John Toshack Returns to Swansea City for 1981 Promotion Tribute

Former Swansea City player-manager John Toshack returned to the club for a special appearance before the Championship match against Norwich City, where he was honored by supporters and former teammates for leading the Swans from the Fourth Division to the First Division in 1981.

According to Nation.Cymru, Toshack was joined by members of the 1981 squad including Alan Curtis, Nigel Stevenson, David Giles and Ian Walsh during a pitchside tribute at Swansea.com Stadium. The event marked 45 years since the club reached the top tier of English football.

Toshack, now 77, made a rare public appearance after recent health issues, according to WalesOnline. The former Wales and Real Madrid manager had not returned to Swansea for several years before the visit.

Former Liverpool manager Bill Shankly described Toshack as the "manager of the century" after his achievements at Swansea, according to Nation.Cymru.

The tribute was organized by Pete Jones, director of the documentary "Tosh", who said the return was planned after he spent time with Toshack at his home in Spain. Jones said the gathering brought together surviving members of the team that achieved promotion to the First Division.

"Tosh’s visit this weekend to commemorate 45 years since he took the club to the top of the Football League for the very first time was conceived when I spent a couple of days with the great man at his home in the Spanish hills in June." Jones said.

Jones explained that Toshack's connection with Swansea remained strong after his historic managerial spell, which delivered three promotions in four seasons after he joined the club as player-manager in March 1978.

"He hasn’t been back to his spiritual home for several years, during which time a brutal dose of Covid almost finished the big fella off. So, assembling as many of the surviving members of that 1981 team who took the Swans to the summit of the First Division has been a labour of love." Jones said.

Jones also highlighted the scale of Swansea's rise under Toshack and noted the club was again experiencing success under manager Vitor Matos at the time of the event.

"As the years go by the magnitude of Tosh’s achievements in those first four short years at the Vetch just seem to grow and grow, it’s mind-boggling really. It was a dizzying ascent that will never be seen again, though it’s fitting that Tosh returns to Swansea to find a club once again on an upward trajectory under Vitor Matos, at the top of the table at the time of writing." Jones said.

The documentary director said the appearance gave supporters and former players a chance to recognize Toshack's impact on the club's history.

"So today, in front of the Sky cameras, the great and the good of Swansea City will turn out, players and fans alike, to show the architect of that glorious era the enduring love and appreciation they have for him." Jones said.

WalesOnline reported that supporters gave Toshack a warm reception before kickoff, with fans chanting in his direction as he acknowledged the home crowd.

"You Jack *******," fans chanted as Toshack saluted the Swansea support.

Toshack reflected on his health and memories of his playing career in comments to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, according to WalesOnline. He became a Liverpool icon after joining from Cardiff City in 1970 and won nine trophies with the club.

"Demented? Not yet," Toshack said to El Mundo.

"I've forgotten all the goals I've missed, but I remember perfectly the ones I've scored." Toshack said.

Toshack also managed Wales twice and took charge of clubs including Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. His first managerial role at Swansea remains his most celebrated achievement after guiding the club to the First Division.