JASON PRICE

SWANSEA CITY FACTFILE

Born : 12.4.77 Signed : 1995 / 96 from Aberaman

Family still live in Aberaman, and has two brothers, Leighton who is 22 and Garrod who is 17.

So, Jason you have decided to leave the club ? :

Yes, and it's been a hard decision to make, I have been at Swansea for six years or so, and the majority of people there have been very good to me. But I need to further my career away from Swansea, I wasn't going forward, no disrespect to anyone, but that's a simple fact.

Anyone out there interested in you ? :

Not at the moment but it's early days, a lot of clubs haven't finished playing yet, so I expect things to happen in a few weeks time, I am in no hurry. I have an agent based in the Midlands, so he will keep me informed.

Where would you like to play ? :

Liverpool or Arsenal ( laughs ) Anywhere in the first division would be fine, that's where Ive set my sights, and probably in the midlands somewhere, Ive got to get to that standard to test myself properly.

The FAW Premier Cup final against Wrexham will be your last game then ? :

Yes, hopefully if John Hollins picks me that is, I expect he will as there isn't too many of us left ( laughs again ) I just want to play and say my farewells to those that go to the game, I know it won't be many but those there will see a good Jason Price display, hopefully.

How have you got on with John Hollins ? : Yeah, no problem.

And the training which has been put in focus by other players, how is that ? :

It's okay yeah, it's probably different to a lot of clubs, but yeah it's okay, no problems.

Any real high points ? :

I think Rotherham last season was the best day as a player, winning the title was a big surprise, but what a great day that was seeing all the Swansea fans there enjoying themselves, I thought they were great, and of course I won the penalty that won the point.

So you didn't dive then ? : No, he pulled me back, I went down because he brought me down.

I was hoping you would go down, we needed that to settle the nerves ? : Yeah, it was a frantic game, but it sort of explained the whole season that game. We were no way the best side in the division, but team spirit won the title, we would go one goal up and purposely defend it. It was the only way we could win games, that team spirit is going to be hard to beat at any club I think.

But of course a lot of those players, the backbone of that side have left, or released, told to go, players like you, Martin Thomas, Steve Jones, Julian Alsop etc ... ? :

Yeah, Swansea could do with them next season, but it will be interesting to see how they get on without us, it is going to be hard, we only have one recognised striker in Steve Watkin that I can see staying. So I would expect some players in this time.

You think John Hollins has to buy players then ? : Has he got any choice ? He has to, if they want to go anywhere. It's no easy league, harder at times than the second.

What's it been like at Swansea coming from a fairly staunch Cardiff supporting area ? : Well, I used to live at the top of the valley, and I moved to the bottom of the valley, so I knew a lot of people. I never had much trouble, the support for Cardiff in that area is big, but Swansea have a lot of supporters up that way too. You would get the big lads, like tattoo's on their necks, Bluebirds and all that, but they knew me, and I had no problems. They get on well too, I know a few Swansea boys from that way who are good mates with Cardiff fans. That's the way it really should be.

Your hoping ? : I know there is no love lost, but the real fans of both clubs are decent, like you boys, no problem.

How do you deal with stick off the fans ? : Well, for me it makes me stronger, if you can put up with some of the things that are said you will become a better player. I gave a few goals away against Peterborough, and got some real stick. But I was doing my best, I didn't want it to happen, it's like every time you play you do your best. Some days you have a bad day at work, and that's the way it is. But I have never given less than 100 % for Swansea City, the club means a lot to me.

But of course you could be a Cardiff City player ? :

Not as far as I have heard, but they do have ambition, that's why I'm leaving Swansea to forward my career, ambition and the chance to play at a higher level. They have ambitions to play in The Premiership, that has to be my goal too. But I have had no contact with them.

Would you talk to them as an ex Swansea player ? : I've already said, Ive no problems with Cardiff, remember it's near to where I was brought up, but I have my sights and goals set in England, in the midlands.

Frank Burrows is there, in the midlands at West Brom, of course he signed you ? : Yes, he is but they have the play off's on their minds, I never got to know him that well, he was only there a few months and was sacked because the team were fighting relegation.

Yes, a novel idea, sacking the manager when the team is going to be relegated ? : Er, next question.

I always saw you in the club shop, you were close to Myra and Marlene ? : They were great to me, I went to Swansea with Lee Jones, and we had to spend the day there so I would go in to the club shop and chat to them for hours, both of them made me very welcome at the club, they made it easy for me, I was very young. When Marlene died I was devastated, they did so much for me. God, I was sad when Marlene died.

Who else has made it easy for you at the club being so young ? : Ah, Curt ( Alan Curtis ) has been brilliant, he has Swansea at heart, it's been frustrating for him, but he is a really good coach with lots of good ideas, and he has Swansea at heart, I have no doubts about that. He would make a sound manager someday.

So that's it, the FAW Premier Cup and it's goodbye ? : Yes, it will be weird, but I am determined to sign off on a high. I just want to thank my friends, girlfriend and family, those supporters who have been good to me, and the players who have become close to me over the years.

And that's it folks, another Swansea player leaves the club. The list is ever growing and for some like Jason Price the thread is ambition, You can't blame him, he needs to test himself at a higher level, and clearly that level is not the third division. Jason would not be drawn on the Ninth Floor sale or the manager to any great extent, it's not his forte' that side of things.

Personally he has been a favourite of mine, and he has shown glimpses of real class at times. He will need to become more than a one in three game player to succeed, but he has a good ten years in the game ahead of him and he should use those years wisely. If he did go to Cardiff City you wouldn't blame him, they talk a good game at Ninian Park, and have the finances to show the talk may come to fruition. He has the world at his feet and like many may feel a bit cheated at the relegation of this season, but then again the players have to take some of the blame, or so we are told.

Wherever he plays I wish him well, he played his heart out for Swansea in the face of extreme abuse from a few fans at times, and for that alone he deserves the best. Jason Price, add him to the list, and wonder next season ( after a summer of predicted inactivity ) just what he could offer us when you see the midfield line up in August. Our loss will be more than his, and nobody will argue with that. Not even .......

Jason Price was talking to Keith Haynes exclusively for Jackarmy.net & Jackplug magazine.

Falling On Deaf Ears | RogerFreestone.Com| League Table