Neil McClure has expressed his fears for Swansea City's future after selling the club for £1.

McClure said Swansea's progress was linked to the proposed Morfa Stadium development - but the club's out-going chairman questioned whether that would happen.

Ninth Floor plc, the London-based company of which McClure is chief executive and joint chairman, disposed of its 99.15 per cent shareholding to Swansea's current managing director Mike Lewis.

In return, 60-year-old Lewis paid Ninth Floor £1 plus an agreement to repay loans totalling £801,098.

If Lewis sells his shareholding within the next two years he will have to pay 20pc of any profit to Ninth Floor.

The Swansea managing director said his role as chairman is only temporary and that he will be looking to bring new investors on to the Swansea board.

Ninth Floor also pumped a final payment of £200,000 into the club which will give Lewis time to find new investors.

But last night McClure warned prospective owners that the club could only fulfil its potential if it leaves the antiquated Vetch Field.

"I wish Swansea luck, but the future of the club depends on a new stadium. That is so important. It would help to bring in the new investment Swansea City needs," he said.

"If you have a stadium which is comfortable and easy for access then you will be able to attract investors. I don't think Swansea City has a future without the new ground.

"The Vetch isn't a nice environment. It's not a place I'd be happy to take my wife and kids. If you go to the cinema you don't expect to sit in a fleapit and the same goes for football matches."

McClure had hoped the Swans - along with Swansea RFC - would now be playing at the 25,000-capacity Morfa Stadium but, despite planning permission being granted, the £75m council-backed project is still a long way off.

"People in Swansea must ask themselves why they have a council that can't deliver on its promises. If it had leadership and vision we would be in the Morfa by now," said McClure.

"We were supposed to be playing in the new stadium by 2000, then it became 2001. I'm not sure when Swansea will go there but, hopefully, the year will start with a two.

"I feel we did a lot of positive things at Swansea but if we made one mistake it was pursuing the Morfa option with the council.

"Had we done something with a commercial developer the club would have had a new ground by now.

"The issue of the new stadium is a fundamental one and it must be solved, but it's no longer my problem. For me, Swansea is in the past. It's history."

Ninth Floor bought Swansea City in August 1997, paying £100 for shares and £500,000 for various loans.

The Swans won promotion to the Second Division in May 2000, but the 2000-01 season was a disaster with the team being relegated straight back to the Third Division.

After it was revealed he was an Arsenal season ticket-holder and that he supported Norwich City, coupled with the fact he was rarely seen at any of Swansea's matches, McClure became a vilified figure at the Vetch.

With the club losing a reputed £25,000 a week and having seen its share price plunge from 22 to six pence, Ninth Floor put the club up for sale four months ago.

Despite several parties being linked with a buy-out, McClure received only one formal offer - from Lewis.

"We were anxious to get out as cleanly and quickly as we could, so getting rid of the club is a relief in that sense," admitted McClure. "We just couldn't hold on to it any longer.

"There were a few people interested in buying the club and there was a lot of talk.

For the price of a lottery ticket, Neil McClure has walked away from the Vetch Field.

McClure took over at Swansea City four years ago when his wind-screen replacement company Silver Shield bought the club from Doug Sharpe.

But McClure defended his tenure at the Vetch and insisted the club is in a better state now than it was when he arrived in the summer of 1997.

"Because we were relegated last season we leave on a low instead of a high," McClure said last night. "But I've enjoyed my involvement with the club over the last four years.

"We've turned it into a proper business. When we took over the club was bust. Now it's being run as a business should be. It's not being run as a hobby.

"It has a proper commercial department which is integrated into the commercial life of the city. When we took over the club owed VAT and money to the Football League. Those debts have gone.

"Match-day sponsors are treated professionally. The youth policy is working well, the stewards are all properly trained and there is planning permission for a new stadium."

Ninth Floor plc, the company which owned the Swans and which McClure is chief executive as well as joint chairman, handed the club to Mike Lewis, Swansea's managing director, for £1, although Lewis has to repay the club's debt of just over £800,000.

After washing its hands of Swansea City, the technology investment company now aims to develop its investment portfolio and has recently acquired Applied Infrastructure Management Services and Farsight Technologies.

Whether McClure will remain in charge following the Swansea fiasco - Ninth Floor's share price plummeted because of its involvement with Swansea - remains to be seen.

"When we arrived, the Vetch was in an awful condition. There were holes in the roof and a match had to be cancelled because the generator didn't work," said McClure.

"As people well know, the Vetch is no picture postcard, but we made it viable and it's now prop-erly run."

McClure became arguably the most disliked chairman in Swansea's 92-year history. Revelations that he was an Arsenal season ticket holder and a Norwich City supporter did not go down well with the North Bank.

Last season he was rarely seen at Swansea's matches and this did not endear him to Swans fans.

In fact, the last time he saw the Swans play was on December 2, 2000, against Bristol Rovers at the Vetch.

His public fall-out with Steve Hamer - the former Swansea chairman and life-long fan he dismissed last September over a row about the club's proposed flotation - also cost him brownie points with supporters.

"My son is an Arsenal fan and that's why I've got a season ticket at Highbury. I've just renewed it, in fact," he explained. "I was being honest but sometimes that isn't helpful.

"I never lost any sleep over the fact I wasn't popular with the Swansea fans. I went to a huge number of games. I didn't miss a home match in the first two and a half years.

"I stayed away last season because of what happened with certain people. It became very personalised and for me it wasn't positive.

"But I've never shirked from speaking to the fans. I've had dialogue with them on the internet and I had far more meetings with them than other people.

"There is a feeling that the turmoil at the club last year was caused by personality clashes. I hope it didn't cause the team to fail but, sadly, I suspect that it did contribute to the bad results."

Despite the fact Swansea City has cost Ninth Floor £4m, McClure said he has no regrets about buying the club.

"We went in for business reasons. We looked at it with our financial people and at the time it seemed like a justified risk.

"But how were we to know what effect the Bosman ruling would have? How were we to know the effect it would have on the transfer market? How we were to know the money going to the Premiership would increase and there would be less for the lower divisions?

"It's now very difficult to justify buying a club in the lower divisions because people are only interested in watching the Premiership. We just couldn't go on sustaining Swansea at the end but I don't see it as a mistake.

"In hindsight, I'm sure there are things we would change. We made a mistake pursuing the Morfa Stadium option with the council. The best hope is that you are proved right with 51pc of your decisions.

"On the whole there were a lot of positives to come out of our time at Swansea and I stand by our record there. It's time to move on. I wish the club well in the future. The fans are very passionate and they deserve better."

Swansea are one of two clubs who have been linked to Cardiff's transfer listed midfielder Jason Fowler.

Third Division rivals Hartlepool are also reported to be eyeing the 26-year-old.

McClure sells 99 per cent stake

Owners Ninth Floor have confirmed chairman Neil McClure has sold his 99 per cent stake in Swansea to managing director Mike Lewis for a £1 fee.

Lewis also assumes debts of over £800,000. It has been described as an interim step, giving Lewis the chance to bring on board new investors. Lewis himself temporarily assumes the title of chairman and said: "At this stage my role is purely that of custodian.

I have no interest in retaining my new shareholding, other than to allow it to be appointed to new investors. This has been necessary to open negotiations and I expect to be able to give details of those by the early part of next week. These plans also include provision for a Supporters Trust initiative."

Swansea City owners Ninth Floor plc have sold their stake in the club for one pound.

Current Swansea managing director Mike Lewis has acquired the 99.15% share on the understanding he repay loans totalling £801,098 to the company.

In the event that he sells his shareholding within the next two years, Ninth Floor plc will be entitled to 20% of any profit from the sale.

The club was put up for sale in February this year after Ninth Floor announced a pre-tax loss of £797,000 in its half-yearly report.

We no longer wished to see any more uncertainty over the future of Swansea City

John Hollins' side endured a poor campaign last season and were relegated from division two, just a year after winning the third division.

Radio presenter and media tycoon Chris Evans had shown an early interest in buying the club.

Ninth Floor's joint-chairman Neil McClure said: "This is an interim step for the club.

"We no longer wished to see any more uncertainty over the future of Swansea City and as Mike Lewis' offer has been the only firm offer from the number of people we have been in discussion with about the sale of the Club, we felt it was only appropriate to assist him with the Club's purchase."

He added: "During our time in ownership of Swansea City, we have doubled the club's turnover, improved facilities at the ground and restored the club to the commercial forefront of the community, from a time when nobody wanted to do business with it."

New owner Mike Lewis said his role at this stage is purely that of a custodian.

"I have no interest in retaining my new shareholding, other than to formally allow it to be apportioned to new investors," he said.

Swansea are in the hands of new owners following the announcement today that The Ninth Floor has sold its stake in the club to a management team headed by Mike Lewis.

New club chief executive Lewis has acquired The Ninth Floor's 99.15% shareholding for £1 on the understanding that he repays them loans totalling £801,098.

The club recorded losses of £1.282million for the year ending May 31, 2000.

Thumbs-up as supporters clubs agree to proposed route

SWANSEA City's two main fan clubs have given their backing to the proposed supporters' trust.

Spokesmen for Foscfa and Mags (Midland, Avon, Gloucester, Swans) both agree that in the long term this is the route that should be taken.

The club's managing director Mike Lewis said in Monday's Evening Post that he backed the formation of the trust providing the separate supporters groups showed unity. Now it seems with the two main sections right behind the move, the supporters trust can take the next big step. Phil Sumbler, from Mags, said: "As far as we are concerned this is the right thing for the club.

"It will mean that eventually the fans will get a representative on the board.This has to be the best way forward, and will not affect Mags at all. "As mentioned at the trust meeting on Saturday, we are nothing more than a glorified travel club. There will be no conflict of interests.

"As supporters we all want the same thing — the best for Swansea City." Ugo Vallerio, of Foscfa, was in total agreement, saying that the trust was a viable proposition. "As long as it keeps the support then a trust will work.It would be a shame if it started off generating a lot of interest and then faded. It must continue to grow if it is going to work, " he said.

"The trust is a totally different concept and it's workings will not interfere with what Foscfa does. "Things will not change overnight. People need to be patient but we certainly back the trust fully."

The backing of the supporters clubs comes 24 hours after Wayne Davies pledged £1 to the trust for every fan who travels with his firm Amman Sports Tours to Macclesfield, Lincoln and Hull.

Meanwhile, the latest striker looking for a permanent contract at the Vetch has arrived for a trial.

Frenchman Abassi Boinaheri is 24 and has been playing for French second division outfit Martigues.

The striker made his debut for the club when they were in the top flight in 1995 — the season they were relegated. Since then he has played 103 times in the league, almost half as a substitute, and has scored 22 goals.

The next meeting of the supporters trust will be to arrange a working party and will not be a public meeting. The 50 people at Saturday's meeting who put their names forward for the working party will be contacted shortly to arrange the party meeting.

Swansea City manager John Hollins has insisted he is not too concerned about the lack of funds at the club and believes he will just have to do whatever he can to bring in players.

Swansea began pre-season training a week earlier than most other English clubs and Hollins has welcomed back a full squad for pre-season training.

He has also invited Nicholas Mazzina, Mercos Lencina and Mamachy Sidibe to train with the club but believes there is no need to panic over the financial situation at Vetch Field.

"I am looking for new players, yes, but we are in a situation and we will do what we can do," he said.

The Swansea City's owner Ninth Floor plc is this week poised to sever its connection with the Third Division club by disposing of it's 96 per cent shareholding.

Shareholders of the security system firm have instructed chief executive Neil McClure, Swansea's chairman, to unload a company haemorrhaging nearly £30,000 a week - the latest half-yearly report revealing pre-tax losses of almost £800,000.

They are prepared to write off much of the £4m Ninth Floor has ploughed into the club over the past four years.

Managing director Mike Lewis has been entrusted with the task of finding fresh backers to keep the ailing Swans alive. But he will not become the club's new owner.

"Since Ninth Floor decided it no longer wanted to own a football club I have been scurrying around trying to secure new investors for the last five months," Lewis told The Western Mail last night.

"I have made it part of my responsibility to the club to try and bring in new investment.

"It doesn't necessarily mean I am the person who is going to buy the club. That sort of responsibility is not one I want on my shoulders, to be honest.

"Progress has been made and I understand there will be an announcement (by Neil Mc-Clure) within the next seven regarding the issue of the future ownership of the club.

"Whether it's exactly what the fans want to hear is a different thing."

Meanwhile, more than 150 Swans fans meeting at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea at the week-end, decided to set up a Supporters Trust with the aim of having a say in the running of the club.

"One of my aims is to get a supporters' representative on the Board but it's got to be done in the proper manner," added Lewis.

"We're a commercial business and if someone wants a director's seat they will have to earn it either through deed or by putting money into the club.

"The game is unfortunately driven by money and there is a need to get all supporters' groups together to look at ways of raising cash." Lewis was at Heathrow Airport yesterday to meet David Arranz off a flight from Australia. The Canberra Cosmos striker is the fourth forward on trial with the Swans.

Manager John Hollins had his first look at the others, Nicolas Mazzina and Mercos Lancina - both from Argentina - and giant Frenchman Mamady Sidibe in Saturday's private Jenner Park friendly arranged as part of Barry Town's preparations for Wednesday's Champions' League qualifier home leg against Shamkir of Azerbeijan.

SWANSEA CITY fans have taken the first tentative steps that could, ultimately, lead to them owning their club, writes GARY BAKER.

Around 100 supporters gathered at Brangwyn Hall yesterday and unanimously voted in favour of going ahead with an idea to form their own Supporters' Trust.

A working party is being set up prior to another meeting in a few weeks' time which will be their offiacial launch.

Chairman of the meeting Mike Kent told the gathering: "A few of us got together in a pub a while ago and talked about a Supporters' Trust for the club.

"We don't represent a faction of supporters because all we want is the best for Swansea City."

He added: "Somewhere down the line, it would be nice to own the club but if we can organise a mass membership without owning anything, we will have some influence."

And, if they manage to get the backing from other fans and the people of the city, a first step in the right direction at the troubled Vetch Field could see one or two of the Trust people actually on the club's board.

Dave Boyle from the government-backed Supporter Direct organisation came down from London to attend the meeting and hear the fans' views.

Swansea have been waiting for news of a new owner, and have been promised some information within the next seven days.

But the fans have decided to take matters of the long-term future of their beloved soccer team into their own hands.

It is also no pipe dream that Swansea could, one day, be owned by the fans.

Boyle told the meeting that Chesterfietd and Lincoln City have achieved that goal when the teams were in dire financial straits under previous owners.

He said: "This signals a change in the way clubs are run. What people see up and down the country are those fans that love their club.

'They are always the ones who have to dip their hands into their pockets. Why should we keep bailing clubs out of financial trouble?

"Since we have started this, we have been contacted by 140 football clubs in England, Scotland, Wales and Europe about setting a Trust up.

"I'm not here to sell you a Trust. It is down to you as a club. But, as a lower league side, you will always worry about whether the next wage bill is going to be paid.

"At a club like Swansea, every once in a while there is a crisis. It may not happen for five years or it may happen very soon - but you know it will happen because thats what it is like. TV money has killed the lower league clubs."

Boyle also stressed that the Trust would not be a group aside from the official Swans Supporters Club but said: "We have had this thing about supporters' clubs before at other clubs.

"They are. basically, travel clubs for organising transport for away matches but this is something

different. A Trust would need to work in partnership with the different groups and, when you do that and you are really well organised and a tight operation, then the board have no option but to listen to you."

The Swansea City Supporters' Trust working party will now go on with the business of forming a constitution, getting a bank account in operation and organising their launch meeting.

Mike Kent added that the proposed Trust was not a predatory body, designed to tell the board that they want go in and own Swansea City themselves.

But he added: "If you have 10 per cent of the shares in the club, you are guarenteed a place on the board.

"If the club went into receivership, like Chesterfield did, then thats the time to kick in. The Trust at Chesterfietd bought the club for £6,550, although they still had the debts to pay off.

The idea was well supported by people attending the meeting, many of them signing a piece of paper to show their endorsement of the plan.

Rob Miles, a Swans fan for the past 24 years, said: "On face value, it sounds the right thing to do considering the plight of the club.

"We are so used to the owners of the club sitting us down and telling us have no say in what happens. It will be nice to have a say in the club."

And another North Bank regular Paul Morris, added: "It's a long time coming. It's sensible because we get the support of people in the city.

"The support for Swansea City is far in excess of the attendances we get in games.

The Swans lost 2-1 this morning to Barry Town in a behind closed-doors friendly at Jenner Park as the players' lack of fitness was evident.

John Hollins' side have only been back in training for four days and Barry's superior fitness told today, with Peter Nicholas' side having been back in pre-season training for a considerably longer time as they prepare for their Champions League qualifying tie.

This morning's game was played over three periods of thirty minutes, with The Swans' goal coming from Argentinian trialist Nicolas Mezzina, whose shot took a deflection off his fellow Argentinian trialist Mercos Lencina, although Mezzina was credited with the goal.

The Swans' summer signing from Darlington, John Williams, missed the game as he was attending his sister's wedding. The club's next scheduled pre-season game is at Aberystwyth on Wednesday week, July 18, when the players should be a good deal fitter.

The speculation surrounding the sale of Swansea City could be over within the next week. Managing director Mike Lewis told the club's official website on Friday that owners Ninth Floor plc would make an announcement within a week.

Swansea were put up for sale in February this year after Ninth Floor announced a pre-tax loss of £797,000 in its half-yearly report.

John Hollins' side endured a poor campaign last season and were relegated from division two, just a year after winning the third division.

But the quest to bring new blood to the Vetch is picking up steam as the new season approaches. Two Argentine strikers - Nicolas Mazzina and Marcos Lencina - joined up with the squad on Friday.

Mazzina, 22, has represented Argentina at under-23 level and came through the Boca Juniors youth scheme. Lencina, 28, a former Argentina under-21 international comes from Argentine second division side Douglas Haig.

The Swans' methodical search to find new strikers in time for the big kick-off has been boosted by the arrival of two Argentinean trialists.

Nicolas Mezzina and Mercos Lencina arrived in Swansea on Thursday evening after being recommended to the club by Barry MacIntosh, the agent who brought Walter Boyd and Giovanni Savarese to the Vetch.

Mezzina is a 22-year-old product of the Boca Juniors youth set-up and he is also an Under-23 international.

Meanwhile, Lencina is the more experienced of the pair at 28. He currently plys his trade in the Argentinian Second Division.

John Hollins and The Swans coaching staff will run the rule over the pair as pre-season training moves up a gear next week.

Sidebe eyes contract

French trialist Mamady Sidebe has spoken out on why he wants to earn a permanent deal at the Vetch and says he can be happy in Swansea.

The giant striker has commented on his time spent in and around the town since arriving from his Paris-based club earlier in the week.

The 6'4" forward said after a training session: "I enjoyed it. I'm a big player and like to score goals, but I also like to play with the ball on the ground.

"I've left AC Paris now and would love to do a job in helping Swansea progress."

He added: "The first thing I saw was a really nice beach. I'm sure I can be happy here."

Nick Cusack says it's payback time for Swansea City players. "We were relegated last season because we underachieved. Now we have to put the record straight," said the Swans captain.

"It was bitterly disappointing after gaining promotion the previous season. "We see this as a fresh start. We want to prove we can compete at this level. I think it will suit us more. "There's still a lot of confidence in the squad because of what we accomplished two seasons ago. The boys know the Third Division. I know it inside out.

"We are determined to work very hard to do well. Obviously the main aim is to go straight back up. That's what we'll be judged on.

"We'll try and get the ball down and play. But we must also be prepared to compete as well as we did when we went up as champions. "We had the best defensive record in the league and were very hard to beat.

"The spine of that side is still here ('keeper Roger Freestone, centre-backs Mathew Bound and Jason Smith, fullback Michael Howard, and central midfielder Cusack). "And a couple of the young lads who have had another year's experience will come into the fray - people like Leigh DeVulgt, Gareth Phillips and Chris Todd, if he stays.

"There's a good blend of youth and experience and the team spirit is excellent which is a key factor.

"We were all having a laugh and a joke when we reported back for training on Monday.

"But when the season starts we'll be up for it. I'm confident we'll start on a positive note.

"Obviously the lack of strike power is a problem at the moment. With only Steve Watkin and John Williams we are a bit lightweight up front.

"That's something the boss (John Hollins) is looking at. I'm sure there will be developments before the start of the campaign.

"I don't want to go into the financial side of the club in too much detail. Being up for sale is not an ideal situation.

"Obviously, the supporters are looking for the takeover, or whatever, to go through as soon as possible so that more money is available for team strengthening.

"Hopefully, when there is a change of ownership, the boss will be given money for new signings

"He's hamstrung to a certain extent in the quality of players he can bring in on free transfers.

"But he's done the right thing by the existing players. He has given us contracts. He looked after a lot of guys after our championship-winning season. We need to repay him for the faith he showed in us.

"As professionals we have to do a job with the resources we have. The boys have kept themselves fit over the summer. Most players nowadays have a much better attitude to training than when I started out.

"It was nice to see out-of-contract players (Todd and Stuart Roberts) training with us on the first day back.

"I don't know how long that situation will continue. Players do look to better themselves in a game dominated by finance. They have to weigh up what is best for them

"But it's important to hang on to your best players if at all possible.

Mamady Sibide, a giant forward from Marseille, begins a Vetch Field trial today, in the hope that he can solve Swansea City's striking problems.

"Mamady is a 6ft 4in forward who has been with a French Second Division club and is now looking to play in the Nationwide League," said Swans manager John Hollins.

"I want at least three strikers next season and he sounds ideal. He's big, strong, good in the air and scores goals.

"We have re-signed John Williams from Darlington and will also be giving a trial to a striker with a Scottish club.

"Having two giant forwards could give us an edge and more variation. We missed out on a big guy up front last season.

"Giovanni Savarese didn't come until October but he scored 14 goals. Had we managed to get him earlier we might have stayed up.

"He would have scored more goals and taken the pressure off other areas.

"If we can get the forwards I want, I think we can become genuine promotion contenders.

"We still have the nucleus of the side that went up as champions. We are pretty well covered defensively and in midfield. But we need more attacking power."

Hollins is also giving trials to two Australians - a teenager and a defender who has been in Australia's World Cup squad - and another Frenchman.

"I want to drip feed them into the squad over a period rather try to assess them all at once."

Hollins and his players reported back for pre-season training yesterday with the future of the up-for-sale club still uncertain.

"There is talk about something (the takeover) being done and the quicker it happens the better," added Hollins.

"As soon as it was announced the club was to be sold it was like a big cloud hanging over us. It means you can't buy a player - but we knew that anyway."

During his three years in charge, Hollins has had virtually no money to spend in the transfer market.

"I've always worked to a budget. Our wage bill went up a bit but now it's back to where it was when I came here.

"I don't envy managers of other clubs with money to spend. We are here working hard within the structure we have got.

"But, of course, if someone did give me money for players it would be fantastic.

Stoke City are poised to bid for Swansea City winger Stuart Roberts with some of the £1m they received by selling Graham Kavanagh to Cardiff City.

The Second Division club is among a number tracking the Wales under-21 international who has turned down a new contract offer.

Charlton, Grimsby and Wycombe are also reported to be interested in the forward for whom Swans managing director Mike Lewis said they would want "at least £250,000."

Roberts went on a weekly contract yesterday together with teenage centre-back Chris Todd who has also declined new terms.

But Swansea manager John Hollins is still hopeful they will have a change of heart and decide to stay with the Third Division club.

"I haven't made up my mind yet. I am still talking to a number of higher division clubs and Stoke are one of those interested," said Roberts.

"But as far as I am concerned I am still a Swansea City player and would like to stay if things can be sorted out. I would like to think I could establish a regular place in the side next season.

"It's up to the club what valuation they put on me. Whether another club is prepared to pay the asking price or go to a tribunal, I don't know. At the moment I am on a week-to-week contract. There's no rush because there are six weeks to the start of the season.

"I have never said that I don't want to play for Swansea. I reported back for training and I am happy to be part of the pre-season preparations. It's purely a contract issue. There's no grudge with the club.

"If Swansea bring in one or two more players who are needed, I'm sure they can become strong contenders for promotion again.

"It hurt being relegated last season but there's a fresh air of optimism about the club. Everyone has reported back raring to go."

Roberts may not have much longer to make up his mind, however. Lewis warned that the door on out of contract players was "rapidly closing" and added, "I hope it won't be too long before they decide whether or not their future is with this club."

The squad reported fit and inside their weight targets, apart from 'keeper Roger Freestone, given an extra week's holiday because he was on World Cup duty with Wales, Jonathan Coates who is on honeymoon and David Romo who is in Canada with the French Olympic squad.

There was one unexpected arrival at the Vetch field yesterday morning. David Rojas turned up with his suitcases straight from Spain.

"I have come for a trial," said the 21-year-old striker who claims to have scored more than 50 goals with Spanish Second Division club Pena over the last three years.

Manager John Hollins and his assistant Alan Curtis knew nothing of the player but learned later that he had come for trials at the suggestion of Venezuelan Giovanni Savarese, Swansea's top scorer last season.

Rojas was invited to join the squad on a six-mile run across the sands at Swansea Bay after being given the kit worn by Walter Boyd last season.

The Swans' out-of-contract winger Stuart Roberts will be back in pre-season training this week, but with his future still unclear.

Wales Under-21 starlet Roberts has so far rejected the club's new offer of a contract, and said: "I'm still listening to offers. I don't know what will happen and I don't think anything will happen before the end of the week."

It has been speculated that Stoke City could be favourites to move for Roberts if he opts to leave The Vetch, now that they've lost influential midfielder Graham Kavanagh to Cardiff City for close to a million pounds.

Mike Lewis has added to his recent comments made regarding Roger Freestone's situation by saying the keeper will be staying at Vetch Field.

There was recent interest from Oxford, who have made the signing of a quality keeper one of a number of priorities this summer, but it became apparent within a matter of seconds that they had insufficient funds to ever hope to complete the signing.

Managing Director Mike Lewis who revealed the club had turned down the tentative approach from The U's in seconds, has taken the situation a step further by warning interested parties: "We have no intention of parting company with Roger Freestone, who's looking forward to his upcoming testimonial season and possibly even a contract extension with us beyond that."

Oxford were just one of a number of clubs believed to be interested, but so far The U's are the only club to have formally made contact with Vetch officials. However, this latest statement is sure to have put off one or two of the other interested clubs.

Aussie target revealed

The Australian international Swansea are chasing is believed to be Canberra Cosmos' Lindsay Wilson, and he will come to The Vetch on trial.

It had been revealed previously that Swansea would be chasing three cosmopolitan signings over the next few weeks, strikers from Scotland and France as well as a mystery Aussie wing-back.

Swansea City have refuted suggestions that they are trying to sell Wales international goalkeeper Roger Freestone to Oxford United.

"I have informed manager John Hollins and the player that I received a call from Oxford asking about Roger's availability," said manager director Mike Lewis.

"It was clear their budget would only allow them to make a derisory offer way below Roger's true valuation - should he be for sale.

"But I must stress that we have no intention of parting with Roger. He is looking forward to his testimonial season and beyond to a possible extended contract."

Hollins, searching for a striker, is having talks with a player who scored 20 goals for a Scottish club last season.

He is also interested in a 6ft 4in French striker and a 21-year-old attacking full-back involved with Australia's World Cup squad, but won't name his targets until deals are finalised.