Just in case you werent aware of the quality of our new record signing yesterday then take a look at this video!
So in this window, we sell (not because we had to) Joe and Scott for £21m and we bring in international/champions league replacements for under £20m in fees.
Players who have played for the greatest football teams in the world as well but who now WANT to come and play football for South Wales leading and best run club. Players that are all under the age of 28 and so all of whom have long careers ahead of them in the game.
Players who want to play our attractive and exciting brand of football because they know it makes them better players and because they, like us know its the only proper way to play the game.
We bring in £5m for our old manager but replace him with a ‘Legend of the Game’. A man who has more contacts and who is more respected in world football because of the iconic and humble player that he was. Players once just a signing on Fifa or Football Manager are now joining our club from Champions League clubs because of the new manager and because of the brand of football we are becoming known for worldwide.
We have pushed our wage ceiling upwards but still pay realistic money with the focus on achievement and sucess rather than just turning up every day and expecting a bucket load of cash. We also plan for the worse (with wage drops IF we were to drop) and ensure that we save money to reward those already here and key to our success as well as those who are new.
We haven’t wasted all of the Sky/Premier League money the club know they will earn during the coming 6-8 months but instead have taken a sensible, long term view by developing academy and training facilities to go alongside plans for new stadium expansion. We are also developing our brand overseas and ensuring fans all over the world can become jacks even though they may not live in God’s own city itself.
All of this would be good enough but to top it all, we are owned by fans and run by fans (including you as everyday fans through the Trusts 20%+ shareholding). Some of these fans might be businessmen themselves but trust me they are fans and care about this club (and its new influx of money) as if it were their own. Negotiating down to the last detail to ensure this club is looked after and wanting every single player and person who comes into this club to give 110% committment and nothing less.
Ladies and Gentleman, I have been a fan of this club for some 30+ years but I am not sure there has ever been a greater time to be a Swansea City fan.
Regardless of the result today and in the next few weeks, my suggestion would be that we enjoy the journey were on. Premier League safety (and hopefully prosperity) is still a long way in the distance but everything about who we are, what we do and how we operate tells me we will be just fine.
Enjoy the ride. Its 2012 and Swansea City are a beacon club in every way.