FM08: Official Swansea City Thread

[Jambodinho]

Nicknamed "The Swans" or "The Jacks", the club played from its formation in 1912 (as Swansea Town) until 2005 at the Vetch Field in Swansea city centre. In the summer of 2005, Swansea City moved to a new 20,532 all seater ground, which is really lame because it is owned by the council so the club will never actually own it, the Liberty Stadium.

Surprisingly, the early 1980s were Swansea's most successful years, under the guidance of then player-Manager, John Toshack, the Swans gained promotion to the old First Division in 1981, winning 3 consecutive Welsh Cups and subsequently appearing in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup as well. However, as fast as Swansea rose up the Football League, a decline ensued just as quickly which was to be expected by the whole nation.

In recent years the club has brought itself up from the decline of the 80's and 90's and has re-established itself as a credible force in the football league. They were promoted to League One as 3rd in 2004-2005 and League Championship as champions in 2007-2008. 2008-09 will be Swansea's first season at this level since 1983-84. With this, they are in contention with rivals Cardiff City for a Welsh place in the English Premiership.

The manager at the time of the first triumph was Kenny Jackett but he departed in 2007 to be succeeded by Roberto Martinez, who guided them to title glory a year later.

Squad

2 Kevin Amankwaah
3 Kevin Austin
4 Kristian O'Leary
5 Alan Tate
6 Ferrie Bodde
7 Leon Britton
8 Darren Pratley
9 Jason Scotland
10 Andrea Orlandi
11 Darryl Duffy
14 Marcos Painer
15 Dennis Lawrence
16 Garry Monk
17 Owain Tudor Jones
18 Andy Robinson
19 Chris Jones
20 Shaun MacDonald
21 Dorus De Vries
22 Angel Rangel
23 Guillem Bauza
24 Darren Way
25 Matthew Collins
26 Paul Anderson (on loan from Liverpool)
27 Kyle Graves
28 Thomas Butler
29 Fabian Brandy (on loan from Man Utd)
30 David Knight
32 Joe Allen

Expectation & Budgets

Top half finish - 800k
Title Challenge - £1.2m
Winners - £1.4m

The board expect you to be in the Championship at the end of a 3 year plan. Easily achievable, especially with the resources available.

What needs improving?

Defence really, 2 decent centre backs and some cover for your full backs. Do this and your squad should be good enough to challenge for the automatic promotion places. As you are given a healthy transfer kitty you can easily build a championship standard squad before the first season begins.

[Jambodinho]

Okay, i have signed:

Tibor Tisza, Ryan Robinson, Solvi Ottesen, Olivier Bernard, Brian Stock, Jason Puncheon, Owain Price, Boubacar Balde, Kenny Lunt, Yoan Bourillon and a french defender called Holbein.

I have got rid of:

A few reserve and under 18's, Amankwaah, Austin, Knight, O'Leary and Pratley but only because championship teams were bidding and he was getting upset when i rejected the bids. I swiftly replaced him with Brian Stock which the fans were delighted with.

I have loaded the french, polish, hungarian, scottish and english league.

My results so far:

Swansea 3 - 1 Doncaster
Brentford 0 - 2 Swansea (League Cup)
Notts Forest 1 - 3 Swansea
Swansea 5 - 2 Oldham
Swansea 3 - 1 West Brom (League Cup)

Great start so far and i dont look like getting beat so far. I will keep you all posted.

[purefun]

Good first opening post mate.

Good luck. :thup:

[Jambodinho]

Cheers.

I have also loaded the Swedish Leagues. That is where Solvi Ottesen is based.

Anyone else currently doing a career with 'The Jacks' or thinking of giving it a go?

[Jambodinho]

I forgot to mention that i signed Daryl Murphy from Sunderland for 300k but he got injured in my first game and has been out since then.

Tibor Tisza has scored something like 8 in 5 games on top of the 6 he scored in my friendlies. Definately a great signing.

[BrIsToLCiTy1897]

Good post mate, bout time we had a Swans thread I wil start a game as them soon, cant resit beign my home-club for long Up the Jacks!

[Adman10]

Glad to see this on here :thup:, i have been playing and am in season 3 now 2nd in the championship, i finished first season 2nd so i was happy and finished first season of championship in 14th so again very happy. First season only real signing was murphy from sunderland for 300k as well and started badly but after about games couldnt stop scoring. I will post more when i load up again and let u knwo of my signings and form, anyway lets hear ya lads how u gettin on??

[Jambodinho]

Originally posted by BrIsToLCiTy1897:
Good post mate, bout time we had a Swans thread I wil start a game as them soon, cant resit beign my home-club for long Up the Jacks!

Are Bristol City or Swansea your home club? I am a Bristol City fan but fancied having a go with Swansea. Keep us posted with how you are getting on.

[Jambodinho]

5 games into my 1st season with Swansea, 17 year old Joe Allen has been called up to John Toshacks Wales squad. He isn't very good at the moment and i am unlikely to use him this season. Is there anyone a few seasons in who could tell me how he has developed? Cheers

[Jambodinho]

Ok, time for a quick update and review of September 2007.

Brighton 0 - 2 Swansea
Swansea 3 - 0 Bristol Rovers (JPT)
lEEDS 2 - 1 Swansea
Swansea 4 - 1 Southend
Swansea 4 - 1 Leyton O
Swansea 4 - 2 Wolves (League Cup)
Hartlepool 1 - 3 Swansea

Squad

[IMG]CDocuments and Settings\User\My Documents\My Pictures\Swansea City.html[/IMG]

Transfers

[IMG]CDocuments and Settings\User\My Documents\My Pictures\Swansea City - Transfers.html[/IMG]

League Table

[IMG]CDocuments and Settings\User\My Documents\My Pictures\Coca-Cola League 1.html[/IMG]