Phil Sumbler
The name of Alan Curtis and Lenny Johnrose will always be associated with Swansea City. The former for a career with the club that spanned for more than forty years whilst the name of Johnrose will always be associated with a magical day in May 2003 and his part in setting the club on their path to unprecedented success over the next 15 years.
It was maybe fitting, although very sad to read in places, that both were in the headlines yesterday for very different reasons.
Curt was in the presence of royalty (or was that William was in the presence of footballing royalty) as he received his MBE from the future King yesterday for services to a game that he first graced in the 1970s in a career that took in several places but none of them every felt like home than the Swans.
Playing, coaching, managing and of course a figurehead of the club the name of Curtis will always be part of Swansea City history in one of the biggest ways possible. That was recognised with the award of a MBE in the New Years honours list, an award that he finally received yesterday.
“To finally receive my MBE is a great honour,” Curtis told the club’s official site. “The overwhelming emotion is one of pride really.
“Nothing would have been possible without the support of my fellow team-mates, staff, supporters and my family over the years and I’m extremely grateful to have had the career I did.
“To be involved in football for 40-odd years, mainly with the Swans and then other clubs I played for too, has been fantastic and I’ve had a wonderful journey.”
Johnrose was the man who scored the crucial goal to give the Swans the lead against Hull in May 2003 – a game that kept the club in the football league. Whilst James Thomas took all the plaudits for his hat-trick it was a Johnrose goal early in the second half that gave the Swans the lead they were never to lose and the rest – as they say – is history.
Sadly for Lenny he has been battling Motor Neurone disease since 2017 and yesterday he shared an update on his current condition “My voice is clinging on for dear life, with some of my words actually being decipherable. I had a bit of a moment yesterday when no words were forthcoming, but a few minutes later, it was all good,” wrote Johnrose.
“Oh, and I need to keep my head up to speak, which may explain why Nadine keeps taking off my neck support. The saliva puddle in my mouth is under some sort of control, although there’s still enough to make a cup of tea!
“The legs are still fairly strong, and I’ve rediscovered slight movement in two fingers… And that seems to be it. So I’m still going strong (ish).”
A heartbreaking update from a player remembered so fondly for his time here (and not just for that goal) and thoughts remain firmly with Lenny as he battles the disease.
