When and why did you join the Swans Trust Board?
having been a PROUD JACK for nearly 60 yrs and despite developing a Sight Impairment I believed that I could give something back to my Club who had given me hours of enjoyment. So, I have sat on The Trust Board for 4 going into my 5th year.
What is your role at the Trust?
I was born and brought up in the beautiful environment of Three Crosses. I first started watching the Swans at the age of 12 and fortunately became ‘hooked’ and at 73 still ‘hooked’. I played in the local Senior League with Velindre and RTB Landore (The Acadamy), My highlight was when we won the West Wales Cup in 1973 at The Vetch. I was Swansea District Secretary for the Boys Clubs of Wales under the secretaryship of the infamous referee Clive ‘The Book’ Thomas and Chairman Ivor Pursey who was the Swans President.
In 2015 I developed a Visual Impairment which me forced into early retirement, now with so much spare time on my hands and not one to sit around being idle I decided to enquire about joining the Trust Board in August 2021;
Now into my 5th year on The Board and in the position of Treasurer I have hoped that my contribution to this extremely committed group of volunteers who give up so much of their valuable time to provide a voice for you the Supporter of our Club. I am proud with the effort that I have contributed to The Trust including reducing the 6 Bank accounts that we were administering when I came in down to only 3, but importantly arranging that we Invest a substantial amount of our funds (securely) to earn us higher interest that was not happening when I came on board.
I can honestly say with hand on heart that joining The Trust Board has been one of the most satisfying aspects of my life when knowing that I have made a contribution to my club and the Swansea community in general and would genuinely recommend that if you have the time and Proud to Be a Jack then seriously consider joining The Trust Board.
What are your views on the future and how will you support that?
As we move into a new term as a group of volunteers, I am extremely confident that we can continue to build an amicable working relationship with our local management and the American owners and be a stronger voice for all our Jack Army Supporters. But we will need the assistance of our members to spread the good work that The Trust continue to embark on whether that be via the Fans Forums or the ever growing and successful Global Jacks who are gaining an increasing interest to be a part of our club.
Best Swans memory?
Oh dear after 60 yrs I have so many, but I suppose the pinnacle for me was to be able to support my club during our time in the Premier League, and see us play against some of the very best players from all over the world. It was another step up after the fabulous times we all experienced in the 80’s in the 1st Division when playing at the hallowed Vetch Field. I often wonder how did we manage to get so many fans onto The North Bank. Very close to that was witnessing the 2 x doubles completed over our cousins which would always bring me hours of joy, even more so as I live in Cardiff and oh how peaceful the natives were.
