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#GoncaloFranco

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Franco named player of the season at Swansea City awards ceremony

The Portuguese midfielder has enjoyed an excellent first season with the Swans, having joined from Moreirense during the 2024 summer transfer window with his efforts not going unrecognised by players and fans alike.

A combative ball winning midfielder, Franco has been an eye-catching presence in the centre of the park, quickly establishing himself as a fan favourite with his all-action displays.

The Men’s Top Goalscorer prize was secured by Liam Cullen, with the Wales international scoring a career-best return of 11 goals across the campaign.

The Women’s Top Goalscorer award went to striker Stacey John-Davis after another goal-laden campaign from the long-serving forward, whilst experienced defender Jess Williams was named Women’s Players’ Player of the Season.

The Men’s Best Newcomer of the Season prize went to goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux for his fine performances since joining Swansea from Burnley last summer.

Vigouroux has 14 clean sheets to his name, with seven of those coming in his last 12 appearances, and has made countless important saves and interventions.

The Academy Player of the Season was Jacob Cook, with the midfielder being rewarded for a campaign where he has repeatedly showcased his composure and reading of the game.

Cook recently signed his first pro deal with the club, and netted a goal at the Swansea.com Stadium when the under-21s beat Burnley earlier this month.

Helen Elton – who recently retired after 13 years with the Swansea City Foundation – won the Community Champion Award.

Esme Allchurch – honorary president of the Swansea City Former Players’ Association – clinched the Lifetime Achievement award.

The evening included a vote to decide the club’s Goal of the Season award. There were half-a-dozen options to choose from, but it was Josh Key’s stunning long-range strike against Plymouth Argyle that came out on top in a vote among attendees. 

The night ended with Wyndham Evans and Nigel Stevenson taking the Alan Curtis Award for outstanding contribution to the club.

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]

Williams pleased with ‘mature’ Swans performance after Luton victory 

Luton forward Carlton Morris had given the visitors an early lead slotting home after an error by home goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux. The Swans though focused on the challenge ahead levelling through Gonçalo Franco midway through the half and went on to dominate proceedings.  

The Hatters would be reduced to ten men in the second half with the dismissal of midfielder Joe Johnson for a second bookable offense. Whilst in the past the Swans under Williams have struggled to break down their opposition to earn all three points, they would show a calmness to find a way to win the match with substitute Peart-Harris popping up in stoppage-time to score the all-important winner. 

For Williams, the result shows the growth and progress made from his young side in recent months.  

“I hope it is a turning point where we see more performances in the same vein,” said Williams. 

“We started the game in the correct way, but we made an error, suffered and got punished for that. 

“I was though really happy with the response to going behind. 

“We deserve to be on level terms and then the next big challenge for the group was when Luton go down to ten men is to not rush, panic, or try to score immediately with every single action. 

“For the first few minutes after the sending off we probably did that but then we tried to play calmer and can feel the anxiety because everyone wants us to score and get what we deserved. 

“We coped with it in the correct way, and it was a very mature performance. The lads got what they deserved in the end, it was a good victory. 

“When the boy [Peart-Harris] hits the back of the net my only thought is to make sure we approach the next part in the right way. 

“That we don’t try to sit too deep and protect what we have but to try and continue to take the ball and control the game, so it doesn’t become the scariest last seven minutes. 

“We’ve been here before and I’m challenging the group in that way. Today I’m happy that they overcame that. 

“We learn together as a group. I have spoken with the captain who is a key player in many ways on and off the pitch that the way we have performed in the last two games is the way we should judge ourselves week in and week out. 

“Each game is a hurdle, and we need to overcome it in the correct way. We have to try and concentrate on performing at a very high level. 

“If we can keep playing to that level, at the end [of the season] we will look where we are in the table.” 

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]