What happened to the squad of 2002/03???

The appointment of Nick Cusack as manager by the Swansea board in 2002 was always a risky one. However, no-one could have predicted the “roller-coaster of emotions” that was about to occur at the Vetch, as Swansea’s league status almost vanished. James Thomas became a Swansea legend, when his final day hat-trick maintained Swansea’s league position by the narrowest of margins. And yet 9 months earlier, it had all looked so different…..

In Nick Cusack’s programme notes for the opening day of the 2002/03 season, he felt “optimistic” that his re-built Swansea side could achieve promotion. Yet 9 league games later, Swansea found themselves bottom of the Third Division for the first time in their history, after a torrid defeat at Boston…and Cusack was out of the job. The Swansea board made the emergency appointment of Brian Flynn just hours before kick-off in Lincolnshire – and he must have been left in a state of shock at the lack of quality that his new side had been displaying.

In fact, Cusack had assembled a squad that was widely regarded as the worst in Swansea’s history. Stating that he wanted his side to be able to compete physically with their opponents, many were ex-team-mates of the much-travelled player-manager. On being appointed Swansea manager, Flynn spent most of the coming months releasing Cusack’s signings in an attempt to bring some pride back to the city.

Now two seasons later, Swans MAD attempts to track down the 24 players that began the 2002/03 season as members of the Swansea City senior squad….

1. Roger Freestone
2. Lee Jenkins
3. David Smith
4. Kristian O'Leary
5. Jason Smith
6. David Theobald
7. Andrew Mumford
8. Matt Murphy
9. James Thomas
10. Steve Watkin
11. Paul Reid
12. Andrew Marsh
13. Michael Jackson
14. Jonathan Keaveny
15. David Moss
16. Terry Evans
17. Gareth Phillips
18. John Williams
19. Michael Howard
20. Neil Sharp
21. Damian Lacey
22. Nick Cusack
23. Leigh De-Vulgt
24. Jamie Wood

Of our squad of 24, only seven played league football last season (three have subsequently been released and one has retired). Unsuprisingly, only two of the dreaded squad still remain at the Vetch – Kristian O’Leary and James Thomas. Thomas eventually became the local hero after his goal-scoring exploits throughout the season and his last day heroics. O’Leary has just been offered a new deal by Kenny Jackett as a squad player and played the majority of the 02/03 season as a reserve central-defender.

Roger Freestone has just been released from Swansea following a long-spell as first-choice goalkeeper. Many were surprised with the decision, but the one-time capped Welsh International has joined Newport County on a part-time deal. Michael Howard was another released by Jackett in the summer of 2004. The full-back was a member of the 1999/00 championship winning side, but is now a free agent despite being linked with moves to Morecambe and Chester.

John Williams, who has recently joined Bath City on a free transfer, scored five goals in 32 appearances for Kidderminster last season. “The flying postman” was a popular figure at the Vetch and hit the headlines for Kiddie when he scored against Premiership Wolves in the FA Cup. Williams played in the same side as Lee Jenkins, who joined Jan Molby’s side on a free during the 03/04 season. Full-back Jenkins, went on to make 7 appearances during an injury-ravaged season at Aggborough.

Swansea’s player manager and the man responsible for the formation of the “dreaded squad”, Nick Cusack, is still involved with the PFA. Cusack had combined his role at the association with his Swansea contract, but now has committed himself full-time. In a recent interview, Cusack stated that he was spending most of his week driving up and down the country, attempting to sort out contract disputes, etc.

Once signed from Wrexham for a six figure sum, Steve Watkin now plays his football in the League of Wales along with six other members of our “dreaded squad”. Watkin, never the most popular of figures at the Vetch in recent times, turned out for Caernarfon Town last year, scoring a handful of goals in the process. Ex-Manchester United forward Jamie Wood is another to participate in this league, as he won a championship medal with TNS. Wood scored only three goals in his short Swansea career, including one against Wolves in the Worthington Cup match that was broadcast live on Sky. Wood has attracted interest from several league clubs after scoring 26 goals for the welsh outfit last year.

Paul Reid joined Carmarthen Town after being released half-way through the 02/03 season by Brian Flynn. Reid, who decided to stay in the area and combine his part-time contract with his job as a postman, plays in the same side as Jonathan Keaveny, Leigh De-Vulgt and David Moss. Keaveny was one of the first players to be released by Flynn after the youngster failed to impress in his handful of appearances. Veteran David Moss scored goals against York and Bristol Rovers but along with De-Vulgt, hardly featured at all under Flynn. With a squad made up mainly of ex-Swans, Carmarthen were expecting to do well last season – but finished near bottom. Surely a testament to the talent on show!

Ex-England Under 21 international David Smith was another player to be released under Brian Flynn half-way through the 02/03 season, after just a handful of appearances. Now aged 35, it appears that Smith has left the professional game for good. However, he did make a brief appearance for Coventry in the 2003 Indoor Masters Competition alongside John Williams and looks set to repeat the event this year.

Damian Lacey also retired from the game, although his was due to persistent injury. Lacey actually often featured in Flynn’s midfield but decided to call it a day after his injury proneness became too much for him. Is now involved in the club in some form of capacity as a physio under Richard Evans.

Another to retire was Jason Smith. Captain Smith began the season on Swansea’s books, yet was also forced to retire due to persistent injury. Smith featured heavily in the crucial run-in side that eventually kept Swansea up and was also a member of the 2000 Championship winning side. However, Smith has recently signed for ex-club Tiverton Town on a part-time contract, stating that he cannot continue to play as a full-time professional.

Set to join Freestone at Newport County next season wereTerry Evans, Gareth Phillips and Andrew Mumford. Ex-Barry full-back Evans was not offered a new contract last summer despite regular outings for the first team and almost immediately signed for Newport. Phillips left the Vetch in similar circumstances and joined ex-Swans assistant manager Peter Nicholas at Newport. One-time player of the season Mumford, was forced to leave the Vetch after falling out of favour with Brian Flynn, reportedly due to his laid back attitude and drinking culture. Mumford spent two spells on loan at Newport and one at Conference outfit Aldershot (where he scored, got sent off and seriously injured – all in the space of a couple of games). However, Swans MAD understands that none of the three players mentionned above will be playing for Newport next season, as Evans and Phillips have been released while Mumford has decided to pursue his career elsewhere.

David Theobald joined Cambridge United on a non-contract basis at the end of the 02/03 season, after being released by Flynn just weeks earlier. Since then, the lanky defender has earned himself a contract at newly-promoted Canvey Island, making numerous appearances for them last season.

A man recently linked with an unlikely return to the Vetch is Neil Sharp. After spending most of last season at Woking, Sharp left after a disagreement with the manager and has been training with Yeovil. Sharp was reported to be returning to Swansea for a trial, but has since been told that not enough money is available.

Matt Murphy started scoring important goals for Swansea before sustaining a serious injury that ended his season prematurely at Christmas. Murphy joined Kettering in the summer of 2003 after being released by Flynn, but left soon after due to a row over team selection. In October, Murphy joined Kings Lynn, where he was heralded as a massive signing for the club and a statement of it’s ambitions. Just two game later, Murphy was released again. It is believed that Murphy is now a free agent, after spending most of the post-Christmas period training with Emley AFC reserves.

Michael Jackson made just one appearance at Stevenage in the LDV Trophy before being immediately released by Flynn. Jackson joined Dr Martens outfit Cirencester Town for the remainder of the season, before being snapped up by Weston-Super-Mare. After only a handful of highly rated appearances, Weston-Super-Mare deemed him surplus to requirements and he returned to Cirencester Town on April 1^st this year. The Cirencester fans are more than happy to have him in their side and describe him as a genuine “class player”…are we thinking of the same person??

Andrew Marsh has apparently left the face of the planet. Despite extensive research, Swans MAD just cannot track down the young reserve keeper that never actually made a senior appearance in the side. Released within weeks of Flynn’s arrival at Swansea, Andrew Marsh never came close to stealing Freestone’s jersey and has disappeared!!

And there you have it. Next season, of the 24 “dreaded squad” players that started the 2002/03 season:-

Thankfully, Swansea avoided relegation in 2002/03 courtesy of a new group of players brought into the club by a new manager. But let us not forget those players that started the 2002/03 season that – well, lets face it – just weren’t good enough!!

Swans MAD wishes all ex-Swans mentioned in this article the best of luck next season and in the future.

What happened to the squad of 2002/03???

Last updated : 13 July 2004 By Richard Evans