CHRIS COLEMAN last night hailed newly-promoted Swansea City for learning their history lesson.
The Fulham manager praised the Swans' board and Kenny Jackett for refusing to splash the cash on their return to the Football League's third tier.

Jackett could have been mightily tempted to delve into his coffers and go for an all-out assault on League One but Coleman understands why the Swans supremo isn't going for broke.

Swansea fan Coleman has suffered more than his fair share of anguish as his beloved home-town club has a reputation of paying the ultimate price for over-indulgence.

The former Welsh international defender was a fan when Swansea endured the devastating aftermath of the successful John Toshack era when ambitious directors paid players over the odds, an error that almost proved fatal.

So Coleman is pleased that present-day Swansea City is using its common sense and spending hand over fist on a recruitment drive. Jackett has signed just two players; striker Adebayo Akinfenwa from Torquay - for a fee that could rise to £110,000 - and winger Marc Goodfellow on a freebie from Bristol City.

And Coleman said: "I totally understand why the club have not shelled out a lot of money.

"They need to stay in the division for a season or so and then go on from there. But I'd warn them never to go crazy with money. "We've seen Swansea City spend loads in the past and it almost cost us our club. We've seen the club in all kinds of financial difficulties and that's why I'm pleased they haven't gone deep into the red this time.

"Spending big money is a gamble - and I wouldn't take it here right now. Swansea need to be sensible."

Coleman's Premiership aristocrats Fulham opened Swansea's new £27m 20,000 21st century stadium last weekend and he said: "All the foundations are there now for Swansea to really go forward.

"Kenny has the team well drilled and they're difficult to break down.

"They've pace and power up front and can score goals, they've a good team spirit and they'll be a tough team to beat in League One."

MARK Hughes last night laid down the law to Welsh manager John Toshack and told him to end Robbie Savage's Wales limbo nightmare.
The Blackburn Rovers boss asked his Welsh managerial predecessor to have the courtesy to inform midfield firebrand Savage "whether he's an international footballer or not".

Savage quit international football after a public bust-up with Tosh - Hughes' replacement in the Wales hot seat after he quit for Blackburn last autumn - just months into the former Real Madrid chief's second reign as Welsh boss.

Sparky was clearly fuming after Savage was persistently booed and jeered by the home fans during Blackburn's 4-1 friendly success at Swansea City yesterday. Supporters were clearly annoyed that Savage had dared to speak out against their great messiah, who brought them such glory in the late '70s and early '80s.

Now the controversial 30-year-old tough-tackler is desperate to do a U-turn on his international retirement, especially with the mouth-watering Wales v England World Cup qualifying clash in Cardiff on the horizon. Yet while Savage wants to end the feud with Tosh, he won't apologise following his public outburst when he criticised the new Welsh supremo's training techniques and managerial skills.

Tosh has stayed tightlipped on the Savage subject but was at yesterday's friendly to run the rule over the currently exiled midfield battler.

There's no love lost between Hughes and Tosh either as the latter was a frequent critic of Sparky's tactics during his four-year tenure as Wales manager. But yesterday the roles were reversed.

Hughes said: "I would like someone from the Wales camp to come out and say 'he's going to play for Wales again' or 'no, he's not going to play for Wales again'. Robbie needs to get it clear in his own mind whether he is an international footballer or an ex-international footballer and I'd like it clarified by John Toshack.

"Robbie has given Wales good service and he'd like to give them more but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

"The crowd's reaction was disappointing and they obviously don't like him. It doesn't surprise me really because they've been force-fed a load of old rubbish from a lot of avenues and perhaps that has clouded their opinion of Robbie."

Savage played just the first-half in yesterday's game as it was his first pre-season game since returning from injury. Despite the crowd's reaction, he will be happy with his 45 minutes and a win that keeps up Blackburn's unblemished pre-season record.

Blackburn dominated for long periods, although Kenny Jackett's men played some neat pass-and-move football. What Rovers showed Swansea, however, was how to excecute chances. Adrian Forbes and Kris O'Leary missed two great openings in the first 10 minutes - squandering two close-range headers - before Lee Trundle passed up another opportunity on 15 minutes.

But Blackburn made Swansea pay for their misses on 35 minutes as Paul Gallagher nodded home. The Scottish international striker ghosted in at the back post to out-jump Kevin Austin and head past Willy Gueret, who should really have done better as Gallagher's header wasn't the best.

Trundle enjoyed a couple of sneaky peaks at goal - too many over-elaborate touches were his enemy - before Blackburn's Steven Reid smashed home his second goal in five days with a quite magnificent header. Emerton's cross was tantalising and Reid flung himself at the ball, guiding it wide of Gueret.

The game descended into a pre-season farce as an avalanche of substitutions ruined the game as a spectacle - until a madcap final five minutes.

Alan Tate kicked off the comedy of errors as Swansea's sub defender, inside his own six-yard box, tried to cushion Andy Taylor's harmless cross back to sub goalie Brian Murphy - but the ball looped over the Irishman and hit the post. The rebound was smashed goalwards by Rovers striker Matt Derbyshire but Murphy saved. Douglas then had a go but Iriekpen got in the way until Michael Gray put everyone out of their misery as he rammed in.

Rovers keeper Friedel was, within a minute, the joker in the pack as he fumbled sub Andy Robinson's routine left-wing free-kick into his own net.

Derbyshire then headed in his first senior goal for his home-town club.

Swansea City: Gueret (Murphy, 78), Ricketts (Anderson, 78), Monk (Tudor-Jones, 62), Iriekpen, Austin (Tate, 46), Forbes, Britton, O'Leary, Martinez (c) (Robinson, 78), Goodfellow (McLeod, 46), Trundle

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Mokoena (McEveley, 75), Matteo (Gresco, 70), Emerton (Douglas, 73), Reid (Taylor, 80), Savage (Tugay, 46), Pedersen (Flitcroft, 62), Kuqi (Derbyshire, 62), Gallagher (Gray, 70)

Swansea City have handed Owain Tudor Jones a one-year contract after Swindon Town and Tranmere Rovers joined the race for his services. Strong interest from two League One rivals has forced Kenny Jackett to act less than a week after he offered the young midfielder an initial one-month deal.

Tudor Jones has made a big impression since joining Swansea for pre-season training.

Captain of Welsh Premiership outfit Bangor City at the end of last term, the 20-year-old has also attracted attention from Rochdale this summer.

''We'd settled on a month with Owain to begin with,'' Jackett explained, ''but then Swindon and Tranmere made enquiries and said they wanted to talk to him.

''That made the situation a little different, and it was after Owain's display in the game at Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday that I was convinced I wanted to sign him up for the year.''

Tudor Jones, who made his Bangor debut as a 16-year-old, looks to have ended in part Jackett's search for midfield reinforcements this summer.

Ideally, the Swansea manager would still like to recruit another new face, but he is pleased to have at least added the powerful-built youngster to his squad ahead of next weekend's big League One kick-off.

''Every week Owain has been with us he has improved and, at 20, I think he will keep on getting better now he's training full-time,'' Jackett added.

''His commitment and his quality are terrific and the fact that he's a Welsh lad also appeals to me.''

Though Tudor Jones is under the age of 24, Jackett does not expect any Adebayo Akinfenwa-style compensation case over Swansea's third summer signing.

He has revealed plans, however, to offer Bangor some reward for developing the player.

''He's a free agent so there won't be any tribunal with this one,'' Jackett stressed, ''but I am going to speak to Bangor about what we can do for them. A pre-season game is a possibility.''

Swansea have signed Wales Under-21 international midfielder Owain Tudor-Jones from Bangor on a one-year contract.

The 20-year-old had originally been offered a one-month deal by Swans boss Kenny Jackett, who moved quickly following interest from Swindon and Tranmere.

Jackett said: "Other clubs being interested made the situation a little different, although it was Owain's display in the game at Forest Green on Tuesday which convinced me I wanted to sign him up for the year."

Tudor-Jones burst on to the Welsh Premier League scene as a talented 16-year-old and has scored 30 goals in 90 league appearances for the Farrar Road side.

He caught the eye of countless professional clubs and eventually underwent a week-long trial with Premiership giants Chelsea two years ago.

SWANSEA CITY chairman Huw Jenkins has spoken of how this afternoon's mouth-watering friendly against Premiership Blackburn at the New Stadium can be an intriguing glimpse into the future.

The Swans, who just escaped sliding into Nationwide Conference only 26 months ago, entertain another top-flight unit - seven days after deservedly holding Chris Coleman's Fulham 1-1 in front of almost 12,500 fans.

A gleaming £27m, 20,000-seater arena has replaced the crumbling Vetch - Swansea's old home that stands between Glamorgan Street and the city jail - sparking optimism within Swans followers.

And Jenkins reckons the Championship is potentially only 10 months away - with Premier League not totally out of the equation in due course.

Jenkins, who helped spearhead the Swans through a Corporate Voluntary Arrangement and debts touching £1.4m three years ago, does have a secret Premiership dream.

He said, "It would be a fantastic dream to see our club rubbing shoulders with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - I certainly think that is achievable eventually.

"People have asked me how far the Swans can go. I'm convinced it is easily within our grasp to be challenging for the play-offs in the top six of the Championship in the not-so-distant future.

"When you're at that level, and providing a club is being run correctly financially, there is always a real chance to go into the Premier League.

"I believe the opportunity will be there for us to grasp the £30m that is on offer for top-flight football. We have to ensure that we work our systems right so that we're in the position to take this opportunity when it comes around."

Jenkins insists competing with soccer's aristocrats holds no fear for the Swans board or himself.

"The Premiership doesn't frighten us in any way," he said ebulliently, continuing, "I'd like to think I would be able to take Swansea to places such as Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford, and Anfield.

"I'm sure we have started something at our club - this is something that we have to take forward. I believe we can be another Norwich - a club who are always knocking on the door.

"Our opponents are getting bigger. The aim is to advance in League One and, within the next two years, to move up into the Championship.

"With the new corporate facilities we have at the Morfa in terms of hospitality boxes, we sense that this is a very realistic possibility."

Surveying Swansea's enormous catchment area, Jenkins went on, "There can be no doubt that we are a Championship club in the making.

"If you look at our record, we did play a lot of football in the old Second Division in the 1950s.

"The last 50 years have been a poor period for us - apart from the brief time we had in Division One under John Toshack in the early 1980s."

According to Jenkins, three promotions in four seasons under ex-Real Madrid and current Wales boss Toshack came at a horrendous price.

He said, "The Vetch Field directors stretched themselves too much under Toshack's reign. We knew that the facilities we had at the old stadium weren't adequate.

"But the old First Division was totally different then. Sky Sports TV weren't here then - there was no massive cash flying about.

"The face of soccer has had a complete transformation to what it was back then."

Swansea, the best supported club in League Two last season, have already sold around 8,000 season tickets for the campaign ahead - that's generated £2.3m.

They have already recruited winger Marc Goodfellow on a free from Bristol City and more squad strengthening is expected through next month.

Jenkins pledged, "We will have more new players in by the end of August - we have to strengthen for the challenges ahead.

"We have money in the bank and we're not afraid to spend the cash. But we'll only pay the going rate - football is littered with clubs who have overspent and pay the consequences later, however."

He went on, "Our board have tried to learn from the club's past mistakes. I see no reason at all why a football club can't be run as a proper business and trade in the black."

And in former Wales international defender Kenny Jackett, Jenkins is convinced he has the man to eventually lead Swansea right to the top.

Ex-Watford manager and QPR No 2 Jackett became Swansea's 14th chief in just 16 years when he joined 15 months back.

The former Watford and Wales international is just 43 and is already recognised as one of the hottest managerial properties in the lower sections.

Jenkins is a huge admirer. He said, "It goes without saying that if you have the right man in charge you've got a heck of a chance of success.

"I knew Jackett was the right choice for Swansea the day I brought him to the club. Money was never his primary motivation - he wanted to prove something to himself.

"We were aware he was on a learning curve - although he had managed at some sort of level for the last 14 years.

"Kenny learned a lot during the promotion season. He is willing to take things on board and has accumulated experience as he's proceeded.

"I'm not worried that other clubs are looking at him. The Swans are moving in the right direction and he knows this - what manager wouldn't want to be part of our adventure?"

That roller-coaster continues this afternoon with Mark Hughes' men the stiff opposition. Swansea will be without the injured Adebayo Akinfenwa, but Goodfellow is in line for another outing.

Blackburn, focusing on their Premiership curtain-raiser at West Ham on August 13, will field a strong unit that includes Robbie Savage.

Starting too will be raider Shefki Kuqi, the former Sheffield Wednesday man taken from Ipswich on a Bosman earlier this summer.

MARK HUGHES says he is relishing today's return to Wales and the opportunity to see Swansea City's new stadium for the first time.

Sparky brings his Blackburn team to the Morfa ground for this afternoon's pre-season friendly.

And, although he has not visited the venue yet, former Wales boss Hughes says he has heard rave reports.

More than 12,000 Swans fans are expected to flock through the turnstiles for today's clash, which follows last weekend's 1-1 draw with Chris Coleman's Fulham.

Hughes said, "There's a lot of excitement down in Swansea and I can understand why.

"I've not actually seen the new ground in person, but I'm told it is a very impressive stadium and I know everyone is excited by that.

"There will be a big crowd there for our game and a lot of interest.

"It will be a good test for us against the Swans and we know we will have to be on our mettle."

Hughes is ready to give Robbie Savage a return to action, although it will be interesting to note what sort of reaction the former Wales player gets in an area which is seen as very much a John Toshack stronghold.

Savage (pictured right) hasn't featured so far in Blackburn's pre-season following groin surgery at the end of May, but is back in full training and could feature against the Swans.

"Robbie has got a chance of playing. He's joined in training and he is good about the injury so, hopefully, he can play some part."

Hughes also hopes to pick Craig Bellamy, although he first needs to shake off an injury picked up on Blackburn's pre-season trip to Germany.

Hughes is hopeful Bellamy will be fit, dubs the tour as a roaring success and seeks today to put some of the final touches to his planning for the coming Premiership season.

Hughes is about to start his second season as a Premiership manager, since quitting the Wales job, and wants to hit the ground running when Blackburn kick off the new campaign at West Ham in a fortnight.

"The whole pre-season has been excellent so far," said Hughes.

"The base we were at in Germany was first class, the training facilities were superb, and the standard of games we played were good as well.

"I'm of the opinion that you should expose yourself to good teams in pre-season and not just cannon fodder."

Hughes has put his side through their paces as he seeks to build on lasts season's success at Ewood Park.

His aim on joining Blackburn from Wales was to keep the club in the Premiership - which Hughes did in an accomplished manner.

The next stage, he says, is to aim for a high enough finish to clinch a European spot.

"Which is why signing a player like Craig Bellamy is so important," said Hughes.

"Obviously, I know from my time with Wales, what an excellent footballer Craig is and he can help us move onto another level."

Swans boss Kenny Jackett, a former Wales team-mate of Hughes, is looking forward to locking managerial horns with Sparky today.

"Mark did a great job for Welsh football, and has done some very good things in his short time at Blackburn too," said Jackett.

"Mark took a bit of flak near the end with Wales, but that's in the job description.
"It goes with the territory. If it's not at the start it comes at the end."

Angry Huw Jenkins admits Swansea City have had their fingers burnt by the transfer tribunal system after a fee rising to £110,000 was set for Bayo Akinfenwa. Swansea were left reeling yesterday when a Football League tribunal ordered an initial £35,000 payment to Torquay with a range of add-ons.

A further £25,000 will be due when Akinfenwa passes 20 league games for Swansea with another £25,000 when he reaches 40, whatever stage the milestones may come during his two-year contract at The New Stadium.

The last £25,000 payment is the least likely to be made - it depends on Kenny Jackett's men being promoted this season and Akinfenwa playing 60 per cent of their games.

On top of all that, a 15 per cent sell-on clause has been included in the powerhouse striker's summer move.

The tribunal decision, which cannot be appealed, seems to represent a raw deal for Swansea given that the much-travelled Akinfenwa was a Torquay player for only 12 months.

With hindsight, Jenkins accepts, he would have been better off meeting the Gulls' reported £70,000 asking price earlier this month.

''It looks that way now,'' said the bitterly disappointed Swansea chairman, ''but I felt we would end up paying less than that after the tribunal.

''Something around £30,000 or £50,000 with a sell-on clause would have been nearer what we felt was right.

''But it seems to me that these tribunals tend to take the middle ground and come up with a decision that is not satisfying for either party.

''As far as we were concerned most of Torquay's arguments were irrelevant and we're very disappointed.''

Though he added: ''If I could have got away with paying a fiver I would have, but the price doesn't change the fact that we have acquired a very good player.''

Opposite number Mike Bateson was left grumbling, too, after claiming he wanted £150,000 earlier this week.

He said: ''We would have liked a bit more up front, something like £50,000, but if Bayo does well then the club does well.

''At least the numbers of appearances involved are realistic.''

Akinfenwa, who attended the 90-minute tribunal in London, seems unlikely to feature in an otherwise full-strength Swansea line-up in tomorrow's final pre-season friendly with Blackburn.

The 23-year-old has a slight hamstring strain and probably will not be risked ahead of the League One curtain-raiser against Tranmere a week tomorrow.

Like Swansea boss Jackett, Mark Hughes is expected to field his strongest available side on his return to Wales.

''Mark and his staff did a great job for Welsh football and they have done some very good things in their short time in Blackburn too,'' Jackett said. ''Mark took a bit of flak near the end with Wales, but that's in the job description. If it's not at the start it comes at the end.''

Around 11,000 tickets have gone for tomorrow's 16,000-capacity game, with Swansea chiefs predicting a crowd in excess of the 12,000 who turned up for last weekend's draw with Fulham. Tickets are on sale until kick-off.

Kristian O'Leary is relishing the chance to take on his Welsh international idols when Blackburn Rovers visit The New Stadium Swansea tomorrow. O'Leary is gearing up for a central midfield battle with Robbie Savage in Swansea City's final pre-season outing.

Former Wales Under-21 squad-mate Craig Bellamy is also due to feature for the Premiership side, while ex-national boss Mark Hughes will be in the away dugout.

''I go to watch Wales whenever I can,'' says O'Leary, ''so to be able to play against these players will be a fantastic experience. You don't often get the chance to test yourselves against them unless you are fortunate with a cup draw - which we haven't been despite having a couple of good runs in the last couple of seasons.

''Normally it's a case of watching the top players on the television on a Sunday afternoon.''

Also on show in what is expected to be a near full-strength Blackburn line-up this weekend will be the likes of Paul Dickov, Tugay, Brett Emerton and Brad Friedel -all established international stars.

But it is the local connection which really excites O'Leary, a proud Welshman from Port Talbot.

''We had a Swansea boy in Chris Coleman last week and now we've got Mark Hughes coming to our new stadium,'' he adds.

''I thought he did an outstanding job for Wales. Who would have thought a few years back that they could have been playing in front of crowds of 70,000?

''Okay it didn't quite work out as we'd all hoped in the end because they didn't quite make it to Euro 2004, but Mark Hughes and his staff turned Wales into a proper football team again. He put us back on the map.''

Two key players in Hughes's Welsh success, of course, were Bellamy and Savage.

Controversial figures both, they are not only known for their footballing talents, which can at times be overlooked. Not by O'Leary.

''Robbie Savage has done well at Leicester and at Birmingham and I'm sure he'll do well for Blackburn.

''Apart from a little spell at Crewe, he has been performing at the top level throughout his career and there's no doubt he's a quality player.

''I was in the same Welsh Under-21 squad as Craig Bellamy a couple of times, and you could see then he was going to be a good player. He was only 18 or 19 and he was already getting called up to the senior squad. I think he will be a great signing for Blackburn."

O'Leary reckons, too, that Rovers will provide a sterner test than Fulham set last weekend.

In truth, a narrow home defeat tomorrow would be a respectable outcome as Kenny Jackett's men gear up for the League One opener against another set of Rovers, from Tranmere, in eight days' time.

Pre-season matches against top-flight opposition are more about savouring the experience - and, in the case of Swansea 2005, acclimatising to a new home.

''It's great to have these kind of teams coming to us when you consider the pre-season games we've had over the last few years,'' O'Leary points out.

''Most of the time we've gone away to League of Wales grounds which isn't quite the same - though I did enjoy the trips to Port Talbot Town.

''It's important for us, just like the supporters, to get used to the new stadium. I still can't believe we get a parking space, because that never happened at the Vetch.

''It's a different feeling running out at the new place, but we need to make sure it's just as awkward for visiting teams.''

Wales Under-19s put in an inspired performance at Llanelli's Stebonheath Park last night to see off the highly-rated Turks 3-1. Swansea City's Shaun Macdonald put Wales in front midway through the first half in their friendly international, then second-half substitutes Lloyd James and Jamal Easter struck to seal victory.

It was ideal practice for Wales as they prepare for a September international in Northern Ireland and a mini tournament in France during late October and followed a 0-0 draw against the Turks at Haverfordwest on Tuesday.

Wales made the brighter start and

when Robert Davies sent a free kick into the penalty area midway through the opening half, Macdonald reacted well with a precision near-post header that whistled into the net.

The Swans attacking midfielder then went close to adding a second two minutes later, only for his 35-yard shot to fly narrowly wide.

Fellow Swans striker Chad Bond almost scored, only for Soner Bala to fingertip his shot over the crossbar.

Wales suffered a setback in time added on when Emrullah Guvenc's shot from the edge of the area rebounded off the bar and deflected off defender Lloyd Jenkins for a cruel own goal.

At half-time manager Brian Flynn introduced Easter in place of Yeovil's Skewen-born Dale Williams.

Ten minutes later he darted down the right wing and his penetrating delivery was seized upon by James, and the delightful move was finished off with a low shot beyond the reach of Bala.

With four minutes left, Easter engineered an attack into Turkish territory, linked with Cardiff colleague McDonald and netted with a pin-point shot from 15 yards.

Swansea have been ordered by a tribunal to pay up to £110,000 to Torquay as compensation for Adebayo Akinfenwa. The 23-year-old striker moved from Plainmoor to Swansea earlier in July after a long-running transfer saga.

Swansea must pay Torquay an initial £35,000 in two installments, with another £50,000 linked to appearances.

Swansea will have to pay a further £25,000 if they win promotion, while Torquay will receive 15% of any future transfer fee involving Akinfenwa.

The striker scored 16 goals for Torquay last season.

Andy Robinson believes the frustration of missing out on a clash with former club Tranmere will help him clean up his act next season. While the rest of Kenny Jackett's Swansea City squad are counting down the hours to the start of the new League One campaign - now just nine days away - Robinson knows the 2005-6 season will not begin properly for him until August 27.

The 25-year-old had expected to miss the first two games of the coming season after his red card - his second in only six months - at Bristol Rovers at the back end of last term.

But his misery was compounded when the Football Association of Wales handed him an extra three-game suspension for failing to leave the pitch promptly after his dismissal.

Now the Birkenhead product must sit out league games against Colchester, Huddersfield and Doncaster and the Carling Cup tie at Reading as well as Tranmere on the opening day.

''I suppose you could say that I've got an extended summer,'' said Robinson, ''but I wish I hadn't.

''I didn't appeal the Bristol Rovers red card originally because of the danger of getting a longer ban, but then a letter came through in the post saying I'd got one anyway.

''To miss the first five games of the season on top of the two at the end of last year is a huge disappointment for me, but there's not much I can do about it now.

''All I can do is try not to get sent off when I start playing again. It's my new season's resolution to control my temper.

''I've learned from last year and I'm confident I won't be having disciplinary troubles again. It's common sense really.''

If the red mist threatens to descend in the future, Robinson accepts, he would do well to think of August 6 and Tranmere's visit to the New Stadium Swansea.

A Rovers supporter, he made just one substitute appearance for the Wirral club before being released two summers ago.

''I was on holiday in the summer and my dad phoned,'' he added. ''He didn't need to tell me. I just knew we'd get Tranmere in the first five games.

''I was gutted. Even though I'm a Tranmere fan, I was hoping they'd lose in the League One play-offs in May just so we'd play them this season. As it is I'll just have to back our lads from the stands.''

Robinson could get a last taste of first-team action for a month when Blackburn The New Stadium for Swansea's last pre-season warm-up this Saturday.

Swansea's hierarchy were in London today for the tribunal to decide how much compensation they must pay Torquay for Adebayo Akinfenwa.

OSPREYS skipper Barry Williams reckons his Celtic League champions can go from strength to strength this season ... with a little help from their friends at Swansea City.
The former Wales hooker led his team around the pitch at The New Stadium, Swansea, ahead of Saturday's clash between Kenny Jackett's Swans and Fulham.

And Williams admits to being bowled over by the reception his side were given as they paraded the trophy they won last season.

He hopes Swans fans will come out in force in the coming months to roar on Gavin Henson, Shane Williams and co in the oval ball sport.

Williams told the region's official website, "A massive amount of work has been put in by everyone at the Swans, the Ospreys and the council to build a magnificent stadium.

"We can't wait to also make it our home next season. If Saturday is anything to go by, the atmosphere is going to be one of the noisiest and most passionate in Europe.

"Saturday was a great day for the Swans, the Ospreys and the region as a whole.

"The reaction of the Swans fans when we paraded the Celtic League trophy before the game was awesome and it's something we'll never forget.

"On behalf of the players, I must say a huge thank you to those fans. It was absolutely fantastic and it really made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"We hope that Swans fans will come and support us for our opening match against Wasps on August 26 as it'd be fantastic to have a 20,000 capacity crowd roaring us on against the English champions.

"We want to make this a stadium and a team which the whole region can be proud of.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Kenny Jackett, the Swans and their superb fans every success for the forthcoming season."

Meanwhile, the Ospreys have revealed the next stage of a strategy which cements their position as a truly regional Welsh side.

In a meeting of around 70 clubs which come under the Ospreys region, the Celtic League champions highlighted the ways in which they will be working with their local sides in order to ensure everyone has a part to play in the region's success.

There will be a number of coaching seminars hosted by the region's head coach Lyn Jones and their assistant coach Sean Holley which will be designed to introduce the Ospreys' specific style of rugby to clubs in the region.

Free buses will also be put on for clubs so fans can travel to see the opening fixture at the new stadium against Wasps on Friday, August 26.

Derrick King of Bridgend RFC said, "In helping local clubs with buses and tickets, the Ospreys are demonstrating their commitment to the region.

"Their new regional rugby stadium is undoubtedly the best club rugby ground in the UK and it's vital that supporters from across the area give them the support they deserve.

"They really are a true region and we are in constant consultation with them."

Ospreys managing director Mike Cuddy said, "Next season will mark a new era for the Ospreys as a regional entity.

"We have the very best club ground in Britain, the best training facility in Wales at Llandarcy, some of Wales' brightest international stars, and what we believe is one of the most supportive and enthusiastic fan bases in the country.

"We are looking to work closely with the clubs in our region to ensure that everyone shares in our success, on and off the field."

Owain Tudor Jones last night celebrated landing a one-month Swansea City contract with a display which hinted that he may be worth a longer-term deal. In truth, Swansea's trip to Forest Green Rovers was one of those pre-season friendlies which did not merit a place in the memory bank.

But Tudor Jones will not view it that way.

His four-week deal, which should be signed within the next 24 hours, proves that the young North Walian has already made an impression on Kenny Jackett.

And the Swansea manager, watching on from the main stand at The Lawn last night, must have been a little more taken with the powerfully-built midfielder after this lively showing.

At 20, he is raw and a little rough around the edges.

But alongside the hungry Andy Robinson, Tudor Jones was one of the bright spots on a low-key occasion.

Skipper of Welsh Premiership side Bangor City in the latter stages of last season, he was not afraid to shout instructions to his team-mates despite the fact that many were experienced Football League professionals.

And Tudor Jones backed up his talk with actions, leading the fight for possession in midfield and using it well when the ball was won.

''I'm delighted just to have got a one-month contract,'' he said, ''but hopefully that will lead to something more.

''Being at Bangor City has been a brilliant experience for me, working under a manager like Peter Davenport and playing alongside people like Clayton Blackmore.

''They were the first club to give me a chance in men's football and I will always appreciate that.

''But to be honest, I don't want to go back to the Welsh Premiership. I think it will be a benefit to my game to train and play full-time and hopefully I can do that with Swansea.''

Tudor Jones's hopes of a break in the pro game do not lie solely in South Wales - Rochdale manager Steve Parkin made some enquiries after his performance in Bangor's friendly with the Spotland club a fortnight ago.

''I did okay and I think he asked a question or two about me, but by then I had been training with Swansea for a couple of weeks and had liked what I'd seen,'' he explains.

''Kenny Jackett has been quite positive with me. He has said there are things in my game which I need to work on, but that's what training every day is all about.

''Hopefully, I can take my chance here.''

A Bangor first-teamer at 16, Tudor Jones spent a week training with Chelsea's reserves a couple of seasons back.

Nothing, he says, was ever likely to come of that, but Swansea could be different..

''I'm out of contract at Bangor and I'm not sure what the situation would be regarding compensation if I did end up signing long term for Swansea.

''But right now I'm just concentrating on working hard in training and trying to do well in the games when I get a chance.

''I was surprised to get on for the last five minutes of the game against Fulham last Saturday, but it was a fantastic experience.

''To get the chance to play regularly at the new stadium would be a dream for me.''

Former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Adam Chambers has already seen his hopes dashed after just 90 relatively quiet minutes in a Swansea shirt, though Nigerian Minabo Asechemie did enough to be given another chance.

Triallists are everywhere at this time of year, and most are sent on their way almost as quickly as they arrive.

But there is hope for those trying to impress - remember Willy Gueret 12 months ago?

Of those already assured of a place in Jackett's squad next season, Robinson stood out for his tireless efforts, while Garry Monk's return to action after injury troubles was predictably smooth.

They should have been part of a winning team, but rustiness in front of goal cost Swansea against a newly full-time Forest Green side featuring a host of triallists of their own.

Alex Meecham, one of an avalanche of home substitutes, sent their best chance wide of Brian Murphy's left upright.

Swansea were always the more likely to score, and Kevin McLeod will be grateful that the two opportunities he passed up did not come in a more meaningful game.

Paul Connor went close on a couple of occasions, while Robinson, given the captain's armband for the final half hour, curled a shot narrowly wide.

Tudor Jones had a sighter, too, but his 20-yard drive thudded into the hoardings. Still, he should get another chance.

Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett is to take a further look at Nigerian international Minabo Asechemie after he impressed in last night's goalless draw at Forest Green Rovers. But Jackett has told former Premiership player Adam Chambers he has no chance winning a contract after just 90 minutes in a Swansea shirt.

While ex-West Brom man Chambers, who had been on trial at Queens Park Rangers before turning out at The Lawn last night, must now look elsewhere to revive his career, Asechemie has the chance of a future at the New Stadium.

''Minabo is a holding midfield player who played out of position at centre-back for us and we're going to have another look at him,'' Jackett said.

''To be honest, I still don't know that much about him. I got a call from a contact in Bristol who told me about a Nigerian international midfielder.

''I said I couldn't get involved in work permits and flights and all that, but he said he lived in Bristol so I said I'd take a look.

''He has got something. He has some composure on the ball and he has some stature and some strength.

''He read the game quite well, too, and the disappointing thing was that he had to come off with an ankle injury after an hour.

''It doesn't look too serious, though, so we'll get him right and find out what his situation is. He is worth pursuing and hopefully we can get him training with us over the next couple of weeks.''

Asechemie may even come into contention for Saturday's final pre-season friendly with Blackburn Rovers, a game striker Adebayo Akinfenwa seems certain to miss with the hamstring strain he picked up in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Fulham.

''We want Bayo right for the first day of the season, and I wouldn't think we will take a chance with him against Blackburn,'' Jackett added.

''But otherwise we are looking good for what is another fantastic game for us after Fulham.

''I was delighted to see Garry Monk come through his first competitive action of the season last night and, all being well, he should come into contention.

''People have told me there haven't been many home pre-season friendlies over recent years, yet now we have two great ones in a week.''

After the highs of Fulham, last night's trip to Gloucestershire was inevitably low key.

''I couldn't really see where a goal was going to come from,'' Jackett conceded.

''Kevin McLeod had two chances and Andy Robinson and Paul Connor both curled shots just off target, but we weren't particularly potent going forward.

''Of course it doesn't really matter, but I like to win whoever we are playing.''

Any supporters who order tickets for Saturday's match with Blackburn after last night will have to collect them from the collection point at the ticket office on Saturday from 11am to 1pm. Supporters must take the credit card they made the purchase with as proof. The club say no tickets ordered after 7.30 last night will be sent out by post.

The capacity for the game has been raised to 16,000.

By Ian Clarkson

New Stadium is 'awesome', says Swansea legend Curtis - 'and it will work in our favour'!

With South Wales already boasting arguably the best stadium in Britain at present with Cardiff's state-of-the-art Millennium Stadium, Swansea have followed suit with a rip-snorter to replace the Vetch Field.

The New Stadium, Swansea might not win any prizes for the most original name but the Swan's £27m all-seater home was a winner on its inaugural game last week. It was fitting that Swansea legend Alan Curtis was granted a testimonial for the first fixture and even more fitting that another Welsh legend Chris Coleman should bring his Fulham side to be the opposition.

It looks very plush and maybe won't be as intimidating as Swansea's home for 93 years – the Vetch Field – was, but Curtis, who produced a ten-minute cameo role for Swansea reckons it will be just as effective as their old stomping ground.

"It will definitely work in our favour," reckoned Curtis. "I already thought the place was great just coming up here last week when it was empty, but it's not until you get out there in the middle with a crowd in that you realise how awesome it is. It really bodes well for the club.

"People say that opposition teams coming to a great stadium like this will be lifted, that good passing sides will relish playing at a place like this. But if you can get anything close to a full house in, it will be worth goals to the home football team.

"I've always said I wouldn't change anything about my career, but I wouldn't mind being a 20-year-old coming through at the club now.For young players to be able to aspire to play out there is just fantastic." Swansea will groundhsare with the Neath and Swansea Ospreys Rugby Union team and are hoping to build on last season's promotion campaign. And Chris Coleman, who has seen a few Premiership stadiums in his time, was equally impressed with the new venue.

"These days I look at how all the other teams around us in our division have got on, but after that the first result I look for is Swansea's admitted Coleman. "And I'm delighted the club have been able to take a massive step forward with this stadium."

"For as long as I can remember, the club has always been in the middle of a purple patch or close to doom," he went on. "But there is realistic hope now with this stadium that there will be a bit more stability. The foundations are there now and it has to be a positive. If footballers think a club is going in the right direction, then they will want to be there."

And after a 1-1 draw – inspired by the appearance of Curtis for the last ten minutes – Coleman is more then impressed with the current crop plying their trade under Kenny Jackett. Steed Malbranque was the first man to score at New Stadium but Marc Goodfellow went down in history with a late equaliser. "Kenny has got them well organised and they line up well in a 4-3-3," continued Coleman.

"They were difficult to break down - I was impressed by the way they defended as a team - and they hit us on the counter attack with pace and power up front. I think they will be a tough nut to crack this season and, if they get off to a good start, who knows? They wouldn't be the first side to go up two years in a row."

Yet more new faces are set to turn out for Forest Green Rovers when they host Swansea City this evening (7.45pm).
Gary Owers has released Craig Loxton, Jorge Ferro, Jamie Gleeson and keeper Francisco Ramos as he seeks to trial several other players this week. "The lads we bring in have got to be better than what we've got and there will be one or two more there tonight," said the Rovers manager.

"I have said to the four lads we've let go that they are probably on a par with what we've got, and we've let them go off and get themselves sorted out elsewhere."

Alex Meechan, who is ruled out of tonight's match through illness, is thinking over a contract, but Owers is yet to offer terms to any of his other triallists.

However, Swansea's return to The Lawn could help him make his decision on players such as Marvin Brown and Tony Bird, who both have Swansea links, Brown spending a brief spell on trial there last season while Bird had three seasons at the Vetch Field from 1997 to 2000.

It has been almost three years since the Welsh club made the trip, beating Rovers 2-0 in a friendly match in December 2002 in front of a paltry midweek crowd of 80.

Tonight should be far more popular with both clubs attracting renewed interest this summer.

And Rovers will hope to bring Swansea, fresh from their first game at their new £27million arena, back down to earth tonight.

Having silenced Rochdale's expectations of breezing to victory with a steadfast display at The Lawn, another draw against a league side would delight Owers.

However, the Swans should be an entirely different prospect to Dale following their promotion to League One and Forest Green will be out to give as stern a test to the Welsh side's credentials as possible.

Last weekend, Kenny Jackett's men held a strong Fulham line-up to a 1-1 draw at the Swansea Stadium.

The match, a testimonial for Alan Curtis, featured the midfielder late in the game, but Jackett relied largely on his younger guns to thwart the Premiership side, with summer signing Marc Goodfellow netting the late equaliser to cancel out Steed Malbranque's goal.

Jackett fielded star striker Lee Trundle, Adrian Forbes and new signing Adibayo Akinfenwa in a 4-3-3 formation, but is likely to switch his squad around for the trip to The Lawn.

While he has said his side will contain plenty of senior players again, some of the junior players, such as Mark Pritchard, are set to get a run-out along with those who did not start against Fulham.

It will be Swansea's fourth summer outing, having already defeated Bridgwater Town of the Western League 3-1 and Merthyr Tydfil 5-0.

Sam Ricketts is on the brink of signing an extended Swansea City contract. The Welsh international defender is to commit himself to Swansea until 2008 with his new deal set to be finalised in the next few days.

''It's almost there now,'' Ricketts said.

''The chairman has been busy with everything going on at the new stadium and I think my contract's been on the backburner a little bit.

''But I managed to have a chat with him during the friendly at Bridgwater last week and hopefully everything will be done this week.

''The negotiations have been fine. I don't want to go anywhere else.

''In fact the club gave me the choice of adding another year or two to my current deal, and I said two because I'm happy playing for Swansea.''

Ricketts, 23, attracted interest from Premiership new boys West Ham earlier in the summer, though any prospect of a move to Upton Park faded when they paid £1.5million for Charlton left-back Paul Konchesky.

''I heard rumours about West Ham approaching the club,'' he added, ''but I never spoke to anybody myself so nothing really happened.

''Maybe one day I'll get the chance to play in the Premiership, but right now I just want to keep on improving at Swansea and trying to help the club move forward.

''The club is on the up and I want to go with it.''

Three-cap Ricketts reported some soreness in his troublesome groin after Saturday's draw with Fulham in the New Stadium Swansea's opening game.

But the former Oxford man is confident the injury which limited him at the tail end of last season is now on the mend, and he is relishing the prospect of the upcoming League One campaign.

''We've got a big friendly against Blackburn on Saturday, but we're all looking forward to the Tranmere game (on August 6) now,'' he added.

''The stadium is beautiful, and it's the nicest pitch I've ever played on - much better than the Millennium Stadium.

''The whole experience against Fulham was positive and we will be inspired playing there in the league.''

From today, the stadium ticket office is open every day between 11.30am and 7.30pm for Blackburn tickets.

Swansea's owners have thanked fans for their good behaviour at the Fulham match, which has seen the capacity for Blackburn lifted to 16,000.

Swansea City have offered midfielder Owain Tudor Jones a one-month contract after he impressed while on trial from Welsh Premier side Bangor City. Tudor Jones, 20, came on as a substitute in the 1-1 friendly draw against Fulham in the Swans' New Stadium last Saturday.

Meanwhile, former Swansea City and Wales Under-21 winger Stuart Roberts has signed for Aberystwyth Town.

Roberts played for Forest Green Rovers in the Conference last season.

Swansea CitySwansea City have offered Adam Chambers a trial and the defender could make his debut as early as Tuesday evening.
Chambers spent the earlier part of the summer on a pre-season tour of Spain with Queens Park Rangers, but the 24-year-old failed to sufficiently impress the management, although QPR boss Ian Holloway did recommend Chambers to Swansea counterpart Kenny Jackett.

Chambers can play in midfield or at right back, and has Premiership experience after playing for West Bromwich Albion in England's top flight back in 2002/03.

Sheffield Wednesday and Kidderminster have both given loan spells to Chambers, but it now seems that Swansea are favourites for his signature.

Swansea play Forest Green Rovers in a friendly on Tuesday night, and the match is now scheduled to see Chambers make his first bid to impress Jackett.

SWANS legend Alan Curtis believes Swansea City boast their most exciting attacking line-up since the Division One glory days of the early 1980s.
The former Wales striker says it is almost 25 years, when the likes of Bob Latchford, Robbie James and Curtis himself were taking the top flight by storm, since the Swans had so many good forward options.

For John Toshack in 1981-82, read Kenny Jackett in 2005-06.

Just as Toshack had an array of talented forwards at his disposal, Jackett has also given himself a selection headache with the abundance of gifted attacking players he has assembled in his current Swans squad.

As well as the probable first-choice front three of Lee Trundle, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Adrian Forbes, Jackett must also find attacking roles for Marc Goodfellow, Kevin McLeod and Andy Robinson.

Add to the equation the likes of back-up strikers Paul Connor and Lee Thorpe as well as attacking midfielder Leon Britton and it is hard to see how Jackett will keep everyone happy.

Curtis witnessed first hand Swansea's rich attacking promise when he took to the pitch for the closing stages of his testimonial against Fulham, in which Goodfellow demonstrated his goal-scoring ability with a classy lob that earned the Swans a 1-1 draw.

While it is difficult, unfair even, to make direct comparisons between the current players and those of Toshack's era, no one is better placed to judge the depth of attacking line-ups Swansea have had down the years than the man who spent more than three decades at the club as player, coach and youth team manager.

"It's been a long, long time since Swansea had so many talented attacking players - I think you'd have to go all the way back to 1981-82 and our first season in the top flight," said Curtis, now in an ambassadorial role at the club.

"In that season you had people like myself, Robbie James, Jeremy Charles, Leighton James and Bob Latchford.

"It was a good, strong collection of forward players who were all capable of scoring goals.

"You could go back a few more years to when Tosh himself was playing and the likes of Alan Waddle were there too.

"Between the early 1980s and the present day, though, I can't remember a time when the club had quite as many good forward options as it does now.

"Kenny has added Goodfellow and Akinfenwa to the squad this summer and so far this pre-season, the Swans have looked impressive breaking forward.

"Obviously the real test will come in the league, but this is a squad designed to make an impression in League One.

"The last time we won promotion, under John Hollins in 2000, we went up only to come straight back down.

"The club is geared so differently these days. We're much more able to attract quality players and, although I wouldn't like to start predicting we're going to win promotion, I think we'll be comfortable in League One."

As well as forming part of that thrilling early 80s Swans strikeforce, Curtis was assistant manager to Hollins the last time the Swans were promoted to League One level.

"The team that went up into the old Division Two was much more defensive than the one the Swans have got now," said Curtis.

"Maybe the current side isn't quite as good defensively, but in terms of attacking options, it's miles ahead.

"What you see is an awful lot of potential. We already know what Lee Trundle can do, but you get the impression there's more to come from him.

"You feel also that people like Marc Goodfellow, Kevin McLeod and Bayo Akinfenwa will get better as the season goes on."

The question is how Jackett, who plans to field another first-choice line-up in tonight's pre-season friendly at Forest Green Rovers, manages to accommodate all of his top attacking players.

Trundle and Akinfenwa seem destined to be the first-choice strike pairing, with Forbes operating just behind them on the right wing.

But where does that leave Goodfellow, who has been instrumental in pre-season, and Robinson, who is still one of Swansea's most influential attacking outlets?

"It looks like Kenny's going to start with a 4-3-3 formation, but fitting everyone into the jigsaw is going to be difficult," said Curtis.

"Trunds and Akinfenwa, who looks an absolute monster, will play and Forbes looks a certain starter on the back of his performances at the end of last season and the good start he's made in pre-season.

"But Robinson is too good a player to leave out and the same goes for Goodfellow. They've both got a lot of goals in them.

"Then, of course, you've got McLeod, who's more of an out-and-out winger. And you can't discount Paul Connor after he scored 13 goals last season.

"There are so many options. It's a problem for the manager, but it's a terrific problem to have."

GARETH VINCENT

There are film stars' kids with better names, but save for its hopeless title, there were not too many complaints about the New Stadium Swansea this weekend. It was not exactly a eureka moment when those in the corridors of power at Swansea City's new home came up with its long-awaited moniker late last week.

But at least the corridors were nice.

Just like the rest of the place, really. This is an arena fit to make all of Swansea proud.

And the atmosphere? The intimidation factor which was a hallmark of Vetch Field was never going to be replicated here, for pre-season friendlies are invariably low key.

But when the sell-out crowd did sing up on a couple of occasions, there was enough noise echoing around the place to suggest that the rest of League One may not relish their visits to South West Wales next season.

"It will definitely work in our favour," reckoned Alan Curtis, playing at Morfa - sorry White Rock, sorry New Stadium Swansea - for perhaps the only time in this his testimonial match.

"I already thought the place was great just coming up here last week when it was empty, but it's not until you get out there in the middle with a crowd in that you realise how awesome it is.

"It really bodes well for the club.

"People say that opposition teams coming to a great stadium like this will be lifted, that good passing sides will relish playing at a place like this.

"But if you can get anything close to a full house in, it will be worth goals to the home football team and points to the home rugby team.

"I've always said I wouldn't change anything about my career, but I wouldn't mind being a 20-year-old coming through at the club now.

"For young players to be able to aspire to play out there is just fantastic."

Chris Coleman, who brought his Premiership team across the Bridge for his old mate Curtis, was equally impressed with the new venue back home.

"These days I look at how all the other teams around us in our division have got on, but after that the first result I look for is Swansea's," said the man from Mayhill.

"And I'm delighted the club have been able to take a massive step forward with this stadium."

Coleman, of course, found his feet as a professional at the Vetch before making his way up the leagues.

His was the sort of move he believes young Swans of the future may not have to make.

"For as long as I can remember, the club has always been in the middle of a purple patch or close to doom," he went on.

"But there is realistic hope now with this stadium that there will be a bit more stability.

"The foundations are there now and it has to be a positive.

"If footballers think a club is going in the right direction, then they will want to be there."

The impressive Fulham manager was taken, too, by the first set of players to represent Swansea in their plush new surroundings.

"Kenny (Jackett) has got them well organised and they line up well in a 4-3-3.

"They were difficult to break down - I was impressed by the way they defended as a team - and they hit us on the counter attack with pace and power up front.

"I think they will be a tough nut to crack this season and, if they get off to a good start, who knows? They wouldn't be the first side to go up two years in a row."

There was a note of caution, too, from one of Swansea's finer footballing exports of recent years.

"Even if they stabilised in this division for a season or two and then go again," Coleman added, "there would be nothing wrong with that."

Fair point.

Jackett, though, is sticking with loftier ambitions, claiming that promotion is on the agenda once more in 2005-6 despite the acquisition of only two new faces during the close season.

For what it is worth, which is not always a great deal in games of this nature, there were encouraging signs on Saturday.

The two summer recruits, Adebayo Akinfenwa and Marc Goodfellow, both caught the eye.

The giant Akinfenwa gave a Premiership defence plenty to think about in his own, bulldozing style before a hamstring injury forced him off at the break, while Goodfellow took centre stage as the right-hand prong of a three-man attack in the second half.

In a tepid first period, Swansea had looked marginally the more likely to score - Izzy Iriekpen's tap-in was scratched off because Kevin Austin had flattened Mark Crossley, while a loud claim for handball in the box against Niclas Jensen fell on deaf ears.

Fulham at last began to flex their top-flight muscle after the break and were soon in front after two desperate home clearances.

Eventually the elegant French midfielder Steed Malbranque took the honour of being first goalscorer at the New Stadium with a measured shot from a tight angle which embarrassed his countryman, Willy Gueret, at the near post.

But Swansea were not deflated. Lee Trundle scuffed his shot wide after shimmying past two defenders, the first sign that an equaliser was to come.

The Scouse striker had another effort saved by Jaro Drobny, then screamed for a penalty with the rest after England international Zat Knight appeared to trip Leon Britton.

Trundle was involved once again when Goodfellow broke the offside trap only to roll his shot onto the post.

A couple of minutes later, after a tactics-talk from the ever meticulous Jackett, Curtis arrived from the bench, and a couple of minutes after that Goodfellow raced onto another through ball, this time from Andy Robinson, before stylishly lobbing Swansea's opening goal at their new residence.

Curtis the supersub? Maybe that it is stretching it.

Curtis the star attraction on a special day to be a Swan?

Very definitely, yes.

CHRIS COLEMAN believes Swansea City's superb new stadium will help produce a flood of new Welsh internationals from the area.

Coleman returned to his home city on Saturday with his Fulham side for the first game at the new 20,000-seater Morfa ground, the 1-1 friendly draw with Kenny Jackett's Swans.

And he left impressed with the ground, declaring it had a massive role to play in the future of Welsh football.

Coleman is among a host of top players produced by the city of Swansea and its immediate surrounding area, a list which also includes John Charles, Ivor Allchurch, John Hartson, Dean Saunders and Andy Melville.

And the Fulham boss said, "Looking around this new ground, the future can only augur well for Swansea and for Wales.

"This city is famous for producing international players like no other in Wales, and clearly this fantastic new facility can only be a positive in ensuring that conveyor belt of talent continues.

"A good ground, with good facilities and a good training headquarters will always make a club attractive to top players.

"If they believe a club is moving in the right direction, which the Swans clearly are with this stadium, they are more inclined to join that team.

"I said before the match this was a great stadium and having seen it with the fans inside and the atmosphere they create for the first time, it has just underlined my initial thinking.

"Swansea as a sporting venue is a city on the up and up and I'm absolutely delighted.

"If the Swans are doing well, then Wales will do well because you've only got to look at the record books to see the huge number of internationals who have come from this city.

"Everything about the place is positive at the moment and I hope the club really stabilises.

"It's only a few years ago I was reading about a cash crisis and potential administration.

"That's the way it always seems to have been down the years for the Swans - they either go through a purple patch or are close to total doom.

"Let's hope, with this new stadium, there is a bit more stability, the club maintain their rise through the divisions and then one day really push for the top.

"There are clearly exciting times ahead for Swansea and if they get a good start to the season, they could even get back to back promotions.

"If that were to happen, the buzz that's clearly already here would get even greater."

IT wasn't just another pre-season workout. It was, Kenny Jackett stressed after the 1-1 draw with Fulham, a matter of his Swansea players getting used to the "stadium experience".

Despite starting the friendly with a near first-choice XI, the Swans boss made eight substitutions during the second half (nine if you include Alan Curtis).

The idea, Jackett said, was to give as many members of his squad as possible the chance to fully adapt to their plush new surroundings.

"I wanted to give everyone some feel of the atmosphere, to start experiencing what it's like to play at this stadium," said Jackett.

"That's an important thing. I'm pleased that we've got two Saturdays to get used to the pitch, to coming to a new ground before the real big one, which is Tranmere on August 6.

"Playing Blackburn here on Saturday gives us another chance to get used to the place. It's all about getting into a routine, being comfortable with your surroundings.

"By the time we play Tranmere on the first day of the season, we should have a pretty good feel for the place."

Apart from their annual photocall, this was the first time the Swansea players had ventured onto the pitch together at their new Morfa home.

But Jackett had few complaints about either the Vetch Field's replacement or the result against Chris Coleman's Premiership side.

"As yet, there's nothing about the new stadium that we haven't liked," he said.

"If there were any slight complaints, the positives would far outweigh the negatives.

"The dimensions of the pitch are far bigger than the Vetch Field, but that's not a problem because we've got wide players who can exploit the extra space.

"Marc Goodfellow, for instance, didn't do much wrong after coming on and we hope that will continue. He showed a lot of quality and finished well for his goal. That's a strong part of his game.

"I was pleased with the number of chances we created. I felt the side looked fit, committed and we had a number of options.

"Next season I've got the option of playing 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. It's a decision you make based on factors such as which players are available and who the opposition are."

Swansea's other summer signing, Adebayo Akinfenwa, also showed some good touches on Saturday before being replaced at half-time by Paul Connor after suffering a hamstring complaint.

Embarrassingly, Connor was then forced to make way for Goodfellow, though Jackett insisted the striker, who recently turned down a move to League Two Darlington, was withdrawn for tactical reasons.

Jackett intends to field another first-choice line-up when Swansea's pre-season campaign continues at Forest Green Rovers tomorrow night.

Then comes the second high-profile friendly lined up to help christen the New Stadium, Swansea - the visit of former Wales boss Mark Hughes' Blackburn Rovers.

"That's going to be a massive test for us," said Jackett.

TAKE your place in the Swansea hall of fame, Marc Goodfellow.

He's only been at the club five minutes, but already his name will have found its way into a thousand pub quizzes around the city.

Alas, Goodfellow cannot claim to be the first man to find the net at Swansea's superb new stadium - that honour goes to a Frenchman named Steed Malbranque, the influential midfielder who put Fulham 1-0 up before Goodfellow had even got onto the pitch.

Seeing as it's probably not something Malbranque's going to tell his grandchildren about in years to come, though, Goodfellow had every right to revel in creating his own bit of Swansea history.

"Whatever happens from now on, I know I'll be down in the history books as the first Swansea goalscorer at this stadium," said Goodfellow, who did it in style, too, equalising Malbranque's 51st-minute strike with a delicious 30-yard lob over the goalkeeper.

"I'll be the first of a very long list of goalscorers at the stadium and hopefully this'll be the first of many goals I score here."

This, of course, was always destined to be a day when the occasion mattered more than the game itself.

As well as being the grand unveiling of the new 20,000-seater stadium, it was an afternoon when a legend of their old ground, Vetch Field's favourite son Alan Curtis, received an overdue testimonial.

So it was fitting that one of the biggest cheers of the afternoon came when Curtis was introduced for a cameo appearance eight minutes before the end, the 51-year-old former striker proceeding to roll back the years with a few crisp passes and one pretty dangerous cross from far out on the right.

But, with five minutes to go, Goodfellow stole the show somewhat. Springing Fulham's offside trap, the classy winger - signed from Bristol City this summer after a successful loan stay at the Vetch last season - raced onto Andy Robinson's lofted pass before lobbing keeper Jaro Drobney to the delight of 12,000 spectators who wanted a lasting memory of their first visit to Swansea's Morfa home.

"When you come to a new club you try and make an impression on the fans as early as possible and I'm glad that I've been able to do that," said Goodfellow, introduced as a 69th-minute substitute.

"I was here on loan last season and scored a few goals, so today was just about reminding people what I can do. I think the goal made everyone a little bit happier.

"For it to be in the first game at the new stadium and in Alan Curtis' testimonial makes it even better.

"To be honest, I was just pleased to get out onto the pitch. I was itching to play ever since the warm-up when the ground was half full. It was fantastic to be out there."

You can appreciate why Swans' boss Kenny Jackett was so keen to acquire Goodfellow's services on a permanent basis. As well as offering Swansea natural width and pace, the 23-year-old doesn't need to be pointed in the direction of the opposition's goal.

And he doesn't just score any old goal either - spectacular efforts appear to be his forte - Saturday's top-class finish falling into the same category as stunning long-range efforts against Stockport in last season's FA Cup and Merthyr Tydfil nine days ago.

He said, "I was saying to Kevin McLeod before the game, 'If I get on, I always score against Premiership opposition.'

"I did it twice when I was at Stoke - I scored one on my debut against Charlton in the League Cup and then two against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly, which included a 40-yard lob over Fabien Barthez - and another here against Fulham. It's becoming a bit of a habit."

Jackett started with a near first-choice line-up, the injured Garry Monk the only main absentee as Swans fans had their first proper glimpse at new striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.

For someone so muscular and cumbersome-looking, the former Torquay man showed good technique and control of the ball, though he had to be withdrawn at half-time with a tight hamstring.

The pre-match entertainment had proved far more exciting than the first half, though proceedings livened up after the interval when Tomasz Radzinski and Malbranque, latching onto a deadly cross from Newcastle United target Luis Boa Morte, each went close for the visitors.

Having heroically kept out a Malbranque shot with his legs seconds earlier, keeper Willy Gueret got caught off his line and could only palm his fellow Frenchman's devastating angled drive into the back of his net as the Cottagers began to exhibit some Premiership class.

Heartening for Swansea, though, was the fact they were never overwhelmed by former Swan Chris Coleman's bunch of multinationals.

Lee Trundle had some decent chances, at one point advancing past Alain Goma and Claus Jensen only to drag a shot wide when Paul Connor seemed better placed to score. Swansea's star striker then drew gasps as Drobney saved a better Trundle effort with his feet.

Leon Britton, a regular midfield fixture so far this summer, was denied a penalty on 72 minutes when new England cap Zat Knight clipped him to the ground with what seemed a blatant foul.

No matter, though, because along came Goodfellow to ensure Swansea's big day wasn't sabotaged by the visitors.

The last word belonged to Curtis, who addressed an appreciative crowd after his brief outing alongside Trundle.

"I could've gone on for another minute at least," he smiled. "The stadium's fantastic, but you don't realise just how good it is until you get out onto the pitch. The atmosphere was superb, and I couldn't help but feel a bit emotional out there."

SWANSEA CITY paid homage to the past but yesterday's game against Fulham was as much about the bright new future the club now has mapped out.

The newly promoted League One club flung open the doors of their new £27m home for the first time in a game held in honour of one of their greatest ever servants, Alan Curtis.

The former Swans winger has been associated with the club for nigh on 30 years as a player, coach and manager.

And in that time he has seen it all; the good, the bad and the very ugly.

But there is little doubt that Swansea are currently on the crest of a wave.

The Vetch is no more and City now have a new all-seater stadium which is not only good enough to grace the higher echelons of the league but also to draw envious glances from their next door neighbours down the M4.

Just a shame the powers that be insist on the ridiculous idea of calling the flash new shared home of the Swans and the Ospreys 'The New Stadium'.

At least one road sign outside still calls it the 'White Rock' while some fans have resorted to calling their new mecca 'Dave' in light of there being nothing officially better.

Hiccups are normally the order of any opening day but everything went pretty much as clockwork, except for the fast-running stadium clock, appropriately enough.

The 12,196 were treated to performances from Bonnie Tyler, Lisa Scott-Lee and even had a good luck message from Swansea's very own Hollywood star Catherine Zeta Jones before kick-off.

And the football largely lived up to the occasion in what was despite all the pomp and ceremony still just a pre-season friendly for both clubs.

But Fulham boss Chris Coleman, another of Swansea's favourite sons, certainly saw enough to suggest to him that his former club are headed in the right direction.

"I was very impressed with them," he said after watching Marc Goodfellow cancel out Steed Malbranque's opener.

"I thought they were a good team who used their 4-3-3 system to good effect. They have pace and power up front and I think they can do well again. It could be another exciting season

."

It is certainly a vast improvement's on Fulham's own cramped conditions at Craven Cottage. Coleman admits he would love to see his hometown club continue their revival in fortunes.

But after fielding a strong side out of respect for Curtis, he is not willing to throw midfielder Darren Pratley into the bargain.

Swans boss Kenny Jackett has been bending his ear about signing the young midfielder on loan, but Coleman said: "My heart says I want to be nice but I have to do what's right for Darren and Fulham.

"We don't want to let him go to a League One side. He needs to go to a Championship team on loan and then come back to us a better player with more first-team experience."

The game was advertised as a testimonial but there was nothing too friendly about some of the early challenges with both goalkeepers requiring treatment inside the opening 14 minutes.

Sylvain Legwinski was lucky to escape unpunished after a blatant handball seen by everyone except referee Mark Whitby.

The local referee clearly wasn't in a charitable mood and followed up by ignoring another stonewall penalty in the second half after Leon Britton tumbled over the outstretched leg of defender Zat Knight.

Fulham could well have been out of sight by then after taking the lead on 51 minutes when Steed Malbranque whistled a shot past the wrong footed Willy Gueret from out wide.

But the rest of the Premiership's finishing failed to match up to the Frenchman's and they were made to pay when Goodfellow continued his fine pre-season form by lobbing substitute goalkeeper Jaro Drobney five minutes from time for the club's first goal in their new era.

The summer signing had already rapped a post by then after being introduced as a 69th minute replacement as Jackett made full use of his options and gave Curtis a memorable 10 minute Swansong.

And Curtis apart, that could be the flavour of things to come according to the Swansea boss.

"My side looked fit and committed and we had plenty of options," said Jackett.

"We want to be competitive in all competitions this season. There are a lot of games to face and I want to be in a situation where I have 18 or 20 players who can fit into two different formations to give me plenty of options because what suits one day may not suit the next."

Swansea: Gueret (Murphy 90), Tate, Austin, Iriekpen, Ricketts (Anderson 86), Britton (Curtis 82), Martinez (c) (Robinson 78), O'Leary (Tudor Jones 86), Trundle (Bond 90), Forbes (McLeod 69), Akinfenwa (Connor 46 [Goodfellow 69]).

Fulham: Crossley (Drobney 46), Volz (Rosenior 46), Rehman (Knight 46), Goma (Leacock 74), N Jensen (Timlin 74), Elrich (Boa Morte 46), C Jensen, Legwinski, Malbranque, Helguson (John 46), Radzinski.

SWANSEA CITY paid homage to the past but yesterday's game against Fulham was as much about the bright new future the club now has mapped out.
The newly promoted League One club flung open the doors of their new £27m home for the first time in a game held in honour of one of their greatest ever servants, Alan Curtis.

The former Swans winger has been associated with the club for nigh on 30 years as a player, coach and manager.

And in that time he has seen it all; the good, the bad and the very ugly.

But there is little doubt that Swansea are currently on the crest of a wave.

The Vetch is no more and City now have a new all-seater stadium which is not only good enough to grace the higher echelons of the league but also to draw envious glances from their next door neighbours down the M4.

Just a shame the powers that be insist on the ridiculous idea of calling the flash new shared home of the Swans and the Ospreys 'The New Stadium'.

At least one road sign outside still calls it the 'White Rock' while some fans have resorted to calling their new mecca 'Dave' in light of there being nothing officially better.

Hiccups are normally the order of any opening day but everything went pretty much as clockwork, except for the fast-running stadium clock, appropriately enough.

The 12,196 were treated to performances from Bonnie Tyler, Lisa Scott-Lee and even had a good luck message from Swansea's very own Hollywood star Catherine Zeta Jones before kick-off.

And the football largely lived up to the occasion in what was despite all the pomp and ceremony still just a pre-season friendly for both clubs.

But Fulham boss Chris Coleman, another of Swansea's favourite sons, certainly saw enough to suggest to him that his former club are headed in the right direction.

"I was very impressed with them," he said after watching Marc Goodfellow cancel out Steed Malbranque's opener.

"I thought they were a good team who used their 4-3-3 system to good effect. They have pace and power up front and I think they can do well again. It could be another exciting season

."

It is certainly a vast improvement's on Fulham's own cramped conditions at Craven Cottage. Coleman admits he would love to see his hometown club continue their revival in fortunes.

But after fielding a strong side out of respect for Curtis, he is not willing to throw midfielder Darren Pratley into the bargain.

Swans boss Kenny Jackett has been bending his ear about signing the young midfielder on loan, but Coleman said: "My heart says I want to be nice but I have to do what's right for Darren and Fulham.

"We don't want to let him go to a League One side. He needs to go to a Championship team on loan and then come back to us a better player with more first-team experience."

The game was advertised as a testimonial but there was nothing too friendly about some of the early challenges with both goalkeepers requiring treatment inside the opening 14 minutes.

Sylvain Legwinski was lucky to escape unpunished after a blatant handball seen by everyone except referee Mark Whitby.

The local referee clearly wasn't in a charitable mood and followed up by ignoring another stonewall penalty in the second half after Leon Britton tumbled over the outstretched leg of defender Zat Knight.

Fulham could well have been out of sight by then after taking the lead on 51 minutes when Steed Malbranque whistled a shot past the wrong footed Willy Gueret from out wide.

But the rest of the Premiership's finishing failed to match up to the Frenchman's and they were made to pay when Goodfellow continued his fine pre-season form by lobbing substitute goalkeeper Jaro Drobney five minutes from time for the club's first goal in their new era.

The summer signing had already rapped a post by then after being introduced as a 69th minute replacement as Jackett made full use of his options and gave Curtis a memorable 10 minute Swansong.

And Curtis apart, that could be the flavour of things to come according to the Swansea boss.

"My side looked fit and committed and we had plenty of options," said Jackett.

"We want to be competitive in all competitions this season. There are a lot of games to face and I want to be in a situation where I have 18 or 20 players who can fit into two different formations to give me plenty of options because what suits one day may not suit the next."

Swansea: Gueret (Murphy 90), Tate, Austin, Iriekpen, Ricketts (Anderson 86), Britton (Curtis 82), Martinez (c) (Robinson 78), O'Leary (Tudor Jones 86), Trundle (Bond 90), Forbes (McLeod 69), Akinfenwa (Connor 46 [Goodfellow 69]).

Fulham: Crossley (Drobney 46), Volz (Rosenior 46), Rehman (Knight 46), Goma (Leacock 74), N Jensen (Timlin 74), Elrich (Boa Morte 46), C Jensen, Legwinski, Malbranque, Helguson (John 46), Radzinski.

CHRIS COLEMAN is tipping Premiership football to come to Wales .... but with Swansea City, not Cardiff City, stepping up to the mark.

Coleman believes the new stadium at Morfa, which officially gets up and running today, will give his home-town club an enormous boost as they seek to continue their rise under Kenny Jackett.

As the Bluebirds still wait and hope for their much vaunted home to replace antiquated Ninian Park, Coleman brings his Fulham side to the New Stadium, Swansea for the first sporting contest at the 20,000-seater ground.

And Coleman, the first Welsh international since John Toshack in the 1980s to manage a top flight team, says the importance of the Swans' plush new base cannot be emphasised enough as they seek to climb the divisions.

Today's clash with Fulham may only be a pre-season friendly, but Coleman believes regular Premiership opposition in Swansea is a realistic target for the club, once more to mirror those Toshack years.

Having already looked around the new ground, Coleman said, "It's fantastic, a wonderful place. If Swansea City have a big push and get into the Championship in the next three or four years, then who knows what could happen?

"They've certainly got a good enough stadium these days to play in the Premiership. I've got fantastic memories of the Vetch, but it was time for the club to move on.

"The Swans need to build a team to go with the stadium and they are doing that."

He predicted the Swans could even move to within one division of the Premiership over the next nine months. "Back to back promotions are not out of the question," said Coleman.

REWIND to August 22, 1987 and a 17-year-old Chris Coleman makes his Swansea City home debut in a 2-0 defeat against Exeter.
Just 5,500 people are at the Vetch for the old Fourth Division clash which sees the teenager make his first league appearance on Swansea soil since returning from Manchester City.

As he made those first steps in the professional game, when the seeds of a long-standing club and country partnership with Andy Melville were first sown, scarcely could he have imagined that, just 18 years later, he would go home as manager of a top-flight team.

But Coleman, at 35 still the youngest manager in the Premiership, will do so today as he brings his Fulham side to face his old team in a friendly that marks the grand opening of their new home at Morfa and doubles up as a testimonial to Swans legend Alan Curtis.

An emotional day for Curtis and the 12,400 Swans fans who'll be inside the gleaming new stadium, and emotional too for a player who made more than 160 appearances for his home-town club before leaving for Crystal Palace in the summer of 1991.

"I was at Swansea four years and it was the team I supported as a boy, so I'm delighted to be coming back for this match. It'll be a great curtain-raiser for the new stadium and a fitting tribute for a legend like Alan," said Coleman in an interview with the Western Mail.

"I remember my debut for the Swans - a 2-0 win at Stockport County, followed by Exeter coming to the Vetch a few days later.

"I never imagined back then that I'd go back to Swansea one day as manager of a Premiership club. It's amazing the way things work out."

Coleman went on, "I think I was the same as any other 17-year-old. All you think about at that age is how to develop your own game, it doesn't go beyond that.

"You don't imagine you're going to be a Premiership manager by the time you're 32. But I didn't think I was going to be a manager when I was 25, never mind when I was 17.

"It's just that as you get older, you realise your playing days aren't going to last forever. Obviously, mine were cut short (by a bad car crash in January 2001) but it was a natural progression for me to go into coaching.

"I realised I wanted to be a manager, but it came a bit quicker than I thought it would.

"It's gone quite well, though. And I enjoy the job, I love it. Not many 35-year-olds get to manage in the best league in the world. That's my view of the Premiership, anyway."

It is a job he has been doing since April 2003, Coleman the surprise choice to take charge at Craven Cottage following the departure of Frenchman Jean Tigana.

His competitive career had been all but ended two years before that when he suffered multiple injuries after the car he was driving ploughed through a metal fence and hit a tree near his Surrey home.

When the former Wales defender took over at Fulham, few gave him much chance of surviving in a hot-seat which had previously been occupied by nine different managers in 10 years.

But here he is about to embark on his third full season in charge, confident he can establish Fulham as a solid mid-order Premiership side rather than one that traditionally flirts with relegation.

"Anyone doing this job will tell you that until you become a manager, until you're in the hot-seat, it's hard to describe what it's like," said Coleman, who won the last of his 32 Wales caps as a late substitute in the 1-0 friendly win over Germany in May 2002.

"There are a lot of pressures that come with the job, but if you're not cut out for that, then you get found out pretty quickly.

"I was written off before I'd even taken the job. I was only going to last two or three months, they said.

"But here I am, two years down the line, having managed to maintain Fulham's Premiership status two years on the trot whilst, at the same time, balancing our budget.

"The club's in a lot healthier state, we're back at the Cottage - a new and improved Craven Cottage - and we're looking to build on that.

"I think we're doing something right."

Thrust into top-flight management at 32, it seems Coleman has, if you pardon the pun on his nickname, gained a reputation as being a bit of a tough Cookie.

That much was evident last year when he dug his heels in over Manchester United's attempt to sign Louis Saha, insisting, in vain as it turned out, that the striker would leave Fulham "over my dead body".

But that steely approach was nothing new, he stresses. "I've always been mentally tough, to be honest.

"I've had to deal with one or two things in my life that were difficult, but I've managed to get over them and that holds you in good stead.

"In this job there are lots of highs and when they come along it's fantastic, But when the lows come, it's hard, it's difficult.

"If you can't deal with that, then you can't even begin to think about being a manager. Because there are lots of lows unfortunately. Lots.

"Last season, for instance, we were booed off the pitch more times than I can care to remember. It's just that the fans so want us to do well.

"If you're not prepared to deal with the stresses that come with the job..."

Fulham, who finished 13th last season and ninth in Coleman's first full season at the helm, begin their 2005-06 Premiership campaign in three weeks' time when they entertain Birmingham City.

Two stars of last season who won't be warming up in Swansea today are Edwin van der Sar and Andy Cole, both having departed for Manchester, the goalkeeper to United and the striker to City.

But Coleman can still call upon talent like Portugal frontman Luis Boa Morte, French pair Sylvain Legwinski and Steed Malbranque, new England cap Zat Knight and new signing Heidar Helguson to spearhead Fulham's top-flight assault.

All of whom are expected to play some part at Swansea's still unnamed new stadium, along with former Wales internationals Mark Pembridge and Mark Crossley.

"We've possibly got the smallest transfer kitty in the Premiership, I'm not sure, and there's no way we could compete for someone like Peter Crouch," Coleman said.

"There's no bottomless pit of money to spend at Fulham, but that's not something I complain about because I knew it before I took the job on.

"We'll be OK. We've got a good enough squad here to have a good season. I'm certainly confident we can improve on last season's position."

And so to Coleman's homecoming, and a match that marks Curtis' 34 years service at Swansea as well as the unveiling of the new 20,000-seater stadium.

Coleman actually played alongside Curtis when the former Swans youth team boss returned to the Vetch from Cardiff City in 1989.

"I was lucky enough to play with Alan and unfortunate enough to play against him," said Coleman. "As a defender, the last person you wanted to come up against one-on-one was Alan.

"The word gets bandied about too much these days, but he really was a 'great' player - one of the best to come out of Swansea and certainly one of the best I ever played with.

"It's fitting that we're playing this game for Alan at the new stadium, which I've already seen and I think is fantastic.

"If Swansea have a big push and get into the Championship in the next three or four years, then who knows what could happen?

"They've certainly got a good enough stadium these days to play in the Premiership.

"The Swans need to build a team to go with the stadium and Kenny Jackett is doing that.

"Back-to-back promotions are not out of the question."

THE new season may still be a fortnight away, but Kenny Jackett intends to treat today's friendly against Fulham as a full dress rehearsal for the League One campaign.

The Swans boss will abandon the chop-and-change approach he's adopted so far this summer in order to start bedding in a side he feels can push for a second successive promotion.

"In the first two pre-season matches I changed the entire line-up at half-time, but there won't be anywhere near as much change against Fulham," Jackett said.

"It'll be more like naming a league squad. A first-choice line-up, if you like, or as near to it as possible considering we are carrying some injuries.

"We've got three pre-season games left (Forest Green Rovers and Blackburn after Fulham) and it's time to start working people in."

It'll be the first chance for most Swans fans to glimpse Jackett's new strikeforce, with Lee Trundle having been declared fit to play alongside recent recruit Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Swansea's other summer signing, winger Marc Goodfellow, is struggling to shake off an injury, and could be joined on the sidelines by Kevin McLeod and Lee Thorpe. Garry Monk, one of the stalwarts of last season, is definitely missing.

"We're not going to put people on for 90 minutes if they're not right, but we're treating this as a first-team game and we want to give a good account of ourselves," Jackett added.

"The new season is only a couple of weeks away and I want to be nailing down my side for Tranmere on the opening day.

"Fulham and Blackburn next Saturday will provide very stern tests for us. But there's no way we should go into the game feeling worried or negative. This is a positive part of our build-up to the new season."

The visit of Chris Coleman's Premiership side marks the start of a much-anticipated new era for Swansea as they begin life at their new 20,500-seat arena at Morfa, or the New Stadium Swansea as it was somewhat unimaginatively named this week.

Capacity will be pegged back to 12,400 to comply with safety stipulations, but the club hope it will rise to 15,000 for next week's visit of Blackburn and then the full 20,000 when Tranmere come calling.

"I'm very excited by the Fulham match," said Jackett. "It's the opening game. Walking on the pitch the other day, I just thought 'What a pitch!' Terrific.

"I'm sure it'll be a fantastic day. I'm very proud that I'll be the first manager in that new stadium. It's a big thing for me."

It'll be a big occasion, too, for Alan Curtis. The match also serves as a testimonial for the former Wales international who has been associated, in one guise or another, with Swansea for 34 years.

Curtis, 51, is to lead Swansea's attack for the last 10 minutes of the game, donning the old No 7 shirt he wore with such distinction through all those years at the Vetch.

"It's a big game for me," he said. "I've got the same sort of feelings as I had when I was still playing professionally. The butterflies have already started."

Swansea City (possible): Gueret, Tate, Iriekpen, Austin, Ricketts, O'Leary, Martinez, Britton, Forbes, Akinfenwa, Trundle. Subs (from): Murphy, Anderson, Gurney, Robinson, McLeod, Connor, Curtis

The crowd for Swansea City's Coca-Cola League One opener against Tranmere could be slashed if the club's pre-season friendlies do not pass without a hitch. The club welcome Fulham to The New Stadium Swansea today while Blackburn Rovers visit next weekend.

And director David Morgan has admitted problems at either game could mean a reduced capacity for Tranmere's visit on August 6.

"The safety advisory group (SAG), which is made up of representatives of Swansea Council and the emergency services, will be watching to see how things go at the Fulham and Blackburn games," he said.

"Ideally, the capacity will go from 12,400 today to 15,000 next weekend and then 20,500 for Tranmere.

"But the SAG committee will be looking at how well the fans adapt to the new stadium.

"A large number of our fans are used to standing up throughout games and smoking. At the New Stadium, neither of those things can happen.

"Other things will be monitored - the way the crowd arrive, the way they leave and the state of the roads around the stadium.

"Everything is being watched for the future benefit of all our fans."

He added: "The biggest thing is probably going to be the standing up.

"Nobody is asking fans not jump up and down when a goal is scored, but if they do not remain seated during the quieter periods of the game it could have a detrimental effect.

"It could be that capacities for future games will be reduced which will cost fans the chance to be there and stop revenue coming into the club."

Swansea cancelled their tour of Holland this summer so two big friendlies could be played at their new home in pre-season in an attempt to ensure maximum capacity for the start of the league campaign.

"They didn't do it at Hull when they had their new stadium and, as a result, they played their first league game at a 25,000-capacity stadium in front of 17,000," Morgan said.

A SAG meeting will be held within 24 hours of the Fulham game to decide whether the capacity will be raised for Blackburn.

Ticket arrangements for the Tranmere game, meanwhile, are set to be announced some time next week.

Swansea are stressing that no tickets will be sold on turnstiles for any game this season.

"They will be available from the ticket office on matchdays, but we're encouraging people to buy in advance if at all possible," Morgan added.

The £27 million stadium in Morfa has finally been named - it will be known as The New Stadium Swansea. It has taken months to come up with the name announced today just hours before its official opening tomorrow afternoon.

There had been fierce speculation over what it might be called. It had been hoped a sponsor would step in and buy the naming rights in a £250,000 deal. But although talks have been taking place, no agreement has been reached over the showpiece 20,000-seat ground, home to both The Swans and The Ospreys.

The move has been described as disappointing by fans and worrying by opposition councillors.

Stadco, the stadium's management company, settled on The New Stadium Swansea, in the belief that a more distinctive name might prove a discouragement to potential sponsors.

Stadco chairman and Swansea councillor Gerald Clement said: "We are committed to finding a major brand to take on the naming rights.

"If we give it a more specific title, even a temporary one, it will be a less attractive proposition for potential sponsors.

"It really is a venue to be proud of as it demonstrates the ambitions and success of both the city of Swansea and the region as a whole."

The Stadco board confirmed that discussions with potential sponsors would continue. Council leader Chris Holley added: "Stadco has already held detailed discussions with a number of leading companies which are interested in the naming rights.

"However, it is vial that any future deal reflects the best interests of the stadium and the people of Swansea".

The first game at The New Stadium Swansea, when Swansea City take on Premiership side Fulham tomorrow, has been eagerly awaited by thousands of fans for more than two years. The new name has received a mixed reaction from both football and rugby supporters, many of whom had supported the initial proposal to name the ground White Rock.

Chairman of Swansea City Supporters' Trust Ron Knuszka said: "I think many thousands of fans will be disappointed with this name.

"It is disappointing because it is a form of identity. Any new stadium needs one that the fans will relate to."

David Phillips of the council's Labour opposition labelled the name as "pathetic."

"It is also worrying,'' he added.

Fan Peter Gibson, of Newton Road in Mumbles, added: " The Swansea Stadium would have been better, even if only as a temporary measure. I can't believe this is the best they can come up with.''

But Jonathan Harvey, Ospreys media manager, said: "I can understand that some people may be disappointed with the name, but it is a commercial world and the stadium has to pay for itself.

"We understand that it is important to be able to offer value to a potential sponsor and that it should not have established itself with a strong name.

"Traditions have to be put to one side if it means helping to create competitive teams".

A COUNCIL decision to call Swansea's £27m sports stadium, The New Stadium, Swansea, was described yesterday as "pathetic and worrying".

The new stadium at Morfa, two miles east of Swansea's city centre, opens on Saturday, when Swansea City welcome Premiership stars Fulham.

Stadco, the council-owned company which runs the 20,000- seat arena has held off naming the venue for more than a year as it attempted to find a major sponsor prepared to take on naming rights.

It was hoped at least £250,000 a year would be earned from a major brand lending its name to the stadium.

But yesterday, the council announced the stadium would be called The New Stadium, Swansea, until a sponsor could be found.

David Phillips, leader of the council's Labour opposition, said yesterday, "We all want this stadium to be a huge success and I will be there on Saturday cheering on the Swans.

"But the way the council and Stadco are doing things is giving cause for grave concern.

"First of all Stadco chief executive Tim Howell suddenly left the company last month with no explanation.

"Secondly, the council has agreed a £2.3m loan to kit out the stadium on top of the millions of public money already ploughed in and it was said that money would be paid back from sponsorship.

"We have no sponsorship and the stadium opens on Saturday.

"The name New Stadium, Swansea, is pathetic and the reasons behind it are worrying."

Rene Kinzett, spokesman for the Liberal Democrat-led coalition running the council, dismissed the criticism yesterday, saying, "People like Mr Phillips are trying to make problems where there are no problems."

Gerald Clement, chairman of Stadco, added, "The stadium will be known simply as The New Stadium, Swansea, as we are committed to finding a major brand to take on the naming rights.

"If we give it a more specific title, even a temporary one, it will be a less attractive proposition for potential sponsors.

"We now have a magnificent stadium that can host top-flight rugby and football."

Senior Labour councillor Robert Francis Davies said yesterday, "The name is completely without imagination."

The new stadium will be the home for Swansea City FC and the Ospreys regional rugby team.

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins has defended the amount his club spent on agents last season as a report today were met by calls for urgent regulation.
The Football League, published their third "Agents Fees Report", revealing the 72 clubs outside the top flight spent £7.8million on intermediaries last season prompting chairman Lord Mawhinney to call for the urgent introduction of a regulatory framework to govern agents.

Swansea, who earned promotion into League One last season, were the biggest spenders in the bottom division as they paid £55,080 on a total of 27 player transactions.

Chairman Huw Jenkins insists the amount the club paid to football agents during the past 12 months can be attributed to their dedication to on-field success.

"We have spent more than any other club, but that shows our commitment to make the club successful and is in accordance with our income," he said.

"If you look at the size of our crowds, it gives more financial power to compete for players and just like money going to players in wages, agents will also receive money as part of transfer deals. It is the same principle."

Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey insists the restructuring of the club in the wake of their relegation from the Premiership explains why they paid so much to agents last season.

The Whites, perhaps unsurprisingly, were easily the biggest spenders in the past 12 months - forking out almost £1.9million on agents fees as they worked desperately to adapt to life outside the top flight following their demotion in May 2004.

Figures showed the Elland Road spent £1,553,688 in agents between July and December 2004 before shelling out £343,000 in the last six months.

Leeds were followed by Leicester, who paid £611,325 in fees, and Wolves (£432,625).

Harvey insisted the payments were necessary as they sought to rid the club of their biggest earners during their first season back in the lower leagues.

"The six-month report to 31 December 2004 saw Leeds United reported as having committed to pay licensed agents £1,553,688, which was comfortably the highest amount paid by any club, and in the main applied to payments made at the time of the cancellation of high-profile players' contracts," he said.

"The club envisage that payments will be made to agents during the 2005-06 season.

"We anticipate payments to agents in the first half of the season will once again be higher than the second due to recruitment during the summer months."

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey believes spending money on agents fees is necessary if clubs are to remain competitive.

Wanderers were able to reduce their outgoings on intermediaries to just £52,000 in the second half of the year – a decrease of £380,625 on the six months between July and December 2004.

Moxey told the club's official website: "When one considers our expenditure for the past year covers the signing, re-signing, loan signing and cancellation of contracts of 33 players, we think it is realistic in today's market.

"Especially given that some of our signings included established internationals such as Vio Ganea, Ki-Hyeon Seol, Colin Cameron and Seyi George Olofinjana. As a club, we work hard to keep agents fees as low as possible for all transactions."

Crewe, who avoided relegation into League One on the final day of the season, were the only Championship side to spend nothing on agents fees in the last 12 months.

Alex spokesman Rob Wilson believes the club’s inability to attract high-profile players enabled them to avoid forking out.

"A club like Crewe don't have the kind of money that some of the bigger clubs in the Championship have," he said.

"Clubs like Leeds are a Premiership club who are attracting Premiership players which command big fees.

"It's been a club policy for a while that we don't pay agents fees and we try to limit our dealings with them.

"If we're dealing with a player and things start to get complicated with the agent then we just pull out.

Hull were the biggest spenders on agents fees in League One last season, although chairman Adam Pearson believes the £97,450 paid by the Tigers on 44 transactions represents "good value".

"We feel that the quoted figures in the year at an average of approximately £2,000 per transaction represents good value for the business achieved in the year," he said.

"Agents are a necessary factor within the game and on the whole the club has excellent working relationships with the vast majority of professional agents."

The new joint Swansea City and Ospreys megastore opens its doors at 10am tomorrow. The Swans' home shirt for 2005-6 goes on sale for the first time along with a range of other merchandise in the shop, situated on the corner of the West and South Stands at the new stadium at Morfa.

Gates at the 20,500-capacity arena will open by 12.30pm on Saturday ahead of its inaugural game, Alan Curtis's testimonial against Fulham, with pre-match entertainment kicking off at 1.15pm.

The new park and ride scheme will run between 11.30am and 7pm.

Application forms for tickets for the Wales v Slovenia friendly at Morfa on August 17 will be sent to Swans season-ticket holders early next week. Each season-ticket holder will have the chance to buy additional tickets for the game.

Huw Jenkins admits it may be months before Swansea City recruit any more new faces. With little more than two weeks before the start of the new League One season, Kenny Jackett has made only two additions - Marc Goodfellow and Adebayo Akinfenwa - to the squad which escaped League Two on the final day of last term.

There is still no sign of the two midfielders and one defender the Swansea manager targeted back in May.

But Jenkins has conceded there may be no further signings before Tranmere visit on August 6 to kick off the new Coca-Cola campaign.

"It remains our aim to add one or two players to the squad we have," the Swansea chairman said.

"That may happen in the next couple of weeks, it may happen in the next few months.

"Kenny and I feel there's no need to panic. We're not going to dive in to the market.

"We're going to make sure we make the right decisions."

Ideally, Jenkins accepts, Jackett's squad would have been bolstered prior to pre-season training.

But after failed moves for the likes of Andy Burgess and Martin Devaney, he added: "We are a club moving forward and a lot of people see Swansea as an attractive club to join. Having said that, some players see the greater income our new stadium is generating as a chance for them to receive higher salaries.

"We don't see it like that. Yes we all have bills to pay and lives to lead, but we want players to be coming here because they want to play for us. Football should be first and wages should be second.

"Besides that, we are keen to make sure the extra money we receive doesn't just go on players. We are keen to strengthen other areas of the club like our facilities and our youth set-up."

Jenkins revealed that Swansea have had a number of players watched in pre-season friendlies over the last couple of weeks.

"It's all about taking the chance to check up a little further on possible targets," he said.

"Kenny likes a few players in certain positions and we're having a look at them.

"We're speaking to a number of agents all the time. Now it's a case of waiting until we're ready to go and sign someone."

Alan Curtis is to lead Swansea City's attack for the last 10 minutes of his testimonial match against Fulham on Saturday. The Vetch Field great will don his old No. 7 shirt in what is also the opening fixture at Swansea's new home at Morfa.

And Curtis admits he has done some pre-season training of his own this summer in preparation for the special occasion.

"I still keep myself reasonably fit," the 51-year-old said through a smile, "but I've been trying to do a few extra sit-ups to get ready for the weekend.

"It's a big game for me - I've got the same sort of feelings as I had when I was still playing professionally. That tingle is there when I think about it.

"But you're in a different world when you're not doing the day-to-day training and I'm just hoping I don't end up fluffing anything."

Fulham boss Chris Coleman, originally from Mayhill, was a Swansea team-mate during the latter days of Curtis's playing career.

"I spoke to Chrissy yesterday and he's looking forward to it," Curtis added.

"He's delighted to be bringing his team back to Swansea and likewise I'm delighted that they are coming.

"Fulham are flying out to the United States for a pre-season trip after coming here and I think they will be bringing their full squad."

Arguably the Cottagers biggest name player, Andy Cole, left this week for Manchester City, but they could still include the likes of Portugal frontman Luis Boa Morte and the multi-million pound French pair of Sylvain Legwinski and Steed Malbranque.

Ex-Everton striker Tomasz Radzinski may also feature along with new England cap Zat Knight and former Welsh internationals Mark Pembridge and Mark Crossley.

Then there is the man seen by many as the Premiership's signing of last season - giant Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop.

"I think they call him the Wardrobe," said Curtis, "and if I can do a nutmeg on him then I'll be well pleased. In fact, I'll probably leave the pitch there and then."

There will be an opening ceremony for the new stadium featuring the likes of Lisa Scott Lee and Bonnie Tyler before kick-off on Saturday.

A number of Curtis's old mates will be present too, including Nigel Stevenson, Wyndham Evans, Leighton Phillips, Jeremy Charles, John Mahoney and Dudley Lewis.

Added Curtis: "Going down to the ground this week to sort out a couple of things, I've realised just what a fantastic venue it is.

"All being well, it should be a very special day for everybody in Swansea and it's just a shame that they couldn't get more than 12,000 fans in to see it."

Star Swansea City striker Lee Trundle has been passed fit to play against Premiership big guns Fulham on Saturday. But boss Kenny Jackett has a host of other fitness concerns as Swansea prepare for the inaugural fixture at their new Morfa home.

The biggest problems are on the left side of midfield, with Kevin McLeod and summer signing Marc Goodfellow doubtful and Andy Robinson not 100 per cent fit.

Centre-forward Lee Thorpe is also struggling to make the special occasion while first-choice centre-back Garry Monk definitely misses out.

''Lee missed Tuesday's game at Bridgwater with a tight hamstring, but that was more of a precaution really and he will be okay for Fulham,'' said Swansea physio Richie Evans.

''Some of the other lads will miss out though.

''Garry Monk is making good progress with the groin strain he had at the end of last season but he won't return to full training until the start of next week.

''Lee Thorpe damaged ankle ligaments in training last week and I would rate him doubtful for Saturday, and Marc Goodfellow is likely to sit out Fulham with a groin strain he got at Bridgwater.

''Kevin McLeod may be able to play some part after his shin injury, though the signs are better for Andy Robinson's hamstring at the moment. We're looking to get 45 minutes out of him.''

Sam Ricketts is another who may play only a partial role this weekend as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term stomach complaint.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman is pledging to bring a strong squad back to his home city for what is old friend Alan Curtis's testimonial.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, meanwhile, has revealed that the amount of compensation due to Torquay following Adebayo Akinfenwa's move to Morfa now seems certain to be decided by a Football League tribunal.

Both clubs had hoped to avoid going down that route after the out-of-contract striker, 23, opted for Swansea despite being offered new terms by the Gulls.

But Jenkins has admitted he and opposite number Mike Bateson are still miles apart on what sum should be paid.

''I think they would settle for around £70,000, but I'm hoping we'll pay nothing up front with some money due later based on performances,'' he said.

''I believe they are clutching at straws by asking what they are asking. We haven't been able to agree on a figure so I now expect to go to a tribunal on July 28 to decide it.''

GOAL-SCORING hero Adrian Forbes is confident his higher-division pedigree will shine through properly for Swansea City next season.
Forbes twice wrote his name into the Swansea history books at the end of last term when, seven days after scoring the last goal at the Vetch, he struck to clinch promotion to League One.

Up to that point, though, it had been a mostly unremarkable season for a man who gained First Division experience with Norwich and was hailed as Swansea's premier 2004 summer signing.

But, having topped off impressive performances with a goal in each of Swansea's opening two pre-season games, Forbes believes he's finally running into top form as the new campaign draws near.

"I'm quietly confident the fans will see a much better Adrian Forbes next year," said the 26-year-old, who hopes to shine once more in Saturday's pre-season friendly against Fulham after scoring in the victories over Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgwater.

"I wouldn't say I had a bad season, but I know I can do a lot better. In the past, when I was at Norwich and Luton, I've performed to a much higher level.

"There were various things that affected my performance.

"Moving down to Swansea and being without my family, being without my little ones, for the best part of three months took a toll on me. It's no surprise that once they did move down, my form started to pick up.

"Plus, I was playing out of position, which I wasn't happy with at the time. I got my head round it, but after Christmas the team hit it a dip where no-one was playing to the best of their ability.

"I wasn't used to playing in League Two. I'm more used to playing in League One, which I did with Luton, or at Championship level, which I did at Norwich.

"As I said, I know I can do a lot better and, having seemingly picked up in pre-season where I left off at the end of last season, fingers crossed, the fans will see that next year."

Forbes should benefit if, as expected, Swans boss Kenny Jackett favours a 4-3-3 formation, with he and Marc Goodfellow the likeliest candidates to join Lee Trundle and Adebayo Akinfenwa in a three-pronged attack.

He said, "If that's the case, then I'll need to chip in with more goals than I did last season (he scored seven, including the crucial final-day strike at Bury that secured promotion).

"I don't claim to be a Lee Trundle type of player. I'm an honest, '100 per cent' kind of player and hopefully the fans will see a better version of that this time round."

Before the League One campaign begins, though, there's the glamorous engagements with Fulham and Blackburn lined up to mark the opening of Swansea's new stadium at Morfa.

"Fulham's the game everyone's been looking forward to - playing Premiership opposition at the new stadium, and seeing all the fans again for the first time since Bury," Forbes said.

"We all know Fulham's going to be a different kettle of fish to Merthyr and Bridgwater, but, if we can play in the same sort of way, we'll hopefully come away with a win. Or at least make sure we don't embarrass ourselves!"

Having fielded two different line-ups in each of the opening warm-up matches, Jackett intends to put out a near first-choice XI for the visit of Coleman's Premiership side.

Jackett confirmed yesterday that Serbian midfield trialist Goran Zujovic, a surprise inclusion in the Swansea squad that beat Bridgewater 3-1, would not be staying.

Kenny Jackett today turned his attentions to Saturday's grand opening of the new stadium at Morfa and the visit of Premiership Fulham after Swansea City won their second pre-season friendly at Bridgwater Town. After a physical and robust clash last night which Swansea won 3-1 and with the new Coca-Cola League One season a little more than a fortnight away, games are coming thick and fast for Jackett's side.

''This was a decent workout for us,'' he said. ''These last two games have been part of our work and now we look ahead to Saturday and start to focus our attentions on the first league game of the season against Tranmere. 'The good news for us is that I don't think we have picked up any injuries.''

Swansea were without last season's top scorer Lee Trundle after he suffered from muscle tightness after a heavy weights session on Monday, while Jackett rested Garry Monk and Andy Robinson. Kevin McLeod and Andy Gurney were both out injured.

With Trundle missing, it was left to new signing Adebayo Akinfenwa to open his goalscoring account when he netted earlier in the first half.

''It is always nice for a player to get off the mark,'' said Jackett. ''We have just been talking about Bayo's goal with everyone and it was surprising that he only held off three players to score.''

Last night's match was arranged when youth team midfielder Nat Pepperell left Fairfax Park in December to join Swansea and Jackett gave the 17-year-old 45 minutes in the second half.

Jackett had three trialists on show at Bridgwater in former Leeds defender Stuart Edwards, Bangor City midfielder Owain Tudor and Serbian midfielder Goran Zujovic.

Zujovic, a former Dundee midfielder, did not train with the squad, and has already been let go.

''Stuart and Owain gave a good account of themselves in the second half and we will be making a decision on them as we go along,'' Jackett said, ''but we won't be pursuing Goran.''

Just under 1,000 remaining tickets for Saturday's friendly with Fulham at Morfa went on sale at the stadium ticket office this morning.

Season tickets are also available between 11.30am and 7.30pm today and tomorrow.

The annual meeting of the Swans Trust will be held in the Riverside Lounge of the new stadium on August 4 (7.30).

Ticketless Swans fans may be forced to miss out on this weekend's soccer opener at the city's new £27 million stadium. The wraps come off the showpiece venue at Morfa on Saturday when the club takes on Premiership side Fulham.

It is the game thousands have been waiting for after two years of building work.

But some fans claim there are problems with ticket allocations meaning they might not get their hands on theirs in time.

They say they have yet to receive information they have requested or tickets that they have paid for.

The Fulham match will mark the beginning of a new era for the Swans after their move from their old Vetch Field home.

But fans say they are increasingly anxious.

Machine operator Jeff Warwick, from Pontarddulais, held a Swans season ticket last term, but claims he has been thwarted in his attempts to secure another for this year.

Forty-three-year-old Mr Warwick said: "I have been trying to get a ticket ever since the last game of last season against Bury.

"But so far the only information I have received from the club has been to do with parking.

"As a ticket holder last year I thought everything would be sent to me automatically but it hasn't.

"I really want to see the game against Fulham."

And Coventry-based Swans fan Steven Thomas, aged 30, has criticised the club claiming it was not doing enough to help supporters who outside the city.

"I accept that it is unusual for a season ticket holder to live 160 miles away," said the NHS manager.

"But I have been a Swans fan all my life since I grew up there.

"I have managed to get my season ticket, but I paid for the ticket for the match against Fulham on Saturday last week and it still hasn't arrived.

"Do I make a five-hour round trip and hope that I will be let in?

"When I phone it is not being answered. It is supposed to be a professionally managed operation, but I think there is definitely a problem.

"I understand there have been other supporters who have received the wrong tickets as well".

Fellow fan Ken Jones of Lon Mefus in Tycoch said: "I have been waiting for my ticket for weeks. I have been promised it is on its way, but it still isn't with me.''

Swans fans have also bombarded the Jack Army fans website with complaints.

One said: "What a farce, 108 times I rang today with no joy. I had to form an orderly line for 100 minutes outside White Rock after work instead.

Another Swans supporter added: " It is impossible to get people to answer the phone. All I want is a ticket.''

Swans director David Morgan today hit back claiming that anyone experiencing difficulties had only to contact the club shop.

Mr Morgan said: "There was a problem with the phone line a couple of weeks ago but that has been sorted out.

"Season tickets have been sent out, and anyone experiencing problems has only to visit the shop or give them a call.

"We have taken out full-page newspaper adverts advising people of contact numbers.

"We value all our supporters and we want them to join us for the new season.

"We can help them but they have to contact us."

Adebayo Akinfenwa opened up his goalscoring account for Swansea City last night as they came away from Bridgwater Town with a hard-fought victory. Kenny Jackett's new striker from Torquay United struck in the 10th minute at Fairfax Park, while former Luton flyer Adrian Forbes added a second with youngster Mark Pritchard netting the third with a header midway through the second half.

It could have been more comfortable for the Swans as Izzy Iriekpen struck the base of the Robins' post from the spot after skipper Rob Snook handled a Leon Britton shot.

Unlike Saturday's 5-0 win at Southern League side Merthyr Tydfil, Swansea had to roll up their sleeves and dig deep in the second half to hold out for victory in Somerset.

Jackett will be glad that his side does not have to play the likes of the Western League club every week. The minnows, who sit six rungs below Swansea in the football pyramid, were not overawed by their visitors as they put in a rough and ready performance.

The Robins knew that they were not going to be able to match Jackett's side in class so they did their best to mix it up - rash challenges were aplenty.

Luckily for the Swans their were no casualties, while referee Alan Smith only reached for his cards once to caution Snook for a late tackle on Forbes.

While last night will not have any bearing on what happens on August 6 when Swansea begin life in Coca-Cola League One with a visit from Tranmere, it was a chance for the Swans to build up their match practice and for the Robins to see the return of their prodigal son.

Second-year scholar Nat Pepperell joined the Swans in December last year from the Somerset club and part of the deal which brought the 17-year-old midfielder to South West Wales was a friendly between the two clubs.

Pepperell, playing in front of his family and friends, was part of Jackett's second half XI which included skipper Roberto Martinez and striker Paul Connor, making his first outing of the summer since turning down a move back to his native North East with Darlington.

Jackett continued to run his eye over former Leeds United defender Stuart Edwards, while Bangor City's Owain Tudor Jones continued his trial with the club with 45 minutes.

Youth-team keeper Kyle Letheren got his chance in the second half and, despite conceding a penalty when he scythed down Shane Kingston, the Wales Under-19s stand-by stopper redeemed himself with a superb save to deny Graham Cheeseman from the resulting spot-kick.

Jackett brought in a new trialist in former Dundee midfielder Goran Zujovic, but just as quickly as he arrived - he did not train with the squad - the Serbian has left.

Having spent several seasons in the Scottish Premier Division, Zujovic spent last season trawling the non-league circuit. The 25-year-old had an unsuccessful trial at Conference North side Worcester City, while he had a less than successful spell at Southern League outfit Cinderford Town.

Despite all the disjointedness in the second half, the Swans sealed victory within 13 minutes.

On 10 minutes Britton picked out Akinfenwa and the burly striker held off three Robins defenders as he placed the ball past Ben Fellows.

Three minutes later, Forbes continued his rich scoring vein with his fourth goal in five outings. Britton was once again the provider, allowing Forbes to slot the ball between Fellows' legs.

Bridgwater struck back in the first minute of the second half through Kingston after the Swans failed to clear their lines, before Pritchard restored the two-goal advantage on 18 minutes from the end.

ADEBAYO AKINFENWA gave a glimpse of things to come, while the class of Adrian Forbes shone through again for Swansea last night.
New signing Akinfenwa registered his first goal in a Swans shirt as the League One newcomers warmed up for the visit of Chris Coleman's Fulham on Saturday with another victory over non-league opponents.

Forbes continued his glowing form by following up Akinfenwa's 10th-minute effort with another goal and another superb all-round performance that suggests plenty of good things are to come from him next term.

Rookie striker Mark Pritchard claimed Swansea's third goal after the interval as Kenny Jackett repeated the practice of fielding an entirely different side in either half.

But victory over plucky Bridgwater was not achieved with the same comfort as Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Merthyr, the Western League side providing a rugged physical challenge.

They don't come much more rugged and physical than Akinfenwa, however.

As well as opening his Swansea account, the muscular former Barry Town striker showed once more what an all-round nuisance he'll be to League One defences next term.

Winger Marc Goodfellow also caught the eye as the Swans limbered up for the somewhat trickier test that will be presented by Fulham - the match that will mark the opening of their new stadium at Morfa.

Expect a first-choice line-up for the visit of the Premiership side, but last night several youth team stars were handed chances.

One of whom, 17-year-old Nat Pepperell, was snapped up by the Swans last season from Bridgwater, this trip to Somerset arranged as part of the deal that took the youngster to the Vetch.

Jackett's starting XI wasn't too far off what you might imagine would be his first-choice League One line-up, containing as it did three regular members of last season's defence - Iriekpen, Kevin Austin and Sam Ricketts - and 2004-05 stalwarts like Forbes and Kris O'Leary.

Lee Trundle was missing because of a muscle strain picked up in training.

The second-half XI was a mixture of mostly youngsters and trialists, including Serbian midfielder Goran Zujovic.

The Swans, industrious and energetic without quite operating at full tilt, were 2-0 up inside 13 minutes.

After the impressive Goodfellow had struck the base of a post, Leon Britton slipped a pass into the feet of Akinfenwa, and the former Torquay man resisted the challenges of three men before turning and firing low into the bottom right-hand corner.

Britton was also architect of the second goal, threading a pass through to Forbes, who blasted low under the body of keeper Ben Fellows.

The all-changed side that emerged for the second half featured the likes of trialists Zujovic, Owain Tudor-Jones, Stuart Edwards, and a strong youth-team contingent that included rookie keeper Kyle Letheren. Striker Paul Connor was also handed his first pre-season outing.

Swansea allowed Shane Kingston to reduce the deficit on 47 minutes, but Pritchard made it 3-1 when he headed home Connor's cross before Letheren conceded a penalty when he brought down Kingston.

However, the young Swansea keeper saved Graham Cheeseman's spot-kick with his foot.

Paul Connor has admitted he was "gutted" that Swansea City were prepared to let him go back to his native North East after turning down a move to Darlington. The 26-year-old Geordie hitman spent the end of last week in talks with the Quakers after Swansea agreed to a performance-related undisclosed fee.

But he was back in training at Fairwood yesterday after rebuffing Darlington's overtures.

"I was gutted they said I could speak to them because I don't want to leave," admitted Connor. "I won't lie, I was pretty shocked but that is football.

"I want to stay here and fight for my place. I am just going to have to work hard as normal and see where it takes me. I have confidence in my ability so we will just have to see what happens."

The Bishop Auckland-born striker is now hoping to get a run-out in the second pre-season friendly at Bridgwater tonight (7.45pm).

"There were a few things why I decided against the move. It wasn't one particular thing," Connor added. "When you move you have to have a good feeling about it. Everything has to feel right and this didn't.

"Pre-season is going well, I feel quite fit and hopefully I'll get a run at Bridgwater."

Boss Kenny Jackett is seeing which of his star players are available for tonight's trip to Fairfax Park after several of his charges were unable to take part in training yesterday.

Winger Kevin McLeod and transfer-listed Andy Gurney, who both limped out of Saturday's 5-0 victory at Merthyr, sat out the session, while Lee Trundle finished early.

"There are one or two knocks that might keep a couple of players out. I won't risk anybody, but generally everyone is fine," said Jackett.

"Andy Gurney and Kevin McLeod have slight injuries but they might be fit for this game. Andy Robinson and Garry Monk are working well but I won't risk them and Sam Ricketts will play some part of the game.

"We did a very hard weight session on Monday and when we went out on to the field Lee felt a little tightness. We don't want him to pull anything because he has worked very hard, but I expect him to feature tonight."

WHILE his Swansea City team-mates basked in the glory of last season's promotion in such exotic destinations as Egypt, Dubai and the Caribbean, Kevin McLeod was ordered to stay at home and work out in the gym.

The former Everton player struggled to make an impact with the Swans following his much-trumpeted £60,000 switch from Queens Park Rangers last February.

McLeod, 24, ended up playing a cameo role as Kenny Jackett sealed automatic promotion from League Two.

And at the end of last season Jackett called McLeod into his office and told him to bin any holiday brochures he might be browsing through.

Instead the Swans manager handed the Liverpudlian a rigorous exercise schedule to ensure he was in peak condition when he reported for pre-season training.

Jackett coached the winger at Loftus Road where he was Ian Holloway's No 2 and he wanted to work with the same McLeod who helped the Londoners win promotion to the Championship in 2004.

"The gaffer called me into his office and told me to get back to the super-fit Kevin McLeod I knew at QPR," recalled the Goodison Park product.

"I listened to the gaffer - he's the reason I joined Swansea. He's a great coach and I know he will make me a better player.

"I've stayed in Swansea all summer. I've not had a holiday. I've been running non-stop because I want to be super-fit for the new season. I've been running on the beach, going on bike rides and working out at the gym.

"If I'm 100 per cent fit I think I'll play a major part in the team this season.

"The Swansea fans haven't seen the real Kevin McLeod yet.

"I want to show them what I can do."

McLeod - part of the Swans side which will continue its pre-season programme at Bridgwater Town tonight - moved to Swansea with his partner, Catherine, and their two-year-old son, Callum.

He added, "Catherine came with me when I went to see the gaffer.

"The gaffer wanted her there because he said this is something we have to do as a family. I couldn't do it on my own.

"She's been fine about not going away on holiday. She's been behind me 100 per cent ... and has even come on a few bike rides with me!

"My summer has been getting up at 9am, having breakfast and then chilling out with Callum for an hour.

"Then it was down to the gym to do some weight work, then a run and a swim.

"In the afternoons I either went on a bike ride or back to the gym."

McLeod says he was not in tip-top condition when he arrived in South Wales because he had been sidelined for three weeks with laryngitis.

The most exciting signing of Jackett's reign made only seven starts last term with Andy Robinson establishing himself as Swansea's first-choice left-sided midfielder.

And the arrival of Marc Goodfellow - who had a successful loan stint at the Vetch last season - will put McLeod under more pressure.

"I wasn't fit when I came here from QPR because I had been out with laryngitis," he added.

"I found it hard coming to Swansea at first. I wasn't fit because I had been ill and I had a lot of other things on my plate.

"But I'm loving it here now. Catherine and I have got a house. We're settled and we've made lots of friends. I'm really looking forward to the new season - and I'm looking forward to coming up against a few old friends.

"There are a few people in this division I know from my time with QPR and I owe them a few knocks and bumps."

PAUL CONNOR could still quit Swansea City this week, despite talks breaking down with Darlington at the weekend.
The 26-year-old striker has been told he can leave the White Rock Stadium by Swans boss Kenny Jackett, who plans to pair Lee Trundle with recent signing Bayo Akinfenwa in attack next season.

An undisclosed fee was agreed with Swansea on Thursday and Connor was given permission to hold talks with Quakers.

But after the Bishop Auckland-born player failed to agree terms, Connor has returned south Wales to seek clarification on his future.

And, while Connor may still choose to fight for his place at Swansea, Bournemouth have expressed an interest.

"The initial terms we have offered him aren't quite what he wants," said Hodgson. "Obviously, there are discussions between him and Swansea so we will just have to wait and see.

"We will be speaking to Paul again on Monday and we will take things from there."

Quakers maintained their 100 per-cent record in pre-season with a 3-2 win at Barrow on Saturday.

Clyde Wijnhard's second penalty in as many games, after Simon Johnson was fouled, gave Quakers a fourth minute lead.

Johnson bagged his second in successive games in the 20th minute, driving the ball low past Ben Morsby, after an exchange of passes with Wijnhard.

Substitute Akpo Sodje was one of 10 changes made at half-time by Hodgson and the former Huddersfield striker made it three in the 56th minute, showing good strength in the box, before firing home in the 56th minute.

Karl Colley and Gareth Simpson pulled goals back for the Conference North side, but Quakers hung on.

"There was a lot of positive things to come out of the first half, although the second wasn't really up to scratch," said Hodgson.

With the exception of young keeper Jack Norton, who played the full game, Hodgson fielded different sides in either half.

Of the seven trialists who featured at the weekend the Quakers boss will be keen to take another look at former Middlesbrough pair Anthony Peacock and Jamie Cade, while Dutch defender Shelton Matias, ex-Walsall midfielder Nathan Jameson, and Hednesford's Andy Bell all staked their claims.

However, the Quakers boss confirmed he will not be pursuing Gabriel Omoniyi and Nathan Bailey any further.

One down, four to go. Swansea City success- fully negotiated their first pre-season friendly with ease. It was a five-star display from the Coca-Cola League One new boys at Southern League outfit Merthyr, despite manager Kenny Jackett using 23 players throughout the 90 minutes.

New signings Marc Goodfellow and Adebayo Akinfenwa were both heavily involved and it was the former Bristol City flyer who hit a superb 40-yard strike to put the gloss on a comfortable victory.

But it was the new, lean Lee Trundle who stole the show.

The 28-year-old shed 11lbs during the close season and during the week-long boot camp at RAF St Athan he proved to be one of the fittest in the squad by finishing fourth in a triathlon.

With RAF training behind him, Trundle proved to be, once again, Jackett's leading fighter pilot and hit the ground running with two of the five unanswered goals at Penydarren Park.

Trundle had all his tricks on display on an extremely hot day in Merthyr.

The Martyrs narrowly missed out on promotion to Conference South last season but even with a new manager at the helm in Tim Harris, the semi-professional outfit just could not compete with the soaring Swans.

While not getting too carried away by the ease in which his side strolled to victory, it gave Jackett a chance to give his players a run out and a chance to further boost their confidence following last season's promotion-winning campaign.

Playing with a 4-3-3 formation, Jackett left new boys Goodfellow and Akinfenwa for the second-half side, leaving the hosts to face a near full-strength XI in the opening 45 minutes.

Alan Tate and Ijah Anderson provided the Swans with width from their right and left-back positions respectively, while Adrian Forbes was a constant menace to the defence.

Having grabbed the last two league goals which earned promotion, perhaps it was fitting he got the first of the pre-season.

Forbes had two good chances in the opening 15 minutes, but it was in the 23rd minute that he finally managed to break the deadlock.

Anderson picked out Kevin McLeod with a fine pass and he played the ball to Trundle, who crossed for Forbes to tap home.

Trundle made it 2-0 three minutes later when Tate found the marksman in the box to easily turn Paul Keddle and strike the ball past Ashley Morris.

Tate was again the supplier for Trundle's second as the former Manchester United trainee made a long run down the right-hand side before placing the ball on the striker's head.

With 16 changes between the two sides during the break, both Merthyr and Swansea struggled to find any rhythm in a disjointed second half.

Goodfellow, who replaced McLeod seven minutes before the interval, went on a mazy run nine minutes into the second period but his effort went wide.

Mark Pritchard made it 4-0 when he robbed Paul Cochlin and calmly placed the ball beyond Morris.

Goodfellow saved the best until eight minutes from time when he hit a sublime 40-yard strike into the top of the net, leaving substitute keeper Lee Ittsy little chance.

Swansea City boss Kenny Jackett wants two more players to complete his League One jigsaw. ''There are no new signings imminent at the moment but I'm always looking,'' Jackett said.

''I'm looking at perhaps one or two more players, but it is a hard one to say because it depends on who is available.

''I think we are pretty competitive up front, but we probably need a little competition in midfield perhaps and at the back as well. It all depends on how the next few weeks go and how I see it shaping up.

Striker Paul Connor spent the weekend mulling over a move back to his native north-east with League Tow side Darlington.

''Paul spoke to Darlington at the end of last week. The last that I heard that it was not done and dusted, but the ball is not in my court so it is down to them and Paul.''

Jackett was pleased that his side came away from their first pre-season friendly at Southern League Merthyr with a 5-0 victory and pretty much unscathed.

He gave the majority of his first-team squad 45 minutes each at Penydarren Park, with Kevin McLeod limping off towards the end of the first half, while transfer-listed Andy Gurney came off midway through the second. The former QPR winger picked up a slight knock to his calf, while Gurney a tightening of the muscles in the legs.

Jackett rested Wales international Sam Ricketts, centre-back Garry Monk and midfielder Andy Robinson. ''This was the first of many games and what pleased me most was that we didn't get any injuries on quite a difficult pitch,'' said Jackett.

''We have just completed our third week of pre-season training and we have just come into our game section now and everybody has got 45 minutes and we will do similar tomorrow night against Bridgwater.

''Then we have two great friendlies in Fulham and Blackburn with Forest Green in between. We will build up the match practice as we go.

''We have a nice base of fitness and the lads are looking trim and fit as they should be as professionals. Now it is up to us to get our understanding and passing. It is actual football work now.''

With McLeod limping off in the first period Marc Goodfellow got an earlier-than-expected taste of action at Merthyr and the new signing capped a fine performance with a sublime 40-yard strike eight minutes from time to wrap up the win.

''I don't know what they charge at Merthyr but Goodfellow's goal was worth it,'' enthused Jackett. ''I felt quite sorry for their keeper (Lee Ittsy) as he had only just come on.

''It was certainly a goal worth the entrance fee.''

Last year's top scorer Lee Trundle netted twice and with his new slimline look the 28-year-old was looking sharp and full of tricks.

His new strike partner Adebayo Akinfenwa got a taste of the action in the second half and the man mountain signed from Torquay a fortnight ago fired up his radar 15 minutes into the second half.

Akinfenwa will be looking for a run-out at Bridgwater to fine-tune his sharp shooting.

KENNY JACKETT has declared himself happy with his new-look Swansea City strikeforce but admits he is still looking to reinforce his midfield and defence before the League One opener against Tranmere Rovers on August 6.

Jackett couldn't fault his front men for finishing on Saturday as they cruised to a 5-0 win over Merthyr Tydfil in a friendly at Penydarren Park, but said further signings would be played by ear dependant on who became available and how his side shapes up in pre-season.

"It's hard to say if we will bring in anymore, perhaps one, perhaps two, it depends on who becomes available really," said Jackett.

"I think we are pretty competitive up front, but we probably need a bit more competition in midfield perhaps and at the back.

"It also depends on how the next few weeks go, to be honest - how I see it shaping up.

"That's important, how I see it all panning out as we go."

The Swans are three weeks into their pre-season preparation and next up are non-league Bridgewater Town tomorrow night, but Jackett's fitness and football programmes are designed to allow steady progress through the friendlies against Premiership Fulham and Blackburn Rovers on the next two Saturdays.

"Everybody got 45 minutes at Merthyr and the same will happen on Tuesday night against Bridgewater," said Jackett.

"Then we have two great friendlies against Fulham and Blackburn, with Forest Green in between, so we will build up the practice as we go.

"We have a nice base of fitness and the boys are looking trim and fit as they should do and it's just up to us now to get our passing, understanding and football work together.

"I want to be somewhere near full fitness on the next two Saturdays and then peak on the third Saturday which is Tranmere."

Against Merthyr, the Swans were comfortable winners with a first-half brace from the inimitable shaven-headed Lee Trundle after 26 and 40 minutes, after Adrian Forbes had opened the scoring with a scuffed close-range shot from a Trundle cross.

The second half struggled to get going as either a match or a spectacle as Swansea used 11 subs and Merthyr nine.

The result was never in any doubt, but Mark Pritchard, briefly on loan at Merthyr last season, was handed a fourth on a plate when Paul Cochlin dithered on a routine backpass and was embarrassingly robbed by the youngster, who finished neatly from 12 yards on 71 minutes.

But the best was most definitely saved until last when Marc Goodfellow scored the earliest possible contender for goal of the season.

There looked to be nothing on for the former Bristol City winger when a loose ball bounced in front of him 35 yards from goal on the right of midfield, but his lobbed half-volley looped over debutant Martyrs goalkeeper Lee Idzi and into the top corner, just one minute after the stopper had replaced beleaguered No 1 Ashley Morris.

"I don't know what they charge to get in at Merthyr, but that was worth the entry fee alone," said Jackett.

"I felt sorry to the keeper because he had only just gone in, but if Merthyr had had both keepers in goal they wouldn't have got it between them."

Merthyr, for their part, fielded a side comprising largely trialists and the odd new signing, but their new manager Tim Harris, himself taking his Penydarren Park bow, said the game had helped him make some decisions on his trialists.

"There have been a lot of changes at the club and John Relish has left along with many of the higher-paid players, but we have a rebuilding job and it is going to take time.

"Thankfully, we won't come across people like Trundle and Goodfellow every week."

PAUL CONNOR will be handed a chance to resurrect his Swansea City career after turning down a move to Darlington
The 26-year-old former Stoke City striker became Brian Flynn's last signing at the Vetch when he joined from Rochdale in a £35,000 deal at the end of the 2003-04 season.

Despite only sporadic selection, he formed a useful partnership with Lee Trundle and scored 13 goals last season as the Swans secured automatic promotion to League One on the final day of the season against Bury.

But the arrival of Adi Akinfenwa from Torquay United earlier this month, coupled with Kenny Jackett's belief that he had too many forward players on his books, seemed to push Connor towards the exit.

Connor held negotiations with Darlington towards the end of last week, but the Western Mail understands the player has turned down the move.

However, Jackett said he has no problem with Connor and that the Bishop Auckland-born striker would be given a fair chance to establish himself in the League One campaign.

"At the moment it looks like Paul has turned the offer down, but that is not definite. He still has to sort a few things out.

"Paul spoke to Darlington at the end of last week and is making a decision over the weekend. They were due to hold more talks but, at the moment, it certainly looks like Paul won't be going.

"I spoke to him on Friday, but I will speak to him again, and then go from there. The last I heard it wasn't done and dusted.

"If he does decide to turn them down and remain here, then good luck to him. I have no problems with that. If he does that, things are still open for him."

Connor has scored 18 goals for the Swans in 58 appearances to date.

The new stadium at Swansea has become the first major sporting venue in Wales to announce a total ban on smoking. The ban includes all the concourses and seating areas inside the 20,000 capacity stadium as well as the 29 conference and hospitality suites.

The radical decision has been taken as the £27m stadium builds on its reputation as the most modern stadium facility in Wales. It is also a direct move to attract more families to the stadium for matches featuring the Swans and the Ospreys.

As Gerald Clement, Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Swansea Council, explains; “We’re conscious that this is a venue for the whole region and we want to encourage as many people as possible to come and enjoy a day out watching the Swans or the Ospreys. We know that smoking can have a really adverse effect on people’s enjoyment of a game and also of their whole matchday experience. Therefore, we’ve taken the decision to ban it completely. When you consider that nearly 70% of people in Wales don’t smoke, we’re sure that this will be a popular decision.”

He adds; “We took this decision after consultation with supporters and businesses involved in the stadium. The vast majority of supporters welcome the plans as it ensures that everyone will enjoy a great day out – especially families. Meanwhile the businesses involved in the stadium are obviously looking forward to taking advantage of our corporate hospitality and conferencing facilities in a smoke-free environment.”

The move, which is also part of the Smoking Free Swansea campaign, has already been welcomed by anti-smoking group Ash. Naomi King, Director of Ash In Wales, said “Figures show that 6000 people across Wales die each year as a result of smoking-related disease – easily the country’s biggest cause of preventable death. This is a far-sighted move which ensures that all Ospreys and Swans supporters will be able to enjoy the matches without the threat and discomfort from passive smoking.”

She adds: “Besides the general smell and irritation caused by other people smoking the actual dangers from passive smoking are well documented. For example, it is estimated that exposure to second-hand smoke in work places across the UK leads to approximately 700 deaths a year - about three times as many deaths as from industrial accidents.”

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett watched his side get off to a flyer in their opening pre-season friendly but admits he does not expect any new faces to join the ranks in the next few days.

Jackett gave run-outs to 22 players including new signings Adi Akinfenwa, Marc Goodfellow and a string of youngsters but revealed that he has no plans to add to their number just yet.

"Perhaps we need one or two new players but it's hard to say," he said after watching Swansea stroll to victory against their South Wales neighbours.

"It depends who becomes available but nothing is imminent at the moment. We're competitive up front but probably need a bit more competition in midfield and at the back. It depends how the next few weeks go and how I see it panning out."

He confirmed he would not be renewing his interest in goalkeeper Martyn Margetson who is being released by Cardiff City.

Jackett also said that striker Paul Connor will take the weekend to decide on a possible switch to Darlington.

But Wales on Sunday understands the move has already collapsed and the player will report for training with his Swansea teammates on Monday.

Although the result and performance were of little consequence to the newly promoted League One outfit, Jackett was pleased with the application of his men and the fact they avoided injury aside from a minor knock to Kevin McLeod who played alongside Lee Trundle and Adrian Forbes in a three-pronged attack in the first half.

"We've just completed our third week of pre-season training so it was good to finally play a game and give everyone in the squad 45 minutes on the pitch," said Jackett.

"We've got two great friendlies coming up against Fulham next Saturday and Blackburn after that, which we will build up to but I was glad to see the lads looking so trim and fit. Now it is all about trying to build the understanding between the players."

In a one-sided affair Jackett could afford to replace his entire line-up at half-time with substitute goalkeeper Brian Murphy forced to make Swansea's only save of the match two minutes from time to deny Lewis Sommers.

Swansea's attacking emphasis brought its first reward after 23 minutes when Forbes scuffed home Trundle's cross after excellent link play down the left flank by Ijah Anderson and McLeod.

Just three minutes after the opener Trundle doubled the score with a fancy piece of footwork to leave his marker floundering before slotting a neat finish past helpless Merthyr 'keeper Morris.

And last season's 23-goal top scorer made it 3-0 at the break heading home Alan Tait's cross.

Transfer-listed Gary Fisken and Andy Gurney were both given run-outs after the break which continued in a similarly comfortable vein to the first half.

Paul Cochlin's sloppy work at the back allowed Mark Pritchard to steal in and calmly slot the ball past Morris on 71 minutes.

Akinfenwa missed a great chance to open his Swansea account shooting straight at the goalkeeper when scoring appeared the easier option.

But the best was yet to come when Goodfellow found the top corner from 35 yards shortly before full time giving the substitute goalkeeper no chance.

Merthyr: Morris (Isley 82), Davies, Eckhardt (Crutch 46), Griffiths (Cochlin 46), Keddle, S Williams (G Shephard 46), Clarke (D Williams 46) , Rewbury, Fowler (c), Ingram (Sommers 46), Steins.

Swansea: Gueret (Murphy 46), Tait (Gurney 46), Iriekpen (Edwards 46) Austin (Moon 46), Anderson (Graves 30), O'Leary (Fisken 46), Martinez (c) (Thompson 46), Britton (Bond 46), Forbes (Pritchard 46), Trundle (Akinfenwa 46), McLeod (Goodfellow 39).

Kenny Jackett is not lining up a replacement for departing striker Paul Connor. The 26-year-old Bishop Auckland-born hitman has been back in his native North East this week discussing personal terms with Coca-Cola League Two side Darlington after an undisclosed fee was agreed.

With other attacking options at his disposal, manager Jackett said: "I don't think I will bring in another striker.

"We have Bayo Akinfenwa, Lee Trundle, Lee Thorpe, Adrian Forbes, Kevin McLeod and Marc Goodfellow as our forward options."

But, while Jackett has ruled out a move for another frontman, the Swansea boss is still looking to strengthen his side in other departments ahead of the start of the new League One campaign.

"I am always open and always looking for people, but I would not say that there are any new deals imminent."

Meanwhile, injured striker James Thomas has been given a glimmer of hope by Jackett.

The 26-year-old Morriston-born striker looked to be on his way out of the Swansea set-up last week, but Jackett is keen to look at him again once he has regained full fitness.

The former Blackburn Rovers striker has suffered an injury-plagued career in his hometown following his dramatic hat-trick against Hull City on the final day of the 2002-03 season which kept Swansea in the Football League.

Thomas has not played since October last year because of a knee injury which has required three operations.

While his contract at Swansea expires this month, the 26-year-old will remain with the club.

"James is still under the supervision of the physiotherapists," Jackett said.

"Although at the end of July he will be out of contract, he will still be under the supervision of the physio until his rehabilitation is complete."

While Jackett gave Thomas this month to prove his fitness, he will give the former Blackburn man another chance once fit.

"It is very difficult to put a timescale on injuries," added Jackett.

"The plan was to have him fit and ready for July 1, but that hasn't happened. If we could give him a pill and have him fit tomorrow that would be great.

"But we have to give him every opportunity under our physiotherapists to rehabilitate.

"Once he is fit I will consider looking at him again, but what we must do is get the lad fit first. That is the most important thing."

Tickets for the pre-season friendlies against Fulham and Blackburn Rovers go on general sale on Monday morning.

Tickets for the two matches at the new stadium at Morfa will be sold on a first-come first-served basis, with a maximum of three per customer.

The ticket office will be closed from today and will re-open at 11.30am on Monday morning and the ticket booking telephone line - 08700 400004 - will also be open from that time on Monday.

The club will make an announcement next week regarding the re-introduction of season ticket sales.

JAMES THOMAS has lost his fight to save his Swansea City career and faces being forced to quit professional football completely.
The 26-year-old Swansea-born striker became a hometown hero when he scored a hat-trick against Hull to keep the club in the Football League on the final day of the 2002/03 season.

But after three operations to cure a persistent knee injury, he's now been told he has little chance of playing professionally again.

Thomas has not featured for the Swans since last August when he made a late substitute appearance in a 1-0 defeat at Macclesfield.

But City manager Kenny Jackett, who himself was forced to quit playing at the age of 28, gave Thomas the chance to prove his fitness in pre-season training before deciding on his future.

Thomas' current contract expired at the end of last month but Thomas still harboured hopes he could prove himself and earn a new deal. But those hopes have now disappeared after Thomas failed to join up with his teammates for their pre-season 'boot camp' at RAF St Athan last week.

And after consulting his specialist, Thomas has now been told he has little chance of making a full recovery.

Swansea physio Richie Evans said: "At the moment it looks like Thomo will leave the club.

"It's not good news for him or the club. He may yet recover but it could take as long as a year or a year-and-a-half for his knee to settle down completely and even then it may not be up to playing professionally.

"I have spoken to him and he is extremely disappointed.

"He is still positive, though, and wants to give it a go but he might have to step away from the game for a while."

Meanwhile, contract talks with defender Sam Ricketts have yet to start.

Ricketts rose to prominence with both Wales and Swansea last season after making the jump from non-league Telford.

He insists he wants to sign a new deal but so far his agent has been unable to progress talks with the club.

James Thomas's time at Swansea City could be over after suffering a further set-back with injury that has kept him out of football since October. That is the grim diagnosis for the Swansea City striker who had hoped to return to pre-season training with his team-mates last week.

The 26-year-old Morriston-born hit-man was hoping that the month of July was going to be a bright.

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett had been set to give Thomas a month to prove his worth to a earn new contract with the League One new boys.

However, since returning to light jogging last month he has been unable to shake off the pain following his third operation on his right knee back in February to attempt to remove bruising underneath the surface.

"At the moment he is struggling," confirmed Swans physio Richie Evans.

"James is unable to get pain-free ranges when he jogs. Having talked with consultants this type of injury could take anything from three to four months or even up to a year to clear."

"This is not the type of injury where you have the operation and a few weeks later you are fine.

"But as a club we have to make sure that we look after James and do our utmost to help him rectify the problem."

Thomas made his name for Swansea in 2003 when he scored a dramatic hat-trick in a 4-2 win against Hull City that ensured the club's Football League status.

The Morriston-born striker spent five years with Premiership side Blackburn Rovers and, despite loan spells at Bristol Rovers, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion, he moved to his hometown club in 2002.

In his first full season for Swansea he netted 13 goals but, during the club's promotion campaign last year, was restricted to just two substitute appearances.

Meanwhile, Swansea look set to go to a tribunal over the fee for Adebayo Akinfenwa after Torquay United sent a file to the Football League Tribunal.

The South Devon club, like Swansea, are hoping to avoid a tribunal, but Gulls chairman Mike Bateson admits that it was the likely course of action.

The 23-year-old striker agreed a two-year deal with Swansea on Monday after his contract at Plainmoor expired last week.

But because the former Watford trainee is under 24, Torquay are entitled to a fee.

Despite on-going talks this week, Bateson feels that he will be unlikely to agree a fee with his Swansea counterpart Huw Jenkins.

"We aren't that far apart, but the likeliest course is a tribunal," admitted Bateson.

The two clubs will continue to keep the lines of dialogue open while they wait for a tribunal date to set, possibly in three weeks' time, to see if they can agree on a fee for the striker.

A tribunal may not get Torquay as much as they would have liked but they will insist on a sell-on clause which the tribunal will relate to the player's performance.

GARRY MONK is relishing the prospect of League One football at Swansea this coming season - but remains baffled at the trio of red cards he picked up last term.

The Swans defender was dismissed during the defeats at Yeovil, Shrewsbury and Mansfield. But former Southampton man Monk believes he was unlucky to be ordered off the pitches at Gay Meadow and Field Mill.

The 26-year-old made his senior bow seven years ago and had loan stints at Torquay, Stockport, Oxford, Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley before arriving at Swansea last summer.

And his red card in the 1-0 defeat at Yeovil last September was the first of his pro career.

He then saw a red mist in the bad-tempered 2-0 reverse at Shrewsbury in November, a match remembered for referee Eddie Evans falling to the ground as Monk protested.

The Bedford-born defender made it a hat-trick of dismissals in the 1-0 loss at Mansfield last March.

"I was unlucky with a couple of the red cards last season, but you live and learn," said Monk.

"We got promotion in the end, so the red cards didn't really matter, but a couple of them upset me, particularly the one at Shrewsbury."

Monk (pictured left) was sent off after two bookings, the first for a confrontation with Ryan Lowe and then for a challenge on Luke Rodgers.

He was furious with the second yellow card and official Evans fell on his backside when Monk and some of his team-mates confronted him.

The Football Association of Wales were unimpressed with Monk's behaviour and hit him with a six-match ban.

"I shouldn't have reacted the way I did, but I thought the red card was unjust," he added.

"The referee made a decision which cost us the game, but I had to accept it at the time.

"In fairness to the referee, he did really well for me at my appeal. He said he fell over his feet and that I didn't push him."

Monk was forced to sit out a total of 10 matches because of the red cards.

"I didn't think I should have been sent off at Mansfield, either. The first booking was for a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge," he continued.

"But I didn't react to that one. I just walked off the pitch and kept my mouth shut!

"I was sent off early in my career, playing in the youth team. But I'd never been sent off at senior level until last season and to get three cards is unbelievable.

"I had a chat with Kenny Jackett at the time. He could see I was upset and disappointed.

"His job as the manager is to keep your head up and keep you going. He could see I thought I'd let him, the team, the club and the fans down.

"But I'm quite a strong character and I try not to dwell on things a long time."

Because he missed so many matches through suspension last season, Monk was nicknamed 'Keano' - after Manchester United midfield warrior Roy Keane - by his team-mates.

"I wish I was like Roy Keane. I wish I had his pay packet!"

He added, "The one thing I will tell the referees who sent me off is that a defender has got to make challenges.

"If I'm not making challenges then, as a defender, I'm not doing my job. Defenders are always going to make body contact with forwards. Referees must realise this and take it into account.

"I don't think the referees who sent me off did take that into account. That's the one complaint I've got."

Swansea City are hoping to avoid a Football League tribunal by agreeing a fee with Torquay for Adebayo Akinfenwa. The powerful striker signed for Swansea on Monday after his Torquay contract expired.

Though he was a free agent, the Gulls are entitled to some payment for Akinfenwa because he is under the age of 24.

The price had looked certain to be decided by a transfer tribunal after the two clubs failed to settle on a figure last week.

But it has now emerged that negotiations are continuing between Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins and opposite number Mike Bateson.

''We're talking to Torquay every day,'' Jenkins said, ''and each day we get a little bit closer to an agreement.

''A figure of £75,000 has been quoted. While I accept that we will probably have to pay something, I don't agree that it should be that much.''

The two parties have less than a fortnight to come together over Akinfenwa, who has joined Swansea on a two-year deal after just 12 months at Plainmoor.

''The transfer forms were exchanged on Wednesday, and normally you have 14 days from then before the tribunal is held,'' Jenkins went on.

''Nobody really wants it to go that far, but on the other hand we want to be happy with what we end up paying.

''We're fully prepared to go to the tribunal if we have to and we've told the Football League that, but we'll keep talking to Torquay until the day before in the hope that we can get something sorted.

''Obviously, we want to spend as little as money as we possibly can. That's natural.

''I'm quite confident that should it go to a tribunal, the fee will be less than £75,000.''

Tribunal outcomes are often difficult to forecast, though many past cases have left the 'selling' club disappointed.

The fact that Akinfenwa did not come through the Torquay ranks - he signed from Doncaster last summer - is likely to count against the Devon club.

''Although we are still some way apart, there's a chance we could meet,'' Bateson said. ''But that's very much in Swansea's hands.''

Kenny Jackett admitted he was unsure about how much the club would end up paying for Akinfenwa.

''We're speaking to Torquay but at this stage we don't really know,'' the Swansea boss said. ''I have got little experience of tribunals - I did go to one as assistant manager of Watford - but I believe Bayo's earnings with Torquay and now with us will be a factor.''

Swansea City are hoping to avoid a Football League tribunal by agreeing a fee with Torquay for Adebayo Akinfenwa. The powerful striker signed for Swansea on Monday after his Torquay contract expired.

Though he was a free agent, the Gulls are entitled to some payment for Akinfenwa because he is under the age of 24.

The price had looked certain to be decided by a transfer tribunal after the two clubs failed to settle on a figure last week.

But it has now emerged that negotiations are continuing between Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins and opposite number Mike Bateson.

''We're talking to Torquay every day,'' Jenkins said, ''and each day we get a little bit closer to an agreement.

''A figure of £75,000 has been quoted. While I accept that we will probably have to pay something, I don't agree that it should be that much.''

The two parties have less than a fortnight to come together over Akinfenwa, who has joined Swansea on a two-year deal after just 12 months at Plainmoor.

''The transfer forms were exchanged on Wednesday, and normally you have 14 days from then before the tribunal is held,'' Jenkins went on.

''Nobody really wants it to go that far, but on the other hand we want to be happy with what we end up paying.

''We're fully prepared to go to the tribunal if we have to and we've told the Football League that, but we'll keep talking to Torquay until the day before in the hope that we can get something sorted.

''Obviously, we want to spend as little as money as we possibly can. That's natural.

''I'm quite confident that should it go to a tribunal, the fee will be less than £75,000.''

Tribunal outcomes are often difficult to forecast, though many past cases have left the 'selling' club disappointed.

The fact that Akinfenwa did not come through the Torquay ranks - he signed from Doncaster last summer - is likely to count against the Devon club.

''Although we are still some way apart, there's a chance we could meet,'' Bateson said. ''But that's very much in Swansea's hands.''

Kenny Jackett admitted he was unsure about how much the club would end up paying for Akinfenwa.

''We're speaking to Torquay but at this stage we don't really know,'' the Swansea boss said. ''I have got little experience of tribunals - I did go to one as assistant manager of Watford - but I believe Bayo's earnings with Torquay and now with us will be a factor.''

Swansea's pre-season training camp at RAF St Athan came as a shock to new recruit Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Boss Kenny Jackett took his players out to the Vale of Glamorgan for a week-long 'boot camp' at the hands of military physical training instructors.

"It's the hardest week of my life, I'm not going to lie, but it was a good bonding experience," Akinfenwa said.

"I was feeling pain in places I'd never even heard of or felt before, but it's something that had to be done."

The 23-year-old striker was out of contract at Torquay and joined the Swans last week.

Torquay are entitled to some compensation because of the player's age, but it now looks likely this will be settled at a Football League tribunal in three weeks.

There is still a month to go before the new football season, but Swansea City are already flying high. Kenny Jackett's squad are spending the week with the Royal Air Force to make sure they are primed for take off when Tranmere come to Morfa on August 6.

Then Swansea's players will be looking to christen their new stadium with a home win and some stylish football.

But yesterday was all about the aerial route - as Kristian O'Leary, Roberto Martinez and player-assistant boss Kevin Nugent flew over the 20,500-capacity arena in formation.

The lucky trio got a bird's eye view of Swansea's new home from three RAF planes.

"It's a once in a lifetime experience for us," player-of-the-year O'Leary enthused.

"I jumped at the chance to do it. It's something to tell the kids about."

The pre-season training camp has not been all about fun and games, however. Far from it.

"We've been up for early morning runs at 6am and finished in the swimming pool at 9.30pm," said flight lieutenant Craig Gill, part of the Swans' coaching team for the last year.

"The lads have been doing four sessions a day and they have worked particularly hard."

After two days' severe fitness work, Jackett's squad worked on military skills yesterday - including a game of paintball won by the strikers' team - before embarking an outdoor pursuits in the Brecon Beacons today.

"We've worked on improving the players' endurance and strength using RAF physical training and adventure training," added Gill.

"They've done circuit training in the gym and swimming pool and they have been running on the nearby sand dunes. That was quite punishing, but they all performed admirably.

"We've also worked on team spirit, team morale and leadership skills, while we've got mountaineering, rock climbing and mountain biking to come.

"Fair play to all the lads, the standard of fitness and performance has been very good."

An administrative blunder has caused some Swansea fans to receive the wrong season tickets. The club are asking any supporters who have been issued with the wrong tickets to return them to the ticket office at your convenience at the new stadium at Morfa or when they purchase their Fulham and Blackburn Rovers tickets.

Any plastic card season ticket holders who need their card amending should also return their card in time for a replacement to be sent out prior to the first home league match on August 6.

If you are unable to attend the stadium to return your season ticket the club ask you to return it by post.

The club said in a statement: ''It has been brought to our attention that a small number of season ticket holders have received the incorrect season tickets in the post.

''The season ticket books were printed and despatched by an outside organisation and all concerned apologise for the mistake.'

''Anyone who has received an incorrect book will issued with a replacement as soon as possible.''

The club also now has the facilities to receive payments for tickets by credit cards.

Kevin McLeod believes Swansea City can follow former club Queens Park Rangers into the Championship next season. McLeod won promotion to the second tier of English football with the Rs in 2004, when Kenny Jackett was assistant boss at Loftus Road.

Now the flying winger, who credits Jackett with inspiring that success, believes the Swansea manager can taste more League One glory in the upcoming campaign.

"The gaffer played a massive part in that promotion even though he left for Swansea in the March," McLeod said.

"And I don't see why we shouldn't challenge here next season just like we did at QPR.

"We're going into a division where any side can beat any other and where how hard you work has a big impact on how well you do.

"If all the players work hard for each other, I can't see any reason why we shouldn't be competing for the play-offs at least."

McLeod was on loan from Everton when Ian Holloway's men lost to Cardiff in the 2003 Second Division play-off final.

After a permanent switch from Goodison Park that summer, he was a regular in the side which won automatic promotion behind Plymouth Argyle.

"There's a bit more football in this division than in League Two," McLeod adds.

"Last season with Swansea was more physical, more up and back, up and back.

"But if you put your foot on the ball this year, people will back off. You can create chances by keeping the ball.

"When we didn't have the ball at QPR, we'd press and press in the opposition's half and when we won it there, we'd score goals.

"I'm sure we'll be trying to do something similar at Swansea this season."

Swansea's home game with Walsall has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, March 12, to avoid a clash with the Wales v Italy Six Nations match.

ROBERTO MARTINEZ believes it is time for Swansea City to recapture the glory days of the John Toshack era - and push all the way to the Premiership.
With the club ready to start life at their impressive new 20,000-seater stadium at Morfa, the midfielder has backed the team to carry on where they left off last season and push for a second consecutive promotion.

The Swansea skipper returned for pre-season training, which takes the form of a gruelling fitness workout at RAF St Athan this week, brimming with optimism about the forthcoming League One campaign.

"I'm very excited about what's happening here," said Martinez, who has been re-appointed as team captain for a third successive term.

"I've had a good break, a well-deserved break and I'm ready for what will be a fantastic season. We have a new stadium and this is history in the making. We need to raise our standards, and we will."

Martinez believes the club should strive to emulate the achievements of the famous Swansea team of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Toshack came home from Liverpool as player-manager to lead a meteoric rise up the divisions.

During the 1980-81 campaign Swansea actually headed the old First Division three times and never dropped out of the top six, with star players such as Alan Curtis and Leighton James terrorising some of the best defences in the country.

The years that followed were memorable for all the wrong reasons as troubles on and off the pitch saw Swansea drop back down the divisions. However, after the team's recent success on the pitch and fortunes looking up off it, Martinez believes Swansea should be trying to reach those dizzy heights once again.

"We nearly dropped out of the Football League three years ago, but look where we are now," Martinez said.

"I would not be happy with a mid-table position this season. We have to step up to the next level and that level is the Championship and, maybe, in a few years, the Premiership.

"We have a fantastic past and a great history at this club and we need to get back there. We left the Vetch Field last season and we all know about the tradition it had, but we aim to take that electric atmosphere with us to the new stadium, which is very impressive."

Seeing Swansea establish themselves as a League One force might be the priority for Swans fans, but Martinez is confident the current Swansea crop can go a step further.

"We'll take it day by day, but I'm very confident, we're desperate to carry on the good work that we put in last season," said the 31-year-old.

"The key is hard work and that hard work has already begun. We really can't wait for the first few games, that's when the real action starts."

Although Martinez is expecting big things to happen on the South Wales coast this season, he adds a touch of realism to his excitement.

"We'll be playing against better teams who have better players than last year. They will be more tactically aware and therefore we must look after the ball a bit better if we are to be where we want to be at the end of the season - but we are ready."

The first visitors to Swansea's gleaming new stadium are Chris Coleman's Fulham, in a pre-season friendly, lined up for July 23.

Seven days later former Wales boss Mark Hughes brings his Blackburn Rovers side to Morfa for another glamorous warm-up clash.

"To play against Premiership opposition is great for the supporters, but to us they're just two other pre-season games," Martinez said.

"August 6, and the first game of the season against Tranmere, is what really matters."

Torquay United and Swansea City are still haggling over a fee for striker Bayo Akinfenwa in an effort to stop the case going to a transfer tribunal.
Gulls chairman Mike Bateson revealed: "Although we are still some way apart, there's a chance we could meet. But that's very much in Swansea's hands."

Bateson would not disclose how much the Swans have come up with so far, but it is some way short of United's valuation - I believe that's at least £75,000 - and certainly less than Torquay would expect to receive at a tribunal.

Alongside the Akinfenwa case, another lower division dispute is going on which closely parallels United's argument.

Scunthorpe United are claiming a "six-figure" valuation for former Torquay trialist Paul Hayes, who turned down a new contract at Glanford Park and has just signed a two-year deal with League One rivals Barnsley.

Barnsley have refused to increase an offer of £75,000 for the 21-year-old ex-Norwich City youngster, who scored 20 goals as the Iron clinched promotion from League Two last season.

The majority of cases going to the tribunal - it's actually called a Football League Appeals Committee - involve players under 24 who have spent a considerable time at "selling" clubs, often including their traineeship.

Those clubs are entitled to compensation for the time, effort and money they have spent on developing the players concerned over several years.

Just under 12 months ago, Sunderland were ordered to pay Oxford an initial £150,000 for midfielder Dean Whitehead, which has since been increased to £265,000 by appearances and the Black Cats' promotion to the Premiership.

Nottingham Forest were also told to pay Stoke City £300,000 for Kris Commons, a figure which has already been topped up by £50,000 on appearances.

But in both those cases, the players concerned had been with their clubs since their "apprentice" days.

United cannot argue that with 16-goal Akinfenwa, 23, who joined on a free transfer from Doncaster Rovers last summer.

The last time that United went to a tribunal was ten years ago, in the summer of 1995, when centre-half Darren Moore and striker Duane Darby turned down new deals at Plainmoor and, coincidentally, joined Doncaster.

Both had graduated through the Gulls' trainee scheme.

United were awarded £62,500 for Moore, which eventually rose to around £75,000, and £35,000 for Darby.

The Appeals Committee will be made up of four, possibly five, people.

There is an independent chairperson, usually a Judge or a Queen's Counsel, and representatives from the Professional Footballers' Association, the Institute of Football Management And Administration and the Football League.

That panel will hear arguments from both clubs, and among the evidence they will also consider is the contracts offered to Akinfenwa by Torquay and Swansea.

This is often an important part of the case, since it can help to prove how highly a club really rates a player.

Akinfenwa was dismissive of the new deal offered by United, but the proof of that pudding may be seen in the eventual fee which Swansea have to pay.

Appeals Committees try to hear several cases at once, so United might have to wait up to a month for a ruling.

Incidentally, Scunthorpe have also reported Barnsley to the Football League, accusing them of making an illegal approach for ex-Torquay midfielder Richard Kell, who has joined the Tykes even though he is still recovering from a broken leg.

Just to spice the spat even further, the two clubs are due to meet at Glanford Park in the second match of the season, on August 9!

United's players, including several trialists lined up by Rosenior, return for the start of pre-season training tomorrow.

In the wake of former Plymouth Argyle defender David Worrell's decision to join Rotherham, ex-Fulham right-back Alex Lawless is believed to be one of the players set to join Plainmoor's pre-season campaign.

Meanwhile, United's League Two rivals Boston United have snapped up former Aston Villa, Leicester, Coventry and Leeds striker Julian Joachim on a two-year deal.

Joachim, 30, scored six goals in eight games on loan at Walsall last season, helping the Saddlers to haul themselves out of League One relegation trouble.

Sam Ricketts is hoping to meet with the Swansea City hierarchy this week to finalise a contract that could keep him at the club until 2008. The 23-year-old defender started contract negotiations with the club last month after a clause in his current deal allowed the former Oxford full-back to strike a new agreement after Swansea's promotion to Coca-Cola League One last season.

Ricketts has 12 months left on his current contract and the club and manager Kenny Jackett are keen to hold on to the Wales international.

''It is not always possible to meet up as different people have different meetings but, hopefully, things will get moving again this week,'' said Ricketts.

''I want to stay here. There is no problem with that. It's just sometimes these things take a little bit of time.''

It has been a remarkable year for Ricketts - one which saw him go from the Nationwide Conference with the now-defunct Telford to Swansea and then on to the international arena with Wales, while Premiership new boys West Ham have also reportedly been tracking the 23-year-old.

''I read and heard that West Ham are interested in me but I have not spoken to anyone from there,'' Ricketts said.

''Of course it's flattering to be linked with a club like West Ham. It's great as they have just got to the Premiership and that is where everyone wants to be.

''It would be a big jump for me if that sort of move did happen. Even the Championship would be a big step up.

''Hopefully, in the future, I will be there. But at the minute I'm happy here and I want to be playing here and keep improving here.''

Ricketts feels that although having played international football with Wales, any move to the top flight is a bit beyond him at the moment.

''Like everybody, I want to be playing every week, so until I have reached the level where I feel I should be playing every week I wouldn't consider it,'' he added.

As part of one of the meanest defences in League Two last year, Ricketts has one eye on the forthcoming internationals Wales face in the early parts of the new season.

With Slovenia coming to the new stadium at Morfa on August 17, there is the little matter of England at the Millennium Stadium on September 3.

''Everyone wants to be involved in that match,'' he said.

''Wales against England at the Millennium Stadium is the biggest match for quite a while.

''I know we have Slovenia first and I want to be playing in that one. Hopefully, I will be able to do well there and give myself a chance of playing against England.

''Ben Thatcher is not back until after the England game so there is a little bit of hope for me, but it is a new season now and you never know what can happen.''

Ricketts played the tail end of last with a groin and stomach injury and after a summer of complete rest, the 23-year-old is easing his way back into training.

Swansea returned to pre-season training last week with a light session at Fairwood before being whisked away to a training camp at RAF St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan on Monday.

''The groin feels fine. I just need to break down some scar tissue,'' he said.

''The first session was pretty similar to what we did last year. There is no point working us too hard on the first session as that is where you pick the injuries, but this week is the big week.

''It'll be hard, but we will see the benefits later on.''

HIS Wales colleagues Danny Gabbidon and James Collins may have made the step up to the Premiership, but Sam Ricketts has assured Swansea City fans that he isn't ready to follow suit.
Ricketts will be one of the few Wales defenders left plying their trade outside the top flight after Cardiff City pair Gabbidon and Collins completed their move to Premier League newcomers West Ham.

The double swoop would have been noted with interest by Swans star Ricketts since the Hammers were reported to be casting admiring glances in his direction as well.

No offer was forthcoming for the 23-year-old full-back, who has caught the attention of a host of top-level clubs after his whirlwind rise to stardom with Swansea and Wales last season.

The fact Ricketts still hasn't signed the two-year contract extension on offer at Swansea could be interpreted that he is keen to keep his options open in case the offer of Premiership or Championship football does materialise.

But the former Oxford defender insists the club and the fans have no need to worry - because he doesn't feel ready to step any higher up the Football League ladder at the moment.

"The first thing to say is I'm not looking for a move - I want to stay at Swansea and I definitely intend to sign the new contract," said Ricketts, whose current Swans deal expires next summer.

"I've heard and read the West Ham speculation and it's obviously flattering to be linked with a big club like that.

"They've just got into the Premiership and that's where everyone wants to be. If a club like that did come in for you, of course it would be tempting.

"I don't know if any offer has been made but, to be honest, even if West Ham did come in for me, I'd have reservations and doubts about my ability to step up to that level.

"The Premiership would be such a great step for me. It would be a big job for me if anything like that did happen.

"To go into the top flight and play every week - which ideally is what you want to be doing - certainly would be.

"Even moving up to the Championship would represent a big step for me.

"Hopefully in the future I'll be there, but I don't know if I'm ready at the moment."

It is, remember, only 12 months since Ricketts swapped Conference football with Telford for a successful League Two promotion push at Swansea.

However, having quickly established himself as one of Swansea's prize assets - and picked up three Wales caps on the back of his club form - no one could begrudge the versatile defender a shot at the Premiership big time.

But he maintains, "At the minute, I'm happy at Swansea. I want to continue playing here and keep on improving as a player. I've still got a lot to learn.

"I've put myself in the shop window playing for Wales and it's nice if Premiership clubs are looking at you.

"But, as I said, until I've reached a standard where I feel I'm capable of playing every week at that level..."

As well as helping the Swans try to secure successive promotions, Ricketts (pictured right) aspires to add to the Wales caps he won against Hungary and Austria (twice) during a dream 2004-05 campaign.

Especially as there's the small matter of a World Cup qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium on the horizon.

"That's a match everyone's going to be desperate to be involved in - all 24 members of the squad will want to start the match," said Ricketts, who says he has overcome the groin problem that troubled him towards the end of last season.

"If I play in the friendly against Slovenia next month I would hope that'll give me a chance of playing in the England game - especially as Ben Thatcher isn't available again until the Poland match. But you can't take anything for granted. It's a new season now.

"It's just nice to be involved at international level. It's a great experience to learn from other players and bring things back that'll help improve me as a player."

Adebayo Akinfenwa believes a dream partnership with Lee Trundle could fire Swansea City all the way to the Championship next season. The powerhouse striker is relishing the chance to link up with the jewel in Swansea's crown after penning a two-year deal.

Akinfenwa managed 16 goals for a Torquay side heading for relegation from League One last season, while Trundle notched 23 as Kenny Jackett's men won promotion.

''I'm hoping that Lee and I can be tight both on and off the pitch next season,'' said Swansea's second summer recruit, ''and I think we can form a good partnership. He has the tricks and the skills and I have the strength.

''If I can score as many goals as he did last season and he can do the same again, Swansea will be in the Championship.''

Akinfenwa has hit back after being branded unprofessional by Torquay chairman Mike Bateson after rejecting a new contract at Plainmoor.

''I think he was the unprofessional one. He said things in the Press without speaking to me.

''But I have nothing against Torquay. I'm very thankful to them for giving me a chance and I wish them the best. I've moved on because I want to play at the highest level I can.''

The much-travelled Londoner admits he is keen to settle at Morfa - and to show Swansea's followers what he can do.

''Wherever I've been the fans have taken to me and hopefully that will be the case again,'' he added.

''They'll see that I don't like to lose, that I don't like to give the ball away and that I like to be first to everything. Strength is a big part of my game. There won't be many people in this league or any other who can push me around - and I can play a bit as well.

''I'm a winner. That's what the fans will see.''

Boss Jackett is keen to add three more new faces before the new season starts following the capture of Akinfenwa and Marc Goodfellow.

''I said at the start of the summer I wanted a defender, two midfielders and a striker as well as Marc,'' the Swansea boss said.

''I'm still looking to strengthen, but only with players who have the right hunger and desire.''

Jackett has invited Bangor City's highly-rated midfielder Owain Jones to spend two weeks training with Swansea.

The powerful 20-year-old, a former Welsh Under-19 international, previously had a trial at Chelsea.

Assistant physio and former Swansea player Damian Lacey has been axed after just a year in the job. ''Damian has left as part of our general summer restructuring,'' explained chairman Huw Jenkins.

''We've changed things around and Damian's position has become surplus to requirements. He did a good job for us and we wish him all the best in whatever he does next.''

Tickets for the opening of the new stadium at Morfa go on sale this week. Swansea City's pre-season friendly against Premiership side Fulham on Saturday, July 23, will be the curtain-raiser for the new 20,000 all-seater stadium.

However, the Alan Curtis Testimonial match will only have 12,000 tickets available as the new stadium has to pass football licensing regulations that were put in place following the Taylor report.

Season ticket holders will be given priority with one ticket per season ticket holder.

A capacity for the Blackburn Rovers match the following has yet to be decide, but it is likely that the stadium will once again be run at a reduced capacity.

Tickets for the Fulham game go on sale at 11.30am for season ticket holders in East Stand rows K to Q on Thursday.

Season tickets holders in the East Stand rows R to Y will be on sale on Friday, tickets for the East Stand rows A to J and South Stand rows A to J will be available on Saturday.

The ticket office will be closed on Sunday.

On Monday, July 11, fans with season tickets for South Stand R to Y have their chance to buy their tickets, while all West Stand season ticket holders can purchase their tickets on the Tuesday.

All season tickets holders, 12-game voucher holders and Swans Trust members are free to purchase their tickets on the Wednesday and Thursday.

Any remaining will go on general sale at a date to be announced.

Tickets for the game with the gates opening at 12pm, with the opening ceremony starting at 1.15pm, will cost £10 for the South Stand, £12 for the East Stand and £15 for the West Stand - children £5 for all stands.

Letters have been sent out to season ticket holders who will be able to buy their tickets on their own allotted day.

They will need to bring either their season ticket receipt or proof of name and address along with them.

Supporters who have written to Swansea City, the Trust, the Ospreys and Stadco regarding disabled parking at the new stadium at Morfa should have received a letter setting out the criteria to secure a permit for either all the football or rugby fixtures.

Season ticket holders will receive priority for a season long pass for one of the designated disabled parking bays. Five spaces will be kept aside for visiting clubs.

There will be an additional drop off/pick up zone available at the stadium for disabled fans who are not driving themselves to matches.

Certain guidelines are in place to guarantee that only genuine cases will be considered for a parking permit.

If any supporters have not yet received a letter from Stadco they should write to the stadium immediately so that a letter describing the criteria maybe posted out to them.

As Kenny Jackett took his players off to their training camp this morning, the Swansea City boss is hoping that his new signings will help fire the club to glory in Coca-Cola League One. Swansea returned to pre-season training on Friday morning and today they were being whisked away to RAF St Athan to be put through their paces by drill sergeant Craig Gill, and Jackett is hoping it will put them in good stead for back-to-back promotions.

But as well as Football League glory, the Swansea boss is hoping to add a bit more silverware to the brand new trophy cabinet at the stadium at Morfa.

''Realistically, we can't expect to win the FA Cup or the league cup, but clubs in this league will be aiming to win the LDV Trophy and we hope that we can retain the FAW Premier Cup,'' Jackett said.

''Our main ambition is to win promotion. It will be tough, but you have to have aims and have to have ambitions.

''The players that I have added to the squad have goals in them and that is an area that I felt that I needed to strengthen for the season ahead.

''There will be some tough games up north, half a dozen teams in the Midlands, then you have the likes of Colchester, Southend and Gillingham.

''Then you go down the M4 corridor with Brentford, Swindon and Bristol City, before you head south to Yeovil and Bournemouth - there are no easy games on your travels at all.

''I'm under no illusions about the size of the task - it is a tough division. It is a better division than the one we have come out of, obviously.

''With the play-off system, the top six can be open to a number of clubs.

''There will be a lot of clubs in our division, as there were last year, aiming to get in the top six, and up until February or March you want to stay competitive in that area to make sure that you get into that and that is important.''

With Jackett so far only adding two new faces to his squad this summer - Marc Goodfellow and Bayo Akinfenwa - the Swansea boss feels that he may have to make changes throughout the season to realise his lofty ambition.

''I think that we can get promoted. Whether I need to make further adjustments along the way is another matter because it is very rare that the squad that you have on day one is the same as you have at the end,'' added Jackett.

''So you have to live within your budget and have flexibility, which is very, very important.

''There is the loan system and the transfer window in January and there are other factors as well with injuries, suspensions and personal problems.

''Different things happen, people come in and out of the equation, you just don't know. But you need the options to start with and after that you need to be able to think on your feet and assess it along the way.

''There will be a lot of clubs with very high aims. It is a competitive division and out of all of those clubs there are always one or two surprises that are in the pack with the others.''

With Jackett aiming to play 4-3-3 and with the introduction of Goodfellow from Bristol City, Andy Robinson could be left out of Swansea's plans for the new season, but Jackett is keen to included the fiery Scouser.

''I like Andy Robinson and I have a lot of time for him. I felt that he contributed well last year,'' Jackett said.

''Obviously he had his problems with regard to two red cards, but what he gave on the other side of it was considerable and it was crowned by the winning goal in the FAW Premier Cup final.

''He has a suspension coming up at the start of the season and Andy has to swallow that and work hard.

''We hope that he will learn lessons from last season. We have talked long and hard about where he has to improve, but his competitiveness is something that I like and I don't want him to lose that.

''He started as a centre forward, and again he is someone who is capable of scoring goals.

''He scored some good goals and some vital goals for us and he scored the last goal at the Vetch. That was a fantastic one and will always stick in my mind.

''He has played wide left and I think now, having had a couple of years' experience in the league, he would prefer to play as one of three midfield players.''

KEVIN McLEOD has warned rivals not to cross Swansea City's very own Enforcer - Kenny Jackett.

The winger knows his manager better than most having played under Jackett at QPR before being reunited with him in February.

The Swansea boss arrived in South Wales last summer with a tough guy image after quitting as Ian Holloway's right-hand man.

But McLeod insists his former coach has become an even more scary character since he has become a manager in his own right.

"He's a bit more, how can I put it, strict," said McLeod.

"He's got to be different from how he was when he was an assistant, then he would sit down and talk to you as one of the lads.

"As a gaffer there are boundaries you just can't cross and I've seen a real difference in him since I've been here.

"When I first turned up I was calling him 'Kenny' but he quickly put a stop to that and told me 'Listen, it's gaffer to you now, you can't talk to me like that any more'.

"His coaching is still the same but he's more of a meaner character now and has had to put his foot down with a few of us since I've been here.

"At QPR we could get away with a few things with Kenny but he has really stamped his authority on Swansea and there is no messing with him.

"I certainly wouldn't cross him. I'll just keep my distance and let someone else do it and then see what it's like to face the wrath of Kenny Jackett."

The Swans boss recently agreed to extend his contract until 2008 with chairman Huw Jenkins describing him as "management hot property".

And despite his new-found sense of trepidation McLeod remains full of respect for his gaffer, vowing to repay in full the faith Jackett has shown in him.

SWANSEA CITY were embroiled in a row with Torquay United last night after they completed the signing of striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.
The two clubs were at loggerheads over the amount of compensation Torquay should receive for Akinfenwa after he agreed to join the Swans on a two-year contract.

Though the Londoner's Plainmoor contract had expired, the Gulls are technically entitled to compensation for Akinfenwa as he is only 23.

Torquay chairman Mike Bateson hit out at Swansea for not offering the Devon club a fee for Akinfenwa - though a price as high as £70,000 was mooted when initial discussions took place - which means any compensation figure will have to be decided by a tribunal.

But Swans chairman Huw Jenkins claimed Torquay weren't entitled to anything for a player who only joined them 12 months ago.

Bateson snapped, "Swansea have not made any offer (for Akinfenwa) and I am frankly disappointed that they should choose this route.

"My understanding of the system is that the matter will be dealt with by tribunal only when normal negotiations have failed to come up with an agreement.

"I hope that our part in improving Akinfenwa's career prospects is taken on board when the committee reach a decision."

But Jenkins responded, "My view is that tribunals were put in place to protect clubs who brought young players through their youth academies - and we don't categorise this player in that way at all.

"Akinfenwa did not come through Torquay's youth system, and he played threequarters of last season.

"He did not cost Torquay anything. They had to pay his salary, of course, but that's about their only investment. And they had something back for that in the form of the 14 goals he scored for them.

"So we do not want to pay anything for him.

"We've got to abide by the tribunal's decision, but it's difficult to comprehend where they could just pluck a figure from."

Financial arguments aside, Swans boss Kenny Jackett is convinced Akinfenwa will prove a good acquisition - even though, on the face of it, the London-born striker might be regarded as something of a journeyman.

Since leaving Barry Town in October 2003, Akinfenwa - expected to complete his Swansea medical over the weekend - has stopped off at Boston, Leyton Orient, Rushden and Doncaster, and even spent time out in Lithuania.

But Jackett said, "Bayo, someone whose career I've followed since he was a youth player at Watford, has been looking for a big breakthrough and he's been unlucky not to get it. But I admire his perseverance.

"What I'm hoping is he can find his niche at Swansea. I certainly believe he adds options to my forward line.

"He has good touch, good hold-up play, good physical presence and last season he scored 14 goals in this league.

"In signing him and (winger) Marc Goodfellow, I feel I've added goals to my squad."

As the Swans returned to pre-season training yesterday, Jackett also confirmed that Roberto Martinez would skipper the side again next term.

Adebayo Akinfenwa will complete his move to Swansea City over the weekend and become the second new face in Kenny Jackett's squad this summer. The 23-year-old striker agreed terms with Swansea yesterday and is due at the new stadium at Morfa this weekend to complete a medical before joining up with his new team-mates at the club's training camp at RAF St Athan.

However, Akinfenwa's move from Torquay United will be taken to an FA tribunal to decide on a fee after the two clubs could not agree on it.

The former Doncaster and Boston hit-man has signed a two-year deal with Swansea after turning down offers from Bristol City, Gillingham and Blackpool after rejecting a new contract at Plainmoor.

Because Akinfenwa is under the age of 24, Torquay are entitled to a fee for him, but Swansea are hoping that it will be considerably less than a reported £70,000 price tag.

''Last year was his first full season in football and he did really well,'' said Jackett.

''But this will go to a tribunal in about four weeks' time and whatever they decide we will accept.

''But in signing Bayo I have added to my goal-scoring options and, along with Marc Goodfellow, that was an area I was looking to strengthen.

''What I like about the lad is his perseverance. He was in Watford's youth team while I was there and in my first season at QPR he came on trial, so I know what the lad is about.''

All summer Jackett has been chasing a new striker to bolster his front line and, after Grant Holt signed a new contract at Rochdale, Swansea's boss turned his attentions to the former Torquay forward.

It appeared that Jackett had lost interest in the 23-year-old when he discovered that there was a fee to be paid for the player, but he has now made him his second summer signing.

''I kept looking at the figures as the whole package for Bayo and he had a lot of offers on the table from the likes of Bristol City, Gillingham and Blackpool,'' Jackett revealed.

''He took his time in deciding on his options and I'm very pleased that he chose Swansea.

''I'm not concerned about the number of clubs that Bayo has played for - he has just been looking for his niche.

''He had a good season last year. He scored 16 goals in a side that got relegated and he has played in Lithuania and scored goals over there as well.

''Now at the age of 23 it is the right time for him to use the experiences that he has had and take them on to the next level and that is something I hope we achieve for him here.''

Akinfenwa played more than 40 games for the Gulls last year and scored 16 times in all competitions, with 14 of them coming in League One, and Jackett will hope that his new signing will link well with last season's top scorer Lee Trundle.

''Bayo gives us that extra competition. He is a big strong lad and he has a big physical presence. He has a good touch and he is good with his hold-up play,'' added Jackett.

Swansea City have been given Football League approval to move some of their League One fixtures to Friday nights to avoid international clashes. And the League have also given their blessing to changed kick-off times for two of their away fixtures.

The League have confirmed that the game at Milton Keynes Dons will be moved forward from Saturday, September 3, to the previous day at 7.45pm to avoid clashing with the Wales v England soccer World Cup qualifier at the Millennium Stadium on the Saturday.

And the away matches against Yeovil and Swindon have had their kick-off times altered.

The Saturday clash at Yeovil on October 8 will now start at 12.30pm to avoid clashing with Wales and England's World Cup qualifiers with Northern Ireland and Austria respectively.

And the December 31 clash at Swindon will now start at 12.30pm to allow away fans to return to South Wales in plenty of time to enjoy the New Year's Eve festivities.

In the New Year, the home fixtures with Bournemouth and Brentford have been brought forward from Saturday afternoons to the preceding Friday nights to avoid clashing with Wales's Six Nations rugby games.

The games, on February 3 and March 17, will both start at 7.45pm.

The exact date and time of the home game with Walsall has yet to be confirmed by the Football League, but the Swans are optimistic that their request to bring it forward to Friday, March 10, (at 7.45pm) will be approved.

Roberto Martinez will continue as captain of Swansea City next season as Kenny Jackett starts his preparation for the new season in Coca-Cola League One. Swansea returned to pre-season training yesterday and Jackett was quick to name the Spaniard as his skipper for the new campaign.

Despite Martinez being left out of the side on several occasions throughout the campaign last term, the Swansea boss is keen for last season's captain to keep the armband.

''Roberto Martinez will be the captain again next season,'' said Jackett.

''He is a good leader, sets a very good example and has a lot of terrific qualities that you would associate with being a captain.

''This time last year he played the first game of the season and then I left him out for the next two games.

''It was a big deal Press-wise that I had left him out and there was a lot of media attention on that decision.''

James Thomas has missed the start of the pre-season training as he continues to recover from a knee injury that kept him out of last season's promotion-winning campaign.

It was hoped that the 26-year-old would be fit to return to training yesterday and start his month's trial to convince Jackett that he is worth a new contract at the new stadium at Morfa.

''James Thomas is struggling in terms of his rehabilitation,'' Jackett revealed.

''We had hoped that he would be fit and training with us from the start, but that hasn't happened and his leg is going to take longer.

''It is very difficult to prejudge the issue. I need to talk to specialists and I need to talk to James individually but at the moment he is continuing with his rehab.''

Australian triallists Ian Ramsey and Matthew Gordon also joined up with the first team yesterday after spending the early part of the week with David Moss's youth team.

The duo who plied their trade with Sydney and Sydney United are hoping that over the coming fortnight they will be able to convince Jackett that they are worthy of being kept on in South-West Wales.

''The Aussie lads have been over for a couple days. They are young players, 17 and 19, that have been recommended to us so we will see how they go over the course of time,'' Jackett added.

''They will be with us next week at our training camp in St Athan. They have done a few days with the youth team so we will assess them over the next 10 days to two weeks.''

SWANSEA CITY were on the verge of making a transfer market U-turn last night after lodging a £70,000 bid for Torquay striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Swans boss Kenny Jackett had all but ruled out making a move for Akinfenwa after learning Torquay would be entitled to compensation as the player is only 23.

But Swansea apparently had a rethink after their move for Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Andy Burgess fell through earlier this week.

Having allocated £90,000 for Burgess, the Swans decided instead to try to invest their money in Akinfenwa, Torquay's leading scorer last season with 14 league and cup goals.

If the deal goes through, the former Barry Town striker will become Swansea's second signing of the summer, following on closely from winger Marc Goodfellow, who completed a free transfer from Bristol City on Wednesday.

Akinfenwa was in Swansea on Wednesday to discuss a move to the newly-promoted League One side and could be back today to link up with the squad for the start of pre-season training.

The London-born striker's future has been something of a long-running saga which saw Torquay chairman Mike Bateson declare his Plainmoor career was finished.

Bateson claimed Akinfenwa, who has also been linked with Bristol City and Swindon Town, reneged on an agreement to hold further talks on a new United deal.

Jackett turned his attentions to the big, stocky striker after having a £130,000 bid for his top strike target, Rochdale's Grant Holt, rejected.

Since ending a 15-month spell at Barry in October 2003, Akinfenwa has had brief spells at Boston United, Leyton Orient, Rushden & Diamonds and Doncaster.

He joined Torquay last summer and ended up winning the club's player of the season award after topping the scoring chart in a campaign that ended with the Gulls being relegated straight back to League Two.

Swansea City are on the brink of signing Torquay United striker Adebayo Akinfenwa. The powerful frontman held talks with boss Kenny Jackett at Swansea's new stadium on Wednesday afternoon and could tie up a move to South Wales in the next 24 hours.

Out-of-contract at Plainmoor, Akinfenwa has also spoken to Bristol City and is believed to have attracted interest from Gillingham, Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers among others.

But he is poised to plump for Swansea, with Torquay entitled to some cash because he is under the age of 24 and has been offered new terms by the Devon club.

One option is for Swansea and Torquay to come to an agreement on a fee, but at this stage it seems more likely that the sum will be set by an independent tribunal.

Swansea have so far refused to confirm that Akinfenwa is on his way, though chairman Huw Jenkins admitted: ''We showed him around the stadium and we've made him aware that we would like to sign him.

''But there are quite a few clubs chasing his services and probably over the next couple of days we will know what his decision is.

''He is a London boy, he has his wife to consider and he is waiting to see what suits him best.''

Swansea's move for Akinfenwa represents a major U-turn in their thinking - just a couple of weeks Jackett said he would only be interested if the 23-year-old was available on a free.

It would appear long-time target Grant Holt's decision to sign an extended contract with Rochdale has changed the Swansea manager's mind.

Jackett has made no secret of his desire to add a striker to a pool which already includes the likes of Lee Trundle, Paul Connor and Lee Thorpe.

''Whether we agree terms with Torquay or go to a tribunal is up in the air at the moment,'' added Jenkins.

''We will be happy going down either route, but first of all the player has to decide where he wants to go.''

As well as power, Akinfenwa will bring pace and goalscoring ability if he joins Swansea - he registered 16 times as the Gulls slipped out of League One last season.

Once of Barry Town in their Champions League days, he is well travelled for one so young having had stints at Boston, Leyton Orient, Rushden & Diamonds and Doncaster on top of a spell in Lithuanian football before landing at Torquay.

Bristol City were long-time favourites to capture him this summer, but they were not keen to splash out heavily on a player they view only as potential back-up for first choice Steve Brooker.

Swansea's squad returned for pre-season training today with just one new face on show, winger Marc Goodfellow.

The club's long pursuit of Rushden midfielder Andy Burgess now appears certain to end in failure just a week after a £90,000 fee was agreed.

Langland Bay is hosting a golf day to raise money for the Ivor Allchurch memorial fund. Swansea City's Supporters' Trust are looking to raise £20,000 to pay for a statue of Allchurch, regarded as the Swans' greatest ever player, at their new stadium.

The trust are on the hunt for individuals and teams to take part in the event on July 25, with all proceeds going to the fund.

Organisers are also seeking sponsors for each of the holes at Langland Bay, the club where Ivor and wife Esme used to play.

Anyone interested in supporting the day should contact Jim White (07979 786650) or Dai Smith (07752 479835) for more details.

Swansea City are refusing to give up hope of signing Fulham's Darren Pratley. Kenny Jackett has seen a £60,000 offer for the young midfielder rebuffed by the Premiership side, while boss Chris Coleman also turned down a proposed season-long loan.

But Swansea have revealed their bid to land Pratley on a permanent basis has not been completely ruled out and they remain optimistic that a deal could be done.

"The offer we put in for Darren has not actually been rejected officially," explained Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins.

"I spoke to Lee Hoos, the deputy managing director at Fulham, who came back to me and said that nothing was going to be considered for Darren Pratley until they have started pre-season.

"They won't decide anything until Chris Coleman assesses his squad in pre-season and as far as we're concerned nothing changes.

"Our offer still stands and we hope that something can be done because Darren is a player Kenny rates very highly."

Ex-Swan Coleman is keen to run the rule over Pratley after his successful loan spell with Brentford at the back end of last season.

The 6ft 20-year-old is a former captain of Fulham's reserves and has made two substitute appearances for the first team.

Swansea, meanwhile, are staying calm over the future of Sam Ricketts despite the full-back's failure to agree a new contract.

The Welsh international, who has caught the eye of Premiership new-boys West Ham, has one year left to run on his current deal. Talks began earlier this month with Swansea keen to arrange a fresh agreement running until 2008 but so far little progress has been made, fuelling speculation that Ricketts could move on.

But Jenkins said: "Discussions about a longer contract are on-going and these things can quite often drag on a bit.

"The ball is in Sam's court really. It's up to him to push things on.

"We can remain fairly relaxed about it at the moment safe in the knowledge that he is our player for next season anyway."

Swansea's reserve team and youth sides are set to play at St Helen's next season.

"With only Swansea Rugby Club playing at St Helen's while the Ospreys and the Swans will play at Morfa, it makes perfect sense," a spokesman said.

Swansea season tickets will be posted to fans in mid-July.

SWANSEA CITY were on the verge of making a transfer market U-turn last night after lodging a £70,000 bid for Torquay striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.
Swans boss Kenny Jackett had all but ruled out making a move for Akinfenwa after learning Torquay would be entitled to compensation as the player is only 23.

But Swansea apparently had a rethink after their move for Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Andy Burgess fell through earlier this week.

Having allocated £90,000 for Burgess, the Swans decided instead to try to invest their money in Akinfenwa, Torquay's leading scorer last season with 14 league and cup goals.

If the deal goes through, the former Barry Town striker will become Swansea's second signing of the summer, following on closely from winger Marc Goodfellow, who completed a free transfer from Bristol City on Wednesday.

Akinfenwa was in Swansea on Wednesday to discuss a move to the newly-promoted League One side and could be back today to link up with the squad for the start of pre-season training.

The London-born striker's future has been something of a long-running saga which saw Torquay chairman Mike Bateson declare his Plainmoor career was finished.

Bateson claimed Akinfenwa, who has also been linked with Bristol City and Swindon Town, reneged on an agreement to hold further talks on a new United deal.

Jackett turned his attentions to the big, stocky striker after having a £130,000 bid for his top strike target, Rochdale's Grant Holt, rejected.

Since ending a 15-month spell at Barry in October 2003, Akinfenwa has had brief spells at Boston United, Leyton Orient, Rushden & Diamonds and Doncaster.

He joined Torquay last summer and ended up winning the club's player of the season award after topping the scoring chart in a campaign that ended with the Gulls being relegated straight back to League Two.

New Reds signing Stuart Jones believes his transfer from Swansea City offers a huge opportunity. Former Wales under 21s centre half Jones, who joins the Reds as their first full-time professional for half a century, has been classed as the club's biggest signing in 40 years by chairman Robert Jones.
He arrives at Stebo frustrated after a lack of opportunities at the Vetch Field under manager Kenny Jackett.

But he admitted the wave of positive media following the club's takeover nudged him into giving the thumbs up.

"I spoke to Rob Jones first and he told me the club plans to get into Europe and be up there with TNS," Jones told the Star. "I have read what has happened with the takeover and the club seems ambitious with their plans - they really want to move forward."

After signing for the Swans as a 16-year-old, Jones made his debut two years later, making 30 appearances under then manager Brian Flynn.

After falling out of favour with Jackett, Jones, now 21, appeared just four times last season, two starts and two from the bench.

"It was very frustrating for me," said Jones.

"I am attracted by the chance of playing first team football every week.

"This move is a huge opportunity for me. Although in footballing terms it is a step down, I have been playing for Swansea reserves all season and I want to be in the first team - I am happy to get out of there to be honest.

"Everyone at Llanelli though seems very positive and ambitious."

Having played a pre-season friendly against the Reds at Stebo, Jones knows is encouraged by the club's facilities.

"I've played at Stebo before and the pitch was excellent and the facilities around the stadium were very good.

"We start training this week and I'll get to meet the lads for the first time, so that should be good."

Chairman Robert Jones told the Star he was over the moon with the club's latest acquisition.

He also said it could be the sign of things to come.

"This is a huge signing for Llanelli Football club. It is the biggest signing in 40 years.

"If we make a good start to the season I am sure my new colleagues on the board will be prepared at expanding the purse strings."

Another director has been added to the club board.

Carlo Mason, who acts as director of football Lucas Cazorla's interpreter along with holding a directors role at Marbella housing firm Blue Sky Homes, joins Brian Weaver, Wilhem Mead and David Sullivan on the board.

Marc Goodfellow has revealed his heart was always set on a return to Wales after snubbing two other clubs for Swansea City. The flying winger disappointed League One rivals Bournemouth as well as Carlisle United by penning an initial one-year deal with Swansea yesterday.

Goodfellow, 23, is back in Kenny Jackett's squad six months since he added a different dimension when on loan at Vetch Field last Christmas.

The former Stoke man scored four times in eight appearances before his fruitful stay was ended by parent club Bristol City.

"It was a huge disappointment when I was recalled because I'd had such an enjoyable spell at Swansea," Goodfellow said.

"I got a few goals and I felt I'd played well, but when I went back to Bristol I still wasn't given a chance.

"I only started one game back there which made me think they only called me back because they wanted Swansea to pay money for me."

Jackett offered £25,000 at the turn of the year, but the Robins held out for £65,000.

By the end of the season the asking price had fallen to £15,000, but Swansea sat tight and finally got their man on a free transfer.

The deal will see some cash crossing the Severn Bridge depending on appearances and goals.

"I've kept in touch with Kenny all along and I knew he was still interested," added Goodfellow, who will receive an automatic contract extension depending on games played.

"Once everything was sorted out between the clubs I knew Swansea was the place I wanted to be.

"Bournemouth have been keeping an eye on me for a few years and there was interest from Carlisle, but having enjoyed myself when I was on loan here, my heart was always set on Swansea."

Former boss Danny Wilson took Goodfellow to Ashton Gate in a deal worth up to £100,000 17 months ago.

He made an instant impact in the West County, but lost his way when Brian Tinnion took the reins and endured a miserable 2004-5.

There were loan spells at Port Vale and Colchester either side of his stint in Swansea, which was easily the high point of his campaign.

"I was just getting into my rhythm at Swansea when I got called back," Goodfellow lamented.

"But hopefully, I can get a good pre-season under my belt and recapture that form from the start of next season.

"I'm at the age now where I need to be playing every week and performing every week.

"I know the manager, I know the lads and I know I can do well for Swansea."

Primarily a left-sided wideman, Goodfellow will face fierce competition for that role in Jackett's side from Kevin McLeod and Andy Robinson.

But the Swansea boss said: "Marc can also play wide right, behind the front two or as part of a front three so he gives us some flexibility.

"He has pace, touch and goalscoring ability so I'm delighted to have got him."

With September's visit of Bristol City especially attractive, Goodfellow is relishing the new season.

"The stadium is fantastic and the squad is one that can do well in League One. I think a lot of our players will be better suited to this division," he said.

Ticketing arrangements for the pre-season games against Fulham and Blackburn are set to be announced next week, along with travel plans for the new stadium.

Swansea have stressed that there is no Morfa open day scheduled for July 10, despite some reports to the contrary.

Swansea's league game at MK Dons has been brought forward to Friday, September 2, to avoid a clash with Wales's World Cup qualifier against England at the Millennium Stadium the following day.

Burgess will return to Rushden for pre-season

Andy Burgess's proposed move from Rushden & Diamonds to Swansea is off.
Negotiations between the Swans and the 23-year-old midfielder have broken down and Burgess will return to Nene Park for pre-season training.

Swansea's long pursuit of Burgess saw their initial bid of £75,000 back in January rejected by Rushden.

But Rushden were forced to admit defeat in their attempts to hold onto Burgess when he submitted a transfer request towards the end of last season.

MARC GOODFELLOW finally completed his move to Swansea City last night - and then insisted, "I can help the club get into the play-offs."
The 23-year-old winger became Kenny Jackett's first summer signing by joining the Swans on a permanent basis from League One rivals Bristol City after a successful loan spell at the Vetch last season.

And the former Stoke City player, who has joined on an initial 12-month deal, immediately set his sights on trying to help Swansea achieve back-to-back promotions.

"I think the play-offs are a realistic target and I'd like to think I could play a big part in helping Swansea get there," said Goodfellow.

"In League Two you have to battle a lot of the time, but League One is more of a footballing division, and I think that'll better suit the Swans.

"You only have to look at what Hull and Plymouth have achieved in recent seasons, climbing up two divisions in a short space of time, so why shouldn't we aim for that?

"Personally, I'm really pleased that I've finally been able to sign for Swansea permanently and I'm really looking forward to playing for them in League One at the new stadium."

Apart from a loan spell at the Vetch which yielded four goals in eight games- including a stunning, long-distance strike in the FA Cup against Stockport - Goodfellow had little to shout about during the 2004-05 campaign.

The Burton-born midfielder hardly figured for Bristol in the first part of the campaign and, despite being recalled early from Swansea, he was farmed out on loan again to Colchester towards the end of the season.

He would have been spared some of the frustration had the Ashton Gate club accepted Swansea's original £25,000 bid for him in January.

"It was a bit annoying, to be honest, that Bristol wouldn't let me go," he admitted.

"I understand that they wanted to try and recoup as much as possible of the £50,000 they paid Stoke for me, but the manager (Brian Tinnion) never really had me in his plans.

"Even when I went back to Bristol from Swansea, I was never given a chance.

"It was a shame they didn't accept Swansea's bid for me because I really enjoyed my loan spell at Swansea.

"But it's all sorted now. After dragging on for a bit, I'm glad I've finally signed for Swansea, and now I can't wait to get started."

Goodfellow, signed to help score and create goals as well as providing the Swans with some natural balance on the left of midfield, completed his move in time for the start of pre-season training tomorrow.

"I suppose I've got a bit to prove to a lot of people," admitted the winger, who has joined the Swans for a nominal fee based on his number of appearances and goals next season.

"Bristol City didn't think I was up to it, so, hopefully, I can prove them wrong for a start.

"As for the Swansea fans, I hope I showed them last season what I'm capable of.

"I feel confident that, given the right opportunities, I can make a big impact for Swansea in League One.

"The club already has a lot of attack-minded players and, hopefully, I can add a little extra in that respect.

"The manager has brought me in to create and score goals and I'm confident I can do that."

Rushden & DiamondsSwansea City have completed the signing of Bristol City winger Marc Goodfellow for an undisclosed amount.

The 23-year-old was available for transfer after failing to impress at Ashton Gate, and The Swans have been long-term admirers of the player who had a brief spell with them on loan last term.

Swansea had a £25,000 bid rejected in January for the former Stoke City player, but this time, they have got their man after Goodfellow underwent a medical before sealing his switch to South Wales.

"I'm pleased that we've finally been able to reach agreement with Bristol (City)," Swans boss Kenny Jackett told the Western Mail. "Marc will be a good signing for us.

"As well as giving us some natural balance on the left side of midfield, he's a player that makes and scores goals - particularly scores them.

"He did very well in both respects during his loan spell with us last season and that's what I'll be judging him on again."

Swansea will take over the remaining 12 months Goodfellow had on his Robins contract, with the option of a further year after that.

Meanwhile, Swansea's proposed move for Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Andy Burgess is now in doubt as the player has not shown enough desire to join the Welsh outfit.

"Kenny and I are in agreement that players have got to show keenness to come to Swansea, but we still haven't managed to speak to the player," said Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins.

"The fact Andy has shown hesitation for a number of days has placed doubt in our minds and left the whole thing hanging in the balance."

Marc Goodfellow was today poised to become Swansea City's long-awaited first summer signing. The Bristol City winger has agreed personal terms and was due to sign an initial one-year contract after a medical this afternoon.

Swansea have finally persuaded their West Country rivals to let Goodfellow leave on a free transfer after a six-month pursuit that started with a failed £25,000 bid over Christmas.

There will be some payments due to the Ashton Gate club based on the number of appearances and goals Goodfellow manages for Swansea, while a sell-on clause has also been incorporated in the move.

But the deal represents good business in the eyes of Kenny Jackett, who has been keen to sign Goodfellow on a permanent basis since a successful loan spell at the back end of 2004.

The 23-year-old flyer scored four times in eight games during his month at Vetch Field, with his FA Cup strike against Stockport hailed by Jackett as the club's goal of the season.

Swansea are to take over Goodfellow's Robins contract, which has a year to run, while he will earn a further 12 months based on appearances.

''Marc is coming down for a medical and hopefully everything will be done and dusted by the end of the day,'' said Jackett.

''Everything's agreed with Bristol City, with Marc and with his agent and I'll be delighted to add him to my squad.

''He is a goalscorer and that's what I'll judge him on rather than his defensive play. It's all about end product with Marc.''

Just as Jackett prepares to celebrate the capture of Goodfellow, though, the Swansea boss is coming to terms with the news that Andy Burgess's proposed move is in the balance.

Midfielder Burgess, another long-time target, had looked poised to join after a £90,000 fee was agreed with Rushden & Diamonds last Friday.

''That one looks less likely at the moment,'' Jackett conceded. ''It's taken a long time and the whole package is too expensive.''

Burgess has been linked with Oxford United, where his father-in-law, Brian Talbot, is the manager.

Chairman Huw Jenkins added: ''When we finally spoke to the player's agent he said Andy wouldn't be able to make it down to Swansea until next Friday. We felt that said it all.

''We want players who will walk through the night to join Swansea and I hope our supporters see it the same way.''

With pre-season training only 48 hours away, Jackett is remaining calm despite struggling to land his top targets, Burgess and Rochdale's Grant Holt.

He stressed: ''I'm not concerned, just frustrated that I've worked very hard this summer without much reward.

''But I'm still excited because in my favour I have the money to work with and I have the spaces in my squad.

''We're in a good position to do something because we have flexibility, and in this game there's always another player who pops up tomorrow.''

SWANSEA CITY boss Kenny Jackett is poised to unveil Bristol City winger Marc Goodfellow as his first summer signing.

Goodfellow, a long-term target of Jackett's after his successful loan spell at the Vetch last season, is expected to join the Swans this week in time for the start of pre-season training.

It marks the end of Swansea's six-month pursuit of the 23-year-old, who would have joined the club in January had Bristol not rejected their initial £25,000 bid for him.

This time the Swans have managed to snap up Goodfellow, who scored four goals in seven outings during his brief stay in South Wales last term, for a nominal fee based on the number of appearances and goals he scores next season.

Swansea have taken over his existing Ashton Gate contract, which still had 12 months to run, with the option of another year based on the number of League One games he plays.

"Marc's got to pass a medical, but I'm confident the transfer will go through within the next couple of days," Swans boss Kenny Jackett said yesterday.

"I'm pleased that we've finally been able to reach agreement with Bristol. Marc will be a good signing for us.

"As well as giving us some natural balance on the left side of midfield, he's a player that makes and scores goals - particularly scores them.

"He did very well in both respects during his loan spell with us last season and that's what I'll be judging him on again."

Swansea's interest in Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Andy Burgess, however, appears to be over with Swans chairman Huw Jenkins accusing the player of showing a lack of enthusiasm to make the move.

"Kenny and I are in agreement that players have got to show keeness to come to Swansea, but we still haven't managed to speak to the player," said Jenkins, who had offered Rushden £90,000 for Burgess.

"The fact Andy has shown hesitation for a number of days has placed doubt in our minds and left the whole thing hanging in the balance."

Jackett, meanwhile, expressed excitement at Swansea's Carling Cup first round draw away to Coca-Cola Championship side Reading.

For the Swans it is a chance to avenge last season's FA Cup third round defeat against the Royals, Jackett's men losing 1-0 in a Vetch Field replay after holding Reading to a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium.

"I think it's a great draw for us," said Jackett of the match, which will be played on August 23.

"We had two great matches against Reading last season - we more than gave them a game - and this match gives us another chance to show what we can do against higher league opposition.

"I'm sure that, once again, we'll take quite a few fans up the M4 for the match."

Cardiff City were also handed an away tie in this year's opening round - at League One outfit Colchester United on August 23 or 24.

Wrexham were the only Welsh side to be handed a home draw, Dennis Smith's men hosting League One outfit Doncaster Rovers on August 23.

Swansea's new £27 million stadium still has no name despite its scheduled opening in a few weeks' time. Bosses at the stadium had planned to announce at the end of the month which company had been successful in securing the naming rights for the new Landore ground.

But despite the end of the month coming on Thursday, bosses at the stadium are still unable to give any more details about the ongoing saga of what the city's new stadium is to be called.

The only information they would reveal is that they are now in talks with a number of shortlisted companies.

The stadium will be the home to both Swansea City Football Club and the Ospreys when the new seasons of sport kick off in August. Bosses also plan to hold music concerts and festivals to bring in more revenue.

Owning the naming rights for the impressive ground would be a high-profile plug for any company but none has as yet put pen to paper despite various rumours of interested parties.

Bastion, the company now in charge of selling the naming rights, announced months ago it was opening the bidding process and was expecting firm offers from major brands looking to become part of the stadium.

It said it expected to be able to name a headline sponsor by the end of June and said that the £250,000 price tag would buy £500,000 worth of advertising.

But as Thursday gets closer there is still little news on progress towards finding a name for the new stadium.

A spokesman for Stadco, the company set up to manage the new stadium, said: "The stadium is speaking to a shortlist of companies with regards to naming rights. Further information will be released as soon as it becomes available."

A new boss has yet to be appointed to run Swansea's £27 million sports stadium. The chief executive post has been vacant ever since Tim Howell sensationally resigned a fortnight ago, just weeks before the first match is due to kick off.

Mr Howell quit his position with the Glamorgan Health and Racquet Club at Llandarcy a year ago to take over the new post at Morfa.

He had been brought in to oversee the opening of the impressive new home of the Ospreys RFC and Swansea City FC.

But his surprise departure left the management team facing unexpected challenges in the run-up to the showpiece opening of the ground.

Swansea Stadium Management Company, which runs the ground, is still in the process of looking for somebody to replace Mr Howell.

In the interim, Swansea Council has provided a project manager and project director to assume Mr Howell's responsibilities, with Swansea Stadium Management Company

contributing towards costs.

The company maintains that all other aspects of the stadium's management remain unaffected.

A spokesman for Swansea Stadium Management Company said: "The board has already put in place a process to appoint a new chief executive and is currently considering replacement options."

Mr Howell's sudden departure left the company with outdated PR publicity material featuring the former chief executive, which had only been made public 24 hours before his departure.

But the company's spokesman added: "There are no material costs attached to reproducing literature as a result of Tim Howell's departure."

Swansea City's first game at the 20,000 all-seater venue, against Premiership Fulham, is scheduled to go ahead as planned.

Swansea CityLeague One new boys Swansea City have confirmed that six first team regulars have signed new deals.

Following a successful promotion campaign last season, influential quartet Kristian O'Leary, Leon Britton, Izzy Iriekpen and Kevin Austin have all concurred on fresh terms.

The club have also been boosted with the news that Brian Murphy is returning from Ireland on Thursday to sign a new contract, whilst veteran striker Kevin Nugent has agreed to stay at the Vetch Field as a player/assistant manager.

It is also expected that Chad Bond and Mark Pritchard will do likewise by the end of the week.

The first round of the Carling Cup has been drawn with all three Welsh football league clubs in the hat.
Carling Cup 1st rd draw

Preston v Barnsley
Chesterfield v Huddersfield
Blackpool v Hull
Mansfield v Stoke
Rotherham v Port Vale
Nottingham Forest v Macclesfield
Sheffield United v Boston
Derby v Grimsby
Leeds v Oldham
Wrexham v Doncaster
Scunthorpe v Tranmere
Stockport v Sheffield Wednesday
Bury v Leicester
Rochdale v Bradford
Hartlepool v Darlington
Wolves v Chester
Lincoln v Crewe
Burnley v Carlisle

Reading v Swansea

Gillingham v Oxford
Milton Keynes Dons v Norwich
Plymouth v Peterborough
Shrewsbury v Brighton
Cheltenham v Brentford
Northampton v QPR
Millwall v Bristol Rovers
Watford v Notts County
Rushden & Diamonds v Coventry
Bristol City v Barnet
Colchester v Cardiff
Torquay v Bournemouth
Ipswich v Yeovil
Southend v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Walsall
Swindon v Wycombe
Leyton Orient v Luton

- Ties will be played on the ground of the first club named during week commencing August 22.

Police chiefs are targeting certain key Swansea City games as potential flashpoints for next season. The Swans' promotion to Coca Cola League One means that police football intelligence experts have been working overtime gathering information on the new clubs which will be coming to the city.

And they have identified a number of high-profile matches where there could be trouble between home and away fans.

Head of planning Inspector Bill John said Swansea police were working closely with officers from forces around the country.

"There are certain games we will be focusing on," he said.

"I don't want to name any particular clubs because that would be unfair to the vast majority of fans.

"But there are clubs that raise policing issues and we are drawing up plans to deal with them."

Clubs thought to be included on the police hitlist are Nottingham Forest, who traditionally have large numbers of travelling fans, and Bristol City, whose fans have a history of violent clashes with Swans supporters.

"Each game will have a package of policing tailored to it," added Mr John.

Matches are graded category A, B or C depending on likely level of trouble.

Category A matches have the lightest levels of security, while category C have the most intensive policing.

As part of the strategy, "spotters" from other forces will be attending matches to help Swansea police identify known troublemakers.

Marilyn Croft, from the Swans Supporters Trust, said: "Now we are playing bigger clubs it is likely there will be more public safety issues.

"But it is only a tiny minority who want to cause trouble.

"I hope that fans will come to the new stadium and enjoy some fantastic matches."

Swans chairman David Morgan emphasised that the club was working closely with police and with other clubs in the league to ensure matches, both home and away, went as smoothly as possible.

A Safety review is to be carried out at Swansea's £27 million stadium, it emerged today. Engineers are to check the quality of the steel used in constructing the 20,000-seater stadium after an inquiry at the Llanelli firm which provided some of the steel.

Dyfed Steels is being investigated by police after a former employee made claims of irregularities in quality certificates issued for the company's steel - an allegation strongly denied by the company.

Engineers Rowecord have confirmed they used Dyfed Steel materials for part of the construction of the Landore stadium.

John Blackwell, managing director of Rowecord, said no safety checks were necessary at the time as it did not have to be upgraded steel. But he has confirmed that the company will now look at the issue.

Mr Blackwell added today: "We will review the steel bought from Dyfed Steels.

"We confirm Dyfed supply less than three per cent of our steel with the balance being delivered from Corus.

"Dyfed Steels supplied 4.6 tonnes of steel on the White Rock stadium in Morfa in a total of 2,705 tonnes."

The concerns over the quality of the steel were raised by a former Dyfed Steels employee. He alleges that original impact steel test certificates issued by Somerset-based testing experts Bodycote were later falsified for upgraded passes. Steel industry accreditors UKAS and Bodycote are now investigating along with police.

David Thomas, Dyfed Steels managing director, said: "We have made the facilities of the company available to all parties who may wish to pursue this matter.

"We have been aware of the allegations you refer to for a number of months and would like to refute them in the strongest terms.

"Investigations we have carried out internally on testing since 1996 shows no amended test certificates in our possession."

A police spokesman said: "Llanelli CID are investigating alleged irregularities in respect of quality certificates for steel products supplied by Dyfed Steels."

THE sky is the limit for Swansea City this season, writes ANDY ROSE.
And just to drill the point home, manager Kenny Jackett is forcing his squad to spend a week at an RAF base.

While Swansea weren't quite the best side in League Two last season they were certainly at the top of the table when it came to fitness.

Their physical edge proved vital as the Swans clinched promotion on the final day of the season with victory at Bury.

But in order to guarantee his troops are in peak condition when battle commences on August 6, Jackett is confining his men to barracks when they return from their summer break at the start of next month.

Swansea will check into the nearby RAF base at St Athan on July 4, where drill instructor Craig Gill will put them through a punishing fitness regime.

Gill was one of the first signings Jackett made when he arrived at the club 14 months ago. And the early weeks of pre-season training under him last year left most of the squad fit to drop with exhaustion.

But Jackett has warned that this year's boot camp will make anything previous seem like a fond memory.

"There will be three sessions every day and it will all be fitness work with Craig Gill," said Jackett. "We worked hard in pre-season last year but it's going to be even harder and more intense this time around. It has to be.

"Our fitness and conditioning improved last year but it has to improve again and be much better if we are to stand a chance in League One.

"There may be a few groans but they all know what's coming; they expect it from me now."

Jackett's men would be well advised to make the most of their last few weeks of freedom before the hard graft starts.

But any player who lets himself go too much may find themselves in for a real ear-bashing - as well as an extra few laps of the parade ground. "They all have a fitness programme to follow through the summer, but I want them all coming back mentally refreshed as well as physically," said Jackett.

"We all need a break, but I won't be too happy if anyone comes back with too much body fat."

Jackett's preparation for the season will be planned down to the most minute detail.

Last season he even brought in a dietician to scrutinise his players' supermarket shopping lists.

When they finally get a ball at their feet, friendlies against Premiership big guns Blackburn and Fulham are the stand out fixtures before Swansea welcome Tranmere for the first league match at their fabulous new stadium.

But all that still seems a long way off for the players as they contemplate the pre-season from hell.

"I'm really looking forward to it, like all the lads," said centre half Gary Monk with a look that said the complete opposite.

"I think you expect it these days, especially from Kenny. He may have gone a little bit easy last time around because he was a new manager but I'm sure he's got plenty of tricks up his sleeve this time around, especially at the RAF base.

"It's all part and parcel of being professional and getting three or four weeks of running out of the way will hopefully see us reap the benefits during the season.

"Pre-season is always hard and most times it's just a case of surviving and getting through it so we can then get stuck into the good stuff, which is playing football.

"I wouldn't say I enjoy it although some lads seem to take a masochistic pleasure in it all. I just keep my head down and try to get through it."

The Swans boss still intends to add at least four more players to his existing squad but insists they must be comfortable within the existing set-up to maintain morale.

But Monk said: "The lads here are a good bunch who are willing to work their socks off for each other.

"One of the main reasons we did so well last season was the team spirit. The new boys were welcomed in and within a few months it was as if we'd been best mates for years."

SWANSEA are set for a £1m-plus windfall after 8,000 season tickets were snapped up by fans - six weeks before the new campaign kicks off.
The Swans are now flying high after several years in the financial doldrums and can count on a bumper turnout at their brand new 20,000-seater stadium.

Around 8,000 eager fans have already reserved their seats in the £24m home they will share with the Ospreys next season.

Chairman Huw Jenkins is hoping that record-breaking figure will go even further through the roof by the start of the season on August 6 and is backing manager Kenny Jackett to take the club back to the top.

The newly-promoted Swans unveiled their new retro-style home shirt last week in a throwback to the club's glory years under John Toshack.

But Jenkins believes his current manager has it within him to go down in the history books alongside the Wales boss as a Swansea City legend.

Toshack took Swansea from the old fourth division to the first between 1978 and 1981.

And with Jackett already having secured promotion to League One in his first season in charge Jenkins insists there are no limits to what they can achieve.

"We are being run on a stronger footing than in the past and we would be delighted if we pushed for promotion and then achieve it again," said Jenkins.

"Going back three or four years I would have been mad to think we could push for back-to-back promotions but things have moved on quickly since then.

"If it doesn't happen this season so be it, but over the next couple of years we have to make sure it does.

"We're extremely hopeful that this club will grow and develop under Kenny's management.

"I think over the next few years he is going to become hot property but we want to keep hold of him for as long as possible."

Jackett has already agreed terms on a new two-year extension to tie him to the club until 2008 and Jenkins has pledged to back his manager to the hilt in his search for new players for next season.

Rushden and Diamonds midfielder Andy Burgess is set to become Swansea's first summer signing and is due to meet with Jenkins this week to discuss personal terms on his £90,000 switch.

But Jackett still has plenty of other targets in his sight and Jenkins said: "We would back Kenny all the way financially.

"But the good thing about Kenny is that he's more cautious than I am. It's unheard of in football that the manager is more reluctant to spend money than the chairman."

Jackett has achieved instant success at Swansea Manager Kenny Jackett will bring even more success to Swansea City, according to club chairman Huw Jenkins.
Jackett has secured a two-year contract extension after he guided Swansea to promotion in his first full season.

And Jenkins said: "I'm pleased I've been proved right that Kenny is the man to move the club forward.

"We always knew it's a learning curve for him over the next few years. He learned a lot last year and he's going to build on that."

Jackett, who added the FAW Premier Cup to League Two promotion, has verbally agreed to sign a new deal which will run until 2008.

He took over from Alan Curtis - the caretaker manager following Brian Flynn's departure - in the Vetch hot-seat in April 2004.

He became the club's sixth manager in just over two and a half years, but Jenkins believes the club will finally get some stability with Jackett in charge.
"I've very pleased the new contract has been taken care of prior to the new season so we can all concentrate on the season ahead," Jenkins added.

Swansea City were today set to agree a fee of around £90,000 with Rushden & Diamonds for Andy Burgess. And Swansea hope to unveil the sought-after midfielder as their long-awaited first summer signing early next week if they can thrash out personal terms.

A deal between the clubs is finally close after Swansea bumped up their offer for a second time.

The Diamonds turned down £75,000 for the versatile 23-year-old back in January, while an £80,000 bid fell on deaf ears earlier this month.

"It's taken a long time," said Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, "but it looks as though we are finally going to agree a fee with Rushden.

"We should discuss personal terms with Andy over the weekend and, hopefully, we will wrap things up on Monday or Tuesday."

Just as Kenny Jackett prepares to celebrate the capture of one his long-time targets, however, he is also coming to terms with the failure to sign another.

Grant Holt has dashed Swansea's hopes by penning a new contract at Rochdale.

Powerhouse striker Holt, scorer of 24 goals last season, has agreed a one-year extension to his current deal after Swansea refused to meet Dale's whopping £250,000 asking price.

"We've been expecting him to stay with Rochdale because they said he would do so unless we paid £250,000," added Jenkins.

"We think that is an unrealistic price for somebody who has only played 50-odd Football League games so we'll now look elsewhere."

That is music to the ears of Rochdale, who rejected a £75,000 bid from Jackett in February and another of £130,000 earlier this month as well as Yeovil's £100,000 offer.

Holt, 24, is now tied to the Lancashire club until the summer of 2007.

"The interest shown in Grant confirms our belief that he is a class player," said Dale director Jim Fagan.

"But his new contract just goes to show that little old Rochdale are big enough to keep a striker that a lot of people are chasing."

Swansea defender Garry Monk, meanwhile, is optimistic that the manager's transfer plans will soon fall into place with just a week to go before pre-season.

"As players we take an interest of course, but we're not at all worried that there have been no signings yet," the centre-back insisted.

"Swansea is a great club to be at now and I'm sure that come the start of the season there will be a few new faces to complement what we've already got.

"The manager and the chairman will definitely have things under control."

By this stage of the close season last year, Monk had been a Swansea player for nearly three weeks having arrived from Barnsley.

"One of the reasons why I joined was the new stadium and look at it now. It's fantastic and as a player you can only be impressed by it," he added.

"When I spoke to the chairman and the manager I could see that they were very ambitious and that the potential here was unbelievable.

"We've got promotion now, too, so the club is even more attractive than it was 12 months ago."

The former Southampton man welcomes Swansea's links with the likes of Burgess and Darren Pratley.

And he points out that luring such talents away from their current clubs was never likely to be easy.

"They don't want to let them go because they are good players, so it's no wonder things have proved a little difficult," Monk said.

"These are high calibre players, people who can only improve us.

"We already have a good nucleus of players at the club and a squad that is good enough to compete in League One.

"But if we can get three, four or maybe five more in - which I'm sure we will do - then we'll really be able to push on."

Former Swan Stuart Jones, released by Jackett last month, has joined Welsh Premier outfit Llanelli on a one-year deal.

Brian Little admits his highly-fancied Tranmere side face a stern test of their promotion credentials when they kick off the new season at Swansea City. Rovers, beaten semi-finalists in last season's play-offs after finishing third in League One, will be the first visitors to Morfa for a competitive game on August 6.

And though the Wirral outfit are being hotly tipped for another season at the top of the division, the experienced Little is bracing himself for a testing start.

''It will be a difficult one for us,'' said the former Leicester, Aston Villa and Stoke boss.

''It's always going to be hard away from home on the first day of the season.

''Swansea have just come up to this division and they have a new ground, so it won't be an easy game.''

Last August Tranmere were embarrassed on the opening day by a Peterborough side who were eventually relegated to League Two.

''We have that experience to look back on,'' Little added.

''We were a pre-season game short when we went to Peterborough, but this time the extra games we have will make sure we a yard sharper.

''But whatever the result at Swansea, it won't be a true reflection of how the season pans out for either side.''

Swansea hope to switch four of next season's home games from Saturdays to Friday nights to avoid clashes with Welsh international rugby fixtures.

They are Yeovil (November 19), Bournemouth (February 4), Walsall (March 11) and Brentford (March 18).

GARRY MONK has called on Swansea City fans to turn their new home into a fortress as they prepare for life in League One.
Kenny Jackett's side will open their 2005-06 campaign at their new state-of-the-art stadium at Morfa with a testing fixture against Tranmere, who reached the play-offs last term.

And Swans defender Monk wants the club's followers to recreate the atmosphere at Morfa that often made the Vetch Field such an intimidating venue for the opposition.

"The new stadium is unbelievable, but now we've got to make it our home," he said.

"Hopefully the crowd can turn it into a fortress. If we have a good start then they will get right behind us.

"My experience of the fans here is that they don't have too much of a problem being loud," he smiled.

The old Vetch, with its vociferous North Bank, was like a 12th man for Swansea, and Monk hopes the new 20,000-capacity stadium will prove just as daunting for the visitors.

But he admits the impressive Morfa venue could lift the opposition as much as it does the Swans.

"I remember playing at new stadiums myself and it can lift you and your game," he said.

"Teams could come to the Morfa, see the arena and be lifted by it, so it can hinder the home side.

"We've just got to stick to our game-plan, make sure it works and get the crowd behind us. We have to give them something to cheer about."

Monk took a closer look at the Swans' impressive new home earlier this week for the launch of the club's new strip, made by Italian firm Macron.

"The last time the players were here there was still a lot of work to be done. Now it's complete, it's a great sight," he said.

"Imagine this place full with Swansea fans - it will be absolutely unbelievable."

Jackett's men have been given a tricky introduction to League One. After Tranmere, they travel to Colchester and Huddersfield.

Doncaster then visit Morfa before the Swans face Walsall at the Bescot Stadium. August ends with a home clash against Barnsley.

Nottingham Forest visit Swansea on September 24 with the return trip to the City Ground on February 11.

As for the Severnside derby, they face Bristol City at home on September 10 with the trip to Ashton Gate on January 28.

There are two M4 treks over Christmas, first at Brentford on Boxing Day and then Swindon on New Year's Eve.

"I think we've got the nucleus of a squad that can compete in League One. If we add a few more faces then we can go on to better things," explained Bedford-born Monk.

"I've played at this level before and the difference between this division and League Two is in the final third.

"The centre-forwards in this division are a lot better than the ones in League Two.

"I think we can surprise a few people, like we did at the end of last season. People didn't think we were going to go up, but we did.

"There are a group of players here who want to play for one another. We like each other, there are no grumbles inside the dressing room.

"After last season we're very keen to get out there again and have another good year."

Monk describes League One in 2005-06 as the closest for years.

"If you look at the teams in this league, it's the tightest it has been for a long time. There are some really good teams in it," he said.

"It's going to be really tight. There are 15 teams who can do really well. I just hope we're one of them and that we're right up there challenging."

The 26-year-old signed for Swansea last summer and was an integral part of the promotion-winning side.

"When I came here this time last year I could see the potential at the club. The way the gaffer (Jackett) and the chairman (Huw Jenkins) were talking, you could see they were ambitious and wanted to take the club forward.

"Here we are in League One, but the hard work continues. We've got to push on."

Swansea City will kick off a new era with a home game against Tranmere Rovers on the opening day of next season.


Brian Little's highly-fancied side will provide stiff opposition in the first league match to be staged at Swansea's new 20,500-capacity stadium at Morfa on August 6.

Tranmere, who ended Swansea's memorable 2004 FA Cup run, missed out on promotion to the Championship in the play-offs last season and begin this campaign as third favourites behind Nottingham Forest and Bristol City to go up.

Kenny Jackett's men must then go on the road to Colchester United, 15th in the division last season, and Huddersfield, another side tipped to challenge at the top next term, as they bid to find their feet in League One in a testing first week.

Swansea face another long trip to another of May's play-off losers, Brentford, on Boxing Day, while Gillingham come to Morfa on December 28.

In a packed festive period, Swansea go to Swindon on New Year's Eve before hosting Port Vale on January 2.

Two-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest head for South Wales on September 24, while Jackett's side make the eagerly-awaited trip to the City Ground in February.

After the joys of Bury in 2004-5, their final fixture of the season is away from home for the second season running, this time against outsiders Chesterfield.

Forest begin life in the third tier of English football for the first time since 1951 with a home clash against Huddersfield, and last season's League Two champions Yeovil face a trip to Oldham.

Fellow promoted clubs Southend play Port Vale at home while Scunthorpe travel to the capital to face Brentford.

Swansea City have tabled a £60,000 bid for Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley. And chairman Huw Jenkins is more hopeful than ever that a deal for Rushden & Diamonds player Andy Burgess will soon go through.

Kenny Jackett revealed last weekend that Fulham had rejected Swansea's bid to take Pratley on a season-long loan, while he has been tracking Burgess for months.

Now the Swansea boss hopes both could arrive imminently to fill the two midfield vacancies he highlighted earlier in the summer.

''We've made an offer of £60,000 for Darren Pratley and we're awaiting a reply,'' chairman Huw Jenkins explained.

''We made an initial approach to see what their response would be and they took it to mean we were requesting a loan deal.

''But Kenny rates Darren very highly so we've clarified the situation by making a firm offer.

''(Fulham manager) Chris Coleman said originally he wanted to review things further in pre-season, but hopefully he will say yes now.

''If not we'll keep trying and something may happen in the long term rather than the short.''

Having seen a £75,000 bid for Burgess snubbed in January, Swansea went back with an £80,000 offer earlier this month.

''We struggled to communicate with Rushden to begin with, but we've been talking to them every day recently and they seem to be more flexible than they were,'' Jenkins went on.

''We've spoken about various figures and there are still one or two things to clear up.

''There are things attached to Andy's contract that need to be sorted out with Rushden, too, but we are more optimistic now that something might soon be done.''

The versatile Burgess, 23, is being tracked by a clutch of clubs having requested a transfer at Nene Park, where his contract expires next summer.

Pratley, a dynamic youngster known for his athleticism, impressed while on loan at Brentford at the back end of last season.

Swansea, meanwhile, have not given up hope of capturing striker Grant Holt, though there is little sign of a deal being struck with Rochdale.

''We haven't gone cool on Grant Holt the player, we've gone a bit cool on Rochdale's response to our approach,'' Jenkins added.

''They seem quite happy to let his contract run down so they'll end up losing him for nothing next summer. That seems strange to us, but we may have to look elsewhere.

''I've no doubt that things will start to happen in the transfer market in the next couple of weeks.''

Cardiff are set to secure the services of Northern Ireland international Jeff Whitley following his release from Sunderland.

The Zambia-born former Manchester City midfielder played a key role in the Black Cats' promotion last term and was manager Mick McCarthy's first signing when he took over at the Stadium of Light two years ago.

The 30-year-old is now set to become Dave Jones's first signing as Ninian Park chief .

Swansea City's new three-year kit deal with Macron is worth more than £250,000 to the club. Swansea unveiled their retro-style home strip along with two training jerseys at Morfa.

A black away kit will follow soon, probably when new shirt sponsors are finalised.

And the club plan to release a third shirt commemorating their move from Vetch Field to a new 20,500-capacity home before Christmas.

''We feel this is another step forward for us,'' said Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins.

Gianluca Pavanello, chief executive of Bologna-based Macron, added: ''We're very proud to be technical sponsor of Swansea City, our first British club.

''We will put all our efforts into helping Swansea and we hope this will be the start of a long relationship.''

None of the new kit will be available until a new club shop has opened at Morfa, probably in around a month's time ahead of the pre-season meeting with Fulham - Alan Curtis's testimonial match - on July 23.

BRIAN LITTLE admits Tranmere face a tough examination when they kick off the season at newly promoted Swansea City.

It will be the first competitive game at the Swans' new 20,500-seater stadium, which has still to be named.

Rovers, again one of the favourites for promotion to the Championship, then have two home games against old rivals Blackpool and Oldham before difficult trips to Brentford and Chesterfield.

After an extended pre-season schedule, Little insists his players will hit the ground running against Kenny Jack-ett's Swansea.

The manager said: "It will be a difficult one for us. It's always going to be hard away from home on the first day of the season. Swansea have just come up to this division and have a new ground.

"It won't be an easy game for us, but we have last season's experience to look back on.

"We were a pre-season game short when we went to Peter-borough. This time round the extra games we have in pre-season will make sure we are a yard sharper.

"Whatever the result at Swansea, it won't be a true reflection on how the season pans out for either side. Last season Peterborough beat us, but they ended up being relegated while we finished third."

Little, who is currently on holiday, will study the fixtures in detail when he returns to the office on Monday. So far he has only focused on Tranmere first and last four matches.

Their run-in includes trips to Colchester and MK Dons, plus a home game with Bristol City. On the final day of the season they entertain Doncaster at Prenton Park.

"We are at home on the last day against a side who I think will have a good season," said Little.

"I would hope that something important is riding on that and the Bristol game."

The manager is also hopeful that some fixtures can be rear-ranged after Rovers won all five of their Friday night matches last season.

"I'm sure it will be on the agenda to get some Friday games again," he said.

SWANSEA CITY have tabled a £60,000 bid for Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley, it emerged yesterday.

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins made the offer to the Premiership outfit on Tuesday and is waiting for a response from Cottagers chief Chris Coleman.

The League One new boys have already had bids for Rushden and Diamonds midfielder Andy Burgess and Rochdale striker Grant Holt turned down in recent weeks.

So Jenkins is hoping for some third-time luck with 20-year-old Pratley, who has made two senior outings for Fulham.

He is also confident he can come to an agreement with Rushden for Burgess this week.

"We've made an offer for Darren Pratley. We've offered £60,000 and we're waiting for a reply," revealed Jenkins.

"Hopefully Fulham will come back with a 'yes.' If not we will keep trying on this one because Kenny (Swans manager Kenny Jackett) rates him quite highly."

Pratley enjoyed a successful three-month loan spell at League One club Brentford last season and helped the Bees reach the play-offs where they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday.

The previous season he made two substitute outings for Fulham - against Wigan in the Carling Cup and against Charlton in the Premiership.

Jenkins dismissed talk that he wants to sign Pratley on a season-long loan basis, insisting he wants to buy the player outright.

"We made an initial approach to Fulham to test the water as far as signing Darren is concerned," explained the Swans supremo.

"We wanted to see what their response would be so we made an enquiry. That was taken as wanting to sign him on loan which isn't the case.

"We were asking if a deal can be done and we followed that up this week with an offer."

Pratley's future is now in the hands of former Swans favourite Coleman who has said he wants to take a closer look at his former reserve team skipper.

"Chris Coleman did make the point of saying he wanted to have him in his squad for pre-season training and then review his position," explained Jenkins.

But Jenkins said he is not panicking after so far failing to add to the Swansea squad.

"We've got the nucleus of a side that can compete in League One. We possibly need three or four signings to add to what we've got," he said.

"We are in the fortunate position of not having to hurry into anything, but I'm sure over the next couple of weeks things will intensify."

SWANSEA city chairman Huw Jenkins has offered manager Kenny Jackett and defender Sam Ricketts new deals that will keep them at the Welsh club until 2008.

Jackett is expected to sign a new two-year contract when he returns from his Uefa pro-licence course next week.

Jenkins is keen to keep hold of the former Queens Park Rangers No 2 after he led the Swans into League One in his first full season at the helm.

Jackett and Jenkins agreed a new contract verbally last week. And the 43-year-old will put pen to paper when he returns to work at the Morfa Stadium.

The Swans supremo will also meet with 23-year-old Ricketts this week about the prospect of extending his contract.

The former Telford left-back was one of the stars of Swansea's promotion triumph last season and he capped a fairy-tale year by breaking into the Wales set-up.

Ricketts has won three caps under new Wales boss John Toshack and he was also named in the League Two team of the season for 2004-05.

The ex-Oxford player signed a two-year deal with the Swans when he left Telford for the Vetch in May 2004. There is a clause in the contract allowing the player to renegotiate the deal if Swansea went up.

"It is very pleasing to have agreed a new deal with Kenny, but it was something that I did anticipate," said Jenkins.

Jackett snapped up Ricketts on a free transfer after Conference outfit Telford went into liquidation.

The man from Aylesbury made 50 outings for the Swans last term and he made the headlines in January when Toshack named the League Two man in his squad to face Hungary in a Millennium Stadium friendly.

"We are meeting this week and, hopefully, we can get things sorted," said Jenkins.

Meanwhile, the Swans have ended their interest in Torquay striker Adebayo Akinfenwa because he is under 24 and will command a transfer fee.

Jackett wants to bring in a new forward in time for the big kick-off on August 6 and had targeted the former Barry Town player, who hit 16 goals for the Devon club last season, even though they were relegated from League One. Akinfenwa will be a free agent this summer after refusing to sign a new contract at Plainmoor but, after discovering he will not be available on a free, Jackett has decided to look elsewhere.

And neither will the Swans be signing Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley on loan after the move was rejected by Cottagers chief Chris Coleman.

Premiership new boys West Ham are tracking Swansea City star Sam Ricketts. The Evening Post understands the Hammers have targeted the Welsh international defender as they bid to build a squad capable of surviving in the top flight next season.

Boss Alan Pardew has already signed Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll since steering the Upton Park club through the Championship play-offs.

And he revealed plans last week to add at least four more new faces having been handed a £20million summer transfer kitty.

For a player operating in League Two last season, Ricketts would command a substantial fee - but he would be a relatively cheap option in Premiership terms.

With his current deal due to expire next summer, the 23-year-old began negotiations over extending his Swansea contract last week and is due for further talks with chairman Huw Jenkins in the next few days.

But should West Ham firm up their interest, their lure could prove too strong for a man who was playing Conference football a year ago.

Arguably Kenny Jackett's best Swansea signing, he graduated from non-leaguer to international thanks to a string of fine displays on either side of the back four.

Many observers tipped him for a move up the leagues after he took the step up to John Toshack's Wales team in his stride and it seems those predictions could be about to come true.

West Ham have not yet registered their interest with Swansea and Jenkins is remaining defiant.

"There's not much to say because nobody from West Ham has made any contact with us about Sam," he said.

Worryingly, perhaps, Swansea had expected to conclude Ricketts's contract talks at the first attempt but could not reach an agreement.

But Jenkins added: "As far as we're concerned we're ploughing ahead this week to get his deal extended.

"He's our player next year anyway."

Swansea, meanwhile, were today set to unveil their new home and away strips for next season.

The retro-style shirts are a throwback to those worn in the John Toshack era, with a round collar and a central badge.

The home kit is white with black trim, while the away colours go back to black with white trim after last season's red shirt.

Made by Italian suppliers Macron, the shirts have arrived in Wales but are not likely to go on sale until well into next month because Swansea have no club shop and as yet no sponsor has been finalised.

It is hoped a shop shared with the Ospreys will open at the new stadium ahead of Alan Curtis's testimonial match with Fulham on July 23.

"We are governed by the contractors on this one and they have promised it will be open before the Fulham game," a spokesman said.

The Swans' Quadrant store is owned by former kit suppliers Bergoni and is expected to close on July 2.

Kenny Jackett has agreed a new contract to extend his tenure as Swansea City manager.
The former Watford midfielder has been rewarded with an extension after guiding The Swans into League One.

His present deal is due to expire next summer but he has shaken hands on a contract to keep him at The Vetch Field until 2008.

Jackett confirmed that talks have been fruitful and he has reached an accord to stay in the job he took on in April last year.

"We've agreed a new contract verbally although I haven't signed it yet," Jackett told Wales On Sunday.

"I'm away on a course next week completing my Uefa Pro licence so it will be a case of as and when I sign it but hopefully it will be done soon."

Jackett is also looking to strengthen his squad ahead of next season and had targeted Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley.

The Swans chief wanted to sign the youngster on a season-long loan but his opposite number Chris Coleman has knocked back the request for the time being.

SWANSEA City boss Kenny Jackett has agreed terms on a new contract, writes ANDY ROSE.
The former QPR and Watford assistant has been an overwhelming success after steering City to promotion in his first season in charge.

And with just 12 months left on Jackett's existing deal, Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has moved swiftly to secure his services on a long-term basis.

Jackett has been handed a new two-year deal which will tie him to the League One club until 2008.

"We've agreed a new contract verbally although I haven't signed it yet," said Jackett.

"I'm away on a course next week completing my Uefa Pro licence so it will be a case of as and when I sign it but hopefully it will be done soon."

The deal comes less than a week after assistant manager Kevin Nugent also agreed a new contract to stay on as Jackett's right-hand man for another year.

The 36-year-old striker will remain on the books as a player.

KENNY JACKETT admits he made mistakes last season - but then again, too few to mention.
The Swansea City boss won promotion on the final day of a memorable first season in charge.

And while he has already targeted a repeat performance in League One this time around, Jackett insists he won't be tempted to tinker too much with his own managerial approach.

"The summer is the time to look back and assess the good and bad things you did and the direction the club is going in," said Jackett.

"Last season taught me that the margins between success and failure are so small. That was probably the biggest single thing I learnt.

"Quite often when we lost it was only by a small percentage and sometimes when we won it was by just getting our noses in front.

"If you lose five per cent it can have a big impact, whether that be in your fitness, attitude or organisation.

"But to find that five per cent from somewhere takes a hell of a lot of work, which means that every little bit counts.

"Without doubt I can look back at mistakes I made throughout last season, but I couldn't stand here and pinpoint a single particular one and say that was my biggest.

"I look at games where tactically we didn't do as well as we could have and where perhaps a change of formation or a different team selection would have helped me.

"But you are always going to lose games as a manager and then look at your own performance and start to pull it apart. I won't change a lot about my approach next season even though we have stepped up into a higher league and have a lot of tough fixtures ahead of us."

Jackett clearly loves the fact that a tough job just got tougher.

But his enthusiasm for the trials and tribulations that lie ahead mirrors the upbeat atmosphere currently flowing through Wales' most upwardly-mobile club.

While Cardiff and Wrexham continue to struggle both on and off the pitch, it is all systems go for the Swans.

Now safely ensconced in a stunning new 20,000-seater stadium after 93 years at the soon-to-be demolished Vetch, the air of anticipation within the sparkling corridors is palpable.

Jackett is still getting accustomed to his plush new surroundings after a family holiday in Disneyworld, Florida.

But he admits he's brimming with excitement, having left one Magic Kingdom for another. "It feels a little surreal being here right now," he said. "But we are well on our way to getting settled in and being here at the new stadium really brings it home to you just where this club is heading.

"It's a fantastic stadium, even on the quiet days when there is no-one here and I'm sure the players and fans will all love it. It's a big step up and adds to our pulling power as a club.

"But to be honest, even when I was trying to sign players last year I didn't take any of them to the Vetch. I met them here so they could see our potential."

Having shaken hands on a new two-year contract extension, Jackett has already been busy trying to bolster his troops ahead of the August 31 transfer deadline - but so far to no avail.

Bids for Rochdale hitman Grant Holt and Rushden and Diamonds midfielder Andy Burgess have been turned down - with Jackett weighing up whether to go back in for the pair.

Former on-loan Bristol City winger Marc Goodfellow remains a target and Swansea have also sounded out want-away Torquay striker Adebayo Akinfenwa over the possibility of a move.

Jackett though has pledged to choose wisely as he searches for reinforcements.

"We've hit the buffers in terms of signing people and it's been a frustrating couple of weeks because we haven't been able to sign anyone," he said. "But when we do get someone in I will ensure they are the right players who can both take us forward and fit into our wage scale.

"Team spirit is such a big thing for me because without it you've got nothing. I want to retain what we've got at all costs and keep working hard at it.

"We were hard to play against last season and difficult to beat and I was very pleased with the character in the squad.

"Whenever we had a bad game or a bad spell we bounced back very well, which is vital.

"As a player and manager you don't have to accept losing, but you do have to understand that things will not always go your way and then it is all about how you come back.

"It's very important to me that we retain that spirit and character within the squad, whoever I bring in."

Jackett is in familiar territory in League One having previously helped to guide both QPR and Watford out of the division as an assistant manager.

The route he must take this time around will become clearer on Thursday when the fixture lists are published.

But Jackett will spend the week in the Midlands completing his Uefa pro coaching licence.

With batteries now thoroughly recharged, Jackett added: "It's an exciting time; I can't wait to get started."

And if the record-breaking season ticket sales are anything to go by neither can the fans.

Fulham midfielder Darren Pratley will not be joining Swansea on a season-long loan deal after the move was rejected by manager Chris Coleman.
Pratley impressed during a temporary stay at Brentford last season, and Swans boss Kenny Jackett had made the 20-year-old a top target for his side's League One campaign.

However, Jackett told BBC Sport: "I enquired about Pratley - a strong, box-to-box midfielder - but that one is a no-go at the moment."