Reports and Articles

Ladygargar

Fox in the Box
Staff member
Thought it might be an idea to have a discussion thread where news reports and articles or analysis can be posted

I’ll start it off:

Swansea-lona is dead; New Jack City brings hope... - Football365

I would say that anyone outside of the club could, in my humble opinion have come up with that article. It lacks empathy and understanding of the club, it’s fan base and its management from an inside perspective.

So much has changed at the club and yet Trevor Birch wasn’t mentioned - I’ve met the chairman and he is a very impressive leader, a can do chap, a go-to guy. There is a different vibe in the club, there is self belief where there was none, there is optimism, there has been healing (to a degree) the mess inherited by the new chair was unholy, strand by strand Mr Birch is unpicking the knots that bound us, little by little he is building bridges; and, having recognised the special relationship fans feel with the club , he is intent on putting them front and centre of his business - crowning Leon with his recent well deserved title and role demonstrates something incredibly different at the club - putting a much needed firewall around Alan Curtis - let me tell you I’ve seen him left in the ground on match day without a seat under previous stewardship and now he is properly installed in the Directors box area every game where he and his lovely wife belong.....everyone FEELS it; seeing the chairman going about talking to fans; sending his staff to tour the ground and get a fans eye view, my only hope and prayer for our club is that the inspirational leadership is met with equally inspirational ownership - if they put right the disservice done to the trust it might yet turn into the silk purse bought for the price of a Sow’s ear.

STID🖤
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Nicely put, LadyGG. I know that you were very impressed with Trevor Birch and it is my hope that he fulfills all your expectations. If he does then we can all look forward to a prosperous and successful future for our club under his stewardship. COYS!!
 

CroJack

Key Player
"Gone are the passing triangles, the intense pressing and Swansea-lona, probably never to return. But ask each of those supporters who jumped with joy at Elland Road and Loftus Road, and they will tell you that Swansea City, somehow, has an identity again. Swansea City fights against the limitations of parsimony and makes the best of its bad lot."

1. The passing triangles have not gone, we've just added more direct passes to our style of play. The endless sideway and backward passing without purpose has gone.

2. Succes is not equal with throwing money on flops. We have invested money in the academy and we have invested money in Van der Hoorn, Routledge, Borja and Ayew's wages.

3. Bad lot??? He describes our squad as a bad lot? I'd argue the Swans have more quality and depth in their squad than the vast majority of the Championship clubs.
 

Ladygargar

Fox in the Box
Staff member
Following on from my last post, agent Gaga is able to report on a minor victory in collaboration with the club - I don’t get out much as you all know, due to the demands of family and work, but when I do, I like to watch my beloved swans, meet up with my football family and I like to eat....it was my habit to book a table in the premier club restaurant ‘The Foundry’ for every home game, which enabled me to enjoy my favourite three things all at once.

Part of the joy for me is mixing with young, old, international or less able supporters whom for a variety of reasons need comfort, warmth, level access and to be made to feel welcome and a bit special - lovely folks of whom I’ve become very fond.....and where I had a wonderful evening with 30 or so SSJ’s on a mass visit to the club late last year.

So imagine then my horror then when without preamble I was told that as part of the hospitality restructuring that the restaurant was closing - without notice and without a suitable alternative - I was dismayed and rattled as the stalwart fans, long distanced and less able were I felt being horribly let down.

I had been encouraged to join others in the hospitality suite, but I refused and for every home game so far I sat in my car outside the premier club entrance eating a McDonalds as a protest - the alternative being too expensive, and too far for my fellow ‘foundry-men’ to walk or be pushed in wheelchairs.....complaints were raised and negotiations attempted by me to any that would listen, numerous failed attempts were made by me pelting stones (not literally) at the chairman’s window to attract his attention.....

Then already miffed, I was further horrified to learn about the cessation of the free radio broadcasts of games by Swansea Sound - and I took to Facebook to complain - I got two bollockings for that; one from the club, and one from the radio station.....for which I did not care a jot as in my view it was a further slap in the face for our older or vulnerable, too busy working or too skint to go to a game fans.......

I was contacted by the head of media - Jonathan Wilshire (tidy bloke) and expressed my dismay at these turns of events. Now, I have heard many good things about the changes to the internal structure of the club from those in the inside track and so after several attempts at complaining and my ‘take away’ protest Jonathan agreed that to shut me up and because he was completely sympathetic that he would bring this crusade to the attention of the chairman.

I was duly invited to the chairman’s office, meeting with Trevor Birch, and the head of commercial and media. Mr Birch could not have been nicer; he was entirely receptive to my views and long story short he has acted upon them.

The radio issue was more complex and down to the station not being able to find a sponsor - there is a paid offering; this is an obligation placed on the club by the FA so they have a TV option for overseas and a listen live option locally - the club charge the least amount possible for the provision £5 @ month but that doesn’t get over the tec problems for older people - I raised the crap coverage and reporting on radio wales and was assured that Jonathan will be taking that up with them; I also raised the matter with the head of Swansea Sound, but it’s no can do for them, so folks it’s pay to listen which once I resolved a host of difficulties was great; or radio Wales from now on.......

I was contacted by Rebecca (head of commercial) yesterday to say that not only is the foundry reopening, but it will be reinstated for members from this Saturday. They have actually reduced the meal price, and taken on board suggestions with regard to more simple less faff menu choices too; it’s not a huge victory but it’s an affirmation that things ARE changing at our club.

Without simpering or being a sycophant I can say Trevor Birch is an impressive gentleman; charismatic and engaging but with a clear idea of what the club is about; getting back to basics with good football and the community of fans front and centre of all that the club offer.

It’s a sad fact that under the former regime, the board was a dubious and impenetrable boys club for whom the supporters were cannon fodder; a means to an end and an endless cash cow for the few; given that the former chairman wouldn’t stoop to talk to the likes of John Hartson, players, agents or even clubs wishing to make last minute purchases of star players, I can’t begin to imagine a meeting the likes of the brief but productive one I had with the movers and shakers at the club ever taking place, can you?

Things are different at the club; our new chairman and his team are made of different stuff; all we need to do is celebrate our good fortune and keep them.
 

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Brilliant stuff @Ladygargar For those that don't know, LadyGG has had a long and extensive background in social care and she is deeply concerned about the welfare, needs and protection of the elderly and most vulnerable in our society. Her company, as you may or may not be aware, has long been the sponsor of the charity "Don't Dance Alone" and has done much good work for the old and lonely.

Her efforts to bring the club back on track vis a vis the restaurant facilities, and access to them, were powered by the need to see that older fans received a fair crack of the whip and the club has listened to her. And what the club hasn't been able to address immediately, eg broadcasting of games, for various valid reasons, she has been assured that matters are now in hand and appropriate action will be taken at the first opportunity. All I can say is well done, LadyGG, you are doing a cracking job. :)
 
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