Swansea City FC

The Vetch Field
I may not be Welsh but can join in the Swans fans' song of 'Swansea 'til I die' having seen the Swans rise from their re-election year to beating Leeds 5-1 in the First Division in my time living in Swansea. The years spent watching the Swans - especially Harry Griffiths' cavaliers - were the happiest footballing years of my life. There is no ground like the Vetch anywhere!
The main stand dates back to the first years of the club, the central section said to have been built in 1913, making the stand one of the oldest still used in the Football League. With the proposed move to the White Rock Stadium I wonder if the excellent Folk Museum at St. Fagans will consider rescuing this historic structure?
The  covered end on the site of the former West Stand is surely the strangest cover anywhere! Those old enough to remember will still be able to visualise the brilliant old double-decker stand which was built in 1927, the floor of the upper half providing the roof line of the present cover.
The North Bank, home to the vociferous and partisan home Swans fans, is now boarded at the rear, safety concerns about the structure which was built in 1959 restricting access to the back section. The former East Terrace was re-developed in the early 80s as Swans reached the First Division. The stand may look awkward, but the original intention was to demolish the main stand and continue the new stand in its place. Perhaps if this had taken place the club may not be needing to leave the Vetch...

all photos © Mike Floate 1999

Swans fans may also be interested in seeing photos of KV Kortrijk - some of whose fans also follow the Swans!
A great ground, deserving of a mass visit by Swans fans one day perhaps.

click here for more photos of
KV Kortrijk

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