John van Zweden owns a wallpapering business in the Netherlands. He’s also a die-hard football fan, whose favourite team happens to be in Wales: Swansea City. When the team was facing bankruptcy, a friend asked John to chip in 50,000 pounds to buy the club. And he did - without telling his wife. John talks about his unlikely odyssey from football fan to football executive. When Dutchman John van Zweden calls Welsh football club Swansea City "my team", he's not talking as a fan, he's actually a director. Swansea City AFC currently play in the Premier League, the most expensive football league in the world and are worth around 60 million pounds. But the club's prospects didn't always look this rosy. Back in 2002, Swansea City was at the bottom of the Football League and on the brink of bankruptcy. Pen pals On his 16th birthday, John was taken by his father to see London side Fulham play at home to Swansea, who at the time were at the bottom of the Second Division. His father taught him to always root for the underdog, so he felt obliged to support Swansea. Back at school in The Hague, a teacher suggested that John's English class find pen pals to improve their language skills. So he wrote a letter to Swansea City, which was printed in the matchday programme. John got a reply from a young football fan, David and they became firm friends and devotees of Swansea City. By 2002, Swansea were in a bad state. The previous year, they had been relegated to the Third Division and sold to a consortium of Australian businessmen. Players were sacked, fans became disillusioned and the club was threatened with sanctions by the Football League. Rescue plan By now John's pen pal friend David had formulated a rescue plan: he wanted to see the club bought back and owned by genuine fans. A group of five individuals were approached to invest 50,000 pounds each to create the Swansea City Supporters' Trust. But at the last moment, one investor pulled out. The takeover bid was short by 50,000 pounds. The day before the buy-out was due to go to court, John received a phone call from David. He wanted to know if John would become the final investor and save the club. John knew what he had to do. He slipped out of his home in The Hague and made a trip to the bank. That evening, he was in Swansea for the court case with a cheque in his hand. With help from Swansea council, the group saved the club and walked out of the courtroom to a cheering crowd. Swansea City had become the first UK club to be solely controlled by fans. In the next match against Manchester City, John was there not just as a fan, but as a director. Promotion The club slowly climbed its way back up the league tables and in 2005, 'The Swans' got a new home: the Liberty Stadium. By 2011, Swansea City had become the first Welsh club ever to be promoted to the Premier League. John van Zweden found himself entering the executive rooms of some of the most prestigious and expensive football clubs in the world: Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea. It was quite different from what he was used to at Swansea’s old ground at Vetch Field, where peeling paint was a common sight. Proud Nowadays, Swansea City is worth millions of pounds. But John van Zweden and his fellow owners of Swansea City are a long way from selling. John's proud to say they are one of the few clubs in the Premier League that is not in debt. The club doesn't buy players it can’t afford and the co-owners pay their own way: from hotels to flights down to season tickets. So, if he had to do it all again, would he still take the risk? Of course, he says. "It’s your football team, it’s a part of your life."
Although I know the story Samuel, it's good that you've put this up, as it shows what a dedicated board we have, van Zweden is also a collector of Swans memorabilia, and this brings me to something else, the 'Burgess tapes', highly recommended reading for all jacks, as in there is another unsung hero!............ please log in to view this image
Yes this is the type of man that is worth his weight in gold and not someone who refuses to put a penny into the club in times of crises but takes all the glory......well done that man a true jack unlike others i could mention.....
What the hell you on about now Dai? we are in the Premiership, and your still moaning all the time!...........................
Innit just. Can't resist to have a pop at Huw. Give it a rest, change the record, everyone disagrees and is sick of it Dai.
truth hurt lads,,,give me a guy that is willing to put his money where his mouth is than one that has cost us millions over the years and refuses to put money into the club.......what has being in the premiership got to do with anything. he would not help when we were in dire straights and on our way out of the football league... I know what person i would rather at the club any day of the week....
I don't think Huw Jenkins was on the scene, when Mel Nurse got a group together to save the Swans Dai, so I think your being unfair there mate, to be honest. You can of course prove me wrong, but I have read the Burgess tapes, and there is no mention of Huw Jenkins, from what I can remember!................ please log in to view this image please log in to view this image "Mel Nurse lives locally, he adores the club - unlike the present incumbents (Petty) - and I think without any question of doubt that Mel Nurse will succeed." - Hammer Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/1633816.stm
scott ill bang on as long as someone puts a reference that mentions me...you got it lad....now in answer to dragon....you are correct that jinks was not involved with the saviour of the club, He was approached but he refused point blank to put any money in to save us in our hour of need. I was involved with the club in those days and me and many others raised a lot of money to put in the coffers. You will not find one single person who was involved with the club at that time who was happy when he said he would be our chairman on a no salary basis but would not put any money in the club to help......We needed a top businessman to act as chairman and unfortunately he was the only one available and what a pigs ear he has made of it. thank god for the others on the board who has got us to where we are today....
Well I have no knowledge Dai of whether he was asked, and will take your word for it, that he was, maybe he felt that he could equally contribute on a no salary basis, which he has done for a number of years, and while I'm not his biggest fan, even I recognise some of the good work he's done, and I think your doing yourself a disservice, by casting him as the villain, in all honesty Dai, I think you should cut him some slack!............. please log in to view this image
he is not a bad bloke dragon and he do try his best but i and others cant forget how he could have helped money wise even if it was just a loan, I cant understand why anyone would want to be chairman without some invested interest in the club other than the ego and prestige it offers, dont forget he has never been involved with football before he joined us, to his credit nobody at the time wanted the job but we jumped the gun to quick and should have hang on for a financial backer.
Martin Burgess would have been my choice, as he was the brains and engine behind the rescue, and well deserved the position, unfortunately was not dealt a deserved hand in the end though!................. please log in to view this image Link: http://www.scfc.co.uk/mbx.html
