Forty four years ago the Swans made their debut in Match of the day. It would be the first of numerous appearances on the Saturday night favourite. These days MOTD only features Premier League games and the priority is always the top six or so matches of the day.

Back in May 1979 the Swans were making the headlines with John Toshack as player/manager. This was his first full season in charge having taken the Swans up from the fourth division after the death of Harry Griffiths. Before John arrived in Swansea Harry had actually resigned twice from his role, he most certainly enjoyed his work at Swansea, he had come so close the season before to promotion, pipped on the final day. However, this season was one of ups and downs, more ups on the field for sure. Harry stayed at the club first overseeing the transition for a new manager, none materialised, then Harry returned permanently, but not for long. Tosh came along and the season became one of pure success.

And Harry assisted John all the way.

The success of course was on the field, with three games to go before the end of the season the Swansea players beat Scunthorpe United 3-1. Harry had died earlier that day at the age of forty seven. The Swansea born - first footballer then trainer, scout, coach, physio, manager and lifelong club servant for thirty years had left his mark at the Vetch Field, but to die so young was tragic. In excess of four hundred and twenty games for the Swans and seventy two goals, Harry played for no other club professionally, he did have a brief stint at Merthyr, however he was a one hundred percent Jack, born and bred. And those seventy two goals ? Not bad for a full back, however, he played in every position for the Swans, that was just what he did.

We digress slightly but any mention of this season requires mention of Harry Griffiths.

The date was Saturday May 5th 1979, the game was Plymouth Argyle v Swansea City. To not lose was essential.

The Swans were littered with Welsh players, the new boys were coming to the fore and the likes of Wyndham Evans would possibly have never have dreamed he would be in this position. The Swans were seeking reelection to the football,league two years before, The official Swans site saw the game like this -John Toshack is pictured scoring the Swans’ second goal when they drew 2-2 at Plymouth Argyle on May 5th, 1979. It was only the second Swans goal in history to feature on Match of the Day. The first had been scored earlier in the same game by Alan Curtis, for the trip to Plymouth was the first Swans fixture to be selected for coverage on the flagship football show. Why were the cameras in town? Because the Swans were on the up. They had been promoted from the fourth tier the previous season. And 1978-79 would see them go up for the second successive year as Toshack’s team climbed to Division Two. Plymouth was the penultimate game of the season, and saw the Swans make it eleven league matches unbeaten.

Another big travelling support heads down to the south west today, many were there last night. Travel safely, and shout loud and proud for the Swans !

Treat yourself and watch the brief highlights here -

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Photographs licensed from Reuters

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