This week we focus on former Swans defender Kevin Austin, who played 117 league matches for the Swans between 2004 and 2008. Austin holds a FA Uefa Coaching Licence and is a coach for Active Soccer and the Sheffield Wednesday Academy.
Having signed from Bristol Rovers in the summer of 2004, Kevin Austin’s Swansea City career got off to the perfect start.
The defender partnered the likes of Kristian O’Leary, Sam Ricketts, Garry Monk and Alan Tate in the Swans backline that kept a clean sheet in his first appearance for the club – a 2-0 win away at Rochdale on August 10, 2004. His proposed home debut against Cheltenham Town on August 21, 2004 went less smoothly though, as the Hackney-born player explains.
“I commuted from Bristol to Swansea when I was playing for the Swans,” he says. “The story of my home debut that never was against Cheltenham is well known. I headed off with plenty of time, but there was a horrendous traffic jam on the M4.
“As the time went on and I was still in a queue, it became clear I wasn’t going to be able to make it to the Vetch by kick-off. I remember phoning the gaffer (Kenny Jackett) and he wasn’t best pleased. But I explained there had been a fatality on the motorway, which brought some perspective to the situation. It was quickly forgotten about and Kenny was great in terms of putting my mind at ease about it.”
Austin’s home debut finally arrived a week later as the Swans beat Lincoln City 1-0 at the Vetch Field on August 30, 2004. He went on to become a near ever-presence for the Swans during their triumphant 2004-05 campaign in League Two, making 50 appearances in all competitions that season.
“I was very fortunate to play with some great players at Swansea City, and there were some fantastic highlights throughout my time there,” smiles Austin. “Winning League Two in my debut season in 2004-05 was fantastic, and getting the 1-0 victory at Bury (May 7, 2005) on the final day of the season to seal promotion was a very special moment. There were so many superb games along the way that campaign too.”
Swansea’s promotion to League One in 2005 began the rise-and-rise of the club that ultimately saw the Swans reach the Barclays Premier League in 2011. Austin played a significant part as the Jack Army achieved two of their three steps up the Football League ladder.
“The promotion to the Championship by winning League One in 2007-08 was absolutely superb,” reflects Austin, who played 29 matches in all competitions during that campaign. “We were also lucky to lift a cup in my time too in the shape of the Football League Trophy, which I was on the bench for in the final against Carlisle (April 2, 2006).”
Austin’s final appearance for Swansea in a well-travelled career came against Yeovil Town, prior to a transfer to Chesterfield that summer. Having started out with non-league side Saffron Walden Town, the defender turned out for the likes of Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Brentford (loan), Cambridge United, Kettering Town and Bristol Rovers, prior to his time with the Swans. After Chesterfield, he played for Darlington and Boston United before hanging up his boots in 2012. He also won seven international caps for Trinidad & Tobago.
“Playing for Trinidad & Tobago was an incredible experience and a great honour, as that was where my mum was born,” smiles Austin. “The opportunity came about out of the blue. I got a phone call inviting me to go out there, and suddenly I got to make my international debut against Panama in 2000. Even though Trinidad & Tobago is only a small nation, we had some great players and it was quite something playing in Fifa World Cup qualifiers etc.”
Since retiring from playing, Austin has obtained both FA Level 3 and FA UEFA A Licence coaching qualifications. He is potentially interested in senior coaching in the future, but in the here and now he is enjoying working with youngsters.
“I am part of a franchise in Sheffield called Active Soccer, which involves going into schools, football development centres etc and working with youngsters,” comments Austin. “It’s a very rewarding career. I also coach at Sheffield Wednesday’s academy, which has been a great learning curve. My schedule is full on with my various commitments, but that’s how I like it.
“I still enjoy watching live football and I get to see Sheffield Wednesday now and again when they are home. I look out for all my old clubs’ results and I definitely need to get down to Swansea to watch a game soon!”