The last two weeks have been a drag for just about every Swansea City fan. Time seems to have gone so slowly since the moment when Darren Pratley found the back of the Liberty Stadium net from the halfway line to finally kill off the Forest challenge.
24 hours later we watched nervously as Reading became our opponents and then all focus came for tomorrow. Personally I have been distracted for large parts of the last two weeks by thoughts of what may be and the thought of the Swans now standing on the verge of the Premier League is filling me with a mixture of anticipation, nervousness and excitement.
This isn't your normal match preview, this is personal thoughts ahead of one of the biggest games I have ever seen. I remember Hull on that May day in 2003 and remember a feeling of fear right up until the moment that James Thomas sealed his hat trick. There is no fear ahead of tomorrow, I deperately want to win but I am not driven by a fear of losing this time as I was back in 2003.
There is a tinge of sadness as I remember absent friends who should be stood shoulder to shoulder at Wembley with me but aren't but I know they will be watching with their Wembley play off final on proud display – the on high version of the Swansea City fan club will be in full voice tomorrow afternoon as well.
The sense of pride I will feel when Garry Monk leads his side onto the Wembley turf will be second to none in my life as a Swans fan and to see players that played for us in League Two having the chance to take us into the Premier League is a fantastic story and credit to everyone that has been part of Swansea City the last ten years.
We have had a fantastic season – we finished third in the division – and tomorrow could be th icing, the cherry and the small squirt of cream on the cake all rolled into one. This is the chance for all of us to be part of history and it is a chance for all of us to do Swansea proud and play our role in what will be one of the greatest stories ever written. For all Jacks heading to Wembley loosen up the vocal chords and belt out every Swansea song with pride and gusto – sod it, not just the 12th man but the 13th, 14th and 15th as well.
To the board of directors, thank you for your committment to the club over your tenure and long may that continue. You have done so much, you have done it at personal expense but you have done it for the club we all love. Tomorrow is for you and you deserve every feeling of pride that you will get tomorrow afternoon.
To Brendan, Garry, Alan and the rest of the team and backroom staff. You have all been a credit to Swansea City this season and we know and believe that you will deliver on one more occasion tomorrow afternoon. This is your moment on the big stage and you deserve every minute of it. Our dreams are your dreams to and together we can make those dreams come true.
To all 40,000+ Jacks making the trip to Wembley tomorrow, safe travels, enjoy it and make the most of what is a truly unique experience. There is something very special about the Swansea City family and I feel privileged to be part of it.
This is our moment – BELIEVE!
