Swansea City v Manchester United - 24th Dec 1932

SWANS v MANCHESTER UTD

DIV 2 24th DECEMBER 1932

Hard to believe, but here were the Swans playing Manchester United in a league match, and playing on Christmas Eve at that. In this era it was the norm, with the Swans then home to Southampton on Boxing Day, and the next day travelling to play the reverse fixture at the Dell, followed by a trip to West Ham on New Year's Eve, and then a home match against Bury on 2^nd January - five league matches in nine days. Today's footballers would be apoplectic at the prospect !

This was undoubtedly a lean spell for United, and in this five year extended sojourn to football's second tier, the Vetch was not a happy hunting ground for them - they failed to record a single victory.

This particular fixture resulted in a 2-1 win for the Swans in front of 10,727 spectators, with Olsen and Scott the scorers, and the Swans midfield of Sykes and Miller (or wing-halves as they would then have been known) in full control of the game. This thoroughly deserved victory affirmed the Swans promotion aspirations, maintaining their fifth spot placing.

There was further Christmas cheer for the town of Swansea, with the news that the Cwmfelin steelworks would be re-opening in the New Year with the hope of 300 + jobs, having closed down almost three years earlier.

Back on a sporting theme, and the Evening Post lead story concentrated on a campaign against the possible introduction of greyhound racing at the Vetch.

The match programme is notable for its "art deco" cover design, showing a sort of stainless steel Swan. It is an 8 page production measuring 10.5 x 8.5, again printed on a salmon coloured paper. The front cover has space for an advert under the team headings, but surprisingly this has been left blank on this occasion - cannot imagine that happening if we were playing United today !

Page 2 shows the current league tables, with the Swans well positioned in fifth spot in both the Second Division and the London Combination. What we would give to be playing that level of reserve football today - to be in fifth spot in competition with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, West Ham, Fulham, Portsmouth, Charlton, etc

The editorial concentrates on the upcoming home FA Cup tie against Sheffield United, four time winners of the trophy, and the huge demand for tickets. This is reinforced by one of the centre page adverts, which is for "football special" trains being run for the match by London, Midland and Scottish Railway - from Knighton and Brynamman.

Other adverts include a full back page for the perennial Down & Son furnishers, probably the most loyal of Swans advertisers over many years, and no fewer than three cinemas, together with the usual sports outfitters.

Estimated value of a reasonable condition copy of this programme - £600

Photo: Action Images

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