O’Leary’s goal-line clearance just before half-time on Saturday kept the Swans in the game as they tried to fight back from two goals down against Lincoln – equalising with just 15 minutes to go.
Kris has come in for some criticism this season, some of it highly unjustified as he tries to fill the gap as the experienced man at the heart of an inexperienced defence. Many fans have been on his back and rarely let him settle into games before criticising his performances. However, his performances are not un-noticed by all and this award is justification in my eyes for his continued selection in the side.
O’Leary follows the likes of Lee Trundle, Brad Maylett and Andy Robinson who have all be named in third division sides of the week this season by Nationwide, the official sponsors of the football league.
The full third division line up for last week is as follows
Mark Ovendale (York)
Foster (Doncaster) Ryan (Doncaster) Taylor (Torquay) O’Leary (Swansea)
Russell (Torquay) D Williams (Kidderminster) Elliott (Hull) McIndoe (Doncaster)
Allsopp (Hull) Brown (Doncaster)
Meanwhile, Swansea will join the other 71 football league clubs in the Anti-Racism week of action which will run between October 16 and 28. (Yeah, yeah I know it’s more than a week but that is what it’s called!)
All football league clubs will contribute to the campaign with a variety of events centered around matches. Every club will have it’s players warm up in ‘Let’s Kick Racism out of football’ T-Shirts and anti-racism messages will be printed in programmes and given out over the PA systems.
Ian Christon of the football league said “Racism remains a scourge on our society and football is playing it’s part in trying to stamp it out. Football league clubs do alot of good work in their communities to help spread the anti-racism message and the Let’s Kick Racism out anti-racism week will help covey the message to a wider audience that there is no room for racism in society”