This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-21579285
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Capital One Cup: Victory parade for triumphant Swansea City | Capital One Cup: Victory parade for triumphant Swansea City |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Thousands of Swansea City fans have braved the cold weather to welcome home their League Cup-winning heroes as they parade on an open-top bus. | |
The Swans, who are celebrating their centenary this season, beat Bradford City 5-0 in Sunday's Capital One Cup final at Wembley. | The Swans, who are celebrating their centenary this season, beat Bradford City 5-0 in Sunday's Capital One Cup final at Wembley. |
It gave them their first major trophy win and a place in Europe. | It gave them their first major trophy win and a place in Europe. |
The parade was started outside the Dragon Hotel in Swansea and will finish at the Brangwyn Hall. | |
The convoy is heading down the Kingsway and St Helen's Road before reaching its final destination. | |
Swansea City management, players and staff will then attend a reception inside the Guildhall. | |
Club captain Ashley Williams said the fans "really deserve this". | |
"There are supporters at this club who have been behind Swansea City for a long time and have seen the club during tough times," he said. | |
"Now they can celebrate the club's first major trophy. It's a great reward for them, and I'm sure they are all really enjoying this success." | |
The Squires family was among the crowds waving flags and cheering on the bus. | |
Mother Nicola said she was keen for her children aged 11, seven and five, to see the parade following Sunday's match. | |
"The atmosphere at the game was electric," she added. | |
"It's a great experience for the kids going to see it." | |
Only Women Aloud and the Phoenix Choir performed on the steps of Brunswick Methodist Church as the bus passed by on St Helen's Road. | |
They sang Liberty Forever, which was written by Edward Rhys-Harry to mark the Swans' centenary season. | |
Swansea council said there will be road closures along the 1.2 mile (1.9km) route on a rolling basis to minimise disruption and stewards will be marshalling fans and ensuring the safety of the procession. | Swansea council said there will be road closures along the 1.2 mile (1.9km) route on a rolling basis to minimise disruption and stewards will be marshalling fans and ensuring the safety of the procession. |
"We want to be able to show the team our thanks for what they have done for the city," said council leader David Phillips. | "We want to be able to show the team our thanks for what they have done for the city," said council leader David Phillips. |
"We want the opportunity for the 33,000 and all those that couldn't get there (to Wembley) to show their support for the outstanding things the city's heroes have done." | |
Speaking before the parade, Swansea's Lord Mayor Dennis James said he was confident the people of Swansea would turn out to welcome the team home. | |
"This is a fantastic moment for the Swans and for Swansea as a whole," he said. | "This is a fantastic moment for the Swans and for Swansea as a whole," he said. |
"After their promotion to the Premier League, Sunday's events open a new chapter in a remarkable success story for our city's football team." | "After their promotion to the Premier League, Sunday's events open a new chapter in a remarkable success story for our city's football team." |
Season ticket holder Charlotte Davies said she would be cheering on the team bus from her office at the YMCA on Kingsway which is half-way along the parade route. | |
"We'll be there with our flags," she told BBC Radio Wales. | "We'll be there with our flags," she told BBC Radio Wales. |
"As a life-long supporter your team has its ups and downs but the last couple of years have been a dream," she said. | "As a life-long supporter your team has its ups and downs but the last couple of years have been a dream," she said. |