But for one group of Swans fans, success on the pitch is something of a regular occurrence. The team in question is the Jackarmy.net Supporters Team.
Formed only 12 months ago, jackarmy.net has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best supporters' teams in the country. With victories of teams such as Wrexham, Oxford and our old enemies Cardiff. With two trophies already proudly displayed in the Harry Griffiths bar at the Vetch, last weekend saw jackarmy.net make the long trip to Liverpool in a quest for more silverware on their pre-season tour.
The links between the Swans and Liverpool fans were formed earlier this year when the jackarmy.net team invited Anfield regulars Gary and Michael to watch the Swans home game against Wrexham, whilst they were visiting South Wales for the Worthington Cup Final. The two sets of fans have been in regular contact ever since, so when it came to choosing a destination for a pre-season tour the choice was easy, and the jackarmy.net team made the trip north to face their toughest opposition yet, the Liverpool Supporters' Team.
After their arrival at their Liverpool base camp, the jackarmy.net team accompanied by their entourage of travelling supporters, wives and girlfriends, made the short trip across the city to the match venue. In temperatures approaching 85 degrees, fitness was going to be an important factor during the game. Luckily for the jacks, their weekly training sessions under the watchful eye of coach Stephen "Reeco" Rees stood them in good stead and they started the game at a furious pace. Determined to take the game to their counterparts, jackarmy.net launched attack after attack at the Liverpool goal. If it wasn't for the solid Liverpool defence, the jacks could well have gone into the half-time interval with a three or four goal advantage. But, frustratingly for the jacks, the half-time whistle went with the score still locked at 0-0.
After making several changes during the interval, the jacks continued where they left off and the breakthrough came on the hour with a delightful shot from all of 25 yards. With a 1-0 lead and time running out for Liverpool, it looked like a certain victory for jackarmy.net. But Liverpool had other ideas and after making several changes of their own, they snatched an unexpected equaliser after 80 minutes. In true jackarmy fashion, nobody let their heads drop and the jacks threw everything they had at Liverpool. After several chances on goal, including a 35 yard shot that rattled the Liverpool crossbar, with only five minutes remaining, a great run down the right wing resulted in a cross which was swept into the back of the net from the edge of the area, 2-1 to the jacks.
The successful JackArmy.net Football Team
The last few minutes were played out comfortably and the final whistle was greeted with wild celebrations from the team and supporters. After a great game of football, it was left to jackarmy.net captain Ian Roberts to receive the Kop/Vetch Challenge Cup. Both sets of players and fans then retired to a local pub for the after match party and a superb buffet laid on by Liverpool hosts. The party went on into the early hours of Sunday morning, with many of the team sampling the delights of the pubs and clubs in Liverpool city centre. The inevitable Sunday morning hangovers were eased with a tour of Anfield and yet more liquid refreshment, before the team headed back to South Wales. A cracking pre-season tour and everyone returned with some great memories and even wilder stories, not many of which would be suitable for a family newspaper!!! After all, you know what they say, "What goes on tour, stays on tour!!!"
Jackarmy.net would like to thank Gary and Michael and the rest of the Liverpool team for their wonderful hospitality, The Grosvenor pub for the after match party and buffet and g-travel's Gary Evans for his superb organisation of the whole trip.
Jackarmy.net will be in action again this weekend when they defend the Harry Griffiths Memorial Trophy against the Cardiff City Supporters' Team. The match takes place on Sunday at South Gower Football Club and kicks off at 12:00pm. Why not come along and join in the fun in what should be a superb afternoon out for all the family.
Anyone interested in joining the Jackarmy.net Supporters' Team can do so by visiting the www.jackarmy.net website or obtaining contact details from the Harry Griffiths bar at the Vetch Field on any match day. | 
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