Planet Swans ArchivesWith the consortium now in charge of the football club I thought it may be prudent to share with you my thoughts about the people behind it from my own dealings with them. Some I have known for quite a while but Mel Nurse I only know through what I have read about him, but these are my thoughts.
Mel Nurse – We all know about Mel. He played for the Swans and Wales and has been one of the front runners all along in trying to take the club back off Tony Petty. Mel was without a doubt the fans choice to take over and I am sure that he will do the club forward as we all strive to take it forwards. Mel is a former director of the club and runs the Sea Haven guesthouse in Swansea. It’s an old cliche but his blood probably is black and white.
David Morgan – Dave is a Swansea fan first and foremost. He is a North Bank season ticket holder and has followed the Swans most of his life. I’ve only really known Dave for about three months but during that time I have probably spoken to him more than my own mother! (sorry Mum!) He is very passionate about Swansea City and has worked tirelessly to get to where we are today. He lives in Swansea and runs his own business.
Leigh Dineen – Leigh is at the moment the chairman of the Supporter’s Trust which is part of the consortium. He was there in this role today as the representative of the trust I have known Leigh as an e-mail address for several years and personally for about 2 years. He is a straight down the middle guy with no airs and graces. He is a worthy chairman of the trust and would be my choice as their representative on the board of the club. Leigh too runs his own business in Swansea and is a centre stand season ticket holder with his young son.
Gareth Keen – Someone else that I knew as an email address for quite some time before meeting him at a Swansea game. Gareth was instrumental in putting together the Sports Quiz for Roger’s testimonial year and is a massive Swansea fan. He too is a North Bank regular and he runs the family insurance business in Neath. Gareth’s company is a long term sponsor of the football club and regular kit sponsor of Roger Freestone.
Brian Katzen – I guess the name that people don’t recognise at the moment. I have had the privilege of meeting Brian on two occasions – prior to the QPR game and at Roger’s race nite. Both times it was when he was mingling with the fans and he watched the QPR game from the North Bank. Brian is a clear football fan and he struck me as someone that we can all relate to. Another valuable addition to the consortium.
Of course, on top of these people we have the ‘mystery men’ who want to remain anonymous. We can all hazard guesses as to who these people are but at the same time we should respect their wishes not to be named. We have to trust the words of the consortium when we are told that they are football fans who have the club at heart – that to me is much more important than putting names to the donations.
These are the people who have put their money where their mouth is and bought this club back to the people of Swansea. For that we commend them. From there it is now just as much down to the likes of you and me as it is them. They will not survive without us and on the same vein we would not have survived without them.
We came so close to losing our football club and I urge every single one of you reading this to vote for them with your feet. It’s February 2 2002, it’s Kidderminster at home and if you aren’t there you have to ask yourself why not. If you can be, do be there.
