Few people would have predicted back in 2002 when Leon Britton arrived at the club that he would still be there almost 15 years later but that will now prove to be the case after the club confirmed that he had signed a new one year extension to his current deal.

Britts had just turned 20 when Brian Flynn signed him as part of the side that eventually successfully fought off relegation from the Football League and since then the midfielder has played for the club in all four divisions becoming an instrumental part of their rise from bottom to top with a major trophy to boot in the middle of that.

Had it not been for a 5 month spell at Sheffield United back in 2010/11, it would be uninterrupted service for Britton who has now amassed over 450 appearances for the Swans and appeared for them over 400 times in the league.

By the time his three year contract ends then he will be right up there in there amongst the highest league appearances for the club although when someone is sat in 7th place already then he already holds that particular accolade. It may take another extension to go past the mark of Wilfried Milne (586 league appearances) but he definitely has in his immediate sights Harry Griffiths (422) and Ivor Allchurch (445) which would take him into the Top 5.

All of that from a man who made his debut for the club on 14 December 2002 against Exeter - a game that (as they did many that season) the Swans lost. His first goal came nine months later - on his 21st birthday - as he netted against Macclesfield at the Vetch although it is fair to say that goals have never been his forte with just 17 scored in his time at the club with none in the past 3 seasons although he laid claim to a late equaliser at Arsenal last season.

However, goals are not what Leon is about and he has been a firm crowd favourite since his first arrival at the club and there is much that he does that epitomises Swansea City. Not just through his passion for the game and his desire to always get to the ball but as a stark reminder of exactly where the Swans came from. He was the subject of 'Battle for Britton' which was a trust initiative to raise money to bring him back to the club and pay his wages. The fans dug deep and Leon was at the club although I suspect that the terms of this deal would mean that a few more £ would need to be raised to pay his wages now compared to what he earned back in 2003.

It was a scheme that Leon himself backed at the time saying "There is an air of optimism in the dressing room and the players are determined to do their best to get this club to the top. The supporters' trust evidently plays an important part in the club, not only raising funds but also uniting supporters, so the scheme is well worth supporting. The supporters at this club are phenomenal and I sincerely hope that they sign up for this scheme in droves"

Just words I suspect at the time but when you look back now and realise that a move from bottom to top has happened that moment is just another step in time towards where the Swans were and where they have now got to.

And to Leon's words today on signing his contract extension “I’m happy the club still feels I’m able to compete and do well at this level at my age. It’s a big thing for them to have given me this extension and I want to repay the faith the board and manager has shown in me.

“Hopefully I can carry on beyond my 34th birthday, but that’s something we’ll cross when we come to it.”

And nobody would rule that out at this point in time.

Photo: Action Images

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