Planet Swans ArchivesMatthew Phillips takes a look back at Leon Brittons career with his 400th appearance due to take place.
Should Swans midfielder Leon Britton play on Saturday against Reading, he will make his 400th appearance (in all competitions excluding FAW Cup) in a Swansea shirt. What an achievement from the man from South London. He was once the most expensive youngster in the UK when he was at Arsenal as a schoolboy.
Britton was signed by Brian Flynn in December 2002, initially on loan from West Ham, to try and help the Swans survive relegation from the Conference and what a signing he turned out to be. He made his debut for the Swans on 14th December 2002 – In a 1-0 away defeat to Exeter, it took him until the 25th January 2003 to be involved in his first win as a Swans player – a 2-0 win over Lincoln at home.
He was instrumental that season, along with other Premier League loanee Alan Tate from Man Utd, he even played in a mask against Oxford (I think!) after breaking his cheekbone. He was brought in as a winger and his side stepping runs and pace were a test for any defender. He was brought down for a crucial penalty against Hull on THAT Final day!
There was a ‘Battle for Britton’ bucket campaign that season to help get him permanently the following season, it worked and in the summer of 2003 Leon Britton signed on a free transfer. He finally scored his first Swansea goal that season in a 3-0 win over Macclesfield on his 21st birthday at the Vetch. He went on to score 2 more goals that season, but the Swans just fell short of the Play Offs that season after being top of the League for a short while.
In the 04-05 season, Britton was part of the Swans team that won promotion to League One at Bury, but it was a bit of a frustrating season for Leon. Under the management of Kenny Jackett, Leon Britton made 15 sub appearances in the 30 league games he played, and he was often the player that was subbed off in games as well – but he did score the vital winner from a header against Cheltenham away that season.
The following season was the first season at the Liberty Stadium and the Swans lost out in the Play Off Final against Barnsley in the end (Britton scored a pen that day), but he did play 47 matches and scored 5 goals (his joint top tally in a season) including a wonderful solo goal against Bristol City in the 7-1 win.
The following season, Britton again scored 5 goals, including a penalty in the 3-0 win over Premier League Sheffield Utd in the FA Cup, but the Swans fell short again, losing 6-3 on the final day to Blackpool under new manager and ex team mate Roberto Martinez.
Leon Britton became a league winner in the 2007/08 season when the Swans won League One under Martinez by 10 points in the end, Britton played 48 matches that season, but didn’t score a league goal, but as usual he was an integral part to our season – playing as a central midfielder rather than his inital role as a winger.
Two seasons in the Championship followed, where Britton played 86 matches in all competitions, no goals in that time, but a vital player to have as the Swans had a successful season under Martinez, he did get sent off against Cardiff in a 2-2 home draw as well.
A shock move to fellow Championship side Sheffield Utd followed, I’m not sure whether the playing style of Paulo Sousa meant he moved on or not, but Britton went on a free transfer and a lot of fans were disappointed as he had been with us for so long.
Not to panic though, Sousa left soon after and Brendan Rodgers took over in July 2010. Leon Britton played 26 matches for Sheffield Utd before returning to his spiritual home in January 2011, Britton missed us and we missed him. As it turned out (luckily for him) Swans got to the Play Off Final at Wembley and we all know what happened there!!
Britton did play against the Swans for Sheffield Utd (please don’t mention the snow to me!) and they did win 1-0. But he then scored against Sheffield Utd in a 4-0 final day win to secure 3rd place. That meant Leon Britton has scored a goal in 3 of the 4 divisions for the Swans – Only Alan Tate can say the same in the current squad.
Britton then probably had his most exposure as a player in our first Premier League season, boasting stats of better passing success than Barcelona & Spain mdifielder Xavi at one point. He played 37 matches in the 11/12 season and some people had even mentioned an England call-up.
As game 400 approaches, it has been a great career for Britton. He has been involved in many highs and lows with the Swans and has made the rise from League 2 to the Premier League with ease, as if he’s always belonged there. Maybe under rated by fans outside of Swansea, but I couldn’t see him playing like he does for anyone else.
We suit him and he suits us, a perfect fit. He will probably see the rest of his career out at Swansea (where he has played under 6 different permanent managers). I would love to see him beat Roger Freestone’s club record of 699 appearances, but that would be a very tough ask.
How fitting would it be for him to score on Saturday? In his 400th match and be one of a few players to score in every division for the Swans!
Who are we!?
Stats: League apps – 357 League Goals – 11
Other Comps (Inc Play Offs) Apps – 42 Goals – 6
Red cards – 2
