Planet Swans ArchivesThe Swans would have been promoted had the result been reversed but the Western Mail were clearly trying to be one step ahead of the game and – like most media outlets – have prepared for a potential Swans promotion this afternoon at Gillingham
The article even includes the prepared quotes from Roberto and Leon Britton declaring it a great achievement and one that they can be totally be proud of.
And clearly someone at Western Mail web site HQ pressed the "release" button this morning despite the result for it to appear world wide on their site.
The article – penned by Paul Abbandonato – reads as follows
"SWANSEA CITY are celebrating promotion this morning… without even having to kick a ball.
Barring a mathematical improbability, Roberto Martinez’s men clinched their place in the Championship courtesy of promotion rivals Doncaster losing at home to Swindon last night.
Technically, Southend can still catch the Swans if they won every one of their remaining four games and Martinez’s team lost theirs.
But Southend would still need to make up a goal difference of 21, which simply isn’t going to happen.
It is the first time since 1984 that the Swans have clinched a place in the second tier of the league.
Instead of meeting the likes of Port Vale, Gillingham and Cheltenham next season, the Swans will be playing sides such as Derby, Crystal Palace and Coventry.
There will also be, of course, two mouthwatering Welsh derby showdowns with arch-rivals Cardiff City.
Doncaster’s shock home defeat to Swindon means they can only reach a total of 82 points by winning their remaining three matches.
The Swans already have a tally of 83 points, even before they go into today’s clash with Gillingham.
Martinez’s men will still be seeking three points from that game as they look to home in on the title.
Carlisle are their only rivals for that crown, but they face a tough trip to Leeds this afternoon.
A delighted Martinez said: “Going to the Championship gives us the recognition we deserve. The club’s status is going to change.
“We’ve been waiting for 24 years to get to that level and it’s a dream achieved. We know we have got 1,500 fans coming to Gillingham and, having won promotion, it will be perfect to share it with them.
“In football you want to achieve your targets as soon as possible. Promotion at this stage means you have been working really hard for the past 10 months.
“Promotion to the Championship, especially when people expect it from you, is extremely difficult. Just look at Leeds and Nottingham Forest.
“They are two massive clubs competing at this level. Their seasons show you how hard it is to get out of this division.
“But we’ve managed it and everyone should be proud that we have taken this club to the next level.
“But we don’t want to stop here. We are trying to get into the Premiership in the end.”
Emphasising the need for the Swans to go on and lift the title, midfield star Leon Britton said: “When you have been top of the league since November, it would be a big shame to lose it right at the end.
“With four games left the last thing we want to do is let it slip away.
“Promotion comes first, then we want to win the league. Having been there for so long, we’ve earned it.”"
