TYCOON Chris Connolly, the man who wants to be Swansea City supremo, has warned the Vetch Field's five-man controlling cartel: "You're playing with fire without finance."

Port Talbot-born Connolly, boss of successful Californian sports leisure company CNS Enterprises, has attempted to contact Swansea's committee twice within the last ten days about an investment in the ailing Third Division club.

Swansea have called a voluntary creditors meeting on March 25 - offering creditors around 10p in the pound in a desperate bid to disburse crippling debts of £1.7m.

Around 100 parties are owed sums varying from £2,000 to £250,000 with the Inland Revenue and South Wales Police preferential creditors.

And Connolly, whose friends include Madonna and Catherine Zeta Jones, feels Swansea are on the brink. He said: "Even if the committee can sort out the CVA, where will they go from there?

"They always said they'd be interested in getting someone on board who'd be prepared to invest. Well I've sent over two faxes offering to pay $500,000 for a 51 per cent controlling interest.

"I'd cover losses for the next three trading years and re-instate Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas, who were treated shoddily by the committee."

Ironically, both Addison and Nicholas - owed £13,500 between them on the creditors list are behind ex-Swans chiefs John Hollins who is seeking £250,000 compensation.

Connolly added: "The club almost went under in 1985. I really fear for them this time."

The Stags away jinx hit again today as Mansfield Town got of to a good start at Vetch Field today using a 4 – 5 –1 formation but then fell foul of a crucial sending off 29 mins into the first half.

Fielding a 4 – 5 - 1 formation including the returning Craig Disley the Stags got off to a sprightly start with Wayne Corden and Chris Greenacre both getting close to an early lead, just 29 mins into the first half came a crucial turning point when Goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington was red carded for a foul on Steve Watkin.

With Pilkington sent off, Watkin put a penalty past Michael Bingham who stepped in as the Stags custodian putting Swansea 1-0 up. Bingham’s nerves was soon settled though with a great save against striker John Williams just 10 mins from half time.

At half time manager Stuart Watkiss had a reshuffle, now only having 10 players, he fielded a 4 – 4 – 1 formation and two more substitutions on the second half did little to change the flow, although Both Corden and Reddington came close early on, the home side had the final say 7 minutes from the final whistle, a long ball into the area and as Bingham tried to clear the ball , it deflected of Les Robinson and found the feet of Steve Watkin who passed control to David Romo who in turn put the ball into the top corner.

Although Bingham had a good game making two more great saves the final result remained Swansea City 2 Mansfield Town 0.

Nick Cusack and Roger Freestone could be put in permanent charge of Swansea City if things go well between now and the end of the season.

The two senior Vetch Field players were handed temporary control eight days ago after the double dismissal of Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas.

Midfielder Cusack, 36, and keeper Freestone, 33, were initially expected to be a stopgap before the arrival of a new manager this summer.

But Swansea's owners today hinted that the pair could be offered long-term roles.

''Nick Cusack and Roger Freestone were put in control of team affairs because they are the club's senior professionals, '' explained management committee member David Morgan.

''We have every confidence in the leadership qualities Nick has showed this season and we are very happy with the people in charge.

''We have no plans to appoint anyone else, and of course, if things go well, there is no reason why they should not be offered permanent deals.'' Cusack and Freestone go in search of their first managerial success when promotion hopefuls Mansfield come to Vetch Field tomorrow (3pm).

But their options are severely limited, with only 16 senior players - including themselves - available.

Striker Mamady Sidibe (hamstring) and centre-back Neil Sharp (groin), who both played at Carlisle last weekend, have joined a lengthy list of injuries.

Lee Jenkins, Damian Lacey, Jason Smith and Terry Evans are all out, while Steve Healey and Craig Draper are on loan to Llanelli.

There is better news of Gareth Phillips, who looks set to play after shaking off hamstring trouble.

''We've worked hard on a few things in training this week and the boys have responded well, so hopefully we can take that into the game and show what we can do, '' said Freestone.

''We've got a few injuries and it's going to be difficult.

Mansfield are going well in the league and they gave us a good drubbing at their place earlier in the season.'' He added: ''This week's been very enjoyable. I've never spent so long at the Vetch in all the years I've been here, arriving early in the morning staying late in the afternoon.

''It's not been that difficult because Nick was captain anyway and commanded a lot of respect, while I have been at the club for a number of years.

''We are just players who have been asked to step in at an awkward time for the club.

''The lads are not calling us gaffer or anything like that.

We're still Rog and Nick and we're all looking forward to the game.''

Swansea City have given 1,700 teenagers across the city the chance to go into the Vetch for free until the end of the season.

The club has released the tickets to all comprehensive schools in the area after pledging its support to the Nationwide Supporters of Tomorrow scheme.

The scheme, started in November by Nationwide Building Society and the Football League, will enable 100,000 youngsters across the country to visit their local Nationwide League team, many for the first time.

Committee member David Morgan said: ''Nationwide Supporters of Tomorrow reinforces our on-going commitment to maintaining strong links with the local community. By distributing free tickets to schools, we are able to offer youngsters the chance to see the Swans.'' Football League chief executive David Burns was pleased with how all the clubs had embraced the scheme.

''The response from all 72 Nationwide League clubs has been fantastic, '' he said.

''Through the involvement of clubs from all divisions and the help of Nationwide we are able to increase attendances at matches by more than £100,000 during the current season, '' added Burns.

SWANSEA CITY defender Jason Smith believes the ankle problem that has ruined his season has finally been resolved. And "Smudger" - a linchpin in the Swans' Third Division championship-winning side two years ago - believes the caretaker-management duo of Nick Cusack and Roger Freestone should be given the job on a permanent basis.

Smith has missed virtually the entire 2001-02 campaign with an ankle injury that has required two operations.

As a result, the former Tiverton man has played only seven first-team matches for the Swans - but he could figure on the substitutes' bench for the Vetch Field visit of high-flying Mansfield today.

However, his belated return to first-team action is likely to take place next Tuesday against Barry Town in the FAW Premier Cup semi-final at the Vetch.

"This season has been unbelievable. I think our physio, Richard Evans, will be glad to see the back of me. I've tested his patience to the full!" said Smith.

"I don't think I'll play against Mansfield but I'm finally getting there. The last year has been an absolute nightmare."

Smith had what is known as "foot-ballers ankle" where a piece of bone had come away from the main ankle bone.

He had an operation on it last July but it was not entirely successful and it needed a second operation the following December.

"It wasn't a bad, career-threatening injury and that has made the whole thing worse. If the first operation was successful I wouldn't have needed the second."

Smith made his first appearance of the season as a substitute in the 3-0 defeat at Luton last October and he started the next game, a 0-0 home draw against Rushden & Diamonds.

It seemed his recovery was complete but the problem had not been fully cured and his comeback ended on December 1 - ironically against Mansfield at the Field Mill Ground.

"I knew after the first operation that the ankle wasn't right but I hoped it would settled down. It didn't and I had to go back to get that last bit of bone removed," recalled the 27-year-old from Bromsgrove.

"Without doubt this has been the most disappointing season of my league career. I shouldn't have been out this long but now I've just got to put it all behind me.

"I've got another year left on my contract. I want to get fit and I'm looking forward to playing. You won't know how depressed I've been in the last year.

"As soon as I wake up in the morning right through to the last thing at night, I kept thinking about the ankle.

"But I'm not thinking about the ankle anymore. Sure, you think about it for the first week when you're back in full training but then that's it."

Smith believes midfielder Cusack and goalkeeper Freestone - placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs - are ideal candidates for the Vetch job following the sackings of Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas last week.

"Nick and Roger have got the respect and faith of all the players here. When you've got that then half the battle is won," he added.

FORMER Swansea City chairman Mike Lewis was at the centre of a new row last night after it was claimed he received an £80,000 pay-off from Tony Petty to leave the troubled Third Division club.

The Swans' management committee yesterday revealed they have a letter - dated September 27, 2001 - in Lewis's handwriting and signed by both Lewis and Petty, that he would receive five £16,000 instalments after his departure from the club.

The committee said that none of the other directors at the time - Martin Burgess, Mel Nurse and David Farmer - knew about this arrangement.

It also claimed they have another letter written and signed by Lewis -- also dated September 27 - that proves he resigned from his job as chairman and managing director, nullifying his £80,000 claim against the cash-strapped Swans.

Lewis yesterday admitted he had an £80,000 agreement with Petty but this was for loss of office and had nothing to do with the sale of the club which he said had been completed for £1.

And he insisted that his fellow directors knew of this agreement and that he did sell the club to the Australia-based businessman last September for £1.

A Swansea City spokesman told The Western Mail, "This was a private deal between Mike Lewis and Tony Petty.

"None of the other directors knew about it. The public didn't know about it and neither did Ninth Floor, the club's previous owner. After this Mike Lewis will never be involved in Swansea City Football Club again."

Lewis, who bought the Swans last summer from Ninth Floor for £1, said he sold the club to Petty for the same amount. But he said yesterday, "Within half an hour of transferring the club to Tony Petty I told him that I had a rolling contract for a year and he agreed to pay me £80,000 over 16 months.

"When he acquired the club I resigned as chairman and managing director because these were the roles Tony assumed.

"This £80,000 wasn't a pay-off and it had nothing to do with the sale of the club. There are no skeletons in the cupboard. This money is for loss of office.

"I sold Swansea City for a pound but I just couldn't walk away from a well-paid job. I had given Swansea good service. I might also add that I've not received a penny of that £80,000."

Lewis, who lives in Gorseinon, Swansea, is now claiming that amount from the club which is seeking company voluntary arrangement to wipe out its £1.7m debt.

But the committee - hoping the cub's unsecured creditors will agree to a 5p in the pound deal - has dismissed Lewis's claim saying he is not entitled to anything because he resigned.

"The committee is being very silly with their attitude," continued Lewis.

"It's a legitimate claim. I had a rolling contract with the club and it clearly stated that I was entitled to £80,000 if I was sacked or resigned. The matter is in the hands of my lawyer in Manchester.

"I've tried to be fair but it seems to me the fairer you are the worse you are treated."

But a Swans spokesman added, "We've got all the paperwork and Mike Lewis hasn't got a leg to stand on. If he wants to make a claim against us, and waste his own money, then he's welcome to do that.

"The letter we have shows that he resigned. It means that his £80,000 claim against us is out of the window."

Meanwhile, Swansea's management committee has dismissed Chris Connolly's claims that he has sent two faxes to the club offering to buy the Swans as

"completely untrue".

Earlier this week Port Talbot-born Connolly, president of California-based firm CNC Enterprises, said he had sent the faxes to the Vetch offering to subsidise the club's losses until 2005 in exchange for a majority stake in the Swans.

But a statement yesterday issued on the club's official website said, "We have received no firm offer from Chris Connolly. The committee is willing, in principle to discuss financial assistance from any source.

"However, the committee believes that it's not in the club's interest to be under the sole control of any one person and that there must be local involve-ment."

SACKED Swansea City manager Colin Addison has turned the heat up on the club's management committee by admitting he might have accepted a reduced salary to stay at the Vetch.

Addison and his assistant Peter Nicholas were shown the door last Friday so the ailing Third Division club, sinking in a £1.7m ocean of debt, could save money.

But the decision to sack the pair - who were being paid £85,000 between them - proved controversial since Addison and Nicholas had led the Swans to mid-table safety despite working under turbulent conditions.

And yesterday Addison said the duo might have accepted a pay-cut to help ease the club's financial situation, but new terms were never even mentioned.

"Peter and I both knew the financial situation at Swansea," said 62-year-old Addison.

"We knew the club had money problems and we would have listened to the committee about reduced contracts.

"Swansea should have given us something. Look at John Cornforth at Exeter. That club has money problems like Swansea but they've just offered him a new two-year contract.

"But the Swansea committee didn't offer us anything. They just expected us to walk away. They wouldn't even let us take charge for the Carlisle game which was only 24 hours away."

Addison is still bitter over the way he and Nicholas were treated. He said he will not get over it until he is offered a new job in football management.

"They didn't even pay us the money they owe us - and don't forget, we were getting half of what they were paying our predecessors, John Hollins and Alan Curtis.

"They never gave us a cheque and said, `Here you are, you've done a smashing job'. We've just joined the list with all the other creditors." Addison and Nicholas are owed more than £40,000 by the club and the former Swans manager declined to answer whether he will accept the club's 5p in the pound offer.

"Four days before we were sacked I had achat with Hugh Jenkins (committee member) and he said the club wanted us to stay," added Addison.

"I told Peter and we both told our families the news. Hugh said the decision was a unanimous one and that made the news even better.

"Then they just expected us to walk away. It's the biggest U-turn ever."

Former Swansea City chairman Mike Lewis denied being involved in a possible takeover of Swansea's Third Division rivals Exeter.

Lewis, who quit his post at thew Vetch last November following the arrival of Tony Petty, was reported to be buying the Grecians with former Scarborough chairman John Russell.

But Lewis told The Western Mail, "I've been to Exeter three times recently but only to see what's going on there and to give the club advice. I've known one of their directors (Stuart Dawe) for 20 years and I'm not involved in any Exeter takeover."

Manager Cornforth yesterday signed a new contract keeping him at Exeter until the summer of 2004.

It has been quite eventful since the first Trust Talk column was published on 27 February and the Trust has responded to recent events in a separate Press Release.

The raffle is now well under way, but we are still looking for as many volunteers as possible to sell tickets.

If you work in an office or factory with a large number of colleagues, can you help us?

The funds raised from the raffle will be used to help fund Youth Development at the Vetch.

We all understand how important this section of the club is, and we need to do all we can to provide help to make it successful. 

It is the club’s future.

Please remember to return your ticket stubs and money to the Trust as soon as possible.

Very soon we will have various items of merchandise for sale.

Mugs, beer glasses, coasters, lapel badges and cloth badges will soon be available.

We will let you know as soon as the items are ready, but keep checking the Trust website (address below) for up to date information on this and other issues.

Thanks to Leigh Dineen, Chairman of the Trust, we have acquired two tickets for the F A Cup final to be held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday 4^th May 2002.

A free draw will take place at the Vetch at half time during the Torquay game on 20^th April (the same day as the raffle winner is announced) and two members will each win one ticket to go to the final. Anyone who is a member on Friday 19^th April will be entered into the free draw, so if you are not yet a member, join now and have the chance to attend the Cup Final.

Membership has now increased to 1436, so we are moving closer to our March goal of 1500.

The Trust was honoured to have John Charles sign up as a member on his recent visit to Swansea when he received the Freedom of the City.

   As announced in our recent press release, a public meeting will be held very shortly, and full details will be available soon. 

At the meeting, you will be able to put questions to members of the Trust and the Club Management Committee. 

If you have any particular questions that you would like answered, then please contact us in any of the ways mentioned below. 

Following this meeting, the Trust itself will hold an open forum meeting each month for existing members.

We have until now held a monthly Sunday meeting in Manselton, but we will be making the meetings more entertaining by having a different panel of people associated with the Trust, the Club and the media, each month, to take your questions.

Non-members will have the opportunity to join on the night and take part in the event.

More details will appear in the next Trust Talk column on 27 March.

We can be contacted in the following ways: Phone Debbie Rees, Administration Assistant on 07977 382328 (at any time between 9am and 10pm), write to us at Swansea City Supporters’ Trust, P O Box 314, Swansea, SA1 7XB, or you can now E Mail us at jacksup47@hotmail.com These contact points can be used to request membership forms, extra raffle tickets and also if you have any queries that you want answered. 

Applications for membership can be downloaded from our website www.swanstrust.com

Swansea City consortium member Mel Nurse heads a list of 150 creditors who hold the key to the club's survival.

The Evening Post has acquired a full list of all the individuals, organisations and companies which the football club owes money to.

According to the list, the former Welsh international is owed £701,097 by the club he used to play for after buying the debt due to former owners Ninth Floor last autumn.

All 150 creditors have been called to a meeting on Monday, March 25, when the club hopes they will vote for a company voluntary arrangement.

That would see them receive some or all of the money and put the club on a firm financial footing.

Behind Mr Nurse, the second-largest creditor in the total £1.7million debt is the Inland Revenue, which is owed £349,271, while Swansea City also faces an unpaid VAT bill of nearly £60,000.

Former manager John Hollins, who was sacked last September with more than two years still to run on his contract, has claimed £250,000 from his old club.

Colin Addison, axed as manager last week, has claimed £20,192 and assistant Peter Nicholas, £12,115.

Former directors Mike Lewis and Martin Burgess have claimed £80,000 and £73,000 respectively.

Swansea has put forward what it thinks all former employees' claims are worth, and while Mr Burgess may receive all £73,000, the club proposes that Mr Lewis should get just £1.

Former player Matthew Bound, now at Oxford United, is due £30,000 from his old Vetch Field contract and Richie Appleby, who joined Kidderminster earlier this season, £4,000.

Months of unpaid contributions means the Football League Pension Scheme is nearly £30,000 down, while Manchester solicitors James Chapman & Co are owed £32,639.

Up the Football Limited, the company set up by members of Swansea's management committee when they bought the club, is due £115,000.

Among the more bizarre names on the list are an Oxford Street cobblers, the Dorian Heel Bar, owed £159.24, and Bay Tree Florists in Sketty Park, which is owed £135.

Swansea City have dismissed a claim by America-based businessman Chris Connolly that he has made a renewed approach to take over the club.

Speaking from southern California, Connolly told the Evening Post today that he had faxed the club twice in the past week putting forward his plan to save the club.

Connolly, originally from Port Talbot, is rumoured to have put up 500,000 (around £357,000) for a 51 per cent stake at the Vetch - an offer he claims has been rejected.

But Swansea insist they have had no contact from across the Atlantic.

''Nobody at the club has received a fax from Chris Connolly and there have not been any phone calls, '' said management committee member Huw Jenkins.

Connolly, who runs US sports marketing and management firm CNC Enterprises, said: ''My company is prepared to put money in to subsidise Swansea's losses.

''Over three years, we would turn the club into a self-sufficient company, but I got a phone call today from somebody from the club telling me the club was not for sale.

''I can't understand that, because from what I have gathered the current owners have said they would sell if people came forward with money to put into the club.'' He added: ''I am a Port Talbot boy and initially we were going to buy the club from Doug Sharpe, but for some reason he sold to Neil McClure.

''It saddens me to see Swansea struggling. They are my local team and I just want to see league football in Swansea in 20 years' time. It's not about egos.'' Connolly's claim comes after Swansea were told that putting their future existence on the line was the only way ahead.

The club could be forced into liquidation if things go wrong at a meeting of their 150 creditors' in 12 days' time.

But according to expert Gary Stones, Swansea's proposed company voluntary arrangement is the only realistic option now available. ''I sincerely hope the club's creditors pass this proposal because it is the only way forward, '' said Swansea-based Stones, the man who has put the CVA plan together.

''Otherwise the club will be facing liquidation unless someone like Sam Hammam comes out of the woodwork with a massive injection of cash, which does not look like happening.

''If the CVA is passed, it should lead to financial stability for the club and give them a sound basis to move forward.'' The club's creditors, who are owed a total of £1.7million, have been called to a meeting at Swansea's Marriott Hotel at 3pm on March 25.

The club propose to pay preferential creditors such as the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise in full, while unsecured creditors will receive 5 pence for every £1 they are owed.

Each creditor will have a vote - weighted according to what they are due - with 75 per cent in favour required to pass the CVA.

''Hopefully the creditors will realise that some money is better than nothing, '' added Stones.''A lot of work has gone into putting this proposal together on a gratis basis, hopefully it will be supported.''

A WELSH businessman based in the United States has offered to step in and save Swansea City from liquidation - and said he would also reinstate the sacked management team of Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas if he took control at the Vetch Field.

Port Talbot-born Chris Connolly, president of California-based sports management and promotions company CNC Enterprises, has sent two faxes to the Vetch offering to subsidise the club's losses for the next three years.

And Connolly said he has not had a reply from the debt-ridden Third Division club, even though it is £1.7m in the red and facing liquidation if its plan to go into company voluntary arrangement collapses.

But David Morgan, a member of the Swans' management committee last night denied receiving any offer from Connolly.

"I have sent the owners two faxes saying if we were given majority control of the club then CNC Enterprises and its partners would subsidise the losses until we make Swansea City self-sufficient in three years' time," said Connolly.

"I think it's an appealing offer. My company is good enough to work with Fifa and with clubs in the premier divisions in Mexico and Brazil, but obviously we're not good enough for Swansea City.

"I've spoken to one member of the committee - Brian Katzen - since it took over two months ago and he told me the club isn't for sale, yet I understand from other people that it is."

Added Connolly, "I wouldn't ask anyone to resign if we took over but we would look at who is worth keeping and who isn't. We would also introduce a salary cap at the club and cut the playing staff down to 18. If we needed players we would sign loan players from clubs in the League of Wales."

Connolly, a former pupil at Sand-fields Comprehensive in Port Talbot and an ex-defender who was once on the books of Hereford United and Nottingham Forest, said he would bring former manager Addison and his assistant Nicholas back to the Vetch.

The pair were controversially dismissed last week to save money despite leading the Swans to mid-table safety under trying circumstances.

"The first thing I'd do is bring Colin and Peter back to the club. Colin would be director of football and Peter head coach," said the 35-year-old from his Baja home.

"They've both got great experience and they did a very good job at Swansea. They weren't being paid a great deal of money when they were there (£85,000 between them) and they deserve their jobs back."

Swansea City have strenuously denied that they have received any offers from a California-based businessman to buy the club.

Chris Connolly, born in near-by Port Talbot, claims to have sent two faxes to The Vetch offering to take on the club's £1.7m debts for the next three years.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Wales Sport, Connolly said he is willing to invest enough money to build the foundations that would guarantee the club's future for the next 20 years.

And his first undertaking, he said, would be to reinstate the recently sacked management duo of Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas.

We are willing to do is to financially support the club ourselves without anybody else having to put any more into it.

But Peter Owen, Swansea City's communications offer, says the club has no knowledge of any such takeover bid.

"Having taken up the matter with members of the management committee, I am in a position to confirm categorically that no such fax has been received by any member of the committee or by Swansea City Football Club itself," said Owen.

Connolly, though, claims to have actually received a response to his fax from a member of the management committee.

He declined to disclose the official's name.

"I've only had one response which was a bit of weird response," said Connolly, who owns sports management company CNC Enterprises.

"Basically it said the club was not for sale, which surprised me, but it hasn't put me off the idea."

Connolly tried to buy the club some two years ago, but lost out to Ninth Floor plc.

Swansea City could turn to Wales' legendary goalkeeper Neville Southall to become the new manager at Vetch Field.

The former Everton keeper is currently the boss of Nationwide Conference strugglers Dover Athletic but he inherited a side that were already bottom of the league and strapped for cash.

However, Southall has taken the bull by the horns and on severely limited resources has made great strides in improving the Conference club's chances of merely surviving, a fact that has not gone unnoticed in his native Wales.

Once of Bury, Port Vale, Southend and Stoke, the 43-year-old Llandudno-born star has an affinity with the lower divisions having also coached and assisted in a playing capacity at York City and Shrewsbury Town.

After the departure of Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas last week, Nick Cusack has been placed in temporary charge of the Swans but their recently installed new owners are believed to favour a big name who has knowledge of football at grass roots level.

Southall certainly fits the bill and the former Welsh international would be a popular choice with Swansea fans although when asked about the managerial vacancy at The Vetch, he was unable to throw any light on the situation.

"I've heard the rumours but I haven't had any contact with Swansea City," admitted Southall.

Exeter City manager John Cornforth has signed a new deal that will keep him at the club until June 2004.

The news brings to an end any speculation linking him with the vacant manager's position at Swansea.

The Grecians boss told the club's official website: "Obviously all of the speculation of me going to different clubs has been a little bit unsettling.

"Ever since I took over as manager the most important thing for me has been the support from my players, staff, the board of Directors and most of all, the fans.

"The main reason I wanted to get my contract sorted quickly was that we have got a fantastic fan base down here and I think I owed it to them to sign my contract and stay with Exeter City. Another reason has been my fantastic working relationship with the chairman."

Chairman Ivor Doble added: "I am very pleased to keep him on a further contract. He is a young man who has done a very good job and there were several clubs chasing him. I am very happy that we have managed to keep hold of him."

FORMER Swansea City chairman Tony Petty last night threatened to sue the Swans' management committee for libel after it had claimed the Australia-based businessman had taken £100,000 out of the club during his three-month reign at the Vetch Field.

Petty, who is based in Hope Island, Queensland, said he will fly to Britain and start legal action unless the owners of the cash-strapped Third Division club withdraw the allegation.

A statement made by the committee on the weekend - which explained the reasons why the club, facing a £1.7m debt, was seeking company voluntary arrangement - claimed Petty had left the Vetch last January with £100,000.

"I'm absolutely furious about this," said Petty. "I didn't take a bean from that club. I want an apology from the committee and an apology in the next 24 hours wouldn't be bad.

"I'm not going to be used as a punchbag for the committee. They're not going to blame me when they're having a rough time. If they don't withdraw that statement then I'll sue them.

"I'll happily get on a plane to sort this out. I've already put in a call to a lawyer in England about this."

Petty has continued to monitor events at the Vetch Field from his home Down Under and he added, "Does the board think that just because I'm on the other side of the world I won't know what's going on at Swansea City?

"How could I have taken £100,000 from the club? We got £100,000 for Stuart Roberts and that was used to pay wages and lasted a week.

"We got £100,000 from Sky for the FA Cup game against Queens Park Rangers but that ended up in court because Mel Nurse - who was the club's biggest creditor - tried to force the club into administration."

Petty, who was paid £25,000 by the new board for his stake in the club, continued, "The only money I got from Swansea was money to cover my expenses while I was there.

"The committee has made a serious allegation against me. They've got to back that up - or shut up.

"The last thing I did before I left was to get the accounts sorted and they won't show Tony Petty taking £100,000.

"I've never been a punchbag for anyone and I'm not going to start being one now. My message to the committee is if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen."

John Cornforth has opened discussions about a new contract at Exeter City.

Cornforth, who had been favourite to succeed Colin Addison as Swansea City manager, was offered a new contract at St James' Park over the weekend.

"I'm going to send it up to the League Managers' Association so their legal people can have a look at it," he said.

"I want to make sure that it's the right contract for me and my family."

FORMER Swansea City manager John Hollins is claiming £250,000 from the cash-starved Third Division club for his sacking last September, it was revealed last night.

Former chairman and managing director Mike Lewis, who quit his post last November, is demanding £80,000 compensation while former finance director Martin Burgess is claiming £73,000.

These figures were published in the club's company voluntary arrangement (CVA) papers which were yesterday sent to the club's creditors.

They revealed that the Swans' former management team of Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas, who were acrimoniously sacked last week, are claiming more than £30,000 between them in compensation plus £10,000 they are owed in wages.

The document also revealed that former defender Mathew Bound, who was transferred to Oxford United in January, is still owed £30,000 and midfielder Richard Appleby, who joined Kidderminster earlier this season, is owed £4,000.

And the Swans have still not paid former assistant manager Alan Curtis, sacked last September along with Hollins, or former youth team coach Ron Walton, who was sacked a month later. Curtis is owed £3,750 and Walton £14,000.

South Wales Police are owed nearly £10,500 and the City and County of Swansea Council is owed £35,000.

The Vale of Glamorgan Hotel and Country Club, where the Swans sometimes train and where Addison and Nicholas stayed after they joined the club six months ago, is owed just over £7,000.

The ailing Third Division club - facing a £1.7m debt - is seeking CVA so it can wipe the slate clean and secure its existence.

It owes the Inland Revenue more than £300,000 and the Customs and Excise £54,000. Both are secured creditors and have to be paid in full but the club are hoping to pay these sums off over a two-year period.

Just over £1.4m of the club's debt is unsecured and the Swans are offering to pay unsecured creditors 5p in the pound, but for this to get the go-ahead those responsible for 75 per cent of the £1.4m debt must agree on the offer.

The club can already account for £800,000 since committee member Mel Nurse is a £700,000 creditor and another £100,000 is owed to the current board.

But that leaves another £600,000 to make up and the likes of Hollins, Burgess and Lewis could end up deciding the Swans' fate.

Nurse, who played a key role in ousting former chairman Tony Petty from the Vetch in January, last night admitted the Swans are "staring liquidation in the face".

He told The Western Mail, "If the unsecured creditors don't accept 5p in the pound then God help this club. That's all I can say.

"We could up end in serious financial trouble along with the likes of Bury and York. We are staring liquidation in the face."

IF soccer management ever sours for Swansea's acting manager and PFA chairman Nick Cusack, politics will, surely, provide a viable option.

Understandably crestfallen after his troops had unraveled in the opening 29 minutes at Brunton Park, the 36-year-old schemer, a graduate in economics, fastidiously eked out a reply to the question of the day.

Not that there weren't more than a few searching posers. Like, why, after the axing of manager Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas last Thursday and - having had only 24 hours in charge - did the Yorkshireman astonishingly switch from the tried and tested 5-3-2 system to a 4-3-3 format.

Another was why didn't he replace Roger Freestone - his managerial assistant - with substitute goalkeeper Jason Jones after the big Welsh international became injured in the second half.

But the nagging mystery surrounded the no-show of Swansea's controlling five-man cartel. Shamefully, not one was seen to have made the gruelling 800-mile round trip to the Scottish border.

Group members were conspicuous by their absence. Hugh Jenkins and Co weren't spotted among 40 hardy Swans souls cowering from snow flurries in the main stand. Neither were they were wallowing in the warmth of the stadium's directors lounge.

But Cusack was diplomatically swerving the conundrum. He said, "I'm not aware of this fact.

As far as I'm concerned, my job was to prepare the team for this game and to sort out a system - I think I did that.

"It's been a very difficult last few days but I don't believe you could accuse the Swansea play-ers of lacking passion and commitment out there.

"The pitch and weather conditions were terrible, but we kept going right until the end. I thought we created a lot of chances - more than I've seen in any 90 minutes this season.

"We were a bit unfortu-nate because I felt we dominated for long periods. But the goals we conceded were disappointing. Carlisle's first came from a freak bounce and their second was from poor defending.

"But I just don't think the Carlisle goals were down to the system we played. It was a case of them being stronger than us when the ball went over the top."

Cusack went on to insist that the sacking of ex-Merthyr chief Addison and former 73-times capped Welsh war-horse Nicholas had come as a complete surprise to him. The midfielder declared, "There's been more than a few shocks at the club of late.

"Football management is, of course, new to me. But I was aware how important it was to represent the club properly in my new role - both Roger Freestone and myself gave it our best shot.

"I've been put in charge for one game, beyond that I don't know what the future is. I will prepare my lads for next Saturday's home match with Mansfield, unless told otherwise."

But as the sleet and snow drifted in from the nearby Cumbrian mountains, Cusack cut a helpless sideline silhouette as his men slumped on an appalling surface.

The experienced link-man had courageously confined himself to the dug-out for observational purposes - allowing Kris O'Leary to lead the Swans alongside Andy Mumford in a strange midfield role.

Steve Brodie, who eventually bagged an 80th-minute consolation, had been dropped to the bench. But Swansea's four-man rearguard with Chris Todd and Neil Sharp operating as central pivots were soon buckling.

The visitors commenced their demise in the sixth minute. A dreadful bounce wrong-footed ex-Merthyr man Sharp, Ian Stevens racing through to finish with a crisp left-foot drive.

Only 13 minutes on it was curtains for the sinking Swans. Former Blackburn youngster Peter Murphy did the trick on the left, Stuart Whitehead rising to power home from eight yards.

And when the Cumbrians added a third through substitute Jon Allan - on for Brendan McGill moments earlier - 16 minutes from the break it really was sheer misery.

That prompted a burst of sympathy from mad-cap Carlisle chief Roddy Collins - the brother of former world middleweight boxing champion Steve - who said, "Swansea losing their manager so close to coming into this

match didn't help their cause.

"I feel very sorry for the Swans players - it's a long way to travel without a manager. I felt sympathy looking at their lad (Cusack) in the dug-out."

Yet after his 'keeper Peter Keen had made superb stops from Mumford (twice), Mamady Sidibe, Steve Watkin and Jon Coates, the Irishman conceded his side had fortune at times.

He said: "We got three goals from four chances, Swansea just one from eight. I suppose people could say we had a break today."

The future existence of Swansea City lies in the hands of the club's long list of creditors who are owed a total of £1.7million.

Unless those creditors accept vastly-reduced financial settlements, the Vetch Field club could go to the wall.

Swansea were yesterday put into a company voluntary arrangement by the management committee in a desperate bid to cure the club's crippling financial problems.

''The club proposes to pay £364,000 to preferential creditors, mainly the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise, in full, spread out over the next two years, '' said a management committee statement.

''The club proposes to offer to pay the remaining £1.4million of unsecured creditors 5p in the £1.

''A creditors' meeting will be held later this month for the club to present its proposal, which would allow the club effectively to wipe the slate clean and stay in business.

''This would allow the club to have a viable future, take advantage of the move to Morfa and look ahead to next season and beyond without the financial threat which currently continues to loom over Swansea City.'' The statement revealed that the management team have invested more than £115,000, which combined with the £200,000 received from Swansea Council for the Vetch Field lease, does not come close to settling the club's debts.

Swansea's owners say all season-ticket money had gone when they took over on January 24, along with FA Cup television cash.

They also point out that Swansea had no commercial income and allege that former chairman Tony Petty took £100,000 out of the club. With that lack of funds, a £145,000 per month wage bill had to be met, with each home game netting around £11,000.

''The whole board has worked tirelessly to shore up the horrendous financial position they found the club in as a result of the actions of previous owners, '' the statement continued.

''Part of this involved this week's extremely difficult decision to dispense with the services of a number staff at the Vetch, thereby reducing the club's wage bill by around £250,000.

''Collectively, as local businessmen and genuine life-long supporters of Swansea City, the board is aiming to once and for all provide financial stability and a real future for the club it, like many thousands of other Swans fans, loves so much.'' Should any party not accept the CVA, the club would be heading for formal administration or liquidation - the beginning of the end for the Swans.

Formal administration could be forced by any creditor, or the club could face compulsory liquidation. Alternatively, the various creditors could take the view that some money is better than none and accept what is on offer now.

Axed Swansea City youth coach Paul Compton has branded the club's owners as amateurs.

The outgoing director of youth development is fearing for the future of the club after he was shown the door along with manager Colin Addison and assistant Peter Nicholas.

''It's astonishing what's happened, frightening, '' he said.

''They say Swansea City is a big club, but it is acting very amateurishly at the moment.

''They are in charge and they are our bosses, but ask the question;

What do they expect from a first-team management team?

''Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas are up for manager of the month for what they have done on a non-existent budget.

''Colin, with his experience, and Peter, a great Welsh international, have been a pleasure to work with. I've learned so much.'' Compton, who has been at the Vetch for 18 months, follows former youth team manager Ron Walton, who was sacked by former owner Tony Petty last autumn.

Having been made redundant, Compton believes the club may not be able to bring anyone else in by law and has been in touch with his solicitors.

''I fear for the youth policy of Swansea City. I suppose nothing should surprise me when you think how Ron was treated. I'm just a blip compared to him.

''My wife hasn't stopped crying because of the commitment I made, moving my family to Wales.

''I worked 80 hours a week and this is how you are treated. It's an absolute disgrace.

''I thought we were getting things right. I stopped two players from next year's intake going to Premiership clubs because I sold them Swansea City.

''Now they have phoned and said they don't want to join the club anymore.'' He added: ''For a club like Swansea, the youth policy is the future. Only time will tell if the management committee have bitten off more than they can chew.'' Speaking as he left the Vetch for the last time yesterday, a beleaguered Addison said: ''I have been sacked once or twice before in my career, that's part and parcel of the game, but this is very, very disappointing.

''We were told on Thursday there would be no new contracts after being told on Monday that both Peter and I would be staying.

''Even if we had been offered reduced deals, we would have considered staying. We just wanted to hear the right words and to take the club forward.'' Assistant boss Nicholas suggested the club was now worse off than it had been during the Tony Petty era.

He said: ''This isn't football. I've never known anything like it.''

SPECULATION is mounting that former Swansea City chief Colin Addison or his assistant Peter Nicholas may be back in football management this week with struggling League of Wales side Llanelli.

This follows the sacking of Jason Jones after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to Port Talbot, which plunged the Reds into the bottom three.

Llanelli chairman Robert Jones when asked about the speculation said, "No comment."

But added he was not putting a caretaker manager in the post and expected to announce a replacement for Jones within 72 hours.

"Of course, I know Colin and Peter very well but I cannot add anything further on what I have already said," he concluded.

Nicholas was Barry Town manager before joining Addison, who has lifetime of soccer achievement at home and abroad, at the Vetch Field.

VETCH legend Alan Curtis last night warned debt-ridden Swansea City "my old boss John Hollins could kill you off!"

Rhondda-born Curtis - a former Swans No 2 - was alongside Londoner Hollins when he was sacked as manager last September.ex-Chelsea star Hollins, now 56, departed with £165,000 still owing on his astonishing £115,000 per annum contract.

That will mean he will have a major say at the creditors voluntary arrangement meeting called for March 22 by Swansea's controlling five-man cartel.

The managerless Swans drowning in a £1.7m ocean of debt, have offered creditors only 10p in the pound, but the Inland Revenue and South Wales Police will get preferential treatment.

Former Swansea, Leeds, Southampton and Welsh international attacker Curti, isn't certain Hollins - his chief at The Vetch for over three years - will accept such a derisory offer.

And if the Swans fail to reach settlement in a uniform manner with the majority of their creditors, administration will follow with liquidation and extinction hovering over them after that.

Said Curtis, "When I left Swansea I was due a full year's salary. They eventually agreed to pay me just 50 per cent of what was owed - in instalments.

"But those payments soon dried up. I'm naturally not happy about the situation. I always felt the Swans would have looked after the likes of Ron Walton and myself because of our long affinity and service with the football club."

But Curtis, now a soccer pundit on Real Radio, feels former Arsenal and QPR midfielder Hollins is a completely different case - and a creditor for Swansea to fear.

He said, "John's situation is vastly different to mine. It's said he's owed £165,000 and that's an awful lot of money.

"People might believe Hollins was overpaid at Swansea but any money due to him is legally owed. He signed a contract with the football club's directors - it was a deal offered to him."

The Welshman went on, "John Hollins might take the common-sense view and accept what the club is offering. The hope has got to be he'll not be the one who will bring Swansea City down.

"I think he's a football man and won't want to see that happen, but it's going to be an intriguing situation to call."

Concerned Curtis is aware that the five-man controlling committee which manipulates The Vetch affairs, are likely to make more drastic cuts this morning with a section of the club's administrative staff targeted.

The lay-offs will follow the departures of manager Colin Addison, assistant Peter Nicholas and youth head Paul Compton.

IF soccer management ever sours for Swansea's acting manager and PFA chairman Nick Cusack, politics will, surely, provide a viable option.

Understandably crestfallen after his troops had unraveled in the opening 29 minutes at Brunton Park, the 36-year-old schemer, a graduate in economics, fastidiously eked out a reply to the question of the day.

Not that there weren't more than a few searching posers. Like, why, after the axing of manager Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas last Thursday and - having had only 24 hours in charge - did the Yorkshireman astonishingly switch from the tried and tested 5-3-2 system to a 4-3-3 format.

Another was why didn't he replace Roger Freestone - his managerial assistant - with substitute goalkeeper Jason Jones after the big Welsh international became injured in the second half.

But the nagging mystery surrounded the no-show of Swansea's controlling five-man cartel. Shamefully, not one was seen to have made the gruelling 800-mile round trip to the Scottish border.

Group members were conspicuous by their absence. Hugh Jenkins and Co weren't spotted among 40 hardy Swans souls cowering from snow flurries in the main stand. Neither were they were wallowing in the warmth of the stadium's directors lounge.

But Cusack was diplomatically swerving the conundrum. He said, "I'm not aware of this fact.

As far as I'm concerned, my job was to prepare the team for this game and to sort out a system - I think I did that.

"It's been a very difficult last few days but I don't believe you could accuse the Swansea play-ers of lacking passion and commitment out there.

"The pitch and weather conditions were terrible, but we kept going right until the end. I thought we created a lot of chances - more than I've seen in any 90 minutes this season.

"We were a bit unfortu-nate because I felt we dominated for long periods. But the goals we conceded were disappointing. Carlisle's first came from a freak bounce and their second was from poor defending.

"But I just don't think the Carlisle goals were down to the system we played. It was a case of them being stronger than us when the ball went over the top."

Cusack went on to insist that the sacking of ex-Merthyr chief Addison and former 73-times capped Welsh war-horse Nicholas had come as a complete surprise to him. The midfielder declared, "There's been more than a few shocks at the club of late.

"Football management is, of course, new to me. But I was aware how important it was to represent the club properly in my new role - both Roger Freestone and myself gave it our best shot.

"I've been put in charge for one game, beyond that I don't know what the future is. I will prepare my lads for next Saturday's home match with Mansfield, unless told otherwise."

But as the sleet and snow drifted in from the nearby Cumbrian mountains, Cusack cut a helpless sideline silhouette as his men slumped on an appalling surface.

The experienced link-man had courageously confined himself to the dug-out for observational purposes - allowing Kris O'Leary to lead the Swans alongside Andy Mumford in a strange midfield role.

Steve Brodie, who eventually bagged an 80th-minute consolation, had been dropped to the bench. But Swansea's four-man rearguard with Chris Todd and Neil Sharp operating as central pivots were soon buckling.

The visitors commenced their demise in the sixth minute. A dreadful bounce wrong-footed ex-Merthyr man Sharp, Ian Stevens racing through to finish with a crisp left-foot drive.

Only 13 minutes on it was curtains for the sinking Swans. Former Blackburn youngster Peter Murphy did the trick on the left, Stuart Whitehead rising to power home from eight yards.

And when the Cumbrians added a third through substitute Jon Allan - on for Brendan McGill moments earlier - 16 minutes from the break it really was sheer misery.

That prompted a burst of sympathy from mad-cap Carlisle chief Roddy Collins - the brother of former world middleweight boxing champion Steve - who said, "Swansea losing their manager so close to coming into this

match didn't help their cause.

"I feel very sorry for the Swans players - it's a long way to travel without a manager. I felt sympathy looking at their lad (Cusack) in the dug-out."

Yet after his 'keeper Peter Keen had made superb stops from Mumford (twice), Mamady Sidibe, Steve Watkin and Jon Coates, the Irishman conceded his side had fortune at times.

He said: "We got three goals from four chances, Swansea just one from eight. I suppose people could say we had a break today."

Trust statement following announcement of CVA by Swansea City Football Club

Following Thursday's dismissal of Addison and Nicholas, Friday brought the news that the Management Committee had sought a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) with its creditors.

This arrangement, if successful when placed in court on 25th March, would secure the financial stability of the football club and allow the future to be addressed without the burden of debt that is currently crippling the club.

Leigh Dineen, our representative on the committee was party to the discussions, and from our perspective as fans, this course of action is the only way forward if this club is to survive.

Trust Secretary, Paul Nicholas said today "The way in which this week's news has been broadcast leaves a lot to be desired and Leigh has delivered that message back to the consortium in strong terms. But it is clear now that the announcements regarding the agreement with the council over the sale of the Vetch lease, the dismissal of Addison and Nicholas, and the disclosure of the CVA were subject to critical timing, and without all three pieces of information, a full understanding by fans was not possible.

The Council had and has insisted on total confidentiality, but the cash deal on the lease, disclosed on Tuesday last week, was fundamentally important to the whole plan. If the CVA had been announced before the agreement with the council, then the lease became void and valueless."

The Addison/Nicholas situation in isolation was easily the most unpalatable, and even with the subsequent information we have been given, this decision will not be accepted by a large proportion of fans, and the debate will rage for some time to come. Without all the facts before us, fans are left to speculate on numerous newspaper reports. That is not the best way, but we will not be given all the facts in all cases.

The subsequent announcement of the CVA proposals gave some indication for the reasoning behind the sackings, but the delay in the release of this news was not good for the club. The state of the finances has now been clearly set out in the club release, and we must all accept that the CVA is the only way forward for survival, of that there can be no doubt.

Releasing this intention too early, would have seen the club's creditors form a disorderly queue, demand payment, and would probably have triggered events earlier, with matters then being in the control of others, and not the management Committee.

Elected Trust Member Richard Lillicrap added "As supporters we need reassurance that actions being taken on behalf of the club ARE for the good of the club, and will secure the future of football in Swansea. The Trust was set up to allow us to have our own voice in the running of the club but everyone appreciates there are limits to this. Decisions cannot always be made with the input of fans. We have to accept that, and there will be decisions that we as fans will disagree with.

Our legal agreement with the consortium gives the supporters far more influence than would normally be the case for a 5% shareholding but we have no veto over the hiring and firing of managers. Certain decisions made when trying to set the foundations for the future will be clinical, and whilst we may deplore the morality of some of these decisions, they have to be made if we want a club to support."

To summarise again, the club's debts total £1.7 million. Of this amount, £364,000 is payable to the Inland Revenue and the VAT authority, and these preferential creditors have to be settled in full. It would appear that the club has agreed a two-year programme for repaying these debts.

The remaining debt includes £700,000 due to Mel Nurse, and miscellaneous creditors of which we do not have full details but will include John Hollins, and now Colin Addison and Peter Nicholas.

The CVA will involve all non-preferential creditors being offered a minimum 5p for every £1 they are owed. In simplistic terms, provided 75% of the outstanding creditors, by amount (of which Mel Nurse therefore represents 52%), agree to the offer, then the club will move forward and the amount payable to the creditors will reduce from around £600,000 (excluding Mel), to around £100,000.

This gives a 'real' saving of some £½m. We have not counted in this the £700,000 or so that Mel Nurse has saved the club with his timely deal to purchase the Ninth Floor debt in November – done at his risk with his money. None of the subsequent events would have been possible if he had not done so. We shall never forget this.

These CVA proposals will be placed before the creditors at the forthcoming creditors meeting on 25th March. Whether offers at this level are considered to be fair, as some fans have asked, is highly debatable and depends on your point of view. If the creditors accept, then we can at least assume that 5% is a better option than the alternative.

The benefits of this arrangement are there for all to see, and once the agreement of creditors has been obtained, the club will at last be able to move forward without first having to pour money into a black hole.

The theme through all of this is that it is retaining our club balanced against the desire to be nice and fair to people. We will work hard to convince the club that in future, it must aim to do both.

For everyone concerned, however, it is vital that the way decisions are conveyed to the fans and the general public, are timely and give proper information (without breaching confidentiality), and in both these areas we feel the Club PR machine has been left wanting this week.

The Trust supports the actions regarding the CVA, as there is clearly no alternative in the absence of a large investment into the club. We have been told from the day the consortium took control that there was no immediate solution to the club's financial problems, and certainly this week's events have made that very clear.

After this week's revelations we would confirm that your money invested in the Trust is safe.

The lack of good communication last week left the Trust in the position of having to deal with issues over which it had little control or indeed information. This has certainly done some harm to the relationship between the Trust and its members, but more than ever the Trust is now needed to heal the wounds and begin its real work of helping to get more people down the Vetch and the club moving forward.

This process begins very soon with a Fan's Forum to be held within the next 14 days. Representatives of the Consortium and the Trust will be there to take questions, criticisms, suggestions and comments in a fully open format.

Please look out for full details which will be published as soon as the arrangements are confirmed.

For more information contact
Paul Nicholas Richard Lillicrap

ANGRY Peter Nicholas has sneeringly dubbed the six-man committee who kicked himself and Colin Addison out of a job as "The Wheel Tappers & Shunters Social Club".

Nicholas, capped 73 times by Wales, said: "I still can't believe I will get up on Monday morning with no job to go to."

And he puts the blame firmly and squarely on the men running the club who refused to renew the contracts of himself and Addison.

"What this Vetch committee has done to Colin Addison and myself is scandalous. I've nothing but contempt for them.

"They used us to get the club's Third Division status secure and then kicked us out," declared Nicholas.

He went on: "I keep asking myself what more Colin and myself could have done?

"We lost good players like Stuart Roberts and Matthew Bound for financial reasons and had to wheel and deal just to remain afloat.

"Players like Terry Evans, Neil Sharp and Steve Brodie were brought to the club for a pittance - they did an excellent job. I'm convinced we got 33 per cent extra out of an ordinary squad - if we hadn't, we would be staring at Conference football.

"Colin and I have good contacts in the game - we would have used them to bring in better players, given half a chance.

"Instead, we have been sacked. "And some people without a real football background have made this decision.

"This Vetch committee is a joke - they are individuals who belong to the Wheel Tappers and Shunters Social Club."

Nicholas claims that just 72 hours before his sacking, he was given future assurances by Vetch committee man Hugh Jenkins.

"Then we were called in on Thursday only to find the contract we'd been expecting had been ripped away - the whole thing is incredible!" he said.

"With this lot running the club, there is only one way - that's down."

Nicholas has first hand experience of a club going into administration, having been there, seen it and done it when he was a coach at Crystal Palace.

"After 16 years I went through that there. It's not very pleasant when 90 people go into a room and only 18 come back out still with jobs.

"The club was £22m in debt, there were lots of people wondering about the future."

Nicholas went on: "Certain senior professionals at Swansea have disappointed me.

"When the wages weren't paid, players understandably moaned.

"Colin and myself had to pick the whole squad up when it happened.

"We gave the players assurances and dusted them down. They always had the PFA to back them - who did we have? No one.

"Colin and I stuck together we helped each other through some difficult moments at Swansea.

"We went to great effort to hide our own anxiety from the squad.

"It would have been nice to have received some phone calls after we left last Thursday. Some of the players did ring - but certain ones didn't."

Nicholas concluded: "I will say my time at the club was a real experience.

"I'm confident about my own ability and will get back into soccer as soon as possible. I will take stock for a little while - perhaps get a bit of gardening in.

"Football hasn't seen the last of Colin Addison and myself - we'll come back stronger."