soccer | Athena Picture Agency

Our best Swansea City AFC pictures for 2020

Dimitris — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 12:44:22 +0000

The 2020-2021 season marks the third year since Swansea City got relegated to the Championship after enjoying seven successive years in the Premier League.

2020 saw the previous football season being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic which continued in late summer.

Working as the exclusive photographers for the south Wales Club, we have witnessed first hand what has been happening behind the scenes since 2008.

Andre Ayew of Swansea City celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City at Ewood Park on in Blackburn, England, UK. Saturday 29 February 2020

Marc Guehi of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Huddersfield Town at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 17 October 2020

Saïd Benrahma of Brentford battles with Matt Grimes of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Semi-final 2nd Leg between Brentford and Swansea City at Griffin Park in Brentford, England, UK. 29th July, 2020

Rhian Webster of Swansea City celebrates his goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Wigan Athletic at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 19 January 2020

Connor Roberts of Swansea City crosses the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Swansea City at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, UK. Sunday 12 January 2020

Marc Guehi ,Tivonge Rushesha, Jordon Garrick and Kristoffer Peterson of Swansea City during the Swansea City third kit launch at The Fairwood Training Ground in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday September 22 2020

The Liberty Stadium is illuminated in blue, in support to the NHS and the fight against the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 22 April 2020

Matt Grimes of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Derby County at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 08 February 2020

Jake Bidwell of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Swansea Citry at Craven Cottage in London, England, UK. Wednesday February 26, 2020

Jay Fulton of Swansea City (C) celebrates his goal with team mate Rhian Webster (R) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Huddersfield Town at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 22 February 2020

Ben Pearson of Preston North End vies for possession with Bersant Celina of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End and Swansea City at the Deepdale Stadium in Preston, England, UK. Saturday 01 February 2020

George Byers (C) and Connor Roberts run to the pitch during the Swansea City Training Session at The Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK. Thursday 09 January 2020

A general view of the Liberty stadium during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Queens Park Ranger at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 11 February 2020

A general view of The Liberty Stadium prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Luton Town at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 27 June 2020

Tivonge Rushesha of Swansea City in action during the pre season friendly match between Swansea City and Forest Green Rovers at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 01 September 2020

Freddie Woodman of Swansea City in action during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 22 September 2020

Jake Bidwell of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship between Swansea City and Rotherham at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 21 November 2020

Julian Winter new CEO for Swansea City poses for a portrait after a press conference at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 22 September 2020

Lewis Webb of Swansea City in action during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 22 September 2020

Yan Dhanda of Swansea City in action during the pre season friendly match between Swansea City and Forest Green Rovers at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Tuesday 01 September 2020

Connor Roberts of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Sheffield Wednesday at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Sunday 05 July 2020

Player take the knee for the black life matters campaign during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Millwall at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 03 October 2020

Rhian Brewster of Swansea City celebrates at full time with Steve Cooper Head Coach of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Swansea City at the St. Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium in Birmingham, England, UK. Wednesday 8th July 2020

Marc Guehi of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Birmingham City at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. Saturday 19 September 2020

Rhian Brewster of Swansea City celebrates scoring his side’s fourth goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Swansea City at the KCOM Stadium, Hull, England, UK. Friday 14 February 2020

Conor Gallagher of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Swansea City at Craven Cottage, London, England, UK 26 February 2020

Connor Roberts of Swansea City in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Wycombe Wanderers and Swansea City at Adams Park Stadium, High Wycombe, England UK. Saturday 26 September 2020

Swansea City FC, best pictures of the year 2018

athena_admin — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 13:22:42 +0000

2018 was the year Swansea City got relegated to the Championship after enjoying seven successive years in the Premier League.

The year is also a great landmark for Athena Pictures as it celebrates its tenth year running.

Working as the exclusive photographers for the south Wales Club, we have witnessed first hand what has been happening behind the scenes.

Some of those images have never been published and as you may notice, I have tried to not include many action images.

This must be one of the best images I have ever captured as a photographer. It was taken during the kit photo-shoot for the 2018-2019 season.

Wilfried Bony had just had his pictures taken with both home and away kits but decided to photo-bomb Leroy Fer’s shoot, in a way, I am so glad that he did.

Leroy Fer and Wilfried Bony during the Swansea City AFC 2018-2019 kit photo-shoot at the Barn, Academy training ground in Landore, Swansea, UK. 26 April 2018

It would be best to carry on with the studio theme and it’s worth mentioning that 2018 was the first time that I was allowed to create set-ups outside of the boundaries of a sterile studio.

Some images were taken at Exist Skate Park, some other in a local gym.

Mike van der Hoorn during the Swansea City AFC new kit photo shoot at the Exist Skate Park in Swansea, Wales, UK. 18 April 2018

Martin Olsson during the Swansea City AFC new kit photo shoot at the Exist Skate Park in Swansea, Wales, UK. 18 April 2018

Club colleagues and I also utilised the concourse of the Liberty Stadium, using a magnificent graffiti as a backdrop.

Connor Roberts during the Swansea City AFC new kit photo shoot at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. 18 April 2018

These are from the third kit photo-shoot which a lot of people have to keep their lips sealed for.

Not only Leroy Fer is a great footballer, he is also a natural when it comes to posing, everything he does seems effortless, both on and off the pitch.

The same applies to Connor Roberts who seems to adopt very well in a studio environment.

Leroy Fer during the Swansea City FC kit photo-shoot at Fairwood Training Ground, Wales, UK. 12 July 2018

Connor Roberts during the Swansea City FC kit photo-shoot at Fairwood Training Ground, Wales, UK. 12 July 2018

Jefferson Montero during the Swansea City FC kit photo-shoot at Fairwood Training Ground, Wales, UK

Moving on to a bit more of what footballers are used to be seen doing.

This is just a candid moment between Tom Carroll and Courtney Baker-Richardson on the training pitch.

I like the intimacy of it. There must have been a bit of banter between them but still, they seem to be working hard training.

(L-R) Tom Carroll and Courtney Baker-Richardson in action during the Swansea City Training Session at The Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK. 27 September 2018

Ever since I started working with the Club, time and again I hear managers talking about how players enjoy their football. This image reflects the camaraderie between players and how happy they seem to be going to work.

Wilfried Bony and Leroy Fer lead team mates to the pitch during the Swansea City Training at the Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK. 22 November 2018

Joe Lewis and Mike van der Hoorn during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground, in Swansea, Wales, UK. 02 November 2018

Wilfried Bony during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK. 04 December 2018

Sometimes the need arises when portraits have to done outside of a studio. Although not very easy to convince a player to do pictures away from a Club facility, it works a treat when it happens.

Leon Britton needs no introduction. After spending years as a player in different leagues, a short spell as caretaker manager, it was time for him join Lee Trundle in becoming Club Ambassadors.

Leon Britton at Swansea Bay, Wales, UK. 27 July 2018

Swansea City FC footballer Oliver McBurnie at the club’s Fairwood Training Ground near Swansea, Wales, UK. 19 September 2018

This is a moment of great historic importance. Angel Rangel enters the pitch with his wife and children, for his last ever appearance for Swansea City.

Angel Rangel of Swansea City walks onto the pitch with his family prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Stoke City at The Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. 13 May 2018

Swansea City manager Graham Potter shouts instructions to his team from the dug-out during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Preston North End at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK. 11 August 11 2018

Leandro Bacuna of Reading vies for possession with Bersant Celina of Swansea City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Reading at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales, UK. 27th October, 2018

Connor Roberts and Oli McBurnie celebrate the latter’s goal against Leeds United at the Liberty Stadium. 21 August 2018

Nothing of course would be possible without the support from these guys.

Swansea City fans celebrate at final whistle during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Swansea City at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, England, UK. 04 August 2018

Wayne Routledge of Swansea celebrates his goal against Sheffield at the Liberty Stadium. 15 December 2018

A year in the working life of Swansea City AFC manager Paul Clement

athena_admin — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 10:48:12 +0000

We are always busy and involved with the latest sports news from Wales.

It has been almost a year since Paul Clement took over as manager of Swansea City AFC, from his predecessor Bob Bradley.

Athena Picture Agency were there as the exclusive sports photographers working with the only Premier League Club in Wales, to offer them a great service of documenting his work, from taking charge of training sessions, speaking to the media, during match days and even when new signings would arrive at the Club.

It is always sad when a manager leaves. He loved Wales, and it’s such a shame that the line of work of a football manager can be so cruel, in less than 12 months, he effectively became from hero to zero.

We, at Athena Picture Agency, love sports photography and access in most Swansea City events was exclusive to us.

To access, more than 1000 images of Paul Clement, please click here

Swansea City AFC said in a statement about the departure of Paul Clement:

Swansea City chairman, Huw Jenkins, confirmed: “To change the manager, especially at only the halfway point of the season, is the last thing we wanted to do as a club.

“We had three different managers last season and as a result we all wanted to give Paul as much time as possible to turn things around.

“But we felt we couldn’t leave it any longer and needed to make a change to give us the best chance of an uplift and a turnaround in fortunes with the club bottom of the Premier League.

“Paul has been at the club for 12 months and what he achieved in the second half of last season to keep us in the top flight was a tremendous feat. For that, and his effort and commitment this season, it goes without saying that the club thanks him for his work, together with Nigel (Gibbs) and Karl (Halabi).

“I have had an excellent working relationship with Paul and we are all, including the owners, surprised and disappointed it hasn’t worked out this season.

“We wish Paul every success in his career going forward.’’

ON THE TRAINING PITCH

Paul Clement watches on as Wilfried Bony goes through his medical at the Fairwood Training Ground, Wales, UK

Paul Clement throws the ball during the Swansea City training session at The Fairwood training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK

Paul Clement with Claude Makelele oversee the players during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK

Paul Clement arranges the balls during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Complex, Swansea, Wales, UK

Manager Paul Clement observes his players train at Fairwood training ground, UK

Paul Clement holds footballs during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground,Swansea, Wales, UK

Swansea manager Paul Clement during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK

Swansea manager Paul Clement briefs his players during the Swansea City Training at The Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK

DURING MARCH DAYS

Paul Clement celebrates the goal scored by Fernando Llorente, making the score 3-2 to his team during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Burnley at The Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK

Swansea manager Paul Clement celebrates his team’s win during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Swansea City at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, UK

Manager of Swansea City, Paul Clement reacts during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Bournemouth at The Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK

Swansea City manager Paul Clement shouts instructions during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Swansea City at the bet365 Stadium, Stoke on Trent, England, UK

Manager of Swansea City, Paul Clement celebrates his team’s win after the Premier League match between Swansea City and Stoke City at The Liberty Stadium in Swansea, Wales

Manager of Swansea City, Paul Clement looks on during the Premier League match between Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion at The Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK

Swansea manager Paul Clement walks off the pitch during the English Premier League soccer match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho speaks with Swansea manager Paul Clement on the pitch during the English Premier League soccer match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK

Swansea manager Paul Clement during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Newcastle United at The Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK

Swansea manager Paul Clement gives instructions to his players during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Newcastle United at The Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales, UK

Paul Clement walks on the pitch of the Liberty Stadium, Wales, UK

DURING PRESS DAYS

Manager Paul Clement speaks to reporters during the Swansea City Press Conference at The Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK

Swansea City FC manager Paul Clement at the Fairwood Training Ground, Swansea, Wales, UK

To see more of our Swansea City AFC material, please click here

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