Planet Swans ArchivesAlan Curtis now broadcasting with Real Radio and about to come on board with the Roger Freestone Testimonial year gave his full backing to the supporters trust on Monday night at The Patti Pavilion, and spoke out against the way the club is currently being run. On the recent debacle at The Vetch Field he has publicly stated that although this is one of the worst periods in Swansea’s 89 year history he believes that the solidarity shown by the Swansea support will see the club through. ” This is a terrible time for the club, however I really do believe that we will come out of this a better football club and a better more focussed set up ” For the past five days David Morgan from The Independent Travelling Swans and Tony Davies from the Supporters Trust have worked tirelessly to bring together a solution to rid Swansea City of Tony Petty and his questionable administration. And the result this morning is that a second bid from the consortium of local businessmen has been turned down. An initial offer of ten thousand and one pounds was reportedly ” laughed at ” by Petty and a further offer of fifty thousand pounds was turned down today.
Petty purchased the club earlier this month for one pound and immediately dispensed with the services of seven players, and cut he contracts of another seven by up to 65 %. His reasoning last Wednesday as he wielded his axe was that he didn’t realise the complete details of the mess the club was in. This after allegedly dealing with Mike lewis for some weeks prior to the sale and examining the books thoroughly. His words not ours. This of course immediately brought in to doubt his business acumen if the book examination is to be believed.
And belief is the word everyone is using today in Swansea. Or disbelief !
Prior to Tuesdays LDV Vans game against Brighton an estimated 1,700 Swans fans marched from Castle Square to the ground to display their displeasure at Tony Petty and his regime. Mike Lewis and John Shuttleworth ( Petty’s Caretaker in his absence ) were advised by police not to attend the ground, and it is expected that this advice will also be given to Petty if and when he returns to South Wales.
Alan Curtis also made it clear that moves by the buy out consortium should be the first hurdle in securing Swansea City’s future, and the events of the past few weeks must never be repeated again. Swans supporters from as far away as Devon and London attended the march which was noisy but well behaved.
Terry Martin from Leicester, who made the journey from his home town to Swansea summed up the feeling on the night. ” This man and his clowns must not be allowed to continue at the club. We must all stand together and fight him by any means necessary, and stand strong against his business practices. There is no room for him Lewis or Shuttleworth at the club. And their continued presence must be as uncomfortable as possible. We must now transfer our passion from the terraces in to the faces of all of them ” Dave Thomas from Lydney echoed his concerns. ” This man is a joke, and the real question is just what is Lewis still doing at the club ? Is he trying to make a few more bucks out of us by brokering another sale, because I can see no other reason why he is still at the club. This is criminal, and the DTI and police should be looking at all of them ”
A number of informed Swans fans have already reported the sale to the DTI and the football league. It is expected that the sale and the whole running of the club will be investigated over the next few weeks. The law covering the sale of businesses is also being looked at in relation to this sale.
Further action is believed to be planned for the weekend when Swansea take on Leyton Orient at The Vetch Field on Saturday ( Kick off 3 pm ) And the overriding issue from the fans is that pressure must be increased on the current administration of Swansea City. Just three points from the foot of the league the onus is on all Swans fans to converge on the Vetch this Saturday and convey their displeasure at the current set up. Talks of a boycott or otherwise are still to be decided. However, the solidarity shown amongst all supporters groups from FOSCFA to The MAGS and encompassing the supporters trust will no doubt continue. And there is only one aim.
A return to sanity at Swansea City FC. For the benefit of the community, the club and supporters of the club everywhere. Visit the message board on this site to convey your support for a club on the verge of what was witnessed at Brighton a few years back.
Whatever the issue, whatever your standpoint. This is the most important time in our clubs history, and after last nights support it is clear that this is one battle that can be won.
Together.
