Ex-Reds striker Steve Watkin is back in town today, and if he makes the Swansea starting line-up he will no doubt get an extremely warm reception from the Racecourse faithful.
The stocky centre-forward made the move to South Wales in September 1997. Since then he has made 203 appearances for the Vetch Field side, still some way short of the 261 games he chalked up as a Wrexham player.
In terms of goals, he has claimed 47 for the Whites, to add to the 77 he notched for the Reds. Interestingly, that means his strike-rate was much better in the earlier part of his career - a goal every 3.4 games for Wrexham as against every 4.3 matches for Swansea.
This season, the Wrexham-born striker has played in only three league matches. He scored on the opening day as the Swans claimed a point at Darlington, and then got sent off at Bury as his team lost by the odd goal in five. His last appearance was at Bristol Rovers - where his side went down to another defeat.
If the rumours are to be believed, Watkin would like to see out his playing days at the Racecourse rather than the Vetch, but at present he is very much a City player. And after five years in south-west Wales, this is how the various Swansea websites currently view him:
"Steve is a hard-working front runner who has become a vital member of the Swans strike force with his ability to hold the ball up when required and always making himself available to his teammates. Steve works the front line well, giving the opposition hardly any time on the ball. He will probably be best known in North Wales for scoring Wrexham's winner against League Champions Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup in 1992." ( www.swansea-cityfc.co.uk )
"One of Jan Molby's last acts as Swansea manager was to sign Steve Watkin from Welsh rivals Wrexham, where he'd played since he was a schoolboy. Not the most prolific striker, but he has always had a great touch, good vision and an ability to bring other players into the game. Holds up the ball well and probably at his best playing just behind the front two. Steve always works hard, and is surprisingly robust." ( www.scfc.co.uk )
"It seems an age since Steve Watkin scored the goal that helped Wrexham dump Arsenal out of the FA Cup in 1992. Since that time he has taken his career goal tally past the100 mark. Never overly prolific, Steve has the ability to play his part in the team and averages around one goal every four appearances for the club. He has never become overly popular with the Swansea fan base but his supporters will always argue that 'he holds the ball up well'! Interesting to see whether Steve features in the manager's immediate plans this season - with fans generally divided on the issue." ( www.swanseacity.rivals.net )
