We can't all be lucky enough to live in Swansea. (I'm serious).
Yes, despite the beauty of Indonesia, the endless sun of Florida and the high quality living in Austria, the residents of these countries are missing one thing: the Liberty Stadium. As you know, when you don't have the Liberty Stadium, you don't have the Swans.
This may not matter to some, but since
Swansea City have gone global after joining, and staying in, the Premier League, the club has picked up a mass of new fans along the way. But who are these fans? Why did they pick the Swans as their adopted team instead of Man City, Arsenal or... Cardiff?
I have been very fortunate to speak to a great group of Swansea City fans who live in faraway places (yes, further than Glynneath) and ask them why they chose to follow Swansea City, what it's like supporting a team many people haven't heard of before and how do they keep up-to-date with the most exciting club in the Premier League!
In this article we have Jacks from South Korea, India, Australia, USA, Indonesia and more, all giving us a taste of what it's like to be a Swans fan abroad, from brand new supporters to exiled Jacks!
(
NB: While these are the genuine answers given to me by the fans, some have been edited slightly for clarity).
RJ Kim, 25
Seoul, South Korea
@vola1104
When did you start following Swansea City?
Since Ki Sung-Yueng was transferred from Celtic.
What made you choose the Swans?
Because Swansea show remarkable growth in EPL 2012-13 and their style of play is very attractive.
Are Swansea City a popular team in your country?
Since Ki's signing, Korean football fans have looked at Swansea with interest and now they like Swansea. Countless Koreans cheers for the Swans.
Who is your current favourite player?
Miguel Michu. He scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season already. I was very impressed with it.
How do you manage to keep up-to-date with Swansea news and matches?
I check SCFC and their fan's Twitter frequently. When it's a game day, I
watch games on television or live streaming. Sometimes, I use a live text
message service from a Korean sports website.
Give me an interesting fact about your country!
Google 'Gangnam Style' now! This is a song of PSY which is very popular in Korea. Gangnam Style has been a big issue across the border. Above all, its music video is very funny. Watch it!
Joarezka Adriargo, 25
Surabaya, Indonesia
@VetchField
When did you start following Swansea City?
Since last season, when Brendan Rodgers was in charge.
What made you choose the Swans?
The way they play is totally different from other EPL teams. It's tiki-taka from the Welsh they said.
Then I started to browse and watch the games, regularly whether on TV or
streaming, and started to follow them.
Are Swansea City a popular team in your country?
Not that much. But everyone starts to open their eyes widely now. They start wondering - curious, just like I was before.
Who is your current favourite player?
Monk and Tate.
How do you manage to keep up-to-date with Swansea news and matches?
We had a fan base, unfortunately they're
not as active as before. So I decided to follow some Swansea news such as
you [I'm honoured! - Chris] to keep me updated.
Give me an interesting fact about your country!
Indonesia is a beautiful country with friendly people. Surabaya has a local football
club named Persebaya and the supporters are called Bonek (Bondo Nekat / Modal
Berani; it means 'with just bravery') and we are the most fanatic here.
Also, in Surabaya you will find a lot of good food! Semanggi is one of
them.
Leo Howell, 26
Lakeland - Florida, USA
@UTEPMiners
When did you start following Swansea City?
Just before their rise to the Premier League over a year ago.
What made you choose the Swans?
My family is of Welsh descent, and I have been looking to follow an EPL team for a while. I only began to like football later on in life, and had a tough time picking a team. Once Swansea were promoted, I had a team to follow and support (it's tough to follow any non-top flight teams over here due to media coverage).
Are Swansea City a popular team in your country?
Not at all. I am the only Swansea supporter I know of in the States. [
Almost - we actually have a West Coast representative just below!]
Who is your current favourite player?
Neil Taylor, hope he gets well soon!
How do you manage to keep up-to-date with Swansea news and matches?
Most of the information I get is from Twitter, following Swansea blogs and news accounts. I watch the games on TV when they're shown, or online when they're not shown on television. I wish I had access to more of the Sky Sports online features, as they seem to show plenty of football.
Give me an interesting fact about your city!
There's nothing too special about Lakeland, except that it is only an hour away from Disney World, Florida.
Jacob Cristobal, 28
Seattle - Washington, USA
@jacobcristobal
When did you start following Swansea City?
I am a newbie Swansea supporter. Decided a couple months ago they would be the team to support in the Premier League.
What made you choose the Swans?
I was intrigued by Swansea last year. I was always more interested at
the clubs that get promoted into the top flight than the mainstays that were
in it year in and year out. Maybe it's because of the underdog
mentality that comes with the new kids on the block, and I just don't
want to see them be one and done. Also, the way Swansea moved the ball in the now famous
"Swanselona" style was really something to see and I loved seeing that
the big bright lights of the Premier League did not scare them in their
first run.
Are Swansea City a popular team in your country?
I honestly don't know. I am sure if they
keep up this hot start and continue to roam in the top ten and beyond, people are going to be very aware of what Laudrup and gang are
doing. Among the circle of folks I chat with about the beautiful game,
there is a general consensus that Swansea City this year could be a
serious dark horse. I know a couple people want to see them
finish in the top ten and more or less become a new mainstay/gradual
power in the Premier League.
Who is your current favourite player?
The easy answer here is
Michu. Since week one I've coined the trend (at least I want it to
trend) #MICHUMANIA, but just as important to their hot start is Nathan
Dyer. It's a toss-up between those two. #MICHUMANIA and #DYERMITE -
still in the process of developing Twitter nicknames for the rest of the
squad. Oh here's another one #ROWDYRODDYROUTLEDGE.
How do you manage to keep up-to-date with Swansea news and matches?
Being
more or less on the other end of the world, I resort to stream sites.
Of course the challenge is the difference in time, which in most cases
means having to be awake at 7am. Then there's the special moments of
matches at 4am like the West Ham match, complete with one bloodshot
eye. There is that badge of honour of waking
up early to watch these games and it makes the journey of following the
Swans all the better. And if their matches are shown here on ESPN or
another sports channel, you can bet I will watch it as well as record it
for replay later.
Give me an interesting fact about your city!
It seems that every so often there's
some magazine or poll listing "the best cities to live in/work/most
educated people..." and Seattle always seems to rank somewhere in those
listings. It's nice, but also kind of annoying because people keep
moving here. WE ARE FULL AND SEATTLE IS NOTHING LIKE WHAT YOU SEE IN
GREY'S ANATOMY! AND STOP ASKING WHERE FRAISER CRANE LIVES!
[Jacob is also the editor of a great football website and podcast,
CheekyBackheel.com]
Akshay Mhaskar, 31
Mumbai, India
@akshay281
When did you start following Swansea City?
I've been tracking them since 2005.
What made you choose the Swans?
Since I'm from India, geographically I have no allegiance with any English team. However I am a Man United fan. But my Aunt and Uncle who live in UK, moved to Swansea from Carmarthen in 2004. My Uncle, being an Arsenal fan, used to have banter with me over email all the time. So when he started to go to the Swans
games, my interest started growing. Now they've become British citizens
so I have family in Swansea and a valid reason to go Swan.
Are Swansea City a popular team in your country?
Umm... not really. In a cricket frenzy country, Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal have been dominant and now, according to worldwide glory hunter trend, Chelsea and anti-Man United fans have sprung up like mushrooms. But since last
season, as Swansea games started to reach football fans live,
the Swans have quickly become one of the teams to love. Much of that credit
goes to English 'Tic Tac Toe', derived from Catalan Tiki Taka. I've been
playing my part by making more and more of my friends watch and follow
Swansea.
Who is your current favourite player?
I like Ashley Williams and Leon Britton from the current squad but I've been following Michu for a few seasons - he's a top draw wild card.
How do you manage to keep up-to-date with Swansea news and matches?
ESPN and Star Sports in India show most of the Premier League games live. But if a Swans game is not live then I follow them on a streaming website.
Give me an interesting fact about your country!
Mumbai is the most vibrant city in the continent in terms of mixture of cultures, arts, sports and of course it is famous for the Bollywood. The city is completely sports crazy and it is a mad house.
[Akshay is also a football writer, with a dedicated Swans section on his blog
The Bottom Three]
Aussie Jack, 43 (real name withheld)
Sydney, Australia
@AussieJack1
When did you start following Swansea City?
In 1977, my Dad took me to see the Swans, Harry Griffiths was
manager and the team contained the likes of: Curt, Robbie, Charlo and
Wyndham. When we played Spurs in the League Cup I had probably the best
view in the house when Tommy Smith gave Ossie Ardiles a welcome to
English football. I
am not sure but I think Smith wasn't booked for the challenge. Refs were
scared of him as well as players. Today he would have gone; it made
Chico's violation look rather petty!
What made you choose the Swans?
We
actually lived in a Valley between Swansea and Cardiff which was and is a
Cardiff stronghold, but I wasn't going to follow them a******s - even at
that young tender age I had principles.
Are Swansea City a popular team in your country?
No
not really. There is a great market here, it is the fastest growing
sport and they follow any team with Aussies. Everton got a lot of
mentions when Cahill was in the team. If the Swans gave Kewell a season
(this is an example not a suggestion), then the Swans would be big over
here. Everton cashed in with a pre-season tour
over here two years ago - I'm waiting for the Swans to do the same.
Who is your current favourite player?
Chris
Rock, sorry Nathan Dyer - I keep getting them mixed up. Probably one of
the most skilful and understated players in the Premier League. I was a
big fan of Wayne Routledge last year and I'm glad that he's been given a
chance this year.
How do you manage to keep up-to-date with Swansea news and matches?
Smartphones and apps are brilliant at keeping me up-to-date especially
because of the time difference. Evening matches in the UK, I am
travelling into the City so I can keep up with scores and I usually get
the breaking headlines when most people in the UK are asleep. I watched
every game live last year on Foxtel, I didn't miss a minute, but because
of the time difference of GMT and daylight saving over here, matches
start at 2am. So for nine months I'm like a zombie on Sunday, and if we
lose a grumpy zombie.
Give me an interesting fact about your city!
The only difference
between one Australian city and the next is the size of the Great White Sharks; apart from that they're all the bloody same! Sydney had one of the biggest gay
parades in the world - that is totally unconnected to why I live here.
Daniel James Edwards, 27
Vienna, Austria
@DanJEdwards
When did you start following Swansea City?
Many, many years ago.
What made you choose the Swans?
They were my local team before I moved to Austria.
Are Swansea City a popular team in your country?
At first, no. When I wore my Swansea shirts people would ask what team
they were and which country they came from. Now they are familiar with
the team, but not familiar enough to name players. An article was written about them in one of the local football magazines a few months back. They had a four-page spread about the passionate fans and how the club have risen over the years.
Who is your current favourite player?
Toss up between Dyer and Britton. I first saw Dyer the season he came in
from Southampton. He looked so good then, and you could see the
potential he had. Britton because he's small but fights for the ball
like a rottweiler. His influence in play making is something that makes
him rise above the rest in his position, especially for his height:
small boy, big heart.
How do you manage to keep up-to-date with Swansea news and matches?
When they were in the Championship it was hard. I could only rely on
text/radio commentaries. I rely mainly on sites such as the official
Swansea website, Vital Swansea, Twitter, Facebook and Sky Sports. Now
that their games are regularly televised, I watch every one.
Give me an interesting fact about your country!
It has the third highest quality of living in Europe. Also, Swansea came
to train in an Austrian camp before their maiden season in the Premier
League.
Natalie Jenkins, 20
Paris, France
@nattj
When did you start following Swansea City?
My dad is Welsh and has been a Swansea supporter since he was a kid, so I
began to follow them through him, pretty much as soon as I could
walk.
What made you choose the Swans?
As mentioned above, it was kind of a family thing. We're from the area
so I guess it just made sense... regardless of where they stood on a
league table.
Are Swansea City a popular team in your country?
They've definitely been getting a lot more attention since their move to
the Premier League. As of late I've been wearing my jersey out and
about and people actually recognize it!
Who is your current favourite player?
Michel Vorm!
How do you manage to keep up-to-date with Swansea news and matches?
It's definitely a combination of watching on television and online. I've actually found that
Twitter has been the best medium because it's literally an up-to-the-second live commentary.
Give me an interesting fact about your city!
Someone told me this a while ago and I found out later that it's
completely true: modern night-time photos of the Eiffel Tower are
actually under copyright and aren't legally publishable without the
permission of the Tower's operating company (this hasn't stopped me!)
---
There you go! What a fantastic collection of Swans fans! If you're from another country and support the Swans, get in touch with me and I'll do another of these articles - looking for Jacks from the likes of Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil... anywhere!
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