Danny Wilson had been sacked as Bristol City manager and club stalwart Brian Tinnion had taken up the reigns to try and sort out the mess that was currently happening at Ashton Gate. And to be honest it wasn’t the worst of managerial journeys. The robins were always in the higher echelons of league one but Tinnion always seemed to be up against the clubs expectancy they would return to the championship.
For context this was the season Southend United ran away with the title, how things have changed ?
The shrimpers only real contenders were Colchester United who finished second. Harry Redknapp had walked out at Southampton because he wanted to go to Portsmouth, Northern Ireland beat England at Windsor Park and Sven-Göran Eriksson was the manager. For real context it was the season Charlton Athletic were contenders for the Premier League top four, at one point in the top two with Chelsea. Remember when Sir Clive Woodward took over from Harry as director of football at the saints ? Yes, that season.
The swans had assembled a workmanlike but attractive side under and eventually went down in the play off final to Barnsley at the Millennium stadium, 4-3 on penalties in front of 36,000 of the jack army. That same season the swans won the football league trophy ( you know the one where Lee Trundle & Cardiff favourite Alan Tate had a certain picture on a flag ) However one game will stand out from that season on Saturday 10th September of 2005. With a side that included Lee Trundle, Andy Robinson, Kevin Austin, Roberto Martinez, Leon Britton and Adebayo Akinfenwa there were times during that season under Kenny Jackett’s guidance it really looked like the championship was achievable. Even surrounding the ‘release’ as it is best described of Ijah Anderson the swans looked good value all round. The Liberty stadium was also in its inaugural season.
The squad for that term is listed below.
Had the signings of Darren Way and Rory Fallon paid off more positively surely that squad would have hit the automatic spots ?
You can watch the game here –> Swans smash the Robins
Really on reflection the game ending 7-1 wasn’t on the cards at half time with the swans leading 1-0 through a goal by Kevin McLeod right on half time. The BBC saw the game like this.
A hat-trick from Kevin McLeod as Swansea ripped Bristol City to pieces during a fine second-half display. McLeod curled in his first just before half-time and Adebayo Akinfenwa's cross-shot made it 2-0 after the break. Lee Trundle notched from the spot after Jamie Smith fouled Roberto Martinez and McLeod and Trundle struck again. Leon Britton burst through for a sixth, David Cotterill pulled one back before McLeod's third but the Swans had Kevin Austin dismissed for two yellow cards.
Those who recall this game will also remember Izzy Iriekpen scoring a perfectly good goal which was ruled out by the referee which would have made it eight. To be honest the second half presented the swans with enough chances to score another ten. Brian Tinnion now works at Bristol City with the clubs academy, that picture of him sat alone on the bench at the Liberty that day tells it all. Kenny Jackett has recently indicated he has retired from football management.
Here are the teams that day.
Swansea City: Gueret, Ricketts (Anderson 73), Austin, Iriekpen, Tate, Martinez, Britton (Robinson 77), McLeod, Bean, Akinfenwa (Connor 76), Trundle. Subs Not Used: Murphy, Goodfellow.
Sent Off: Austin (90).
Booked: 🟨 Bean, Britton, Austin 🟥
Goals: McLeod 45, Akinfenwa 50, Trundle 58 pen, McLeod 69, Trundle 71, Britton 75, McLeod 87.
Bristol City: Phillips, Jamie Smith, Carey (Murray 54), Fortune, Keogh, Orr (Wilkshire 65), Golbourne, Gillespie (Stewart 54), Brown, Bridges, Cotterill. Subs Not Used: Grant Smith, Skuse.
Booked: 🟨 Keogh, Carey, Fortune, Jamie Smith, Brown.
Goals: Cotterill 81.
Att: 13,662
Ref: T Bates (Staffordshire).