Swansea City Fan View: Curt vs Britts - A battle of the legends!

Often I’ll see a tweet or Facebook post featuring a Swansea City hypothetical and will think, ‘Now that’ll make a good blog post!’

To illustrate this, yesterday I saw someone ask who the bigger club legend was – Alan Curtis or Leon Britton. When I saw that, I just had to write something about it!

It’s a true dilemma, as very little separates the two. But let’s take a look and see if we can pick a winner…

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Swans fans won’t need an introduction to either of these great men, but others may not be as familiar with them.

Naturally, if you’ve seen anything of Swansea City in the Premier League, you’ll know Leon Britton, while Alan Curtis – who is still associated with the club – made his name on the field in the late seventies through to the early nineties.

Games

When it comes to games played, both Britton and Curt are up there with stalwarts like Herbie Williams, Roger Freestone and Robbie James. Although it’s Leon Britton who pips it.

While Curt accrued 364 league games, Britton has already topped this by another hundred with 463 league games. Of course, there are cup games, friendlies and other matches – of which there aren’t accurate figures for both – but Britton just has the upper hand in this first section.

Winner: Leon Britton

Goals

As for goals, Leon Britton’s 11 just doesn’t compare to Curt’s 95 (again, both league stats). Perhaps it’s a little unfair, considering we’re pitting a holding midfielder against an attacking forward, but them’s the rules!

Winner: Alan Curtis

Honours

Pretty even so far. What about the silverware? Well that’s another tough one, as both were part of teams that secured several promotions, including iconic promotions to the top flight in their respective eras.

Alan Curtis won a handful of Welsh Cups with Swansea, although it’s Leon Britton who’s won the more notable accolades, with the club’s first major trophy in the League Cup in 2013, as well as the League Cup Trophy in 2006 and a couple of FAW Premier Cups along the way.

Winner: Leon Britton

Career

While Leon Britton has enjoyed more games with Swansea City, it’s Alan Curtis with the longer career. Britton joined permanently in 2003 and – apart from a brief stint with Sheffield United – has spent 15 years with the club.

We have to go back to 1972 when a fresh-faced Curt joined the Swans. Of course, he left the club on two occasions, but always returned. With his off-field contributions – as I’m about to discuss – he is still associated with the club in a career spanning more than 45 years!

Winner: Alan Curtis

Off-field antics

Both legends have contributed off the field in a managerial sense. Earlier this season – following the departure of Paul Clement – Leon Britton took the reins as caretaker manager for two matches, but has since returned to his playing role.

Nobody needs reminding of the times Alan Curtis has filled the manager-shaped hole, guiding the club through several turbulent periods, including recently in the Premier League. Throw in his roles as youth coach, first team coach and even loan player manager – a role he’s currently involved with – and it’s safe to say Curt takes this section.

Winner: Alan Curtis

So it’s all very, very close. Too close. In truth, there’s nothing to really separate them.

You can come to your own conclusions although, for me, Alan Curtis just pips it for his off-field contributions to the club as well as the sheer length of his Swans career.

Maybe give it another 30 years and we’ll reassess…