history. A 3-1 win guaranteed a third promotion in four seasons and Swansea City joined the footballing élite. The goalscorers on that historic day at Deepdale were Tommy Craig, Leighton James and Jeremy Charles. The 4 year rise from basement to top division is a record in English football, held jointly with Wimbledon F.C.. Ironically the Swansea Decline started the same year as the Wimbledon rise.

The 1981/82 season began as implausibly as recent history had suggested it might. The fixture computer handed Swansea's upstarts a first-day home game against Leeds United, which Swansea promptly won 5-1 with a hat-trick by debutant Bob Latchford. Swansea had swept from the basement division to the top of the entire Football League in barely three years. Victory at Stoke City in October put Swansea in first place in the First Division for the first time, and victories over footballing royalty such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur followed as the club topped the league on several further occasions. Injuries to key players took their toll, and the lack of depth in the squad meant that the season ended in sixth place finish.

However, a fateful combination of poor form, misfortune in the transfer market and financial problems led to a slump which was as quick and spectacular as the rise had been. Two consecutive relegations followed and Toshack was sacked. By 1985, the club was battling for its very survival on two fronts. Whilst its creditors lined up a High Court hearing with the aim of liquidating the club, Swansea City had come to rely on a combination of old stagers and young professionals.

Wound up by court order in December 1985, Swansea City was saved by local businessman Doug Sharpe who took over the running of the club, although the change of ownership was not enough to prevent relegation to the Fourth Division in 1986. Eight years on from the first promotion under Toshack, the club was back where it had started.

1986-1995: In place of strife

Swansea won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1988 - beating Rotherham United and Torquay United over two legs in the inaugural playoffs. They remained in the league's third tier for the next eight seasons - the longest period of stability the club had seen since the war.

Doug Sharpe may have kept the purse strings tight, but under Terry Yorath and then Frank Burrows, the club managed to stay in the Second Division, reach the playoff semi-finals in 1993 and make their first Wembley appearance a year later.

Burrows guided the Swans to within 180 minutes of Wembley in 1993 - a run of five wins in the last six league matches (all at home) secured a playoff place, and with five minutes remaining of the first leg of the semi-final against West Bromwich Albion, the Swans were 2-0 up. Andy McFarlane scored an own goal when the ball rebounded off the crossbar then into the net off his knee to give West Brom a lifeline, and two early goals in the second leg gave "the Baggies" the advantage, until midfielder Micky Mellon was sent off. Burrows threw on Colin West, however within minutes of coming on the former West Brom striker was sent off, and ended any hopes of a Wembley final.

Although the league campaign the following season did not live up the previous one, mainly due to the sale of key players, Burrows guided the Swans to Wembley for the first time in their history for the final of the Autoglass Trophy. Wins over Plymouth Argyle & Exeter City in the group stage followed by triumphs over Exeter again, Port Vale, Leyton Orient and Wycombe Wanderers over two legs saw the Swans play Huddersfield Town in a final that finished 1-1. Chairman Doug Sharpe brought back the famous hat, and the Swans went on to win 3-1 on penalties.

The following season failed to live up to expectations, although the club again reached the semi-finals of the Auto Windscreens Shield, eventually going out to Birmingham City, and an eventful FA Cup run saw them win at Middlesbrough in a third round replay, before going out to Newcastle United at St James' Park.

1995/96 ended with relegation back to the third division after 8 years. The Swans were doing fine around Christmas time, but a complete collapse in the second half of the season, including a 7-0 FA Cup defeat at third division Fulham, 4-0 and 5-1 defeats at Blackpool and Oxford United respectively, relegation was inevitable, despite the arrival of Jan Mølby.

1995-2001: The difficult years return

Relegation in 1996 was accompanied by an unfortunate statistic: never before had the club been managed by four men in the same season. Most embarrassing was the appointment of Kevin Cullis as manager by a consortium wishing to buy the club. Cullis, whose previous experience was with non-league Midlands club Cradley Town youth team, was certainly not the "big name" manager promised by the new owners. Alarmed at developments at the club, outgoing chairman Doug Sharpe invoked a contractual clause to cancel the deal and resumed control himself: Cullis was promptly sacked after just six days. During his short-lived reign, his evident lack of ability led to senior players Christian Edwards and Dave Penney ejecting Cullis from the dressing room during half time and giving the team talk themselves in a 4-0 defeat to Blackpool, which proved to be his second and last game in charge.

Cullis's successor was the Dane, Jan Mølby, a former Liverpool player taking his first steps in management. His appointment inevitably prompted comparison with the Toshack era which began nearly 20 years earlier. Despite relegation in 1996, the club reached the final of the 1997 Third Division promotion play-offs but lost to Northampton Town, whose goal came from a re-taken free kick by John Frain in the final minute. Mølby was sacked just weeks into the following season, with Swansea struggling near the foot of the league. After the initial optimism, the Liverpool connection had not caused history to repeat itself.

Alan Cork was appointed as manager, but was dismissed after leading the club to its lowest league finish for 23 years. John Hollins was appointed, and things soon started to improve. In 1999, the club reached the promotion play-offs, only to lose in extra time at Scunthorpe United. The season was also notable for a third round FA Cup victory over Premiership opponents West Ham United, whose team included Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand and John Hartson. Swansea thus became the first bottom division team to defeat a Premiership club in the FA Cup since the re-organisation of the league structure in 1992.

The club was promoted in 2000 as Division Three champions, following a nail-biting championship decider on the final day of the season against second-placed Rotherham United. Hollins' side certainly proved to be effective and functional, rather than pretty, seemingly winning 1-0 ever week on their way to the title. The side conceded just 32 goals all season, largely due to the form of excellent centre-back pairing Jason Smith  and Matthew Bound, as well as 'keeper Roger Freestone. During the season the side set a record of nine consecutive league victories, and, during the same period, seven consecutive clean sheets. Jamaican striker Walter Boyd also set an unwanted record of being the fastest substitute ever sent off, when he was red-carded for striking a Darlington player seconds after being brought on and before play had resumed, therefore being officially recorded as zero seconds.

Promotion was secured courtesy of a 3-0 win over Exeter City at a packed Vetch Field. The 1-1 draw at Rotherham United, however, was overshadowed by the death of supporter Terry Coles, trampled to death by a police horse in narrow Millmoor Lane before the game.

Despite significant optimism on the terraces, it was clear that the team was not strong enough to survive in the higher division and relegation occurred in May 2001, just 12 months after promotion. Hollins had failed to strengthen the side at all during the summer, and despite a decent start, a 5-1 defeat at big-spending Reading in September led to a disastrous slide down the table, and the side won just eight games all season, and were saved from bottom spot only by Oxford United being even worse. Hollins' certainly wasn't helped by lack of investment from the board and injury to key players, but the fans patience wore thin as his continual insistence that the squad was good enough to survive grew more comical by the week. Relegation seemed certain following a 5-3 defeat at fellow strugglers Luton Town, where Giovanni Savarese scored a hat-trick, however Hollins' maintained that the side could stay up, even when 18 points were needed from the final six matches, and for two other teams to pick up no more points.

Last years at Vetch Field

In July 2001, following relegation back to Third Division, the club was sold to managing director Mike Lewis for £1. Lewis subsequently sold on his stake to a consortium of Australian businessmen behind the Brisbane Lions (Australian rules football) football team, fronted by Tony Petty. Seven players were sacked and eight others saw their contracts terminated. Supporters were angered, sanctions were threatened by the Football League, and a rival consortium headed by ex-player Mel Nurse sought to buy out the new owners. During this period Hollins was sacked after a poor start to the season, and Colin Addison took over as manager. The turmoil led to the creation of the Swansea City Supporters' Trust, which sought to save the club and ultimately guarantee supporter representation on the club's board.

The Petty group sold its stake in January 2002 after a bitter stand-off with the Nurse consortium, which was supported by the majority of the club's fans. Despite the turmoil off the pitch, Addison's side had managed a mid-table position, but lack of funds led to his dismissal in early March, and under Nick Cusack the club slumped to a 20th placed-finish. Cusack lasted just eight games into the following season, and was sacked after a 1–0 defeat at league debutants Boston United put the Swans on the bottom of the Football League for the first time ever. He was replaced by Brian Flynn. Swansea City avoided relegation to the Football Conference on the last day of the season, at the expense of Exeter City, a club then vice-chaired by Mike Lewis.

Brian Flynn's side finished 2003–04 10th and reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 24 years, eventually losing 2–1 at Tranmere Rovers. Flynn was dismissed and replaced by Kenny Jackett. Jackett lost his first six matches in charge, ending any hope of a play-off place. The following season Jackett recruited a number of new defensive players and set a record of seven consecutive home clean sheets, all victories. The Swans' last season at the Vetch Field saw the club win promotion on the last day of the season. Their last game at their old ground was a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town, the last game of any sort a 2-1 win against Wrexham in the final of the 2005 FAW Premier Cup.

Liberty Stadium era

The club moved to the new Liberty Stadium during the summer of 2005. The first competitive game was a 1–0 victory against Tranmere Rovers in August 2005. In their first season back in League One Swansea finished in sixth place in the league, qualifying the play-offs. After beating Brentford in the semi-finals, they lost on penalties to Barnsley in the final at the Millennium Stadium in May 2006. The Swans won the Football League Trophy for the first time since 1994 and the FAW Premier Cup for a second successive year. The following season saw manager Jackett resign mid-season to be replaced by Roberto Martinez. Martinez's arrival saw an improvement in form, but Swansea missed out on the play-offs.

After an indifferent start to 2007–08 the Swans spent much of the middle of the season near the top of League One with an 18 game unbeaten run from November to March. Swansea were promoted on April 12 following a 2–1 success at Gillingham, and crowned Champions the following week despite a home defeat by Yeovil Town. The club amassed a total of 92 points over the course of the season, the highest ever by a Welsh club in the Football League. Five Swansea players were in the PFA Team of the Year and the division's top scorer was Jason Scotland, with 29 goals. The same seaon Swansea lost on penalties in the final of the Football League Trophy.

On Swansea's return to the second tier they finished eighth, two places outside the play-off places. In that season's FA Cup they knocked out holders Portsmouth at Fratton Park, beating them 2-0 in the fourth round. In the fifth round they drew at 1–1 at home against Premier League team Fulham, but lost 2-1 in the replay.

In the summer of 2009 manager Roberto Martinez was signed by Premier League club Wigan Athletic, taking half the backroom staff and players Jason Scotland and Jordi Gómez with him. Paulo Sousa was appointed as Martinez's successor. Swansea finished 7th in the 2009/10 season under Sousa after missing the playoffs at the last game of the season. On the 15th May 2010 Besian Idrizaj sadly passed away due to a heart attack in his sleep, barely two weeks after the season ended.

On 4 July 2010, it was announced that Sousa had departed Swansea City by mutual consent, and was set to take the vacant managerial post at Leicester City.

Stadia

Main articles: Vetch Field and Liberty Stadium, Swansea

The Vetch Field was home of Swansea City for 93 years.

Before Swansea Town was established, children would play football on waste ground in which a cabbage-like plant, called "vetch" was grown. The site was owned by Swansea Gaslight Company in 1912, but was deemed surplus to requirements at the Gas Company. So Swansea Town moved in when they were established in 1912. The ground originally held 12,000, but hit its peak attendance of 32,786 in an 1967 FA cup Fifth Round against Arsenal. The last league goal ever scored at the Vetch was scored by Adrian Forbes, on 30 April 2005, as Swansea beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0.

File:Liberty stadium.DSC00520.JPG

Swansea City's new home since 2005.

With a rapidly deteriorating Vetch Field, Swansea looked to relocate. As Swansea and the Ospreys did not have the capital to invest in a new stadium, the Swansea County Council and a developer-led consortia submitted a proposal for a sustainable 'bowl' venue for 20,520 seats on a site to the west of the river on the site of the Morfa Stadium, which the Council owned. It was funded by a 355,000 ft retail park on land to the east of the river. The final value of the development being in excess of £50m. On 23 July 2005, The Liberty Stadium was officially opened as Swansea faced Fulham in an friendly game.

The Liberty Stadium holds a capacity of 20,532, and the highest attendance recorded was 19,288 at league game against Yeovil Town on 11 November 2005. The stadium has since hosted a Wales international against Georgia which ended in a 2-1 defeat for Wales.

Rivalries

Main article: South Wales derby

Swansea City's main rivals are Cardiff City. Matches between these two clubs are known as the South Wales derbies and are usually one of the highlights of the season for both sets of supporters. To a lesser extent, Swansea City's other rivals are Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, and Newport County. However, Swansea very rarely meet Newport as they're currently separated by three divisions.

The rivalry between Swansea and Cardiff, often regarded as one of the most hostile football rivalries in British football, has been marred by football hooliganism and matches between clubs have resulted in violence between both sets of supporters. A contingent of Cardiff City's support call themselves the Soul Crew, which became notorious through their actions. Also, in September 1988 a group of around ten Cardiff fans were chased into Swansea Bay by a larger group of Swansea fans. Since then, Swansea fans frequently suggest to their neighbours that they "swim away", in reference to the event.

Swansea have won 19 of the sides league meetings, compared to Cardiff's 16, with a further 16 drawn. Following Swansea City's promotion to the Championship, the clubs were drawn in the Carling Cup which would be the first meeting between both sides for nine years.. Swansea City won the tie with a solitary goal from a deflected free-kick taken by Jordi Gómez. The match saw sets of supporters from both clubs clash with police after the match. The next two league games both finished in 2-2 draws. However, the derby game at Ninian Park was marred with controversy as referee Mike Dean was struck by a coin from a Cardiff City supporter. They then beat Cardiff 3-2 at the Liberty Stadium thanks to a double from Darren Pratley. The most recent result from these derbies was a game that ended 2-1 to Cardiff at the Cardiff City Stadium due to a last minute winner from Micheal Chopra.

Honours

Swansea City's Historical League Positions 1921-2009

A list of all major honours that Swansea City have won over the years.

Competition	Achievement	Year(s)
League One (3rd tier)	Champions	2007/08
Third Division South (3rd tier)	Champions	1924/25, 1948/49
Third Division (4th tier)	Champions	1999/00
FA Cup	Semi-finalist	1926, 1964
Football League Trophy	Champions	1994, 2006
Welsh Cup	Champions Runners-up	1913, 1932, 1950, 1961, 1966, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1989, 1991 1915, 1926, 1938, 1940, 1949, 1956, 1957, 1969
FAW Premier Cup	Champions Runners-up	2005, 2006 2001, 2002

Other honours won by the youth, reserve and senior teams:

• FAW Welsh Youth Cup
  • Winners 1999, 2003, 2008
  • Runners-Up 1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 2004, 2009
• West Wales Senior Cup
  • Winners 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1930, 1934, 1949, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1975, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003
• Welsh Football League
  • Division One champions 1913, 1925, 1926, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1951, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1976
  • League Cup winners 1931, 1933
• Football Combination
  • Reserve Division Two champions 1955, 1961
  • (Reserve) Cup winners 1947, 1950
• Macbar (Reserve) Cup
  • Winners 1987
• Southern Football League
  • (Reserves) Western Section champions 1925

Club records

Swansea City's average, and record attendances since moving into the Liberty Stadium.

• Biggest Win
  • 12–0 v Sliema Wanderers, European Cup Winners' Cup First Round First Leg, 15 September 1982
  • 8–0 v Hartlepool, Football League Fourth Division, 1 April 1978
• Biggest Defeat
  • 0–8 v Liverpool, FA Cup 3rd Round Replay, 9 January 1990
  • 0–8 v AS Monaco, European Cup Winners' Cup First Round Second Leg, 1 October 1991
• Highest Attendance (Vetch Field)
  • 32,786 v Arsenal, FA Cup Fifth Round, 17 February 1968
  • 29,477 v Leeds United, Division Two, 1 October 1955
• Highest Attendance (Liberty Stadium)
  • 19,288 v Yeovil Town, Football League One, 11 November 2005
• Highest Final Position
  • 6th (Division One), 1981–82
• Lowest Final Position
  • 22nd (Division Four), 1974–75
• Most Points In a Season
  • 92 : 2007–08 (League One) (3pts for a win)
  • 62 : 1948–49 (Division Three (South)) (2pts for a win)
• Highest Transfer Fee Paid
  • £600,000 for David Cotterill (January 2010)
• Highest Transfer Fee Received
  • £2,000,000 for Roberto Martínez (Manager) and Jason Scotland (June 2009)
• Most Appearances
  • 586 : Wilfred Milne (1920–1937) (League Only)
  • 699 : Roger Freestone (1989–2004) (All Competitions)
• Most League Goals
  • 146 : Ivor Allchurch (1950–1958 & 1965–1968)
• Most League Goals In A Season
  • 35 : Cyril Pearce (1931–32)
• Most League Goals In A Match
  • 5 : Jack Fowler vs. Charlton Athletic, 27 September 1924
• Highest Number Of Clean Sheets (League)
  • 23 : Dorus de Vries (2009–10 As of 5 April 2010)

Kit Manufactures and Sponsors

Kit Manufanctures:
Bukta-1975-1979
Adidas-1979-1981
Patrick-1981-1984
Hummel-1984-1985
Admiral Sportswear-1986-1989
Spall Sports-1989-1992
Matchwinner-1992-1995
Le Coq Sportif-1995-1997
New Balance-1997-2000
Bergoni-2000-2005
Macron-2005-2008
Umbro-2008-present

32Red - Current sponsors

Sponsors:
Diversified Products (DP) -1984-1991
No Sponsor between 1991-1992
ACTION-1992-1993
Gulf Oil-1993-1996
South Wales Evening Post-1996-1997
Silver Shield-1997-1999
M&B Bikes-1999-2000
Stretchout-2000-2001
The Travel House-2001-2004
Re/Maxx-2004-2005
The Travel House-2005-2007
swansea.com-2007-2009
32RED.com-2009-present

Players

Current squad

As of 30 June 2010.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	NED	Dorus de Vries
2	DF	WAL	Ashley Williams
5	DF	ENG	Alan Tate (vice-captain)
6	MF	NED	Ferrie Bodde
8	MF	ENG	Darren Pratley
9	FW	SCO	Craig Beattie
10	MF	ESP	Andrea Orlandi
11	FW	NED	Cedric van der Gun
12	MF	ENG	Nathan Dyer
14	FW	SCO	Stephen Dobbie
15	MF	ESP	Jordi López
16	DF	ENG	Garry Monk (captain)
17	GK	WAL	David Cornell
18	FW	ESP	Gorka Pintado
20	MF	WAL	Shaun MacDonald
22	DF	ESP	Àngel Rangel
24	MF	WAL	Joe Allen

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
25	MF	WAL	Matthew Collins
26	DF	ESP	Albert Serrán
27	MF	ENG	Mark Gower
28	MF	IRL	Thomas Butler
29	MF	WAL	Ashley Richards
30	FW	WAL	Chad Bond
33	FW	WAL	Kerry Morgan
34	DF	WAL	Joe Walsh
36	FW	WAL	Casey Thomas
37	MF	WAL	Lee Lucas
38	DF	ENG	Jamie Grimes
42	FW	FIN	Shefki Kuqi
49	MF	WAL	David Cotterill
—	MF	ENG	Scott Donnelly
—	DF	WAL	Daniel Alfei
—	DF	WAL	Neil Taylor

Retired numbers

Main article: Retired numbers in association football

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
40	FW	AUT	Besian Idrizaj (posthumous honour)

Since 2010, Swansea City A.F.C. have not issued the squad number 40. It was retired in memory of Besian Idrizaj, who died in his sleep at home in Austria just after the completion of the 2009-2010 Championship season.

PFA Team of the Year

The following have been included in the PFA Team of the Year whilst playing for Swansea City :

• 2004 Lee Trundle (Third Division)
• 2006 Andy Robinson, Lee Trundle (League One)
• 2008 Jason Scotland, Andy Robinson, Ferrie Bodde, Garry Monk, Angel Rangel (League One)
• 2009 Jason Scotland, Jordi Gómez (Championship)
• 2010 Ashley Williams (Championship)

Football League 100 Legends

The Football League 100 Legends is a list of "100 legendary football players" produced by The Football League in 1998, to celebrate the 100th season of League football. Four former Swansea players made the list.

• Trevor Ford
• Ivor Allchurch
• Cliff Jones
• Tommy Smith

Welsh Sports Hall of Fame

The following have played for Swansea and have been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame :

Ivor Allchurch Ron Burgess Cliff Jones John Toshack

Notable former players

See also Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players

Current players in bold.

Players who died whilst playing for the club

• Besian Idrizaj

Players with over 200 Football League appearances for Swansea

Wilfred Milne 586 Roger Freestone 563 Herbie Williams 510 Robbie James 482 Ivor Allchurch 445 Harry Griffiths 421 Wyndham Evans 389 John King 370 Alan Curtis 364 Geoff Thomas 357 Brian Evans 355 Len Allchurch 347 Billy Hole 341 Harry Deacon 319

Joe Sykes 312 Sidney Lawrence 312 David Thomas 296 Leon Britton 295 Kristian O'Leary 281 Alex Ferguson 280 Jonathan Coates 278 Jimmy Collins 275 Colin Pascoe 270 Keith Walker 270 Mel Nurse 257 Nigel Stevenson 257 Jeremy Charles 247 Alan Tate 242

Mel Charles 233 Brian Hughes 231 Dudley Lewis 230 Reg Weston 229 Mark Harris 228 Michael Howard 228 David Hough 227 Dave Gwyther 216 Roy Evans 214 Joe Lloyd 211 Steve Watkin 206 Billy Lucas 205 Harry Hanford 201

List of club managers

See also Category:Swansea City A.F.C. managers

Name	Tenure Began	Tenure Ended	Total	Won	Lost	Drawn	Win %
Walter Whittaker	1 August 1912	31 May 1914	2	1	1	0	50.00%
No Manager	1 June 1915	31 July 1919
Joe Bradshaw	1 August 1919	1 May 1926	271	128	71	72	47.23%
No manager	2 May 1926	31 January 1927
James Thomson	1 February 1927	31 May 1931	193	63	84	46	32.64%
No manager	1 June 1931	30 June 1934
Neil Harris	1 July 1934	1 May 1939	218	71	98	49	32.57%
Haydn Green	1 May 1939	1 September 1947	50	13	28	9	26.00%
Billy McCandless	1 November 1947	1 July 1955	294	113	120	21	38.44%
Ron Burgess	1 July 1955	1 August 1958	129	50	57	22	38.76%
Trevor Morris	1 August 1958	31 May 1965	327	112	138	77	34.25%
Glyn Davies	1 June 1965	1 October 1966	57	16	26	15	28.07%
Billy Lucas	1 February 1967	1 March 1969	96	33	39	24	34.38%
Roy Bentley	1 August 1969	16 October 1972	153	56	52	45	36.60%
Harry Gregg	1 November 1972	1 January 1975	101	34	44	23	33.66%
Harry Griffiths	1 January 1975	29 October 1978	126	53	45	28	42.06%
Harry Griffiths	22 November 1975	1 February 1978	9	4	3	2	44.44%
John Toshack	1 February 1978	29 October 1983	250	104	87	59	41.60%
Doug Livermore	29 October 1983	21 December 1983	8	1	6	1	12.50%
John Toshack	21 December 1983	4 March 1984	11	2	6	3	18.18%
Colin Appleton	16 May 1984	6 December 1984	22	4	15	3	18.18%
John Bond	16 December 1984	20 December 1985	54	15	28	11	27.77%
Tommy Hutchison	21 December 1985	1 May 1986	23	6	10	7	26.09%
Terry Yorath	12 July 1986	2 February 1989	139	58	46	35	41.73%
Ian Evans	27 February 1989	13 March 1990	58	15	24	19	25.86%
Terry Yorath	15 March 1990	21 March 1991	51	15	26	10	29.41%
Frank Burrows	23 March 1991	31 July 1995	230	85	81	64	36.96%
Bobby Smith	1 August 1995	8 February 1996	49	12	23	14	24.49%
Kevin Cullis	8 February 1996	14 February 1996	2	0	2	0	00.00%
Jimmy Rimmer	14 February 1996	22 February 1996	2	0	1	1	00.00%
Jan Mølby	22 February 1996	8 October 1997	80	31	33	16	38.75%
Micky Adams	9 October 1997	22 October 1997	3	0	3	0	00.00%
Alan Cork	22 October 1997	30 June 1998	35	10	15	10	28.57%
John Hollins	1 July 1998	12 September 2001	170	63	60	47	37.06%
Colin Addison	13 September 2001	7 March 2002	35	11	16	8	31.43%
Nick Cusack	8 March 2002	19 September 2002	18	2	11	5	11.11%
Brian Flynn	19 September 2002	18 March 2004	82	28	32	22	34.15%
Alan Curtis	18 March 2004	5 April 2004	4	1	2	1	25.00%
Kenny Jackett	5 April 2004	15 February 2007	156	69	47	40	44.23%
Roberto Martínez	24 February 2007	15 June 2009	125	63	25	37	50.40%
Paulo Sousa	23 June 2009	4 July 2010	47	16	12	17	38.30%

Club officials

Boardroom

Position	Name
Chairman	Huw Jenkins
Vice Chairman	Leigh Dineen
Directors	David Morgan Brian Katzen Gwilym Joseph Martin Morgan Huw Cooze Steve Penny
Associate Directors	John van Zweden Will Morris

Management

Position	Name
Manager	Vacant
Assistant Manager	Vacant
Goalkeeping Coach	Adrian Tucker
First Team Coach	Colin Pascoe
Reserve Team Manager	Colin Pascoe
Chief Scout	David Leadbeater
Coach & Scout	Alan Curtis
Director of Youth Football	Tony Pennock
Physio	Richard Buchanan
Football Utilities Co-ordinator	Suzan Eames

External links

• Official website
• 32Red: 2009-10 Swans shirt sponsors