Chris Llewellyn has revealed the prospect of Third Division football put him off Swansea City, declaring: "I didn't even want to drop to Division Two." The former Norwich City flyer has snubbed a move to his hometown club in favour of newly-promoted Second Division side Wrexham.

And Llewellyn, who was born in Merthyr but grew up in Mayhill, has explained that his decision to head north was based on league status alone.

"It was a difficult choice for me and in the end it came down to playing in the Second Division rather than the Third," he said.

"Swansea are talking about big things happening at the Vetch and getting promotion soon. And if they had been 100 per cent certain of going up next season, I would have signed for them.

"But I didn't want to take a chance and end up getting stuck in Division Three. I don't even want to play in Division Two."

After penning a three-year deal at The Racecourse, Llewellyn revealed Swansea had offered him only a two-year contract.

But the twice-capped Welsh international insisted the different terms did not sway his decision.

"It was not about the money," he added. "Swansea more or less matched Wrexham anyway. It was about playing at a higher level in what hopefully will be a successful side and as a result getting my place in the Welsh squad back." He continued: "I hope there are no hard feelings towards me among Swansea's fans.

"Swansea are the first team I look for when the results come through, that's how it was at Norwich and that's how it will be at Wrexham.

"And you never know, a few years down the line I might end up at the club if they can get promoted and match my ambitions.

"In the meantime, I think I'll just have to wear a pair of dark glasses and a hat when I get the chance to stand on the North Bank myself."

Following the departures of Andy Morrell and Lee Trundle this summer, Llewellyn will be part of a new-look Wrexham strike force next season alongside Chris Armstrong.

The former Tottenham forward will sign on at the club where he began his career next week having been released by Bolton.

"If you had told me in May that we would be in a position to sign both Chris Llewellyn and Chris Armstrong, I'd have put you in a straight jacket," beamed Dragons boss Denis Smith.

BRADFORD City have announced ticket details for their centenary tournament featuring Swansea City later this month.

Swansea will go to Yorkshire as part of their preparations for the new Third Division campaign.

Brian Flynn's side will have the chance to shine against testing opposition, kicking off the tournament with a tricky game against Scottish Premier League outfit Aberdeen on July 26 (3.45pm).

Hosts Bradford entertain Irish side Coleraine on the same afternoon (1.30pm).

The two losing sides will contest the third-fourth place play-off the following day (11.30am), with the final scheduled for 1.45pm.

Valley Parade's Sunwin and Carlsberg Stands will be open for all spectators, with turnstiles opening at 10.30am. Two-day tickets are available at a reduced price.

Bradford's banqueting suite will be open to all supporters for lunch and brunch on July 27.

ADMISSION PRICES - Adults £10
OAPs £7
Juveniles £3

Two-day tickets:
Adults £15
OAPs £10
Juveniles £4

Swansea City boss Brian Flynn is lining up two alternative strikers as confusion continues to reign over the future of top target Lee Trundle. The Vetch Field director of football was still in the dark today over whether the player he discovered during his time at Wrexham would rejoin him in South Wales amid suggestions that Trundle received a last-minute offer from another club.

And after missing out on another forward, Welsh international Chris Llewellyn, earlier this week, Flynn has identified a pair of emerging talents who could compete with James Thomas and Kevin Nugent to lead Swansea's assault on Division Three next season.

"We do need a striker," he declared.

"And hopefully Lee will say yes to our offer and he will be that man.

"But I have already got other things planned in case he doesn't join us.

"I have had a provisional okay from two managers to take young strikers on long-term loans, one from the Premiership and one from Division One."

Trundle's agent, Neil Sang, said: "I've told Lee what I think he should do but it's up to him now. There are a number of clubs in the running, one of which is Swansea, and it's up him to make his mind up. He's the boss."

Flynn, meanwhile, has insisted he is happy with the way his squad is shaping up despite having only 15 players on board ahead of pre-season training on Monday.

"I'm not too concerned that we haven't got to 20 yet," said Flynn, who returned from a two-week holiday in the Canary Islands on Thursday.

"We've got four or five players coming on trial next week and in the cases of Karl Connolly and Kieron Durkan it is just down to them to prove their fitness.

"We need a centre-back and I have offered Andy Jordan the chance to come and train with us. The goalkeeping situation should be sorted next week, with a deal for Tony Pennock likely to go ahead then."

The Swansea boss refused to rule out a move Cardiff City's Andy Legg after he left Ninian Park.

"I have not spoken to him, but he's a very good professional who played a lot of games for Cardiff last season," he added.

"He's nearly 37, but he's very fit for his age and I'm not bothered about how old players are as long as they are fit.

"I signed Alan Kennedy when he was 37 and Jimmy Case when he was 36."

Swansea trialist Karl Connolly is confident that he can prove his fitness and earn a permanent contract at Vetch Field.

Connolly was released by QPR this summer but has been given the chance to link up with Swans boss Brian Flynn, who he played under at Wrexham for nine years.

The 33-year-old has been struggling with injury, and he told the club's official website: "It's a problem at the bottom of the foot.

"Every time I sprinted I felt my foot was going to rip. It's all sorted now and I'm confident that with a couple of weeks training under my belt I'll be okay.

"We've had a little chat about contracts but I've just got to prove my fitness first, which I will do."

Swansea City are keeping a close eye on former Vetch Field favourite Andy Legg after the veteran midfielder parted company with Cardiff City. Neath-born Legg, 37 later this month, has quit Ninian Park having been asked to take a massive 70 per cent pay cut to stay on with the club in Division One.

On hearing news of Legg's departure, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins - a friend of the former Welsh international - got straight on the phone.

''I was surprised to see on the television what had happened and I spoke to Andy to discuss his situation,'' he said. ''He played more than 40 games for Cardiff last season and I think he could still do a good job in Division Two or Division Three.''

Jenkins continued: ''I wanted to see what his thoughts were and what options he had.

''He said he was surprised and disappointed with what had happened at Cardiff but that he was in no rush to sort his future out. I will say that we intend to monitor his situation, though whether he ends up back at Swansea would be entirely up to Brian (Flynn) and Kevin (Reeves).''

Legg, capped six times by Wales, enjoyed five seasons at Cardiff and was one of the stars of the Second Division play-off final.

His professional career began at the Vetch, where he spent five years before joining Notts County for £275,000 in 1993.

A versatile left-sided performer known for his long throw-ins, Legg has also played for Birmingham, Ipswich, Reading and Peterborough - one of a host of clubs said to be interested in his signature now.

"I will be talking to Swansea," he said. "It will be difficult going back there, but I can't say for definite that I won't rejoin the club. You can never say never."

The future of Swansea target Lee Trundle, meanwhile, remains equally uncertain.

The 26-year-old forward was due to give his long-awaited answer to Flynn today but is still considering his options.

''Lee's had some good offers from various clubs and rightly so. He's a very sought after striker because he can make or break a side's chances of promotion,'' said the player's agent, Neil Sang. ''We cannot rule Swansea in or out. Brian Flynn and Kevin Reeves have been real gentlemen and put a heck of a case forward for Swansea, but there are several clubs interested, so it could be that there's no decision until next Monday."

Tranmere, who had been linked with Trundle, have insisted they are not chasing the former Rhyl man. Port Vale, who admitted their interest earlier this week, seem unlikely to get Football League clearance to sign anybody.

Former Swan Christian Edwards has joined Bristol Rovers on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest.

Darren Keane, left, and Nick Rees, who together founded the Expat Over-30 soccer league, battling for the ball at a recent game.


Athletes may hit their physical peak in their late 20s, but a group of over-30 expats aren't letting that stop them from taking their skills to the soccer pitch.

The action in Moscow's new expat soccer league wouldn't be confused with a Champions League final. But the league does provide expatriates who are over 30 with weekend exercise and a chance to satisfy their soccer addiction.

Two expat businessmen, Nick Rees and Darren Keane, put together the league three weeks ago with a round-robin tournament on the pitch of the Anglo-American School in northwest Moscow.

Play has continued each weekend since on the Astroturf pitch at the Young Pioneers Stadium on Leningradsky Prospekt.

Rees said the games thus far have been only knockabouts in advance of official league play, which will begin this weekend.

There are currently six teams signed up for the league: the Intermark Moscow Flagons, a play on the name of the local expat rugby team, the Moscow Dragons; the British Embassy; the Dutch Team; Proctor and Gamble; the Anglo/American School Staff team; and The Casino Group.

Finding a quality playing field has been the biggest obstacle for the league thus far. The Astroturf at the Young Pioneers Stadium has a layer of concrete padding underneath it, which means that when players fall, they fall hard. In the winter the stadium is used as a skating rink.

"We're still looking for a pitch, preferably with some grass," Rees said. "All we need is a space where it's safe to play, so we don't have guys breaking their legs."

Rees said that the pitch at the Anglo-American School is an ideal location.

He is talking to officials at the school about arranging a permanent weekend home for his league there.

"We'd like to play there every Saturday afternoon," Rees said. "And then have shashlik and beers afterward."

A recent game between The Casino Group and the Intermark Moscow Flagons ended in a tightly contested 4-3 victory for the Casino team.

Players were visibly fatigued for most of the game, though both sides looked markedly refreshed coming out of the interval after gulping energy drinks and smoking cigarettes.

"Most of us are over 30 and overweight, but it's great fun," Rees said. "It's better than sitting in the bar on a Saturday afternoon and getting drunk."


Anyone interested in joining the Expat Over-30 soccer league can contact Nick Rees at nickrees99@yahoo.com.

KARL CONNOLLY was at the Vetch yesterday ahead of Swansea City's pre-season training next week.

The former Wrexham striker visited the ground with his family before linking up with his prospective new team-mates on Monday as he hopes to secure a contract with the club for the new season.

The 33-year-old was released by Queens Park Rangers at the end of last season after three years at Loftus Road and will need to prove his fitness before signing for the Swans.

But Connolly revealed how he had no hesitation when his former Wrexham boss Brian Flynn invited him to the club. Connolly said, "We had some good times together at Wrexham so, as soon as the phone call came, I was straight down here. " Connolly netted over 100 goals at The Racecourse, but was sidelined for five months at QPR with a foot injury that restricted his movement.

"It's a problem at the bottom of the foot," Connolly told the club's website. "Every time I sprinted I felt my foot was going to rip. "It's all sorted now and I'm confident that with a couple of weeks training under my belt I'll be OK.

" The Swans are still expecting Lee Trundle to turn up for talks at the Vetch Field next week despite fresh speculation linking the former Wrexham hitman with Port Vale last night.

Wales international Chris Llewellyn has signed for Wrexham.

The 23-year-old wing spent much of last season on loan at Bristol Rovers and was released by Norwich City this summer, with clubs including Notts County and Swansea clamouring for his signature. The arrival of Llewellyn, who has two senior Wales caps, at the Racecourse Ground is a major coup for manager Denis Smith as he rebuilds his squad.

"It can't have been often that Wrexham has been able to sign a Welsh international and one who is still only 23-years-old," Smith told the club's official website. "I feel this is a great capture for us, as I have seen Chris in action on several occasions and to be honest, he has frightened the life out of me!

"Wrexham supporters will remember him from his performance for Bristol Rovers against us last season, when he scored twice. He has the ability, strength and size to do well for us."

Smith has already seen strikers Andy Morrell and Lee Trundle walk away on free transfers - Morrell to Coventry and Trundle to an as yet unnamed team - so it was important to fill the gaps in his team-sheet. "Chris wants to play up front and we have had a long chat about what I want from him," Smith added.

"He can also play in midfield, having done that for Norwich, but as I say about good players, if he can play, then he can play in several positions and that gives us a little bit more freedom. "It's not been easy, but in our present financial position we have been looking at quality rather than quantity.

"I have had to be patient this summer and bide my time, but it's looking as if the waiting has been worthwhile. "I'm excited by the thought of Chris signing and if we can add another player to the squad, then I'll be happy about our prospects for the coming season."

SWANSEA CITY last night moved to play down suggestions that Lee Trundle is close to agreeing a move to the Vetch - despite the striker making a special visit to the city.

Speculation Trundle is about to be unveiled as a Swans player was fuelled yesterday when he revealed he would not be returning to Wrexham next season.

That news came 24 hours after Trundle travelled to South Wales to get his first taste of Swansea and spoke with Swans coach Kevin Reeves and chairman Huw Jenkins at the Vetch.

The out-of-contract attacker has attracted interest from several clubs and, having spent weeks weighing up his options, will definitely sign for one of them tomorrow - the day Swans boss Brian Flynn returns from holiday.

And hopes that Trundle could be on his way to the Vetch received a further boost yesterday when Port Vale dropped out of the race to sign him after being slapped with a Football League transfer embargo.

But both Reeves and Jenkins urged Swans fans not to get their hopes up that Liverpool-born Trundle will plump for a move to South Wales.

"Lee wanted to have a good look round the area, but he has done that with a number of clubs," said Reeves.

"And don't forget that we thought a deal had been done with Kristian Rogers, but Sheffield United stepped in at the last moment.

"Things can happen like that. It only needs a last-minute phone call from another club.

"Lee is non-committal. He has not given us any indication as to what he will do, but will have to come up with an answer one way or the other by Friday."

Jenkins added, "I don't want people getting the impression Lee is about to sign for us.

"I am not sure what he plans to do. It's best to keep an open mind on it."

Another club reported to be interested in Trundle, Coventry, are not expected to sign him as they already have a trio of new strikers.

Trundle's departure from the Racecourse leaves Wrexham manager Denis Smith searching for two new front-men, following Andy Morrell's move to Highfield Road earlier this summer.

"I'm sorry to get the answer from Lee," said Smith. "But at least we have a decision and we know where we stand."

One player who has finally signed on the dotted line at Swansea is midfielder Lenny Johnrose, the 33-year-old agreeing a 12-month contract.

Lenny Johnrose will play for Swansea City next season after agreeing to set up a second home in South Wales. The Preston-based midfielder trained with former club Burnley last season and commuted to Swansea's matches after joining on a non-contract basis in January.

With his young family settled in the north-west, Johnrose had hoped to continue his long-distance relationship with the club next term.

Swansea were unhappy with that idea, though, and Johnrose has now agreed to get some accommodation in the city so he can train with Brian Flynn's squad full time.

Despite suffering with a couple of muscle injuries, the 33-year-old excelled alongside Roberto Martinez and Leon Britton last season and will sign a one-year contract subject to a medical when Swansea's players return for pre-season training next Monday.

Flynn, meanwhile, is still waiting to hear whether his bids to sign Lee Trundle and Chris Llewellyn have been successful.

Both players were expected to have reached decisions by now, but Swansea were today holding on for news along with a host of other sides.

Wrexham also want both players, while another unnamed Second Division club are pursuing Trundle. Port Vale, though, have now dropped out of the race because of financial problems.

Notts County, currently in the midst of a takeover, are the other side chasing Swansea-product Llewellyn and claim to be confident of landing the twice-capped Welsh international.

"We are still talking to Lee and Chris and it is conceivable that we could end up getting both of them or neither of them," said Vetch Field coach Kevin Reeves.

"They are both quality players who have attracted a lot of interest and it's good for us just being in for them. It shows the calibre of player we're looking for.

"We definitely need to get a striker, but it would not be a disaster if neither comes to us. We will just have to look elsewhere, though we're not contemplating that at the moment."

With pre-season training just five days away, Swansea have 15 - including Johnrose - of the 20 players they wanted on board for next term.

Despite the shortfall, Reeves has insisted the club's summer rebuilding work is going to plan.

"I think we have done well to get that many at this stage when you consider we only had one player under contract at the end of last season and he is leaving the club," he added.

"There's been a massive turnaround already, and the new faces may still be arriving as the start of the season approaches."

Meanwhile, the club has announced some fixture alterations for the new season.

The home match with Boston will now be played on Friday, August 22, at 7.45pm, while both home and away matches with Doncaster have also been moved to a Friday nights.

The away match is on December 19 while the home game is brought forward to March 5.

The Vetch Field clash with Leyton Orient will be played on Friday, February 13.

Swansea's first-round clash with Bristol City at Ashton Gate in the newly-named Carling Cup will be played on Wednesday, August 13 (7.45).

Swansea City reject Andrew Mumford could come back to haunt Brian Flynn in the opening weeks of next season - as an Oxford United player. The U's, who Swansea face just 16 days into the new Third Division season, want Mumford to join fellow former Swans Matthew Bound and Julian Alsop at the Kassam Stadium.

Mumford is also attracting interest from Football League new boys Yeovil and Scottish First Division outfit Raith Rovers.

And although he still has a year to run on his Swansea contract, the Welsh Under-21 international has accepted that his future lies away from Vetch Field after he was transfer-listed by director of football Flynn.

''I definitely won't be at Swansea for pre-season training next week,'' Mumford said.

''What's the point of going back to a place if you are not wanted?

''You have got to move sooner or later anyway, and the time has come for me now.

''Raith have offered me a two-year contract and I'm flying up to spend a couple of days with them tomorrow before going to Oxford next week. Depending on how it all goes, I might go and have a look at Yeovil too.''

Mumford, who has also had a call from long-time admirers Grimsby, was often out of favour at the Vetch last season despite taking the player-of-the-year award for the previous campaign.

Even after a difficult 12 months, the 22-year-old has declared an interest in returning to his hometown club in the future.

''I am disappointed to be leaving Swansea because it's my local team and I have a lot of friends at the Vetch,'' he added.

''But the manager either likes you or he doesn't and you just have to deal with it if you're not wanted.

''I was a little bit surprised when I was told to go, but it wasn't a shock because I didn't play regularly under Brian Flynn.

''I have got no regrets about my time at Swansea. I had three great years at the club and won player of the year as a 20-year-old. Not many people can say that.

''A lot of players, like Stuart Roberts, have left the club and said they would like to come back one day.

''I'm no different. Hopefully, I can get a couple of good seasons under my belt somewhere else and return. And in the meantime, I sincerely want Swansea to do well.''

The veteran midfielder has agreed terms on a new deal, and will put pen to paper on Monday providing he passes a routine medical.

Johnrose joined Swansea on a non-contract basis last January, and scored three goals in his 15 league appearances.

Swansea say they are hoping to find out at the end of the week whether striker Lee Trundle has accepted their offer of a two-year contract.

Trundle has also been offered a new contract to stay with Second Division side Wrexham. Meanwhile, Swansea have been forced to call off their only pre-season friendly match at the Vetch Field. The Swans were due to play Bristol City on Saturday, 19 July.

But that match has been cancelled because the two sides have been drawn against each other in the first round of the Carling Cup. The club say they are seeking new opponents for that weekend.

Swansea's pre-season schedule kicks-off against Bath on 21 July, followed by games against Aberdeen and Bradford.

Their preparations for the new season ends with a training camp in Holland which includes games against ADO Den Haag and FC Noordwijk.

The Great Escape - Swansea City 4 Hull City 2 Price £12, available from the Swansea City club shop.

Pre-season training is days away and all Swansea City eyes are now looking ahead to another crack at the Third Division.

But with over six weeks until the new campaign kicks off, fans still have time to fill while Brian Flynn's squad burn off the side-effects of their summer holidays.

And if the nets at Wimbledon are just the wrong shape, The Great Escape could be the answer.

Many at Vetch Field have pointed out since Swansea stayed up that finishing 88th in the Football League is not something to have a song and dance about.

Indeed, a repeat performance in the coming campaign and Flynn and Co could find their heads on the block.

But, still, Swansea City 4 Hull City 2 is worth seeing again.

We all know the score now, yet the tension remains close to tangible during the re-run of Swansea's final-day cliffhanger.

Despite some less than inspirational Soccer Sunday commentary - which is drowned out by supporters at times - Hull at home is well worth a couple of close-season hours, if nothing else to see James Thomas's magical third goal again.

And again, and again.

Swansea City targets Chris Llewellyn and Lee Trundle will decide whether to sign on at Vetch Field in the next 24 hours. Two-cap Welsh international Llewellyn is weighing up offers from two other clubs, while Swansea are one of four sides hoping to secure Trundle's services next season.

Llewellyn, who has quit Norwich City because of a lack of first-team chances, has turned down the chance to join Queens Park Rangers, but is considering offers from fellow Second Division clubs Wrexham and Notts County.

Trundle, meanwhile, must choose whether to stay on at current club Wrexham - where he is out of contract but has been offered a new deal - or head for pastures new.

As well as Swansea, Port Vale and one unnamed Second Division side are keen on the 26-year-old, though reported interest from Coventry City has come to nothing.

Both players are set to give Swansea answers imminently as pre-season training gets underway at Wrexham tomorrow.

''It's decision time,'' said Llewellyn, who married his Swansea girlfriend earlier this summer. ''But it's still difficult to say where I will be next season.

''As a kid I wanted to play at the highest level possible. That's still the case and Wrexham and Notts County are both in Division Two.

''But to turn down Swansea, my hometown club, is going to be a big decision.

''The three offers are all pretty similar and it's now a case of how high I want to play and if I want to come home.

''Every club has pluses and minuses. I have to weigh them up and make a decision.''

Trundle, who Brian Flynn plucked from the League of Wales during his time at The Racecourse, is keeping everybody waiting as he considers four firm offers.

It is believed that while the 26-year-old's possible wages at Vetch Field are competitive, he is not overly keen to drop back down to Division Three having won promotion with Wrexham last term.

Dragons boss Denis Smith has become increasingly frustrated by Trundle's failure to commit to the club and has targeted former Spurs frontman Chris Armstrong and ex-Derby player Marvin Robinson as well as Llewellyn.

''What's happening with Trundle? You tell me,'' Smith said. ''I am not a mind reader.''

Port Vale's chances of capturing Trundle could depend on the Football League, who have imposed a temporary transfer embargo because of financial problems at the Staffordshire club.

Swansea, meanwhile, have come in from 40-1 to 33-1 for next season's Third Division title with bookmakers Jack Brown amid a flurry of support for Flynn's men.

''They are the best backed Welsh team and the odds will probably shorten even more later this week," said spokesman Karl Williams. Swansea are 11-2 to win promotion.

Their pre-season friendly with Bristol City has been cancelled because the clubs were paired in last week's Carling Cup first-round draw.

SWANSEA CITY and Wrexham look set to miss out on former Wales striker Chris Llewellyn - with Notts County now favourites to land his signature.

The Magpies confirmed yesterday they had offered the Swansea-born striker a deal to resume his career at Meadow Lane following his release from Norwich at the end of last season.

And it is understood the 23-year-old will turn down the chance to move back to Wales with either the Swans or Wrexham in favour of a move to Second Division County.

"Chris is a player we are very interested in," said a spokesman for the Nottingham club. "We have made him an offer which we are hopeful he will accept."

The news will come as a major blow to Swans boss Brian Flynn and Dragons manager Denis Smith, both of whom are desperately searching for a new striker.

Flynn made Llewellyn an offer shortly after the end of the season and was hoping the lure of his hometown club would persuade him to move to the Vetch.

And Smith, searching for a replacement for Andy Morrell, yesterday expressed his interest in Llewellyn after meeting the player at the weekend.

"Llewellyn is a really good player," said Smith. "They were talking about him being in the £4m class at one stage when he was at Norwich. But we realise there are a couple of other Second Division clubs interested in him."

Swansea have admitted their chances of signing Lee Trundle from Wrexham are slim and missing out on Llewellyn would be another blow to the Vetch Field side.

"We were hoping the pull of his local club would sway Chris in our direction," said coach Kevin Reeves.

"But we have to accept a few other clubs are interested in him and we have gone a long time without hearing anything from him."

Bradford, Bristol Rovers and Queens Park Rangers are among the other teams who expressed interest in Llewellyn, released by the Canaries despite still having two years left on his contract.

"Last season was frustrating for me," said the striker. "I just want to get things back on track and show what I can do."

Swansea's escape from relegation and raft of signings has prompted renewed interest from fans at the Vetch.

The club have already sold 1,700 season tickets - as many as they off-loaded in all of last year - and expect to raise that figure to 2,500 by 9 August when the new campaign kicks off. Club director David Morgan said: "A lot of people have been bitten by the bug after what they witnessed at the end of last season."

The club will increase the capacity at the Vetch to 13,500 in time for the start of the new season.

Morgan said that the signing of three key players - James Thomas, Leon Britton and Roberto Martinez - had helped boost the interst of the fans for next year.

"We have managed to deliver on all three of the players the fans most wanted to stay," said Morgan.

LEE TRUNDLE has told Swansea City it will be the middle of next week before he reveals whether he intends to sign for them, writes Ian Hunt.

Trundle insists he needs more time to decide whether to accept the offer he has received from his former Wrexham manager Brian Flynn to join the Vetch Field side.

But, with several other clubs chasing the striker's signature, Swans coach Kevin Reeves

admitted last night it was looking increasingly unlikely Trundle would be coming to South Wales.

"The good things is we are still in with a chance of getting Lee," said Flynn's No 2.

"However, if I was a betting man, it is not something I would have a flutter on.

"We are under no illusions that it is going to be tough to tempt Lee down here because there are clubs at a higher level (Coventry are understood to be one) who want him.

"The competition to bring Lee to Swansea is stiff. It is going to be difficult."

But Reeves was last night hoping to hear from midfielder Lenny Johnrose.

"I'm hopeful Lenny will agree to join us," he said. "We are not a million miles away on this one."

Reeves said Flynn would address the goalkeeping situation when he returned from holiday next week - with Swansea-born Tony Pennock top of the list of targets.

Meanwhile, Swansea have called off the pre-season friendly against Bristol City planned for the Vetch on July 19.

The decision was made after the two sides were drawn against each other in the Carling Cup less than a month later, Wednesday, August 13 (7.45pm).

The league game against Boston at the Vetch has been brought forward to Friday, August 22 (7.45pm); the trip to Doncaster is now on Friday, December 19 (7.45pm) and the Boxing Day clash at Torquay has a 1.30pm kick-off.

The home match against Leyton Orient has been brought forward to Friday, February 13 (7.45pm) and the visit of Doncaster is now on Friday, March 5 (7.45pm).

SWANSEA CITY midfielder Leon Britton last night described the "obvious pride" tragic former West Ham colleague Marc-Vivien Foe had at playing for his country.

Britton paid tribute to Foe as the football world came to terms yesterday with the 28-year-old Premiership star's sudden death while playing for Cameroon.

Foe, who spent last season on loan at Manchester City, collapsed and died in front of thousands of soccer fans during the Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia in Lyon on Thursday.

Blues boss and former England manager Kevin Keegan led a range of tributes to the midfielder, describing him as "not only a special footballer but a very special person."

And Keegan's sentiments were echoed by Swans favourite Britton, who was a trainee at West Ham during Foe's 16-month spell at the Upton Park club from January 1999.

"He was a nice guy - pretty quiet but always a smile on his face," said Britton, who left the Hammers this summer to join the Swans full-time.

"I didn't get to play alongside Marc, but I got to know him because the first-team players, reserves and youth team all trained together.

"And the one thing that sticks in my mind is him always coming in wearing an African gown. He was obviously very proud of where he came from and of representing his country.

"With that in mind, it is striking that he died doing something he loved, playing for his country and playing at the ground of his club side."

Foe arrived at Upton Park in 1999 after missing out on a dream move to Manchester United a year earlier when he broke his leg.

The midfielder left east London for Lyon in May 2000, but Keegan snapped him up after he starred for his country in last year's World Cup.

The Blues boss, who had been joined in his efforts to lure Foe back from Lyon by Middlesbrough and Portsmouth, yesterday offered a heart-rending tribute to the player.

"Marc was not only a special footballer, but a very special person," said the former England coach.

"You only have to look at the range of tributes that have come in to realise the regard and respect in which his fellow professionals held him.

"We will all miss his smile and his personality. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he was the ultimate professional, loved by everyone in the dressing room and the boardroom.

"He never gave this club less than 100% and was a big factor in us finishing ninth.

"He only missed two games all season and one of those was to be at the birth of his new baby. We are all distraught.

"Our hearts go out to his young family and Manchester City will do all we can for them at this terrible time."

An autopsy is due to take place to establish the cause of Foe's death, a seemingly unthinkable event for someone who recently celebrated his 28th birthday and was by general consent, one of the fittest players at City last term.

FIFA have already confirmed Cameroon will face France in the Confederations Cup final at the Stade de France in Paris tomorrow, with the Cameroon team wearing shirts bearing Foe's name in tribute to the former Lens midfielder.

Swansea-born goalkeeper Tony Pennock could be on his way to his home club - after all. Pennock, the former Rushden and Diamonds and Farnborough Town stopper, had seemed likely to miss out on his dream move to Vetch Field when Brian Flynn went instead for former Wrexham's Kristian Rogers.

But with the 22-year-old opting to sign a one-year deal with First Division Sheffield United, Pennock's name returned to the list of potential goalkeepers wanted at Vetch Field.

The 32-year-old is highly rated by Swansea director of football Flynn but he had originally been looking for someone younger.

Now it seems Pennock will be the choice to challenge stalwart Roger Freestone for the No. 1 jersey with the deal expected to be completed next week, when Flynn returns from his holiday.

Pennock, who starred in Farnborough's FA Cup run last season and has represented Wales at non-league level, lives in Loughor and was born in Mayhill and admits he would relish the chance to show the Swansea fans what he is capable of.

''I would love to come back and play for my home town club,'' he told the Post.

''It is something I have always wanted to do and it would be great to be given the chance.''

Meanwhile, Flynn is still awaiting news on midfielder enforcer Lenny Johnrose.

Coach Kevin Reeves said: ''As far as Lenny is concerned we have given him an offer and we are just waiting for him to get back to us.''

Swansea, though, have missed out on former Manchester United defender Lee Roche after the 22-year-old signed a two-year deal at Burnley.

Roche, who was released from Old Trafford last season, had been a target for Flynn but has joined the First Division side instead.

Roche had been on loan with Flynn and Reeves at Wrexham for the whole of the 2000-01 season.

Swansea City Supporters Trust have announced details behind their bid to raise the money for the club to pay Leon Britton's salary. The trust's agreement with the club was thrashed out in the days leading up to Britton signing a two-year contract with Swansea.

This agreement brings an increased shareholding for Swansea fans through the trust, more cash for the club to assemble a squad capable of challenging for honours and an opportunity for a massive boost to the local community through a "sell-on clause".

The Battle for Britton scheme, as it has been called, is open to all supporters whether trust members or not.

Trust chairman and club vice-chairman Leigh Dineen explains why he believes fans should dig deep to help pay Britton's wages.

''We had to have Leon here next season,'' he said.

''He's still only 20, had his only first-team experience with us last season, and he'll get even better as he gets more experience.

''West Ham clearly think highly of him as they insisted on a sell on clause as part of releasing his papers.

''For the new season, the league have introduced a wage cap which limits the total of players wages to 60 percent of income.

''Obviously this reduces Brian Flynn's scope but if the fans can come up with the money to cover Leon's wages it makes the job a lot easier

''We've got the whole season to do this.

''It may be a tall order to raise all the money but every pound will help. And every pound gets us an extra share in the club.

''Frankly, I'd rather Leon stayed. We all know Leon loves Swansea, but there may come a point when he gets an offer that's too good for him to refuse.

''If that did happen, we'd get back all the money we'd paid over and it's all committed to going back into community schemes for our young footballers.

''That's got to be a good thing as the area continues to produce a lot of raw talent.

''On top of that we'd also get a percentage of any additional profit to go to the same cause.

The Battle for Britton campaign will be officially launched on the opening day of the season.

For information go to www.swanstrust.com or phone admin officer Debbie Rees on 0797 738 2328 or write to First Floor, 57, St Helen's Road, Swansea, SA1 4BE for a membership form and information about the Battle for Britton Share Fund.

SWANSEA CITY say the feel-good factor generated by last season's last-gasp escape from relegation has triggered a boom in season ticket sales.

And the club's success at hanging onto star players Leon Britton, James Thomas and Roberto Martinez has also sparked a big upsurge in interest for the new season.

So much so that almost 1,700 season tickets have so far been snapped up - as many as the Third Division club sold throughout the whole of last season.

And the Swans are expecting to sell at least 2,500 season tickets - a 47% increase on last year - before the new campaign kicks off on August 9.

"A lot of people have been bitten by the bug after what they witnessed at the end of last season," said director David Morgan.

"It seems realising what they very nearly lost has triggered people to be part of an effort aimed at making sure it does not happen again."

Morgan said he believed signing striker Thomas and midfielders Britton and Martinez up to new deals had helped convince fans of the club's ambitions for next season.

"We have managed to deliver on all three of the players the fans most wanted to stay at the end of last season," said Morgan.

"In the past some of the club's previous owners have fed supporters nonsense about big signings just to get them to part with their money.

"By getting players of the calibre of Roberto, James and Leon to sign new contracts, we have proved we mean what we say."

CHRISTIAN ROBERTS is relishing a reunion with former Bluebirds team-mate Kevin Nugent after Swansea City landed a first-round Carling Cup clash against Bristol City.

Yesterday's draw for the renamed Worthington Cup handed the Vetch Field side an intriguing Wales-West Country derby at Ashton Gate on August 12 or 13 as the new season gets under way.

There is extra interest in the fact Swans striker Nugent spent two seasons with the Robins before joining South Wales rivals Cardiff City in August 1997.

And it was during his five-year spell at Ninian Park that Nugent played alongside former Wales Under-21 striker Roberts - currently plying his trade across the River Severn with the Bristol club.

"It will be interesting to meet up with Kevin again," said Cardiff-born Roberts, who missed out on possible promotion to Division One last season when his home-town club beat the Robins in the play-off semi-finals.

"Kevin spent a couple of years at Bristol (making more than 50 league and cup appearances) so I am sure he will be looking forward to coming back with Swansea.

"And then he and I played together at Cardiff before I left to join Exeter in the summer of 2000.

"Kevin did well for Swansea last season and I expect he will be particularly keen to have a good performance at Ashton Gate.

"It's a decent draw and, though we are in the Second Division and Swansea the Third, you can never predict what might happen in cup games like these."

The 23-year-old striker, who joined Bristol in March 2002 after almost two years in Devon, admits he is glad the game is not taking place at the Vetch.

"Being a Cardiff boy, you expect to take a bit of stick from the Swans fans, so I'm quite happy the game is going to be played at Ashton Gate," said Roberts.

"If you're from Cardiff, they don't like you down in Swansea do they?

"One of my first games under (former Cardiff and Swansea boss) Frank Burrows was at the Vetch and that gave me a taste of the rivalry between the sets of supporters.

"But I have never paid too much attention to that. A lot of that stuff is stupidity.

"Yes, Swansea are a Welsh club, but, to be perfectly honest, the Carling Cup match will be just another game to me."

From a travelling point of view, Swansea could scarcely have asked for a better draw, but from a footballing perspective it is one of the toughest.

Danny Wilson's side are 6-1 second favourites with South Wales bookmakers Jack Brown to win Division Two next season after coming third last season.

But Roberts said, "I am not really thinking about next season yet.

"After the disappointment of last year, I want to enjoy what is left of the holiday before going back for pre-season."

Ironically, Swansea - beaten 3-1 at Ashton Gate when the two sides last met, in Division Two in February 2001 - play their first pre-season fixture against Bristol City.

That match is scheduled to take place at the Vetch on July 19, though a question mark hangs over it now the two teams are playing each other in the cup less than a month later.

A decision will be made when Wilson and Swans boss Brian Flynn return from holidays to prepare for the new soccer season.

Striker Karl Connolly is considering an offer to train with Swansea City in an attempt to prove his fitness and earn a contract.

The 33-year old was released by Queens Park Rangers at the end of the season and has not played since last November because of injury. Connolly was at Wrexham with Swans director of football Brian Flynn and first team coach Kevin Reeves.

A Second Division club has also expressed an interest in Connolly.

He is set to decide early next week whether he will join Swansea for pre-season training.

Cardiff City will play Leyton Orient in the first round of the newly-sponsored Carling Cup.

The Bluebirds have a home draw and will be keen to avoid an upset against their Third Division opponents when the tie is played during the week of August 11.

Wrexham have been handed a tough away draw at First Division Crewe while Swansea travel to Second Division Bristol City.

The draw for the first round of the Carling Cup is as follows:

Huddersfield v Derby
Rotherham v York
Crewe v Wrexham
Doncaster v Grimsby
Chesterfield v Burnley
Sheff Wed v Hartlepool
Macclesfield v Sheff Utd
Stoke v Rochdale
Tranmere v Bury
Scunthorpe v Oldham
Walsall v Carlisle
Bradford v Darlington
Port Vale v Nottm Forest
Barnsley v Blackpool
Preston v Notts County
Wigan v Hull
Lincoln v Stockport
Mansfield v Sunderland
Coventry v Peterborough
Wycombe v Wimbledon
Colchester v Plymouth
Ipswich v Kidderminster
Millwall v Oxford Utd
Cambridge Utd v Gillingham
Bristol City v Swansea
Watford v Bournemouth
Southend v Swindon
Boston Utd v Reading
Luton v Yeovil
Bristol Rovers v Brighton & Hove Albion
West Brom v Brentford
Cheltenham v QPR
Cardiff v Leyton Orient
West Ham v Rushden & Diamonds
Northampton v Norwich
Torquay v Crystal Palace

Ties to be played week commencing August 11th

LENNY JOHNROSE insists he is keen to rejoin Swansea City - but admits he does not want to make a permanent move from his home in the north-west

The midfielder, who played a key role in Swansea's fight to avoid relegation last season, is mulling over the new 12-month deal he has been offered to return to the Vetch

But the former Bury and Burnley player, who spent the final three months of the campaign in South Wales, said he and the club had so far been unable to agree terms

And 33-year-old Johnrose said the sticking point was the distance he would have to travel back to his home in the north-west

"If I was unbelievably ecstatic with the terms Swansea have offered me, the travelling would not be an issue," he said

"But the fact is I would have to get a place in Swansea and then travel home to see my family whenever I could - which means spending hundreds of pounds on petrol

"I don't have a problem with living in Swansea for most of the week, but I have no intention of uprooting my family

"I have a new baby daughter and my wife has a good job up here so it would be unfair to tell them they've got to move 250 miles

"But let me make it clear - I have no issue with the club

They have made no demands of me

"The club have offered me what they can and it is up to me to decide whether I want to accept it

" The Preston-born midfielder stressed he was enthusiastic about the prospect of pulling on a Swans shirt again

"I have had a couple of other offers, but I would prefer to play for Swansea again," he said

"I enjoyed my time there last season

There was a good bunch of lads - most of whom have re-signed - and the fans were superb

" Leon Hylton became the latest player to return to the Vetch yesterday when he put pen to paper on a two-year contract

The 20-year-old defender, released by Aston Villa at the end of last season, rejoins the Swans after impressing during his two-month loan spell at the Vetch

"Leon showed a lot of potential when he was with us last season and we think he will get better as he goes on," said coach Kevin Reeves

Former Wrexham pair Karl Connolly and Kieron Durkan, who had a spell with the Swans last season, spend pre-season on trial at the Vetch

SWANSEA CITY capture Roberto Martinez last night revealed how close he came to quitting Britain and continuing his career back home in Spain.

The former Real Zaragoza star explained the tough decisions he had to make about his future after finally putting pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at the Vetch until 2005.

Outlining the reasons it took him so long to decide whether to return to the Vetch, Martinez said his family had expected him to accept an offer from a Spanish Second Division club to continue his career back home.

But having entered into discussions with Swans bosses, the 29-year-old midfielder said he was convinced he could achieve more by staying in South Wales.

"My family played an important part in the decision because I have been away from them and my home in Spain since I joined Wigan in 1995," he said. "They thought I was going to go back home to play when I received an offer from a club one level below La Liga a little while ago.

"And it was looking very much like I would go back as the offer was tempting. I had a bit of thinking to do. It was important that I did not rush into any decision. But after comparing the desire at Swansea with that at the club in Spain, it became clear what I should do.

"Swansea have convinced me they have more desire to be successful, to win things.

"The Spanish club would maybe have been happy to be a mid-table team in Division Two. I was not happy with that. I was not prepared to join a club that was content just to go through the motions.

"It was a matter of me choosing the right project and I think I have found that.

"And, with them having come to see a couple of games and been impressed with everything about Swansea, it was not hard to persuade my family that I should be part of this project."

The former Motherwell and Walsall playmaker said he took so long to reach a decision as he needed to be "absolutely certain" the club was heading in the right direction.

"You are always in two minds when making a decision of this size," he said. "I had to be absolutely certain everyone was pushing forward in the right direction. Last season we were fighting to avoid relegation to the Conference. That is not something you can put right from one day to the next - it takes time and a lot of hard work. But the club has convinced me everyone is working together and trying to make sure mistakes made in the past are not being repeated."

While Martinez insists Swansea must get out of Division Three "as soon as possible", he is also urging caution.

He said, "Everyone wants to win promotion, but sometimes setting targets for when you want to achieve things can work against you.

"But what I would say is if we can use the tempo we had at the end of last season, we will start with a bit of an advantage."

Swans coach Kevin Reeves described the signing of Martinez as "a bit of a coup".

"Roberto is a big signing for us and we are delighted to finally get him here," said Reeves. "He was a key player for us last season and we hope he will be for the next two years. The other lads look up to him - on and off the field. His enthusiasm and his desire to be successful is a real asset."

Reeves said he was hopeful defender Leon Hylton and midfielder Lenny Johnrose would also re-sign for the Swans.

ROBERTO MARTINEZ was hailed as Swansea City's best player in almost 20 years last night after the midfielder finally committed his future to the Vetch.

The Spanish playmaker put pen to paper on a new two-year contract that delighted Swans bosses are describing as one of the most important signings in the club's history.

Chairman Huw Jenkins insisted Martinez was the biggest talent the Swans have had since the latter part of the John Toshack era, when the likes of Alan Curtis, Leighton James and Dean Saunders were regulars at the Vetch.

"I don't think we have seen a footballer of his ability at Swansea for at least 15 years - perhaps as far back as the Toshack era," said Jenkins. "I wouldn't like to make direct comparisons, but you have to go back to the 1980s and some of the players Toshack brought in to find someone as good as Roberto.

"We've had quality players since then, but I can't think of anyone who has played in such a way that you look forward to seeing him in action on the Saturday.

"Roberto was only with us for four months last season, but he is almost a legend already among the supporters.

"He is a breath of fresh air and we are lucky to have him."

The former Real Zaragoza star, 29, revealed he had rejected an offer from a Spanish Second Division club to re-sign for the Swans.

"I know it took a bit of time for me to make a decision, but it was just a case of being certain about Swansea's ambitions for the future," he said.

The Evening Post can today reveal the news that all Swansea City fans have been waiting for - Roberto Martinez has signed for the club. Since the end of last season, when the influential Spaniard played a major role in keeping Swansea in the Football League, the club's director of football Brian Flynn has been chasing the midfielder's signature.

Now, after weeks of negotiations, Martinez has finally put pen to paper on a new contract.

The new deal is for two years and new club chairman Huw Jenkins believes the important signing will send the perfect message to supporters.

''I think it's the news that everyone has been waiting for,'' said Jenkins.

''Hopefully, this will now show everyone that the club intends to go places this season.

''The negotiations have been ongoing between the club and Roberto and now they have been concluded to everybody's satisfaction.

''This is the signing that everybody wanted and, with a few more to come over the next few weeks, this should show just which direction we want to be going in at Swansea.''

Martinez, whose signature was revealed at a Vetch Field press conference this morning, was also pleased to have finalised the deal.

''I have been really impressed with the determination to move forward at the club,'' he said.

''The chairman, especially has impressed me. He has shown a lot of foresight and wants to move the club upwards.

''I have said all along that I did not want to be just a Third Division player and I really think I can help Swansea get back to where it belongs, and that is out of the Third Division.

''If we are all going in the same direction I can see no reason why Swansea cannot go forward as a club.''

Meanwhile, the club will kick-off next season with a squad pared to the bone in a bid to avoid a repeat of last term's brush with relegation.

Swansea are desperate to steer well clear of the Conference mire this time round and believe setting out in Division Three with a maximum 20 players will aid their cause.

''It is our policy to keep the squad as small in number as possible at the start of the season,'' explained Jenkins.

''That way we will have options in the transfer market once the season is under way.

''Unlike last year, money will have been kept aside for loan players and permanent signings to be made when they are needed during the campaign.

''We don't want to make the mistake we made last year by signing a lot of players up straightaway and then having no room to manoeuvre.''

So far, Brian Flynn has 13 players on board for the new season, including just two aged above 30 and a strong contingent of youngsters.

The Vetch Field director of football is being encouraged to bring down the average age of the squad by those in the boardroom, who see a flourishing youth set-up as critical to the club's future well-being.

''We are looking to bring local people with a strong affinity to Swansea City onto the coaching staff for all our

Brian Flynn has persuaded Roberto Martinez to re-sign for Swansea Roberto Martinez has committted himself to Swansea City after signing a new contract.

The Spanish midfielder will remain with the Swans until 2005 after agreeing a new two-year deal on Monday The Spaniard came to the Vetch last January on a free transfer and won many admires as Swansea fought for Football League survival.

The 29-year-old's performances had attracted interest from First Division clubs, but Swansea director of football Brian Flynn flew out to Spain to re-open transfer negotiations. Martinez admitted that he was flattered by the efforts made to keep him, and is clearly looking forward to helping develop a talented but inexperienced group of players.

Flynn has managed to sign or re-sign a set of youngsters with real potential, including Leon Hylton, Brad Maylett, Leon Britton, and striker James Thomas - who scored a hat-trick in the win over Hull on the final day of the season.

Martinez had already admitted that the prospect of playing alongside those players was a big incentive to stay with the Swans. "Everyone knows about the potential of Britton and the 'super-hero' Thomas," Martinez had said.

"It's fantastic news for everyone at the club that these two players are going to be involved with Swansea City. "These two players are really great players and everyone knows they are better than the Third Division.

"It shows the determination and desire there is at the club. Every supporter should be excited about it. "If there is anything I can do for the club I will do it. I know that Swansea will be in my heart forever."

Flynn is still looking to strengthen his side, with out of contract Wrexham striker Lee Trundle and another free agent, Cardiff City central defender Andy Jordan, targets.

So far only the services of striker Marc Richards have been lost, after the 20-year-old opted to join Third Division rivals Northampton Town.

SWANSEA CITY outcast Andrew Mumford could be on his way to Scotland in a bid to kickstart his career.

Welsh under-21 midfielder Mumford was shown the door by Brian Flynn last month following a disappointing season at the Vetch.

But Raith Rovers have confirmed they are interested in signing the Swansea-born product.

"We have spoken to his agent and we are very interested in him," said Raith director of football Dave Martin.

"He's the right kind of player we are looking for and we will get the best out of him."

Mumford was named Swansea's player of the year in 2002 and rewarded with a two-year deal by then-manager Nick Cusack.

But he failed to inspire under Flynn as the Swans flirted with relegation and was told he was no longer wanted at the club.

Despite the recent dip of form, Martin said he was confident of the player's ability.

"You don't have international recognition and 50 league games under your belt if you're a bad player," said Martin, whose side clinched the Scottish Division Two title in May.

"He can pass, has two lovely feet and is very strong on the ball.

"He could do very well here."

And Martin thinks the move would be ideal to build up the youngster's confidence after a frustrating 12 months.

"Robert Earnshaw benefited from his time in Scotland with Grenock Morton and Mumford could do the same," he said.

"He can put himself on a platform and go on to bigger and better things.

"I'm confident I can get the best out of players in these situations.

"I did the same with Adam Proudlock at Clyde and now he's in the Premiership with Wolves."

Mumford is due to make a decision over the next few weeks.

SWANSEA CITY'S transfer-listed midfielder Andrew Mumford has attracted the interest of newly-promoted Scottish First Division side Raith Rovers.

The Welsh Under-21 man was handed a free transfer by Swansea's director of football Brian Flynn last month, after falling out of favour during the last campaign at The Vetch.

His availability has alerted last season's Scottish Second Division champions, with their director of football Dave Martin confirming their interest in the Swansea-born man.

"We have spoken to his agent and we are very interested in him," Martin told Wales on Sunday.

"He's the right kind of player we are looking for and we will get the best out of him.

"You don't have international recognition and 50 league games under your belt if you're a bad player.

"He can pass, has two lovely feet and is very strong on the ball.

"He could do very well here."

New Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins believes the club will challenge for the Third Division play-offs next season. And the incoming Vetch Field supremo has urged fans to strengthen Swansea's promotion hopes by snapping up season tickets before the end of the month.

With Brian Flynn's summer rebuilding work far from complete, Jenkins insists that season-ticket sales will have a direct impact on close-season signings.

''Looking at it sensibly, our first priority is to finish in a better position next season than we did last,'' he said.

''But when the new squad is put together, I think we can say realistically that we expect to be challenging for the play-offs.

''The type of players we will be bringing in over the next month should be good enough for that, but the fans must realise that the more season tickets they buy now, the better quality players we can bring in.''

Adult season tickets are available at reduced rates until June 30, with a number of other perks also available to fans who commit before that date.

New vice-chairman Leigh Dineen added: ''We have got the chance to bring in one or two players who would ignite great interest among our supporters but we're not a gambling club anymore and we won't pay what we can't afford.

''We have spoken to these players and made them what we feel are good offers, but considering the calibre of players we're talking about, they are conservative.

''The amount of money that comes in over the next nine days will sway what offers we can make - a massive influx would mean we could go and get one or two more of these guys.

''So to anybody who is wavering over buying a season ticket, we say come and get one because you know the money will be spent on strengthening the squad.''

After last season's brush with the Conference, Swansea's owners are hoping for a one-extreme-to-the-other shift in fortunes next term.

But there is no pressure on Flynn and No. 2 Kevin Reeves to lead the club to Division Two in their first full season at the helm.

''As Brian has said, we want to be a well established Second Division side,'' added Jenkins.

''In five years we will be ready for Division One and, having built things right, we will be secure enough financially when we get there to develop even further.

''It would have been pie in the sky to talk about getting that high if we were staying at the Vetch, but the Morfa Stadium will mean a huge increase in turnover and the same increase on what we can spend on the team.''

Brad Maylett has revealed how he made his old Burnley team-mates sit through Swansea City's make-or-break clash with Hull on the final day of last season. The 22-year-old flyer, signed on a permanent Vetch Field deal by Swansea this week after a successful loan spell last term, missed Swansea's relegation decider because he was recalled by his parent club for the closing weeks of the campaign.

As Brian Flynn's side ran out to face the Tigers, Maylett had his feet up on Burnley's team bus.

''We were playing Wimbledon on the Sunday and were travelling down to London,'' he recalled.

''The gaffer (Stan Ternent) never has any matches on the bus radio, so I was sat at the back with my own one on full blast.

''Swansea went 1-0 up I was happy, but then they went 2-1 down and things weren't looking good. But of course they came back and it was great. All the lads were cheering.

''Swansea are obviously too big a club to go down and hopefully now we can put all that to rest and move on.''

Winger Maylett, who has agreed a one-year deal with the option of a 12-month extension, was at local club Manchester United as a kid but signed for Burnley in 1998.

His five years at Turf Moor produced only five first-team starts among 50 appearances, though, and his spell on loan at Swansea was his first real run in senior football.

''I really enjoyed coming down here last season and I was disappointed to be recalled by Burnley because I was just getting towards my peak of form and fitness,'' he continued.

''I still had one more year to run on my Burnley contract, but Brian Flynn got in touch with me as soon as last season ended and, after talking to him for about an hour, I was ready to sign.

''At 22 I should be playing regular first-team football and coming to Swansea is a great opportunity for me to do that.

''Dropping down to Division Three doesn't bother me.

''Brian Flynn put a good team together at the end of last season and it looks like a lot of the players who were here then will be here again next year, so I've got high hopes.''

Lenny Johnrose is close to signing a new one-year deal with Swansea City. The 33-year-old midfielder had a major impact after joining the club from Bury on non-contract terms in January.

He had seemed unlikely to stay on at Vetch Field because he was not keen on leaving his Lancashire home for South Wales, but after a series of talks between the two parties, boss Brian Flynn looks to have got his man.

"I think Lenny is prepared to move to Swansea now," said Vetch No. 2 Kevin Reeves.

"His wife has recently had a baby and has a good job in Lancashire, so Lenny is probably going to get an apartment down here and then get back up north when he can, like a lot of other lads do."

The arrival of Johnrose, along with Roberto Martinez, was critical to Swansea's successful Third Division survival bid last term.

Added Reeves: "He did very well for us.

"He has not got the flair of Leon Britton or Roberto, but he was vital to the balance of our midfield."

Swansea, meanwhile, have turned their attention to former Cardiff goalkeeper Mark Walton after No. 1 target Kristian Rogers opted to join Sheffield United.

Flynn tried to get the 34-year-old as cover for Roger Freestone last season, but was turned down by the Bluebirds and eventually signed Neil Cutler.

The son of long-time Vetch youth boss Ron, Walton has now left Ninian Park and is interesting a number of Conference clubs.He had a loan spell under Flynn at Wrexham a decade ago.

Another Swansea target, Lee Trundle, is reportedly on First Division Coventry City's summer hit-list, while cash-strapped Oldham have also made contact.

Flynn has arranged four pre-season games primarily for reserves and youth players.

Swansea will host Bristol Rovers (July 23) before travelling to Garden Village (July 25), Haverfordwest (July 29) and Skewen (August 5).

WALES'S rearranged Euro 2004 qualifier in Serbia & Montenegro on August 20 will be played at the Red Star Stadium in Belgrade, it has been announced.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Shoulder's Under-21 side will play at FK Vojvodina in Novi Sad, around 80 kilometres from the capital.

SWANSEA CITY are in danger of going into the new season without a main sponsor after talks with their current backer broke down.

The Third Division club and travel agents Travel House are understood to be some way apart in agreeing a sponsorship package for the Swans for the forthcoming season.

Last night director Huw Jenkins, the newly-appointed chairman at the Vetch, insisted talks aimed at reaching an agreement with the Swansea company would continue next week.

But Jenkins confirmed Swansea were trying to maximise revenue from club and shirt sponsorship as part of their attempts to get the club on a more firm financial footing.

"In the past people at the club were perhaps keen to get their hands on any money they could just for the sake of it," he said. "Deals were done almost out of habit and that resulted in the club underselling itself.

"We are trying to take a more professional approach and that means we won't do a deal just for the sake of it.

"We believe this club is going places which is why we're keen to maximise sponsorship opportunities.

"Preferably, that means having a separate shirt and club sponsor (Travel House currently cover both).

"We should be in a position to make an announcement about the sponsorship situation next week."

Jenkins was yesterday confirmed as Swans chairman with supporters trust representative Leigh Dineen vice-chairman.

"We felt now was the right time to do this as it will help the club move forward and grow," said Jenkins.

"It gives the club the right image, plus the leadership to take us in the right direction."

Swansea City director Huw Jenkins has been named the club's new chairman. And Leigh Dineen, the Supporters' Trust representative in the Vetch Field boardroom, has been unveiled as Jenkins's No. 2.

Fellow directors David Morgan and Brian Katzen, plus non-executive board members Don Keefe and Steve Penny, are set to be given specific areas of responsibility within the club as part of a close-season shake-up.

And Swansea are also planning to appoint two or three more people to the board in the near future to increase expertise at the top end of the club.

One of the new faces will be a second trust representative as the club bid to forge even stronger links with their fans. All the new roles will be unpaid.

"We felt that time was right to appoint a chairman and vice-chairman because it will help the club move forward and grow," said Jenkins, a board member since Tony Petty was ousted 17 months ago.

"It gives us the right image plus the leadership to take us in the right direction, and I believe that in partnership with the Supporters' Trust, we will go from strength to strength.

"Having achieved what we have achieved with the trust in the last 12 months, this is the natural next step and will help produce the security and success we all crave.

"This is not just a token gesture to keep the fans quiet as may happen at some clubs, this is a genuine community-based approach where we will work together."

Swansea's owners are anxious that fans will feel they have a role in running the club, rather than a them and us situation developing.

Added Dineen: "Working arm in arm with the supporters through representation on the board is vital to the success of this club and we hope they realise that.

"Our links to the community have been totally lost in the last five years and we need to bring the club back to where it should be as the community's focal point.

"There has been nothing pretty about the work we've done since we took over, but the foundations are now laid for us to go forward."

Continued Jenkins: "We might not be well known people, but the fans can be assured that with myself and Leigh in these jobs we will be going back to basics and improving things through sheer hard work.

"Decisions will be taken in the interests of the whole club, not just one or two, and we will not gamble the future of the club we love for anything.

"In partnership with the trust, we are not relying on one man with an endless amount of cash taking us forward.

"Everyone will be working together to progress and that is the right way to do it.

"We might not run as quickly as some other clubs, but we will certainly catch them up and hopefully overtake them in the marathon that lies ahead.

"As the chairman, one of my main beliefs is that everybody who is on the payroll of this club justifies that fact.

"We're not here for personal gain, we're here for the satisfaction of knowing this club is run correctly and I guarantee I will not rest until the club has achieved the stability needed both on and off the field.

"When we took over the Swansea City ship was sinking. Now we have got it afloat and we must start moving forward."

Newport County have joined the race to sign Swansea target Andy Jordan. The Dr Martens side are also in talks with former Swan Neil Sharp

Lee Trundle could be the second Wrexham striker to join Coventry
Wrexham's chances of keeping striker Lee Trundle next season look increasingly slim.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the Racecourse Ground and his agent revealed on Friday that Trundle has had offers from Coventry City, Oldham Athletic and Welsh rivals Swansea City.
Dragons' manager Denis Smith has already lost last season's top scorer Andy Morrell to Division One side Coventry for nothing.


Now he faces losing another out of contract frontline striker to the Sky Blues, although Oldham and Swansea are still firmly in the hunt.
Swans director of football Brian Flynn signed Trundle when he was in charge at the Racecourse, and is respected by the player.
Wrexham have offered Trundle a new deal to stay with them for the club's return to Division Two.


But a clause in his original contract will see the cash-strapped Dragons have to shell out a further payment of £15,000-£20,000 to Trundle's former club Rhyl.
Swansea City have missed out on central defender Chris Plummer.
The 26-year-old former England Under 21 international has joined Conference club Barnet after being released by QPR.
Plummer had held talks with Swans director of football Flynn.

WHEN striker James Thomas cast his eye over Swansea City's fixture list for next season yesterday there was one date in particular that stood out.

No, not the opening-day clash against Bury at the Vetch, the Boxing Day trip to the English Riviera or even the tie at relegated Huddersfield's futuristic McAlpine Stadium on March 27.

What leapt out at Thomas was the home meeting with Hull City on April 12 - and there are good reasons for that.

"I scored four times against them last season so I'm sure they must be my lucky club," said the 24-year-old, the Swans' leading marksman in 2002-03 with 13 league and cup strikes.

"And, of course, I don't think I or anyone else connected with the club will ever forget the last day of the season when we beat Hull 4-2 to keep our place in the League.

"It was a dream for me to score a hat-trick in that game - it meant so much to play such a big part in saving my local club from relegation."

The former Blackburn striker hopes the Swans will once again be desperate for points when the Tigers next visit the Vetch - for a different reason.

"The fixture stands out because Hull are one of the teams you would expect to be challenging for promotion - and hopefully we will be too.

"This time, rather than needing to beat them to avoid going down, it would be nice if we needed three points off them to get into the play-offs.

"Last season the goals I scored helped Swansea to stay in the league, but I don't want to be in that situation ever again.

"This time I hope the goals I get will lift us towards the top of the table."

Thomas believes it is vital Swansea have a good first month, when they face Bury (August 9), Boston (Aug 23) and Mansfield (Aug 30) at home and travel to Cheltenham (Aug 16) and Oxford (Aug 25).

A solid start, he insists, will set the Swans up for a September programme that includes three long away trips - Scunthorpe (Sept 13), Carlisle (Sept 27) and Hull (Sept 30).

"Our home form at the back-end of last season was good and we need to carry that forward into the first three games at the Vetch," said Thomas.

"There are a few long journeys to make in September and October, but after last season, I don't think we'll ever moan about travelling to Carlisle again!

"Looking at the fixture list hammers home what a relief it is to still be in the League.

"It might sound a bit strange, but you scroll down the fixtures and think yourself grateful to still be going to places like Southend and Darlington."

Thomas, who put pen to paper on a new two-year contract last month, is convinced Brian Flynn's men will not be at the wrong end of the table when they entertain York City on the final day.

"I've got a good feeling about next season," he said. "I'm hopeful we'll be aiming for a place in the play-offs.

"Everyone is so determined to make sure we are not in the same position as last year - and I don't think we will be."

Lenny Johnrose is understood to be close to rejoining the Swans.

The former Bury midfielder, who spent the final three months of last season at the Vetch, is preparing to relocate from his home in Burnley to South Wales.

SWANSEA CITY believe they can push for a play-off spot next season - providing they make it a happy Christmas this time round.

Yesterday's 2003-04 fixture schedule handed the Swans an opening day home clash against Bury on August 9 but Reeves prefers to focus on the mid-season period - when it went horribly wrong for Brian Flynn's side last year.

Six straight defeats led to the Swans' Football League status going on the line right up to the last day of the season.

Reeves insists Swansea can challenge at the other end of the table if they do better next Christmas, a period which includes trips to Doncaster on December 20 and Torquay on Boxing Day.

"It's nice to get off to a good start," he said. "But I feel it's more important that we push strong over November, December and January.

"The defeats we had over that period last season played a big part in our downfall."

Newly promoted Wrexham will play their first match in Division 2 next season at hom to Chesterfield. The Spireites only avoided relegation to Division 3 on the final day of last season and finished one place above the relegation places.

Survivors Swansea face a home tie against Bury who reached the Division 3 play-offs last season where they lost 3-1 to Bournemouth who were eventually promoted.

Swansea are to sign Burnley winger Bradley Maylett on a free transfer.

The 22-year-old has agreed to the move and the deal will be completed on Wednesday when Maylett signs in at the Vetch. Maylett, who started his career at Turf Moor, spent a month on loan with Swansea last season.

Swansea in talks with former Cardiff defender

Swansea City director of football Brian Flynn has confirmed he is in talks with former Cardiff defender Andrew Jordan.

The son of former Manchester United striker Joe was released by the Bluebirds last month after making only six first-team appearance in three years. Flynn told the official club website: "I first spoke to Andy back in March and I've spoken to him again and he is interested in joining us, but as you'd expect he has a few people to talk to first.

"Andy is a good strong defender who has found his opportunities limited over the last few seasons at Cardiff and he needs first-team football, so it's understandable that he wants to weigh things up."

Defender Leon Hylton, who enjoyed a loan spell with City last season, looks set to sign for the Swans next week on a free transfer after being released by Aston Villa.

Flynn added: "His agent contacted me on Monday to let me know that he was accepting the offer we've made him, and he'll sign his contract next week when he arrives back from France."

THE long-running saga continued yesterday as one of the most anticipated transfers of the summer was again left hanging in the balance.

After weeks of feverish speculation, it was hoped club bosses would finally secure the influential midfielder's services when high-level talks took place in London.

But the player travelled out to Spain last night without having put pen to paper on the contract he has been offered to help revive the club's fortunes on the pitch next season.

And confusion broke out when the manager and club power brokers offered differing time-scales as to when it is hoped the midfield star will finally agree to the much-publicised move.

Sound familiar? No, not the latest twist in David Beckham's proposed £30m switch from Manchester United to Barcelona -. but Swansea City's attempt to get Roberto Martinez to agree to a new contract!

Martinez' will-he-won't-he move to the Vetch threatens to outdo the hullabaloo surrounding Beckham's proposed transfer to the Nou Camp after the Spanish midfielder's meeting with Swans directors yesterday ended in another stalemate.

The former Real Zaragoza star, who had returned to London to commentate on La Liga for Sky Sports, flew back to Spain saying he needed more time to consider Swansea's offer of a new contract.

But while club directors Huw Jenkins and David Morgan said they were hopeful the 29-year-old would make a decision "within a week or so", Swans director of football Brian Flynn said he was expecting an answer from the player today.

"Negotiations with Roberto have moved a step forward and I'm hopeful there will be positive news tomorrow," said Flynn last night.

"I've spoken to Roberto three or four times since the end of the season and the good thing is he wants to play for Swansea City. Sometimes negotiations with a player do drag on. I have had 12 years of this."

There was yet more confusion at the Vetch last night when Flynn held further talks with striker Marc Richards - despite Northampton Town claiming the 20-year-old had joined them on a free transfer.

"Marc has not signed for Northampton," said Flynn, before speaking to the player. "I don't know why they stated that he had done."

One player who definitely will be at the Vetch next season is defender Jason Smith, who has signed a new one-year deal with an additional 12 month-option.

CARDIFF CITY target Nigel Reo-Coker is poised to join Premiership new boys Portsmouth. Pompey have agreed a fee for the highly-rated Wimbledon midfielder.

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie was having talks with the 19-year-old's agent last night over his personal terms.

Reo-Coker's representative Tony Finnigan said, "Five Premiership clubs want him and Wimbledon's administrators have agreed a deal with Portsmouth."

Out-of-contract skipper Jason Smith today agreed to stay on at Swansea City. The 6ft 3in central defender has committed to a fresh 12-month deal, taking the tally of players on board at Vetch Field for next season to 11.

And Swansea will have the option to extend Smith's stay by another year next summer if the 28-year-old proves the ankle trouble which has been such a hindrance in recent seasons is in the past.

"I am very pleased and I understand the length of the deal is because of my injury problems over the last few years," Smith said.

"I'm confident that they are behind me now and that I will be able to earn myself another year."

Boss Brian Flynn, who made Smith club captain last season, was delighted to seal the signature of the former Coventry trainee.

"Things are starting to take shape for next season and Jason is a key figure in my plans," he said.

Swansea's owners, meanwhile, were in London today for crunch talks with Roberto Martinez.

Vetch directors David Morgan and Huw Jenkins headed for the capital this morning in a bid to thrash out terms on a new contract with the 29-year-old Spaniard.

The duo had planned to jet to the Continent to meet the gifted midfielder as negotiations stalled last week.

But Morgan and Jenkins instead opted for a London rendezvous on realising that Martinez would be in Britain today because of his Sky Sports commitments.

"We'll be sitting down with Roberto to see if a deal can be struck," Morgan said.

"I don't think it's a case of selling Swansea to him, that's been done already.

"He loves the area and the people after the time he spent here last season.

"And I think the signings of James Thomas and Leon Britton, as well as the Morfa Stadium announcement, have proved our ambition to him.

"All we have to do now is persuade Roberto that this is the right place for him."

Swansea may still have striker Marc Richards on their books next season despite reports that he has joined Northampton Town.

The Cobblers, relegated from Division Two last season, reported on their official club website that the 20-year-old had signed a two-year deal.

But the ex-Blackburn forward, who has been offered a new contract by Flynn after scoring seven times in 17 appearances while on loan at the Vetch from Ewood Park last season, today insisted that no deals have been done.

"I may yet end up at Swansea," he said.

"I don't know why people are saying I have signed for Northampton because I haven't.

"They have made me an offer, just like Swansea, but negotiations are still going on.

"I spoke to Brian Flynn last Friday and I'm waiting for another call from him today."

With ambitious new owners in place at Sixfields, it is thought Staffordshire-based Richards may have been offered a more lucrative deal at Northampton.

But with five other forwards already on the club's books and two more set to come in this summer, he would face stiff competition for a first-team place next season.

Should he go, director of football Flynn would redouble his efforts to sign Wrexham's Lee Trundle as he builds for the new campaign.

Swansea City's owners were in London today for crunch talks with Roberto Martinez. Vetch Field directors David Morgan and Huw Jenkins headed for the capital this morning in a bid to thrash out terms on a new contract with the 29-year-old Spaniard.

The duo had planned to jet to the Continent to meet the gifted midfielder as negotiations stalled last week.

But Morgan and Jenkins instead opted for a London rendezvous on realising that Martinez would be in Britain today because of his Sky Sports commitments.

"We'll be sitting down with Roberto to see if a deal can be struck," Morgan said.

"I don't think it's a case of selling Swansea to him, that's been done already.

"He loves the area and the people after the time he spent here last season.

"And I think the signings of James Thomas and Leon Britton, as well as the Morfa Stadium announcement, have proved our ambition to him.

"All we have to do now is persuade Roberto that this is the right place for him."

Swansea, meanwhile, may still have striker Marc Richards on their books next season despite reports that he has joined Northampton Town.

The Cobblers, relegated from Division Two last season, reported on their official club website that the 20-year-old had signed a two-year deal.

But the ex-Blackburn forward, who has been offered a new contract by Brian Flynn after scoring seven times in 17 appearances while on loan at the Vetch from Ewood Park last season, today insisted that no deals have been done.

"I may yet end up at Swansea," he said.

"I don't know why people are saying I have signed for Northampton because I haven't.

"They have made me an offer, just like Swansea, but negotiations are still going on.

"I spoke to Brian Flynn last Friday and I'm waiting for another call from him today."

With ambitious new owners in place at Sixfields, it is thought Staffordshire-based Richards may have been offered a more lucrative deal at Northampton.

But with five other forwards already on the club's books and two more set to come in this summer, he would face stiff competition for a first-team place next season.

Should he go, director of football Flynn would redouble his efforts to sign Wrexham's Lee Trundle as he builds for the new campaign.

Marc Richards has told BBC Sport he has not signed for Northampton Town.

Richards, who was Swansea City's second top scorer last season, says he is still considering Swansea's offer of a new contract. He is expecting to talk with Swansea boss Brian Flynn on Monday to clarify the situation.

Northampton's official website said on Saturday that Richards had completed a move to the Third Division club. Manager Martin Wilkinson was quoted as saying: "He (Richards) has a lot of potential and I think he will do well for us."

Richards came through the youth academy at Blackburn Rovers and has League experience after loan spells with Crewe, Oldham, Halifax and Swansea. Northampton have also said they have signed Chris Willmott, who was recently released by Wimbledon.

He joined the Dons for £350,000 from Luton and made over 50 first-team appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, Lawrie Dudfield from Hull and defender Tom Smith from Rotherham have both joined the Cobblers on free transfers.

Swansea's director of football Brian Flynn is to give a trial to former Tranmere striker Andy Robinson.

The 23-year-old former Plymouth trainee joined Rovers last December from non-league Cammell Lairds, but made only one substitute appearance for Ray Mathias' side.

Swans director of football Brian Flynn told the club's official website: "Andy is a player with a good reputation in the north-west and I've asked him to come down and spend some time with us.

"He's young and keen to get on and he's definitely got an eye for goal.

"He scored a lot of goals in the reserves at Tranmere last season but was a little unlucky in that a good run of form by the first team meant that his chances were limited." "I'd say that there's a very good chance that he'll be a Swansea City player before too long."

Robinson will link up with Swansea when the squad returns for pre-season training next month.

Trundle is considering various offers

Swansea manager Brian Flynn is waiting to discover whether Wrexham striker Lee Trundle will sign for the Swans. Flynn travelled to Merseyside earlier in the week for talks with the 26-year-old and is hopeful of a positive outcome.

"It was a good meeting, very positive and I'm pleased with how it went," Flynn told the club's official website.

"Lee knows how I work and how I approach the game from our time together at Wrexham, but it was a chance for me to explain where I see this football club going and what part I'd like him to play.

"He is interested but that is not to say that he is not going to sign. "He said that he has got a few offers on the table and he wanted time to think them over."

Meanwhile, Flynn is hopeful of bringing Kristian Rogers, released by Wrexham, to Vetch Field. "We've had a good talk and I've made him an offer which he is thinking over," added Flynn.

"I'd say that there's a very good chance that he'll be a Swansea City player before too long."

Northampton have completed the signing of Blackburn midfielder Marc Richards.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Swansea last season, hitting seven goals in 14 starts.

Cobblers boss Martin Wilkinson told the club's official website: "Marc is only a young lad and for him to go there and play a big part in getting them out of the mess they were in shows great mental toughness.

"Before he was on loan at Swansea he also had loan spells at Oldham and Crewe and he has a lot of potential. I think he will do well for us."

BRIAN FLYNN has stepped up his nationwide search for young talent by handing Tranmere's 23-year-old striker Andy Robinson a trial.

Robinson, a former Plymouth Argyle trainee, will join the Swans for pre-season training.

Robinson, who joined the Prenton Park club from Carlsberg West Cheshire League outfit Cammell Lairds last December, made only one substitute appearance in the LDV Vans Trophy last season.

He was released at the end of the season, but Flynn insisted: "Andy is a player with a good reputation in the north-west and I've asked him to come down and spend some time with us so I can take a good look at him.

"He's young and keen to get on and he's definitely got an eye for goal. He scored a lot of goals in the reserves at Tranmere last season."

Robinson will meet up with the first team squad when they report back for pre-season training on July 7.

The move for Robinson follows Flynn's pursuit of Manchester United's 22-year-old defender Lee Roche, who has been told he can leave Old Trafford.

Flynn once took Roche on a season-long loan deal at Wrexham.

Meanwhile Swansea will play Dr Martens Premier Division side Bath City in a pre-season friendly at Twerton Park on July 21.

SWANSEA CITY director Huw Jenkins insisted last night the club would not break the bank to clinch the signature of Roberto Martinez.

Jenkins and Swans director of football Brian Flynn are flying out to Spain this weekend in an attempt to convince the midfield playmaker to commit his future to the Vetch.

But Jenkins dismissed claims the trip was aimed at addressing Martinez' wage demands, stressing money was not the bargaining tool he and Flynn would be using to secure the 29-year-old's services for next season.

Instead, Jenkins stressed, they would attempt to persuade the Spanish midfielder to put pen to paper on the basis of the club's ambitions for the future.

"As Roberto himself said in The Western Mail this week, there is no issue as far as finances are concerned," said Jenkins.

"And I would stress that, as a club, we have set a level as to what we think the better players in Division Three should be paid and we don't intend to go above that.

"We are not willing to gamble the future of the club on any one player.

"It would be foolish of us not to take heed of the mistakes made in the past with regard to big wages dished out to players.

"We will pay what we think is acceptable and what is affordable, but we simply cannot break the bank for any player."

Jenkins said he and Flynn wanted to convince Martinez of the club's ambitions to compete at a higher level.

He said, "We are going to Spain to show Roberto how serious we are about signing him and the role we want him to play in taking the club forward.

"Roberto wants to be certain that we are not happy just to hang around Division Three - I can assure him that we are not.

"The plan for the next few years is to get out of this league, push towards the top of Division Two and eventually get into the First Division.

"And, of course, the Morfa Stadium is a fantastic development for the club. But to really push the club forward we need players of a certain calibre. We've already addressed that to a certain extent by signing Leon Britton and getting James Thomas to agree to a new contract.

"And there will be a couple more quality players arriving before the end of the month - with the emphasis on quality, not quantity."

However, the Swans appear to have lost out on the services of striker Marc Richards.

Flynn has not conceded defeat in his bid to sign Richards with the 20-year-old close to agreeing a move to Third Division rivals Northampton Town.

OXFORD yesterday completed the signing of former Swans striker Julian Alsop from Cheltenham on a two-year deal.

FORGET Manchester United, Celtic or even AC Milan - Swansea City are the ones currently making an impact in Europe.

The Swans' popularity has soared on the continent after the climax to last season's fight for Football League survival was shown to millions of viewers on Dutch television.

Documentary makers for one of Holland's most-watched sports programmes spent the final week of the campaign capturing the drama as it unfolded simultaneously at the Vetch and relegation rivals Exeter.

And it seems the battle to avoid relegation to the Conference has captured the imagination of swathes of football followers in Holland after the show - described as a kind of Dutch Match of the Day - was broadcast two days ago.

An unofficial Swansea website was yesterday bombarded with messages of good luck from soccer nuts across the Netherlands - some of whom demanded to know where they could get their hands on Swans memorabilia.

"We already had a good following of supporters on the continent, but that seems to have grown since the programme went out," said Swans director David Morgan.

"Camera crews from one of the top sports programmes in Holland spent the last week of the season recording behind the scenes at Exeter and the Vetch, as well as our last game against Hull.

"But it seems the Dutch fans have latched onto us rather than Exeter."

Morgan added, "The top British sides like Manchester United and Arsenal are hugely popular out in Holland, along with the big Dutch teams like Ajax and Feyenoord.

"But they also take the smaller teams to their hearts and that is the case with us - we have hundreds of fans not just in Holland, but in Belgium too."

The Swans can expect to add to their continental fan-base furthermore when Brian Flynn's men travel to play Den Haag in the Dutch capital - The Hague - for the second pre-season running next month.

On the transfer front, meanwhile, Flynn is planning to fly out to Spain in the next few days to try to convince midfielder Roberto Martinez to put pen to paper on his new contract.

Swansea director of football Brian Flynn is poised to reopen talks with Wrexham striker Lee Trundle.

Trundle is soon to be out of contract and the Swans boss has already tabled an offer for the 26-year-old's services.

Flynn said: "I have been in regular contact with his agent for the last four or five weeks and the feedback I have had has been good.

"This will be the first time we have had a chance to sit down in person and get to the nitty gritty though, and take it one step further.

"I know Lee very well, I was the one who took him to Wrexham, so both parties know what they are dealing with," Flynn told the Swans' official website.

"I will be giving him a taste of my plans and ambitions for Swansea City and I am hopeful the whole package will be enough to tempt him to come to the Vetch Field."

SWANSEA City FC fans around the world are tuning in to their own Big Brother experience this summer.

But it's nothing to do with the hit Channel 4 production.

Unofficial Swansea City website Jackarmy.net is keeping Swansea fans gripped throughout the course of the series with its very own production "Big Jack Brother".

Twelve celebrities with links to Swansea City have been placed in the imaginary house and one by one visitors to the site are voting them out on a weekly basis.

So far, the fans have rejected Swansea fan Steven "Reeco" Rees and former Swansea winger and current Real Radio pundit Leighton James.

Still remaining in the house are James Thomas, Jason Smith and Leon Brittan as well as the recently-released Steve Watkin and John Williams.

Board member Leigh Dineen, club communications officer Peter Own and club shop stalwart Myra Powles make up the Swansea City staff members in the house.

They are joined by former manager John Hollins and a Swans fan based in Russia, Nick Rees.

Once a day Swansea fans are treated to an update from the house which details the high points of the things which have been happening.

The housemates are also given their weekly task as in the TV show.

Website owner and co-ordinator Phil Sumbler said, "Tasks so far have been keeping John Williams awake and asking Steve Watkin to hit the net three times.

"They are also currently working on a model for the new Morfa stadium.

"The response we have had has been incredible.

"The votes are coming in from far and wide and it's not just Swansea fans that seem to be taking an interest.

"I received hundreds of votes over the first two weeks. Many more than I expected.

"I guess with the close season upon us people want something to keep their interest in soccer going and this is there for them."

BOSS Martin Wilkinson was celebrating last night after at last getting his man – but then apologised to Cobblers fans for having to keep the player's identity under wraps.

Wilkinson was contacted from Spain yesterday by the player he has been chasing, the striker verbally agreeing to sign on at Sixfields for next season. But Wilkinson has been left frustrated by the fact he is unable to reveal who the player is, saying: "The player has said yes to a move here.

"He is coming back from his holiday in a couple of weeks and will come straight down here with his wife so they can look around the place and we will be hoping he will sign his contract that day. We have already agreed terms and everything, but he still has a few things to sort out with his old club, and until he has actually put pen to paper I don't want to say who it is.

"So I do apologise to the fans for that, but I think they'll be quite excited when they do find out his identity."

Wilkinson cancelled his trip to watch Glentoran forward Andy Smith in action for Northern Ireland last night, and that's because he has agreed to take in Blackburn Rovers striker Marc Richards on a free.

The 20-year-old is expected at Sixfields tomorrow to sign, with Wilkinson saying: "He was on loan at Swansea at the end of last season and scored seven goals in 14 games.

"That's a great strike-rate, he played in the same England under-20 side as Paul Reid, and he's another one who is quick and tall." Richards, who is 6'2", has made two League Cup appearances for Blackburn, as well as a clutch of League appearances on loan at Crewe, Oldham, Halifax and Swansea.

Wilkinson also confirmed that the club has made two further cash bids for players, one a defender at a Premiership club and the other a midfielder from Sunderland – an offer made by Wilkinson to Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy at the Ireland under-21 clash with Georgia on Tuesday.

"The game was terrible but it was a success in terms of making contacts," said the Cobblers boss. "That is how the offer for the Sunderland player came about."

Qpr have joined the race to sign Swansea City target Chris Llewellyn. Last season's losing Second Division play-off finalists want Welsh international Llewellyn to lead their bid to reach Division One next term.

And after inviting the 23-year-old Swansea product to his home for talks, Rangers boss Ian Holloway is hopeful of landing a player who was once the subject of a £4million offer from West Brom.

''I wanted to see him face to face and assess whether he was right for us,'' explained Holloway, who is poised to complete a deal for Swindon frontman Eric Sabin.

''Both Chris and Eric have blistering pace, they know how to hurt defences and they can both play in a range of forward positions. That's what we want.''

Llewellyn, capped twice by Wales as an 18-year-old, is away on honeymoon after agreeing to cancel what is believed to have been a lucrative Norwich contract earlier this week.

Having discussed a move home with the Merthyr-born flyer last month, Swansea boss Brian Flynn has indicated that the ball is now in the player's court.

''I am waiting to hear either from Chris or his agent,'' he said.

Llewellyn, who has suffered badly with injuries for two seasons, is understood to have been offered a contract by Bristol Rovers, where he had a successful spell on loan at the back end of last term.

But the Pirates' interest may be cooling after they signed strikers Andy Rammell and Clive Platt and declared their interest in free-scoring Barnet forward Junior Agogo.

First Division Bradford City have also enquired about Llewellyn, though he is not thought to be one of the Bantams' top summer target, while a Scottish Premier League club is believed to have made contact as well.

KEVIN NUGENT yesterday became the latest player to commit his future to Swansea City.

The 34-year-old former Cardiff City and Leyton Orient striker, who had been linked with a move to Cheltenham Town, has signed a new one-year deal with the Swans.

And Vetch Field director of football Brian Flynn said last night he had "a fighting chance" of also adding Lee Trundle to his attack after holding talks with the Wrexham striker yesterday.

But Trundle, who says he has attracted interest from clubs in Division One, is not expected to make a decision on his future until the end of the month.

Red Dragons goalkeeper Kristian Rogers, though, said he was "very interested" in linking up with his former Wrexham manager again and is expected to be a Swansea player by the end of the week.

"I have made Kris an offer of a one-year contract and I'm optimistic he will sign for us," said Flynn.

"As for Lee Trundle, he has a number of options available to him, but we are in with a fighting chance.

"We discussed a lot of things and he now knows exactly what we are all about."

Flynn hopes defender Jason Smith will follow Nugent by agreeing to the new contract he has been offered.

"I'm delighted Kevin has agreed to stay because he's an experienced player who played a vital part in our survival last season," he said.

"And I'm optimistic that Jason will also agree to the contract he has been offered when he returns from holiday."

Swansea City director Huw Jenkins today vowed to do everything possible to keep Roberto Martinez at Vetch Field. The out-of-contract Spanish midfielder, outstanding in Swansea's Third Division survival push last season, has yet to agree terms on what is thought to be a fresh two-year deal.

After speaking to at least two First Division managers this summer about possible moves, one-time Real Zaragoza player Martinez has called on Swansea to prove their ambition before he commits his future to Brian Flynn's men.

But Jenkins remains optimistic that the 29-year-old will be on board when the new Third Division season kicks off in August.

With Martinez currently at home in Catalonia but due in Wales for talks soon, he said: "We will do everything we can to keep Roberto, and I think our chances are very good.

''We know he is a key player for us and he is fully aware of how important we feel he is.

''At the end of the day it will be his decision and he has said that he wants to help us take the club forward.

''He wants to play for a club that wants to go somewhere. That's important to him - and we are in that category. Hopefully, when he has thought things through, he will come back to us and sign a new deal.''

Martinez today rubbished a Sunday paper report of his wage demands scuppering Swansea's attempts to land him on a long-term deal, and hinted that such speculation could see him move elsewhere.

''Four days ago I would have said I definitely wanted to sign, but now I'm not so sure where I stand with the club,'' he said.

''The problem is it's not clear to me where these stories about me holding out for a certain amount of money are coming from. They make it look as if I am trying to grab as much money as I can and that's not the case.

''The salary we are talking about is achievable for any club signing a player on a free transfer.''

He continued: ''There needs to be a human approach from the club and for people to show that extra bit of effort and determination.

''I spoke to Brian last Friday, but I have had no other contact with anyone at Swansea since.

''All I can say to the supporters is if things can't be worked out, the club will be in my heart forever and I will never forget about them or what I helped to do there last season.''

Thanks to some masterful displays at the heart of Swansea's midfield, Martinez became a major favourite with fans after signing on a free transfer from Walsall in January.

And Flynn, who recently described the Sky TV football pundit as pivotal to his plans for next season, is keeping his fingers crossed that hurdles between Swansea and his signature can be cleared in the next few days.

''Money has got a part to play,'' he conceded, ''but it's not necessarily the case that Roberto's wages are all there is to it.

''He came originally to a club at the bottom of Division Three for a short-term project which was keeping us in the league.

''We achieved that, and now he is looking beyond to see what our ambitions are.

''I'm not going to give any of my secrets away about what I'm doing to try to persuade him to sign. He definitely wants to join us, it's just a case of getting everything right.''

Flynn was due to meet Wrexham striker Lee Trundle to discuss a move to South Wales today.

Persuading the 26-year-old goalscorer to drop down a division would provide further evidence to Martinez of the depth of the club's ambition.

Swansea's director of football has put a move for an unnamed Scottish Under-21 international on hold after initial talks with the youngster yesterday.

The latest player to be linked with a summer to move to Swansea is Bath City midfielder Jamie Gosling.

The 20-year-old, who could join the club on trial, is also attracting interest from Third Division new-boys Yeovil.

ROBERTO MARTINEZ last night passionately dismissed claims he is holding out for more money before committing his future to Swansea City.

The Spanish playmaker spoke out after reports emerged over the weekend claiming his wage demands had caused his proposed return to the Vetch to hit a snag.

Martinez, who revealed he has spoken to two other Nationwide League managers interested in signing him, flew back to Spain last week after holding further talks with Swans boss Brian Flynn.

But, speaking to The Western Mail from his Spanish home, Martinez said his mood had altered after reports then came out claiming he was haggling for a better deal from the Third Division club.

"Four days ago I would have said I definitely wanted to sign, but now I am not sure where I stand with the club," said the 29-year-old midfielder.

"The problem is it's not clear to me where these stories about me holding out for a certain amount of money are coming from.

"It was very disappointing to hear these things had been said because they are completely untrue - the wage figures quoted were not right.

"Stories like these are not healthy for me as a player or for the club."

Martinez went on, "These reports make it look as if I am trying to grab as much money as I possibly can and that's not the case.

"Yes, I probably would have to take a drop in wages to join the Swans, but that is not an issue for me.

"And, in any case, the salary we are talking about is achievable for any club signing a player on a free transfer."

Swans fans are desperate to see the former Real Zaragoza midfielder return to the Vetch such was his influence on keeping the club in the Football League last season.

And Martinez has urged the club to get back in touch with him for more talks.

"There needs to be a human approach from the club and for people to show that extra bit of effort and determination," said Martinez.

"I spoke to Brian last Friday, but I have had no other contact with anyone at Swansea since then.

"I have spoken to a couple of other managers on a casual basis, but that was after I had spoken to Swansea.

"All I can say to the Swans supporters is, if things can't be worked out, the club will be in my heart forever and I will never forget about them or what I helped to do there last season."

Flynn, meanwhile, said his meeting in Glasgow with an unnamed Scotland Under-21 international had gone "very well."

Swansea will have a reserve team next season after yesterday being readmitted into the Pontins Holidays Combination League.

SWANSEA CITY boss Brian Flynn insisted last night that former Queens Park Rangers defender Chris Plummer was "very keen" on a move to the Vetch.

Flynn, who is also close to completing the permanent signing of Leon Hylton, was optimistic about adding Plummer to his squad after meeting the 26-year-old centre-half yesterday for talks.

"Chris came across very well - he seemed very keen about the possibility of joining us," said the director of football.

"He's the right type of player for us.

"He's a good, no-nonsense defender and he has the experience of playing at a higher level - Division One."

Flynn said Plummer, the former Loftus Road trainee who fractured his ankle in QPR's 4-0 FA Cup defeat at the Vetch in November 2001, fitted in with his long-term plans for the Swans.

"When you look for a player, you look for someone who cannot only play in Division Three, but also higher up the ladder and Chris can do that," said Flynn.

"You have to think, 'Where do we want to be in two or three years time?' And, 'Have we got people who can play at a higher level'."

Flynn will hold further talks with Plummer - who has also been linked with a move to Conference side Barnet - but it will be two weeks before he can finalise Hylton's move to the Vetch as the defender yesterday travelled to France to represent the England under-20 side in the Toulon tournament.

Having spent three months on loan at the end of last season, 20-year-old Hylton is keen to join the Swans on a permanent basis after being made surplus to requirements at Aston Villa.

"We are very close on this one," said Flynn.

"I'd like to think that when Leon gets back from France, we can shake hands on the deal very quickly."

Kris O'Leary is the latest Swans player to agree to a new contract, the 25-year-old defender having put pen to paper on a one-year deal.

But Spanish playmaker Roberto Martinez is still mulling over the offer Flynn has made him to commit his future to Swansea.

Brian Flynn wants at least three new faces at Vetch Field in time for the new Third Division season. And the Swansea City boss may have to bring in twice that number as he looks to build a 20-man squad in time for August's big kick-off.

So far nine players - including youngsters Stuart Jones and Richard Duffy - have signed up for next term, while eight others who played for the club last year have been offered the chance to return.

Of those, Lenny Johnrose and Kieron Durkan seem the most unlikely to stay on at this stage, while the future of Spanish maestro Roberto Martinez is uncertain.

Brad Maylett, Leon Hylton and Marc Richards are among the others still to commit to Swansea, so Flynn could yet face a frantic summer of transfer dealings.

Definitely among his list of targets is a goalkeeper, with the former Wrexham player Kristian Rogers the hot favourite to sign.

Swansea also need at least one centre-back and hope to meet ex-QPR man Chris Plummer this week.

At the other end of the pitch, Dirk Lehmann, Lee Trundle, Karl Connolly and Chris Llewellyn all remain on Flynn's hitlist.

The Swansea boss plans to supplement his squad by making up to three long-term loan signings in the early part of next season.

"I want 20 players in the first-team squad in August including Stuart Jones and Richard Duffy, who I see playing some part next season," he said.

"Then we will look at some season-long loans once everything gets underway. You don't really want them in pre-season and clubs are unlikely to agree to loans anyway until they know exactly how their squad is shaping up."

Swansea, meanwhile, are looking for matchday stewards and turnstile operators to work at the Vetch next season.

Successful applicants will be physically fit and aged between 18 and 55. Training to NVQ standard will be provided. For an application form contact Dawn Rutherford on 01792 633400.

The new Morfa Stadium could trigger a Swansea City promotion drive through the Nationwide League, believes Brian Flynn. The club's director of football today hailed the momentous decision to press ahead with plans for the 20,000-seater stadium.

And he hopes it will act as a catalyst for a march to Division One by the end of the decade.

"If the club is to move forward, it has to mirror itself on and off the pitch," said Flynn.

"Morfa is pivotal if we want to be a recognised Second Division side within the next three years.

"And if we want to go forward again and be a First Division side within five years, we need a stadium to match.

"It can certainly be a catalyst for that.

"I've seen the plans and it's a very, very nice stadium, and now it's got the go-ahead we have to press on.

"It's going to be massive for the club.

"I have fond memories of the Vetch because I made my debut for Wales there, but if we are to move forward as a football club and as a city we need a stadium of that standard."

After a series of delays spanning 13 years, council chiefs yesterday agreed a deal paving the way for work to start on the £24 million scheme.

It is expected building work will get underway this autumn, but the first matches are unlikely to be played at the ground until the start of the 2005-06 season.

It means the Swans face just two more seasons at their current Vetch Field home.

Around £50,000 in safety improvements will have to be carried out at the ground to keep it running until the new stadium is ready.

Swansea Council has promised to stump up the money to make sure it meets safety standards.

Flynn has already noted the way in which attendances have spiralled at Third Division rivals Hull City since they made a mid-season move to the highly impressive Kingston Communications Stadium.

At their old Boothferry Park ground they were averaging crowds of 9,000.

Yet some matches at the new stadium have been attracting as many as 22,000.

The ground also hosted the midweek clash between England Under-21s and Serbia and Montenegro.

"Towards the end of last season, if we'd had room for 20,000 at the Vetch we would have filled it," added Flynn.

"Atmosphere comes from within and it comes from the passion of supporters.

"Swansea supporters have that passion and they will be able to transfer it on to the new pitch at Morfa. I'm sure of that."

Major European matches involving the new Swansea-Neath regional rugby side will also be played at the ground.

It is not yet known if the semi-professional Swansea side will also make the switch to Morfa.

All Whites chairman Roger Blyth, who is also involved in setting up the as yet unnamed region, joined Flynn in welcoming the council's decision.

"All the signals in the past week have been positive but you are never quite sure until everything is agreed," he said.

"But this is good news all round. It's great for the area and from a regional point of view.

"Outside the Millennium Stadium, this is the first new stadium to be built in Wales for many years and it makes a statement for the area.

"With the advent of regional rugby it gives us the option of playing there, which is great.

"It's good news for Wales because now we have a stadium capable of staging all kinds of matches outside major internationals."

Hopes are high the state-of-the-art stadium could also lure regular international fixtures back to Swansea.

A ground of its capacity would prove an ideal venue for Wales A rugby fixtures - should the side be relaunched in the future.

It could also prove suitable for the Wales Under-21s soccer side, which currently play most of their home matches at Cardiff's Ninian Park.

Kristian Rogers looks set to fight it out with Roger Freestone for Swansea City's No. 1 spot next season after Tony Pennock was deemed too old for the job. After veteran Freestone agreed a new one-year deal yesterday, former Wrexham stopper Rogers has emerged as the hot favourite to land the other keeper's contract at Vetch Field as Brian Flynn looks for a blend of experience and youth going into the new Third Division campaign.

Local lad Pennock, the former Rushden & Diamonds and Farnborough keeper, is rated by Flynn, but has paid the price for his 32 years.

''Tony is vastly experienced and I explained to him that I'm looking for a younger keeper to work alongside Roger Freestone,'' said Swansea's director of football.

''Kristian is very much in the picture, along with another keeper who is also young and available but I don't want to name.''

With hundreds of players looking for work this summer as clubs seek to trim wage bills, there is a glut of goalkeeping talent on offer.

England Under-21 international Rhys Evans is among those looking for a club after being released by Chelsea, as is Oldham's Northern Irish Under-21 David Miskelly.

Proven performers like Gavin Ward, Steve Banks and Simon Royce are also jobless, but Flynn looks like opting for a return to his old club.

Rogers was released by the Dragons last month having fallen behind Andy Dibble and fellow youngster Paul Whitfield in the Racecourse pecking order.

The 22-year-old has clocked up 41 senior appearances - including one on loan at Rushden - since making his debut under Flynn three years ago.

And the Swansea boss has hinted that the Chester-born youngster could force his way into the Vetch Field first team come August.

''What we are looking for is competition in all departments,'' he added.

''Roger has done a huge amount for this club and has great experience, but it's the same in his position as any other.''

Pennock, who lives in Swansea and regularly trained with his hometown club last season, is now searching for a new club.

There was some interest from Football League new-boys Doncaster, but that appears to have subsided.

Pennock said: ''Credit to Brian Flynn for telling me face to face, but I am really disappointed.''

Centre-back Kristian O'Leary, meanwhile, has also agreed terms on a new one-year Swansea contract.

The 25-year-old finished last season strongly after a difficult period when he lost both the club captaincy and his place in the first team.

''I'm delighted that two such experienced players as Kris and Roger, who are both Swansea through and through, have decided to stay with us next season,'' added Flynn, who revealed that talks with skipper Jason Smith over a new deal are also progressing well.

Michael Howard admits he feared for his footballing future as Swansea City struggled for Nationwide League survival. And with almost 600 Premiership and Nationwide League players out of contract this summer, the 24-year-old dleft-back has expressed his relief after agreeing a new 12-month Vetch Field deal yesterday.

"You always worry that you might not get a new deal," said Howard, who is a former Tranmere Rovers trainee.

"It is the nature of the sport that come the end of a season you might be out of a job.

"But this year, with so many players out of contract at so many clubs, it's been a nightmare.

"I am really glad to have got everything done. Now I can go away on holiday and come back raring to go next season."

Midfielder Jonathan Coates was equally relieved after he agreed fresh terms with Brian Flynn.

The 27-year-old's one-year deal completes a remarkable turnaround in fortunes after he was released by former boss Nick Cusack last summer.

"Given the year I've just had I'm glad that I've got a contract to take me through the next 12 months," said Coates, who returned to his hometown club on a non-contract basis in March after a spell with Conference club Woking.

"I've spoken at length with the manager and I think that is the start of something.

"The club is going somewhere and I want to be part of it.

"It's up to me now to do my job as well as I can for a year and hopefully, the club will be moving forward and I can earn myself another new contract."

Added Howard: "The gaffer has explained to me where he wants the club to be within the next couple of years and I'm feeling very optimistic about next season.

"Hopefully we can get Swansea City back out of this division."

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."

SWANSEA CITY goalkeeper Roger Freestone is assured of a 13th season at the Vetch Field after signing a one-year contract with the Third Division club.

And Freestone, who celebrates his 35th birthday in August, is hoping it will not be a case of unlucky 13 -by helping his beloved Swans win promotion to Division Two.

The man from Newport, out of contract at the end of 2002-03, aims to be the Swans' No 1 goalkeeper next term and insists he is not staying at the Vetch "to make up the numbers".

The new contract keeps alive Freestone's dream of breaking the club record for most league appearances of 586 set by Wilf Milne from 1920-37.

By the end of last season Freestone had clocked up 529 league appearances for the Swans and he needs 58 more to shatter Milne's record.

The goalkeeper met Swans director of football Brian Flynn for talks on Thursday and called him yesterday morning to confirm he would be staying at the Vetch for 2003-04.

"The gaffer (Flynn) is very ambitious and he told me he is going to bring in another goalkeeper, but I'm not signing to make up the numbers," he said.

"I still have the same enthusiasm and enjoyment for the game that I had 15 years ago and I am looking forward to the challenge of winning back the No 1 shirt."

Freestone has not played for the Swans since injuring his back in the 4-0 reverse at Hartlepool on February 22.

Flynn drafted in Neil Cutler on loan and when the Welsh international returned to fitness the Stoke man's excellent form kept Freestone out of the side.

Former Newport keeper Freestone joined the Swans in September 1991 in a £45,000 switch from Chelsea.

"It was disappointing not to be involved in the last few games of last season so I am doubly keen to make the starting line-up for the first game of next season," he said.

Retaining Freestone caps a busy week for Flynn who has also secured the services of striker James Thomas, defender Michael Howard and midfielders Leon Britton, Lee Jenkins and Jonathan Coates. Flynn's next target is playmaker Roberto Martinez, currently in Spain thinking over the Swans' offer.

SWANSEA CITY boss Brian Flynn last night spoke of his delight after hearing the news that Morfa Stadium had finally been given the thumbs-up.

After years of arguing and wrangling, City and County of Swansea yesterday announced Wales' second-biggest city will have a new stadium within three years.

It is hoped work on the 20,000-capacity venue will start in October and that stadium will be finished in autumn 2005.

The all-seater Morfa will be used by the Swans as well as the new Neath-Swansea regional rugby side.

"This is excellent news for Swansea City Football Club. We need a new stadium to go forward, so I'm delighted the Morfa Stadium has been given the go-ahead," Flynn told The Western Mail.

"The Vetch is a lovely, traditional football ground, but it is old and tired. We have to move on. The days of grounds like the Vetch are over. New stadiums are the future and more and more clubs are moving into them."

Added Flynn, "The Morfa had to happen. They have been talking about a new stadium here for about 10 years, so it's great that it has finally been given the green light.

"A new stadium is important, not just for this football club but for sport in Swansea as a whole.

"The fact we will have a brand new stadium in a couple of years time should create a real buzz at the club."

Swans director David Morgan added, "The news that a new stadium is being built is the best this club has had for more than 20 years.

"It is something the board have hoped and prayed for ever since we took over the club at the start of 2002.

"We have worked very closely with the council on this project and we are absolutely delighted with what has been achieved.

"We can all look forward to the Swans playing in a 21st-century stadium in the near future.

"Everyone will always have treasured memories of the Vetch. When we move there will be a few tears shed - but the club will be stronger and more sustainable in a superb new stadium.

"The longer we stay at the Vetch the further we will fall behind our rivals in terms of income due to the lack of facilities available."

The council has already invited contractors with a proven track record in stadium construction to tender for the contract.

Capital and Regional will carry out the development of a retail and leisure park to generate the funds that will allow the council to build the Morfa.

The existing stadium at Morfa will be demolished to make way for the all-seater venue and the retail site. There also plans for Morfa to house a sports village.

Lawrence Bailey, leader of City and County of Swansea, said, "Swansea needs and deserves a modern sports stadium where talent flourishes and spectators can enjoy the facilities of a modern 21st century stadium.

"The deal has been achieved by a huge amount of hard work and negotiation and the sporting and economic benefits will be immense.

"People are now looking at Swansea in a fresh light. They can see that we are a city on the way up.

"We have one of the most exciting waterfront developments in Europe, Wales' National Swimming Pool, the National Waterfront Museum and now Britain's latest sports stadium."

SWANSEA CITY could soon have British football's biggest ratio of young season-ticket holders thanks to a tie-up with The Western Mail.

We have joined forces with Brian Flynn's Swans to offer young fans the opportunity to purchase season tickets for just £25. The offer, which is for 12 matches next season, will formally be launched in The Western Mail on Monday. Collect three Swansea City vouchers which we will publish next week and youngsters under 12 could be eligible for the special discount deal.

It could give the Swans one of the biggest young to adult ratio of season ticket fans anywhere in Britain. A club spokesman said the Swans were delighted to tie up with the national newspaper of Wales.

He said, "Thanks to The Western Mail things have just got even better here. "We've teamed up with the newspaper to provide 1,000 season-tickets for under-12s priced at just £25. That is just £2 per game! "We recognise the importance of attracting a new generation of fans for the future of Swansea City.

" Watch out for the first voucher in The Western Mail on Monday.

The new Morfa Stadium could trigger a Swansea City promotion drive through the Nationwide League, believes Brian Flynn. The club's director of football today hailed the momentous decision to press ahead with plans for the 20,000-seater stadium.

And he hopes it will act as a catalyst for a march to Division One by the end of the decade.

"If the club is to move forward, it has to mirror itself on and off the pitch," said Flynn.

"Morfa is pivotal if we want to be a recognised Second Division side within the next three years.

"And if we want to go forward again and be a First Division side within five years, we need a stadium to match.

"It can certainly be a catalyst for that.

"I've seen the plans and it's a very, very nice stadium, and now it's got the go-ahead we have to press on.

"It's going to be massive for the club.

"I have fond memories of the Vetch because I made my debut for Wales there, but if we are to move forward as a football club and as a city we need a stadium of that standard."

After a series of delays spanning 13 years, council chiefs yesterday agreed a deal paving the way for work to start on the £24 million scheme.

It is expected building work will get underway this autumn, but the first matches are unlikely to be played at the ground until the start of the 2005-06 season.

It means the Swans face just two more seasons at their current Vetch Field home.

Around £50,000 in safety improvements will have to be carried out at the ground to keep it running until the new stadium is ready.

Swansea Council has promised to stump up the money to make sure it meets safety standards.

Flynn has already noted the way in which attendances have spiralled at Third Division rivals Hull City since they made a mid-season move to the highly impressive Kingston Communications Stadium.

At their old Boothferry Park ground they were averaging crowds of 9,000.

Yet some matches at the new stadium have been attracting as many as 22,000.

The ground also hosted the midweek clash between England Under-21s and Serbia and Montenegro.

"Towards the end of last season, if we'd had room for 20,000 at the Vetch we would have filled it," added Flynn.

"Atmosphere comes from within and it comes from the passion of supporters.

"Swansea supporters have that passion and they will be able to transfer it on to the new pitch at Morfa. I'm sure of that."

Major European matches involving the new Swansea-Neath regional rugby side will also be played at the ground.

It is not yet known if the semi-professional Swansea side will also make the switch to Morfa.

All Whites chairman Roger Blyth, who is also involved in setting up the as yet unnamed region, joined Flynn in welcoming the council's decision.

"All the signals in the past week have been positive but you are never quite sure until everything is agreed," he said.

"But this is good news all round. It's great for the area and from a regional point of view.

"Outside the Millennium Stadium, this is the first new stadium to be built in Wales for many years and it makes a statement for the area.

"With the advent of regional rugby it gives us the option of playing there, which is great.

"It's good news for Wales because now we have a stadium capable of staging all kinds of matches outside major internationals."

Hopes are high the state-of-the-art stadium could also lure regular international fixtures back to Swansea.

A ground of its capacity would prove an ideal venue for Wales A rugby fixtures - should the side be relaunched in the future.

It could also prove suitable for the Wales Under-21s soccer side, which currently play most of their home matches at Cardiff's Ninian Park.