Ex-Leeds United wonderkid impressing after returning to the club
Here is the City 5/7/14
Stephen Pickering
George Swan has returned to Leeds United after five years following his release from Manchester City this summer.
According to Adam Pope, the sports broadcaster for BBC Leeds, former Leeds United wonderkid George Swan is back at the club following his release from Manchester City and is looking to impress in hope of a new deal.
In 2009, the father of George Swan defended his son's decision to move to Manchester City by saying a 'coaching decline' at the Yorkshire club was stalling his son's career.
''In George's case, his decision to leave was entirely down to feeling his career was not developing,'' said Peter Swan.
''The next two years are vital and will probably make or break whether he has a professional career in the game.
''The straw that broke the camel's back came one night at home about six or seven months ago. I was in the other room but overheard George talking to his mum in the kitchen.
''He basically said 'Mum, I am not happy at the Academy and don't feel to be learning anything'. I went into the kitchen and asked him what was going on.
''He hadn't wanted to tell me because I played for Leeds and know many of the people involved at Thorp Arch. But having signed at the age of nine when it was a Premier League set-up, George felt it had declined. He feels the coaching is not what it was and that there has been too much staff turnover.''
The sharp change in fortunes at Leeds United looks to have been the main reason in the youngster's reason to the leave the club he supports, but obviously has no reservations returning at the age of 19.
''My boy was in tears when he left Leeds,'' added Peter Swan on his son's feelings towards the club.
''He even said on the day he signed for City that he still wanted to play for Leeds one day.'
The talented teenager has had a mixed time at City though and it is niggling injuries that seem to have been the instrumental factor in his inability to make it at the highest level so far.
In January 2013, however, City ran a special video profile on the youngster, who at the time was City's under-18s captain, as a player to watch out for in the future, so he must still have a promising pedigree despite his release.
Stephen Pickering
George Swan has returned to Leeds United after five years following his release from Manchester City this summer.
According to Adam Pope, the sports broadcaster for BBC Leeds, former Leeds United wonderkid George Swan is back at the club following his release from Manchester City and is looking to impress in hope of a new deal.
In 2009, the father of George Swan defended his son's decision to move to Manchester City by saying a 'coaching decline' at the Yorkshire club was stalling his son's career.
''In George's case, his decision to leave was entirely down to feeling his career was not developing,'' said Peter Swan.
''The next two years are vital and will probably make or break whether he has a professional career in the game.
''The straw that broke the camel's back came one night at home about six or seven months ago. I was in the other room but overheard George talking to his mum in the kitchen.
''He basically said 'Mum, I am not happy at the Academy and don't feel to be learning anything'. I went into the kitchen and asked him what was going on.
''He hadn't wanted to tell me because I played for Leeds and know many of the people involved at Thorp Arch. But having signed at the age of nine when it was a Premier League set-up, George felt it had declined. He feels the coaching is not what it was and that there has been too much staff turnover.''
The sharp change in fortunes at Leeds United looks to have been the main reason in the youngster's reason to the leave the club he supports, but obviously has no reservations returning at the age of 19.
''My boy was in tears when he left Leeds,'' added Peter Swan on his son's feelings towards the club.
''He even said on the day he signed for City that he still wanted to play for Leeds one day.'
The talented teenager has had a mixed time at City though and it is niggling injuries that seem to have been the instrumental factor in his inability to make it at the highest level so far.
In January 2013, however, City ran a special video profile on the youngster, who at the time was City's under-18s captain, as a player to watch out for in the future, so he must still have a promising pedigree despite his release.
