Grey ends 45-year association with Swansea City to join Wales Women
Grey has been Swansea's joint Under-21s Lead since last July
Written by Training Ground Guru — March 31, 2023
JON GREY is ending his 45-year association with Swansea City and joining the Football Association of Wales as assistant for Wales Women.
Grey joined the club as a scholar at the age of 14 and signed a professional contract at the Vetch Field in 1996. When injury forced the end of his playing career he returned to the club as a part-time coach with the Academy in 2009.
After securing a full-time role in 2012 he has gone on to fill most senior roles in the Academy: Under-18s Lead, Head of Coaching, Academy Manager and, since last July, U21s Lead alongside Anthony Wright.
Swansea paid tribute to Grey for “playing a huge part” in the development of Academy graduates Connor Roberts, Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Dan James and current first-teamers Joe Allen, Ben Cabango and OIlie Cooper, who were all part of Wales’ squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Cooper made his international debut earlier this week, coming on as a sub for Wales in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Latvia.
Swansea Academy Manager Andy Goldie said: “It’s very fitting that Jon leaves us in the week another Academy graduate makes his competitive debut for Wales.
“Just as he has with Ollie Cooper, Jon has made a significant contribution to the development and success of many of our graduates, both on and off the pitch, during his time at the club.
"His loyalty to Swansea City is very rare in football nowadays, even within the Academy environment, having been here since he was 14-years-old, but he’s ready for the next chapter in his career and we wish him the very best of luck with his new challenge with the FAW.“
Goldie succeeded Grey as Academy Manager last July, with the club saying Grey had “expressed a desire to get back on the grass working with players.
Anthony Wright will now take sole charge of the U21s, while Swansea said “a staffing restructure will take place in due course as the club looks to evolve the Academy programme to enhance its player development and support services.”
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