| Swansea City 23M debt 22:47 - May 30 with 10067 views | KeithHaynes |
The authoritative Swiss Ramble reviews Swansea City’s 2020/21 accounts, when they swung from £2.7m pre-tax profit to £4.6m loss. Revenue fell £22m to £28m (lower parachute payment & COVID impact) and profit on player sales down £5m to £12m, largely offset by big cost reduction.
They swung from a pre-tax profit of £2.7m to a loss of £4.6m, as revenue fell £22m (45%) from £50m to £28m and profit from player sales dropped £5m (30%) to £12m, partly offset by total expenses reducing by £17m (26%) and £3.3m insurance claim. Loss after tax was £4.1m.
The main reason for the £22m revenue decrease was broadcasting, which dropped £17m (44%) from £39m to £22m, mainly due to lower parachute payment, though COVID also drove reductions in match day, down £3.0m (63%) to £1.8m, and commercial, down £1.8m (31%) to £4.1m.
Although a loss is rarely good news, the £4.6m deficit was one of the better results in 2020/21 with five clubs posting losses above £20m. As chief executive Julian Winter said, “The club remains in a comparatively positive financial position within the Championship.”
In their seven seasons in the Premier League (between 2012 and 2018), profits amounted to an impressive £36m. Performance has deteriorated in the last three seasons in the Championship, but this has only resulted in a relatively low net loss of £9m.
Since relegation from the Premier League, revenue has dropped by £99m (78%) from £127m in 2018 to £28m, very largely due to less TV money in the Championship (£83m decrease), though commercial and match day are also down £10m and £6m respectively.
Revenue decline has been cushioned by Premier League parachute payments, though these have fallen in each of the three years since relegation: 2019 £43m, 2020 £34m and £2021 £15m. Last season was the final tranche, so 2021/22 revenue will be even lower.
Commercial revenue fell £1.8m (31%) to £4.1m, comprising £3.1m commercial income and £0.9m other, the lowest since 2011 and down from £14.5m three years ago. This is mid-table in the Championship, a fair way below the likes of Stoke City £12m, Norwich £8m and Bristol City £8m.
Reliance on player sales
The club noted that £12.5m profit from player sales was “used to partially fund the operating loss”, though down from prior year’s £17.8m. Mainly came from sale of Joe Rodon to Spurs. This is still pretty good.
The Swans have become quite reliant on player sales, adding up to £144m in the last five years, compared to £46m in preceding 5-year period. This season’s profit will be lower (Connor Roberts to Burnley and Jamal Lowe to Bournemouth), so more player trading likely this summer to balance the books.
If forecast player sales are not achieved, they would need to find further sources of funding to maintain cash flow. The auditors noted, “This represents a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the club’s ability to continue as a going concern.”
Average attendance in 2019/20 (for games played with fans) was 16,151, which was in the bottom half of the Championship. Down 4,500 (22%) since relegation. The club slashed ticket renewal prices for the 2021/22 campaign.
Wages
The wage bill fell £11m (28%) from £39m (excluding £1.7m onerous contracts) to £28m, which means that wages have been cut by £63m (69%) in the three years since relegation (revenue down £99m in same period). Club’s lowest wage bill since £17m in 2011.
Following the decrease, the £28m wage bill is mid-table in the Championship. Less than half of Watford £68m, Norwicj £67m and Bournemouth £57m (though the first two included hefty promotion bonuses). Number of staff reduced from 409 in the Premier League to 244.
Despite the reduction in wages, the wages to turnover ratio increased from 77% to 101%, though this was actually one of the lowest (best) in the Championship. The vast majority of clubs in this division have unsustainable ratios well above 100% (incredibly six are over 200%).
Debt
Gross debt rose £21m from £2m to £23m, including £13.6m convertible loan (as a result of director Jake Silverstein’s investment in August 2020) and two interest-free EFL loans amounting to £7.5m. This is the club’s highest debt since 2015.
Despite the increase, the £23m gross debt is one of the smallest in the Championship, far below Stoke City £212m, Bournemouth £165m, Blackburn Rovers £152m and Watford £139m. However, almost all debt in this division is from the clubs’ owners, so is “soft” in nature.
The club have bought the land at the south end of the stadium, while acquiring 100% of the company responsible for the Liberty Stadium management. This would facilitate stadium capacity expansion, but this would only be considered after a return to the Premier League. |  |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:27 - Jun 5 with 1606 views | Treforys_Jack |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 09:49 - Jun 5 by BryanSwan |
Good to see your back up to your usual nonsense again.
The stats from 2020 show that approximately 0.5% of academy footballers will go on to make a career out of football at any professional level.
Falling to 0.012% chance of making it at Premier league level.
Using those figures and the amount of youth players we have produced that are still in the professional game i would say our academy is doing alright. |
Those stats, do indeed show how difficult it actually is. Some would have you believe its easy producing top level players. It's a bit like all those players we signed last year from Arsenal and Man City I believe, they must have been incredibly talented at some point to be where they were, are any of them still with us.
What's the realistic aim for our academy, 1 player for the first team squad every few seasons? |  | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:51 - Jun 5 with 1589 views | Lorax |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:27 - Jun 5 by Treforys_Jack |
Those stats, do indeed show how difficult it actually is. Some would have you believe its easy producing top level players. It's a bit like all those players we signed last year from Arsenal and Man City I believe, they must have been incredibly talented at some point to be where they were, are any of them still with us.
What's the realistic aim for our academy, 1 player for the first team squad every few seasons? |
The success rate must be more than that though or academy's would fail completely. If it is 0.5% then how many players succeed depend on how many we have in the academy.
Not all players come through at the same age either. We could kick 5 players out at age 16 and 3 of them could make the grade 5 years later.
It is hugely difficult to make the grade at EPL level and they hover up all the best players from other academies. Slightly easier at lower levels but still very hard. |  | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:56 - Jun 5 with 1586 views | jasper_T |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:27 - Jun 5 by Treforys_Jack |
Those stats, do indeed show how difficult it actually is. Some would have you believe its easy producing top level players. It's a bit like all those players we signed last year from Arsenal and Man City I believe, they must have been incredibly talented at some point to be where they were, are any of them still with us.
What's the realistic aim for our academy, 1 player for the first team squad every few seasons? |
If you look at what other Cat 2 Championship academies are doing one decent contributing player every other season is a reasonable minimum standard to expect for the investment involved. If we were in League One then we'd need one every year to make an academy worthwhile.
It's tempting to look at one post-relegation season of breakthroughs where many were big money signings we can no longer make, and get carried away. One player of note in the last three seasons is underperforming. Those quiet spells happen even at the biggest academies, but things need to improve. We still have fans that complain about squad depth when they see an unproven player on the bench, but that's the norm at productive academy clubs, and not because those players are better than what we have access to.
If next season we have Cabango playing regularly, Ollie Cooper involved, Congreve picking up minutes here and there, and Lloyd/Cotterill popping up towards the end of the season, then in-house production numbers start looking rosier again and the back-patting feels more justified. | | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 16:17 - Jun 5 with 1514 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:56 - Jun 5 by jasper_T |
If you look at what other Cat 2 Championship academies are doing one decent contributing player every other season is a reasonable minimum standard to expect for the investment involved. If we were in League One then we'd need one every year to make an academy worthwhile.
It's tempting to look at one post-relegation season of breakthroughs where many were big money signings we can no longer make, and get carried away. One player of note in the last three seasons is underperforming. Those quiet spells happen even at the biggest academies, but things need to improve. We still have fans that complain about squad depth when they see an unproven player on the bench, but that's the norm at productive academy clubs, and not because those players are better than what we have access to.
If next season we have Cabango playing regularly, Ollie Cooper involved, Congreve picking up minutes here and there, and Lloyd/Cotterill popping up towards the end of the season, then in-house production numbers start looking rosier again and the back-patting feels more justified. |
One should also consider the social aspect. Hundred of kids given a football education over the last decade. Some might have gone in to crime and other anti social activietes without the academy giving them a chance.
There are a number of local boys making a career elsewhere at lower levels than Rodon and Roberts . Sheppard, Samuels, Watkins Sheehan, Hedges Lewis. |  |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 20:12 - Jun 5 with 1445 views | Kilkennyjack |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 16:17 - Jun 5 by ReslovenSwan1 |
One should also consider the social aspect. Hundred of kids given a football education over the last decade. Some might have gone in to crime and other anti social activietes without the academy giving them a chance.
There are a number of local boys making a career elsewhere at lower levels than Rodon and Roberts . Sheppard, Samuels, Watkins Sheehan, Hedges Lewis. |
Thats a cop out.
Our Academy is there for one thing only, and thats to produce players for the first team of Swansea City. And hopefully Wales.
We can celebrate Ben, Joey, big Joe, and Connor today.
Plus Dan james of course.
(Jazz and Shaun also meaningful careers).
We released Rhys Norrington-Davies, but thats just one mistake.
I have no interest in our investments producing players for Forest Green and Newport.
Sorry but thats reality. |  |
| Beware of the Risen People
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 20:28 - Jun 5 with 1440 views | jasper_T |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 20:12 - Jun 5 by Kilkennyjack |
Thats a cop out.
Our Academy is there for one thing only, and thats to produce players for the first team of Swansea City. And hopefully Wales.
We can celebrate Ben, Joey, big Joe, and Connor today.
Plus Dan james of course.
(Jazz and Shaun also meaningful careers).
We released Rhys Norrington-Davies, but thats just one mistake.
I have no interest in our investments producing players for Forest Green and Newport.
Sorry but thats reality. |
You don't get many hits without near misses. Having players representing League One and Two sides is a clear sign of an effective academy production line. They're not all going to be future PL and international quality. In years past we've seen too many go straight to LoW or drop out of the game entirely to find another career. | | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 20:57 - Jun 5 with 1425 views | Lorax |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 20:28 - Jun 5 by jasper_T |
You don't get many hits without near misses. Having players representing League One and Two sides is a clear sign of an effective academy production line. They're not all going to be future PL and international quality. In years past we've seen too many go straight to LoW or drop out of the game entirely to find another career. |
While this is obviously true I agree with Kilky's sentiments on this. If they aren't good enough and move on then it's good luck, goodbye and forgotten about.
Its all about our first team in the end which is why I'm not keen on having several loan players. | | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 22:02 - Jun 5 with 1390 views | Boundy |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:51 - Jun 5 by Lorax |
The success rate must be more than that though or academy's would fail completely. If it is 0.5% then how many players succeed depend on how many we have in the academy.
Not all players come through at the same age either. We could kick 5 players out at age 16 and 3 of them could make the grade 5 years later.
It is hugely difficult to make the grade at EPL level and they hover up all the best players from other academies. Slightly easier at lower levels but still very hard. |
Regarding kick/ releasing 5 players out at age 16 and 3 of them could make the grade 5 years later. A good case in point would be Corey Hurford , in the Academy at 8/9 yo , then released a few years later , starting playing junior league football then into Welsh league and now back in the Academy , the Club didn't fancy him then but now in with a chance of further development. he might well end up back in the welsh league but if so then he and others like him could still have a semi if not fully professional career which can only be good for Welsh football . | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 23:35 - Jun 5 with 1347 views | Kilkennyjack |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 22:02 - Jun 5 by Boundy |
Regarding kick/ releasing 5 players out at age 16 and 3 of them could make the grade 5 years later. A good case in point would be Corey Hurford , in the Academy at 8/9 yo , then released a few years later , starting playing junior league football then into Welsh league and now back in the Academy , the Club didn't fancy him then but now in with a chance of further development. he might well end up back in the welsh league but if so then he and others like him could still have a semi if not fully professional career which can only be good for Welsh football . |
The academy is there to produce first team players for Swansea City.
Thats it.
I hope thats simple enough for you to understand.
I know you are a bit twp sometimes.
We dont invest millions to provide players to Afan Lido and Carmarthen Town.
If its a by product then good, but lets be very clear on how every pro academy gets judged. | |
| Beware of the Risen People
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 06:57 - Jun 6 with 1310 views | felixstowe_jack |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 20:12 - Jun 5 by Kilkennyjack |
Thats a cop out.
Our Academy is there for one thing only, and thats to produce players for the first team of Swansea City. And hopefully Wales.
We can celebrate Ben, Joey, big Joe, and Connor today.
Plus Dan james of course.
(Jazz and Shaun also meaningful careers).
We released Rhys Norrington-Davies, but thats just one mistake.
I have no interest in our investments producing players for Forest Green and Newport.
Sorry but thats reality. |
You should be pleased we produced so many players for Wales 5 of the starting 11. | |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 08:30 - Jun 6 with 1286 views | BryanSwan |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 23:35 - Jun 5 by Kilkennyjack |
The academy is there to produce first team players for Swansea City.
Thats it.
I hope thats simple enough for you to understand.
I know you are a bit twp sometimes.
We dont invest millions to provide players to Afan Lido and Carmarthen Town.
If its a by product then good, but lets be very clear on how every pro academy gets judged. |
But you need the other 100s of players in the set up. So seeing them reach professional level is good for the academy.
You cannot just produce first team level players, they need squads with other players to play in and with those other players being pro level rather than welsh league is massive for the standard. | |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 08:39 - Jun 6 with 1277 views | Lorax |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 08:30 - Jun 6 by BryanSwan |
But you need the other 100s of players in the set up. So seeing them reach professional level is good for the academy.
You cannot just produce first team level players, they need squads with other players to play in and with those other players being pro level rather than welsh league is massive for the standard. |
A successful academy may bring in more good youngsters as success breeds success, in my opinion.
Parents will look at their options and maybe decide where their kid has the best chance?
Then it's a numbers game, the stats don't tell big lies, there will be deviations, good and bad years but over all you need the numbers coming in to be able to produce those 1-2 first teamers. | | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 08:48 - Jun 6 with 1269 views | BryanSwan |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 08:39 - Jun 6 by Lorax |
A successful academy may bring in more good youngsters as success breeds success, in my opinion.
Parents will look at their options and maybe decide where their kid has the best chance?
Then it's a numbers game, the stats don't tell big lies, there will be deviations, good and bad years but over all you need the numbers coming in to be able to produce those 1-2 first teamers. |
Exactly, if we can give academy players a chance in the first team. Rodon, Roberts, Cabango, Benda, Garrick, James, Cullen, Cosgrave, Cooper, Rushesha etc that makes us more attractive and if academy players leaving us to go onto league 1 or 2 that is also massive.
The more players that go onto pro careers the better change one or two will be good enough for the first XI. | |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 10:36 - Jun 6 with 1236 views | Boundy |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 08:39 - Jun 6 by Lorax |
A successful academy may bring in more good youngsters as success breeds success, in my opinion.
Parents will look at their options and maybe decide where their kid has the best chance?
Then it's a numbers game, the stats don't tell big lies, there will be deviations, good and bad years but over all you need the numbers coming in to be able to produce those 1-2 first teamers. |
out of the class of 2012 there are two left still with the Academy and even now after 10 years there's no guarantee of them making in the grade . the trouble with some on here they keep thinking we're a PL club and therefore have to produce PL standard players . | |
| "In a free society, the State is the servant of the people—not the master." |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 11:49 - Jun 6 with 1212 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 20:12 - Jun 5 by Kilkennyjack |
Thats a cop out.
Our Academy is there for one thing only, and thats to produce players for the first team of Swansea City. And hopefully Wales.
We can celebrate Ben, Joey, big Joe, and Connor today.
Plus Dan james of course.
(Jazz and Shaun also meaningful careers).
We released Rhys Norrington-Davies, but thats just one mistake.
I have no interest in our investments producing players for Forest Green and Newport.
Sorry but thats reality. |
You fail to appreciate that Swansea is not Chelsea effectively meat factory churning out units to go out on loan in Europe and be sold like cattle for a profit. Grimesy's mate who went to Stoke at 26 having never played for Chelsea on loan at 7 -8 clubs. Hector another at Reading.
Swansea is a family club a community club and proud of it. It is 21% owned by the fans who have family interest in the well being of the children in the community.
The Academy is part funded by the FA or FAW as a community service. This is to give every talented youngster a chance at the big time or at least a career in the lower leagues. I think it is perfectly reasonable to assume Ben Davies, Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts would not have made it in the 'pre Jenkinista' period. Now they are going to the world cup. Few if any talents came out of Swansea back then Pascoe, Jason Bowen and they did not spend long in the top leagues.
The current u18 squad has players would went to California 5 years back as part of their education. Crickey a i would have loved that at 13. All provided with love and care by the "sellouts". Reject conflict share the love. Invest time and care and reap the rewards. 4 Swansea graduates are off to Qatar and maybe Cabango too. A Welsh speaking giant of part Congolese origins. Call me a sentimental old fool but it brings a tear to my eye it does. It is only matter of time before Abertawe is humbling the corporate meat packaging firms of Chelsea once again.
I encourage you to think more holistically. [Post edited 6 Jun 2022 11:52]
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 23:47 - Jun 6 with 1089 views | Kilkennyjack |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 11:49 - Jun 6 by ReslovenSwan1 |
You fail to appreciate that Swansea is not Chelsea effectively meat factory churning out units to go out on loan in Europe and be sold like cattle for a profit. Grimesy's mate who went to Stoke at 26 having never played for Chelsea on loan at 7 -8 clubs. Hector another at Reading.
Swansea is a family club a community club and proud of it. It is 21% owned by the fans who have family interest in the well being of the children in the community.
The Academy is part funded by the FA or FAW as a community service. This is to give every talented youngster a chance at the big time or at least a career in the lower leagues. I think it is perfectly reasonable to assume Ben Davies, Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts would not have made it in the 'pre Jenkinista' period. Now they are going to the world cup. Few if any talents came out of Swansea back then Pascoe, Jason Bowen and they did not spend long in the top leagues.
The current u18 squad has players would went to California 5 years back as part of their education. Crickey a i would have loved that at 13. All provided with love and care by the "sellouts". Reject conflict share the love. Invest time and care and reap the rewards. 4 Swansea graduates are off to Qatar and maybe Cabango too. A Welsh speaking giant of part Congolese origins. Call me a sentimental old fool but it brings a tear to my eye it does. It is only matter of time before Abertawe is humbling the corporate meat packaging firms of Chelsea once again.
I encourage you to think more holistically. [Post edited 6 Jun 2022 11:52]
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Thanks for the rather rambling post.
Factially Mr Curtis did a hell of a job.
We had Shaun Macca, Joe Allen, Jazz and Ben all from the old CoE in quick succession with no money.
All Premier League players and all full internationals.
Rodon and Roberts were already well in the system when we made the Prem.
When the big money went in, then we can do even better, right ?
Wrong.
7 years between Ben and Roberts debuts. 7 years.
Then wasting money on many half baked gambles like Kenji, Gregor, and about 10 Scots who were not good enough to make our first team.
We need to get back to the Mr Curtis model that worked so well for our club.
Thats pretty obvious both financially and as a club ethos.
I dont think that the FAW funds our Academy at all.
We play in the English leagues so its the FA.
I have rambled as well, so perhaps its the topic ?
I want to see us have zero players brought in below first team level.
Or at least very very few.
Its lazy, and we will be better without such an option. | |
| Beware of the Risen People
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 09:23 - Jun 7 with 1022 views | BryanSwan |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 23:47 - Jun 6 by Kilkennyjack |
Thanks for the rather rambling post.
Factially Mr Curtis did a hell of a job.
We had Shaun Macca, Joe Allen, Jazz and Ben all from the old CoE in quick succession with no money.
All Premier League players and all full internationals.
Rodon and Roberts were already well in the system when we made the Prem.
When the big money went in, then we can do even better, right ?
Wrong.
7 years between Ben and Roberts debuts. 7 years.
Then wasting money on many half baked gambles like Kenji, Gregor, and about 10 Scots who were not good enough to make our first team.
We need to get back to the Mr Curtis model that worked so well for our club.
Thats pretty obvious both financially and as a club ethos.
I dont think that the FAW funds our Academy at all.
We play in the English leagues so its the FA.
I have rambled as well, so perhaps its the topic ?
I want to see us have zero players brought in below first team level.
Or at least very very few.
Its lazy, and we will be better without such an option. |
"I want to see us have zero players brought in below first team level.Or at least very very few. Its lazy, and we will be better without such an option."
Why exactly, even just McBurnie has made that worthwhile from his transfer to Sheff Utd. | |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 12:41 - Jun 7 with 992 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 23:47 - Jun 6 by Kilkennyjack |
Thanks for the rather rambling post.
Factially Mr Curtis did a hell of a job.
We had Shaun Macca, Joe Allen, Jazz and Ben all from the old CoE in quick succession with no money.
All Premier League players and all full internationals.
Rodon and Roberts were already well in the system when we made the Prem.
When the big money went in, then we can do even better, right ?
Wrong.
7 years between Ben and Roberts debuts. 7 years.
Then wasting money on many half baked gambles like Kenji, Gregor, and about 10 Scots who were not good enough to make our first team.
We need to get back to the Mr Curtis model that worked so well for our club.
Thats pretty obvious both financially and as a club ethos.
I dont think that the FAW funds our Academy at all.
We play in the English leagues so its the FA.
I have rambled as well, so perhaps its the topic ?
I want to see us have zero players brought in below first team level.
Or at least very very few.
Its lazy, and we will be better without such an option. |
Kenji Gore is a good player now turning out for Boavista and would easily get into Martins' squad. A goals scoring winger. Swansea wanted to keep him.
You should understand now that for every 10 players in the u23 only 1 will make the grade. That is the ethos. It is an elite sport. Byers was the stand out in the u23 but has been passed by OMcB James RodonRobert etc. He is now re balancing at Sheffield Wed but doing well recently.
You represent a grim grey £$ driven approach which is anti social and dour. You would at a swipe wipe away the hopes and aspiration of dozens of south Wales lads and parents. Your form of Welsh nationalism is the old farmer type of low investment low aspiration and penny watching. Carmarthen hill farming. Just blaming the English will not do for me.
Local kids must be given a chance. Before the 'jenkinista era' Rodon Roberts and Cabango would be playing rugby. The Jenkinistas sent their most promising batch to south Africa and California for an u13 tournament in 2016. Congreave Cotterill Lloyd Bony Jnr. Some are already knocking on the first team squad door. [Post edited 7 Jun 2022 15:17]
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:02 - Jun 7 with 978 views | jasper_T |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 09:23 - Jun 7 by BryanSwan |
"I want to see us have zero players brought in below first team level.Or at least very very few. Its lazy, and we will be better without such an option."
Why exactly, even just McBurnie has made that worthwhile from his transfer to Sheff Utd. |
Bit of a catch 22. You need PL money and pulling power to sign up a team of u23s, but you need to be playing in the Championship to grow significant value in them. We can't afford or attract McBurnies to sit in the u23s for a couple of years any more. The model that produced that "academy" class isn't practical for the club we are now. | | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:15 - Jun 7 with 972 views | Lorax |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 23:47 - Jun 6 by Kilkennyjack |
Thanks for the rather rambling post.
Factially Mr Curtis did a hell of a job.
We had Shaun Macca, Joe Allen, Jazz and Ben all from the old CoE in quick succession with no money.
All Premier League players and all full internationals.
Rodon and Roberts were already well in the system when we made the Prem.
When the big money went in, then we can do even better, right ?
Wrong.
7 years between Ben and Roberts debuts. 7 years.
Then wasting money on many half baked gambles like Kenji, Gregor, and about 10 Scots who were not good enough to make our first team.
We need to get back to the Mr Curtis model that worked so well for our club.
Thats pretty obvious both financially and as a club ethos.
I dont think that the FAW funds our Academy at all.
We play in the English leagues so its the FA.
I have rambled as well, so perhaps its the topic ?
I want to see us have zero players brought in below first team level.
Or at least very very few.
Its lazy, and we will be better without such an option. |
Not sure Ben came from the CoE? We signed him on July 1st 2019. | | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:57 - Jun 7 with 938 views | BryanSwan |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:02 - Jun 7 by jasper_T |
Bit of a catch 22. You need PL money and pulling power to sign up a team of u23s, but you need to be playing in the Championship to grow significant value in them. We can't afford or attract McBurnies to sit in the u23s for a couple of years any more. The model that produced that "academy" class isn't practical for the club we are now. |
I agree we are definitely less attractive than we were, but having a clear route to professional football through our academy is key. Whether that be with ourselves or elsewhere.
Without a clear route players won't want to hang around.
Although i think categorically ruling out signing players for the academy would be a pretty idiotic decision. There is always a risk but on some occasions it pays off. Adding to that having a higher calibre of player in the U23s will help to raise the overall standard. | |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 15:21 - Jun 7 with 921 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 13:15 - Jun 7 by Lorax |
Not sure Ben came from the CoE? We signed him on July 1st 2019. |
Ben Davies around 2013 Laudrup era. Ben Cabagbo 2019 perhaps. | |
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| Swansea City 23M debt on 15:43 - Jun 7 with 916 views | glanmORJa_k |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 15:21 - Jun 7 by ReslovenSwan1 |
Ben Davies around 2013 Laudrup era. Ben Cabagbo 2019 perhaps. |
Former Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera schoolboy who joined the Swans’ centre of excellence at the age of 8, also skipper of the Welsh Youth Cup winning team on May 2011, scoring in the final against West End at Stebonheath Park. An allround sportsman at Cwrt Herbert school, Ben was a keen cricketer and also played rugby. At the age of 10 his family moved to Denmark for 2 years after his father had been relocated with the company he was employed with. Retaining his contract with the Swans, in Denmark Ben featured in the youth team with top flight club Viborg.
1st year scholar in 2009/10, 2nd year in 2010/11, professional in May 2011) | | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 16:11 - Jun 7 with 906 views | jasper_T |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 15:21 - Jun 7 by ReslovenSwan1 |
Ben Davies around 2013 Laudrup era. Ben Cabagbo 2019 perhaps. |
Cabango joined in 2014/15 iirc, after a few years at Newport. We would have been a Cat 2 academy by then. | | | |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 20:48 - Jun 7 with 816 views | ReslovenSwan1 |
| Swansea City 23M debt on 16:11 - Jun 7 by jasper_T |
Cabango joined in 2014/15 iirc, after a few years at Newport. We would have been a Cat 2 academy by then. |
I thought the club became cat 2 only in 2019 or 2020. | |
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