O'Leary testimonial opens season

O'Leary joined the club over 16 years ago, aged 14

Swans midfielder Kristian O'Leary - a club stalwart as man and boy - will have a testimonial match at the Liberty Stadium on August 2.

Premiership arrivals West Bromwich Albion provide the opposition in the first game of the season for Swansea.

O'Leary, 30, joined the Swans as a youth aged 14 and made his League debut aged 18.

Swansea, now promoted to the Championship, have seen more than 300 O'Leary appearances.

In a club becoming increasingly cosmopolitan, O'Leary hails from nearby Port Talbot.

He has seen a total of 14 managers in his time at the Vetch Field and Liberty Stadium.

"At one time at the Vetch we seemed to be changing managers every few weeks," he said.

A long spell on the sidelines and the club's relegation in 2001, coinciding with personal problems away from the game failed to dent O'Leary's enthusiasm.

"I get on with it," he said "I train no different whether I'm on the side or not.

"I'm a great believer in that because if you work hard enough your time will eventually come."