It’s long been a point of discussion, especially amongst Cardiff City fans who continually reinstate the mantra they are Wales biggest football club. ‘Biggest is best’ is often the byline in the blue quarter of Wales.
That does apply to their stadium in Leckwith, a genuinely decent venue that see’s its biggest attendances when Wales play international games there. Reliant on the rest of Wales attending to fill those often unused spaces seen at Cardiff’s league games. So who is the best supported, most followed and cherished football club in Wales ? Decathlon, the international sports retailer with 2080 stores in 56 countries, accepted as the biggest industrial contributor to sports goods worldwide did a measured survey, and the answer is of course Swansea City. It found that the Swans were Welsh football's most popular club, boasting 2.8 million followers. Cardiff were second with 1.1 million, while Newport County had 197,000 followers.
Based on all social media platforms the swans are clearly ahead by 1.7 million followers over Cardiff City, something which reinforces the clubs status commercially and in its global popularity. Of course not only within the United Kingdom but worldwide. Decathlon were quick to point out the passion within the game in Wales, and were pleased to announce their results today.
However, there are reasons for this, the swans are the most celebrated and successful club side in Wales on the pitch this century too. Winning a play off final to secure seven seasons of Premier League football in recent times is one reason. The other is clearly the success the club has continued with a stream of globally acknowledged football managers including Brendan Rodgers, Paulo Sousa and Roberto Martinez. The latter two are now international managers, Sousa in Poland and Martinez who has lifted Belgium to the most successful international side in the world. We will leave 1986 world cup goal of the tournament, and ex Juve, Barca and Real Madrid player Michael Laudrup to one side, but his appointment saw a huge worldwide surge in the swans popularity. The last two swans managers Graeme Potter and Steve Cooper have received plenty of plaudits having been plucked from relative obscurity by a strategy of keen and carefully planned appointments. Unfortunately Cardiff City find themselves years behind in not only their off the field planning but also in their academy production line in the new century.
Cardiff’s two seasons in the premier league saw them relegated twice winning only seventeen games out of seventy six, a miserable return. Swansea City on the other hand have played two hundred and sixty six Premier League games winning eighty two of those games. This alone will bring more popularity worldwide and amongst the younger generation in Wales. Following a successful premier league side will always appeal to the younger generation, it goes without saying. This will qualify the fact that amongst once ‘alleged’ Cardiff strongholds a much younger and bigger swans following is now obvious. The swans can also brag double the subscriptions to their worldwide Swans TV channel than Cardiff City.
Of course a major trophy win elevated Swansea City in to the minds of many with their incredible Michael Laudrup team smashing Bradford City in the final 5-0. Much of the responses to this win were ‘It’s only Bradford City’ however the swans beat Chelsea in the semi final over two legs and gave Liverpool a masterclass at Anfield with a second string side winning 3-1. In the 2008 FA Cup Cardiff beat Chasetown, Hereford, Wolves, Barnsley and only played one side from the premier league, struggling Middlesbrough. When they did face an in form premier league side in Portsmouth they were beaten in the final. Again the same occurred in 2012 when they only played one premier league side on their way to losing the League Cup final against Liverpool. People will always weigh up their options when the choices are failure or victory. It’s natural.
Beyond doubt, even a reasonable one
The swans have fielded many players in the World Cup and full internationals, Argentinian, Dutch and Spanish to name a few. Michu, Hernandez, Llorente are still fondly remembered in the white shirt of Swansea in Spain. Jon Jo Shelvey also gained an England cap whilst a swans player. Not least the European journey the swans went on beating Malmo and Valencia amongst numerous others. Only falling short in an exceptionally questionable tie against Napoli after qualifying through their group.
We could go on, it’s pointless, from massive transfer fees for players like Wilfried Bony, Gylfi Sigurdsson, and indeed Llorente, the company the swans have kept this century leaves them with nearly two million more followers than their near neighbours. Not withstanding Cardiff City have only beaten the swans on seven occasions in the last forty meetings. It’s undeniable, and now it’s a fact, however much it hurts, that’s the reality. Swansea City are the best followed and biggest club the country has ever produced. The facts are there and we haven’t even spoken about a top eight finish in the premier league.
Probably for now, enough is enough.