Hull Programme

In The Programme – Hull City

I suspect that no-one reading this today will forget the last visit of Hull City to the Vetch. That magical day in May last year sparked celebrations not seen too often in Swansea and any result other than the victory that we obtained on the day still doesn’t really bear thinking about. I come to this match not as nervous as I was that day and certainly I hope that I enjoy the first 60 minutes or so much more than I did then. That feeling when we were 2-1 down is something that I never want to experience as a Swans fan again, I honestly thought at that moment that we were going to lose our football league status. Thankfully, we didn’t and we are here today in mid table in the third division whilst Hull look to take that final step for their goal – Division Two. And to be honest with the support that they get they probably deserve it. My good friend Keith Haynes has spoken many times in his column about the support at Cardiff City but it is really dwarfed (what an appropriate phrase?) by the support received at the KC stadium and good luck to our visitors today if they do seal that promotion that they seem to be constant favourites for.

I write these notes a full twelve days before the Hull game due to holiday commitments for the commercial staff at the Vetch and my own work commitments so it is hard to know how the games have gone over the past week or so. Bottom club Carlisle have been and gone at the Vetch, we are either in the FAW Final or are beaten semi finalists and if I knew how the result against Lincoln had gone, Jack Brown would have had £100 off me on a nice little treble. So I’ll make a prediction that we beat Carlisle and Rhyl but lost to Lincoln. If I’m right then I’ll tell you the lottery numbers in the next programme, if I’m wrong then I’ll stick to not predicting anything ever again.

Much speculation of course about the name of the new manager with not a day going past without a new name being linked, dismissed or hoped for. One thing that the board have to ensure at the moment is that they do not rush into any decision for a replacement and that the man we take on board is the right man for the job. We can’t chop and change constantly and after two years in the directors seats they must have a good idea of the perfect candidate. Of course, at some stage in the future a change will always happen (it always does) but this one should be for the long term so here’s hoping on that front.

Of course we are now coming to the end of another long and eventful season at the Vetch. One year we will have a season where this club sits happily in mid table with nothing happening of note. You think back over 20 years and ask yourselves how many times that has happened. Of course with the introduction of the play offs around 15/16 years ago, it makes the event much more unlikely but even so we always seem to have something happening at the club. I guess it is one of the things that makes it so special and knowing up lot we probably wouldn’t have it any other way – would we?

Anyway, push aside those remaining Easter Eggs from yesterday and enjoy the Bank Holiday sunshine (?!?) at the Vetch and here’s to a great game of football – just 25 more league games remain after today here at the Vetch so let’s make the most of it and get behind the team like only we can.

C’MON CITY!

Phil Sumbler (phil@sumbler.freeserve.co.uk)

You can keep up to date with the fans views on Swansea City by visiting www.jackarmy.net – Supporting the Swans, All Day, Every Day.

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?