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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Sam Feierabend

Swansea City's rousing team talk sees loyal kitman take centre stage before South Wales derby win over Cardiff City

Swansea City have given fans a glimpse into their rousing pre-match South Wales derby team talk, with special input from kitman Michael Eames.

It comes after Russell Martin's Swans beat Cardiff City 3-2 on Saturday thanks to a last-gasp winner from Ben Cabango, with the club sharing footage of their kitman addressing players about exactly what the South Wales derby means to supporters.

Swans manager Martin is seen telling his squad the game is for “people who have got the club in here [pointing to his stomach], in here [his heart], and will do forever.”

Watch the full video here:

He then invites Eames to talk, who says: "You all know me. I’m the kitman. But most importantly, I’m a supporter. I was there first, there as a kid. My family, we were all there.”

Eames goes on to say how the squad “are playing for the fans”, and alludes to Joe Allen’s famous goal at Ninian Park in 2009, when the then-teenager gave Swansea the lead, although his low shot was not enough to give the Swans all three points that afternoon.

"I was in the crowd," Eames said. "Best feeling I've ever had.

“Did you see the way he celebrated?" Eames added. "That’s what it means to him, and it should mean to every one of you who scores a goal today. Because you will, you'll score a few.

"I'm getting a bit emotional because it does mean so much to me, and I know it means just as much to everyone there. People said that the double can't be done. 110 years, you've done it, then you've done the treble, now today you're going to make it four. It's on you.

"They [Cardiff] know what it's like to chase you around, and they can't get the ball off you."

He finishes with a special instruction to the team to “celebrate in front of everyone and we let them know that we’ve done it for them. Come on, we can do it.”

The team talk ends with a rapturous applause from everyone inside the changing room. Of course, Swansea fans will all know what happened next.

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