Phil Sumbler
After almost 15 years of unprecedented success the Swans business plan turned sour the moment that the money of the Premier League overtook the need to protect the football club and we have been paying the price ever since.
Nobody really knows at what point the dollar signs hit home to the previous board but what has become clear in the six years since the deal was concluded is that little due diligence was done on a group that clearly do not care about Swansea City nor for that matter have too much of a great understanding about how football works.
We all still wonder whether our relegation in 2018 was a surprise given the fact that in American sport they do not believe in such a scenario but the words uttered by our current owners as the old ones scuttled off to count their gains are still repeated on several occasions having long since proven to be total rubbish.
“We will be relentless in our determination to continually improve this club – and we have the financial resources to do so. We will be competitive and we will outwork our opponents on the pitch and in the boardroom,” were the words of Kaplan and Levien when they sealed the deal to buy a majority stake in Swansea City together with their band of merry men.
We need to be frank here in that there is no aspect of the club that these people have improved us and that was hit home as recently as last night when Russell Martin made it perfectly clear we do not have the proverbial pot that is needed.
From sanctioning some of the most incredibly bad decisions you will ever see in our last two years in the Premier League to seeing our parachute payments sucked away by those very same decisions we papered over the cracks for two years under Steve Cooper with some astute loan signings and the faint belief that we may just reach the Premier League again – something of course we almost did.
Now as we face a second season with Russell Martin the manager cannot bring in the players his squad is so desperately lacking and even the multi million pound sale of a midfielder has left the coffers dry. So dry that I have little doubt that everyone who has a say in the clubs budgets is desperately praying for a good offer for Piroe or someone in the next ten days. In fact we have pretty much said as much so it should come as no surprise to anyone.
The club is more than £10m in debt to these people on a loan that the Trust tells us will be converted but why would anyone convert a loan when they are collecting a better rate of interest than widely available in most places and at a time when the conversion of the said loan is probably the least wise thing they could do. The next level remember.
The two original “faces” of the consortium seem to have forgotten where Swansea is so little have we seen of them since relegation whilst their new mouthpiece Jake Silverstein seems to be speaking on behalf of the ownership group despite having no ownership within the group. You go figure that one out.
It has also been suggested to me by more than one person that the club could now be leaking “consultancy fees” across the Atlantic – something that would be an even more worrying addition when we are seemingly unable to even consider a loan signing when we lose someone to a long term injury.
I am all for not financially placing the club at risk but we have been in this division before and managed to compete on small budgets through good transfer moves so what has gone wrong this time? The fact that we keep changing heads of recruitment, seemingly sign players the manager doesn’t want (this is not exclusive to our January 2022 signings) and of course the fact that we have the likes of Jay Fulton and Ryan Bennett who we cannot move on because the brains trust at the top end of our club sanctioned deals that they cannot match elsewhere. Commercially astute they are not and football deals they clearly do not understand.
I remember previous visits of these people when they visited the dressing room of the team pre and post match on important Premier League games and I remember them trying to convince us at a Trust meeting that scouting players could be done through a computer alone. They were told then it was balls and it remains balls to this date. You start to understand why it went wrong and the comments post match after Luton tells you just how wrong it went.
There were plenty of calls online yesterday for the head of Russell Martin after our poor start to the season but for a club that has no money to make signings it is difficult to see how we can afford to sack a manager and pay the compensation that will follow. Without of course placing the club further into debt.
This really is the worst position we have been in since the end of the 2003 season. At that point we had a City united behind its football team, owners that were deemed to be fans and a scouting system that was set to pick up some superb talent at affordable prices over a sustained period of time. Oh and of course a series of managers that got the results that took us all the way to the Premier League, the League Cup and Europe. Ah, memories, it all seems so distant now.
Russell Martin it seems will be spending the season dealing with the squad he already has if nobody comes in for any of our saleable players. On the evidence of our performances to date that is exceptionally worrying in itself .
I am not sure right now where this is heading but with the squad we have we could find it much more of a struggle to stay in this division than we would like. If I could see that changing then maybe it would be more comfortable but the words of the boss were telling last night, no money and no new players.
Right now we have to face the facts that the buck for where we currently sit lies firmly at the door of our owners and their past decisions (and some of the decisions of those before them) and their silence speaks volumes.
Welcome to the next level, I don’t like it.
Good and accurate post reflecting the current situation. However, this was all entirely predictable from the point at which Jenkins and co sold us out 6 or so years ago. The American model of ownership in British football is riven with an appalling history of mis-management and failure. And as you hint, the American self-protectionist model of ownership within the MLS where no team can get relegated, does not equip American owners to understand the brutal sporting requirements of our football.
Levine/Kaplan’s decision-making when we were in the PL was nothing short of naïve and incompetent and since then the owner’s squirrelling away of the clubs’ funds to shareholders has been ruthless, deceitful and demonstrates a complete lack of empathy towards the club, it’s history and supporters.
As to where do we go from here in terms of ownership? Here’s one possible scenario: We are very likely heading for League 2 within 2yrs. If not before we descend to L2 the owners will have no further assets to filch and will look to sell a virtually worthless club. At that point a certain former chairman emerges and looks to buy back the club. This time will be very different to 2003 – sadly it will not be a supporter led takeover. Instead we will be back under the same dictatorial attitude and leadership which led us directly into the situation we currently face.
Finally, on the Russell Martin situation: of course the owners will remain silent for they will be happy to have supporters anger deflected away from them and onto Martin. They took this psychological approach of deflection with the Steve Cooper (who as can be seen now with Forest is an excellent coach and who almost got us back into the PL, twice). Therefore Martin is being used by the owners as their fall guy. But to be fair to Martin let’s remember that he was not the owners’ first or even second choice as manager, he had no track record of note prior to his appt and he was clearly the cheapest option available to them at the time.
As for Martin himself he appears to have completely lost his team – probably because they don’t understand him and his theories. He seems unable to deliver effective leadership and management but once again the blame lies firmly with the owners for his appointment.
NOW is the time for SCFC supporters to take to the streets and media once again to establish a powerful campaign for these owners to sell up and leave before it is too late!
Two accurate posts; I agree entirely. The owners are showing a complete disregard for the club and supporters. They clearly have no understanding of the concept of ‘club’ – a partnership of players management and supporters. The Americans only seem to understand the notion of financial franchise.
A worrying comment, I believe, is the brief given to Russell Martin: “create assets.” Not: ‘build a successful team on the pitch with players that will make the club successful in sporting terms, thus creating sustainability.’
Rather, the focus appears to be on creating assets that will provide financial reward for shareholders (with total disregard for the supporters; crucial components to the club system)
We supporters must now show our concern and become vociferous in our dissatisfaction with the stance of the owners. I have spoken at length in the past in defence of a sustainable model – but there is a difference between sustainability and having the life-blood of the club haemorrhaged – and this is what the owners are doing; they are destroying the club systematically.
Having listened to Russell Martin’s post-match interview, I felt sorry for the guy. We are existing with fine margins. I agree that much of the play between the boxes can be very good – and this is a crucial point – we seem better away from home. Hardly surprising; the anxiety levels are lower and the travelling supporters play their part by really encouraging and supporting the young players. Russell Martin is right, we supporters can choose to take out our frustrations on the players; boo them, swear at them, abuse them… or, in spite of the appalling owners, get behind the young players, cheer them on, encourage them, show our appreciation of their hard work and commitment. The look of misery and dejection on the faces of the players after yesterday’s game told me that they genuinely care about the team and the club. It hurt me to see those young men so disheartened and to hear the toxic boos ringing around the ground. They are human beings, somebody’s son, brother, father.
Yesterday, and in the previous two home games, the toxic nastiness that came from so-called supporters was sickening. Yes, they were annoyed and frustrated, but did they honestly think the players were not bothered? My young granddaughter hit the nail on the head with her innocent description of some of these people, these ‘grown men(?) around us in the centre of the east stand – bullies … beer belly boo boys. By all means, go online, make your voices heard, write letters to the owners, sign petitions … but aim the vitriol at the owners, not at Russell Martin and the young players – their hands are tied by the constraints imposed by the owners.
How would the beer-belly boo boys feel if their sons or grandsons were wearing the white shirt? What damage is being done to the likes of Cameron Congreave by these so-called ‘men’. Yes, yes, yes, we have a right to show our feelings, but aim the criticism against those who deserve it, not those who are busting a gut to improve things. Let’s not forget that for 91 minutes, the performance against Millwall was as good as anything you’ll see in the Championship this season.
So, I agree with the post above, let our feelings be known – there are thousands of us, we could be quite a force if we stick together – and get behind the coaches and the young men wearing the white shirt with pride. They are OUR team, OUR Swans.
And remember- every persons works far better, in any job, with praise, rather than abusive criticism.
Yes we will see were the club stands at the end of the season and if it is relegation you will not see Levien and Kaplan backsides for dust them two have bled our club dry in all the money they took out of the club in transfers now is the time to react we got rid of Huw Jenkins not for the good mind you but the supporters must show them two are not wonted at our club we were a family club once upon a time and players liked coming to the Swans but not anymore how things change .
You are so right, Anthony and Huw, If the players lose confidence on top of everything else, then relegation is a possibility. But I honestly believe that the owners are not too bothered – so long as RM unearths a few little gems to bring in a lot of dollars.
You are right, we are a family club. The city of Swansea is a family with an identity and a proud history. I think that now is the time, even in defeat, to show solidarity and really get behind the coach and players. Cheer them, encourage them, praise them. I know they’ll appreciate it. Kyle Naughton was so brave to walk along the east stand at the end of the match and applaud the fans, even in the face of booing and abuse. And I was delighted to see the real fans reciprocate. Don’t let the owners divide us and hurt us any more than they already do.
Am I the only one hurt by the constant toxic booing and abuse when something, anything goes wrong? How about you, Anthony, Phil and Huw, do you think it is acceptable to show such vitriol to these young players, who are working hard to deliver something good?
I think we need to understand that our right to show dissatisfaction should not spill over into hurtful abuse – in any walk of life, sport included. We have rights as fans and as human beings, but with freedom and rights come responsibility. Aim our dissent (not abuse) at the owners and encourage our boys in the famous white shirts – they are part of our family. We fans must play a positive part in saving our team and club. Negativity will only send the club into a downward spiral. Is that what we want? We have a choice, as RM said: boo and yell abuse, or get behind the boys, have their backs, in rough times as well as the good.
Hear, hear! Well said, Jack. I don’t see anything telling me that the players don’t care. Only hurt and disappointment. Some fans insist that Martin has lost the dressing room. Not believing that one bit. Those in the squad who care most about this football club; Grimes, Naughton, back Martin 100 percent. And trust his ideas. We should all do the same. I get the frustration, but as long as the squad is this thin, lapses will occur in three game weeks. Just like last season. Luton changed so much personel through out the week. So blame the owners and the financial constraints, question the passing game when it becomes slow and indirect (but do take some time considering how triangles around the GK might open up the opposition), but get behind Martin and the squad. Have a look at their age. We have to believe that we’re building something here. I do!
WE NEED TO BE UNITED.
I have to fully agree with the above article and responding posts in general. As a fan base, we have a very strong voice and it seems our concerns are of little interest to the Yanks. So we need a leader, we need our supporters trust to take the lead and start protesting and boycotting games and their club shops. I strongly believe most are behind Martin and appreciate the very difficult job they have on their plate, in trying to make us competitive on bread crumbs. If we UNITE and hurt the Yanks where it matters most to them and that’s their bottom line, they will offload us to reduce their losses. We will always support a player who puts on a Swansea shirt and a honest manager – a boycott would hurt the owners at a time when money is the loudest talker! – let’s get the yanks out – enough is enough!
I am in no way supporter of Martin’s method of play, but do appreciate he is trying to put square pegs in round holes – give the guy the tools and then judge him – personally I feel he can deliver given the right support.
I fully agree! The abuse aimed at our players and manager is not acceptable under any circumstances. I wish those so called supporters would just stay away. It is such an awful example to our youngsters, not to mention the self esteem of our young (and older) players.
Jack I do like your comment like me you are a true Swans fan I do not know about you but I have been a supporter of the Swans for over 50 years and supported them through the good and bad times and them yanks will as we have seen are not interested in putting any money into our club have you see the results with the other club they own out there in the state’s DC United well they are bottom of the table and got beet six nil last weekend but money is no object for that team you see they employ people to run our club to see what players the club can sell next but I do believe some of the players RM has brought in are not up to championship standered and now wee read that the sticker we got wonts to leave he has only been with us one season and not playing that well at the moment. Yes I am a member of the supporter’s trust and they are given in two quickly to them owners it was set up to act on our behalf but they seem to be doing things behind our backs so I think it is up to us the true supporters to act now against them owners LEVIEN and Kaplan to show they are not welcome here anymore the trouble is I am so passionate about my club that it hurts to see how things are at the moment.
Thank you, guys. It is heartening to see that there are true supporters of the Swans out there. The players we have are trying their best. Yes, we want better results, but booing them and yelling abuse will not get the best out of them – I am delighted that you guys understand that. We are all frustrated, but we need to turn the frustration against the greedy owners. How can we effectively do that? A few good suggestions in your comments above. And in the meantime we must stand together with the manager and players, regardless of results, show a United mentality: The Swans against the world (in this case the greedy, money grabbing owners)
Joel Piroe’s advisers also need to swallow their greed and take a few reality pills – it takes more than one season to become an established great player. I’m sure the boy is confused. The sooner this transfer windows is over, the better. And, get Ryan Bennett back training and working hard for his money – he needs to show a moral example to the young players. With a wafer thin squad, why do we have so many players out on loan? – to save the Americans money!
During the next game, when the booing starts, let’s get behind the players even louder than before, show our SUPPORT, drown out the boo boys – Swans through thick and thin and proud of it.
Keep the belief and keep the love for Swansea City – the boo-boys can go forty miles up the road and watch – and boo – a team in blue. Swansea til I die.
One can learn lots of lessons from Luton. Excellent recruiting of hungry young talent at bargain prices or even free . Adebayo & Campbell both £250,00. Nathan clearly knows how to maximise their potential & playing to a higher level. GREAT comraderie & team spirit. They have learnt from bitter experience the Bitter pill of Financial mis management which resulted in severall relegations & Administrations & 30 point deductions etc.
The current owners are LIFELONG FANS ,attend every match & fully back Nathan in an affordeable way. They have one of the lowest budgets in the Championship,but really know how to make it stretch !! Cant the Swans learn a lesson or two from all this ?? They survived 10 years in the old first division & won the League cup against Arsenal ( previous years Champions ) with the same philosophy too, untill a smart alec businessman took over demanding that assets be developed & sold . they sold Harford, Dowie, Wegerle, Upson, & a bucketfull more. After £20 million of sales they still went bust !! & of course relegation down to Non league was the price they paid !! Surely the Swans repeating this folly has red flashing warning lights all over it ??