Richard Swann

Richard Swann (Born January 21, 1986 in Altrincham, England), is an English footballer, currently playing for Gateshead Rutherford AFC.
Crewe Alexandra and England
Richard Swann signed for the Youth Academy of Crewe Alexandra in the summer of 2002, however even though he made it into the England Schoolboy set up he failed to impress the Crewe manager Dario Gradi, and was released in 2004 without ever making an appearance.
Gateshead F.C.
After being released by Crewe, Swann moved to Newcastle to carry on his educational studies. The move worked well for Swann on a footballing level with then Gateshead F.C manager Alan Bell being able to sign Swann on a free transfer.
In his first season at the Gateshead International Stadium Swann made a number of reserve team appearances but never made the step up to the first team. Swann's first team league debut finally came in the 2005/06 season against high flying A.F.C. Telford United a game which Gateshead drew 1-1. Swann also played in the corresponding fixture during the 2006-07 which Gateshead won 4-3 thanks to a winning goal from on-loan winger Craig Nelthorpe. This game was pronounced as Gateshead's best of the season.
Hebburn Town
Swann has remained on the books of Gateshead and has made a further 3 appearances for the club. However with first team opportunities limited, Swann moved on loan to nearby Hebburn Town F.C. to gain first team experience. This proved to be a successful move with the likes of Whickham and Dunston Federation Breweries showing an interest. Swann finished the season with Gateshead after being recalled to play against AFC Telford.
Injury
The 2007/08 season promised much for Swann, after he claimed the number one jersey at Hebburn However early on in the season Swann injured his left knee, and combined with persistent back problems, he was forced to sit out the rest of the season. In March 2008, Swann was diagnosed as having a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee which will keep him out of the game for 9 months.
Recuperation
In April 2008 Swann underwent surgery to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament and returned to action as a substitute in Hebburn's 4-2 loss to Thornaby on March 14, 2009.
Hebburn Town: The Exit
On the surface at least the 2009/10 season looked a promosing one for Swann. Now fully fit and in possession of the Hebburn Town No.1 jersey Swann's form was getting him admiring glances from fans of his former employers Gateshead FC (when doing the weekly shop in ASDA). However the early season optomism was to be an all to familiar false dawn for Swann with Hebburn Town Manager David Rush putting the blame firmly at Swann's door following the side's 6-1 thumping at Whitehaven .
Swann was dropped for the follwing game at home to Washington and did little to help his claims for a recall by conceding a crisply taken penalty in the half time warm up from a local schoolboy, much to the delight of the onlooking crowd. David Rush and the fans had seen enough.
Gateshead Rutherford AFC
With Swann's Hebburn Town career in tatters he was forced to move even further down the Football League pyramid in search of regular games. Swann's availabilty was soon the talk of the Northern League, amid much speculation Gateshead Rutherford managed to fend off Hebburn Railroad in order to secure his signature. Swann marked his debut with a fine performance in 'The Swifts' 7-0 demolition of Berwick United. This Indian Summer in Swann's career has continued with a string of clean sheets to his name and a solitary Man of the Match Award.
Footnotes

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