The Swans now turn their attention to Cardiff City’s main rivals Bristol City on Sunday (KO 12:30pm) A few people have asked why they look at the Robins as some sort of rival. Well, the simple answer is your real rivals were winning major trophies, beating some of the better sides in the Europa League and in the premier league for seven years, the answer is clear.
You weren’t good enough to be any rival of Swansea City.
Of course with the derby game against Cardiff the weekend after this we have plenty of time to rip in to their appalling record against the Swans and of course remind them that Wales premier football side were the first to do the double in the history of both clubs existence. Oh, and just for good measure smashed them twice again the season after. Yes, we will have a bit of fun citing all the reasons why that lame lot are second best.
Another rivalry is of course Bristol City, more so than the Gas (Bristol Rovers) a more working class club with proper supporters. Like Cardiff they have to make up their own rivalries, it really is quite sad. So, Sunday brings an away game at Ashton Gate, a big Swans support, sadly limited due to a few seasons of crowd trouble. It’s a big game for them all the same. The kick off this weekend not put back for TV, just for the fact of issues externally to the game.
From the editor : The history of this fixture for me started in 1980, an away day on a football special from Swansea which was an experience in itself back then. It was the promotion season to the top flight and the Swans would flirt with going up before securing a 3-1 win at Deepdale, Preston on the last game of the season. Being marched through the streets of Bristol whilst our escort was subtly followed by home supporters was all a part of the experience. It was an intense fixture that day, Swansea fans had got in to the home end and the terrace spread apart like a human flood. Looking back on the day around 9,500 was the official attendance, and what was then the away end at Ashton Gate was an open terrace. It was packed. It was one of those great away days for a young man making his way in the world of football fandom.
The official site reported on this a few years ago.
For those looking for a bit of nostalgia here is the league table that season after the win.