SWANSEA CITY FOOTBALL

CLUB

THE HISTORY
Swansea city football club was founded in 1912 by the Swansea
league committee. They rented a dirt ground in the city’s centre
and this was named the ‘Vetch Field’ home of ‘The Swans’. In
1913 Swansea Town, as it was known then formed as a
professional club. Their name was changed in 1971 when
Swansea was given its City status. For the 1912 – 1920 season
the club was in Division One of the southern league.

NICK NAME
Swansea City and its supporters are unofficially known as ‘Jacks’.
One explanation for this name is that during the 17th century,
sailors from Swansea were respected and any ‘Swansea Jack’
was allowed to join the crew based simply on the town’s reputation
as good sailors.

RIVALRIES
RIVALRIES
Swansea’s main football rivals are Cardiff City. South Wales
derbies are one of the highlights of the season for supporters. The
rivalry between Swansea and Cardiff has been regarded as one of
the most hostile in British football.

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 SWANSEA CITY FOOTBALL
CLUB

THE GROUNDS
VETCH FIELD

Author, Swanseatilidie

Before the Swans became an official club children used to play

football on a piece of waste ground called The Vetch. It was
named this because a cabbage like plant called vetch grew wildly
on it. The land was leased to the Swansea league in 1912 by the
Swansea Gas Light Company and the club took up residence
immediately. Clinker pitches were laid to improve the surface,
encourage the growth of grass and to neutralize the soil.
• Home for 93 years
• Original capacity – 12,000
• Record attendance in 1968 – 32,796

Author, Swanseatilidie
THE GROUNDS
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 SWANSEA CITY FOOTBALL
CLUB

THE LIBERTY STADIUM

Picture, Eiona 55
The condition of The Vetch field was rapidly deteriorating and in
2004 the ground was no longer an acceptable venue. With the
Swans looking to relocate for too many years to remember; the All
Whites combining with Neath RFC to form the regional side the
Ospreys; and Swansea City Council determined to secure a
nationally important sports stadium capable of accommodating
both local and international events; the Liberty Stadium was born.
The Swans moved to the new stadium in the summer of 2005.
• Home for 5 years
• Capacity – 20,532
• Record attendance in 2005 – 19,288

Photo, crisangle

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 SWANSEA CITY FOOTBALL
CLUB

PROMOTIONS / HONOURS
#1 Early Years
#2 Post War
#3 1965 – 1977 A downward spiral
#4 1977 – 1986 Meteoric rise equally rapid fall
#5 1986 – 1995 In place of strife
#6 1995 – 2001 The difficult years

The early 1980s were Swansea’s most successful years. They

gained promotion in 81 to the first division and went on to win three
consecutive Welsh cups and subsequently appeared in the UEFA
cups ‘winners cup’. In their first season in the top flight they
finished in their highest ever position of 6th, despite topping the
table for large parts of the season.

In recent years the club has brought itself up from the decline of
the 1980’s and 1990’s and has established itself once more as a
strong force in the football league. The swans at the present day
are doing well in league one.

Picture,So happily unsatisfied

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 SWANSEA CITY FOOTBALL
CLUB

THE MANAGER
In June 2009, Paulo Sousa was officially unveiled as Swansea
city’s new manager. The former Portugal midfielder replaced
Roberto Martinez and is Swansea’s 12th manager in 14 years.
Sousa has played 51 times for Portugal, represented some of
Europe’s greatest football clubs and worked under some of the
best known names in European football. The guardian news paper
refers to Sousa as ‘the most glamorous, innitive and interesting
manager and an absolutely charming man. These look set to be
exciting years for Swansea City.

PAULO
PAULO SOUSA
Full name: Paulo Sousa
Date of birth: 30 August 1970
Place of birth: Viseu, Portugal
Height: 1.77m (5ft 9½ in)
Playing position: Defensive midfielder

MANAGERIAL RECORD
Played: 27
Won: 10
Drawn: 12
Lost: 5

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