Garry Monk

Garry Alan Monk was born on 6 March 1979 in Bedford, England. His career took off in Torquay United, where the footballer played for the youth team from 1995.

In 1996 Monk penned his first senior contract with Southampton. He was a reserve player during two seasons and gleaned experience from his older teammates. In 1998 the management decided to send Garry on loan to Torquay United so that the defender could get more playing practice. After that, Monk several times changed temporary clubs and performed for Stockport County, Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley.

In 2004, after the footballer’s loan spell in Barnsley came to an end, the club offered him a contract on permanent basis. However, soon after that Garry moved to Swansea City.

Intricate turns in Monk’s career hardened the player as he stood out of the team for his grit and obvious leadership qualities. In 2006 the coaching staff decided Garry deserved to wear a captain’s armband. However, the footballer was haunted by misfortune, because he got an injury and was sentenced to almost a year without football after only two appearances in the 2006/2007 season. His further career was under threat, but that did not break Monk’s strong character and he returned to the team at the beginning of the following season.

The footballer was a living legend of the club and a vivid example of the team’s spirit. In the season 2013/2014 the 34-year-old defender, who made over 200 appearances for ‘The Swans’, replaced Michael Laudrup as a manager of the club.