Planet Swans ArchivesBack again for the first of two home games inside four days and today’s brings back memories of how far we have come on the pitch in a short period of time. No-one who was here for Kidderminster’s visit last season will forget the way we were ripped apart on our own pitch and for that surely we owe the Harriers one today? There will not be a repeat of last season and if we can take six points by the end of Tuesday then we will be looking in a very healthy position indeed.
Today will see a slight test for the Swans as we line up for the first time this season without Mr Showboat himself in the side. No doubt the Kidderminster defenders will be grateful of that and let’s hope that they believe the hype that is printed in some places that we are a one man team and they under estimate the eleven players we put on the pitch.
Much discussion over the past seven days on the internet has been around the working title of our new home – ‘White Rock’. A poll currently on the web-site reveals a 50/50 split between people in favour of the title and people against it. So much interest the poll has generated that BBC Wales sent a camera crew to Swansea this week to get some opinions on it. It is certainly a name that reflects the history of the area – sadly it does seem to be a history that has long since been forgotten. Many believe that the stadium name should carry the City’s name somewhere in it’s title whilst, understandably some fans would like to see the name ‘The New Vetch’ Sadly, that will never happen because the rugby team will be holding their fixtures there and I am sure each and every one of us would object if it ended up being called ‘The New St Helens’? Whether, you agree with the title or not, at jackarmy.net we are interested to hear from you on this subject and invite your comments using any of the methods at the bottom of the page. There are always going to be things that are not simple with this new stadium but I would certainly like to see any new name, commercial or not, being put to the paying customers to name?
There is no doubt that the club need to move on and the new stadium excites me as much as I am sure it excites you. Of course, I have reservations – like anyone here today I have grown up watching football at the Vetch and when we leave I will shed a tear at all the memories that I have shared with the ground but this is the 21st century and the new stadium will take us into that and also bring a different feel to football. The club needs it, the city needs it and the name is a huge part of it – let’s not take the decision over that name lightly?
And of course this week, thoughts also turn to the play off draw for Euro 2004. Russia is not a bad draw as far as we are concerned. Yes, we will need to raise our game from performances in the last few but we are still in with a chance of Portugal next year and I am sure none of the Russians fancy a capacity crowd at the Millennium Stadium on a Wednesday night in November. Let’s not under estimate what that can do for a side (we saw it here last season) and fingers crossed that on the 20th November, the Travel House are inundated with flight requests for Portugal next summer.
And to all those that read my column in the Lincoln programme – my daughter Lucy Elizabeth was born last Sunday at a very healthy 8lb2oz – mother and daughter are doing fine. I don’t think Lucy will experience her first Vetch game today but rest assured, I wouldn’t be a Jack if she didn’t make her debut sometime soon!
C’MON THE JACKS!
