Calls for Swans fans to boycott Sunday’s glamour friendly against Jamaica are being met with criticism by supporters’ organisations.

Various unofficial internet websites have called for action in protest at the way Mike Lewis is running the club and the price of tickets for the match, but David Morgan of the Independent Travelling Swans said: "I don’t support a boycott, but I don’t believe the crowd will be that big either because of the cost – it would be cheaper for a family to attend an International at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff."

Lewis hit back at the comments over prices, saying: "It’s only one of two friendlies at the Vetch this summer, and the large cost involved means we have to make sure we don’t lose money on the game – hence the increased ticket prices. There are however concessions and also a discount for season ticket holders."

Romo keen to get back to action

The Swans’ French midfielder David Romo says he can’t wait to get started having only arrived back in pre-season training this week.

Romo has been in action with the French Olympic squad in a tournament called the Francophonie Cup, where they reached the final.

Romo said: "I played in three or four games which was great practice for the new season, and I was also playing alongside some top quality players from the higher divisions in France. "I really want to get back into action for Swansea and reproduce my form of the end of last season. I’ve got an even better idea now of English opposition, so I’m well prepared."

Romo also said he was looking forward to helping fellow countryman Mamady Sidibe settle in: "It’s great to have someone to talk to when you’re new – we’ll bring out the best in each other."

Former strike duo complete moves

Jason Price has completed his move to Brentford on a short-term three-month deal, whilst Giovanni Savarese has formally signed for Millwall.

Brentford chairman Ron Noades has opted for the short-term deal with Price to ensure he gets the best out of the former Wales Under-21 international, and boss Steve Coppell sees Price as an important addition to the squad because of his versatility.

Price goes to West London on a Bosman free transfer but knows that if he does well he could earn a longer deal or even attract interest from other clubs.

Chairman Noades believes more and more clubs will use the short-term tasters system under the Bosman ruling: "It's good for all parties concerned but then again it carries risks if other clubs come in, but Price is a risk well worth taking," he said.

Meanwhile Giovanni Savarese has put pen to paper on his short-term Lions contract, having scored on is Lions debut in last night’s friendly 8-1 win over Dover Athletic.

Millwall boss Mark McGhee said: “Giovanni comes to us with a fine record for both Venezuela and Swansea, and whilst our current striker shortage is a temporary one, I’m sure he’ll be doing all he can to try and persuade us top give him a permanent deal.

Port Talbot Town...0
Swansea City...2

A GOAL from young professional Craig Draper helped a Swansea City side full of first-team experience to a 2-0 win at Victoria Road last night.

It was a sound performance but there will still be plenty for manager John Hollins to work on ahead of Sunday's game with Jamaica and next week's league opener with Macclesfield.

Hollins welcomed back David Romo from international duty, while Kristian O'Leary returned from injury.

There was a late injury scare for the manager with Matthew Bound a late call-up for the injured Richie Appleby, who withdrew with a hamstring complaint.

Goalkeeper Alex Davies, released by Hollins last week, was given his debut by the League of Wales side.

After surviving an early penalty appeal when Leigh De-Vulgt bundled over Billy Timothy in the box, Swansea took control.

New signing John Williams put in a decent cross but Chris O'Sullivan had the ball taken off his toes by the home defence.

Romo's ball beat the defence to find Williams on 12 minutes and his touch beat Davies. His pace took him clear of the young keeper and he fell to the floor but appeals for a penalty were turned down.

The Frenchman shot well wide from a Draper free-kick and then Jordan Pearson's outstretched foot stopped O'Sullivan as he looked to get on the end of a Williams through ball.

On 31 minutes Williams spurned a great opportunity to give the visitors a deserved lead.

The former Coventtry man took the ball off Ian Bishop, another ex-Swansea City youngster, and raced clear, only to see Davies save with his legs on the edge of his area.

Young defender Stephen Healey wasted another opportunity when he headed over from Romo's corner as Swansea continued to push forward.

For Port Talbot, hard-working Kevin Bartley, son of former Vetch favourite Danny, and Vince Lewis showed plenty of endeavour but struggled to make any real headway.

But five minutes before the break the home side did create an opening. Timothy did well to get his cross in from the right and when Bound deflected the ball goalwards Jason Jones did well to tip the ball over the bar.

A minute after the break it was almost 1-0 when Draper put Stuart Roberts in the clear. The winger got his shot away but was narrowly wide. And with 20 minutes remaining Roberts went close again, racing through to meet a Williams ball before chipping Davies first time, only to see it bounce over.

The goal was not far away and on 74 minutes Swansea got what they deserved.

There appeared little danger when Draper picked up possession 30 yards out, but the young midfielder let rip with a piledriver which caught everyone by surprise and the ball whistled past Davies.

From their next attack Swansea doubled their lead. De-Vulgt worked a one-two with Roberts on the left before floating a cross in

It was too deep for Draper but came off the boot of Bishop at the far post and crept in.

Swansea City chairman Mike Lewis last night angrily dismissed rumours that the Football League are concerned the cash-strapped club will not be able to take part in the new season.

The allegation, which appeared on an unofficial Swansea City website, claimed David Burns, the Football League's chief executive, had called Lewis because he was concerned "over the club's abilities to meet its forthcoming fixtures."

But Lewis said, "We would like to reassure supporters that at no time has the Football League been in touch about our ability to meet our forthcoming fixtures.

"No reassurances have been requested by the Football League as none are needed.

"We are debt-free and seeking new investment which will be used to drive the club forward as opposed to repaying existing debt."

Lewis also hit out at an accusation, made on the same website, that he was responsible for the demise of former club Newport County which went bankrupt in 1989.

Lewis, who was commercial director at Somerton Park in the late 1970s, described the remark as "no more than malicious gossip."

He added, "I left Newport in 1978 to join Tottenham. When Newport ceased trading I had left my job as managing director of Reading to start my role as managing director of Los Cotos Gold Resort in Spain."

Manager John Hollins reckons the arrival of two "interpreters" will help his new signings clear the language barrier they must overcome to produce their best for Swansea City.

Mamady Sidibe a 6ft 4in, French-speaking striker from Mali, West Africa, and midfielder Nicolas Mazzina from Argentina, speak very little English. Hollins admitted this was a drawback.

"Certain things could be improved if they could understand instructions shouted at them at vital times," he said. "It would make a tremendous difference.

"But I'm sure the communication problems can be overcome. David Romo has rejoined us after weeks with Frances's Olympic squad.

"His English has improved a lot since we signed him last season. He will be able to transmit instructions to Mamady.

"And Nicolas's girlfriend Natalie has arrived from Argentina. She can be of assistance because she speaks perfect English."

Hollins was pleased with the performances of Sidibe and Mazzina in Tuesday night's 1-1 home draw with Second Division Bury.

"Mamady did some very good things. The fans have taken to him straight away which will give him a big lift.

"He's a game, ambitious young man with good ground skills for someone so big But he needs to show a bit more subtlety in front of goal.

"Nicolas had a quieter game. There's a lot more to come from him. He did the mean, tackling defensive side of the game which Argentinians do well.

"But he can also be a constructive player who will score goals if we get him playing further forward.

"We've still got a lot to do, but I've been encouraged by the hard work to date. I was pleased by the way we went about it against Bury. They provided the kind of direct, physical test we can expect in Division Three.

"It's going to be rush, power and strength this season. We need to be all of those things.

"We've played a certain way in pre-season games, mainly because we won't have Mathew Bound (suspended) for the first four games and have been without Jason Smith and Kris O'Leary (both injured).

"I've tried to juggle with different systems. But we went back to a traditional back four against Bury and looked safe and secure until we conceded a poor goal in the last minute.

"After Wato (Steve Watkin) gave us the lead we came out, started to play a little and could have got a couple more goals.

"Lee Jenkins, who has the versatility to play in a number of positions, did well at right-back. He's maturing into a solid all-round player.

"We needed a good blast against a strong Bury side. They gave us the kind of battle we can expect week-in, week-out in the Third Division.

"It will be a different sort of test against Jamaica's national side at the Vetch Field on Sunday (4.00).

"They have assembled their strongest squad to face us and Brazil in Rio four days later to prepare for forthcoming World Cup-ties.

"Walter Boyd, whose goals helped us become Third Division champions last year, is in the Jamaica squad. Naturally, he'll be eager to put on a show against us."

Romo is poised to play his first pre-season game for the Swans on Sunday.

"A good result against Jamaica would set us up nicely for the first game of the season at Macclesfield," added Hollins.

Meanwhile, Swansea's acting chairman Mike Lewis is hoping to announce major new investment in the club before the extraordinary shareholders meeting a week tomorrow. "Things are going to plan and hope-fully I'll be able to reveal the names of the investors," said Lewis, who purchased 99 per cent of the club's shares from Ninth Floor plc for £1 with a view to selling them for £1.4m.

"They will not be in the shape of a Sam Hammam (Cardiff City's big spending owner).

"There's no quick fix. We have to re-build brick by brick. But I'm confident there's enough financial support to get us moving in the right direction."

SWANSEA City skipper Nick Cusack reckons that new crowd favourite Mamady Sidibe has what it takes to become a success at the Vetch.

Cusack liked what he saw as Big Mama, as manager John Hollins has christened him, stole the show in Tuesday's friendly against Bury.

"He was tremendous,' said Cusack. "He showed great pace, he was always willing to get stuck in and kept coming away with the ball.

"He got knocked about, he fell down but got the ball and got up and kept going.

"He will need a lot of that in the Third Division but he showed against Bury that he is very resilient and he is quick. I think he can scare the hell out of a lot of defences he plays against."

Cusack reckons Sidibe could prove to be the ideal player for the tough season ahead in the Third Division.

"Mama wins his fair share of the balls in the air and he is unpredictable," he said. "Defenders won't know how to deal with him. There is a language problem but now we have got David Romo back it should be better for him.

"He seems like a really nice guy. He has already shown that he is prepared to work hard and he will be a real bonus for us. Let's hope he can knock 20-odd goals for us in the season."

Cusack said it was important after the doom and gloom at the end of last season that the crowd was on the team's side.

"We got the crowd behind us against Bury because we went about our business and played some good football," he added.

"The boys worked very hard and we really gave them a test. I thought we were the better team and should have killed the game off. But overall the performance bodes well.

"That was the sort of test we will face in the Third Division. To handle it so well was important and for Mama and Nicolas Mazzina it was important because they now know what to expect against Macclesfield.

"It gives us hope and shows we can compete and hopefully now its all set up for a rousing final pre-season finale against Jamaica."

Meanwhile acting chairman Mike Lewis has hit back at claims on an unofficial Swansea City website that the Football League are concerned the club will not take part in the new season.

Lewis reacted angrily to allegations that the league's chief executive David Burns had been "in touch with the club regarding concern's over the club's abilities to meet forthcoming fixtures".

"No reassurances have been requested by the League as none are needed," said Lewis in a statement on the club's official site.

"Swansea City is a debt-free club and seeking new investment which will be used to drive the club forward as opposed to repaying existing debt."

Lewis also slammed an accusation which appeared on the same site alleging he was responsible for the collapse of former club Newport County which went bankrupt in 1989.

He said he was commercial director at the club for two years but left in 1978 to take up a post at Tottenham.

"When Newport did cease trading I had just left my position as managing director at Reading FC and was beginning a new job as MD at Los Cotos golf resort in Spain," added Lewis.

Meanwhile, Lewis has missed out on election to the Football Association of Wales. He was placed eighth in the voting by South Wales clubs.

John Hollins has praised debutantes Mamady Sidibe and Nicolas Mazzina's performances in the 1-1 friendly draw with Bury last night.

The Swans took the lead in the clash at the Vetch through Steve Watkin in the 24th minute, then late on Bury equalized in the closing stages of the game.

Hollins said: "I thought both Mamady and Nicolas had encouraging home debuts - there is a lot more to come from Nicolas.

"Mamady laid on the goal and he showed some great touches in the game, occasionally thought he did not realize quite how much time he had on the ball and at one point he could have scored."

He said that Bury were as they had been during last season's Division Two battle between the sides and it had been excellent preparation for the coming campaign.

SWANSEA City manager John Hollins was delighted after having a ‘good blast' at Bury at Vetch Field last night.

Hollins's new boys Nicolas Mazzina and Mamady Sidibe both shone in the 1-1 draw and the manager was highly satisfied with their performances.

The only downside to a good night was the way Swansea conceded the late equaliser from Chris Billy after Steve Watkin's first-half opener.

"We needed a good blast," said Hollins. "It was important to play against a strong side which Bury are, but they can also play a bit by knocking in good quality balls.

"But I thought we dealt with it, apart from the disappoinment of conceding the goal.

"That's the sort of battle we are going to get week in week out in the Third Division. If we can sustain that and get the ball down and play some football I think we will be okay."

Hollins was pleased that Sidibe got a great welcome from the fans. He set up Watkin's goal with an inch-perfect through ball and caused havoc in the visitors' defence before receiving a standing ovation when he was replaced in the second half.

"It was good to see that the fans took to him straight away," said Hollins.

"That will lift him. Maybe now whenever he is running for the ball that might lift him to run a bit faster.

"But what pleased me the most was the subtle way that he fed in Steve Watkin for the goal. The pass was inch perfect and the other side of his game came out when he chased a lost cause, won the ball back somehow and showed great grit and determination."

The manager was also pleased with the performances of his younger players like Chris Todd and Lee Jenkins.

There has been a lot of speculation about who would play right-back after the departure of Steve Jones and Jason Price, but the Welsh Under-21 international slotted into the back four last night and looked a natural in that position.

"Jenks is a man for all things," enthused Hollins.

"He can play left-back, right-back and in midfield. He is strong, quick, good on the ball and good in the air.

"He is a tremendous asset to have at the club. He is still young but is growing as a player and we are now getting the benefit of that."

Hollins is expecting another tough game against a strong Jamaican side on Sunday (4pm).

"It will be tough," he said. "Obviously it will be good to win but the most important thing is that we go up to Macclesfield on the opening day of the new season and get that win."

Meanwhile, two Vetch Field youngsters are in the Wales under-19 squad to play two friendlies against the Faroe Islands next week.

Neville Southall has chosen Ben Davies and Lyndon Williams for the matches at the Vetch on Tuesday and at New Bridge Meadow, Haverfordwest on Thursday.

There are still places available for two trips to the first match at Macclesfield on August 11.

Amman Sports Tours is offering trips to the match for £15. For further information ring (01269) 826652 or (07855) 380499.

Places are also available for the Foscfa trip to Macclesfield which costs £15.Contact the club shop to book.

FORMER Swansea midfielder Jason Price maybe on the move to Second Division Brentford — that's if they can afford him.

New manager Steve Coppell has said he is keen to sign the right-sided player after he impressed in a trial at Griffin Park.

Price was in the Brentford side which drew 0-0 with Coventry and Coppell liked what he saw.

The former Crystal Palace manager has a lot of injuries and said he would love to secure a deal with Price but was unsure whether the club's finances would allow the move to happen.

Price began his trial at Brentford last week after an unsuccessful spell at QPR.

Swansea City...1
Bury...1

GIANT French striker Mamady Sidibe became an instant favourite with the crowd at Vetch Field last night with an all-action performance on his home debut.

The 6ft 4in 21-year-old hustled, bustled and caused havoc in the Bury defence before leaving the field to a standing ovation after 67 minutes.

Sidibe is a raw talent and is certainly a bit rough around the edges, but showed to the Vetch Field faithful he is ready to put his body on the line for the cause and the fans loved every minute of it before he was replaced by John Williams.

He won almost everything in the air, gave all the Bury defenders a rough ride and even set up Swansea's goal for Steve Watkin after 24 minutes with an inch-perfect through ball.

The only thing missing was a goal but, there is no doubt about it, he has already won the hearts of the home crwod.

Argentinian midfielder Nicolas Mazzina also impressed and he shot over after only two minutes after Sidibe put him in space.

That set the pattern for the half, although Bury went close through Michael Nelson's header on 10 minutes.

Sidibe's header found Jonathan Coates seven minutes later and Watkin went close with a half-volley.

The targetman was working hard and chasing every lost cause, but he showed a different side to his game as Swansea took the lead.

He picked the ball up deep on 24 minutes before sliding a pass through to fellow striker Watkin. The former Wrexham man took the pass in his stride before slotting past ex-Llanelli goalkeeper Glyn Garner.

Swansea were dominating at this stage and on a first-class Vetch surface they were stringing together some decent passes.

A great move involving the impressive Lee Jenkins and Coates ended with the midfielder's cross just evading Watkin at the far post.

Bury were struggling to build up any momentum, but Bhaichung Bhutia, the Indian captain, looked sharp and dangerous without really creating any clear-cut chances.

Swansea began the second half as they had ended the first and Sidibe just failed to get enough on a decent Michael Keegan cross five minutes after the break.

Sidibe shot wide soon after and Coates could have killed the game off when the big Frenchman worked him clear on 56 minutes. The midfielder tried to take the ball past Garner but the keeper did well to make the save.

Coates combined well with Michael Howard on the hour and the Llanelli old boy did well to grab the full-back's 20-yard effort.

Bury made four changes five minutes later and began to get into the game as Swansea took their foot off the gas.

Bhutia fired over a free-kick on 71 minutes and two minutes later Jon Newby saw his shot saved by Roger Freestone.

Substitute Chris Billy shot wide as Bury pushed forward and Bhutia shaved the post.

This was just the test that Swansea wanted but it looked as though they were going to hold on to what would have been a deserved win.

But just as the crowd were ready to leave their seats up popped Billy to steal a draw.

A long ball caught out the Swansea back four and the former Huddersfield man was left unmarked at the far post before sidefooting home past Freestone.

Manager John Hollins was disappointed with the defensive lapse, but there were a lot of positives to take out of this game — not least the performance of new crowd hero Sidibe.

There is no doubt Big Mama, as Hollins has christened him, has arrived at Swansea with a bang and the crowd love him already.

All it needs now is for him to bang in a few goals and he might end up the finsished article that the manager is looking for.

Last season Mike Lewis was sworn and spat at. One disgruntled supported even urinated over his black Jaguar which was parked in the club car park.

Now Swansea City's managing director and acting chairman is aiming to win over the same North Bank fans who, at the end of last season's final home game against Cambridge, called for his head.

Earlier this month Lewis ended the unpopular reign of Ninth Floor plc at the Vetch Field when he acquired the Third Division club for £1.

Now his task - some would call it unenviable as the Swans are reputedly losing £25,000 a-week - is to attract financial backers to the Vetch to enable the club not only to survive but to move forward.

If he succeeds, and it allows John Hollins's men to mount another promotion charge, then the days of Swansea supporters chanting "We want Lewis out!" and "What a waste of money!" might just be a thing of the past.

"I'm not interested in whether people like me or not," smiled Lewis, "but if there's a ripple of applause inside the ground when I take my seat for the first home game of the season, I'm sure I won't have a dry eye. But that's asking too much!

"If you look at the end of last season, some fans were venting their anger at me (around 200 verbally abused him after the Cambridge match) and I understood why because it was a disappointing season and I was the only director at the ground on match days," said Lewis.

Former chairman Neil McClure would have taken most of the brunt but he stopped going to the Vetch after the 2-2 draw against Bristol Rovers on December 2.

"In some people's minds I'm paid too much money but I'm paid to keep this club afloat and, at this point in time, to find new investors. I suppose the future of the club is resting on my shoulders," said the 59-year-old.

Lewis arrived at the Vetch four years ago when Silver Shield (later Ninth Floor) acquired the club from Doug Sharpe.

He is aware - because of a few "ill-informed opinions" - that he has become something of a hate figure at the Vetch. He feels this is a tag he does not deserve.

"I'm paid well but nothing like the £200,000 a-year some people claim I'm earning. My salary is less than half that," he pointed out.

"There's another rumour that I've been sacked by every club I've worked at. That's not true. There's another rumour that claims the club has given me an apartment on the marina. It's things like this that annoy me.

"The one thing that really hurts me is when Swansea supporters say to me, "Ah, but you're not a Swansea fan". I can't pretend to be, can I? I'm from Newport and that's my club.

"I can't be a Swansea supporter, but what I will do is use all my expertise to take this club forward."

He added, "I believe in looking at the big picture and if you look at the picture at the Vetch during the last three-and-a-half years then I think I've earned my money.

"I think I've made the club more stable. If we were promoted to the First Division last season we would have been ready, no doubt about that. We have a stadium manager and all our stewards are trained up.

"We have a commercial department that raises £750,000 a-year - three-quarters of the players' wage bill.

"But I know the fans don't really care about these things. They would be happy standing in 6ft of snow and with holes in the ground as toilets if their team was winning.

"After a game they don't talk about how good the commercial department is or how good the photographs are in the programme.

"They only want to talk about the team. I have to accept that."

Lewis, who hardly has the financial muscle to keep a football club going, is currently racing against time to bring new investors to the Vetch. "Spreading the word," he smiled, "is the story of my life right now."

A condition for whoever buys a stake in the Swans is that Lewis stays as managing director or possibly vice-chairman. "I still want to be driving the thing. All the people I'm speaking to appreciate that because they have their own businesses to run."

He continued, "We don't want a boardroom of 20 people and by the same token we don't one Mein Fuhrer. The happy medium is five or six including a supporters' representative.

"It's very important we have a link with the public. The fans are very perceptive and it would be completely wrong to ignore that. Some chairmen see it as a gimmick but I don't.

"A supporters' voice is a vital element. A voice has to be heard even if it is unpalatable at times. I'm not against supporters running a club, as is the case at Lincoln.

"Swansea City doesn't belong to me or John Hollins. It belongs to the people of Swansea and they should have a far greater say in how the club is run.

"An amalgam of Swansea people, including the local authority, should have a say in how it's run, but I don't think that will ever happen."

With the future of the club very much in the balance he is hoping the city responds by turning up at the turnstiles come the big kick-off.

"If we get crowds of over 5,000 - and that includes 1,800 season ticket holders - we will cover our costs. Under 5,000 and our budget suffers."

He laughed off rumours that club had sold only 400 season tickets. "We're up to 1,500 and we're still selling. We sold 2,200 last season and we expected to lose 500-600 on the basis of relegation.

"My message to the public would be to give us a chance. I know there are lots of people disillusioned after last season but if they're not doing anything on a Saturday then come and watch us play Oxford (Swansea's first home fixture). Please give us a chance.

"So much hinges on a good start and in that respect I'm glad we're away.

"If our first game was at home and we lost then the balloon is deflated before we start.

"But if we can get a good result at Macclesfield then we should get a good crowd for Oxford."

Swansea City's acting chairman Mike Lewis has revealed that the club will fall into the hands of the receivers in October unless new investors arrive at the Vetch Field.

Lewis, who became chairman earlier this month when he "bought" the club from Ninth Floor plc for £1 and agreed to repay loans of just over £800,000, is scouring the United Kingdom looking to recruit financial backers.

In his most candid interview since taking control of the Swans, the 59-year-old described the threat of receivership as "minimal" but warned, "It can't be removed as a possibility.

"If I don't find a penny in investment then the last lump of money we were given by Ninth Floor (£200,000) will run out. It won't last forever and I certainly don't have the funds to keep the club going.

"I'd like to say the threat of receivership has been removed but I can't. I believe the fans feel comfortable with Ninth Floor out of the picture but they will feel far more comfortable when we have new investors on board," added Lewis who is combining the role of chairman with that of managing director.

"How long can we keep going if things stay as they are? The worst case scenario is the autumn, but that's taking into account a very mean budget.

"That's not allowing for players being sold, getting gates of more than 5,000 or having a good run in the Worthington Cup.

"So much depends on the team having a good start. If we don't, then that October date will seem optimistic. But I'm not even thinking about receivership. I just want to get the money in place - and sooner, rather than later.

"There's no point me talking about a five-year plan or even a five-month plan. It's more like a five-week plan. It's hand-to-mouth at the moment.

"I want to shift my 46 million shares as soon as possible. I don't particularly want to go into the season wondering whether we've got the money to keep the club going or not.

"I've been talking to a number of people for months and I'm confident something will be sorted out."

The Swans were hoping to bank around £250,000 from selling Wales Under-21 winger Stuart Roberts to Rotherham, but Lewis's hopes of adding to the fast-depleting Vetch coffers were dashed when the Yorkshire club said they could not afford Swansea's asking price.

Lewis is hoping to make money from the friendly against Jamaica on Sunday and is praying for league gates of more than 5,000 - Swansea's break-even figure - when the season is under way.

"Talk of going to receivership is banned here at the Vetch," said the acting chairman. "If anyone mentions receivership at the club they are fined £1 on the spot. There's a sign warning them about that on the wall behind my desk.

"I'm talking to a number of individuals at the moment - not consortiums - and one of them, who I won't name, is pretty well ahead of the rest."

Lewis admitted that local businessmen David Bradshaw and Martin Morgan, both recently linked to buying the Swans, are not interested in coming on board.

"For their own reasons they said no. David has been very supportive and he's finding potential investors for me to meet. He's been acting as a sort of conduit for me.

"I've spoken to Martin on four occasions but I think he's got too much on his plate. He's got a hotel and Swansea Airport to run.

"I haven't found a Father Christmas in Swansea but there are plenty more people out there. It's a question of just getting around to them all."

And Lewis revealed he did consider approaching the Swansea-born Hollywood star Catherine Zeta Jones.

"I went to her uncle, Bobby Jones, who is chairman of Llanelli Football Club. I asked him if it was worth an approach and he said no so I respected his wishes by not going there.

"But the celebrity segment is one you cannot ignore. You never know, sometimes a personality might be interested. When I was at Newport County we had Frank Carson on the board."

By reducing the playing staff from 34 to 26 during the summer, the Swans have trimmed nearly £400,000 from their wage bill.

"I couldn't get investors here if we were losing £1m a year. Can you imagine telling them Swansea City was losing that much? The colour would have drained from their faces," added Lewis.

SWANSEA City manager John Hollins is expecting a tough pre-season battle against Bury at Vetch Field tonight.

His side have lost their last two pre-season friendlies, at Newport and Tiverton, but Hollins says that was all part of the learning process ahead of the new league campaign.

"People have put a lot of emphasis on the fact we lost those two matches," said Hollins.

"But the idea was that in those earlier games we had to look at all the triallists and that put other players back a bit.

"But we have learned something from those games and we intend to put it right tonight. The new players like Nicolas Mazzina and Mamady Sidibe have impressed and that's what those games were for."

Hollins will play Matthew Bound tonight although the big defender will miss the first four games of the season through suspension.

"I know he won't be around, but we could also be without Jason Smith and Kristian O'Leary and I think that Boundy's experience will help the youngsters through games like this and stand them in good stead for the future," he said.

Swansea: from Freestone, Jones, Howard, Cusack, Bound, Todd, De-Vulgt, Romo, Mazzina, Healey, Draper, O'Sullivan, Mazzina, Phillips, Jenkins, Roberts, Coates, Watkin, Sidibe, Williams, Appleby, Keegan.

ACTING Swansea City chairman Mike Lewis is hoping to announce new investors next week.

The second meeting of shareholders is due to take place on August 10 and by then Lewis expects to unveil some of those prepared to back the move to get the club moving forward.

"Hopefully by the time we have our second meeting we will be able to announce the investors' names if they are willing to be known," said Lewis.

"They will not be in the shape of someone like a Sam Hammam, but I am confident there is enough financial support to get us going in the right direction.

"If you like, we are trying to get the phoenix to rise out of the ashes and at the moment things are going to plan."

Although Lewis is confident of finding investors to finance the club, he still has fears that if they don't materialise then the club may slip into receivership.

"If I don't find a penny in investment then the last £200,000 we received from Ninth Floor will eventually run out," he said.

"The worst case scenario is the autumn but that's taking into account a mean budget. But all talk of receivership and relegation has been banned at the club. Anyone who mentions those words are fined a £1.

"It's a brick-by-brick approach and we have to take it like that. There is no quick fix, we can't approach things like that."

Lewis denied rumours that director Mel Nurse and city businessman Brian Thornton were to be investors.

"Mel is a director of the club," said Lewis. "I am sure if he could help us he would and as for the other gentleman I have heard the name but there has been no connection with the football club.

"I am happy with the way things are going and I am encouraged by the amount of support we are getting.

"There isn't a day goes by when the phone doesn't ring with someone offering their support."

Lewis said although there had been some disquiet among some fans, most he had spoken to had said they understood the problems the club had faced.

He added: "The most important thing is that when the man in black blows his whistle for the start of the season at Macclesfield, the team is ready for it.We must make a good start on the playing front. We cannot take up where we left off from last season.

"I don't think that will happen. We cannot afford for it to take place."

SWANSEA City assistant manager Alan Curtis says the time has come to sort out the game plan for the Third Division campaign ahead.

The club has two high-profile friendlies at Vetch Field, against Bury tomorrow and Jamaica on Sunday before the league starts at Macclesfield and Curtis knows how important it is for the players to be ready.

"It's down to the nitty gritty," said Curtis."There are only two games left before it all starts. We have to decide which way we are going to play so the players can familiarise themselves with the system.

"Obviously we have a problem with Matthew Bound being suspended for the first four games and Jason Smith being touch and go whether he will be fit. We would like to play three at the back but with key players out we may have to switch to playing a back four.

"We need to get it sorted and these two friendlies will be the time to do it."

One of those players who would have liked to have been involved is Australian triallist David Arranz, but a possible move to the Vetch seems to have been put off.

His club Canberra Cosmos are believed to have demanded a fee for the full-back and the player has flown back to Australia.

Meanwhile, Swansea's top scorer from last season Giovanni Savarese is set for a move to First Division newcomers Millwall.

The Venezuelan is set to clinch a three-month deal this week.

Swansea-born striker John Hartson has been linked with a move to treble-winners Celtic.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is believed to want the Welsh international as he looks for a Champions' League place. But the former Leicester manager refused to comment on the reported move.

Midfielder Damien Lacey's persistent foot problem looks set to keep him out of the opening game of the season against Macclesfield on August 11.

The player visited a specialist last week regarding his right foot and now he is waiting to hear whether he needs to undergo surgery.

Lacey's new-season bad luck looks set to rule him out of The Swans' curtain-raiser for the third year running. Three years ago a kidney infection meant Lacey couldn't start the new campaign for The Swans.

While last year he was sidelined until Christmas with a stress fracture of the right foot.

JOHN Hollins is convinced he's getting the right blend to help Swansea bounce straight back up to Division Two.

And the Vetch boss was all smiles last night after triple success on the recruitment front over the last week.

Since old boy John Williams re-landed in South Wales on a two-year deal from Darlington in June, Hollins has snared imports Nicolas Mazzina and giant Frenchman Mamady Sidebe.

But the Londoner is equally delighted to have finally secured promising teenage centre back Chris Todd on a new 12-month contract last Friday. Todd, product of Ron Walton's youth conveyor belt, was one of the few bright spots in Swansea's relegation season.

Hollins said: "I'm very pleased Chris has finally decided to sign. It just shows the progress we've made at the Vetch over the summer - players want to stay or come here."

Swansea also have Welsh Under-21 flyer Stuart Roberts back in their armoury, the Llanelli-honed winger having returned after a trial with Rotherham.

Jamaican international Walter Boyd and Venezuelan hot-shot Giovanni Savarese might have hit the road since May, but Hollins believes a Williams-Sidebe warhead backed by Argentinian playmaker Mazzina can blast a quick-fire return.

Swansea are thought to have invested almost pounds 200,000 a year in 22-year-olds Sidebe and Mazzina. Hollins added: "We are putting together a tightly knit squad of quality players, which bodes well for the new campaign.

"Sidebe has arrived from CA Paris and will complement John Williams. And with Mazzina pulling the midfield strings, I can see exciting times ahead."

Swansea City manager John Hollins has delayed a decision on signing Australian defender David Arranz until next week.

He will have a final look at the full- back in Tuesday night's friendly against Bury at the Vetch (7.45).

"We received a letter from Canberra Cosmos to say they required compensation for Arranz," Swans acting chairman Mike Lewis said. "The amount was above what we thought it would so we said we would be sending him back.

"But Canberra have subsequently written to say they understood, through an agent, that David would be playing at a higher level in England and would now be pleased to negotiate a compensation fee.

"I don't know what that is, but we will discuss the matter further after David's final trial game against Bury, depending on whether John (Hollins) wants to sign the player."

The Swans have announced increased ticket prices for their match against Jamaica on Sunday, August 5.

All seated areas will cost £20, standing areas £15. Season ticket holders will receive a £5 discount with concessions of £10 in all areas for senior citizens and under-16s.

"The ticket prices reflect the considerable costs in securing such an attractive fixture against Jamaica, who are playing Brazil in Rio three days later," said Lewis.

Because of the huge demand, particularly from British-based fans of the Reggae Boyz in Jamaica's 29th year of independence celebrations, there only four tickets per person can be purchased via phone or internet.

There is no limit for personal callers to the Vetch Field where tickets are now on sale.

Striker Walter Boyd, recalled by Jamaica, will line up against the club he helped become Third Division champions last year.