Omens and superstition are a part of football. Some players pull their right sock up before their left, others always eat the same meal. For Swansea against AFC Bournemouth, on this Tuesday night in April, each and every demonic hint lay in the visitors’ favour.

Swansea hadn’t scored against Bournemouth since a 3-2 defeat in 2016 where Modou Barrow netted, a total of eight matches under six different managers.

The last manager to actually win against Bournemouth for the Swans was Roberto Martinez in 2007, some 15 years ago, in which both clubs have been promoted and subsequently relegated from the Premier League.

Despite Swansea’s eight-game unbeaten run, the omens were bleak. To say the least.

From minute one at the Swansea.com Stadium, in mild sun, it was proven that omens mean zilch. Nowt.

Immediately the host’s midfield press was dominating that of their leaf-green donning visitors, claiming and regaining possession at their own will. It wasn’t going to be long, it felt.

A darting run from Michael Obafemi directly at the defence caused havoc, squirming the ball left only for a rebounded cross to fall at the feet of Joel Piroe. A swing of the left boot didn’t even need observing – just shut your eyes, and expect the Swansea roar. After just six minutes, the Bournemouth blockade had been broken down.

It was the first goal, as mentioned, scored for the South Wales outfit against Bournemouth since 2016.

Six years, but it only took six minutes. It would only take six minutes more for the Swans to double their lead.

Piroe has been a nuisance all season, but the moment he produced to make it two was nothing but pure quality. Cutting in on the left-hand side, he struck a left-footed shot past the reach of Mark Travers into the far corner. At first glance, the Irish goalkeeper looked suspect – but the effort was so well placed he had little chance.

The two goals sparked multitudes of tactical changes from Scott Parker – including shifting Ryan Christie from centre, to left, and eventually to right – but their main threat came mostly from set pieces.

Nat Phillips flicked on firstly to Dominic Solanke, who looked to score from point-blank range and scuffed. Jefferson Lerma’s near-post header just minutes later went inches wide.

The main theme of the first half came on Swansea’s offensive left – with Hannes Wolf against Ethan Laird a battle so unexpectedly one-sided. Parker subsequently changed shape at half-time with Phillip Billing coming on to sure up the midfield.

The Cherries very nearly found a route back into the game after Jaiden Anthony was found at the far post, but Andy Fisher stretched his limb out to deny him from within the six-yard box. It was quite an outstanding piece of reactionary goalkeeping.

It seemed to have proved costly for Bournemouth as Joel Piroe placed an impeccable ball into Obafemi. His turn saw a scarpering Cyrus Christie down the right-hand side, who smashed into Travers’ near post.

All seemed to be out of sight, but the emerging figure from the Bournemouth bench was one Swans’ fans knew all too well. Kieffer Moore.

Having not scored on any of his attempts in Cardiff Blue, his first leap from a corner in Bournemouth green resulted in a bullet header which flashed past Fisher. Game on.

A shift of momentum and mentality coursed through the veins of each individual inside the Swansea.com Stadium. Where there had been a calm, even a relaxation amongst Swansea fans, a sense of alarm crept in their minds.

Bournemouth were buoyed. With Parker kicking every ball and pulling every string he could, Martin’s men aligned themselves as a block on the edge of their own box.

An attack on the right-hand side saw a cross hit a Swansea arm, not originally spotted by referee Darren Bond. His assistant was keen-eyed, however, and alerted the correct decision to him.

Dominic Solanke converted after a hop and a wiggle, sending the away fans into raptures.

Kieffer Moore was always a handful as a Cardiff player, and his unfortunate injury since joining the Cherries may have hindered his reputation at his level – alongside his poor start to the season. But this night reinstated any doubters.

After Solanke’s flicked header was palmed away, his predatory instincts shone through as he pounced to level. Scott Parker threw his hands in the air, and the Bournemouth bench spilt onto the pitch.

The match was written in scripture. Travelling to his old foe, after so many months out. We spoke about omens earlier, and narratives such as these have a way of weaving themselves into football. There was a true feeling that something special would be witnessed, and my, oh my, we witnessed a treat.

A deserved draw for Bournemouth, a frustrating one for a complacent Swansea. All is still to play for in the promotion race.

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A moment that can be only truly defined in the graphological form. Not only does it transcend Australian cricketing history, but Cricket, the sport he loved so dearly, in its entirety.

It’s captured as the moment Shane Keith Warne announced himself onto the cricketing scene. In truth, it was the delivery that the dying art of leg-spin recaptured its fashion, and an icon of sport itself thrusted himself into the limelight.

As quickly as he entered the world of greatness, and gave so much to the world of cricket, he departed us. After wishing his own condolences to another Australian great in Rodney Marsh, his own passing would meet him in Thailand, as announced today by his management and family.

So this is my ode to Shane. A charismatic yet troubled genius who transcended generations worldwide.

The Entrance

The sporting year 1993 was one known for change and discovery. After the Premier League was formed, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United had won their first Premier League title, Pete Sampras won his first Wimbledon title, and Australia fell upon their finest bowling talent of all time.

A 23-year-old Shane Warne arrived in England, captained by Allan Border, hoping to retain their Ashes title from two years previous.

He’d made his debut the year before in India, in which he took match figures of 1/228 (the wicket of Ravi Shastri) and then failed once more in the following test, taking 0/107. Then he took three wickets without conceding a run to win by just 16 runs against Sri Lanka, which personified the inconsistency and bravado he had to learn to control.

This rough diamond stood out like a sore thumb. Blonde tips. Zinc cream dripping down his nose. Baggy undone whites. What came next defined the art he crafted, and the generation who watched at Old Trafford and beyond.

Ambling in from a five-yard stride, Warne pitched the ball on a good length outside leg-stump to former England captain Mike Gatting.

Spinning from right to left, it left the Kingsbury-born batsman deceived so much that he played and missed as the ball struck the top of off.

Umpire Dickie Bird stood and shivered, maybe because of the weather, but the steel in his eye saw the historic moment he had just witnessed.

Gatting trundled off, totally clueless and constantly looking back at the wicket as to what had just happened. Was this the true reality he had found himself within? Despite having an extinguished career, Gatting would now be forever recognised as the man beaten by the ball of the century.

“That Gatting ball changed my life,” said Warne, speaking in 2018.

“First ball, it was the perfect leg break. To do it in the first ball of the Ashes series was just meant to be. The way it changed my life was amazing. There were kids at every County Ground I went to wearing Zinc cream, bowling leggies to their Dads. I was 23-years-old.

“It was very hard to take at the time, walking out of the hotel followed by 20-30 photographers even to the bar, or pub just to have a beer. There was no school that taught that, so what I wanted was just to be honest, up-front and be me. I made plenty of silly mistakes but I’ll never pretend to be something I’m not.”

The Impact

There are two impacts I can discuss within the piece – one, his impact on world cricket – the other on me.

In cricket, it is hard to define how much Warne changed the background and structure in his multitude of roles in the sport.

From 1992 to 2007, he took 1001 international wickets, taking 1319 in first-class cricket alone and 70 in T20 matches. In numbers alone, the impact is vast.

His endlessly repeatable action meant he could bowl marathon spells and such was his accuracy that, alongside being a demon attacking weapon, he was also tight-fisted in terms of leaking runs.

Not only that, but the resurrection of the dying art of spin will imprint Warne into cricket’s woven legacy forever. The proliferation of spin bowlers in almost every side in a game that in his time was dominated by relentless pace tells the tale.

All was not plain sailing for Warne, having failed a diuretics test in 2003 leading to a years’ ban from cricket. This led to him picking up a taste for broadcasting, which he would endeavour into further later on in his life.

He returned and eventually became one of the founding captains in the Indian Premier League, leading Rajasthan Royals to the maiden title in 2008. The tournament is now the biggest franchise competition in world cricket. Aditya Iyer wrote this after his retirement in 2013:

“To become an overnight success, the IPL institution desperately needed a fairytale, an ashes to glory story. And Warne, a cricketer, poker pro, rock star, hair expert, newsmaker and an alleged sex offender -all rolled into one – gave it to them. The world will never know the path IPL would’ve charted had Warne’s glorious brush with leadership not unfolded like a soap opera in the first season, but one thing is for sure – the world, and the IPL, is richer with the experience.” 

After he retired, as mentioned, he took up a career in broadcasting – becoming a familiar voice for Sky Sports watchers in particular in England.

To me, though, Warne’s impact is something I’ll treasure.

I was born in 2002, and before my cricketing sentience had truly arrived, Shane Warne was long retired. But luckily, I had a brother born in 1997 – five years older, and a cricket-mad father.

I was lucky to truly appreciate the greatness of cricket firstly in the Ashes of 2009, where Andrew Flintoff said farewell, and the Stuart Broad/Jimmy Anderson partnership first showed its formidability.

We were already regulars at the junior section of our local cricket club, and began playing our own ‘world legends’ test matches in the garden. It was brilliant for us, not so much for the neighbours who heard the thud of the ball on the fences on a regular basis.

My brother always wanted to be a ‘leggie’, and always pretended to be Warne. Granted, he could probably spin it more on the patio wicket we played on in those long summer days in the late noughties and early teens – but I doubt he could do it anywhere else!

For me, for my brother, my everyone – Warnie was a legend taken from us far too soon. And with young death it will take time to process. All thoughts go out to his family,

The Tributes

Despite my best efforts, here are some of Warne’s competitors and teammates who adored him from a more personal angle.

“It is impossible to exaggerate the impact Shane Warne had on this club during his time with us between 2000 and 2007. Players, members, management and staff are all united in their grief at the shocking news of his untimely passing.

“Warney had established many enduring friendships here at Hampshire and I feel privileged to regard myself as one of these. No doubt, like me, many will be struggling to process the tragic news and come to terms with his loss.

“For me, Shane Warne stands alone as the greatest spin bowler of all time. He was also an inspirational leader and brilliant tactician. He believed that any match could be won from any position and was good enough to fulfil this prophecy himself on many occasions.

“What’s more, as Hampshire captain, he convinced the players to believe in his philosophy and established Hampshire as a major force in all forms of professional cricket.

“Off the field, he was competitive, fun, naughty and lovable in equal measure. He used to say “just because I occasionally do stupid things, it doesn’t mean I’m stupid” and he couldn’t have shown greater self-awareness.

“Shane Warne has made an indelible impact on the world in his tragically short time here, transcending his sport and becoming an international icon. He will be hugely missed by all those who knew him and my thoughts right now are with Keith, Bridgette, Brooke, Jackson and Summer.”

David Warner, Australia international

Shane Warne made me fall in love with the game as an 8-year-old and he has completely inspired me every day since. I am so honoured and lucky to have been able to spend time with him and learn from him. He was everything I could have asked for and so much more. RIP to the King.”

Mason Crane, England Leg-Spinner

“Australian cricket, along with the whole cricketing world, is in a state of shock at the loss of Shane Warne, a true cricketing genius, who has died aged 52.

“Warne almost single-handedly reinvented the art of leg-spin when he burst onto the international scene in the early 1990s, and by the time he retired from international cricket in 2007 he had become the first bowler to reach 700 Test wickets.

“A central figure in Australia’s ICC Cricket World Cup triumph in 1999, when he was player of the match in both the semi-final and the final, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack recognised Shane’s achievements by naming him as one of its Five Cricketers of the Twentieth Century.

“Shane’s strength of character and enormous resilience saw him bounce back from career-threatening finger and shoulder injuries, and his stamina, his sheer will to win, and his self-belief were key factors in Australia’s great side in the late 1990s and early 2000s.”

Cricket Australia

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After the optimism from big wins over Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City recently, there have been worse lows in shockers at Stoke City and Sheffield United.

Pressure is mounting on manager Russell Martin, but a man he and Swans fans can begin to rely on is the ever-bustling and industrious Irishman, Michael Obafemi.

Arriving with several years of Premier League experience, expectations of Obafemi were at an all-time high when travelling from Southampton to South Wales.

Obafemi was the latest on the conveyor belt of talent pumping from the girders of the Staplewood warehouse, making his debut aged just 17 years and 199 days for the Saints against Tottenham Hotspur in January 2018.

He was mercurial, yet someone who Ralph Hasenhuttl never really trusted from the get-go.

Dorset Live’s Jacob Tanswell, who used to cover Southampton and was therefore a keen follower of Obafemi’s career, discussed the fans’ feelings when he arrived on the scene.

“Obafemi was really highly rated initially. Ralph [Hasenhuttl] really highly rated his finishing ability as one of the best in the club, and he also scored on his full debut against Huddersfield Town.

“He looked like he’d definitely be part of his plans because Charlie Austin and Manolo Gabbiadini were out of the door. Obafemi pressed well, was quick and had all the attributes to be a starter in the team.”

In truth, his career at Southampton failed to start. His ability to get involved with the build-up was criticised by fans and he never repaid them with any real volume of goals to back it up.

He left them with only five goals in all competitions and Tanswell fails to really remember any memorable moments from the Irish international.

“To be honest, there was never really anything truly to remember from his Southampton career. I suppose his goal at Stamford Bridge, where he cut inside Andreas Christensen and finished past Kepa Arrizabalaga, but even then, for a four-year career, the moments were few and far between.”

The feeling amongst Southampton fans is that too much came too soon. A move to the Championship after only five appearances since the beginning of 2020/21 was probably fair on reflection.

“When he moved down to Swansea, I think it could have been a shock. He needs to be relied upon as one of the main goalscorers rather than hiding as a third or fourth choice. There were always questions on his attitude, despite the fact he has all the raw attributes of at least a top second-tier striker.

“It would definitely take him time to adapt, for sure. Playing regular football when you never have is difficult.”

After his move to Russell Martin’s side, he has struggled to maintain a real stronghold in the starting 11. Martin’s often preferred top goalscorer Joel Piroe and for good reason, but goals in home wins over Blackburn and Bristol City have catapulted him into Swansea fans’ hearts.

‘Come on Obafemi, score some goals for Swansea, we’ll go wild, wild, wild.’

Before this, he had scored just once in a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham City, but featuring in a slightly deeper role alongside and complimenting Piroe has suited him because Tanswell, despite watching him for years, cannot describe the style of player he actually is yet.

“With Obafemi, even after watching him for years I don’t know what to say about wht type of player he is as he used to fleet in and out of games. He’s quick and direct, for sure. I think Ryan Bertrand described him as the quickest player at Saints during his spell with the club. He likes to get in behind and stretch defences. He was always better in a front two.”

This echoes exactly how Martin’s used him recently, interchanging with Piroe in a front two with Obafemi usually the more deep lying.

With the discipline the former MK Dons boss has enforced on him, Tanswell believes Martin is the best man to get a tune out of his forward.

“Leaving him out earlier this season was a brave but very good call from Martin. He needs confidence, but also to know he’s earned his place. We’ve never really seen a consistent run from him and the way he’s dealing with Obafemi’s focus is commendable.

“He’s a confident young individual off the field, but if he can get into a rhythm and score a few goals he can get on a roll, which could be very beneficial for Swansea fans.”

So will Obafemi continue to hit the ground running this year and score more goals for Swansea? It certainly looks like he is on a positive trajectory.

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And having arrived to study during the pandemic, I never had the opportunity, in the first year of residence at least, to soak in the true atmosphere of anything in Cardiff in truth.

So when the turn of the year dawned, despite my barren distaste for what I formerly cussed as ‘egg-chasing’, the highlight of my winter’s schedule was the 12th February – when Scotland came to town.

The two sides headed into the crunch test with contrasting openers. Ireland demolished Wayne Pivac’s men 29-7, with the entirety of the Welsh structure put into question, and the Kiwi’s position scrutinised under serious threat.

Scotland on the other hand are the perennial underdogs, and their win over bitter rivals England had accelerated dreams of a first Six Nations triumph.

The Atmosphere

Everyone, including my university colleagues with little to zero interest in the sporting world, always spoke of the Rugby days.

The bustling streets, the face painting, the reality that you couldn’t enjoy a beverage without queuing for at least half an hour. It all seemed nonsensical.

Alas, the inner critique and curiosity got the better of me. I made a deliberate effort to experience the streets of Cardiff on Saturday, in my mind to prove that this romance of Rugby in this great nation was built on false foundation. I could not have been more wrong.

As soon as I took my first step onto St Mary’s Street, one of two mainstays in the city centre, I saw it. The sheer volume of people flocking like peckish seagulls. The surround sound of chatter, of laughter, and of Scottish and Welsh enjoying each others’ company – it immediately tilted a crooked smile from cheek to cheek.

I walked through the town, with children face painted, fans draped in Welsh flags and kilted men singing folk songs of old emanating through my peripherals, and I stopped, turned and listened.

“Too-ral-ay, oo-ral-ay addy,
We went up by train and by car.
When the juice of the barley was flowing,
We all saw the game in the bar.

“Oh! We loaded the bus up with flagons,
And left about twenty past seven.
We stopped fourteen times between Neath and Bridgend,
We were still in Glamorgan at eleven.
Singing…”

A song written by Max Boyce, the singers belted it out in a way that struck a chord with the ever-growing surrounding crowd.  They attracted hundreds of walking donators, who contributed to a fundraiser for Tenovus Cancer Care.

We trundled out of the town centre, looking for a bar to watch it in that really displayed an echo of Welsh culture. Sadly they were all full to the brim, as my colleagues had warned, so we located a local Wetherspoons.

Donning a Welsh football shirt seemed like a semi-controversial idea on a day in which its brotherly game takes precedence. But Greg, an elderly gentleman who sat next to me, said this:

‘As long as it’s bloody Welsh, no one cares mate’.

The Match

The feeling in said Wetherspoons was a little flat. With the entirety of Welsh Rugby falling to its knees in the previous week, it would take a monumental effort to beat the best Scotland side of recent memory.

But history was on the hosts’ side. Scotland have not beaten Wales in Cardiff since 2002. This time they were favourites, a tag Gregor Townsend’s men found almost alien in these circumstances.

The visitors made a bright start, with number eight Matt Fagerson and hooker Stuart McInally prominent, but Wales counter-attacked from their own 22 through a thrilling Owen Watkin break, then Biggar kicked a fifth-minute penalty from 40 metres.

Biggar doubled Wales’ advantage three minutes later, booting a second penalty following more impressive Wales phase-play. Scotland were rocked back on their heels.

But they responded impressively, helped by a strong Duhan van der Merwe run, then Russell floated a pinpoint long pass to Graham, who finished in the corner for an outstanding try.

Another successful Russell penalty gave Wales further food for thought as rain fell steadily, only for Biggar to complete his penalty hat-trick and put his team back to two points adrift.

Russell followed suit through his own penalty treble, yet Scotland then experienced a testing few minutes as number eight Matt Fagerson went off injured then Wales hit them with a try.

Biggar opted to kick a penalty to the corner rather than for goal and Wales drove the resulting lineout to impressive effect, allowing Francis a simple touchdown that levelled things up at 14-14.

Townsend sent on a trio of front-row replacements just five minutes into the second period, and Russell’s fourth penalty put Scotland back in front with 30 minutes left.

Biggar and impressive full-back Liam Williams gave Wales injury scares, but they both continued after treatment and Cuthbert went close to scoring a try before another Biggar penalty levelled the game again.

Scotland suffered a second injury blow midway through the half when substitute prop Rory Sutherland departed, then Russell was sin-binned after Cuthbert was inches away from a corner touchdown.

Biggar then kicked a drop-goal before the visitors’ could settle, winning the match for Pivac’s men to reignite their Six Nations hopes.

The Message

Don’t underestimate the culture in Welsh sport. The independence, the love and the will to win matches anything else in the British Isles – and the pints are pretty good too!

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Michael Obafemi, Cyrus Christie and Joel Piroe all scored in the second half after the Robins led 1-0 through Andi Weimann.

Heading into the match with an unchanged side from Wednesday’s win against Reading, Nigel Pearson’s men looked to press early on. Semenyo immediately latched on to several loose passes from Swans’ defenders, but it came to nothing.

Obafemi, a goalscorer in Swans’ last victory against Blackburn, stung the gloves of Max O’Leary minutes later, but the shot was too close to the body to cause any danger.

Captain Matt Grimes had his first involvement by rouletting two Robins defenders, finding Obafemi, who couldn’t hit the target.

Alex Fisher was the first ‘keeper to be really tested, after some brilliantly intricate work from Antoine Semenyo. The Celtic target laid off fair the experienced Chris Martin, but Fisher tipped his shot over.

Semenyo tested the former MK Dons man again, this time with a scuffed effort off the left. He cut past Cyrus Christie and debutant Finley Burns, but his effort was tame.

Just before half-time, City took the lead through Weimann. After Ben Cabango haplessly lost the ball in his opponents half, the Swans’ defence were picked apart. The Austrian provided a clinical touch.

After the break, it would be a question of Russell Martin’s impact as to how his team would react. It’s a testament to him that they came out firing.

The equaliser came from a delightful bit of creative wit from Christie. The wing-back held on to the ball for four or five seconds in the same area of the Robins box but picked the perfect moment to find fellow Irishman Michael Obafemi’s sliding back-post run.

The crowd erupted in delight for his third goal of the season, and his second in consecutive home matches.

City responded well after the goal, forcing Fisher into several mistakes when distributing but didn’t really test him otherwise.

Swansea, though, looked imperious through Christie’s medium. At every opportunity, the playmakers were looking for his outlet. But it was when he was on the end of a cross that Martin’s men prevailed.

A ball drilled into the area found Piroe, whose close-range effort rebounded off Daniel Bentley, who’d replaced O’Leary earlier on, to hit Christie in the head. Luckily, its destination was goal bound and it completed the turnaround.

In the dying embers, just as he did at Ashton Gate, Piroe put City to the sword. A darting run past Timm Klose saw him one-on-one with Bentley. He tucked home with consummate ease, giving Swans an insurmountable cushion.

The victory sees Swansea rise above Bristol City into 16th place with two games in hand.

Swansea: Fisher; Cabango, Burns, Manning; Christie, Downes, Grimes (C), Wolf; Paterson; Obafemi, Piroe.

Bristol City: O’Leary; Vyner, Klose, Kalas, Da Silva; Massengo, Scott, Pring; Weimann, Semenyo, Martin

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On a weekend where Welsh Rugby came to prominence, the scrummage of ‘who dislikes Cardiff the most’ comes into bind today.

Russell Martin’s side, who seemed to have taken a step forward after their win over Blackburn, come into it after a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Stoke City.

Aston Villa loanee Jaden Philogene-Bidace scored just after half-time, but Ryan Bennett’s red card – Swans’ second in as many matches – killed the game before Lewis Baker and Jacob brown netted late on.

Bristol City, in contrast, defeated relegation-threatened Reading 2-1 at Ashton Gate. Despite domination from the visitors, Antoine Semenyo and Michael Morrison’s own goal early in the second half was only waived by the consolation of John Swift’s spot-kick.

Team news

Joe Williams could be given the nod in the Bristol City midfield, despite the expectation that Han-Noah Massengo will shake off a hip injury.

Although Ryan Manning will return to the Swansea back three after serving a ban, Bennett is sidelined courtesy of that red card he collected in the Midlands.

Martin could name a more attack-minded team than the one which lined up in the Potteries, similar to the strategy which worked versus Blackburn last weekend.

That should see Jamie Paterson line up in a creative area, with Jay Fulton potentially dropping down to the substitutes’ bench.

History

In the past, Swansea have won 22 matches – with Bristol City winning 29 and the fixture ending level 21 times. Swansea won 1-0 last time out via Joel Piroe’s rebounded finish, and will hope he can do something similar in South Wales.

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After sponsorship pulled out of the club, the Synners main income has been lost, meaning the club needs to raise £10,000 to survive.

A club statement said that the sponsorship was lost ‘randomly’, and met players before posting five days ago.

They have currently raised £4,370 of their target at the time of writing, with contributions from Australia and the USA.

A brief history and why the name is so unique

During the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, Prost International investigated some of the best non-league team names.

Established in 1923, Billingham Synthonia was named after an agricultural fertiliser called ‘synthetic ammonia’. The name Synthonia was created as a combination of the two words and adopted by the town’s football and cricket clubs. It is also (at least to our knowledge), the only club name to be named after a fertiliser!

And whereas there are a few clubs nicknamed the Saints, they are the only one we can trace nicknamed the Synners.

Synthetic ammonia (ammonia that has been synthesized) was a product manufactured by ICI who, back in the day, were affiliated with the club. The industrial conglomerate ICI remained a key club partner for decades. The club in fact originally played at the Belasis Lane ground on the ICI complex.

The Belasis gained some footballing fame on 11 November 1952 as home to the first-ever floodlit game in northern England when Billingham defeated an Air Force team 8–4 in front of a crowd of 3,000.

The ability to inspire words took on an altogether more literary turn when author Aldous Huxley visited the town. Huxley worked and lived there for a short time as a young chemist before Brunner and Mond became ICI, but is said to have hailed Billingham as “an ordered universe in a world of planless incoherence” and as a “magnificent poem”.

The intended purpose for his visit was the newly opened and technologically advanced Brunner and Mond plant which predated ICI.

His time there inspired his greatest and one of the English language’s greatest modern works. In the introduction to the most recent print of Brave New World, it states that Huxley was inspired to write the novel by his time in Billingham.

Steve Clare, Prost International, 2020. – FULL ARTICLE

How can you help?

You can help save Synthonia by donating to this Just Giving page.

“Once funding is secured, we will be looking for long term sponsorship to keep our club, footballers, coaching staff and fans going into our Centenary year in 2023.”

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Ryan Manning was sent off, but the atmosphere and a resolute backline helped the hosts over the line.

Blackburn created the first chance, with Ryan Nyambe surging down the right-hand side to squeeze back for John Buckley, who could only scuff an effort into Alex Fisher’s grasp.

Russell Martin’s men had been crying out for creativity in matches previous. The jigsaw piece came in the returning form of Jamie Paterson.

His cross, placed almost perfectly into Michael Obafemi’s path, was nodded home with ease by the Irish international for his second Swansea goal.

Darragh Lenihan struck the post for Rovers just moments later, with Buckley skying an easy finish to equalise.

Rovers thought they had a penalty, but Buckley, again involved, was rightly booked for simulation by referee Tim Robinson.

Joe Rothwell had the first chance of the second half, beating three Swansea defenders before his shot ricocheted for a corner.

Swansea were down to ten in the early embers of the second period, after Ryan Manning recklessly challenged whilst on a yellow card. Ryan Bennett and Korey Smith replaced Olivier Ntcham and the goalscorer, Obafemi, in response.

One would expect a ‘kitchen sink’ to be thrown in the direction of Fisher’s net. It wasn’t until the 87th minute, approximately half an hour after the sending off, that they tested him.

Jan Paul van Hecke’s looping header needed to be saved, but Lenihan’s sliced effort, which flashed past the post, luckily didn’t.

Scott Wharton was the next to test the former MK Dons man, but his header from close range was easy to block.

The result sees the Swans climb to 35 points, with Blackburn still clutch onto second with Bournemouth and leaders Fulham having two games in hand.

Swansea City: Fisher; Cabango, Downes, Manning; Christie, Ntcham, Grimes (C), Wolf; Paterson; Obafemi, Piroe.

Subs: Hamer, Burns, Latibeaudiere, Fulton, Bennett, Smith, Joseph.

Blackburn Rovers: Kaminski, Nyambe, Lenihan, Van Hecke, Wharton, Zeefuik, Travis, Rothwell, Buckley, Giles, Hedges

Subs: Pears, Ayala, Rankin-Costello, Davenport, Johnson, Khadra, Brereton Diaz

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Russell Martin’s Swansea City have not troubled the scoring charts in 450 minutes of Championship football. With the visit of high-flying Blackburn Rovers next up, the Swans will certainly be fearing the worst.

With Tuesday’s loss to Luton Town emanating boos and frustration from the home faithful, the Swans boss will be looking for a rejuvenation in this fixture.

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray has done a simply remarkable job at the Lancashire club. From League One to the top of the second tier, the strides they have made under the Yorkshireman have been magnificent.

Team News

With Kyle Naughton expected to sit out this match through injury, Ryan Manning is likely to drop back into Swansea’s defensive three. Joel Latibeaudiere appears most likely to deputise at left wing-back, while Joel Piroe may return in place of Michael Obafemi.

Given the lack of time between travelling back from South America and this game, Ben Brereton Diaz is unlikely to be considered for a spot in the Blackburn starting 11.

Sam Gallagher will miss this contest after coughing up blood during the Luton game, leaving Mowbray to hope that Reda Khadra recovers from a hamstring injury.

Giles will almost certainly be handed his debut as a replacement for left wing-back Tayo Edun, who is carrying an ankle problem, while Ryan Hedges is available after joining from Aberdeen.

Stats

Blackburn possess the sixth best away record in the Championship, whilst the Swans have only collected 13 points from 14 home games.

Swansea have won three of their last four against Rovers at the Swansea.com Stadium, including a 2-0 win last season.

Blackburn are looking to record a double over Swansea for the first time in 38 years, winning both fixtures in the 1983/84 season.

Rovers have also only scored twice so far this year despite accumulating eight points, their worst goal scoring run since 2005 at the start of a year.

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From loans to last-minute deals, how did the Welsh clubs and players of note move in the market?

Swansea City

It was a month in which Russell Martin faced losing some of his best players. 10 players departed in total and it would be vital to their season as to how they replaced them.

Ethan Laird had his loan spell cut short by Manchester United and was sent to AFC Bournemouth, leaving the Swans in a lurch as the window opened to find a quick replacement.

Cyrus Christie, who was not getting a look-in at Fulham, was identified as the prime target to replace Laird, although it took some serious negotiating between the player and the Cottagers before a move could be finalised.

The deal fell through, to begin with, but with some negotiation, it eventually went through and the Swans had their man.

Andy Fisher also arrived for a fee of £400,000 and was a goalkeeper suited to Martin’s system having played under him at MK Dons. Finley Burns joined him on loan from Manchester City.

The window would also see a lack of real strategy and aim from the owners. Jamie Paterson was expectant of a new deal after his electric start to life in South Wales.

A creative player was eventually added in Hannes Wolf of Borussia Monchengladbach, but all the missed deals for James McAtee, Domingos Quina and Scott Fraser must have frustrated Martin and his backroom staff.

Nathanael Ogbeta was the last name through the door for £300,000 but not before Liam Walsh exited for Hull City on loan and Jake Bidwell left for Championship rivals Coventry City. Liverpool’s Rhys Williams also had his loan cut short as he returned to Anfield.

All in all, a frustrating window for Swansea.

Cardiff City

Cardiff’s window proved to be far more active than many had anticipated, but Steve Morison and his staff knew there needed to be a real injection of life into this squad as the prospect of relegation loomed during a stretch of unfavourable fixtures.

The planning, according to WalesOnline’s Glen Williams, was paramount.

The recalls of Max Watters and Ryan Wintle were planned as Morison admired the pair from afar. As was the move from full-back to right-sided centre-back for Perry Ng.

In external additions, Cardiff added the highly-rated Cody Drameh on loan from Leeds United, alongside a deal for Manchester City youngster Tommy Doyle, Stoke City’s Alfie Doughty and Middlesbrough’s Uche Ikpeazu.

However, the real inevitable for the Bluebirds was the loss of Kieffer Moore to Bournemouth.

Despite the drag until the deadline, the Welsh international clearly felt his time in the capital was up when Scott Parker’s side came knocking, which they did in a £3.5 million move.

Moore will be sorely missed at the Cardiff City Stadium, but as proven in the positive results since his departure against Nottingham Forest and Barnsley, there is light for Morison and his side despite their inexperience.

Newport County

The primary aim for Newport County this window was not based on incomings, but the retaining of the one they know as the ‘best on earth’, Dom Telford.

Manager James Rowberry and his backroom team managed to convince the 20-goal forward to remain at Rodney Parade, adding Josh Pask, James Waite and Robert Street to the squad to bolster their promotion hopes.

Waite arrived from Cymru Premier side Penybont on an 18-month deal with Pask and Street joining on loan. The announcement for Street was certainly something to behold.

We hope this is a signing right up your ??????…#NCAFC?? pic.twitter.com/2y4UKSLMnj

— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) January 26, 2022

International Interest

At an international level, the highest-profile move saw Caerphilly boy Aaron Ramsey leave the attractions of Turin to take up a loan spot with Glasgow Rangers.

Many Welsh fans would have been surprised by this move. Ramsey’s 2016 international teammate, former Celtic star Joe Ledley, also expressed his shock in the South Wales Press.

To many, Ramsey is one of the Golden Generation of Welsh football. Commentators suggest that he could still have plenty to offer at a higher playing standard and we heard talk of links to Burnley and Newcastle.

Ramsey will therefore shine at Ibrox, where the opposition may prove less testing than opponents at Turf Moor or St James’ Park.

Let us not forget too that ‘Rambo’ can expect to play in front of a full house every other week with the added carrot of European football. A confident, match-fit Ramsey can only benefit the national team.

As to how much at home the passionate, Welsh-speaking Welshman will feel amongst the red, white and blue hoards of a fiercely “loyalist” fan base is another matter.

Moore’s move to Bournemouth probably came as little surprise. The forward has become something of a national hero of late, and despite his injury-hit current season, could still be expected to fire the Cherries to the Premier League. The 29-year-old has not been the force he was for Cardiff and a move probably suited all parties.

If he does take Bournemouth up, no doubt he will be joined by Neco Williams, who has moved to Craven Cottage on loan from Liverpool in the hope of game time for Fulham. He will join up with another Anfield old boy Harry Wilson on the banks of the Thames.

If Moore, Williams and Wilson all start next season as Premier League regulars, most impartial followers of Robert Page’s side would see that as a successful January. Connor Roberts could help form a decent spine of the side if Burnley can avoid the drop.

Of equal interest to these moves is, perhaps, the transfers we did not see?

Hibernian striker Christian Doidge has been knocking on the door of Page for some time now. The Newport product has supplied the goods for a number of teams over the years and continues to provide a goal threat at Easter Road. However, will Cardiff or Swansea have fancied a punt on him?

Luke Jephcott has also been a regular name on the Plymouth Argyle team sheet. The Aberystwyth-born striker might have expected some interest from ambitious clubs hoping to persuade him to leave Home Park and chip in the odd goal or two at League One or even Championship level.

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Chris Stonadge and David Collins

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