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Aldridge The Favourite
Aldridge The Favourite
Friday, 19th Mar 2004 00:00

John Aldridge Installed As Swans Favourite

Aldridge In At Vetch Field

After the surprise parting of company with Brian Flynn yesterday, fans have soon started to line up their favourites for replacements with the names of Steve Cotterill, Andrew Melville, Glenn Hoddle, Gordon Strachan, Frank Burrows and John Cornforth all put into the frame by the supporters.

However, it is the name of Aldridge that is attracting the most interest at the moment and it is believed that he is also close to the top of the Swans wanted list as they search to find what will be the club's fifth manager in the past three seasons. The reaction to the departure of Brian Flynn has been extremely mixed although there does seem a unity again amongst the fans in that it's done now and we have to move on without worrying about the rights and wrongs of the decision.

John Aldridge started his career at Newport County back in the late 1970s where he scored 83 goals in 186 appearances before a move to Oxford United in 1984. Three years followed at what was the Manor Ground and a further 90 goals in 138 starts for the Us. That prompted Liverpool to pay £750,000 for him in 1987 and in two years at Anfield he was on target 64 times in 91 starts for the club. A move to Spain and Real Sociedad saw 33 goals in 63 starts before he moved back to Merseyside and Tranmere scoring 174 times in 272 starts. In total Aldridge made 750 starts and 52 substitute appearances in his career, scoring an impressive 444 goals.

A five year stint in charge of Tranmere Rovers saw him net 93 wins in 268 games as the club hovered on the brink of the Premiership together with an appearance in the Coca Coca Cup Final. However, Aldridge left Prenton Park just before their relegation to the second division back in 2001.

Although the Western Mail has suggested that Leighton James will be the hot favourite to replace Flynn, we understand at JackArmy.net that Aldridge is the club's personal choice at this moment. Only time will tell whether that is indeed correct.

Meanwhile, the club's game against Scunthorpe will be subject to a 8.30am pitch inspection tomorrow with heavy rain and gales forecast across South Wales throughout the night.

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?

Photo: Action Images



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