Autoglass Memories - 1994

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Seeing as the club are pushing memories I have been looking through the archives of this site at how we celebrated the 10 year anniversary - take a read of some of the material we had at the time

Sadly a lot of the pictures we had were lost in one of the site moves but the words remain...

Enjoy

 

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FRANK BURROWS PREVIEW:
Everyone knows the Autoglass Trophy is a very slow starter. The opening matches have to be fitted in alongside your early league games, and the various other cup competitions, where we had some great battles against both Bristol City and Premier League Oldham. Added to that, our group matches were against useful teams in Exeter and Plymouth - particularly Plymouth. From that slow start though, the tournament most definitely leads to something, and the fans warm to it - even people who don't normally associate with the club or come to matches start to get excited. That's why I was pleased to get the aggregate result against Wycombe, as by then, I knew the expectations of the city were high for a trip to Wembley.

I don't agree with the idea that "our name is on the cup". When I was coach at Sunderland we reached the League Cup Final against Norwich, we beat some cracking teams on the way to Wembley - Chelsea, Notts Forest and Spurs - when the odds against us were 100-1, but then, as now, I believe it's a case of who plays well on the day that wins. That was proved again with this year 's Coca-Cola Cup Final - Manchester United were the favourites, but Aston Villa played better on the day, and they won the trophy. I know that if my team play well, they've got the ability to beat any team in our Division, and if they concentrate and work hard on April 24th, there' s no reason at all why we can't win at Wembley. I'm delighted for the people of the city that they've got the chance to see us play in a Wembley final. Mr Sharpe and myself have worked hard to keep the club progressing in the right direction, and during my time here, we've won the Welsh Cup, got to the play-offs and reached a Wembley final. We need to keep increasing support at the club though, and I see our success in this Trophy as a step to get more people interested, generate more money, and hopefully keep them interested, with our aim being to reach the First Division, and then ultimately the Premiership.

We've had our disappointments this season, particularly being knocked out of the FA Cup by Nuneaton, but although I felt there was a hysterical reaction to that, particularly in certain areas, that's part and parcel of my job. I' m proud to be manager of the Swans and to be a Jack, and I want to be King of the Jacks at Wembley on April 24th. No criticism can deflect from the pride I get when I see my side play well and win, and particularly when the young players do well. I also get a tremendous buzz from seeing the progress made like Des Lyttle and Andrew Legg, who've played under me at this club before moving on. I'm expecting a crowd of between 45 and 60 thousand for our big day at Wembley, and although playing there is such a special feeling, the players have to remember is that their job is to play for that particular 90 minutes - as I said earlier, whether it's a World Cup Final or an Autoglass Trophy Final, it's the performance on the day that counts. It's important to enjoy the occasion by playing well. I went to Wembley as a player with Swindon in 1969 - we played well, I didn't do too bad personally either, and it was an enjoyable day. When I was there as coach of Sunderland though, we didn't play well, and the occasion was far more muted. I just hope that when we go there, the fans enjoy the atmosphere, and we give them something to cheer about by picking up the Trophy.

I won't have any special preparations or superstitions leading up to Wembley - I'll just get ready as thoroughly as possible, and I'm certain I' ll enjoy every bit of the build-up and the day itself. I enjoy every aspect of my work - I look forward to coming in to work, and though its hard work, I enjoy it all. This will be the first time the city of Swansea and its football club have been to Wembley - I hope the weather's fine, everyone has a good day out and cheers the team on to victory - I certainly hope we sell all our tickets and have as many supporters there as possible. One last thing - I might ask them to play the Welsh National anthem - I'd love to hear that sung at Wembley, because its been a long time since the Welsh have been there and sung their own anthem! I'm proud to be a Jack - enjoy the day at Wembley and thank you as always for your continued support. Frank Burrows

 

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DOUG SHARPE'S PREVIEW
Sunday April 24th at Wembley will be a special day for myself and everyone else connected with Swansea City Football Club. I've been to Wembley on a number of occasions, but going there, as Chairman, with Swansea one of the teams involved, will be tremendous. It'll be a smashing day out for the city of Swansea, and I hope people will be taking their children and families along, as the facilities at Wembley are excellent. I'm looking for us to be taking around 25 to 30 thousand supporters, and I hope we can do the business on the day. The atmosphere at Wycombe for the return leg of our semi-final there was superb. Our supporters were magnificent, they got behind the team from beginning to end, and though we had to do some defending up there, especially in the first half, we came back extremely well, and could easily have scored some goals ourselves in the second half. Success in the Autoglass Trophy obviously helps the bank balance of a club like ours - getting to Wembley itself makes quite a lot of money for the club, and so makes things easier in the future. Since Frank Burrows has been our manager, a lot of good things have happened, including on our youth side, and hopefully we'll now continue to see young players coming through into the first team and even higher. Frank is a good motivator and a good manager, and we're certainly on the right track.

At one stage this season we had as many as six first-team players out injured - even the likes of Arsenal and Manchester Unites can't cope with that, but it's nice to think that our supporters are now going to have their day out at Wembley. I remember in the first division days, the motorways were packed with Swansea supporters going to matches - let's make it the same on the road to Wembley. And yes - I'll certainly be bringing my famous tin hat to Wembley - it went to every game when we reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1964, and it'll be there this time too. Enjoy the day Doug Sharpe

 

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THE JOHN BURGUM MATCH REPORT
SWANSEA heeded the advice of their manager in a thrilling Autoglass Trophy final to make a winning Wembley debut and put a little respectability back into the tarnished image of Welsh football.

But the first club from the Principality to leave the famous Twin Towers with a trophy since Cardiff won the FA Cup in 1927 did not achieve it without a high degree of drama.

Two hours of strained emotions had failed to separate two evenly balances teams when it all came down to a contest no-one really wanted.

Hardly noted for their penalty prowess after missing so many spot kicks in recent times, Swansea has cause to view it with a certain amount of suspicion.

But Swansea's 18,000 strong following need not have worried. Enter Frank Burrows with calming assurance "I simply told my players not to complicate things. Make up your mind, never change it."

That's exactly what Swansea did. Swansea captain John Cornforth, voted Autoglass man of the match, Kwame Ampadu and Steve Torpey all succeeded without too much fuss and bother.

Burrows added: "When it comes down to penalties it's in the lap of the gods. Your pray that the gods are with you for those two or three minutes and they certainly were.

Huddersfield duo Graham Mitchell and Phil Starbuck struck the wood work and when second half hero Roger Freestone denied Tom Cowan to crown a superb personal contribution, Huddersfield dismay was quickly over shadowed by Swansea joy.

Cornforth immediately ran over to his manager and the two hugged each other in celebration.

But the one sided penalty shoot our bore little resemblance to the previous two hours of frantic see sawing activity.

Swansea rarely looked in trouble after the recalled Andy McFarlane scored early on, but they were rocked back on their heels after the interval when Huddersfield's physical strength threatened to disrupt Swansea's passing game.

Having withstood the pressure not without several scares, Swansea came back strongly in extra time when Steve Francis pulled off the save of the match t turn Cornforth's free kick around the post.

It had looked a lot more promising early on when Swansea mde the perfect Wembley start by scoring the fastest goal in the competition's history after just eight minutes.

Freestone pumped a long free kick deep into the Huddersfield defence after Colin Pascoe had been impeded and the long striding McFarlane did the rest -chesting the ball down with nonchalant ease as Huddersfield stood and watched before turning sharply and burying a low drive into the far corner of the goalkeeper's net.

With Cornforth directing astutely from midfield and Pascoe grafting tirelessly in support, Swansea continued to call most of the shots until the latter stages of the first half when Wembley's soft underbelly started to dig into Swansea's reserves.

The arrival of lively Iain Dunn at the start of the second half merely reinforced Huddersfield's grip of the proceedings.

From then on, Swansea struggled for long periods to match Huddersfield's greater strength and commitment. The aerial power of Andrew Booth underlined it and the problems Mark Harris and Michael Basham ensured served as ample testimony.

Almost every time Swansea gained possession the Terriers were snapping at their heels forcing the error and allowing wingers Jason Bowen and the ineffective John Hodge little room to manoeuvre even on Wembley's vast acres.

Huddersfield pressure brought its due reward after just over an hour's play - Phil Starbuck supplying the corner and Richard Logan the finish with a firm header.

Although scoring opportunities were at a premium both sides had chances to avoid the necessity of extra time. Mark Clode forced Francis to palm one effort over the bar before going off injured to complete a remarkable nine days which included a spell in hospital after he'd been knocked unconscious at Burnley.

Swansea's best winning chance however, came as injury time beckoned. The hard working McFarlane cleared a long ball out of defence and Bowen raced clear pursued by Chris Billy before rattling the near post with a right foot drive.

The athletic Freestone was even more active, denying Starbuck before making a point blank reaction save to turn a header from Simon Baldry over the bar.

Swansea somehow managed to save something for the extra half hour and they finished far the stronger before that dramatic penalty shoot out earned them top billing with their rugby neighbours who lifted the coveted Heineken League title just 24 hours earlier at St Helens.

 

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He's going to love this but this was the Clive Hughes (@3swan ) match report
My thoughts on the Autoglass at Wembley start a few weeks earlier on a warm night at Wycombe. Of those that were there, who can forget those extra 5mins when the final was so close but those thoughts pushed to one side. We couldn't let in a goal or we were out. The final whistle saw a massive outpouring of emotion as we sang that we were off to Wembley. We sang, and we sang, and we sang. It was only later, when we were being kept in the ground while the rest of the ground departed that it finally hit home. As we looked out on a line of police on the pitch (everything was good natured) that it sunk in. We WERE off to Wembley.

Being in the Midlands there was very little build up to the game apart from the odd snippet on Radio Wales, so not much. On the Sunday it was a drive down the M1, hardly a fan to be seen. Even as we got to Wembley the car park was nearly empty. This didn't last long as coach after coach arrived. The atmosphere was building as we walked around the stadium. I had been there to see Wales, but for my 2 sons, it was their first visit. It was not the Wembley that I remembered as it needed a good tidy up. More disappointment as our 'seats' were just a bench. All this disappeared as the ground filled, it was a carnival atmosphere. The Swans took the field in their new kit to a sea of 18,000 black and white scarves, flags and banners and balloons. The Welsh National Anthem was sung load and clear. All this and the game hadn't even started. It did of course, and a highly contested match it was, as it started at a very high tempo. It was only eight minutes in, when a massive kick from Rog nearly reached the Huddersfield penalty area. Andy McFarlane chested it past the keeper and from a tightish angle slotted home. Eruption time. 'Falling in love with you' echoed around Wembley. The Swans were there. In fairness Huddersfield fans must have been singing but from 'our' end you could only hear the sounds of the Vetch

The rest of the first half saw us the more dominant team with a few scares at both ends in what was a very good game. The second half saw a change as Huddersfield took control and on the hour got the equaliser. A bullet header from the penalty spot, following a corner. We were under the cosh for long periods but defended well. The best shot on goal came from left back Mark Clode, who cutting in from the left, sent a curling shot heading for the top corner until a desperate hand appeared from Francis, turning it clear. Clode was in the thick of things when he was also involved in another attack breaking into the area, going down under a heavy tackle. He hobbled for a while, and soon later was back in our area saving a certain goal but again went down heavily and was replaced. The hot day took its toll as play became more open and mistakes appeared. 10 minutes from the end Rog pulled off a massive save, turning a shot over the bar. There was just about enough time for Jason Bowen to cut in from the right, sending a powerful shot towards goal. It rebounded off the post to safety. I can still hear that metal thud now. No more scoring so extra time was played. In the first minute Rog went down after a clash with our defender Basham. It looked bad, but he soon recovered. The rest of extra time was mostly without incident as players were dead on their feet. So it was down to penalties. Taken at the tunnel end away from the Swans fans. Huddersfield were first to go. A cheer went up from the Swans fans as it hit the post (Confusing us as from our angle it looked as if it had gone in) John Cornforth stepped up and coolly blasted into the top corner of the net. Huddersfield scored to make it 1-1 Ampadu scored the second. 2-1 Huddersfield hit the bar with their next. Still 2-1 Torpey blasted home the third. 3-1 (The players and fans started to celebrate) Huddersfield's fourth was save by Rog. The cup was ours. The roar went up as John Cornforth lifted the cup. As the Huddersfield end emptied the players lined up for the press photos and joined in with 'Falling in love with you'

The full Swansea song sheet was sung in the next minutes. With Roger doing his own dancing jig holding the trophy, to the sound of 'Roger, Roger, Roger, Roger, Roger, Roger Roger Freestone' As the ground emptied you could still smell the atmosphere. The Swans 'Came, Saw, Conquered' Talking to Huddersfield fans after the game was mutual back slapping it was then that I realised that I had waited 40 years for this moment and my sons had done it in a quarter of the time. The journey back up the M1 was slow until Luton and then hardly any fans to be seen. Monday was an anti-climax as again there was very little news in the press and nothing on Midlands TV. This was pre-internet days. It would be much, much different now. For those who missed it, it was a magical day out. It's what football is all about."

 

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Jack Memories - Jeremy Kivell
Just read your article about the Autoglass final. Like you, I can't believe it was 10 years ago. I was clearing out some old emails from the server at work the other day, and believe it or not, I found one that I'd sent the a few days after the final to a Swans fan called Alan Philips in Melbourne. This was when the internet worked using wet string and tin cans, and Gary hadn't yet started scfc.co.uk, so exiles were really starved of information. I think Alan had seen something I'd posted on the rec.sports.soccer newsgroup, and we'd started swapping occasional emails from there. Anyway, enough rambling. Here's the email I found. Hope it's useful to you (BTW, Cardiff won the Welsh Cup semi, then went and lost to Barry in the final)... > Could it be true ?? Another Swansea fan reading rss. I thought I was the only one. Yes Alan, it's true. I've been lurking on RSS for about 3 years, and the only posts mentioning Swansea that I've seen have been from Cardiff fans. Maybe there are a lot more of us out there who think they are the "only ones"?> Jeremy, I've been trying to find out the result of the Wembley match all week, could you please put me out of my misery. After following the Swans for years I go and emigrate and the buggers get to Wembley ! Assuming you went, any chance of a few lines in way of a match report ? Yep, I went, and quite an experience it was! The score after 90 minutes was 1-1. Extra time produced no more scoring, and the Swans won it 3-1 on penalties. Swansea had the better of the first half, and went one up after six minutes when Andy McFarlane followed up his own flick on from Roger Freestone's kick upfield to hit a shot from the corner of the area across the Huddersfield keeper into the far corner. Andy Mac seems to specialise in scoring good goals on big occasions (he got one in the play-offs against WBA at the Vetch last season). The rest of the first half produced few more chances, although Phil Starbuck (I think) should have buried a shooting chance for Huddersfield just before the break.

Huddersfield woke up in the second half, and equalised after an hour. It was a corner from their right which was met by a pretty good header from about 10 yards back across Freestone into the top corner. Swansea were under pressure for about 10 minutes after this, and were lucky on a couple of occasions before coming back into the game and creating a few more chances themselves. Jason Bowen was unlucky when the ball wouldn't come down for him to shoot while in the Huddersfield area; then in the last minute, Bowen got goal-side of the left-back and shot from the corner of the area against the near post - unbelievable! Both teams were fairly cautious during extra-time, as you might expect. The only moment that stood out for me was a free kick by John Cornforth from just outside the box that was curling and dipping beautifully into the top corner of the Huddersfield goal, but their keeper made a brilliant save. So to the penalties which, like both the other goals, took place at the opposite end of the ground from where I was sitting. Huddersfield went first and hit the post (poetic justice for Bowen's last minute miss). John Cornforth scored with his kick, then Huddersfield converted one. Pat Ampadu put Swansea ahead again, then Huddersfield managed to hit the bar with their next effort (divine retribution!). Steven Torpey (who had come on a sub in the 2nd half) scored, and then Freestone saved a rather pathetic attempt to clinch it. Man of the match was John Cornforth (I don't know who chose him, but I don't think I'd disagree). Mark Clode had a very good game at left back, and the only disappointments were the performances of Colin Pascoe (who still has dodgy ankles) and John Hodge. All in all a pretty good day out, especially satisfying when you consider that Swansea fans were outnumbered 27,000 to 17,000. We got a bit of stick from the Huddersfield lot before the game "...come on a skate board, you must have come on a skateboard...", so walking smugly back to the car after the game was particularly enjoyable.> It's hard enough getting league results from the lower divisions let alone any match reports. ...and I thought I was badly done by living in Berkshire where the reception of Radio Wales is terrible! In case you don't know, we're mathematically safe from relegation since last week's win at Bournemouth. Welsh Cup semi second leg tonight (Thursday). As you may know, we're 2-1 down against C ff from the home leg, so we've got a bit of work to do at Ninian Park. Cornforth, Bowen, Pascoe, Clode and McFarlane were rested for Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat by Port Vale, but they're all expected to play tonight. I'll mail (or post, depending on the outcome!) the result tomorrow.

 

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Jack Memories - David Darlington

All I can say is what a weekend.
Started off on Saturday morning train to Paddington. We arrived in London at about 12.30 where we (about 15 of us)were booked into the Tredegar Hotel, a horrible seedy hotel in the square just around the corner from the station. Bags were dumped and an all dayer started. We went around the local pubs in the afternoon with a session in Soho lined up in the evening. The afternoon went well, and I will summerise in point form of the various incidents.
1. Two boys fell for the tourist trap and ended up being charged £300 for two halves of lager, having their lives threatened and having to do a runner from a club in soho, it still cost them about £200. They managed their escape by running off from the guy when he was taking them to the cash point for the extra £100!!
2. Three of the lads ended up having a fight in Leicester Square, with one of the boys ending up with someones nipple in his mouth, it had been detached from the body of the owner!! Only one black eye in the trio!
3. About seven of the boys ended up having a fight in Soho Square with either Leeds or Chelsea fans, only one broken nose, no black eyes.
4.A fewof boys went on a prostitute search, Two ended up ina brothel but only one did the business because as the other one was waiting to see the same prostitute, the prositute asked the first boy how long he was going to be as he was crap!!! He stormed out and told the second boy she wasn't worth the money, sounded like sour grapes.
5. One of the boys ended up ina club in Paddington, the only problem was that he was the only white guy in there and they took an instant dislike to him and chased him out, luckily unscathed.
Apart form the smaller incidents of one of the boys being locked out of his room all night, another shitting the bed, and some minor arguments between the boys I think you will agree it was an eventfull night all round!!
We were up at eight after about two hours sleep, we skipped breakfast and headed for a pub in Paddington, I cant remember what it was called but one of the boys said his cousin owned it and was opening up early for Swans fans. We were chuffed to find out he was telling the truth and the pub was indeed open, our only regret that it had been open for nearly half an hour before we got there and it was full of Swans fans.

 

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Jack Memories - Exile Jack

My memories of that wonderful day started on the Friday

Arriving in Swansea on the Friday night with my family with my son at the time only 4 yrs old, staying with my grandmother down the Mumbles, the build up was out of this world. The night before we gathered at the Builders about 30 of us then founder members of T.I.T.S THE INDEPENDANT TRAVELLING SWANS to run over the major operation in place for the Sunday to make sure everyone got their seat on the coaches booked down to the T SHIRTS that had been printed to this day I still wear when abroad on hols.

I remember my Gran telling me how close we had been in 1964 to getting to Wembley but now her words were take it all in your going to enjoy this day until u die ( the anthem that was sung on that famous day 10 yrs ago ..Swansea till I die and take my hand) in the end we lifted that trophy and to return to Swansea that same night to a party on the sea front at a hotel venue to celebrate then see Andy Mac ride a push bike totally amazing. But now this is were I get my claim to fame, on the Monday I called in the Vetch on my return to the post code of NP44 my son of 4 yrs wanted a Roger Freestone picture I wonder why ? Maybe because all he heard for 24 hrs was that Penalty save, then when at the Vetch I bump into Frankie Burrows, on this I thanked him for a wonderful day something I shall never forget until Frank says come with me, you are the FIRST FAN to do this on which he passed me the coveted trophy itself I stood their in disbelief something the lads had won 24 hrs earlier I'm holding in the Managers office in my hands.

I think I drove the 60 miles home in a dream land thinking I was super JONNY CORNFORTH I still keep the winning team picture to this day, as a famous Welshman once said I KNOW COS I WAS THERE.....A DATE IN HISTORY NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN.

 

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Jack Memories - Taffsawelshman

How can we forget that day my memories are that of firstly our coach driver getting lost in London and getting in the stadium just in time to see andy Mcfarlane score. Ten seconds later and we would have missed it. After that I didn't sit down all game and watching a freekick being tipped onto the bar in the second half i thought that was it, penalties, cue big roger to save the day and ultimately put us into delirium. I couldn't sleep for two days after or speak through the fact i had a stinking headache and sore throat all through shouting and singing but it was well worth seeing, something i hope we could do again and again for our future supporters. We had our day in the sun, hopefully the younger generation of swans fans will have theirs.

 

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Jack Memories - Rob

What a day. I remember jumping on the train at Newport the coaches were jammed packed with Jacks.

Then I saw the biggest bloke you can imagine in his 50s hard as nails he looked. He then got up to go to the buffet and put on a hat with a three foot lifesize Swan on it.

I knew from that moment onwards it was going to be a day to remember.

 

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Jack Memories - Swansea_Jack_84

wow that day was incredible - i was only 9 years old and i remember the day before i was in town with my brother and my parents and we walking past The Vetch and the Swans bus was outside the ground, waiting to take the players up. I remember having my photo taken with all the players and having a little chat with Kwame Ampadu, Mark Clode etc. I remember going up on the train reading a paper with loads of Swans songs in them and giggling about it with my friend and his family who came up with us. I'd never been so excited in all my life! When we got there, i remember seeing a girl walking infront of me wearing a shirt which had Bowen, 7 printed on the back, and i remember being insanely jealous cos he was my favourite player and i wanted my shirt printed too! We also bought Swans flags and i remember going into the stadium and finding our seats. From Macfarlane's first goal to the penalty shoot out i was a bag of nerves, and i remember the Mexican Wave making me laugh aswell! I also remember watching Roger, as he couldn't watch us taking some of our penalties and the immense noise coming form our fans! When we walked up to receive the trophy, and i remember as it was lifted into the air and the stadium just erupted and i had shivers all of over! I was so proud! That is a moment i will never forget, and watching it on the video of Wembley we've got, i still get the same feelings of pride.

 

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Jack Memories - Natasha Smith
My first ever experience of a football match was at Wembley on that day!! I was seven at the time and up until then i had never sat down for a full 90 minutes to watch a match. It didn't interest me but that was soon to change.

The atmosphere was electric even before the match. My parents, my sister and i went to the pub down the road from Wembley, there were swans fans outside one pub on one side of the road and Huddersfield fans outside the other pub on the other side of the road. Both sets of fans were chanting, but it was a friendly atmosphere!

We got inside Wembleystadium and the atmosphere was more electric, if that was evenpossible. There were Swans fans everywhere, talking, chanting, but then every single swans fan burst into the chant of, "There's only oneAlan Curtis!!" Alan Curtis waswalking through the crowd to get a drink or something and he just grinned. That was my most vivid memory of that day, apart from us actually lifting the cup, and the crowd roaring in excitement.

After the daysevents of winning the cup, the ecstatic atmosphere and the excitementthat every swans fan shared, I became a season ticket holder the following season, and i have been for ten years this week!! And i will continue to be a season ticket holder for the rest of my life!!

Those were my memories of Wembley anyway,

 

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Jack Memories - Lorraine Corbett (A JackArmy.net and Swansea City legend)

The hundreds of memories that can fit into one day is incredible, I am going for just a few. We went up (about thirty of us) for the week-end, and Jimmy Hadziabdic had arranged to come to the game with us rabble.
We all went to a restaurant belonging to Jimmy's former agent which was somewhere in Soho,some ofmy family from the London side squashed in to join us inthis tiny downstairs restaurant which was ringing with Swansea football songs all evening, but Jimmy was missing--he was worse for wear when he arrived, and what an entrance he made--falling down the staircase, to land on a table messing up his immaculate clothes and ending his evening a little earlier than the rest of us.
The next morning, one of the pubs near our hotel opened very early (some of our party had contacts in the area) and a few hours were spent drinking and a lot of intricate face painting took place. There is a photo of our lot in the H.G. bar--but you wouldn't know us as we have so much face slapon.
We took thetrain to Wembley station and climbed the hill to the pub, but by now--I just wanted to get in and savour the atmosphere! and when we at lastgot into the ground, I seemed to meet every one I knew from Swansea, some of them at their first football match.
The airhad beenelectric walking up Wembley way, and on getting to our seats, and hearing the singing, I knew,that beautiful noise could have only been --Swansea supporters, I noticed that some of the men were crying when the team came out. I've never felt so emotional in a football match as at that moment.
I checked out the Swans shirts,the reason being thatI had sewn all the 'autoglass' badges on them (I hadsent up a wish, while workingon each shirt) it took a lot of grovelling to keep the spare badge for my hubby's jacket I can tell you! You would think I was asking for gold dust. By the way, the referee's badge was sewn on crooked, which to some is useless information, but for a tailoress it's very important.
Andy Macs goal sent us into a frenzy, the singing was some thing that I know will never be repeated for me, unbelievable.
I wrote a song later about 'our lovely day' but I am the only one that can sing it, because the tune is so old--no one knows it!
The matchwas well documented, and everyone's memories are different......these are just a few of mine.

 

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Jack Memories - Billy Williams (another JackArmy.net legend)

We travelled up by train on Saturday morning and had a hell of a night on the West End, outside pubs with Huddersfield fans singing "If you all hate Leeds and Cardiff clap your hands". Unfortunately over zealous Met Police soon put pay to that. A night of absolutely no sleep followed and we made our way to Wembley. Then came the ultimate nightmare for a football fan. I had lost my ticket. Outside Wembley for the Swans' first ever visit there and I was ticketless. Luckily the lads I was with, together with some kind hearted Jacks had a whip round and got me a replacement. I cant remember a great deal about the game, apart from the end, and Corny going up to get the trophy with "Are you watching Cardiff scum?" ringing around the stadium. The journey home was superb, everyone really drunk, I cant remember a thing after Reading, and a "sickie" was pulled the next day. I don't think my Cardiff supporting boss was too pleased.........

 

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The words of Roger Freestone, ten years on

Ten years is a long time in football. Well, five minutes is a long time sometimes but ten years is definitely that. Roger Freestone is the only remaining member of the Swans side of April 1994 still playing at the club.

Indeed, you could say it was Roger who won us the Autoglass Trophy with his save in the penalty shoot out - a moment that he classes as one of the best moments of his career. When you consider that he has won championships with both Swansea and Chelsea as well as played against Brazil in front of a capacity Millennium Stadium crowd, that is no small feat.

As part of our features leading up to the 10th anniversary of the Autoglass Final win, we caught up with Roger after a Sunday evening meal at home to talk to him about his memories of the great day

"It's hard to believe that it is ten years ago. Indeed, until you just pointed it out to me I hadn't realised. Some of the moments of that game stick out in my mind like they were yesterday in particular the noise that was being made from the Swansea end. There was no doubting that Huddersfield may have had the advantage in terms of number of support but, as ever, the travelling Jack Army made themselves heard.

"We dominated the first half of that game after Andy (Macfarlane) gave us the early lead and I thought we could have been another goal or two clear at the break but fair play to Huddersfield they came back strong in the second half and deserved their equaliser. Extra time was a nerve wracking affair and I remember Jason Bowen cracking a shot against the post towards the end of the game.

"Then it was down to the penalties - I guess they can make or break a goalkeeper's career. They hit their first against the bar and we were taking what I can only say were superb penalties. Then it came down to the last one. My mind was in a blur at the time but I have since watched the video and Frankie Burrows was on the bench and he murmured 'come on Rog' as Cowan, I think, stepped up to take it. You've said to me before that it seemed in slow motion but I still guessed right didn't I?! Of course you know I saved it but I honestly didn't know that was it until big Lee Jones came and jumped on my back. I wondered what had hit me.

"To me that was the culmination of a lot of hard work that had gone in from everyone at the club and most of all it was a reward for the supporters that had been through so much to be there. When you think of the troubled times of the club then all credit to Doug Sharpe and everyone else for turning it round to that.

"For me, playing at Wembley was a massive occasion. You always wonder whether you will make it when you start up in the game and I am lucky to play at the two best stadiums in the World. For me the game against Brazil was massive - it's bound to be representing your country - but playing at Wembley for the Swans I would say generated a better atmosphere.

"Walking up those steps after the game to collect the trophy sent shivers down my spine. When I took it from Corny and lifted it you could just see the banners and the joy on the faces of the supporters and that is something that will live with me forever.

"Then there was the traditional walk around the pitch to show it off to the fans that had made the trip. You know me, I'm not the best looking bloke in the world but without my teeth in I'm untouchable - maybe I should have put them in for that part of the day! And when I did the Nobby Stiles type jig with the trophy, well that was an utter disgrace!

"It's a day that I can't forget and I suspect that most that were there won't forget in a hurry either. It all passed so quickly but thanks to those nice people who produced the video I have something to show the grandkids one day that their grandad graced one of the most famous stadiums in the world. Swansea were the champions."

Roger talks with great fondness of the day at Wembley and it is clear that he holds the day in very high esteem. This was of course the Swans' first appearance at Wembley and for someone that we know holds this club so highly it meant as much to him as it did to the supporters that were there.