SWANSEA CITY fans dipped into their own pockets yesterday to enable Brian Flynn to surprisingly capture West Ham's Leon Britton on a new two-year contract, writes Paul Abbandonato.

The Swans Supporters Trust, which has more than 1,100 members, have agreed to pay Britton's wages for the first year of the deal.

Their move enabled Flynn to unexpectedly win the big battle for Britton, the midfield dynamo having been widely expected to return full-time to Upton Park when his loan spell with the Swans ran out.

Britton, believed to be on £2,500 a week at West Ham, has agreed to take a substantial pay cut to move to The Vetch. But his salary would still have been out of reach of the cash-strapped Swans were it not for the supporters agreeing to pay Britton out of their own pockets.

Swans supporters are also ready to hold raffles and other fund-raising events in a bid to raise money for the transfer.

Britton, 20, was signed by West Ham four years ago as a teen wonder in a £400,000 deal from Arsenal. But he says he is delighted to throw his lot in with the Welsh club, explaining, "I've really enjoyed it at Swansea. I didn't think, when I first came here, I would sign on a permanent basis.

"But Brian Flynn has made a big impression on me. He is ambitious and is working hard to get more players in. I'm here for two years and obviously I want to do well for Swansea. But on a personal level I still want to play at the highest level I can and I feel I can improve as a player by coming here first."

Swans supporters have a meeting on Monday when they will rubber-stamp the details.

BEAMING Swansea City manager Brian Flynn last night celebrated the capture of Leon Britton on a two-year deal by stating, "He played a big part in keeping us in the league ... next he can play a big part in our success!"

Flynn persuaded the pocket midfield dynamo to leave West Ham and join the Swans on a permanent basis after an exhaustive round of talks.

And he hopes to follow up winning the battle for Britton by signing another Vetch fans' favourite, Roberto Martinez, next week.

Martinez has gone back to his Spanish home to mull over the deal Flynn has offered him.

"We're hopeful there too. I would say it's a better than 50-50 chance," said Flynn.

"Getting Leon to join us full-time is a massive boost for everybody. If we could sign up Roberto as well, that would put the icing on the cake."

To complete a day of good work at The Vetch, Flynn has also given one-year deals to Michael Howard, Jon Coates and Lee Jenkins, while top scorer James Thomas has signed a two-year contract.

The deal for Britton, though, came somewhat out of the blue, with most Swans fans firmly anticipating the talented 20-year-old returning to West Ham after his loan spell with the Welsh club ran out.

But Flynn refused to give up and worked diligently behind the scenes to strike a deal suitable to Britton.

The Western Mail understands that Britton, believed to be on around £2,500 a week at Upton Park, has agreed to a substantial pay cut. Part of the deal involves the Swans' Supporters Trust helping to pay his wages.

The Trust also paid the wages of Alan Tate when he came down on loan from Manchester United last season.

Flynn would not go into figures, but he said, "Leon was idolised by the fans down here ... and as a player, it's lovely to be thought of in that way.

"Of course he would love to have gone back to West Ham and made his mark in their first team.

"But Leon could also see the level of ambition that I've got for Swansea City.

"And towards the end of the season, he could see the level of passion the fans have down here at The Vetch.

"I'm not going to go into detail of how I persuaded him to remain. I've got my methods, but you know me well enough - I'm not going to give away my secrets.

"But let's say that the most important thing in this was that Leon wanted to have another go with us."

Flynn went on, "I also believe that for Leon this is a great opportunity for him to climb back to the very top.

"He's only 20, remember, and through shining for us over the next couple of years he can land himself a really big club once more."

Britton made a massive impact during his loan spell last season, making 26 appearances and being voted the Player of the Year by the Swans supporters.

The former England youth cap cost the Hammers £400,000 when he moved from Arsenal as a 16-year-old, but caretaker boss Trevor Brooking has let him join the Swans on a free transfer.

There is a sell-on clause as part of the deal, with West Ham set to receive a percentage of any future transfer fee for Britton.

The next main target in Flynn's sights is Martinez, the Swans' boss saying, "We're still in discussions. He has gone back to Spain to consider our offer and I'm reasonably optimistic.

"Put it this way, we've definitely got a fair chance on this one."

Flynn also hopes to capture the signatures of Roger Freestone, Kevin Nugent, Kris O'Leary and Lennie Johnrose before the weekend.

When the season ended, Flynn had only one player under contract - and that was Andrew Mumford, a player he didn't want.

"It means we've had an incredibly hectic period as I've worked to re-sign players I feel can play a big part for us in the new season," said Flynn.

"But once we finish this round of negotiations, I think that will be it for the start of the season.

"I plan to have an 18-man squad which will be OK to begin with. Obviously, though, as injuries, suspension and loss of form bite in, I will need to look at it again as the season goes on."

But they must never again let themselves get into the sort of precarious position which threatened their very league status, says the man who took the Swans to the top of Division One.

John Toshack was alarmed that his old club almost dipped out of the league, only escaping by beating Hull in a nail-biting finale at The Vetch.

But Toshack stressed the rookie board of directors in charge of the Swans must give the right direction to ensure the only way is up from here.

"The result against Hull brought a huge sense of relief to everyone in and around Swansea - but I just hope that at around 4.45pm on the last day of season, the club started work to ensure that this kind of thing never happens again," said Toshack.

"Swansea's situation is unique in as much as they don't seem to have a chairman or figurehead running the club. They have seen the warning signs and they must work hard throughout the summer to put the club back on track."

Toshack argued, "We shouldn't be dancing around celebrating the fact that Swansea finished 89th out of 92 clubs in the Football League."

But he pointed out, "One positive aspect of the whole ordeal was the fans' reaction.

"The Vetch was full for the last two home matches, so that shows you the club has got something to hold on to.

"But if the fans see that the situation hasn't improved after a few games of next season, even some of the most loyal of fans will feel let down."

LEE TRUNDLE could be on his way to the Vetch Field after Swansea City boss Brian Flynn admitted talks with the all-action striker were "at an advanced stage."

Trundle is out of contract with Wrexham and, although the Red Dragons have made him an improved offer, Flynn is confident of landing the 26-year-old.

Wrexham have just won promotion to Division Two, but Trundle could drop back into the Third Division since the Swans have offered him a better financial package.

And, if the Liverpudlian does sign for the Swans, it will see him reunited with the man who gave him his Football League break.

It was Flynn, then Wrexham manager, who plucked the striker out of non-league obscurity in February 2001 when he paid Rhyl £60,000 for the player.

"I've tried to keep our interest under wraps, but we have been in talks with Lee's agent for four weeks now and we have made him an offer," Swans director of football Flynn told the club's official website.

"It's fair to say that we are optimistic about our chances and I'm actively pursuing his signature.

"But, like all things at the moment, we have to be patient and wait to see what happens."

Flynn is desperate to strengthen his forward line and he has already admitted his interest in former Queens Park Rangers man Karl Connolly, another player he had at Wrexham, and ex-Motherwell raider Dirk Lehmann.

And he also wants to retain the services of Kevin Nugent for the new campaign.

Trundle enjoyed a sensational start to his Wrexham career, netting eight goals in his first 14 league games.

Last season he scored 12 times to help Denis Smith's men finish third in Division Three, but he was overshadowed by the exploits of fellow striker Andy Morrell, who bagged 34.

Morrell has already left the Racecourse to join First Division Coventry City - and Smith is now bracing himself for Trundle's departure.

Trundle, revealing the Swans have offered him "a good bit more money" than his current club, said, "Wrexham gave me my big chance and I will always be grateful for that.

"But I can't be held to that for the rest of my career. Andy Morrell wasn't and I'm sure Wrexham fans realise why he has gone."

A couple of First Division clubs are said to be interested in Trundle but the Swans are the first club to make him a serious offer.

But there was better news for Wrexham last night as midfielder Jim Whitley is expected to sign a new deal at the Racecourse, extending a stay that began two years ago when he moved from Manchester City.

Swansea City have signed striker James Thomas and midfielder Leon Britton on two-year contracts.

Thomas, who joined Swansea on a free transfer after being released by Blackburn Rovers, was the club's top scorer last season with 15 league goals. And Britton has committed himself to the Swans after making a massive impact during a six month loan spell at the Vetch.

Midfielder Jonathan Coates and left-back Michael Howard have also agreed terms on one year deals.

Thomas secured a place in Swansea folklore by scoring a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over Hull City that saved them from relegation on the last day of the season. "Fifteen goals wasn't a bad return in my first season, but I'm aiming to improve on it," Thomas told the club's website.

"There has been a lot said this season about no Swans player scoring 20 goals in a season for so long, so I'll be delighted if I can do that. "To be honest, I'll be happy as long as I can beat 15."

Veteran goalkeeper Roger Freestone is expected to sign a new deal later on Thursday.

Scott Sellars, Peter Beagrie and Bradley Allen are among the Division Three players who are out of contract this month. See who could be leaving your club:

Boston: David Town, James Gould, Mark Angel, Nick Conroy, Paul Bastock, Paul Fewings, Peter Costello.

Bristol Rovers: Bradley Allen, Kevin Austin, Lewis Hogg, Mark McKeever, Scott Howie, Trevor Challis, Vitalijs Astafjevs.

Bury: Edward Tarsusugil, Jon Newby, Marc Whiteman, Matt Barrass, Nicky Hill, Steve Redmond.

Cambridge: Anthony Scully, Daryl Bourgeois, David Theobald, Graham Rush, Omer Riza, Owen Paynter.

Carlisle: Adam Thwaites, Jon McCarthy, Luke Weaver, Marc Nixon.

Cheltenham: Tony Naylor, Julian Alsop, Lee Williams, Neil Howarth, Richard Kear, Russell Milton, Steve Jones.

Darlington: Adam Reed, Mark Ford, Paul Campbell, Richard Hodgson, Simon Betts, Stuart Whitehead.

Doncaster: Alan Morgan, Barry Miller, Gareth Owen, Keith Foy, Stuart Nelson, Tristan Whitman.

Huddersfield: Adrian Moses, Chris Holland, Eddie Youds, Gareth Evans, Jon Dyson, Kenny Irons, Kevin Sharp, Nat Brown, Simon Baldry, Thomas Heary.

Hull City: Jamie Heard, Lawrie Dudfield, Lee Philpott.

Kidderminster: Hugh McAuley, Ian Foster.

Leyton Orient: Andrew Harris, Carl Hutchings, John Martin, Scott Barrett.

Lincoln: Adam Buckley, Adie Mike, Ben Sedgemore, Chris Ward, Richard Logan.

Macclesfield: Ben Abbey, David Eaton, John Askey, Lee Hardy, Lee Martin, Paul Aldridge, Paul O'Neill.

Mansfield: Keith Welch, Scott Sellars.

Northampton: Chris Marsh, Daryl Burgess, Duncan Spedding, Jeremy Gill, John Frain, Marco Gabbiadini, Nathan Abbey, Paul McGregor, Richard Hope.

Oxford: David Oldfield, David Savage, Ian McCaldon, Paul Powell, Roy Hunter, Steve Basham.

Rochdale: Gareth Griffiths, John Baker, Matt Doughty, Michael Oliver, Neil Bennett, Paul Simpson, Steve Smith.

Scunthorpe: Ian Kilford, James Cotterill, Kim Grant, Martin Carruthers, Nathan Stanton, Paul Wheatcroft, Peter Beagrie, Richard Kell, Rob Taylor, Scott Brough.

Southend: Barrington Belgrave, Brett Darby, Damon Searle, Daniel Gay, Daniel Lunan , Daryl Flahavan, Gavin Strachan, Mark Beard, Mark Rawle, Stephen Broad.

Swansea: Andrew Mumford, David Moss, Gareth Phillips, James Thomas, Jamie Wood, John Williams, Kevin Nugent, Kieron Durkan, Kristian O'Leary, Lee Jenkins, Lenny Johnrose, Matt Murphy, Neil Sharp, Roberto Martinez, Roger Freestone, Steve Watkin, Terry Evans.

Torquay: Gary Brabin, Kevin Dearden, Paul Holmes, Sean Hankin.

Yeovil: James Aggrey.

York: Christian Fox, Chris Smith, Craig Wilding, Gary Hobson, Graham Potter, Jonathan Collinson, Lee Nogan, Paul Talbot, Tom Cowan.

Lenny Johnrose is hoping to carry on his long-distance relation ship with Swansea City next season. Brian Flynn wants the 33-year-old midfielder on board at Vetch Field when the new Third Division campaign kicks off in August.

And though there are others chasing his signature, Lancashire-based Johnrose has revealed Swansea would be his first choice club if he can carry on living in the north-west.

''The main stumbling block is probably that I am 250 miles away,'' said Johnrose.

''I have recently bought a new house in Preston and my wife has just had a baby.

''She has a good job here too, so I don't really want to move for what will more than likely be only one year's contract.''

After preliminary talks with Flynn, the former Burnley ball-winner is hopeful that the location hurdle can be cleared.

Despite being linked with Lancashire side Rochdale, he continued: ''There has been a bit of interest from other clubs, though nothing has been offered yet and I'm not going to say we're talking about 10 different clubs getting in touch.

''Ideally, I would like to sort something out with Swansea,'' he added.

''I cannot stress how much I enjoyed playing there last season.

''I loved everything about the club and, even if we don't want a repeat of it next time, the last game against Hull was terrific.

''So hopefully we can get around the distance problem. Everybody has to travel.''

Johnrose played an impressive role in Swansea's midfield last season - despite problems with a persistent calf injury - after arriving from Bury on a non-contract basis in January.

Powerful in the air, he provided useful to protection to Flynn's defence and chipped in with four goals in his 15 games for the club -one of them in that crucial final-day showdown with Hull which Swansea won 4-2.

Meanwhile, Swansea target Justin Walker has signed a deal with Cambridge United.

The former Exeter City midfielder had impressed Flynn when he played against Swansea in the Grecians' 1-0 victory at Vetch Field on Easter Monday.

German striker Dirk Lehmann has emerged as a summer transfer target for Swansea City. The 6ft targetman is looking for a new club after being released by cash-strapped Scottish Premier outfit Motherwell.

Seven goals in 37 appearances for Terry Butcher's struggling side - they finished bottom - made Lehmann Motherwell's second top scorer last season. But with the club in administration, the 31-year-old has fallen victim of financial cutbacks at Fir Park.

With a reputation as a reliable professional, Lehmann has also played for Hibernian and Brighton since leaving his homeland for Fulham in 1998.

"I have been aware of him since he was at Fulham," explained Swansea boss Brian Flynn. "He is very strong in the air, leads the line well and has just become available. I hope to talk to him this week."

Born in Aachen, the powerful centre-forward played for German Bundesliga side Energie Cottbus before heading to Britain.

In all, he has scored 30 times in 170 appearances - including 87 from the bench - since arriving in this country.

Flynn, meanwhile, has insisted he is lining up talks with Karl Connolly despite the former Wrexham player declaring he knew nothing of Swansea's interest.

Connolly, who has just been released by QPR, began his career at The Racecourse 12 years ago after Flynn spotted him playing non-league football.

The left side attacker said: "I have heard rumours that Swansea might be looking at me but I haven't spoken to anyone.

"I would certainly be interested in talking to them, though.

"A couple of clubs have phoned to see what I'm doing, but I know Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves very well and would like to hear from them. They gave me my start in football and we had some good times at Wrexham."

Swansea have confirmed they are trying to tempt Lee Trundle away from Wrexham.

Director of Football Brian Flynn says talks with Trundle have reached an advanced stage and he is optimistic of securing his signature. "It's something I've tried to keep under wraps, but yes, we have been in talks with Lee's agent for four weeks and now we have made him an offer," Flynn told the club's website.

"It's fair to say that we are optimistic about our chances and I'm actively perusing his signature, but like all things at the moment we have to be patient and wait to see what happens." Trundle, who scored 12 goals in Wrexham's Division Three promotion campaign, has been offered a new deal by the Red Dragons.

The club is desperate to hold onto the 26-year-old since losing last season's top scorer Andy Morrell to Coventry City. Trundle says a few First Division clubs are also showing an interest in him.

"We have had an offer from a Third Division club and it's a good bit more money than Wrexham are offering," said Trundle. "The thing is, I've never made any secret of the fact I want to play at the highest possible level - and that still stands.

"Wrexham gave me my big chance and I'll always be grateful for that, but at the end of the day I can't be held to that for the rest of my career. "Andy Morrell wasn't and I'm sure Wrexham fans realise why he has gone.

"I just want Wrexham fans to view me in the same light should my big chance come along.

"I've also got a couple of first division clubs interested in me, but so far only the third division club have put money on the table."

Flynn signed Trundle for Wrexham from League of Wales side Rhyl back in 2001.

SWANSEA CITY boss Brian Flynn has targeted 31-year-old German striker Dirk Lehmann about a move to the Vetch Field next season.

The Swans director of football will hold talks with the former Cologne and Fulham player this week about a move to the Third Division.

Flynn is keen to sign a target-man for next season and believes the hit-man from Aachen could be the ideal signing.

Lehmann has just been released by Scottish Premier League club Motherwell where he finished as the club's second top scorer last season with seven goals.

The 6ft 1in forward has Bundesliga experience having made 18 outings for Cologne from 1992-94.

He has also played for Fulham, Brighton and Hibernian as well as German Second Division club FC Energie Cottbus.

The Swans can expect stiff competition for Lehmann's signature - a number of clubs in his native Germany are interested in signing him while Scottish club Partick Thistle were keen on recruiting him last season.

Meanwhile midfielder Leon Britton, on loan from West Ham last season, is confident of staying with the Swans.

The classy Britton was a huge hit at the Vetch and was named the supporters' Player of the Year as well as winning a place in the PFA Division Three Team of the Year.

"Since I've been home from holiday things have progressed with West Ham. My agent has been speaking to them and I think there's just one thing left to sort out," he told the club's official website yesterday.

"This should be done in the next day or two. I don't really see any problems with West Ham to be honest.

"I've spoken to the gaffer (Flynn) and once everything is finalised we will be able to talk again later in the week in more detail. I'm optimistic that we can finalise everything very soon and I can look forward to going back to Swansea. As far as I can see everything will be OK."

Flynn held further talks with Roger Freestone, Lenny Johnrose and James Thomas over the weekend. And today he will be talking to Michael Howard, Kris O'Leary, Kevin Nugent, Jonathan Coates, Marc Richards and Roberto Martinez. Chris Plummer and Karl Connolly, both recently released by Queens Park Rangers, will also meet with Flynn this week .

DETECTIVES are planning to speak to the widow of a dead Swansea fan after a sick text message was displayed on the big screen at the Millennium Stadium poking fun at his death.

As reported in the Echo on Saturday, the hateful message was among mobile texts of support being printed on the screen before and during Cardiff's victorious play-off final against QPR. It read: "Terry Coles enjoy the game and watch out for the horses. Alan Davies.

" Father-of-two Terry Coles was a Swansea City fan who was trampled to death by a police horse in May 2000 as 100 supporters were being escorted by officers to Rotherham's Millmoor Ground.

Alan Davies was the Swansea player and former Welsh international who committed suicide in 1992. Police say they want to discuss the matter with Mr Cole's widow Christine to see if she wants the matter pursued as a police investigation.

Meanwhile, fans on both Swansea and Cardiff City message boards have continued to show solidarity in condemning the vile text.

One Cardiff fan, calling himself The Philosopher, said: "Someone, somewhere knows who this/these sick souls are - they need to be dealt with by the law under the appropriate heading.

When found the club should deal with them by banning them sine die with no prospect of reprieve."

Marilyn Croft, spokesperson for the Swansea Supporters Trust, called for the person responsible to be dealt with. "I think is absolutely moronic - it is a cruel thing to have happened. "It must have been some very sick individual to have done something like this."

Football League spokesman John Nagle said the mobile number of the person who sent the message had been obtained and the League were happy to co-operate with any police inquiry.

The Evening Post's Toshack Years special has reached former Vetch Field favourite Ante Rajkovic - at home in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The ex-Yugoslavia international defender has been busy reminiscing about the days when he was a star of Swansea City's First Division team thanks to one fan who had not forgotten the good times.

Lee Howard, a 35-year-old who grew up in Townhill but now lives in London, was working in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo when father Derek sent over a copy of the Toshack Years.

Lee explained: "My dad thought I would like to read it because of the great memories I had of that time.

"I was reading about Rajkovic when my interpreter, Tufo Mirsad, said he knew the coach of Sarajevo and might be able to find out where he was.

"It turned out Rajkovic was coaching at a club called Vitez about an hour from the capital and within a couple of days I had his mobile number.

"Tufo rang him and said a bloke from Swansea remembered him playing and would like to meet for a coffee and Ante said okay."

He continued: "We spent almost two and a half hours chatting about the good old days.

"He said he loved his days in Swansea and the people and sent his best wishes, particularly to his old partner in defence Speedy (Nigel Stevenson).

"He signed my copy of the Toshack Years, and we exchanged phone numbers. It was without doubt the highlight of my time in Bosnia."

German striker Dirk Lehmann has emerged as a summer transfer target for Swansea City. The 6ft targetman is looking for a new club after being released by cash-strapped Scottish Premier outfit Motherwell.

Seven goals in 37 appearances for Terry Butcher's struggling side - they finished bottom - made Lehmann Motherwell's second top scorer last season. But with the club in administration, the 31-year-old has fallen victim of financial cutbacks at Fir Park.

With a reputation as a reliable professional, Lehmann has also played for Hibernian and Brighton since leaving his homeland for Fulham in 1998.

"I have been aware of him since he was at Fulham," explained Swansea boss Brian Flynn. "He is very strong in the air, leads the line well and has just become available. I hope to talk to him this week."

Born in Aachen, the powerful centre-forward played for German Bundesliga side Energie Cottbus before heading to Britain.

In all, he has scored 30 times in 170 appearances - including 87 from the bench - since arriving in this country.

Flynn, meanwhile, has insisted he is lining up talks with Karl Connolly despite the former Wrexham player declaring he knew nothing of Swansea's interest.

Connolly, who has just been released by QPR, began his career at The Racecourse 12 years ago after Flynn spotted him playing non-league football.

The left side attacker said: "I have heard rumours that Swansea might be looking at me but I haven't spoken to anyone.

"I would certainly be interested in talking to them, though.

"A couple of clubs have phoned to see what I'm doing, but I know Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves very well and would like to hear from them. They gave me my start in football and we had some good times at Wrexham."

West Ham's Leon Britton is close to making a permanent return to the Vetch Field next season. The 20-year-old midfielder was a key member of the Swansea side and a firm favourite with the fans after joining the club on loan last December.

He has been told by relegated West Ham that he can leave on a free transfer, leaving the way clear to commit to Swansea. Director of football Brian Flynn will also meet another 20-year-old, left-back Leon Hylton, on Thursday morning after he was released by Aston Villa.

Hylton spent the last three months of last season on loan with the Swans from Villa.

Flynn has also confirmed that he is to hold talks with German striker Dirk Lehmann this week following the striker's release from Scottish Premier League strugglers Motherwell.

The 31-year-old is a former team-mate of Roberto Martinez - who is in negotiations to stay at the Vetch - and will meet Flynn with a view to a free transfer move. Lehmann has also played for Brighton & Hove Albion, Hibernian and Fulham in the UK, as well as Molenbeek, Energie Cottbuss, Alemannia Aachen and FC Cologne.

But Flynn has had to postpone his discussions with out-of-contract pair Karl Connolly, who is away on holiday and Chris Plummer.

The Swansea boss had hoped to meet the two players, who were released by QPR on Wednesday, together but will talk to Plummer next Monday.

SWANSEA CITY boss Brian Flynn has targeted 31-year-old German striker Dirk Lehmann about a move to the Vetch Field next season.

The Swans director of football will hold talks with the former Cologne and Fulham player this week about a move to the Third Division.

Flynn is keen to sign a target-man for next season and believes the hit-man from Aachen could be the ideal signing.

Lehmann has just been released by Scottish Premier League club Motherwell where he finished as the club's second top scorer last season with seven goals.

The 6ft 1in forward has Bundesliga experience having made 18 outings for Cologne from 1992-94.

He has also played for Fulham, Brighton and Hibernian as well as German Second Division club FC Energie Cottbus.

The Swans can expect stiff competition for Lehmann's signature - a number of clubs in his native Germany are interested in signing him while Scottish club Partick Thistle were keen on recruiting him last season.

Meanwhile midfielder Leon Britton, on loan from West Ham last season, is confident of staying with the Swans.

The classy Britton was a huge hit at the Vetch and was named the supporters' Player of the Year as well as winning a place in the PFA Division Three Team of the Year.

"Since I've been home from holiday things have progressed with West Ham. My agent has been speaking to them and I think there's just one thing left to sort out," he told the club's official website yesterday.

"This should be done in the next day or two. I don't really see any problems with West Ham to be honest.

"I've spoken to the gaffer (Flynn) and once everything is finalised we will be able to talk again later in the week in more detail. I'm optimistic that we can finalise everything very soon and I can look forward to going back to Swansea. As far as I can see everything will be OK."

Flynn held further talks with Roger Freestone, Lenny Johnrose and James Thomas over the weekend. And today he will be talking to Michael Howard, Kris O'Leary, Kevin Nugent, Jonathan Coates, Marc Richards and Roberto Martinez. Chris Plummer and Karl Connolly, both recently released by Queens Park Rangers, will also meet with Flynn this week .

Local lads Kristian O'Leary and Jonathan Coates say they would love to be part of Brian Flynn's new-look Swansea City. The pair met the director of football for contract talks yesterday after returning from holiday and are ready to make a decision on their futures at Vetch Field.

O'Leary and Coates have 16 seasons' experience behind them with the club and want to continue into next season.

They believe that Flynn and assistant Kevin Reeves have good ideas and want to be part of taking Swansea to better things.

''Yesterday was the first time we had a chance to sit down and discuss things,'' said Port Talbot-born O'Leary.

''I think they have good plans for the club and after speaking to a number of players, we all believe what they want to do is the right way forward.

''I have been at the club for years and I could not imagine not playing for Swansea.

''Last season was tough for us all, but we all believe in what the management is trying to do, and if we show the same commitment as we did last season I can see us doing well. I would love to be a part of that.

''They have offered a contract and I have to be thankful that I am part of their plans.''

This time last season Coates was shown the door by former player-boss Nick Cusack which put things into perspective for the Morriston-born midfielder.

He has also been made an offer and is confident he will be pulling on the white shirt for what would be his 10th season at the Vetch.

''They offered me a deal and I asked for what I wanted,'' said Coates.

''Now the usual steps will be taken and hopefully it will be sorted out soon. I have got a good feeling about things at the club now. I believe that Brian and Kevin can take it places.

''As they say, football is a funny old game. What happened last year was not nice but in football you have to look to the future.

''Hopefully I can just have a better season and my football goes in the same direction as the club seems to be going.

Coates looked at the success of rivals Cardiff and said it was important that Swansea followed in their footsteps.

And he added that signing players of the quality of Roberto Martinez and Leon Britton would be a major plus for the club.

''That would be brilliant if we could get them to sign again,'' said Coates.

''You have to have quality players in the side. Its not nice being the bottom side in Wales and we have to look at Cardiff and try to aim to get where they are.''

SWANSEA CITY have confirmed they will be making a pre-season trip to Holland.

The Swans will play two matches in The Hague, sometime between the week of July 26 and August 1.

Dutch Premier League side ADO Den Haag, who last week clinched promotion back to the top flight after four seasons in the First Division, will provide opposition, as will a yet unnamed local side.

The game against Den Haag will be the first game of the new season at the Zuiderpark Stadium, so a healthy crowd is expected to honour the promotion-winning side

Swansea spent a week in the same area of Holland last year when Nick Cusack was in charge of team affairs.

Brian Flynn, Swansea's director of football, was keen to return there for further pre- season games after playing Bristol City, at home on Saturday, July 19, and at Shrewsbury Town a week later.

BRIAN FLYNN will meet Queens Park Rangers pair Chris Plummer and Karl Connolly next week with a view to the pair joining Swansea City. Swans director of football Flynn yesterday confirmed that the out-of-contract duo would be in South Wales to discuss the possibility of playing in a Swans shirt in Division Three next season.

Both 33-year-old former Wrexham striker Connolly and Plummer were told last week that they would not be offered new contracts at Rangers as manager Ian Holloway looks to bounce back from the Division Two play-off final defeat to Cardiff City by launching another challenge for promotion nest season.

"Karl is someone I know very well from our Wrexham days," said Flynn. "He's an experienced pro, combative and capable of getting goals, while Chris is a solid strong defender who has played in the First Division for QPR." Centre-half Plummer is a former England Under-21 international, who has been with QPR since his trainee days.

Connolly joined QPR in May 2000 after spending nine years of his career at The Racecourse. "These talks are just a first point of contact so there's nothing to get overly excited about," Flynn told the club's official website.

"Things might progress with them or they might not."

Swansea City spokesman Peter Owen yesterday confirmed that the club would be remembering the late Trevor Ford, who died after a long illness at the age of 79 earlier this week, in the first home game of the new season. Owen said, "I'm sure the club will be doing something, but there is such a long time between now and then that we have no details yet."

The Swans have announced full details of matchday and season ticket prices for next season with an across-the-board increase of £1 on match-day admission to help boost Flynn's budget. Match-day admission to the centre stand is £15 with season tickets costing £265 before June 30 and £295 afterwards.

East Stand admission is £14 and £8 for children and OAPs, while season ticket prices are £245. The Wing Stand will cost £13 per match, £225 for a season ticket, while the North Bank is £11 and £190 for the season.

Admission to the East Terrace is also £11 and £190 for the season. Swans fans will receive a Gold Membership Card - with key benefits - if season tickets are purchased before June 30.

No season tickets can be purchased for the Family Stand or West Terrace.

Swansea City will be voting yes to a proposed extension of the play-off system next season at the annual meeting of the Football League next month. The annual get-together of the 72 Nationwide League clubs on June 5 will discuss a plan for the end-of-season games to be extended to six teams instead of the current four.

And despite rivals Cardiff City, in the shape of the ebullient Sam Hammam, coming out against the new proposal, the league expects the new plan to be ratified.

The new move would mean the side finishing ninth in theThird Division having a chance of making it to Division Two via a Millennium Stadium final after coming through one-legged games against teams finishing sixth and fourth respectively.

Going on this season's final table, Torquay, who finished ninth, would have qualified with 66 points despite winning only 16 matches.

Hammam argues the league system would be devalued, although Cardiff reached their promotion goal after finishing sixth, behind QPR who they defeated in the Millennium Stadium showdown.

Swansea director Huw Jenkins can see Hammam's point of view but says Swansea will be backing the new proposals after looking at it from all angles.

''You have to look at it from a wider persepective,'' said Jenkins. ''I can see the arguments involving the points situation but if it means extra revenue to clubs like ours then it has to be good.

''From our point of view we will almost certainly vote yes.

''We will go along with it because it has to be beneficial. It's all about the financial implications and we have to look at the wide issues.''

This is the second successive year that a change in play-offs has been put forward.

The campaign just ended resulted in a play-off for Nationwide Conference sides for promotion to the Third Division while two sides were relegated for the first time.

Jenkins added: ''You have to forget about the points thing and look at it from another point of view. It's not just about Swansea City, it's about the other teams in the league.''

Roberto Martinez would be happy to continue his love affair with Swansea City providing the club continues to strive for the high life outside Division Three. The influential Spanish midfielder is set for further talks with director of football Brian Flynn this week after initial discussions regarding his Swansea future went well in Manchester on Tuesday.

Martinez was offered a new deal by Flynn and the 29-year-old was delighted to see that both the management and the board both had the same positive outlook and if that continued he may well be back in a white shirt when the season starts in August.

"I was very happy to be told what the position regarding the club's future was", he said.

" I don't think that a club like Swansea should be in the Third Division.

" And after speaking with Brian I am glad to say he and the board don't think that either.

"What I don't want is to come back and just play in the Third Division.

" I would love to be a part of helping Swansea get promotion.

" I really enjoyed my time at the club last season and built up a special chemistry with the fans.

"They were magnificent and they don't deserve to see their club in the Third Division. What I want is to go for promotion

"I will be talking to Brian later this week again.

"It's too soon to say what will happen. We need to speak about important things but as I said I would love to be a part of helping Swansea to achieve greater things."

Martinez admits that he had spoken to two other managers as he looks to sort out his own future, but said he would not be using that as a bargaining tool in any contract discussions.

"I have told those managers that I would be talking to Swansea and Brian first," he said.

"We went through a lot together in those last 12 weeks of the season.

"All the players know how close they came to losing out and getting relegated.

"We don't want that to happen again and if I can be a part of getting Swansea promoted then I would love that.

"What I don't want is to languish in the Third Division and I am happy to see that the club don't want that either.

SWANSEA CITY skipper Jason Smith yesterday opened talks with director of football Brian Flynn over a new contract, writes Mario Risoli.

The centre-back, a key man in the Swans side that won the Third Division title in 2000, met Flynn after returning from a holiday in Majorca.

"The bottom line is that I want to stay. I want to play for Brian and his No 2, Kevin Reeves," the defender said.

"I like the way they approach things. They are very good coaches. They have got a lot of experience and I am very proud they have given me the captaincy.

"The boss has made me an offer, I've come up with a few ideas and he's going to get back to me over the next few days."

Flynn has also begun negotiations with Spanish midfielder Roberto Martinez, hugely influential in the Swans avoiding the drop into the Nationwide Conference.

He met the former Real Zaragoza, Wigan and Walsall player in Manchester on Tuesday. Martinez's contract expires next month and Flynn is anxious the playmaker stays for next season.

"I made Roberto aware that I see him playing a major role," said Flynn. "He wants to sign for us, and of course I want him to sign. but we are still some way from agreeing anything.

"He has returned to Spain to think it over but I have not set him any deadlines for a decision.

"I would be naive to think that he has not got any other options available.

"The way he played for us in the last three months of the season means that people would have taken notice.

"But he has given me his word that he won't be discussing anything with other clubs while discussions with us are on-going."

At present only Lee Jenkins has agreed to remain at the Vetch for another year.

Roberto Martinez has told BBC Sport he has received an offer to join a First Division club - be insisted he would love to stay with Swansea City.

The Spanish midfielder met Swans director of football Brian Flynn on Tuesday to open contract negotiations on a long-term deal.

Flynn singed Martinez on a free transfer in January, and the 29-year-old played a pivotal role in Swansea's successful fight for Football League survival.

His commitment and skill made him an instant favourite among the Vetch faithful, and Martinez says the relationship with the fans will be a important factor when deciding whether or not he stays.

"The last day against Hull is something that will be in my memory and my heart forever," said Martinez.

"Things like that always help when you have to make a decision. But it's very important that everything has to be right."

Martinez refused to name the First Division club which has shown an interest, but revealed he almost signed for them after leaving Motherwell last summer.

Another club has also made an offer, but Martinez said he will listen to Swansea's offer before considering a move elsewhere.

Martinez added: "I would love to stay at Swansea. What I experienced in the last three months was really special.

"The chemistry between the supporters was fantastic and I really believe the supporters and the club deserves to be in the First Division.

"But now we're a Third Division club and we need to put extra effort. I would like to see more direction from the club.

"I don't want to stay at Swansea just to play Third Division football. But I believe the club directors want to take the club forward and be successful.

"I would love to be part of that."