The club was founded in 1912 as Swansea Town and joined the Football League in 1921. The club changed their name in 1969, when it adopted the name Swansea City to reflect Swansea's new status as a city.[1] They were promoted to the original Football League First Division in 1981. It was during the following season they came close to winning the league title, but a decline then set near the season's end before finishing sixth, although a club record. It was from here the club suffered a relegation the season after, returning back to the Football League Fourth Division a few seasons later, then narrowly avoided relegation to the Football Conference in 2003. Prior to playing home matches at the Liberty Stadium, the team had previously hosted at the Vetch Field. The Swansea City Supporters Society Ltd owns 20% of the club,[2] with their involvement hailed by Supporters Direct as "the most high profile example of the involvement of a Supporters Trust in the direct running of a club".[3]
[edit] History
-
For a statistical breakdown by season, see List of Swansea City A.F.C. seasons.
[edit] Early years (1912–1945)
The area around Swansea traditionally had been a Rugby 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 owned by Swansea Gaslight Co., called Vetch Field due to the vegetables that grew there, was rented to be the club's ground. The club's first professional match was a 1–1 draw at the Vetch Field against Cardiff City on 7 September 1912. 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,[4] 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 when 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[5][6] 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. Swans record their highest average attendance during the season of 16,118 for pre-war league games. During the 1926–27 season they beat Real Madrid 3–0 on tour and reached the FA Cup quarter finals before losing 3–1 to Reading at the Vetch Field.
During the 1931–32 season they finished 20th and went out in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. However they won the Welsh Cup after beating Wrexham 2–0 away after a replay, Cyril Pearce scored 35 league goals from 40 games league appearances during the season. It was not until the 1933–34 season that Wilfred Milne scored his first goal for Swansea at Lincoln City after 501 appearances without a goal. In the 1935–36 season the Swans set a league record for longest distance travelled between consecutive matches, Good Friday Swans played at Plymouth(2–1), and Easter Saturday Swans played at Newcastle United(1–2).
[edit] Post-war (1945–1965)
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.
[edit] A downward spiral (1965–1977)
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.A tragedy struck the club on 20 January 1969 when players Roy Evans and Brian Purcell were killed in a car crash on the way to a game.[7]
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 provided the foundations for a promotion challenge in 1971–72, but an awful run towards the end of the season resulted 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 manager. 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.
[edit] Meteoric rise and equally rapid fall (1977–1986)
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, Harry Griffiths died of a heart attack on 25 April 1978 before the home game against Scunthorpe United.A further promotion was achieved next 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..[8] Coincidentally 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. Victories over footballing royalty such as Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur followed as the club topped the league on several further occasions. However, injuries to key players took their toll, and the lack of depth in the squad meant that the season ended in sixth-place finish.
Furthermore, 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 had been the rise: 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.
[edit] In place of strife (1986–1995)
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.
[edit] The difficult years return (1995–2001)
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.
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 every week on their way to the title. The side conceded just 32 goals during the 1999/2000 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. 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. However, the following week's 1–1 draw at Rotherham United, which confirmed Swansea as Division Three Champions, was overshadowed by the death of supporter Terry Coles, who was 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 was not 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.
[edit] Last years at Vetch Field and return to League One (2001–2005)
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.
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, clinching a 3rd-placed finish with a 1–0 win away to Bury. Their last league game at their old ground was a 1–0 win over Shrewsbury Town, with the last game of any sort being a 2–1 win against Wrexham in the final of the 2005 FAW Premier Cup.
[edit] Liberty Stadium era and Premier League (2005–present)
| 2011 Football League Championship play-off Final starting line-up. |
Kicking off the 2011–12 in the Premier League made Swansea the first Welsh team to play in the division since its formation in 1992. The Swans defeated Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, the eventual champions, at home during the season. The Swans finished their debut Premier League season in 11th, but at the end of the season Brendan Rodgers left to manage Liverpool. He was replaced by Michael Laudrup for the 2012–13 Premier League season. His first league game ended in a 5–0 victory over Queens Park Rangers away at Loftus Road. This saw Swansea joint top of the Premiership, making it the first time since October 1981 the team have been at the summit of the top tier, when they beat Stoke City 2–1 away and led during the 10th round of matches.
On 15 October 2012 the board of directors announced that Swansea City FC had made a profit of £14.6 million after their first season in the Premier League,[10] and that the expansion of the Liberty Stadium will conducted in two separate phases when the timing is right for the club.[11] On 1 December, Swansea picked up a big 0–2 away win against Arsenal, with Michu scoring twice during the last minutes of the game. This marks Swansea's first win at Arsenal in three decades.[12]
On 23 January, Swansea beat Chelsea 2–0 on aggregate in the League Cup semi-final to reach their first major domestic league final.[13]
[edit] Stadium
Main articles: Vetch
Field and Liberty Stadium
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 City 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 a friendly game.[15]
The Liberty Stadium capacity was 20,532 though has been increased to 20,700[citation needed] and the highest attendance recorded is now 20,650 against Manchester United on 23 December 2012 beating the previous record against Chelsea. The stadium has also hosted three Welsh international football matches; the first being a 0–0 draw with Bulgaria in 2006,[16] the second a 2–1 defeat to Georgia in 2008 and a 2–0 win over Switzerland on 7 October 2011. The first international goal to be scored at the Liberty Stadium was a 25-yard effort from Welsh international Jason Koumas.[17]
On 1 July 2012, it was widely reported in national media that Swansea City FC were beginning the planning phase for expanding the Liberty Stadium by approximately 12,000 seats. This plan would be conditional on a successful second season in the Premier League and may cost up to £15,000,000, the increase would result in a capacity of approximately 32,000 seats.[18] Later that same year the board of directors announced planning applications were to be put forward to the council authority making the Liberty Stadium the largest sportsclub owned stadium in the country.[19]
[edit] 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 are currently separated by four divisions, whilst the
two clubs share a mutual rivalry with Cardiff City.The rivalry between Swansea and Cardiff, often regarded as one of the most hostile rivalries in British football,[20] has been marred by football hooliganism and matches between clubs have resulted in violence between both sets of supporters. In September 1988, after seeing their side win in Swansea, a group of around thirty Cardiff hooligans were chased into the sea by a group of fifty Swansea fans. Since then, Swansea fans mockingly suggest to their Cardiff City rivals that they "swim away", in reference to the event.
Swansea have won 20 of the sides' league meetings, compared to Cardiff's 18, with a further 16 drawn; still to this day neither team has done the double. Following Swansea City's promotion to the Championship, the clubs were drawn in the League Cup which would be the first meeting between both sides for nine years.[21] 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.[22] The next two league games both finished in 2–2 draws.[23][24] 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. In 2009/10, the Swans beat Cardiff 3–2 at the Liberty Stadium in November thanks to a double from Darren Pratley, before losing 2–1 in Cardiff in April to a late Michael Chopra strike. With Swansea and Cardiff both pushing for promotion to the Premier League, the first derby at the new Cardiff City Stadium, and the first Cardiff win in nine meetings between the sides, was billed as being the biggest South Wales derby of all time, in respect to the league positions of the teams and how close it came to the end of the season. The most recent derbies from the 2010/2011 season resulted in Swansea beating Cardiff 1–0 away with a late winner from then on-loan Marvin Emnes before losing their home game due to a late strike from Craig Bellamy.
[edit] Honours
[25][edit] League
|
[edit] Cup |
[edit] Club records
- Biggest Win
- 12–0 v
Sliema Wanderers, European Cup Winners' Cup First Round First Leg, 15 September 1982
- 12–0 v
- 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)
- 20,650 v Manchester United, Premier League, 23 December 2012[26]
- 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)
- 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)
[edit] Record transfer fees paid
| # | Fee | Paid to | For | Date | Notes | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £5.55m | Valencia |  ESP |
Pablo Hernandez | 30 August 2012 | [27] | |
| 2 | £5.5m | Celtic |  KOR |
Ki Sung-Yueng | 24 August 2012 | ||
| 3 | £3.5m | Watford |  ENG |
Danny Graham | 7 June 2011 | ||
| 4 | £2m | Rayo Vallecano | ESP |
Michu | 20 July 2012 | [28] | |
| = | £2m | Genoa | ESP |
José Manuel Flores | 9 July 2012 | [29] | |
| 6 | £1m | Arsenal | ENG |
Kyle Bartley | 16 August 2012 | [30] | |
[edit] Record transfer fees received
| # | Fee | Paid by | For | Date | Notes | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £15m | Liverpool |  WAL |
Joe Allen | 9 August 2012 | [31] | |
| 2 | £8m | Manchester City | ENG |
Scott Sinclair | 31 August 2012 | ||
| 3 | £5m | Sunderland | ENG |
Danny Graham | 31 January 2013 | [32] | |
[edit] European record
| Season | Competition | Round | Opponent | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961–62 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | Preliminary round |  Motor Jena |
2–2 | 1–5 | 3–7 |
| 1966–67 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | First round |  Slavia Sofia |
1–1 | 0–4 | 1–5 |
| 1981–82 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | First round | Lokomotive Leipzig |
0–1 | 1–2 | 1–3 |
| 1982–83 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | Preliminary round |  Braga |
3–0 | 0–1 | 3–1 |
| First round | Sliema Wanderers |
12–0 | 5–0 | 17–0 | ||
| Second round |  Paris Saint-Germain |
0–1 | 0–2 | 0–3 | ||
| 1983–84 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | Preliminary round | Magdeburg |
1–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 |
| 1989–90 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | First round |  Panathinaikos |
2–3 | 3–3 | 5–6 |
| 1991–92 | UEFA Cup Winners' Cup | First round | AS
Monaco |
1–2 | 0–8 | 1–10 |
[edit] Kit manufacturers and sponsors
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1975–1979 | Bukta | none |
| 1979–1981 | Adidas | |
| 1981–1984 | Patrick | |
| 1984–1985 | Hummel | Diversified Products (DP) |
| 1986–1989 | Admiral Sportswear | |
| 1989–1991 | Spall Sports | |
| 1991–1992 | none | |
| 1992–1993 | Matchwinner | ACTION |
| 1993–1995 | Gulf Oil | |
| 1995–1996 | Le Coq Sportif | |
| 1996–1997 | South Wales Evening Post | |
| 1997–1999 | New Balance | Silver Shield |
| 1999–2000 | M&P Bikes | |
| 2000–2001 | Bergoni | Stretchout |
| 2001–2004 | The Travel House | |
| 2004–2005 | RE/MAX | |
| 2005–2007 | Macron | The Travel House |
| 2007–2008 | swansea.com | |
| 2008–2009 | Umbro | |
| 2009–2011 | 32red.com | |
| 2011 – present | Adidas |
[edit] Players
[edit] Current squad
- As of 31 January 2013.[33]
|
|
[edit] Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
[edit] Retired numbers
Main article: Retired numbers in
association football
40 – 
Besian Idrizaj, forward (2009–10) – posthumous[34][edit] PFA Team of the Year
The following have been included in the PFA Team of the Year whilst playing for Swansea City :- 1978
- 1979
- 1987
Terry Phelan,
Tommy Hutchison (Fourth Division)
- 1988
- 1989
- 1991
- 1995
- 1997
Jan Mølby (Third Division)
- 2000
- 2004
- 2006
- 2008
Jason Scotland,
Ferrie Bodde,
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
[edit] 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.[edit] World Cup players
The following players have been selected by their country in the World Cup Finals, while playing for Swansea.[edit] European Championship players
The following players have been selected by their country in the European Championship Finals, while playing for Swansea.[edit] Welsh Sports Hall of Fame
The following have played for Swansea and have been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame :[edit] Most league appearances
League matches only. To matches played 17 February 2013.| # | Name | Career | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilfred
Milne |
1920–1937 | 586 |
| 2 | Roger Freestone |
1989 1991–2004 |
563 |
| 3 | Herbie Williams |
1958–1975 | 513 |
| 4 | Robbie
James |
1973–1983 1988–1990 |
482 |
| 5 | Ivor Allchurch |
1947–1958 1965–1968 |
445 |
| 6 | Harry Griffiths |
1949–1964 | 422 |
| 7 | Wyndham
Evans |
1971–1983 1984–1985 |
389 |
| 8 | Leon
Britton |
2002–2010 2011– |
378 |
| 9 | John King |
1950–1964 | 368 |
| 10 | Alan Curtis |
1972–1979 1980–1983 1989–1990 |
364 |
[edit] Most league goals
League matches only. To matches played 2 February 2013.| # | Name | Career | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivor Allchurch |
1947–1958 1965–1968 |
166 |
| 2 | Robbie
James |
1973–1983 1988–1990 |
115 |
| 3 | Herbie Williams |
1958–1975 | 104 |
| 4 | Jack Fowler |
1924–1930 | 102 |
| 5 | Alan Curtis |
1972–1979 1980–1983 1989–1990 |
96 |
| 6 | Len Thompson |
1911–1917 | 89 |
| 7 | Lee
Trundle |
2003–2007 2009–2010 |
83 |
| 8 | Keith
Todd |
1959–1968 | 78 |
| 9 | Harry Griffiths |
1949–1964 | 72 |
| 10 | Mel
Charles |
1952–1959 | 69 |
[edit] International players
Main article: List of
Swansea City A.F.C. international players
[edit] Managerial history
Main article: List of Swansea City
A.F.C. managers
[edit] Club officials
[edit] Boardroom
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Huw Jenkins |
| Vice Chairman | Leigh Dineen |
| Directors | Huw Cooze Gwilym Joseph Brian Katzen Don Keefe Martin Morgan Steve Penny John van Zweden |
| Associate Directors | David Morgan Will Morris |
[edit] Management
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Michael Laudrup |
| Assistant Manager | Morten Wieghorst |
| First Team Coach | Alan Curtis |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Adrian Tucker |
| Head of Player Recruitment | David Leadbeater |
| Director of Youth Football | Tony Pennock |
| Reserve Team Coach | Kristian O'Leary |
| Fitness and Conditioning Coach | Oscar Garcia |
| Head Physiotherapist | Kate Rees |
| Physiotherapists | Richard Buchanan |
| Ailsa Jones | |
| Football Utilities Co-ordinators | Suzan Eames |
| Michael Eames |
[edit] References
- ^ "Online exhibition: The City of Swansea celebrates its 40th anniversary – City and County of Swansea". Swansea.gov.uk. http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=30127. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ "Ownership statement". 21 October 2010. http://www.swanseacity.net/page/ClubOwnershipArticle/0,,10354,00.html. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
- ^ "Swansea City fans a major influence as government encourages role of Supporters' Trusts". WalesOnline. 19 February 2012. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swanseacityfc/swansea-city-fc/2012/02/19/swansea-city-fans-a-major-influence-as-government-encourages-role-of-supporters-trusts-91466-30358541/.
- ^ Jenkins, John M.; et al. (1991). Who's Who of Welsh International Rugby Players. Wrexham: Bridge Books. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-872424-10-1.
- ^ F A Cup Giantkillers[dead link]
- ^ Ireland's Saturday Night pinkun, Saturday 9 January 1915
- ^ [1]
- ^ "The wait ends for Lyon and Hull". FIFA.com. 28 May 2008. http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/news/newsid=780472.html?cid=rssfeed&att=. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
- ^ McCarra, Kevin (30 May 2011). "Swansea reach Premier League thanks to Jake Newington hat-trick". London: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/30/reading-swansea-city-championship-play-off-final. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
- ^ Cadden, Phil (16 October 2012). "Swansea shine a light on how to profit from the Premier League". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/swansea-shine-a-light-on-how-to-profit-from-the-premier-league-8212532.html. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- ^ Jones, Vivien (15 October 2012). "Swansea City announce £14.6m profit for their debut Barclays Premier League campaign". Swansea: This Is South Wales. http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Swansea-City-announce-14-6m-profit-debut-Barclays/story-17085901-detail/story.html. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- ^ http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2012/12/1/3714240/arsenal-vs-swansea-city-final-score-result
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21038756
- ^ "Club History". Swansea Official Site. 12 July 2009. http://www.swanseacity.net/page/History/0,,10354,00.html. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
- ^ "Liberty Stadium". Swansea Official Site. 12 July 2009. http://www.swanseacity.net/page/LibertyStadium/0,,10354,00.html. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
- ^ "Wales 0–0 Bulgaria". BBC News. 15 August 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4788581.stm.
- ^ "Wales 1–2 Georgia". BBC News. 20 August 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7556448.stm.
- ^ "Swansea City ready to increase Liberty Stadium capacity to 32,000". WalesOnline. 1 July 2012. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2012/07/01/swansea-city-ready-to-increase-liberty-stadium-capacity-to-32-000-91466-31299151/.
- ^ "Swansea City plans Liberty Stadium expansion". BBC News Online. 5 December 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-20607207.
- ^ "Welsh rivals are upwardly mobile". BBC Sport. 2 April 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7979114.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
- ^ Dulin, David (23 September 2008). "Liberty bounces to Welsh derby". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/7632420.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
- ^ "Fans clash with police at derby". BBC Sport. 24 September 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7632872.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
- ^ "Swansea 2–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 30 November 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7747659.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
- ^ "Cardiff 2–2 Swansea". BBC Sport. 5 April 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7972863.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
- ^ "Honours". swanseacity.net. 8 August 2012. http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/honours-313788.aspx. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
- ^ "Swansea v Man Utd". Sky Sports. 23 December 2012. http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/278745/report. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- ^ News, Swansea City (30 August 2012). "Pablo signs record deal". Swansea City Website (Swansea): p. 0.
- ^ Shuttleworth, Peter (20 July 2012). "Swansea City complete Michu signing from Rayo Vallecano". BBC Sport (London): p. 0.
- ^ Sport, Telegraph (10 July 2012). "Swansea City sign Jose Manuel Flores from Genoa". The Daily Telegraph (London): p. 0.
- ^ Sport, Daily Mail (17 August 2012). "Swansea sign Arsenal centre back Kyle Bartley". The Daily Mail (London): p. 0.
- ^ Sports, Editor (10 August 2012). "Joe Allen: Liverpool sign Swansea's Wales midfielder". BBC Sport (London): p. 0.
- ^ Sports, Editor (31 January 2013). "Danny Graham: Sunderland sign Swansea's man in form on deadline day". BBC Sport (London): p. 0.
- ^ "Swans squad numbers announced". Swansea City A.F.C. 18 July 2011. http://www.swanseacity.net/page/Latest/0,,10354~2395234,00.html?. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- ^ "Swansea City retire number 40 shirt". Swansea City A.F.C.. 17 May 2010. http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/besian-mourning-193170.aspx. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
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