Regular visitors to this website will be familiar with Niall O’Brien, whose Swansea City Academy match reports appear here throughout the season. This time he’s the subject of the article rather than the author, as his first published book is about to be launched.
The official launch of Swansea Town / City Football Club: The Comprehensive Player A-Z takes place at the Swansea Jack sports bar, on Little Wind Street in Swansea, on Sunday 25th October 2026 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. It’s being arranged in partnership with the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust, with support from the Swansea Jack and members of the Swansea City Former Players Association.
The guest list is a good one. Mal Pope has agreed to host, and Leon Britton, who wrote the foreword, and Alan Curtis will be there, with the possibility of a few more Swans legends making an appearance too. Niall will take part in a Q&A, sharing some of the stories behind the years of research.
Copies of the book will be on sale at the launch and can be signed, so it’s a chance to pick one up signed by the author and perhaps a few of the players themselves. If you already have a copy, bring it along.
The book is an updated version of a title many Swans supporters will know. The original was written by Colin Jones and published in November 2005. It profiled every player to have appeared for the club in the Southern League and Football League between 1912 and 2005, amounting to more than 400 pages, and it has been a trusted reference for settling debates ever since.
Twenty-one years later there’s plenty to add. This release brings the record up to date, covering all first team players up to 2025, and keeps to the same principle: individual biographies and statistical data for ALL players who’ve made a senior first team appearance for the club. Between the Southern League and the Football League, that comes to exactly 1,002 players.
Niall admits he’s been routinely collecting obscure facts about past players throughout the process, though he accepts that most people on the day will want to hear about the stars, which is entirely understandable. With so many players to choose from, there should be something for everyone.
Tickets for the launch are free, but they’re already going fast, so don’t leave it too late. You can reserve yours online via Eventbrite. If you’d rather scan a QR code, flyers are available from the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust pod, by the West Stand at the Swansea.com Stadium next to the club shop.
The book is also expected to be available from selected bookstores, including the club shop, and online at swanseacityafc-a-to-z.com. You can follow the project on Instagram and Facebook.
We’re pleased to be able to help spread the word, and wish Niall every success with the launch.