Irrespective of whether you agree with the principle or not today Kris O'Leary will celebrate his time at Swansea City

Over 300 appearances in the famous shirt, two League winners medals - the only player in Swansea history to heva achieved this feat - A football league trophy winners medal and days out at both Wembley and the Millennium Stadium.  No welsh caps or international honours like so many of his decorated professional friends but this was about Kris and Swansea City.

All bar a month on loan at Cheltenham Kris has spent all his professional career in Swansea.   Many can point and say that offers to go elsewhere have not exactly been flooding in but look at the list of managers that have given him new deals and maybe there is a logical reason behind that.   Surely they couldn't all be wrong and they will all tell you that there is no loyalty in football so it wouldn't have been given out of loyalty.

Kris is never going to catch the eye.   He was a player of the year the year we won promotion to League One in a team that contained people probably more gifted than he is on the football field.   He outshone the fans favourite in Lee Trundle and was picked by us - the supporters - as the man who deserved that accolade.

And finally today - almost two years after being granted it - West Brom arrive at the Liberty to play a part in his testimonial.  It will be a tough test for the Swans and for West Brom alike.   Both were league winners last season and both are in full flow in their preparations for a new season/  And both sides have promised to make a game of it and there is a growing belief that the side that starts this game (maybe KOL aside?) will be the one that starts at Charlton next week.  Or will Roberto not show his hand that much with a week to go?

That isn't so much the side show today but it isn't what the day is all about although many will want for the first time a glimpse at the new players.   There have been statements that the game is not deserved and it is overpriced but that is done now and lets just enjoy it.  Football returns to the Liberty at last......

 And as for the man himself, he told today's Western Mail “I feel fortunate to have played for my boyhood club all these years,” he said.

“I never gave it much thought beforehand, but now I can appreciate it.

“As the years have gone on, I never wanted to leave and it has never been forced upon me.

“I had a month on loan at Cheltenham, but the whole point of me going there was to get back playing for Swansea, which I did. Everything I’ve done has been towards Swansea.

“I’m not playing as much now, but I’m still involved. And you never know what will happen in the future.

“I train just as hard whether I am in the side or not. I listen to the manager, someone I played with for years, and he has told everyone to be ready for when you’re needed because you will be needed.”

Photo: Action Images

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