Britton making as he did on it

YESTERDAY was Swansea City legend Leon Britton’s birthday.

He turned 37, and you get the feeling that he could still lace up the boots and do a job for a club he represented with such distinction for so long.

But time waits for no man and upon hanging up his togs Britton’s influence at Swansea moved from the middle of the park to the middle of the boardroom.

It’s early days in Britton’s executive career, but he is doing a stellar job thus far.

He has done so in conjunction with chairman Trevor Birch. It was a superb PR move to bring Britton on board, first as football advisor and now as sporting director, a position specially created for the club stalwart.

But this has proved to be more than a way to appease supporters and quell previous discontent; Britton’s input at the top level, coupled with his footballing nous, has proved invaluable.

Britton, along will fellow legend Alan Curtis, played a key role in the appointment of Steve Cooper, raving about his interview and knowledge of youth-team football.

“I was involved in the process from the start, and it was a thorough process,” Britton revealed previously.

“We spoke to a lot of people, and cut it down from there.

“But once we spoke to Steve it became clear he was the standout candidate to take the club forward, and that was clear in my mind, Trevor’s mind and Curt’s mind too.

“The way he wants to play was key. A lot of people can talk about the way they want to play, but with Steve there was that clarity in how he would go about it.

“It’s easy to say you want to play attractive, passing football, but Steveknew and understood the process by which he could get a team to play that way.

“He spoke about how he would structure the sessions, and we are talking about a coach of an excellent calibre and reputation following his excellent work with Liverpool and England.

“He was the perfect fit.”

If Cooper was a perfect fit, Britts is an integral cog.

Birch, who, let’s stress once again has done a superb job in SA1 so far, is a huge fan.

Upon his appointment in his new position as sporting director, the chairman said: “I have been extremely impressed with his knowledge, intelligence and passion for the game and the club. And Swansea City has already seen the benefits of his input with the footballing appointments we have made so far.

“Having been a former player here for so long – and respected so highly by the fans, staff and players – it made perfect sense to get him involved; initially as an advisor. Since then he and I have worked really well together, and he has struck up a great working relationship with Steve.