Honest Reflections on Experience
Chairman at Tranmere Rovers Football Club and former CEO at the Football Association
Jonathon led our communications function for several years and became a trusted advisor and an integral part of our senior management team.
He worked closely with myself and fellow Board members on difficult crisis communications matters that required clear thinking, decisive action, and sound judgement.
He represented the club with professionalism in all dealings with key stakeholders, including external media, supporter groups, and commercial partners. With a strategic outlook, he developed campaigns that not only delivered revenue but also built momentum and engagement across our supporter base and wider community.
Jonathon earned my complete trust. He was professional, insightful, and calm under pressure. His work played a central role in how the club managed its public profile and moved forward with confidence.
Former Chief Executive Officer at Blackburn Rovers Football Club
Jonathon worked in various roles under my instructions and directives as Chief Executive Officer, and he always demonstrated a calm, composed and considered approach that gave confidence to myself and those he worked with.
His decisive communication and experience in highly pressurised situations made him a key player in navigating through times of crisis.
His strategic thinking and focus on communications gave comprehensive and brave exposure on a local, national and international scale, as well as PR campaigns that delivered measurable revenue impact.
Each campaign was tailored and targeted to meet our goals and the needs of key stakeholders, resulting in tangible business outcomes.
As a senior leader, Jonathon was a highly respected and trusted advisor whose strategic planning and insight elevated our entire communication approach.
Former Premier League footballer and current Bradford City FC manager
Jonathon was a tremendous asset during my time at Fleetwood Town. I trusted his advice completely, and his expertise in media relations, messaging, and tone was invaluable.
In high-pressure moments, like our Play-Off Final at Wembley, he handled all media demands with clarity and professionalism, allowing me and the players to focus on football.
What impressed me most was his proactive, supportive approach and integrity in communication. Jonathon’s contribution brought real value to my role as first-team manager and to the wider club.
Former Communications Director at Everton Football Club and senior manager at Sky Sports News
Having previously served as a Communications Director at two high-profile football clubs, I fully appreciated the pressures such roles demanded. That perspective made me value all the more the professionalism with which Jonathon approached sensitive situations.
During Tranmere Rovers’ demotion to League Two in 2020 and the scrutiny of Burnley’s finances in 2022, Jonathon’s briefings were thorough, balanced, and attuned to both the sensitivities of the clubs and the requirements of Sky Sports News.
2012 League Cup winner at Liverpool Football Club
I had the privilege of working with Jonathon twice during my playing career at Bolton Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers.
Jonathon’s expertise in handling media enquiries and press situations was invaluable, always ensuring that every interaction with the media was managed smoothly and professionally.
Additionally, Jonathon provided clear, practical advice to all players, helping us navigate a wide range of questions and approach complex situations confidently.
Former Managing Director at Tranmere Rovers Football Club
Working with Jonathon was invaluable to Tranmere Rovers Football Club during a period of change and trajectory.
Jonathon approached every communications challenge with a clear strategy and a calm, measured presence that inspired confidence. Often this happened under real pressure due to the football environment.
What set Jonathon apart was his ability to spot opportunities within those challenges, using them to strengthen both the reputation of the club and its connection with the community.
Jonathon’s work ensured our voice carried with authenticity and purpose, leaving a lasting positive impact.
Football Commentator and Journalist for talkSPORT and Presenter for BBC World Service
Working for one of the biggest media outlets in the world, talkSPORT, I found Jonathon’s briefings were always thorough and well-prepared, giving the clarity and context needed for any media enquiries.
Jonathon was proactive in suggesting angles and opportunities that enhanced coverage, yet equally responsive and composed when a crisis demanded swift communication.
Professional, reliable, and easy to deal with, Jonathon set a high standard for how media relations in sport should be handled.
Former England and Liverpool goalkeeper
I had the opportunity to work closely with Jonathon during some challenging moments, and I can confidently say his professionalism and communication skills were second to none.
He excelled at managing complex situations with calm confidence and had the invaluable ability to handle sensitive issues while providing clear, timely guidance. In high-pressure environments, having someone like Jonathon who could steer conversations thoughtfully and effectively was essential.
I trusted his expertise completely and would highly recommend his services to anyone in need of outstanding communications management.
Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler
Jonathon Swift was a true professional. My colleagues and I in the world of pro wrestling found him incredibly easy to work with. I felt he was always very prepared on the subject matter, had great attention to detail, but balanced it with having an upbeat and affable personality. I would happily have worked with him again and would recommend him to anyone.
Head of Media at Leicester City Football Club
I worked with Jonathon in a variety of roles over the years, and he was among the most knowledgeable and reliable professionals I met in the sports industry.
Our paths crossed in press operations, PR and content creation, and he had an instinct for telling stories the right way and building strong relationships.
His experience with clubs and organisations such as Preston North End, Fleetwood Town, Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Tranmere Rovers, and the EFL said it all. He was a pleasure to work with; creative, calm under pressure, and someone you could always trust to deliver.
Communications Manager at the Women’s Super League and former Head of Communications at Manchester City Women.
I have known Jonathon for a number of years in various capacities.
Most recently, we worked together in my current role as Communications Manager at WSL Football.
Jonathon was the communications lead for Blackburn Rovers Women and navigated some challenging issues with professionalism.
It was reassuring from our perspective, as we knew Jonathon was experienced in handling sensitive matters while also being an advocate for promoting the women’s game. He was always on hand to support our campaigns.
I had also previously worked alongside Jonathon at Bolton Wanderers, where he proved an excellent team player who consistently strived to enhance our communications output.”
Club Secretary at Preston North End Football Club
I had the privilege of appointing Jonathon more than 15 years ago, and I was drawn by his work ethic and unwavering determination to do the best job possible.
From day one, it was clear Jonathon possessed the grit and perseverance needed to thrive in a fast-paced communications environment.
Jonathon’s strategic insight was invaluable, especially in guiding how to effectively position people and messages to leverage social trends and influencer dynamics for maximum impact.
Jonathon consistently brought creativity and precision to stakeholder engagement, helping to build meaningful connections at key moments.
Former COO and Chief of Staff at Burnley FC and Saracens
During his time as Communications Manager at Burnley Football Club, Jonathon delivered high quality football and business communications . He was able to marry expertly the day-to-day activities of a Premier League football club with a more forward-looking perspective around brand development. Everyone at the club valued his input greatly. He is a hard-worker, a good person and someone you looked forward to going to work with.
