Sam Ricketts enjoyed a barnstorming season last year as he bounced back into the Football League in style. The 23-year-old was part of the successful Swansea team that won promotion back into League One and also made his debut for Wales. It capped a great 12 months for the former Oxford United player who had spent the previous season with Telford United in the Conference. However, the Bucks went bust, Ricketts became available and was snapped up by Kenny Jackett at Swansea. And, as he explained to givemefootball's Ian Clarkson, he is hoping for more of the same this season as the Swans look to kick on again in their plush new stadium.
Q: HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE OF WINNING PROMOTION LAST SEASON?
A: Last season was absolutely quality. At the start of the campaign, as it was my first one back in the league, all I was concerned about was getting in the team and staying in the team. I wasn't sure how hard it was going to be but my form got better as the season went on and I ended up playing in every game. It was the first promotion I have ever had and it was even sweeter because it went down to the wire. Our game was still in progress when all the rest had finished so we knew that if we held on to our 1-0 lead at Bury for the last five minutes then we were up.
Q: AND YOU WILL BE PLAYING IN A BRAND NEW STADIUM THIS YEAR TOO?
A: The new stadium is a very impressive, 20,000 all seater and the city has really responded behind us. We sold 3,700 season tickets last year but we have already sold 8,000 this year. Our average attendance last year was the best in the division at 8,500 and I am sure it will increase accordingly this season if we have success.
Q: WHAT IS THE TARGET FOR SWANSEA THIS YEAR?
A: The club wants to go straight up again and that is our ambition. I spoke to the manager earlier this week and he said that we would be aiming high again and there is a real feelgood factor around the place. We would expect to be at the business end of the table this year.
Q: HOW HAVE YOU FOUND WORKING WITH KENNY JACKETT?
A: Kenny Jackett is the best coach and manager I have ever had. He is really hands on and does all of the training and is a top class coach. He is always looking at ways we can improve and I have played my best ever football underneath him. It also helps that he is a nice bloke too.
Q: WAS IT A SURPRISE WHEN YOU SELECTED FOR THE WALES SQUAD?
A: I walked into the ground one morning and Alan Curtis was talking to John Toshack and I walked straight past the pair of them as I wasn't really paying attention. However, John called me back and said he had heard that I was eligible to play for Wales and would I be interested? Obviously I was and he came and watched me a few times and then I was lucky enough to be given my debut against Hungary when we won 2-0.
Q: HOW HAVE YOU FOUND INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL?
A: It was fantastic to make that step up and play with better players. If anything it was a little bit easier playing with better players and the opposition don't close you down as much. The game is slow up until the last third and it gives you the opportunity to pass and it is important to keep possession. The whole occasion of playing at the Millennium Stadium was something special.
