The Swansea City Supporters' Trust has paid tribute to chairman Huw Jenkins ahead of the Capital One Cup final.
Jenkins has also kept a firm handle on club finances, and the debt-free Swans announced a record profit of £14.6 million after their first top-flight season.
Supporters' Trust spokesperson Alan Lewis believes Jenkins has made the greatest contribution of those who have turned the club's fortunes around.
Lewis told Press Association Sport: "I am sure his fellow board members would say themselves that Huw deserves huge credit. Huw has probably put in as much time as anyone in getting the club to where we are now.
"He would admit himself that when the consortium got together he ended up as chairman as no-one wanted to do it, and none of them had ever run a football club, even though they were businessmen.
"It was a huge personal effort on his behalf and the club ethos he has put in place is one all the directors sign up to and he leads the way in that. His contribution has been as significant, if not more so, than anyone in this story.
"He has had to manage the profile of the club, which is as high as it has ever been, and make sure the future is a sustainable one whether the club had survived in the Premier League or not.
"It's quite incredible what has been achieved, you could not make it up frankly, and if you did no-one would believe you, it's ridiculous really."