Parc y Scarlets stadium of choice to host premier football fixtures

Heart and Soul Rugby Country is gearing up for a feast of football starting next week with a visit from the giants of European football Manchester United, with Parc y Scarlets furthering its impressive sports credentials as home to Swansea City Reserves.

The world-class sports stadium and training facility in Llanelli, Camarthenshire and the home of Scarlets Rugby, has been selected by newly promoted Barclays Premiership football club Swansea City, as the host venue for its Reserves squad.

All 11 Swans Reserves fixtures will be hosted at the Scarlets’ stadium this coming season as Parc y Scarlets plays host to the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle Utd and Chelsea.

The home matches will be played on Monday and Wednesday nights kicking off at 7pm at Parc y Scarlets, which as the sole home of Scarlets rugby and Llanelli RFC offered great flexibility without other football match day commitments.

As a Premiership club, Swansea City FC had to ensure their reserves home turf came up to the high standard of facilities laid down by the Premier League. Parc y Scarlets is already UEFA accredited and passed with flying colours in its recent 11-point Premier League inspection with a report containing eight excellent gradings, two very good and one good.

Parc y Scarlets has already successfully hosted Wales U21 and senior international fixtures, as well as Llanelli Red’s recent European games culminating in welcoming one of the world’s biggest football clubs Manchester United for a friendly against Llanelli AFC next Monday evening (8th August) kicking off at 7.45pm.

The eagerly awaited unique pre-season fixture for Llanelli AFC will give football and sports fans their only opportunity to see Manchester United play in Wales this season, as the Swans will play away in Manchester in the League. Tickets still available for this chance in a lifetime visit from the Reds to Llanelli, please contact the Scarlets ticket office call 0871 871 8088.

Chief Executive of the Scarlets Mark Davies said: “Swansea City FC have made a significant step forward for sport in Wales as a whole. They’ve built from a sustainable base and reaching the Premiership is just reward for their determination and investment in continuous improvement. It’s an inspiration for all clubs that with focus, a good team spirit and a well-considered plan for growth and development you can achieve your goals.

“We are delighted to be supporting the Swans as hosts of their Reserves side and honoured to be part of the club’s success going forward.

“What a fantastic opportunity for many families to see some of the biggest names in football on their doorstep – it’s a mouth watering line-up of games for any sports supporter. For many that won’t get the chance to see Swansea City’s first team in action, they know that there’s a host of exciting fixtures at a high quality environment just 25 minutes down the M4 from the Liberty.”

Davies says he wants to see the 15,000 capacity Scarlets home stadium and 70m x 40m 3G indoor training pitch buzzing with a variety of sports and events all year round. Last season more than 35,000 non-matchday customers enjoyed Parc y Scarlets events in addition to its rugby crowds which were up 21% on the previous year.

Mark Davies said: “Being chosen as the host venue for Swansea City’s Reserves games is another endorsement of the international class facilities and standards on offer here as well as the ability of our teams to offer a welcoming and professional service.

“This is a fantastic stadium for people to enjoy sport and home to our thousands of heart and soul rugby supporters across Wales. It will now be great to see that added to with many new visitors to Parc y Scarlets next season.

“The reserves games will showcase international stars of the future and will no doubt attract interest from far and wide. In order to support our own pathway of development and investment in great Welsh rugby talent from within, we need to make our venue business extend beyond our calendar of 16 prized home rugby fixtures.”

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins, said: “We are all looking forward to playing our Reserve games at Parc y Scarlets. The Scarlets have fantastic facilities at their new stadium and importantly, the playing surface is first-class and will be conducive to the way Swansea City plays its football.

“We have gained great support over the years from the Llanelli area and it’s great to spread our net further west to coincide with our rise to the Premier League.”

Swansea City’s Barclays Premier Reserve League fixtures at Parc y Scarlets will be held as follows kicking off at 7pm:

• Weds Aug 17th against Bolton Wonderers
• Weds Aug 31st against Liverpool
• Wed Sept 28th against Newcastle Utd
• Mon Oct 17th against Fulham
• Mon Nov 7th against West Bromwich Albion
• Mon Nov 14th against Wolves
• Wed Dec 14 against Arsenal
• Mon Jan 9th against Norwich City
• Mon Feb 13th against Chelsea
• Mon Feb 27th against Aston Villa
• Mon April 2nd against Wigan Athletic

For more information, please visit www.scarlets.co.uk