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Press cuttings |
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Saturday, July 26, 2003 Flynn: This will put us on right road |
| Western Mail BRIAN FLYNN leads his new-look Swansea City into a four-nation tournament at Bradford promising it will give their pre-season preparations a major boost. Flynn reckons games against Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen today and either First Division Bradford City or Irish outfit Coleraine tomorrow will provide excellent tests for his revitalised Swans. And 48 hours from now Flynn hopes to have a better idea of what his first-choice XI might be come the big kick-off on August 9. "The tournament is an excellent chance for us to work on several things, including fitness levels and different combinations," said Flynn. "It gives me the opportunity to look at partnerships and assess how people are gelling together. "And, most importantly, it's a chance for us to test ourselves against quality opposition, which all of the sides involved in this tournament undoubtedly are. "Our first opponents Aberdeen are one of the top sides in the Scottish Premier League and a club with a good history. "And whether we come up against Bradford or Coleraine on Sunday, both are good teams who will be tough to overcome." Flynn's men got their pre-season campaign off to a perfect start eights days ago with a 6-0 rout of Welsh Premier outfit Port Talbot Town - including a two-goal debut from former Wrexham ace Lee Trundle. But Swansea have been confined to the training ground since after the controversial decision to cancel Monday's planned warm-up clash at Bath. Flynn, however, insists the players have not suffered from the absence of another game. He said, "I wasn't concerned that we didn't have another match quickly after the Port Talbot one. "We have had two quality training sessions this week which have proved just as valuable. "Overall, I'm delighted with fitness levels as well as the attitude and application of the players. "Team spirit is good and everyone seems to be looking forward to the new season." Flynn says he was encouraged by the margin of victory at Port Talbot, but is quick to repeat the familiar mantra that results do not matter in pre-season. "Of course a 6-0 win is pleasing," Flynn insists, "but I was more concerned with the way we played. "I know it's a cliche, but results don't really matter in these type of games. "Remember when I was with Leeds and we were beaten 5-1 by Swansea at the Vetch on the opening day of the 1981-82 season? "Well, that came after we had gone through the pre-season without losing one game. "So you can understand why I don't get too excited about results until the season starts." Flynn has promised to give each member of his 20-man squad a run-out over the weekend. "Everyone will have at least 90 minutes, including a few of the youngsters," said Flynn. "It's pleasing to see lads like Stuart Jones, Antonio Corbisiero and Lee Surman coming through and they will get another chance to impress." After taking part in the Bradford Centenary Tournament, the Swans decamp to The Hague in Holland for a two-match tour. Den Haag were due to be Swansea's first opponents on Tuesday, but the Dutch side have decided to cancel the match after crowd trouble marred their recent friendly with Chester City. Instead, Flynn's men will face non-league outfit Kranenburg, against whom they drew 2-2 last summer. Goalkeeper Roger Freestone and defender Jason Smith will both miss the Bradford tournament and the Holland tour through injury. |
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Saturday, July 26, 2003 Swans agree sponsorship deal |
| Ananova Swansea City have announced a new one-year deal with current sponsors Travel House, whose name will appear on the club's new home shirt. The agreement extends a two-year partnership with the local firm. The company's marketing manager Alison Burns said in a statement: "We are looking forward to a great season working alongside Swansea City FC. "We are seeing a new strength to Swansea FC both on and off the field and we are excited about being a part of this for the forthcoming year." |
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Saturday, July 26, 2003 Dutch tour match cancelled |
| BBC Online Swansea City have been forced to find new opponents for the first match of their pre-season tour of Holland. The Swans were scheduled to play Dutch First Division side ADO Den Haag at Wilhelmus FC on Tuesday night. But, according to the Swansea website, the mayor of Den Haag has ordered the match to be cancelled after crowd trouble erupted during Den Haag's away friendly with Chester City on Wednesday. "The mayor decided that Wilhelmus FC couldn't cater for the possible amount of fans that could be held at the ground," said a Swansea spokesperson. Swansea will now play Dutch non-league champions Kranenburg. The second tour match against Noordwijk will go ahead as planned on Thursday. "Swansea would like to express its disappointment in this game being called off. Last season's matches went ahead without any trouble whatsoever," added the spokesman. |
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Thursday, July 24, 2003 Murphy joins Swansea |
| Football Association of Ireland Republic of Ireland Under 20 goalkeeper Brian Murphy has joined Swansea City on a two year contract after turning down a new deal at Manchester City. The goalkeeper has been on trial at Vetch Field for the last week after rejecting a new contract offer from Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan in order to move to a club offering a better chance of first team football. At the Premiership club, Murphy was fourth choice goalkeeper behind David Seaman, Nicky Weaver and Carlo Nash for City this season and having gone to Oldham Athletic on loan last season, he returned to Manchester insisting he needed to get away to gain first team football. Murphy will be hoping to be part of the Republic of Ireland Under 20 squad for the World Youth Championships in the United Arab Emirates in November. Murphy was a regular in the squad under Brian Kerr and was preferred to Aston Villa goalkeeper Wayne Henderson for the European Under 19 Championships qualification matches and finals in 2002 until a shoulder injury allowed Henderson to reclaim his place in the team. New Under 20 manager Gerry Smith called the Waterford-born goalkeeper into the squad for a training session at the end of May as he began preparations for the World Cup and will name his squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic on September 3 sometime in August.
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Thursday, July 24, 2003 Swansea unveil new keeper |
| BBC Online
Swansea City have moved to solve their goalkeeper crisis by signing Brian Murphy on a one-year deal.
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Wednesday, July 23, 2003 SMITH LAID LOW BY INJURY HOODOO AGAIN |
| Western Mail Swansea City skipper Jason Smith faces a race to be fit for the new season. His long-term ankle problems have struck again and the 6ft 3in central defender has been forced out of next week's tour of Holland.
He will instead travel to the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall in a bid to recover for the Third Division opener against Bury in 17 days' time. |
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Wednesday, July 23, 2003 WE'RE VERY SORRY |
| Evening Post
Swansea City vice-chairman Leigh Dineen was ''bitterly disappointed'' by his own club's failure to play their pre-season game at Bath City on Monday night. And Dineen, who also heads Swansea's Supporters' Trust, has demanded that there be no repeat of the apparent shabby treatment of their opponents and both clubs' fans in the future. |
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Wednesday, July 23, 2003 ANDY HOPING TO BE HANDY |
| Evening Post
Triallist Andy Robinson is hoping for a string of impressive pre-season performances to seal a contract with Swansea City. Robinson got off to a good start in Swansea colours on Friday with two smartly-taken goals in the 6-0 thrashing of Port Talbot. |
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Wednesday, July 23, 2003 SWANS SLAMMED |
| Evening Post
Brian Flynn insisted today he had no choice but to cancel a friendly with Bath City at the last minute because of the pre-season goalkeeping crisis at Vetch Field. Bath boss Alan Pridham has slammed Flynn's men after they pulled the plug on last night's Twerton Park clash less than six hours before kick-off. |
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Wednesday, July 23, 2003 Swans man goes to tribunal |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY are facing legal action from the man who has helped groom some of the club's most promising youngsters. The Western Mail has learned former youth development director Wayne Powell is set to take the Third Division club to an employment tribunal after walking out on his job at the Vetch last month. The ex-Bristol Rovers and Hereford striker, who guided the Swans youth team through one of their best seasons last year, is to claim constructive dismissal against the club. Powell, 46, claims Swansea slashed his wages by £10,000 without telling him. He also claims they told the media he was being demoted to assistant youth development director before he knew anything about it. Powell insists that the club offered him no severance pay and says they failed to reply to letters from him and his solicitor asking for the reasons behind his change of role. Powell, who had been part of Swansea's youth set-up since 1998, is taking action after being replaced as youth development director by former first-team coach Alan Curtis. He insists he had no problem working next to Curtis, or even with the title he was given following the changes. But Powell says he is upset at the way he has been treated after working hard behind the scenes to secure vital Football League and Premier League funding for Swansea's youth department. He says he secured funding to the tune of £138,000 to cover the youth set-up up to 2006. Powell's youngsters clinched the Merit Third Division championship for the first time in the club's history and lifted the Welsh Youth Cup for only the second time. Last night Swans chairman Huw Jenkins defended the club's position and expressed disappointment over Powell's decision to take legal action. "It is sad that an employee is taking on the club and perhaps putting us under financial pressure when we are still working under the strict terms of the CVA (Company Voluntary Arrangement)," he said. "It is true that Wayne's role within the club was changed and that involved a reduction in wages. "But the figure of £10,000 is not accurate. From the point we asked him to take on a different role, he has been on leave and we have therefore been unable to negotiate his salary. "I believe we are still receiving doctors papers from Wayne so technically he is still an employee of the club, which explains why he would not have received severance pay. "As far as I am concerned, Wayne was definitely told about his change of role before the media knew about it and, although I have not replied to his letters, I believe our solicitor has." Jenkins insists the club has had to ask staff to accept pay cuts to ensure it remains on an even keel financially. "It is no slur on Wayne - we recognise the good job he did last season," said Jenkins. "But we are trying to run this football club sensibly and within budgets so we do not get into the kind of debt we have suffered in the past. "Wage reductions are not unique to Swansea City; it's happening right across football - just look at what's happening at Luton or Oldham." |
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Tuesday, July 22, 2003 Swans take flak for Bath farce |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY were last night slammed as "embarrassingly amateurish" for canceling a pre-season clash because of a goalkeeping crisis at the Vetch. Angry Bath City bosses accused the Swans of "mickey-mouse" behaviour after the friendly scheduled to take place at their Twerton Park home was called off yesterday afternoon. Red-faced Swansea chiefs insisted last night they had no choice but to pull the plug on the warm-up tie as they were without a recognised goalkeeper to face the Dr Martens League outfit. Veteran shot-stopper Roger Freestone and youth team keeper Ryan Harrison were both injured, while trialist Brian Murphy - who the Swans hope to sign this week - was back home in Ireland considering his future. But furious Bath manager Alan Pridham, who wanted to use the match against Brian Flynn's side to run the rule over his own trialists, countered by claiming he had "never known anything like this at any level of football". Pridham fumed, "I just can't believe what has happened - it is embarrassingly amateurish. "I wouldn't expect this from a local Western League club, let alone a so-called professional outfit. "They should be ashamed of themselves and I just can't understand it. The whole thing is mickey mouse. They are supposed to be a professional club and I'm just shocked by their behaviour. "If they had let us know earlier (the game was not called off until 1.30pm) it could have been in the press and we could have let everyone know. But to cancel on the day of the game is unbelievable." Swans director of football Brian Flynn was last night unavailable to comment on his decision to call off the tie. But Flynn's No 2 Kevin Reeves said, "Listen, we accept it was late in the day to cancel the game and we would have been disappointed had it been done to us. "But, unfortunately, we did not have much choice. Roger picked up a dead leg in the Port Talbot game, and there was little we could do about Brian (Murphy) going back to Ireland. He had commitments back home and his return ferry ticket was booked in advance of the Bath game. "We considered playing Ryan, even if someone else took the goal-kicks, but in the end he was not even mobile. "And we felt putting an outfield player in goal would have showed a lack of professionalism." This fresh goalkeeping crisis has flared up after it was confirmed Freestone will be out for up to two weeks. Should Murphy turn down a move to the Vetch, Flynn will have to work fast to avoid going into this weekend's pre-season tournament at Bradford followed by the club's tour to Holland without a single fit keeper. |
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Tuesday, July 22, 2003 FREESTONE BLOW AS SWANS FACE A POTENTIAL GOALKEEPING CRISIS |
| Evening Post
Swansea City have been hit by a potential goalkeeping crisis after the news that Roger Freestone could be out for up to two weeks.
Freestone had to be carried off late into the first pre-season warm-up at Victoria Road after an accidental collision saw him nursing a severe dead leg. |
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Friday, July 18, 2003 SMITH: SWANS CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED |
| Evening Post
Swansea City skipper Jason Smith says the hard work starts now with the first of the pre-season friendlies at Port Talbot tonight (7.15pm).
Brian Flynn takes a full-strength squad to Victoria Road and the captain insists the players know just how important these warm-up matches are. |
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Friday, July 18, 2003 Flynn aims to unveil another gem |
| Western Mail LEE TRUNDLE is expected to make his first appearance in a Swansea City shirt tonight - when boss Brian Flynn hopes to unearth another non-league gem. Striker Trundle was one of several players plying their trade outside the Football League who Flynn discovered during his time in charge at Wrexham. Having been persuaded to rejoin his former manager at the Vetch this summer, fans will get their first chance to see Trundle run out for the Swans when the club's pre-season campaign kicks off at Port Talbot Town tonight (7.15pm). And Flynn hopes the Victoria Road friendly will throw up another non-league jewel in the shape of 23-year-old striker Andy Robinson, who is on trial at Swansea. But whereas Trundle was at Welsh Premier outfit Rhyl when Flynn snapped him up, Robinson has been operating somewhat lower down the soccer pyramid - in Liverpool's Sunday Morning League to be exact - six tiers below Nationwide Division Three. "Andy was playing for Cammel Laird last season on Sunday mornings on Merseyside," explained Flynn. "Tranmere Rovers took him on trial last winter and he made one substitute appearance for the first team, but the club chose not to take him on. "Andy is a bit of an unknown, but there are a lot of good players out there who haven't been given the opportunity to prove themselves. "The pre-season games like this one at Port Talbot will give him that chance." Tonight also gives Flynn the chance to look at Karl Connolly and Kieron Durkan, both of whom are spending pre-season with the Swans in the hope of earning contracts. The Swans director of football will also cast his eye over former Manchester City goalkeeper Brian Murphy, who is midway through a seven-day trial at the Vetch. With a full squad making the short trip along the M4, star names like Roberto Martinez and Leon Britton should also be in action for the first time since the dramatic climax to last season. "Two games in four days (Swansea travel to Bath on Monday) gives me a good chance to see how everyone is shaping up," said Flynn. |
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Thursday, July 17, 2003 Swans plead for good behaviour |
| Teamtalk
Swansea City have asked their fans to behave next season after the club was fined £7,000 with another £4,000 suspended for crowd trouble. |
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Wednesday, July 16, 2003 Murphy can end keeper search |
| Western Mail HAVING worked alongside goalkeeping greats Peter Schmeichel and Peter Bonetti last season, Brian Murphy joined Swansea City on trial yesterday armed with some impressive references. Add an endorsement from Kevin Keegan into the mix and it is clear why Swans director of football Brian Flynn is keen to snap up the 20-year-old Irishman after his departure from Manchester City. The Republic of Ireland Under-20 international turned down City manager Keegan's offer of a new contract after deciding his first-team opportunities with the Blues would have been limited. Having been behind Schmeichel, Nicky Weaver and Carlo Nash in the Maine Road pecking order last season, Murphy's chances of making a breakthrough were limited further when Keegan signed former England No 1 David Seaman this summer. But Murphy leaves Manchester having been schooled not only by former Old Trafford and Denmark legend Schmeichel, but also ex-Chelsea and England star Peter Bonetti, goalkeeping coach at the Premiership club. "Not a bad environment for Brian to learn his trade in!" smiled Flynn. "I have had a good chat with Peter and he has told me a lot of good things about Brian. "I already knew he was a talented goalkeeper, having seen a lot of him in academy football at City. "He's a regular under-20 international and is tipped to play for the senior side one day. "Kevin Keegan offered him another year at City, but understandably, Brian wanted to move on to play regular first-team football. "He is spending the week at the Vetch and will hopefully agree to join us. That was why I brought him down here." But Flynn faces competition - understood to be from clubs in Division Two - to land a goalkeeper who started his career at Waterford Bohemians and had loan spells at Oldham and Peterborough last season. "Brian has a number of options," said Flynn. "There are other clubs interested in him, which is no surprise. But I am hopeful we can persuade him to sign for Swansea City." Flynn is keen to end his strife-torn search for a new goalkeeper to work alongside veteran Roger Freestone. The Swans boss missed out on signing his former Wrexham 'keeper Kristian Rogers earlier this summer when Sheffield United snapped him up at the last minute. And last week Tony Pennock turned down a three-month contract after claiming the Swans had reneged on the offer of a 12-month deal. |
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Wednesday, July 16, 2003 SWANS FINALISE DUTCH TOUR DATES |
| Evening Post
Swansea City have finalised the itinerary for their tour of Holland at the end of this month.
The first match of the tour on July 29 has changed venues, the friendly against FC Den Haag being switched to a 7pm kick-off at Wilhelmus FC which is five miles from the city centre of The Hague, where the squad is to be based. |
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Tuesday, July 15, 2003 Flynn makes moves to net keeper |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY'S search for a new goalkeeper will continue today when boss Brian Flynn holds talks with a "promising youngster." But on the defensive front, Flynn last night effectively ruled out the possibility of Manchester United's Alan Tate returning to the Vetch on a season-long loan. "A lot of people have asked me whether Alan is coming back, but I think that is unlikely to happen," said Flynn. "His challenge for next season is to break into the United first-team and I have not spoken to him about rejoining us. "I have a number of options in that department, but I want to take a bit of time over it." Something Flynn is anxious to resolve is the drawn-out search for a keeper to work alongside Roger Freestone. The Swans lost out on former Wrexham stopper Kristian Rogers and last week Tony Pennock turned down a three-month contract. Flynn will hope for better fortune today when he holds talks with a 20-year-old Irish keeper at the Vetch. "I don't want to reveal his name at this stage, but he is a promising young goalkeeper who has been released by his club," said Flynn. Meanwhile, the Football Association of Wales have hit the Swans with an £11,000 fine - £7,000 to pay now and £4,000 suspended until the end of next season - for crowd trouble during the games against Carlisle and Oxford at the Vetch in March. Fans threw objects onto the pitch during the Carlisle clash after a penalty decision went against the Swans. Supporters in the Centre Stand were also found guilty of using various forms of abuse at Carlisle officials. And the club was penalised for an object being thrown from the North Bank at an assistant referee in the Oxford game. |
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Monday, July 14, 2003 £11,000 FINE |
| Evening Post
Swansea City have been hit by a £11,000 fine following crowd trouble towards the end of last season. The club will have to pay £7,000 now, while £4,000 has been suspended until the end of next season. |
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Monday, July 14, 2003 SEARCH GOES ON |
| Evening Post
Brian Flynn is stepping up his search for a new goalkeeper as he continues to build his squad for next month's Division Three kick-off. Swansea City's director of football has had to re-assess the situation after Tony Pennock turned down a three-month contract last week and opted to join Carmarthen Town. |
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Monday, July 14, 2003 Flynn's 'Scud' will hit the target |
| Wales on Sunday BRIAN FLYNN may have labelled new striker Lee Trundle his "Scud" missile, but the former Wrexham man insists he will not put himself under pressure to score goals. With the bulk of the Vetch faithful hoping Trundle's strikes will send the Swans soaring into Division Two next season, the ex-non-league star moved vowed he will not let himself become obsessed with hitting the back of the net. "Andy Morrell got around 34 goals for Wrexham last year and I think it would be fair to say I set up half of them," he said. "And I won about seven penalties which Andy took, so there's more to my game than that. "I might be a bit of a marked man, but if that brings other people into the game then I'm happy." "I won't feel any pressure to get goals, I'm not that type of person. "I just want to go out and enjoy myself and if that happens then the goals will come." And Brian Flynn is certainly beaming with anticipation after capturing the player he took from non-league football to Wrexham when in charge of the North Wales club. Last night he was comparing Trundle to a Scud missile. "The way Lee plays is like a Scud," said Flynn. "When he gets the ball you know something's coming - but there's nothing you can do about it. "He's got so much skill the crowd will love him. "I got in contact with him right after the last day of the season against Hull. "But I was confident we'd get him. "And I'm delighted because he's a quality player. "He's such a threat in and around the box." Flynn first spotted Trundle playing for Rhyl and the youngster immediately made an impression on the then Wrexham manager. "Myself, Kevin Reeves and Joey Jones all went to have a look at him at Rhyl and we all agreed he was something different. "And when we signed him for Wrexham he didn't disappoint. He can create chances for others and get goals himself." And Liverpudlian Trundle admitted it was the chance of linking up with Flynn which won him over. "When I was at Wrexham Brian and Kevin [Reeves, Flynn's assistant at the Vetch] both really helped my game," he said. "I know they'll get the best out of me." |
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Sunday, July 13, 2003 Jenkins: We did not offer one-year deal |
| Western Mail
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Friday, July 11, 2003 Flynn pledges to solve keeper dilemma |
| Western Mail BRIAN FLYNN promised Swansea City will start the season with two senior goalkeepers after goalkeeper Tony Pennock stormed out of the Vetch following a contract row. Director of football Flynn is left with only one experienced goalkeeper - Roger Freestone - after Pennock walked away from the Third Division club. The 32-year-old quit the Swans in disgust after being offered a three-month deal after he verbally agreed a one-year contract. That means 16-year-old youth team 'keeper Ryan Harrison is the only back-up for Freestone at the moment. But Flynn said, "Plans for a new goalkeeper are in place. "I will be bringing in another goalkeeper, don't worry about that. I will sign him as soon as I possibly can." Pennock yesterday signed for League of Wales outfit Carmarthen Town and Flynn added, "I'm disappointed for Tony but things do change in football. "He was hoping for a one-year contract and the club was unable to offer him that. "Do I think Tony should have left? It was Tony's decision to leave." Flynn may have lost a goalkeeper but he gained a midfielder in Lenny Johnrose, who yesterday signed a one-year contract. Johnrose joined the Swans from Bury last season on a short-term contract and did enough to impress Flynn. And the former Wrexham boss said he would like to bring in two more players before next month's big kick-off. "We've got 16 players here right now and I think every manager would see 20 as the ideal figure, but I'll be happy to start with 18," he said. Flynn is thrilled to have acquired most of his top targets, including striker Lee Trundle and playmaker Roberto Martinez. "Yes, I am pleased with the way the summer has gone. We've got quality here and I'd like to think we'll be challenging for promotion," he added. "Our form in the last 20 games last season was definitely top-half-of-the-table stuff. We got 31 points from those games which is a good average. "Lee Trundle is a very good signing for us. He will score goals but he will also create them. "It has been a busy June and July for me. We had to bring players in and this is my team now." |
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Friday, July 11, 2003 Angry Pennock hits out at Swans |
| Western Mail DISTRAUGHT Tony Pennock has walked out of the Vetch Field and slammed Swansea City director Huw Jenkins as "an amateur" following a contractual bust-up. The former Rushden & Diamonds goalkeeper thought he would be fighting Roger Freestone for the No 1 jersey at the Vetch this season after shaking hands on a one-year deal with the Division Three club. But on Tuesday Swans director of football Brian Flynn told him he would have to accept a three-month contract if he wanted to stay with his home-town club. Pennock's shock departure comes just days after media manager Peter Owen walked out after being told his annual salary was going to be slashed by £8,000. The shot-stopper, who was hoping to sign a contract with the Swans this week, has now signed for League of Wales club Carmarthen Town. "I can't believe what has happened," said Swansea-born Pennock. "I can't believe I have been treated this way. "How can I possibly accept a three-month contract? I'm married with three kids. We have a mortgage and bills to pay. "What would I do in October if the contract was not renewed? I feel so let down. This is a real slap in the face. "I agreed a one-year contract with Swansea two and a half weeks ago. On Monday we agreed it again. "Then on Tuesday afternoon I was told the contract would only be for three months. I couldn't accept that, so I told Brian I don't think I would be coming back. "Swansea haven't even given me a reason for their change of mind. I would appreciate someone ringing me and telling me why I was being offered three months. "Huw Jenkins owes me an explanation. He was chairman of Briton Ferry in the Welsh League before coming to Swansea. "But Swansea is a professional club. It's not a Welsh League club. You can't behave in an amateurish way at a club like Swansea." Pennock, who was at Farnborough last season, went on, "Funnily enough, a few hours before I was told the news they signed Lee Trundle. Is that a coincidence or not? "Swansea have signed players like Roberto (Martinez) and Leon (Britton) during the summer. They have to pay for them." He added, "Brian told me the decision was out of his hands. But somebody at the club has made a decision and I would like to know the truth. "I've had some knock-backs in football, but something like this has never happened to me. "In the future I would like to go into coaching and management and I can assure you I will never treat a player like Swansea have treated me." Pennock's earnings will drop drastically at Carmarthen meaning the goalkeeper will have to find a job outside football. "I was chuffed when the Swans came in for me during the summer. I'm 32 now so I'm coming to the end of my professional career," he said. "It was a dream to come and home and play for the Swans - the team I supported as a boy. What has happened has left a bad taste in my mouth." |
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Thursday, July 10, 2003 Land sale funds stadium |
| BBC Online The £24m needed to build a 20,000 all seater sports stadium in Swansea has been raised through the sale of land for a huge retail park. Swansea Council has exchanged contracts with asset management company Capital & Regional for approximately 30 acres of land around the Morfa site. Supermarket chain Morrisons and DIY retailer B&Q are among the businesses who will occupy the retail park. The authority will use the money to build the stadium that will be home to Swansea football club and the new regional Swansea and Neath rugby side. Work on the arena is set to begin in October with a completion date of autumn 2005. Capital & Regional executive director Andrew Lewis-Pratt said: "We are delighted to have obtained all the consents necessary to enable this exciting project to commence. "We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with Swansea council to create the premier retail park in west Wales." The site also has planning consent for retail and leisure development. Construction of the retail park will begin this year and is set to be finished within 12 months. It is hoped the stadium will also host regional, national and international sporting events, and pop and classical music concerts. Council leader Lawrence Bailey told BBC News Online the council was now eager to press ahead with the project. "We are delighted that we have had the money for the stadium. "Without the sale of the land it could not have been built." The existing Morfa Stadium will be demolished. The plans also include the construction of a new sports village to provide a centre of excellence alongside the Wales National Swimming Pool at the University of Wales, Swansea. Swansea has waited a long time for the new stadium. Plans were first unveiled in the 1990s when it was hoped it would be built by 2001. |
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Thursday, July 10, 2003 LEE IS SWANS' NEW LIKELY LAD FROM LIVERPOOL |
| Evening Post
In Liverpool, football is in the blood of most youngsters and Lee Trundle was no different. And in a city of stars, the Huyton-born product had an ambition of his own - to play in the professional game. |
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Thursday, July 10, 2003 VERY OWN 'SCUD MISSILE' |
| Evening Post
Brian Flynn is hoping that Swansea City's very own 'Scud missile' will shoot down the opposition next season. The director of football finally secured the signature of former Wrexham striker Lee Trundle yesterday and promised the fans something special from the 26-year-old Liverpool-born hitman. |
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Wednesday, July 09, 2003 Trundle: My goals can send Swans soaring |
| Western Mail BRIAN FLYNN yesterday predicted that new signing Lee Trundle will have an explosive impact at Swansea City after joining the club on a one-year deal. Flynn was reunited with the 26-year-old play-maker he plucked from non-league obscurity with Rhyl in 2001 during his time at Wrexham, describing the capture of the striker as a major coup. Flynn said, "He's like a scud - you know it's coming but you can do nothing about it. "He'll be a real threat. He's an individual type of player but when he has added to his game, he'll become a better team player. "If you asked Andy Morrell how many goals Lee had provided for him last season, he'd say 50 per cent. He's a maker of goals and a provider of chances for people. "I think the crowd will enjoy watching him. He's got a bag full of tricks and especially from the box, he always seems to get shots on goal." Trundle ended speculation over his future by linking up with Flynn at the Vetch after playing a key role in Wrexham's promotion from Division Three last season, scoring 11 league goals. But Wrexham could not afford to hold on to the Liverpool-born player who was linked with Oldham and Coventry before signing for the Swans. Flynn said, "Patience is the key. Sometimes when you sign players things develop quickly. Then, when you try to steer things they sometimes take a step back. "A couple of days after the Hull game, I made enquiries about Lee because I knew he was available and I started planning then. "There was a time when I had to back off a bit as there were quite a number of clubs involved. It's a major coup. "Kevin (Reeves, assistant manager) has played a major part in this as well. Lee likes working with Kevin. "He works with the strikers a lot and he'll improve James Thomas as well. Lee knows he improved him when we were at Wrexham." Trundle described how the opportunity to link up with Flynn and Reeves once again was a key factor in his decision to sign. He said, "I have worked with Brian and Kevin before at Wrexham, I know how they work and I know they can get the best out of me. "I haven't come here to stay in this division. I have come to help get Swansea back into the Second Division. "It's nice to know that a manager and club want you. I had a lot of interest but Swansea demonstrated most that they wanted me and that's turned my head at the end of the day. "We want to get in a play-off place. I know they only just survived last year but the gaffer and Kevin kept them up. "Hopefully, we will be pushing for promotion. I wouldn't be coming here if I didn't think they were going to do well. "I'm an ambitious lad and I know I can play at a higher level. I'm not coming here to stand still. "I spoke to the manager and the assistant manager at Wrexham when I left and they wished me the best of luck. I still have a lot of friends there and I hope they do well in the Second Division next year. "But I wanted a new challenge. I've signed for Swansea because the squad they have can get out of this division." Flynn is still searching for a player to strengthen his defence and hinted that another signing could be on the way to the Vetch. He said, "There's more in the pipeline. Centre-half is still a key area and that's the next part of the jigsaw. "We have quality there at the moment. We haven't got quantity yet, but quality." |
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Tuesday, July 08, 2003 Trundle opts for Swans |
| BBC Online Wrexham striker Lee Trundle has ended speculation on his future by rejoining former manager Brian Flynn at Swansea. Flynn was the man who gave Trundle his chance in league football, bringing him to the Racecourse from Rhyl in February, 2001. Trundle, 26, played a key role in Wrexham's promotion from the third division last season, notching 11 league goals, but the club could not afford to keep him for the new campaign.
Swansea director of football Flynn was delighted at the capture of Trundle - who was also wanted by Oldham and Coventry - and with the way his squad is shaping up for the new season. "It's a massive signing," Flynn told BBC Wales Sport, "I know he's going to do well and score goals. "He's got the ability and potential to play at the highest level. "He's different, he's a goal scorer, but he's also a team player." Flynn suggested that there were more new faces on their way to the Vetch ahead of the new season. "We've signed 15 and we could do with a couple more," he said. "We're particularly looking at the centre of defence, but I'm very happy with the way the squad is coming together." |
Wrexham have already moved to fill the void left by the departure of Trundle and fellow striker Andy Morrell, bringing in Chris Llewellyn and Chris Armstrong. |
Tuesday, July 08, 2003 There'd be a welcome at the Vetch for Legg |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY yesterday insisted Cardiff cast-out Andy Legg would be assured a warm welcome back at the Vetch Field as they prepared to unveil new striker Lee Trundle. The evergreen Legg is looking for a new club after acrimoniously quitting the Bluebirds last week because they wanted him to take a 70 per cent pay cut. The Swans - whose first-team squad returned to pre-season training - want to talk to him about the possibility of rejoining the club that gave him his big break 15 years ago. The former Birmingham, Notts County and Reading man has promised the Third Division outfit he will speak to them. However, The Western Mail understands Legg, who became a folk hero at Ninian Park during his five years with the Bluebirds, is reluctant to move to the Vetch because he fears hassle from fans. He has never forgot returning to the Vetch when he was on loan at Peterborough during the 1998-99 season and being booed by the home crowd. But Swans director Huw Jenkins said, "I don't think Andy will have a problem with our fans. He is a player who always gives 100 per cent and any player who does that will win over the fans." Legg joined the Swans in 1988 from local club Briton Ferry and made more than 200 outings before he was sold to Birmingham for £275,000 in 1993. With Swans director of football Brian Flynn on holiday, it was Jenkins who telephoned Legg after he left Ninian Park. But it is Flynn who will have the final say on whether the club pursues Legg's signature. "Andy coming here is not down to me or the fans - it's down to Brian," added Jenkins. "It all comes down to whether he fits into Brian's plans." Legg, who has never used an agent, was in Peterborough yesterday having talks with Posh boss Barry Fry. The Second Division club have offered him a two-year deal and there is the chance he will also be offered a player-coach role. Legg also spoke to Third Division club Huddersfield yesterday. while Cheltenham boss Bobby Gould wants to speak to the midfielder again. |
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Tuesday, July 08, 2003 THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN |
| Evening Post
Brian Flynn welcomed back Swansea City players for the first day of pre-season training this morning determined to improve on last term's showing.
The director of football is still four or five players short of his ideal squad of 20 but he was looking forward to the return of his squad as he plans his assault on the Third Division. |
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Monday, July 07, 2003 THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN |
| Evening Post
Brian Flynn welcomed back Swansea City players for the first day of pre-season training this morning determined to improve on last term's showing. The director of football is still four or five players short of his ideal squad of 20 but he was looking forward to the return of his squad as he plans his assault on the Third Division. |
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Monday, July 07, 2003 Britton: My heartbreak as the Hammers cold-shouldered me |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY star Leon Britton has expressed for the first time his sadness at the manner in which his West Ham career was brought to a close. Midfielder Britton, a revelation during his loan spell at the Vetch last season, severed his ties with the Hammers earlier this summer to join Brian Flynn's side on a two-year deal. And, as the Londoner reports back for pre-season training with the rest of the Swans squad this week, it is not only the gruesome relegation fight of last season he will set out to put behind him. Britton is also coming to terms with the unceremonious manner in which he discovered West Ham - the club that splashed out £400,000 to take him from Arsenal when he was just 16 - no longer wanted him. The 20-year-old midfielder admitted "the writing was on the wall" last season as no-one on the Upton Park coaching staff came to witness his starring performances for the Swans. But more upsetting for Britton was the fact his four-year association with the east London club came to an end this summer without them offering him so much as a single message of good luck. "The sad thing is I have not been contacted by anyone at West Ham - not one phone call," he told The Western Mail. "Even when I was considering my future after the season ended, I had no contact with anyone at the club. In the end, my agent had to ring West Ham to determine whether I was wanted there and they said they were happy to let me go. "That was disappointing because I thought maybe I would have a chance of breaking into the first team after the club were relegated from the Premiership. "If I'm honest, the writing has been on the wall for the past one and a half years - I have not been given a chance at West Ham. "But the least they could have done when I did leave was to say 'good luck.' That only takes two minutes." Britton said he was astonished when West Ham asked him to play in a reserve match just four days after he featured in the dramatic 4-2 win against Hull that secured Swansea's League status. He said, "I thought it was a bit cheeky to say the least when West Ham asked me if I was available for the reserves - the day after I had played in Roger Freestone's testimonial! "I told them 'no' because I didn't think it was fair for them to ask me that. But it certainly made it crystal clear to me that, had I remained at West Ham, I would have been hanging around in the reserves next season." An outcast at West Ham, Britton need have no worries about the esteem in which he is held in Swansea. The diminutive midfielder endeared himself to the Swans fans to such an extent last season he was bestowed with the title of 'honorary Jack.' And having been cold-shouldered out of Upton Park, no-one is more delighted than Britton himself to be at a club which was desperate to get him on board again. "It's fantastic to be at a place where you are really wanted," said the former Arsenal trainee, who made 25 league appearances for the Swans during the wretched 2002-03 campaign. "Brian Flynn made me welcome from the day I first arrived last December, and the fans have been so good to me. "Next season I hope I can repay their support and the faith they have shown in me. "As for dropping down to Division Three, I have no reservations about that. "Besides, I don't think we will be lingering around in this division for too long. "Personally, I'm looking forward to setting up home in Swansea and having a more settled career. "Everyone was exhausted after the stresses of last season and desperately wanted a break, but I, for one, can't wait for the new season to start now. "And who knows, though I am glad to be a Swansea player, maybe in a year or two West Ham will come to realise they were wrong to let me go." |
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