In The Programme - Wrexham
In The Programme - Wrexham |
THE JACKS ARE GOING UP! Now we can say it, now it's official. Promotion was sealed on a glorious afternoon in Bury in front of 5,000 of our own. I have to say it was one of the most nervous 90 minutes I have sat through as a Swans fan but worth it in the end. We were promised promotion and Kenny and the boys have delivered for us. Full credit must go to all involved with Swansea City who have taken us from the foot of the football league to League One within a period of little over two years. It wasn't a great game to watch at Bury but it was a game that we wanted to win and if we can show the same kind of passion next season then there is no reason why we cannot be in the upper reaches of the division and who knows maybe a move like Hull City have made? There will be new additions in the summer but with a new stadium and expected increased crowds then there should be a good budget available to Kenny which can only be good news for us as Swans fans. I watched on in disbelief though at the actions of a certain Greater Manchester Police officer on Saturday afternoon as he led Willy away from the celebrations in handcuffs. All week we had the force telling us not to cause trouble and yet as soon as the Swans fans and players start to celebrate reaching their season goal they storm in mob handed on our own players. If ever there was a recipe for disaster then this was it and reports of batons being wielded at all and sundry after the game back that up. GMP can look at it all they like but these were incidents of their own making and whilst I would never condone trouble at a football match, sometime it just calls for level headed policing. I understand that the club will issue a formal complaint to the police for the way the situation was handled and rightly so. 46 games go into a football season and when you have reached the goal you set yourself then you should be expected to celebrate. It comes in every other form of sporting life so why not at Bury? As a club they accommodated us brilliantly on the day and made the most of the travelling numbers and the money that they spent but this one incident just marred the day slightly because one person wanted to make a name for himself. Still, with this FAW Final we have the chance to celebrate on our own ground with our own players and acknowledge what they have achieved this season. Of course, this is now officially the last match that the club will play at the Vetch and I am sure that into the bargain Kenny will have one eye on the £100,000 kitty to help his strengthening this summer. We of course have never won this trophy while Wrexham nearly always have it in their cabinet but they've had the LDV, we've had promotion so who will walk away with the silver ware tonight? Whatever happens, take one last look though around the ground and what you see as next season we will open in League One in our much better surroundings. Maybe to an extent it is somewhat appropriate that we close with Welsh visitors considering that was the way we opened all them years ago. It's not possible to welcome the Wrexham fans to the Vetch without wishing them well for the summer and hopefully beyond. Wales needs it's three football clubs in the league and I hope and pray that their problems are sorted in the summer and I am sure that any Wrexham fan will accept League Two football compared to the alternative. They made a tremendous fight of it this season considering what they were handicapped by and I sincerely hope that they bounce back. And that from me is it for another season. A season that started with so much optimism back in August - optimism that was finally rewarded last Saturday with promotion. Trips to Nottingham Forest and possibly Sheffield Wednesday follow next season as we look forward to getting behind Kenny and the lads in League One. It's been another great season. To Jacks and Jackesses everywhere - have a great summer and see you next season at WHITE ROCK STADIUM!! Who are we? Phil Sumbler You can keep updated on the views of the fans by visiting www.jackarmy.net - Supporting the Swans, All Day, Every Day. What to read next:Swansea City have been talking to clubs over the past weeks who have expressed an interest in several players, one we are told is Nathan Wood with Southampton rumoured to be interested. Wood is now on the last year of his contract having had it extended prior to the end of last season. On the day the European Championships start in Germany with the hosts taking on Scotland tonight Swansea City enter into their biggest window for years. But why ? Nathan Wood is one player the Swans are keen to sort out this month, especially when it could assist the club with its yearly profit & sustainability (P&S) declarations. it’s nothing to do with improvement or moving players into or out of the squad, it’s about money. Plain and simple. Swansea City have been connected to Macauley Langstaff and Adama Sidibeh in recent times, and today we can announce as yet no offers have been made for either player, and in St Johnstone’s case there has been absolutely no interest at all. Wales fielded a changed side to the picks manager Rob Page made against Gibraltar a few days ago. Notably Swansea City’s Liam Cullen starting on the bench. The Swans had Ben Cabango in the starting line up for the second time in this weeks training camp and friendly matches. Charlie Crew looked delighted to be on the bench. He’s a very new name in Scottish football,but the St Johnstone player has allegedly emerged as a target for the Swans this summer. The player who is now twenty five was snapped up from non league Warrington Rylands in January by the Saints and is beginning to enjoy life in Perth. Blackburn Rovers forward Sam Gallagher is a certainty to leave the club this summer if the words of ex England international, Carlton Palmer are to be believed. In what we believe is a bizarre connection of Gallagher to the Swans we now hear an estimated value for the player. It has been mentioned by another outlet that Sam Gallagher currently contracted to Blackburn Rovers in League One is a target for the Swans. We’ve done some research and put a huge red marker on the player due to his long list of injuries Alfie Gilchrist is being openly touted by Chelsea for a loan move this summer in to the Championship with other League One clubs interested. The right sided centre back come right back has already enjoyed a good season in the Chelsea first team, and now the Blues believe his development for one season needs to be elsewhere. The Islington born centre back has eligibility through his mother to play for Scotland and his career hasn’t seen a level above league one, however this past campaign he has drawn interest from a few Championship clubs. |