I don't think I will ever forget the midweek trip to Valencia and not just because of the result but because of the general atmosphere created by the thousands of Jacks in Valencia ahead of the game,

I guess some of it may be realisation that we are back on the European stage and not just there to make up the numbers but this seemed to be the trip that everyone wanted to do when the draw pitted us against former Champions League finalists.

Of course it is helped when you are heading to a location with near 30 degrees heat but whilst Sweden and Romania attracted the numbers it was this trip where the numbers jumped up massively and where Europe really did hear the Swansea City sound.

It was less than eight hours between the draw being made and travel plans being booked from my point of view. Opting out of what seemed to be an en masse route to Alicante or a direct flight to Valencia we opted for a flight to Madrid and a three hour drive down to Valencia. A simple drive as it turned out as very few Spanish people seem to use their motorways and it was as painless as it was picturesque as we made our way down to Valencia.

On arrival it was a quick drop off of the luggage and a taxi into the Cathedral square area of the city to join the rest of the Swans fans who had seemed to congregate in Finigans bar for the evening. Much fun was to be had as the Swans songs rung out loud and proud and we were joined by directors and club ambassadors (take a bow Mr Trundle) alike as the party went on into the early hours of the morning as the anticipation started to grow.

The second day we were joined by hundreds, no I will say thousands, of Swans fans who had arrived into Valencia that day or from Benidorm which was a popular location for many who had made the trip. Cathedral square was being turned into our own mini version of Swansea as the songs became louder and more people arrived to showcase our support and how proud and vocal it can be. Of course we know it was helped by the nice cold beer being served up to us by the locals but this is the best bit surely about any form of European football and that is the ability to sit in hot climes, enjoy plenty of cold beer and let the anticipation for the game build.

I have to admit there were times during the afternoon that I sat and almost shook my head that we were here in the first place. I was never able to do the European games in the 1980s through a lack of money and I think that I always believed that these chances had passed me by. But here we were enjoying a trip and there were faces there that I had not seen for years and over the two days - as was everyone - we were introduced to new people whom we had never met before not because they hadn't been following the Swans but because opportunities to sit for hours before a game mingling with Jacks are generally few and far between in this kind of situation.

Every now and again some locals would walk through the groups of Swansea fans with a wry smile on their face that their city had been invaded by us all but everything was good natured and there did not seem to be a hint of trouble as kick off time grew closer.

The short (15 minutes or so) walk from Cathedral Square to the Mestalla was a good one and the noise from the Swans fans got louder as the ground got closer. The real shame for those left at home was that given our lofty position in the stadium the noise was never going to travel as well through to the TV microphones but it was loud and constant during the ninety minutes. Bony scored, cue bedlam in the away end. Michu doubled the lead and it happened again and by the time JDG scored the third it was just one big party as the Swans dominated their more famous opponents.

Even being kept in the ground for a good half hour (if not more) after the game did little to dampen our spirits and the good natured aspect of our support came through again even as far as the guy cutting the grass on his sit own mower - "I can't read, I can't write but Oiii can drive a tracccctorrrrrr...."

Over the years watching the Swans I have seen them in action at around 70 league grounds. During that time there have been some fantastic memories built and not all of them dictated by the result but because of the company or the whole day itself but this is right up there at the top end of those days and over the 48 hours there were memories created that will never be forgotten.

I know that for many the Europa League is seen as an inconvenience and that some clubs don't take it seriously but if it creates days like this then I would love to qualify for it every year. I also don't buy the argument that if we lose at Palace last Thursday becomes tainted a little. We know we are more than good enough not to be dragged into any relegation fight in the Premier League so enjoy it while it lasts and make the most of the glorious heights we are currently scaling,

I know that I am and see you in Switzerland in December!!

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