Let’s All Think Before We Press Enter…

 
Over the past few weeks I have met many hundreds, potentially a thousand plus Swansea City supporters at various book signings and have to taken time out to talk to you about how humbling it was to meet with many who have so passionately followed our club for so long. And indeed the very new fans, young and old, all of whom must be embraced and developed so they never wander far from the Liberty and always hold Swansea City at heart.   The supporters base in East Wales as well is absolutely huge, let me tell you that I have spoken to many, many Jacks from these areas. Once proud and strong in their support of Cardiff City, well let me tell you the worm isn’t turning, it has turned.  Just check out the amount of Swansea shirts across Bridgend, Barry and even the capital itself of late. Superb. The pubs in Pencoed and Bridgend were heaving for the Arsenal game, Swans fans from across the whole region.  
 
I would also like to make mention and thank Alan Curtis and Colin Pascoe for their close and extremely humbling support at a recent book event in Llansamlet, we shifted well over 200 books in two hours, and both stood alongside me happy to sign books as well, never a grumble and very positive about all aspects of the club, the city and its fans.  Where else would this happen where two absolute committed Swansea staff members would take time out of their personal day off to come along and support an event of this kind ?  I was truly amazed, and let me tell you it isn’t often I am lost for words, but I was that morning. To both of you, I thank you very much indeed.    
 
The momentum with ‘ Walking on Sunshine ‘ has gathered pace so much that we are on to a reprint at the publishers at The History Press, whose staff have thrown themselves wholeheartedly behind the book and the sales teams and marketing people have been magnificent.  Many of the books both Phil and I have written before have done well, or as well as could be expected, but this time around the stock is moving so quickly across the country we have got in to the Amazon top ten in sports books regularly over the past two weeks.
So why haven’t you got your copy yet ?
 
I wasn’t going to mention the absolute tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Cardiff City supporter Mike Dye at Wembley stadium. However having given it a lot of thought there is a relevance here.  I don’t need to say, as I am sure many have already reflected on how disturbing and genuinely difficult it is to accept the fact that a family man in his forties goes to watch his national team play and ends of dead as a result of an incident outside the ground.  I just cannot get my head round this, I, as many of you I know send my condolences to his family, friends and to the supporters of Cardiff City football club who have all been so closely affected by Mike’s death.  What is so wrong with football and society that this needs to happen ? Or even be considered. And what is terribly wrong with the British media that they thought it appropriate they should report the horrendous circumstances in such a way ?  I with many of you I know, were appalled.  
 
These tragic events are often spoken about by the media in very generic and at times thoughtless terms to get the story across, and the internet, and by this I mean each and every user and football supporter of every forum needs to know how much responsibility we all have to each other as fans of different clubs ( and people from different areas and culture )  Is it too hard to get along as fans of the same football team ?  We at least owe each other the basic respect one human can give another, without fear or favour.  Mike Dye, rest in peace fellow football fan. I truly mean it.

 

Our Swansea journey has been absolutely unbelievable, our nations journey should be equally as memorable, friendship across the borders isnt too much to ask for. 

 

Thanks for the increased amount of emails this time around, I am astounded at the time taken to send me really touching and controversial emails, brilliant stuff.  I have replied to as many as possible.  And in answer to many, yes there will be another series of book signings, details are below for one already arranged thanks to Swansea City FC.  Thanks jacks, keep on keeping on. The journey when its black and white, is the best you could ever dream of being on.

 

Be nice to each other, it takes up far less time, and will be so much more rewarding.

 

Keith haynes

 

Buy Keith’s new book ‘ Walking on Sunshine ‘

Swansea City 2010 / 2011

 

 

Swansea City Superstore

Liberty Stadium

11am – 1pm

Sunday November 27th 2011

( Swansea City v Aston Villa )

 

See you up there !