Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman releases personal statement after mother's death ahead of derby
The Swansea chairman has confirmed he won't be attending the game at the Cardiff City Stadium
Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman says he won't be attending the upcoming South Wales derby clash with Cardiff City following the death of his mother.
The American businessman took the role of chairman after securing a "significant shareholding" in the Championship club.
Coleman has been tasked with the day-to-day running of the Swans. However, he has now confirmed he will miss the club's derby day clash with the Bluebirds on Saturday evening.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, he wrote: "I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to supporters ahead of what is one of the most important matches of our season - the south Wales derby.
"While I appreciate I do not have the lifelong connection to this fixture that many of our supporters do, I can say with conviction that one of the reasons I fell in love with this club and this city was the 2-0 win over Cardiff last October. I was in the Swansea.com Stadium that day, and the energy, passion and devotion of the Jack Army compelled me to become a part of this wonderful club and community.
"However, it is with deep sadness and regret that our family will have to miss Saturday’s game.
"As some of you are aware, my mother passed away a few weeks back. It was her failing health that caused me to be absent for the recent Coventry match as I flew back to the United States to be with her, and her funeral is this Saturday.
"There is never a good time to lose your mother and, while we are all devastated to be unable to support the team in person, I can assure you that there will be more Colemans than you can imagine cheering full throttle from the Dubliner in Washington, DC during the game."
Coleman is set to return to the UK in time for the visit of Sheffield Wednesday on September 23, and is hoping the club will be in a position to hold a fans' forum in the near future.
"When I became chairman, I pledged transparency and improved communication. With that in mind, I’m pleased to confirm we will be holding a fans’ forum with supporters in the coming weeks.
"I know this delay has been frustrating for many of you and I appreciate your understanding that putting this off was only caused by unexpected changes to my personal schedule."
In a wide-ranging statement, Coleman also reiterated comments made by sporting director Paul Watson, claiming the squad is now in a stronger position following a busy summer of recruitment that saw 13 first team players brought on board.
However, he admits the start of the season has been difficult under new boss Michael Duff.
"There is no hiding from the reality that we have not had the start to the season that we wanted," he added. "While I came here with expectations of positive results, I was also realistic.
"With as much change as this club has had on and off the pitch, we always knew it would take time for the squad to come together.
"With the summer transfer window now behind us, we feel the squad is in far better shape to achieve an upturn in results in the coming weeks. From the outset, I have always said that Swansea should be in the battle for promotion every season, and I will be consistent in that. Feeling uncomfortable under the pressure of those expectations is what will drive this club forward, and I also need to be held accountable if we fail to achieve those goals."
Despite a busy summer transfer window of near unprecedented level of activity, Coleman says work towards the January transfer window has already started, and the end goal remains an eventual return to the Premier League.
"I can also assure you preparations for January have already begun. It is important that each of you know we are developing the infrastructure and strategy to guide the club over the long term.
"We are not just looking window to window. This will help all aspects of the club in getting behind our overall goal of achieving promotion to the Premier League and staying there."