Championship Play Off Final. Swansea City v Reading, Wembley - oh my god, it's really happening!

It was the summer of 2001.   Kieron McDonnell - the founder of JackArmy.net - was moving from Swansea and handed over the reigns of the Rivals portal for Swansea City to me.   It was something that changed my life in the way I viewed the football club and, when I look back over the 10 years, I realise just exactly where we - as a football club - have come from.

Little did I know on that Sunday in July of that year just what was a matter of months away from happening.  John Hollins was sacked the day after 9/11 and soon after the evil that was Tony Petty arrived in Swansea.   And then we had the day that few who experienced it will ever forget.   Petty was 'trimming' the playing squad and the phone never stopped ringing all day.   It started with a call from Roger Freestone, it was followed by several from Peter Owen - then media manager at the club - and ended with Nick Cusack and Matthew Bound all being on the phone as Swansea fans rallied around their team and their club.

And that - although we never knew it at the time - was the foundations for what we will experience on Monday.   It was an event that strengthened a football club, it formed bonds that exist to this day and it saw Swansea fans going to extreme lengths to make Petty realise how unpopular he was within Swansea.  "Those b*stards on the internet never give me a moments peace even when I am in Australia" he remarked to one staff member at some stage and at that point we knew we were getting to the snivelling little twat.   Few who were at THAT Rushden game will ever forget the look of fear in his face or the look that said we had beaten him.

And while that may have been the public view of what was going on behind the scenes the Supporters Trust were at the heart of  assembling a consortium to get rid of the vermin Petty and coming together behind them were the likes of David Morgan, Martin Morgan, Leigh Dineen and Huw Jenkins whilst Mel Nurse set about his own part of saving the club - for the second time.   Monies were assembled and eventually - at a hotel in Cardiff of all places - Petty was run out of town.   It was January 2002 and Petty had gone and the club was back in local hands.

I remember the press conference - the statement was read by Steve Penny and thanked those that had played their part in the ousting of Petty - fans, media, players and even yours truly got a mention.   But this was not about personal glory this was Swansea City returning home although the battle was far from won.

A matter of a few weeks later the CVA was agreed and Swansea City was (almost) solvent again.   It was in the backrooms of the Vetch that the foundations of the club were becoming stronger.  Principles for the club were put in place - principles that still remain today - with a key one stating that the future of the club will never be jeopardised and the business would be run in the right way with the long term security at the heart of what they do.

It was never easy - it never is with Swansea City!   The season of 2002/3 was almost a disaster and had it not been for James Thomas and that hat-trick on the final day then who knows where this club would be at this point in time.   But it was a battle that we won and - to be fair - we have never looked back since.

The board were making some astute appointments as manager - Brian Flynn, Kenny Jackett, Roberto Martinez, Paulo Sousa and Brendan Rodgers all progressed the club and - while it was never completely smooth - the club were progressing.   Kenny led us out of League Two courtesy of an Adrian Forbes goal at Bury and very nearly delivered back to back promotions - a penalty shoot out denied him that status.   He didn't last long and the gamble of appointing Martinez looked astute as the Swans were promoted as League One Champions with some to spare.

The club were in the Championship, the board had delivered two promotions and a new stadium and all the time we were financially well off.   The club transfer record - it had stood since 1981 - was broken several times as they backed Roberto and in their first season at this level for over 25 years they narrowly missed out on the play offs.  But surely Roberto was to take us up.  And then they were delivered their potentially biggest blow as he walked out to join Wigan and the progress surely was to be stunted.  Paulo came in and was never universally popular but we got closer to the play offs missing out only on the last day.   However, all was not well behind the scenes and when Leicester came knocking, Mr Jenkins opened the door and showed Paulo the way out leaving him looking for a new manager.

And that is where Brendan came in.   Potentially another appointment that was a gamble but - if he gets the win on Monday - one that could pay the ultimate dividend and secure the football club's future for many years to come.  But - forget the result for a minute - look back over the whistle stop tour of the 10 years since Petty above and realise just what an achievement we have made just to be here.

We have reached this level without gambling with the club's future.  We have done it without paying massive money for any player.   We have done it by operating within strict budgets forced on us by small crowds - or at least in comparison with some others.   Newcastle, West Brom, QPR and Wolves have all been promoted in our time in this division with bigger budgets and - in the main - bigger crowds.   We have done it without a Sugar Daddy and without investment that can be questioned.   We have done it with local businessmen, fan ownership and people who care.   The right way if you like.

And we have done it with an immense feeling of pride.  Last weekend I spent some time with Huw Cooze delivering free programmes on two days to people who were queuing.   Brendan and his squad talked to the fans and thanked them for their support.   Ashley Williams sold tickets in the ticket office.   Leon Britton took bus bookings at the pod.  Martin Morgan was helping out in the ticket office.   This is a club that works the right way and is run the right way,  It is a club I am immensely proud of.

As Chair of the Supporters Trust I spend some time organising/helping and trying to improve things but it is a fraction of what others do.   I know on Monday I will be massively proud of what we have achieved when Garry and Brendan lead the side out at Wembley.   If I feel that much pride what will Huw Jenkins, his fellow directors, staff and family all feel?   I am sat here now shaking my head at how it is all possible - ten years ago had we said it people would have laughed at us but it really is true.  Swansea are really one game away from the Premier League.

Monday now really cannot come quick enough even if it does seem surreal.   A club that 10 years ago struggled to get crowds of 3000 will be backed by 40000 at Wembley.   Next year we could be playing Manchester United and Chelsea.    Macclesfield and Chester seems a lifetime away.

Feel the pride, enjoy the occasion and back the boys for we have every right to enjoy this day and should we win it will complete one of football's most remarkable stories and open the next chapter in the history of Swansea City.

Pride.  Passion.   Belief.

Photo: Action Images

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