Swans Shirt For The British Ambassador

THE BRITISH Ambassador to the UN will receive a special gift from Swansea in New York next week.

Sir Emyr Jones Parry is set to receive a Swans football shirt from Swansea City Football Club and Swansea Council.

The shirt will be delivered to the life-long Swans fan by Assembly Minister for Economic Development Andrew Davies.

Sir Parry, the UK's Ambassador to the UN, is originally from Ammanford, and will be meeting Mr Davies during a weekend of St David's day celebrations in the Big Apple.

Swans star scorer Lee Trundle, coach Brian Flynn, Chairman Huw Jenkins and Mascot Cyril the Swan, joined Swansea Council Leader Lawrence Bailey at the Vetch Field to pass the team shirt on to New York-bound Mr Davies.

Chairman of Swansea City Football Club, Huw Jenkins said, "Swansea City Football Club are pleased to work in conjunction with Swansea Council and The Assembly in pushing the name of Swansea forward. With everything that has happened over the last year things are on the way up and we are moving Swansea ahead with full steam and making the city more prominent.

"It is marvellous that someone of such a high profile puts his support into Swansea City and we as a team are proud to donate him our club jersey"

Mr Davies said, "The Welsh Dragon is set to take a big bite out of the Big Apple as our celebration of St David's Day extends to New York with a weekend of Welsh-themed events.

"During my visit I wanted to give Sir Emyr a gift that would remind him of home and I know he is a big Swansea City fan.

"Sir Emyr is a wonderful ambassador for Wales. The weekend will help raise the profile of Wales and will provide more opportunities for Welsh businesses to access the massive US markets."

Mr Davies is leaving for New York on 25th February and said St David's Day is set to be a big event in the American city.

He said, "There will be plenty of things happening to promote Wales with the Empire State Building being lit up in the Welsh colours of red, green and white.

"Welsh cheese and food-tasting events will also be taking place across Manhattan and selected bars and cocktail lounges around Manhattan will be offering the latest New York cocktail - the Welsh Dragon."

Leader of Swansea Council, Lawrence Bailey said, "A couple of months ago I met a couple of Swans supporting exiles in San Diego in California. This just goes to prove that support for Swansea City in the US runs from coast to coast."

Flynn, Daps, The Bird and Some Bloke in Glasses

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?