Planet Swans ArchivesLeon Britton is the unlikely goalscoring hero in Swansea’s current cup run. Goals at Newport, Darlington and Sheffield United have seen the midfielder head into Fourth round tie against either Chester or Ipswich as someone who has scored in every round so far.
But that is not something that is on his mind at the moment as the Swans look to a tie that could see them emulate the feats of three years back when the fifth round beckoned.
And it could be an old pals reunion for Britton as former club captain Roberto Martinez is currently strutting his stuff at Chester – even if it means that the League Two side will have to overcome Championship opposition on their own patch.
“I was good friends with Roberto as we were room-mates throughout his time at the club, we played a lot of games next to each other in central midfield,” Britton told the Western Mail
“As a friend, it was sad to see him leave Swansea, but you have to accept that players come and go. It’s part and parcel of football.
“I don’t really know what his feelings were about leaving Swansea, but whatever they were he seems to have moved on now. I’ve spoken to him a few times since the summer and he seems to be enjoying his football at Chester.
“Roberto was a big favourite at Swansea. He was club captain and all the boys respected him, so I’m sure those who knew him will look forward to playing against him if Chester manage to beat Ipswich.
“And, being the ultimate professional that he is, I’m sure he’d be fully focused on trying to beat Swansea. It would be an interesting situation.”
Martinez did not leave Swansea on the best of terms with the manager who left him out towards the end of last season and released him almost immediately after the play off final despite, what Martinez says was, a few offers of contract extensions.
Martinez has started 24 of Chester’s 25 games so far this season, scoring on three occasions.
Chester have already been knocked out of this season’s competition once – against Bury in Round Two – but were reinstated when the Lancashire side were kicked out for fielding an ineligible player. Doesn’t the FA Cup throw out these kind of stories?
