Planet Swans ArchivesIt was the 18th November 2002 when Alan Tate first joined up with the Swans. Just 20 years of age he joined on loan from Manchester United and little did we know then that almost 15 years later we would be celebrating his testimonial after more than 300 appearances for the club.
And when you look at that journey that we as a club have been on during that 15 years and the fact that Tate played for the club in all four divisions and you realise just what an inspired move it was for Brian Flynn to bring him to the club at a time when relegation from the football league was a very real possibility.
Tate indeed owns a piece of history having captained the Swans in our first game in the Premier League and I have to say that the song “We all dream of a team of Alan Tates” is one of my personal favourites from our time at the Liberty.
You realise as well just what kind of esteem Tatey is held in when you look at the fact that tonight he will be joined by some of our recent greats in the likes of Roberto, Ferrie Bodde, Roger Freestone, Brendan Rodgers and Garry Monk. All great players and/or managers in their own right but all joining us in paying tribute to our hero.
For the opposition the likes of Denis Irwin, Darren Fletcher and Dwight Yorke says much too and for me I am looking forward to this far more than I normally would any friendly.
I am sure each of you reading will have a favourite Alan Tate memory but the one that always sticks out for me is a Tuesday night at the Liberty when Tate replaced Dorus De Vries in goal against QPR. The game was balanced at 0-0 with under half hour gone and Tate kept the visitors at bay to keep a clean sheet and earn us a point. We really did at that moment dream of a team of Alan Tates.
The fact that he is still here means much to so many of us and nobody could begrudge him this testimonial game.
Good luck tonight Tatey – enjoy every minute of it, you deserve this.
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