A Fire broke out in one of the ticket offices of Swansea's Vetch Field last night. Firefighters were called to the blaze at 3.30am today.

The office was alight but officers were quickly able to put out the fire with one jet.

An investigation is now being carried out to determine the cause of the fire.

Lee Trundle believes Swansea City can emulate Wrexham by winning promotion to the Second Division this season. The 26-year-old striker, who quit The Racecourse for Vetch Field this summer, reckons Brian Flynn's new-look squad possesses enough quality to escape from Division Three - just as Denis Smith's Dragons did last time round.

''I said when I signed that I wasn't coming to Swansea to be part of a dogfight at the bottom,'' Trundle said.

''I came here to push for promotion, and from what I have seen in pre-season training, I believe we are capable of doing that judging by what we had at Wrexham last season.

''Obviously I don't know the squad too well at the moment, but I have seen some encouraging things.

''I like Roberto Martinez and also Leon Britton. He likes to do a few a tricks as I do. Hopefully, with that sort of class of player here, we can push for the play-offs at the very least.''

Trundle's form is likely to be a major factor in how far Swansea go this term.

If he can reproduce the magic touches he showed on this week's tour of Holland on a regular basis, the club's fans could have something to shout about next spring.

''We were pleased with tour,'' he added. ''We scored eight goals, didn't concede any and generally looked pretty sharp.

''It was also nice for the new lads like me because we get to know everyone. This is my first time away from the north-west, but the lads have made feel welcome and that helps you settle down and concentrate on playing your football.''

Meanwhile, the first away game of the season against Cheltenham at Whaddon Road on August 16 has been made all-ticket to Swansea fans.

The club has been allocated 900 terrace tickets pried £13 for adults, £9 for pensioners and £5 for under-16s, for the first away league fixture of the season.

Some 600 seats in the stand have been handed over to Swansea too and tickets cost £15, £12 for pensioners and £7 for under-16s.

Season ticket holders have the first chance to buy their tickets from the club shop.

They must produce voucher A in their books to claim their ticket and allocation is one ticket per voucher and have until next Saturday to claim a ticket.

The remaining tickets go on general sale on the day of the season opener against Bury next week.

They are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets for the official travel club bus cost £8 and the bus will leave from Morriston Cross at 10.30am and the Quadrant at 10.45am.

Meanwhile, no tickets can be bought in advance for Swansea's Carling Cup match at Ashton Gate against Bristol City on Wednesday, August 13.

Admission is by payment at the turnstiles only and tickets cost £10 for adults, £8 for pensioners and students and £5 for under-16s.

The Travel Club bus will go from Morriston Cross at 4.45pm and the Quadrant at 5pm, with tickets costing £7.

There was good news on the injury front for Flynn last night as Roger Freestone came through unscathed as a young Swansea side beat Welsh League Briton Ferry 4-1 at Old Road.

Chad Bond hit a hat-trick and Mark Pritchard hit the other in the victory but youth boss Alan Curtis was more pleased to see Freestone make it through after his thigh injury.

Swansea play their last pre-season friendly at Llanelli on Monday night.

SWANSEA CITY boss Brian Flynn will today step up his efforts to add another defender to his squad - but insists there will be no panic-buys.

The Swans returned from their pre-season tour to Holland yesterday with Flynn declaring "a little fine-tuning" was needed before the new season starts with the visit of Bury in seven days time.

And Flynn, also hoping to complete the signings of trialists Kieron Durkan, Karl Connolly and Andy Robinson this weekend, has pinpointed the centre of defence as most in need of attention.

But the director of football insisted he would not bring someone in just to make up the defensive numbers.

"There won't be any panic," said Flynn. "I'm working towards bringing another defender in but, if it doesn't happen in the next seven days, that's not a huge concern because we have other options.

"Lenny (Johnrose), for example, has shown he can play at the back and so can Stuart Jones and Leon Hylton.

"It has to be the right person. I won't bring someone in just for the sake of it."

And many within the Swans camp believe youngsters like Jones, Duffy and Jamie Rewbury have demonstrated this week they are ready to be thrown in at the Division Three deep end.

And, as Flynn said, Hylton is capable of switching from left-back and Johnrose from midfield.

But there are good reasons why the director of football is keen to have a third experienced centre-back at the club besides Jason Smith and Kris O'Leary. For a start, Hylton is better suited to the left-back role, while Johnrose is patently more at home in midfield.

But most worrying for Flynn is the amount of time Smith spends on the treatment table, the club captain still plagued by the same ankle problem that first flared up some two and a half years ago.

Elsewhere on the pitch, Flynn has the luxury of more options. In midfield, star men Roberto Martinez and Leon Britton were always going to be the first names on the manager's teamsheet.

And Flynn must now pick two from Johnrose, Brad Maylett, Durkan and Connolly to play alongside them.

Winger Maylett has shaped well in pre-season and, with the speed he offers down either flank, the former Burnley man must be confident of a starting spot.

In attack, Lee Trundle is a definite starter. Not only has the former Wrexham man grabbed three pre-season goals, but he has produced moments of sublime skill that have made him a fans' favourite before a ball has even been kicked in anger.

The question is whether Flynn plumps for the aerial, line-leading presence of Kevin Nugent or the greater goal threat of James Thomas to partner Trundle up front - or reverts to a 4-3-3 system and plays all three.

Between the posts Flynn must choose between youth and experience; Swans stalwart Roger Freestone or pretender to his throne, ex-Manchester City youngster Brian Murphy.

Brian Flynn announced plans to sign four more players before next week's Third Division opener against Bury after Swansea City cruised to their third straight pre-season win last night. Flynn's men ended their trip to Holland with a 3-0 success over the part-timers of FC Noordwijk thanks to strikes from James Thomas, Lee Trundle and Karl Connolly.

And the Vetch Field director of football revealed that as well as signing the three trialists who toured this week, he still hopes to land a new central defender.

''Karl and Kieron (Durkan) have proved their fitness and I have already offered them contracts,'' said Flynn.

''And Andy Robinson has not looked out of place at this level. He is different to what we have got and is capable of scoring goals.

''I am working towards keeping the three of them and will be speaking to them all over the weekend.''

He continued: ''I am also working on getting another centre-back.

''We would like to add one when the time is right and it's a case of watch this space on that one.

''With four more players on board I would be happy with my squad going into the new season.''

Flynn's squad flew back to Britain today ahead of their final pre-season outing at Llanelli on Monday.

After their successful four-day stay on the Continent, he added: ''It's been a good week starting with the Bradford tournament last weekend.

''The facilities have been really good and the new environment and different type of opposition can only be good for the players.

''They have been close to one another and worked well together. We're right on course for Bury.''

Meanwhile, Roger Freestone will play for a reserve team at Briton Ferry tonight (6.30pm).

Freestone was injured in the first pre-season friendly against Port Talbot on July 18 but has trained with the reserves this week.

Kristian O'Leary, one of the Vetch Field old school, believes Swansea City's 2003 intake will see them shoot up the Third Division class next season. And while the Port Talbot-born central defender admits to missing his mates from years gone by, he is raring to kick off against Bury next month as part of Brian Flynn's new-look Swansea squad.

''It is a bit strange being one of the senior players,'' said O'Leary, who at the age of just 25 is on the brink of his ninth Vetch season.

''But I am one of the only ones left of the lads who came through with me (in the mid-90s).

''Lee Jenkins is still here and, although he had a spell away last year, Jonathan Coates is back now as well. And that's it.

''We were all relieved to be offered contracts in May, but unfortunately a few of my friends who I grew up with are not here. That's the nature of the game, though, and we just have to move on.''

With the likes of Damian Lacey and Gareth Phillips now departed, O'Leary is preparing for the new season alongside a host of Flynn signings and a string of promising youngsters.

His defensive partnership with 17-year-old Rhondda product Jamie Rewbury was one of the major pluses to come out of Tuesday's 5-0 win over SV Delta Sport.

The other fresh faces on tour here, Richard Duffy, Stuart Jones and Antonio Corbisiero are all likely to feature when Flynn's men play their final tour match tonight against another Dutch non-league side, FC Noordwijk.

''I remember playing alongside Keith Walker when I was their age,'' added O'Leary, who looks lean and mean after his summer break and seems certain to start against Bury.

''It's great to see them coming through and fitting straight in, and it's even better news that there are more back at the Vetch who are also looking impressive.

''Stuart Jones did very well when he came into the first team last year, so hopefully the others can do the same.''

He continued: ''We are looking good going forward, too. There are younger lads like Brad Maylett who have real pace and there is Lee Trundle who twists and turns all over the place.

''Added to what we've already got, things are looking pretty positive.''

Swansea City centre-back Kristian O'Leary believes boss Brian Flynn has assembled a fine squad at the Vetch and expects a marked improvement on last season's effort.

The Swans narrowly avoided relegation in the last campaign, but have shown signs of improvement in pre-season, getting their Dutch tour off to a winning start with a 5-0 victory over SV Delta Sport on Tuesday.

Youngster Jamie Rewbury put in a fine performance in that game, and the blend of youth and experience bodes well for the future, according to O'Leary.

"It's great to see them coming through and fitting straight in, and it's even better news that there are more back at the Vetch who are also looking impressive," he told the Evening Post.

"Stuart Jones did very well when he came into the first team last year, so hopefully the others can do the same.

"We are looking good going forward, too. There are younger lads like Brad Maylett who have real pace and there is Lee Trundle who twists and turns all over the place. Added to what we've already got, things are looking pretty positive."

A BEAMING Brian Flynn watched Swansea City demolish non-league outfit Delta Sport - then hailed it as one of the most encouraging pre-season performances he had seen.

Flynn expressed his delight after his revamped Swans side registered an emphatic 5-0 victory over the Dutch part-timers in a thoroughly absorbing and entertaining encounter in Rotterdam.

Goals from Kevin Nugent, youngster Jamie Rewbury, James Thomas (2) and a Lenny Johnrose penalty gave Swansea a win that should do wonders for confidence ahead of the big kick-off on August 9. An almost first-choice Swans side raised the tempo and gave Flynn plenty to be pleased with just two more games left on the pre-season schedule. In particular, Lee Trundle formed a good understanding with Nugent in attack, Rewbury was classy and composed at the heart of defence and Kieron Durkan continues to improve. "Very pleasing," said Flynn. "There were lots and lots of plus points and that made it probably one of the most encouraging pre-season games I've seen.

"Perhaps one of the most positive aspects was the youngsters again coming through well. We don't have a strong squad, so the more players like Antonio Corbisiero and Jamie Rewbury can progress, the bigger the pool of players I will have available to me."

It really was encouraging stuff for Swans fansgiven the opponents for this opening tour match had been changed twice and the venue switched from The Hague to Rotterdam, it was a wonder any were there to watch it.

But Flynn's men had a good following of around 80 supporters for the clash against the part-timers. Delta Sports' star name - former Ajax, Holland and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Regi Blinker - was missing through injury, but what the Dutchmen might have lacked in star quality, they made up for in physical presence.

The long grass was as much of a test for Swansea legs, but the visitors had most of the early possession and almost went in front on nine minutes when Trundle employed another trademark turn before chipping in a cross that Nugent would have converted had Marvin Brunswick not got in with a crucial header. But the Swans did go in front three minutes later, Leon Britton being tripped inside the area and Johnrose converting the resulting spot-kick by stroking the ball low to the keeper's left. Flynn's men were forced to work hard, though Trundle and Durkan each came close with speculative lobs, before doubling their lead on the stroke of half-time. A Durkan cross from the right was dropped by Delta keeper Marco Larody and Nugent tapped in the spillage from close range. Swansea took command after the break, their first real chance coming on 57 minutes when Britton, searching for that elusive first goal, went inches wide after making a good run through the centre. A minute later and the floodgates opened. Another fumble from the keeper, this time from a Nugent header, allowed Rewbury to sidefoot the ball home.

More defensive dithering led to Swansea going 4-0 up in the 66th minute. Brunswick's suicidal back-pass was intercepted by substitute Thomas who got round the keeper and fired into an empty net. Thomas grabbed his second just seconds later when Maylett fed a neat ball through and the striker beat the onrushing keeper with a wonderful left-foot finish to wrap up a first-class pre-season win.

Brian Flynn predicted great things for his teenage starlets as Swansea City set off on their pre-season trip to Holland today. The touring party received a timely lift yesterday when youth-teamers Richard Duffy, Jamie Rewbury, Stuart Jones and Antonio Corbisiero played influential roles in a 4-1 victory over Coleraine in the Bradford City centenary tournament's third-place play-off.

Boasting just a handful of senior appearances between them, the quartet showed great promise in helping Flynn's men to what turned into a comfortable win over the Northern Irish part-timers.

Strikes from Duffy, Brad Maylett and James Thomas, plus an unfortunate own goal, helped Swansea to a confidence-boosting success after a stronger side had lost in lacklustre fashion to Aberdeen on Saturday.

''I had to test the youngsters because they are all going to play a part in the Third Division this year,'' said Flynn, ''and I thought they came through it very well.

''We could have mixed them in with some of the more experienced lads over the two games, but we put them all in together because I had confidence in them. I cannot take the credit for bringing these players through, but I can for giving them their chances in the first team.

''It's nothing to do with the financial state of football at the moment, I like bringing young players through and there's no harm bringing a group through all at once.

''We want them to play five games each next season, maybe 10 or 15 in Stuart's case because he had some experience in the first team last year.

''He's a good example of how good these players can be.

''When I was at Wrexham, I gave (full-back) Mark McGregor his debut and he is now an established First Division player (at Burnley). At the same age, I would say Stuart is ahead of where he was.''

All the youngsters will get another chance to impress at some stage during the two tour games this week.

Swansea's opponents in the first fixture tomorrow night have changed for a second time. They will now take on non-league side SV Delta Sport rather than Kranenburg.

Brad Maylett has set his sights on a first Football League goal after opening his Swansea City account at the Bradford & Bingley Stadium. The former Burnley winger helped ensure Brian Flynn's squad were in high spirits going into tonight's Dutch tour opener against SV Delta Sport with a spectacular strike against Coleraine at the ground known to most as Valley Parade on Sunday.
After picking up possession near the centre-circle, Maylett skated through the heart of the Irish defence before arcing the ball into the bottom corner to send a youthful Swansea side on their way to a 4-1 victory.

"He took his goal really well,'' said director of football Flynn.

"And I'd like to think he has got a few of those in him for next season.''

Though he is yet to register in the league in over 50 appearances for Burnley and latterly Swansea, Maylett is confident that the unwanted record will soon be no more.

"It was nice to get my first Swansea goal under my belt,'' said the 22-year-old, who has appeared mostly as a substitute at senior level to date.

"Playing out wide for the reserves at Burnley my goalscoring record was pretty good, so hopefully I'll be able to carry that on in Swansea's first-team.

"I'm not going to set any targets, but I'm optimistic that I'll weigh in with a few.''

Maylett is positive, too, about the Third Division chances of a squad which features almost all of the key players who were at Vetch Field when he arrived on loan last spring.

"The lads went well in the second half of the season and now there are couple of new faces like Lee Trundle who should make us stronger,'' he continued.

"The team tried to play good football even during the relegation battle, although the pressure of the situation made it difficult at times.

"I could see when I arrived a few nervous faces in the dressing room which is not good because it means you can't concentrate on doing your job.
"But the slate has been wiped clean now and we're all optimistic.

"We haven't a big squad and it will be important that we stay clear of injuries.

"If we can do that and get a good start, we should have a good season.
"Anyone can beat anyone in Division Three, it's that sort of league, and I reckon we've got a great chance of reaching the top six.''

SWANSEA CITY star James Thomas refuses to make any predictions as to how next season will go - after he tipped his team for promotion last summer.

Thomas, the hat-trick hero from the 4-2 win against Hull that kept his home-town club in the league, is loathe to set targets after his expectations for last season ended up so wide of the mark.

But the Swans striker, whose only stated ambition is to register 20 goals next term, does admit that Brian Flynn's new-look squad is much stronger than the one assembled by former player-coach Nick Cusack 12 months ago.

Thomas, 24, told The Western Mail of his hopes for the new campaign as Swansea prepared for the opening match of their tour of The Hague in Holland.

The Swans' opponents for tonight's game have changed for a second time, with non-league outfit SV Delta Sport now providing a pre-season exercise after Kranenburg withdrew because their ground was not ready.

It is a measure of the sweeping changes Flynn has made since taking charge last September that Thomas is the only survivor from the 10 players signed by Cusack in the summer of 2002.

The former Wales Under-21 man said he felt more confident about Swansea's prospects this time round after Flynn's capture of key men like Roberto Martinez, Leon Britton and Lee Trundle.

But, after the high hopes he held last summer were crushed and he was forced to fight a relegation battle over nine long months, Thomas is not about to start making bold predictions.

He said, "When I joined Swansea from Blackburn a year ago I was really optimistic that we would do well - as were most of the fans and just about everyone connected with the club.

"Ten new players were signed and there was a positive feeling about the place. I was so confident we would have a successful year that, privately, I stuck my neck out and backed us to win promotion.

"How wrong could I have been? Perhaps I was desperate for instant success after coming home to play in the first-team at Swansea after spending a few years in the reserves at Blackburn.

"But one thing's for certain: I'm not going to make predictions like that this time. I don't want to tempt fate and say I think we might go up."

However, the striker, who committed his future to the Vetch for a further two years this summer, says he feels the 2003-04 campaign will be a much better one.

"Perhaps we put too much pressure on ourselves at the start of last season and, when we didn't get off to the best of starts, that piled on the pressure," said Thomas.

"And, if I'm honest, I don't think we ever recovered from that. It's probably a good thing if there is not too much optimism because then we can quietly get on with the job without being weighed down by expectation.

"But if I was to speak in general terms, I certainly don't think we will have a season like the last one. Look at the quality of players we have now compared to this time last year; Roberto and Leon, for starters, are two players a lot of people did not expect us to hold on to.

"There is more experience in the squad this time and players who have come from big clubs. Last year the emphasis seemed to be on quantity, but this time round the manager has gone for quality.

"And for those reasons there is more genuine optimism at the club that we can have a successful season."

Thomas, on target as the Swans beat Irish outfit Coleraine 4-1 on Sunday, hopes to top the 15 league and cup goals he recorded last season.

"I'd be happy with any improvement on 15, but I'd be delighted if I could get to 20 goals - that is the aim," he said. "I've only had about 20 minutes alongside Lee so far in pre-season so it would be interesting to see how we get on together over a longer period."

Thomas should play some part tonight against a team the Swans know very little about. Flynn's men then face Dutch League side FC Noordwijk on Thursday, with all 20 members of the squad expected to get a run-out over the two games.

BRIAN FLYNN showered praise on the new generation of Vetch Field youngsters last night after a fledgling Swansea City side romped to victory against Irish Premier opponents Coleraine.

Flynn was beaming with delight after his young stars inspired Swansea to recover from Saturday's 2-0 defeat against Aberdeen with a more encouraging 4-1 win against the Irishmen.

And as Swansea embark on a two-match tour to Holland today, boss Flynn promised the youngsters who impressed during the Bradford Centenary Tournament at Valley Parade over the weekend would have major roles to play in Division Three next season.

Young guns like Stuart Jones, Antonio Corbisiero and Richard Duffy will, of course, face far tougher tests in the Nationwide than they did in yesterday's pre-season outing.

As Flynn pointed out, Coleraine were some distance behind the Swans fitness-wise and were visibly tiring during the second halfs of both their weekend games.

But the director of football, whose emphasis was on youth yesterday after fielding an almost full-strength side against Aberdeen, nonetheless had good reason to crow about the latest young talent to roll off the Vetch Field production line.

"There were some very encouraging performances from the young lads and they have each taken steps forward," said Flynn.

"Look at the back four we had out: our goalkeeper Brian Murphy and Leon Hylton are 20, Richard Duffy is 17, Stuart Jones is 18 and Jamie Rewbury is 17.

"Antonio Corbisiero, who played in midfield, is also a youngster, but they all came through with flying colours.

"This is a very good crop of young players we have coming through the system.

"I can't take the credit for that, but I can take the credit for giving them a chance in the first team.

"And, no, it's not simply a sign of the present financial climate that we want to bring these youngsters through.

"Even if I had millions to spend, I would give the youngsters a chance. That's what I believe in and that's what I will do this season."

On the evidence of their fine performances yesterday, Jones, Corbisiero and company will be knocking on the first-team door come the big kick-off against Bury on August 9.

Corbisiero, playing the Roberto Martinez role, is an exciting prospect in midfield, while former Aston Villa man Hylton posseses the composure on the ball Michael Howard lacks.

"The important thing at this stage is all the youngsters have had 90 minutes and there will be opportunities for them in Holland," said Flynn.

"They have to be tested because they will each have important parts to play next season.

"Some will perhaps play five or six games, while others - like Stuart Jones, who has already had quite a bit of first-team experience - could play 10 or 11.

"And, when called upon, they are going to have to reproduce the kind of performance they gave against Coleraine.

"It's hard to make a comparison, but Division Three could well be a different prospect for them.

"It has to be said that Coleraine were behind us in terms of fitness and were flagging a bit in the second half."

Duffy, ruled out for virtually all of last season with a back problem, capped a fine outing at right-back by claiming Swansea's third goal yesterday, converting a Kieron Durkan corner with a header in the 47th minute.

Swansea had gone into the break 2-1 up, Brad Maylett putting them in front with a superb solo effort and Sean Armstrong pulling a goal back before Stewart Clanachan put through his own net.

James Thomas completed an impressive run-out for the Swans when he beat the goalkeeper with a delightful slide-rule finish six minutes after the interval.

As for the Swans' new No 1, it was a weekend he will probably want to put behind him.

Murphy produced a couple of top-draw saves to illustrate why Flynn was so keen to snap him up after his departure from Manchester City.

But there were a couple of clangers from the Republic of Ireland Under-20 international, most memorably when he fumbled a straightforward cross that allowed Aberdeen to go 2-0 up in Saturday's match.

Against a formidable Scottish Premier League outfit - tournament winners after overcoming Bradford City 5-4 on penalties in the final - the Swans enjoyed plenty of possession but created few chances of note.

Leon Britton barely had a sniff of the ball, Lee Trundle was unable to turn some moments of wonderful skill into shots on target... even Martinez was subdued by his standards.

Demonstrating the kind of killer instinct Premier League teams possess, Aberdeen took the lead on 25 minutes with their first shot, striker Darren Mackie lifting the ball over Murphy.

But, needless to say, the Dons were a far stronger outfit than anything Flynn's men will encounter in Division Three next season.

As a spectacle, this tournament was nothing to get excited about - at times there was probably more noise at the local library than inside Valley Parade - but that was of little concern to Flynn.

"As far as I'm concerned, it was a great exercise for us I'm glad we took part," said Flynn, who also praised two excellent performances from winger Kieron Durkan, the Swans' best crosser of the ball.

"We didn't get off to a perfect start against Aberdeen - you can't expect to be perfect in your first proper pre-season match - but the victory against Coleraine is a nice lift.

"And though I now have a good idea of what my first-choice XI will be for the new season, although that doesn't mean I won't be influenced by others."