As fortune happened, B&Bs were quite cheap - and the one which I booked into was located on the seafront - right in the heart of the city and only a stones-throw from what remains of the old Vetch Field stadium.
For anyone who never saw a game at Swansea's former home ground, it was an old-school ground, oozing with character, and one of the most intimidating venues where I've ever watched a game; that being in March 2004.
On that occasion, Swansea drew 1-1 with Doncaster Rovers in a pulsating, 100 miles per hour, end-to-end encounter at the top of Nationwide Division Three. It was played on a bog of the pitch under the floodlights with loads of strong challenges going in, and given the amount of clear-cut opportunities, it amazes me to this day how there wasn't a lot more goals!
My memories of the ground are crystal clear: Rovers fans (of which there were around a thousand) were penned back behind one of the goals opposite the 'double-decker' stand which had the 'futuristic floodlight' and it was a properly hostile atmosphere.
When Stuart Roberts scored for Swansea just before half-time, 'Daydream Believer' was belted out over the PA system at full blast and when Greg Blundell equalised around the hour mark, the natives were far from happy that us 'English B*stards' had got back on level terms.
Rovers went on to win the title. Swansea won promotion the following year, then left 'The Vetch' and headed to the purpose-built Liberty Stadium.
The club changed forever but memories of this place certainly didn't and if there's one 'away day' that I could relive again (complete with getting home at three o'clock the next morning) then it'd be this one without a shadow of a doubt!
Despite being left abandoned for six or seven years after their departure, Vetch Field was eventually demolished and redeveloped during 2012.
Nowadays, the Vetch Field site consists of a children's play section roughly where the away section used to be, allotments on what was the Main Stand, whilst the North Bank terrace is now an open area with a patch of grass. The 'double-decker' stand which had the 'Futuristic Floodlight' has since been turned into new-build flats.
Pathways also run across what was the pitch with what was the centre circle being visible from aerial photographs.
Although the steel crush barriers, floodlights, terrace steps and smell of burgers cooking in the snack bars have long since vanished, there remains a few gentle reminders that this site was once a football stadium.
The perimeter wall and turnstile blocks from the North Bank, although now bricked up, remain intact and clear to see, whilst the gap between houses - which was once the players' entrance - also remains midway down Glamorgan Street.
Here are a few photos of the old site which I hope you enjoy:
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| Roughly where the corner block was between the main stand and 'double-decker' stand. |
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| The Private Shop on Dillwyn Street - a sign, when walking from the railway station, that you were nearly at the ground. |
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| Looking towards what was the away section. |
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| Roughly looking out towards Glamorgan Street - the prison is just behind these houses. |
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| Looking out towards the away section from around the centre circle. |
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| Behind what was the North Bank lies a picturesque view of Swansea! |
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| Looking towards the North Bank - where Swansea's hardcore fans used to congregate. |
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| An old turnstile block which now carries a message to 'Ellis' - which is a bit harsh really! |
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| Near the centre circle, looking out towards the North Bank/away end. |
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| Once the main stand, now some allotments. |
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