Planet Swans ArchivesThese will be John Williams, Steve Watkin, Jason Smith, Matt Bound and David Romo. If this was to happen today and with Sidibe again side lined Swansea City would not be able to field a striker for Saturdays game against Leyton Orient. And being in need of goals and desperate for two home victories this means another critical time ahead for the club.
After a meeting with the PFA when Shuttleworth once again refused their assistance with players wages, he made it known that the playing staff would be cut as planned. The meeting between Martin Burgess, Shuttleworth and Brendon Batson ( PFA ) at The Vale of Glamorgan Hotel revealed that Tony Petty will not have the funds to pay the players wages at the end of the month. This after securing one hundred thousand pounds from Wycombe Wanderers for Stuart Roberts and in the knowledge that before the end of this month The Swans would have played two more home games with approximately thirty eight thousand pounds in gate revenue taken. Estimates are based on deductions from season ticket holders and recent gates. It is also expected more fans will turn up at these games to show solidarity against Petty and Shuttleworth with many more outside. Average gates of 4,000 for these two games will not far wide of the mark. The big question now is with one hundred and forty thousand pounds banked – Why can the players not be paid ?
Again questions are being asked as to the real agenda of this administration with so much cash to play with and indeed just what role is Mike Lewis playing in all of these scenario’s ? Lewis now living with a school teacher outside of Swansea is not expected at The Vetch Field for any games in the future as a poster campaign is launched to greet Petty and his associates as they prepare to attempt to do business in Swansea next week. Both the Supporters Trust and The Midlands Avon & Gloucester Swans have released press statements today regarding the current problems at The Vetch field. In a bullet point release The MAGS are asking questions of all concerned at the club. This was released via 250 press agencies world wide today, and the Swansea story is expected to get additional coverage after Radio Five Live and Talk Sport carried angry messages from fans throughout Europe. FOSCFA, the Swansea based supporters travel club have backed both supporters groups at all levels. For once the Swans support is totally united as T-Shirts are being printed, banners made and plans laid for further protests. Five thousand free badges will be available in the next ten days with the message ” Who has got the PETTY cash ” on them.
Joining fans of Swansea City on Saturday will be supporters from Bristol City and Cardiff City to show solidarity against the current set up at The Vetch Field. As time goes on all League and Conference clubs will attend marches organised by The Supporters Trust, and over 200 supporters groups country wide have been contacted to ask for support. Memories of Brighton a few years back and the unconditional support they received will still be remembered by many football fans. Today this site received support from our friends in Den Haag, Holland and Kortrecht in Belgium. Fans of both clubs plan to attend a massive day of action next month if Petty is still at the club. Already estimates of 5,000 plus for this protest are forecasted.
And the fans victory at Brighton in 1996 should not be lost on Petty or Shuttleworth.
Swans fans are asked to spend a small period of time this weekend to call Talk Sport, Radio 5, and all local media stations to spread the word on the plight of the club. We have been reliably informed that all national stations will attempt to get to air all Swans fans to air their grievances, and Swansea supporters in the press in London at all the broad sheets, and in the media at established stations and magazines will be ensuring that the crisis is well reported over the weekend and in the weeks ahead. Fans are also asked to lobby The Welsh Assembly to have questions raised on the current way of running the club, and Michael Howard MP and long term Swans fan is expected to make comment on the matters next week after being furnished with all the facts. Locally Swansea Council are also expected to make an announcement on these matters and the affect on The Morfa project next week too. The news will not be good for Petty. A working group called ” Action Now ” has been formed and reports suggest that the group with major business interests in the City and throughout Wales will lobby all MP’s and public services including the setting up of an internet site to reveal damning evidence on the current regime at the club, and indeed Mike Lewis’s association with Petty over a long period of time. Local Councillors and businesses have been urged to add their support for The Swans, and to cast aside all political allegiance to protect the future of the club. Swans fans are being urged to send e mails and faxes to every supporters group, internet site, football club, media outlet and business regards the current situation at The Vetch Field, but the onus is on all profiled people to support The Swans in crisis – And the council should forward this from Monday.
Our contacts within the press have stated that Tony Petty has conducted an interview with them from Brisbane and the outcome will anger Swans fans considerably as he has branded supporters of the club ” A disgrace ” and the consortiums bid to free the club of Petty ” An insult to my intelligence ” Petty will attempt to return to Swansea on Wednesday after the two home games, and is expected to attend the Luton Town away fixture on Saturday 27th October 2001. This site has been contacted by a number of journalists and football fans from Australia who are only to glad to inform on Petty’s movements, even those allegedly close to him. He will also attempt to pacify Swans fans by announcing that he has secured the services of a goalkeeper and midfielder from Australia. Of course the ten years service by Roger Freestone to the club seems to be lost on him, and indeed his loyalty to The Swans as a record breaking full International keeper.
As this piece is being compiled further support for the Swansea cause has been received from Newcastle United, Grimsby Town, Bristol Rovers and Clydebank. In 1995 4,000 Swans fans made the long FA Cup journey to Tyneside for a fifth round tie. At the end of the season The Magpies best selling fanzine ” The Mag ” voted Swansea fans as the best away support seen at the ground for five years.
It seems that this is just the beginning.
