Swansea City will be looking to take their next major step towards another record achievement at London Road on Monday when they face Barry Fry's Peterborough in the first game of the new Millennium (3pm).

With manager John Hollins expected to be named the Third Division Manager-of-the Month next week following five straight wins in December, his players will be looking to break their second record of the season.

Having already smashed John Toshack's 1982 record with eight consecutive clean sheets, Swansea's next target is the longest sequence of League wins.

That was a record set back in 1961 when manager Trevor Morris led a Town team sporting the likes of Mel Nurse, Herbie Williams, Len Allchurch and Barry Jones to eight consecutive League wins.

Victory for Swansea at 12th-placed Peterborough will stretch their winning run to seven games, with the chance of equalling the record against Hartlepool a week tomorrow at Vetch Field.

"Let's get Peterborough out of the way first," declared Hollins whose side have the best defensive record in the Football League and Premiership with just 14 goals conceded in 24 games.

"Barry Fry is a character who can inspire a lot of people and I know he will be desperate to end our unbeaten run.

"I still don't think we are playing as well as we can. If we can do better then we might start winning games with a lot less tension.

"But if we've got to keep on winning the tense way then so be it. And if the fans keep turning out like they did against Plymouth then even better.

"But I'm not going to set any targets for a year down the road because if you start aiming too far ahead you can get your legs kicked from under you.

"I think we've turned a few corners. We've just got to make sure we keep turning the right corners."

Hollins was waiting on medical reports on striker Julian Alsop and midfield engine Damian Lacey today after both players limped off in the 1-0 win over Plymouth.

Alsop left the ground wearing a neck brace after taking a knock from behind, while Lacey suffered two dead legs as Swansea stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games and 12-and-a-half hours without conceding a goal.

Peterborough are likely to be without midfield starlets Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington who are on the verge of being sold to Spurs for a combined fee of £1.2m, while striker Howard Forinton is struggling with a back injury.

Fry, meanwhile, paid his opposite number the ultimate tribute ahead of the clash.

Walter Boyd paid tribute to his Swansea City team-mates today for lifting him from the depths of despair to become a Vetch Field hero again.

The Jamaican striker struck the only goal of the game yesterday to earn Swansea a 1-0 win over Plymouth — just 48 hours after scoring the winner at Leyton Orient on Boxing Day.

But Boyd, back after a three-match suspension following his quick-fire red card against Darlington last month, laid all the credit at the feet of his flu-stricken Vetch Field colleagues.

"When I was sent-off against Darlington I was extremely depressed, really down," admitted Boyd.

"I didn't even know if I would be able to come back and play like I am after that.

"But after the game the guys all rallied round and told me not too take it too hard and hold my head up high.

"They encouraged me from training session to training session. They lifted me up and put me back on track and I'm grateful to them for that.

"They are quite remarkable and if I was at another club I don't think I would have made it back after that sending-off. They made it a lot easier for me."

Boyd's fifth League goal of the season moved Swansea up to joint-second with Rotherham and just one point off leaders Barnet.

And according to Boyd there's more to come.

"Things can only get better. The team is playing well in all sections of the field and if we can keep it up I don't think there will be any problem in making it through to the Second Division," he added.

"It's a team game and defensively we've been magnificent. They take the pressure off the likes of me and when I get a chance that's what I'm there for to score.

"I think I'm getting conditioned to the weather and the pace of the game now. The cold is not so much of a problem and I'm feeling better and better.

"I'm more confident in myself and the fans have been great. I'm just pleased they are happy with the way we are playing and winning.

"The main target now is to keep on winning, top spot and promotion. Swansea is a beautiful place at Christmas time and I intend to be around in the summer celebrating promotion in the warm weather."

As for Boyd's ambitious 35-goal target, the Jamaican added: "I'm just looking forward to the next game and scoring as many goals as possible.

"There's a couple of games left and you can never say never."

Swansea's next task will come at Peterborough on Monday where manager John Hollins will be looking for Julian Alsop and Damian Lacey to shake off knocks sustained in yesterday's encounter in front of a bumper 9,000 crowd.

Walter gives us a white Christmas

Reggae Boy wonder Walter Boyd chose the biggest Vetch occasion of the season to produce another Christmas hit that keeps his side in the top three of the Third Division charts.

If scoring the only goal of the game at Leyton Orient wasn't enough for the Jamaican to announce his return on the club scene, Boyd rammed the point home again in front of a bumper festive gate of 9,075.

Boyd may have been the fortunate benefactor of the flu blug that has swept through the Vetch Field like wildfire and ruled out first-choice striker Steve Watkin, but the former World Cup star has taken his opportunity with both feet — first the right at Orient and then the left against Plymouth.

After his quick-fire dismissal against Darlington last month and then his disciplinary drop from the squad for his late arrival against Colchester, this time Boyd is making the headlines for all the right reasons after earning Swansea their sixth consecutive League victory.

Boyd's 67th-minute strike was also enough to extend Swansea's unbeaten run into double figures, their clean-sheet bonus to eight games and push them into joint second place with Rotherham.

"I don't expect anything less from Walter," declared Swansea manager John Hollins. "He's a good pro who has worked hard and kept himself sharp while he's been out of the side."

It may not have been an over-convincing performance from Swansea, especially in the opening half, but once again it was that single goal that proved crucial to their success against a Plymouth side who impressed enough to suggest that they'll be in there battling for a play-off place come the end of the season.

Of Swansea's last six successes, five have come courtesy of 1-0 wins, more so on the back of a defence which can now boast the best record in the Third Division with just 14 goals conceded in 24 games.

To hammer the point home, Swansea haven't conceded a League goal for 750 minutes — that's 12 and a half hours to be precise.

"That's what defending is all about," added Hollins. "It makes you hard to beat and enabled us to pick up two tremendous results over Christmas, especially when you consider we've been ravaged by flu."

It could have been so different, though, had Swansea not enjoyed the rub of the green at times and goalkeeper Roger Freestone not been on top of his game in crucial periods of the match.

With just five minutes gone the Swansea keeper pulled off a superb save from Ian Stonebridge as the home side struggled to get their game together.

Five minutes later Michael Howard had to clear a goal-bound header off the line from skipper Mick Heathcote before former Swansea striker Sean McCarthy snapped a shot just over.

It was alarming stuff for the home support as Swansea took 20 minutes to get into any sort of stride.

In fact it was Plymouth who played most of the first-half football with wide men Jon Beswetherick, Chris Hargreaves and Paul McGregor a constant threat, along with the experienced McCarthy and the young Stonebridge up front.

"I wasn't that happy with our first-half performance," admitted Hollins. Swansea's first sign of life was when Boyd worked an opening 25 yards out before firing just wide.

It lifted Swansea briefly, but it was Plymouth who still looked the more likely to make the breakthrough as Matthew Bound was forced to clear another goal-bound effort off the line in the 33rd minute from Beswetherick.

Michael Keegan, in for flu-suffering Jason Price, showed encouraging flashes down the right as his cross picked out Damian Lacey on the stroke of half-time, but his flick header was never going to trouble Ken Veysey in the Plymouth goal.

Bound did fire a free-kick just over the bar before the interval whistle went, but it was only the arrival of Steve Watkin from the substitutes' bench in the 50th minute that started to turn the tide in Swansea's favour.

Watkin, another flu victim, replaced the injured Julian Alsop and immediately started to make Swansea tick in the right areas.

And it was Watkin who created Swansea's best chance in the 57th minute when he worked his way neatly to the byline. Jonathan Coates met his cross with a shot which Veysey beat into the path of Boyd whose effort was cleared off the line by Beswetherick.

Price's appearance off the bench also helped to lift Swansea's game before Boyd eventually struck the crucial blow 23 minutes from time. Howard, who had a sound game at left-back, made a powerful run forward before finding Boyd on the edge of the area.

The Jamaican made space for himself again to fire a powerful left-foot shot which Veysey could not keep out of the far corner despite getting a good hand to the ball.

Plymouth, as expected, came back strongly after Boyd's fifth league goal of the season and probably would have got something for their troubles had it not been for Freestone.

The Swansea keeper denied McCarthy in the 72nd minute with his second crucial save before tipping another tremendous effort from McGregor over the bar four minutes later.

"When we need him Roger is always there," beamed Hollins.

All that was left was for Jason Smith to force Veysey into a late save at the other end from a Coates corner and Swansea to breath a huge sigh of relief when McCarthy's injury-time claim for a penalty fell on deaf ears.

"Stevie Wonder would have seen the shirt pulling," blasted McCarthy. But when you are on the sort of roll Swansea are enjoying, those decisions rarely go against you.

Swans still can't afford to relax

John Hollins issued his side with a Millennium warning as Swansea City saw out the century in winning mode.

As Swansea extended their unbeaten run to 10 games, Hollins warned:

"We can't afford to relax.

"We need to maintain our standards because if we let them drop then the wheels will fall off.

"We've got to get as many results on the board before someone else goes on a run. There's no doubt about it that someone will come and make it extremely hard for us.

"It's still not over by a long way."

Despite Swansea recording their sixth consecutive league victory, Hollins is still looking for his side to step up another gear in their pursuit of perfection.

"I wasn't that happy with our first-half performance," added Hollins. "But we started to make the home advantage tell after the interval.

"I always felt the goal was coming, but I thought it would have come earlier. But when it came it was quality.

"It was nice to get the win in front of such a big crowd. It was like the good old days again with everyone on the edge of their seats.

"While I still don't think we've played particularly well, even during this unbeaten run, what has been encouraging is the way the players have pulled each other through during our flu problems.

Swansea fought off their own Millennium bug yesterday to break a much-wanted 17-year-old club record.

Three first-team regulars — Steve Watkin, Jason Price and Jonathan Coates — were all missing from action with flu, and full-backs Steve Jones and Michael Howard pulled themselves off their sick beds to join the team on the bus as John Hollins's team extended their unbeaten run to nine.

But it was John Toshack's 1982 side's record the players and manager John Hollins wanted.

Toshack's team went six games without conceding a goal and Hollins's team were determined to beat it after equalling it against Micky Adams's Brighton last week.

A win was always likely when Walter Boyd wrote another chapter in his Boyd's Own novel after only five minutes.

The Jamaican international announced his return following his controversial sending off against Darlington last month with another gem of a goal.

He collected a pass from Julian Alsop after Jones had flicked on a long Roger Freestone clearance and worked the ball from his more favoured left foot on to his right and let fire with a 25-yard blast which screamed past Scott Barrett.

Somehow it seemed Boyd would always score, you can never keep this lively Reggae Boy out of the headlines.

And Orient probably thought that was it as well. Under fire manager Tommy Taylor has not seen his team score a goal at home in the league since October 19. So you can forgive him for thinking his team was on for another defeat.

But even if Taylor did think that (which is not his style), his team refused to throw in the towel in a storming show which threatened to spoil Swansea's belated Christmas party.

In fact, Roger Freestone was the first of the two keepers to be tested, as early as the fourth minute.

A strong wind was swirling around the Matchroom Stadium, at Brisbane Road, and Freestone was grateful to eventually grab hold of a Steve Watts' header from under the bar.

Some of the home crowd and players thought the ball had crossed the line but Premiership referee Graham Barber waved the appeals away.

Following Boyd's wonder strike Freestone was also strong under pressure from a corner to preserve the clean sheet.

The long-serving keeper has been the cornerstone of the run without conceding a goal and he was superb again after 29 minutes to push away a low free-kick from Orient danger man Matthew Lockwood and get up in time to put Watts under pressure as he tried to squeeze home the rebound.

Lockwood was providing the ammunition for Watts and fellow striker Carl Griffiths but the Welsh under-21 was also firing blanks on his return to Brisbane Road after resigning from Port Vale, in fact, the only time Griffiths entered the referee's notebook was when he was booked him for dissent.

Lockwood caused problems down the left-flank and it was his superb free-kick which almost resulted in an equaliser after 39 minutes.

The winger whipped the ball across and Watts powered his header just wide of the target.

Twelve months ago on Boxing Day, Orient were leading 1-0 before Swansea snatched a late equaliser but it was the visitors who went in ahead at half-time to a rousing cheer from the superb travelling supporters.

"That support was amazing,'' said manager John Hollins.

"There must have been around 2,000 and to travel down on Boxing Day was fantastic. We all really appreciate that.''

After the break Freestone was again the busier keeper and it took only three minutes to again show why he is rated one of best keepers outside the Premiership.

The ex-Chelsea star was on his toes to tip over a curling free-kick from Orient skipper Dean Smith.

Boyd almost nicked in to double the lead four minutes later but he just failed to latch on to a bad back pass which Barrett missed completely.

Then it was Orient's turn to be denied as the post came to Freestone's rescue from Wim Walschaerts's fantastic 25-yard drive on 65 minutes.

But the big keeper can take credit for blocking Lockwood's fierce drive two minutes later as Orient threw everything at the Swansea defence.

Up front, Swansea always had the release valve of Walter Boyd and he almost wrapped up the points on 70 minutes.

He broke clear on to Howard's long ball and showed great skill to work the ball on to his right foot. He hit a powerful shot 15 yards out but this time Barrett was equal to it and saved well.

As time wore on the Swansea flu bug seemed to be taking its toll but their fighting spirit shone through as first Nick Cusack and then Jason Smith cleared off their own line with Freestone beaten.

Swansea City's birthday boys Nick Cusack and Steve Jones will be looking for a belated present on Boxing Day.

Skipper Cusack, 34 today, and Jones, 29 tomorrow, would love to extend their celebrations after the match against Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road (noon).

Both have played a major part in the eight-match unbeaten run — and nine hours without conceding a goal — that John Hollins's side have strung together to climb into fourth place in the Third Division table.

The influential Cusack, scored the goal that set Swansea on the way to the 2-0 home win over Brighton last weekend while Jones has been an integral part of the defence which has helped equal the club record of six games without being breached.

His contribution, along with that of Michael Howard, Jason Smith, Matthew Bound and goalkeeper Roger Freestone. will be vital if Swansea are are to take that impressive sequence one game further.

With Orient stuck at the foot of the division, manager Hollins will instil into his players that there will be no giveaways even at this time of year.

Swansea City were getting down to the serious business of Christmas today . . . preparing to take three points off Leyton Orient on Boxing Day.

Having recovered from the club party celebrations, manager John Hollins and his players switched their attention back to stretching the impressive run of form which has seen them climb from 13th to fourth in the Third Division.

It will be business as usual for the players with training tomorrow and again on Christmas morning before setting off for their London hotel.

Midfielder Martin Thomas misses the trip because of a one-match ban imposed for his sending-off at Hartlepool a fortnight ago, but on the credit side Walter Boyd becomes available after serving a three-game suspension.

SWANSEA City winger Richie Appleby has been transfer-listed a week after kicking a ball in the face of a linesman.

The 24-year-old former England Youth international was sent off in an FAW Premier Cup game against Cwmbran for deliberately kicking the ball twice in the face of linesman Ray Ellingham.

But according to Swansea manager John Hollins the incident is not related to Appleby's name going on the list. "It is nothing to do with that," said Hollins. "Richie wants a fresh start and a new challenge and he has been put on the list by mutual agreement."

According to Swansea chairman Steve Hamer, Appleby has a lot to offer a potential new club.

Swansea City have slapped 24-year-old midfielder Richie Appleby on the transfer list by mutual consent.

The move comes less than a week after Appleby's controversial dismissal at Cwmbran Town when he kicked the ball into the face of a linesman on two occasions during an FAW Premier Cup clash.

"It's got nothing to do with that at all," declared Swansea manager John Hollins. "I still haven't had the referee's report on the incident yet.

"The player came to me and felt he wanted a fresh start and a new challenge so he's been placed on the transfer list by mutual agreement.

"But he's still part of this club and will remain so until his contract expires or another club expresses an interest."

The former England Youth international was signed on a free transfer from Ipswich in July 1996 after serving as a trainee at Newcastle.

The Middlesbrough-born midfielder has made 98 League appearances in four seasons so far at Vetch Field, scoring 11 goals.

Appleby's temperament was called into question two seasons ago when he was sent off three times in a five-week spell before adding another yellow card to his record last season.

And as he waits for a stiff sentence from the Football Association of Wales over this latest incident at Cwmbran which could be classed as technical assault, Swansea chairman Steve Hamer admitted: "He's got a short fuse, but we thought he had come through his reckless phase and settled down.

John Toshack has backed his old club Swansea City as a good bet for promotion after watching them climb into fourth place in the Third Division.

The former Swansea legend was back at his former stamping ground on Saturday to witness Brighton crash 2-0 in an ill-tempered affair in the Vetch Field mud.

Swansea's most successful manager, shown the door by Spanish super-club Real Madrid nearly three weeks ago, saw the club's new breed equal a record of six consecutive clean sheets set under his reign back in 1982.

"Six games without conceding a goal, now that's a good sign if I've ever seen one," declared Toshack. "It's nice to see Swansea fourth from top and everyone excited again.

"It keeps the interest going and hopefully Swansea can go into the New Year and maintain the same form. I'm sure they can build on it and it would be nice to see them move up a division.

"At this level, Swansea have show over the last few seasons that they are a useful side. I know they just missed out last season in the play-offs, but this run will give them a lot of confidence and I'm sure they can finish in the top three and move up a level.

"I think it will be well deserved because I like John Hollins. He's a straight lad, intelligent, sensible and I'd love to see him take Swansea up."

Toshack's rare return to Vetch Field brought the memories flooding back to the glory days when he led the side out of the old Fourth Division and into the First by 1981.

Swansea City's Third Division clash with Brighton will go ahead at Vetch Field tomorrow despite the East Sussex club alerting the Football League of an injury and flu crisis.

Brighton, managed by former Swansea bosses Micky Adams and Alan Cork, contacted the League because 15 senior players are doubtful for the trip. "We've got a genuine crisis," explained Adams.

"I've got 11 players to put out, but only just."

Adams has called off the club's youth team game and put six of the youngsters on stand-by along with 35-year-old reserve-team coach Ian Culverhouse.

"I'm aware of the situation," confirmed Swansea's general manager Mike Lewis. "But as yet I have not had a request from Brighton to call the game off."

Swansea manager John Hollins was preparing as normal today in an attempt to move up from fifth and extend the unbeaten League run to eight games.

Hollins is also looking for his side to equal a club record set back in 1982 by recording their sixth consecutive clean sheet in the League.

Hollins is unlikely to make any changes to the side that won 1-0 at Hartlepool, with Richie Appleby added to the squad despite his midweek dismissal at Cwmbran.

The Swansea manager has slight doubts over midweek 'flu victims Ryan Casey and Lee Jenkins.

Swansea City: from Freestone, Jones (S), Howard, Smith, Bound, Coates, Cusack, Lacey, Price, Watkin, Alsop, Thomas, Casey, Jenkins, Mutton, Roberts, Appleby, Jones (J).

Swans have best defence in Third Division

As Swansea were digging in for their fifth consecutive clean sheet at the mud-soaked home of Hartlepool United last Saturday, it confirmed exactly what assistant manager Alan Curtis had been thinking for some time.

"As far as I'm concerned the pairing of Matthew Bound and Jason Smith are as good as anything in this division," declared Curtis.

"The fact that they are natural left and right footers blends comfortably to-gether.

"They are playing a massive part in our success and I haven't seen anything better in this division.

"Thinking about it, even when we've played teams from the Second Division and come up against defenders with big reputations and big transfer fees, they haven't been as good as our two."

"It was Matthew Bound who stole the show last season, commanding the back four with some colossal performances.

"But while the former Southampton and Stockport defender has been faultless again this season, it has been Smith who has shone like a beacon over recent weeks.

"Picked up from Tiverton Town for a measly £10,000, Smith built up a steady and sound reputation last season in his first full campaign back in the Football League after being released by Coventry City in 1998.

After five seasons at Highfield Road without a League appearance, the 25-year-old is determined to make up for lost time by stepping out of the shadow of his senior counterpart — especially if Bound fails to agree a new contract at the end of the season.

"If Jason can improve his distribution, and it's something we are working on, then there's no end to what he can achieve," added Curtis.

"He's a fantastic defender. He's got a bit of pace as well and he's getting more comfortable on the ball with every game.

"But it's not just about Smith and Bound because Michael Howard, Steve Jones and goalkeeper Roger Freestone have all been rock solid at the back in recent weeks."

Players still have point to prove

"When Micky first came here he told a few people they weren't fit and were basically hopeless," explained Cusack. "Whether it was to gee them up I don't know.

"I don't particularly favour that approach myself and I'm sure there will be a few people out to prove their point tomorrow."

Cusack is perfectly placed to talk about both Adams and his assistant Alan Cork after being under their managerial control at both Fulham and Swansea.

"It will be nice to see them both again," added Cusack.

"They've been through a bit of a rough patch at Brighton and they would have been working hard this week to put it right.

"Micky is a competitive character and he'll come here desperate to win,'' he added.

"But we'll do a professional job in a bid to get the three points, keep our run going and look for a top three place.

"The form guide says we should win easily, but it doesn't work like that."

Family Affair

Walton, son of Swansea's long-serving youth team coach Ron, picked up a yellow card last season for unsporting behaviour in a fiery 2-2 draw at Vetch Field.

The clash ended with an FAW inquiry, a hefty Swansea fine, a Julian Alsop red card and a jail sentence for one fan who jumped from the Centre Stand to hurl racist abuse and a fist at Brighton wing-back Michael Bennett.

Walton raced out of his goal to become involved in the nasty incident sparked by Alsop's dismissal for chopping down skipper Ian Culverhouse 17 minutes from time.

Swansea had taken the lead through a 25-yard drive by Steve Jones only for Ross Johnson to level matters 10 minutes after the interval with a fine header.

Steve Watkin put the home side back in front in the 71st minute with a brilliant finish from a move that swept the length of the field.

Swansea City winger Richie Appleby was branded a 'big-time Charlie' by former Welsh international Mark Aizlewood last night after his bizarre dismissal at Cwmbran Stadium.

Appleby was sent off 12 minutes from time for kicking the ball, not once but twice, into the face of linesman Ray Ellingham as young Swansea lost 2-1 to Cwmbran Town in the FAW Premier Cup.

"I was disappointed with his attitude throughout," said Aizlewood, Cwmbran's player-coach. "If he was as accurate with some of his passing as he was hitting the linesman then he would be in the first team.

"He's what we call a BTC — a big-time Charlie. But if you want to act like a big-time Charlie then you must have at least done something in the game to warrant it. He should remember that.

"He was sent off a few times last season, but he obviously hasn't learned his lesson."

It was the second time in the space of five days that Hollins has witnessed one of his players see red following Martin Thomas's dismissal at Hartlepool on Saturday, while Walter Boyd is still serving his suspension for that controversial quick-fire dismissal against Darlington last month.

"Hitting a linesman anywhere with the ball is something they don't like," said Hollins who apologised to the Cardiff official for Appleby's behaviour after the game.

"It looks like the linesman said he wanted the ball so he hooked it back and it hit him on the head. You can't do that.

"As far as I'm concerned it deserved a red card. The decision was right."

Hammerings will continue as pro giants are kept out in the cold

THE European ban on Welsh football's top clubs is just as big a kick in the teeth as France's "non" to British beef.

While Welsh farmers prepare for a frugal Christmas, the decision by UEFA to keep Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham out of their tournaments will mean little festive cheer for the entire Welsh game.

Not only are the leading three clubs denied the big gates and television revenue European matches would bring, but further down the food chain the minnows could soon go hungry from the knock-on effects.

BBC Wales have pumped pounds 1.5million into Welsh football by televising the FAW Premier Cup, but look set to turn off the tap after next year because the tournament lacks the carrot of Europe.

The FAW had pressed European bosses to allow the big three back for the sake of the future of Welsh football.

But those pleas fell on deaf ears as UEFA refused to budge from their ruling that clubs playing in the English pyramid system cannot use Welsh cup competitions as an avenue into Europe.

It means League of Wales sides such as Barry Town and Cwmbran - who lost 6-0 at home to Celtic in this season's UEFA Cup - will continue to carry the Welsh flag into Europe while full-time professional clubs sit and suffer.

Cardiff City secretary Ceri Whitehead admitted: "It is very frustrating and disappointing to hear the ban will remain.

"Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham have all enjoyed terrific campaigns in Europe and those matches are a big part of our history.

"Hopefully, the FAW will appeal against the decision which does the whole of Welsh football no good at all." Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea all enjoyed nights of glory in the Cup Winners' Cup along with Newport County.

It was a reward for winning the Welsh Cup and provided the excitement of Europe for fans as well as an education for young players.

But it all disappeared four years ago when UEFA banned any club outside the League of Wales from using the Welsh Cup as a route into Europe.

Merthyr, Newport and Colwyn Bay - who all chose to stay in English-based leagues - were also affected.

UEFA's argument is that all clubs have to play in their country's national league to qualify for Europe.

Otherwise, they claim, clubs across Europe could be tempted to seek qualification by hopping borders to play in the competitions of other countries. But the FAW have argued they should be made a special case and that either the traditional route of the Welsh Cup or the new Premier Cup should be open to all Welsh clubs, regardless of where they play league football.

After all, they point out, the Nationwide clubs have not suddenly upped sticks, but have been part of the English league for more than a century.

The FAW have also stressed to UEFA that the ban leaves the trio in limbo.

Even if giant-killers Wrexham battled all the way to Wembley and won the FA Cup, they would not be allowed to represent England in the UEFA Cup.

Dismayed FAW general secretary David Collins said: "Those three clubs are being barred on two fronts - but that doesn't seem to have held any sway with UEFA."

With the honourable exception of Barry Town, the European adventures of the rest of the League of Wales clubs have been a story of ritual slaughter, normally played out in front of tiny crowds.

Even though Celtic's fans swelled Cwmbran's gate to 9,000 at Ninian Park this season, a tie with Cardiff City would have doubled that figure.

The FAW have confirmed they are considering appealing to UEFA, but with no new facts to put before them it seems unlikely to succeed.

The only other way to get the European highway reopened would be for Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham to join the League of Wales.

But all three are aware that would be commercial suicide. Gates would be slashed and even with the prospect of regular European football they would probably be forced to go part-time.

Only by streamlining the League of Wales down to 12 clubs and attracting a major sponsor - along the lines of the Irish league - could a Welsh league hope to become an attractive proposition.

MEMORIES OF GLORY NIGHTS

WELSH clubs have never come near to lifting a European trophy - but there have been many feats of drama and triumph.

1982-83 SWANSEA 12 SLIEMA 0 (Cup Winners' Cup 1st round)

Eight different players got on the scoresheet as Swansea ran riot against Maltese side Sliema Wanderers at the Vetch Field.

TV ban up the Swanee

BBC bosses yesterday did a U-turn by inviting Britain's craziest soccer mascot to its prestigious Welsh Sports Personality of the Year show.

Programme chiefs caved in to popular demand by lifting the ban on Cyril the Swan, fearing he would disrupt the glitzy awards ceremony.

After protests from Swansea City fans, they decided to let Cyril be a guest at the show on January 10.

The City mascot is famous around the world for his flighty antics during the matches.

He has landed himself and the club in trouble several times, but has agreed to behave himself for the BBC Wales show.

A spokesman for BBC Wales said: "I can confirm that Cyril has been invited to the programme where he will be rubbing shoulders - or wings - with other big names in Welsh sport.

"Cyril's a personality and it wouldn't have been right to exclude him. We trust he will show the proper decorum for the occasion."

Cyril is hoping that he might even win the top award itself.

Bookmaker chain Jack Brown had Cyril's odds of winning the award at 100-1 but now the ban has been lifted, the odds have been slashed to 33-1.

Spokesman Karl Williams said: "We're delighted that the BBC has shown some common sense.

"He's done wonders for Swansea and the game in general.

"There are plenty of other mascots, but none as good as Cyril.

"The programme can be a bit predictable but not with Cyril there."

Rugby star Neil Jenkins is hot favourite at 1-6. Olympic athlete Colin Jackson 5-1, Ryan Giggs at 10-1, and snooker champ Mark Williams 20-1.

SWANSEA City can expect a backlash when they visit League of Wales side Cwmbran Town in the FAW Premier Cup tonight. Standing out from the Swans’ formidable 100 per cent record in the competition is their 7-0 annihilation of Cwmbran in October’s reverse fixture.

Swans have yet to concede a goal in this season’s BBC showcase but Crows manager Tony Willcox believes his side will have all the motivation they need for their last qualifying group encounter.

“We will want to restore a bit of pride after that result at the Vetch,” said Willcox.

“The players know they have to win to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals.”

Cwmbran’s Premier Cup results have failed to match their form in the League of Wales where they have been beaten once this season.

Their uphill task tonight will not be helped by the fact top scorer Deiniol Graham is unavailable.

Presuming yesterday’s reserve team fixture at Exeter City produced no injuries, Swansea manager John Hollins picks from a full squad, apart from suspended Jamaican striker Walter Boyd.

Martin Thomas and Michael Keegan hope to shake off flu to play a part in the clash.

Hollins will not be treating his opponents lightly but remained unimpressed by Cwmbran’s form.

“They were top of the league when we beat them 7-0 in October,” he said.

Swansea City will discover today whether Uefa will re-open their gateway into European football next season.

The Football Association of Wales has been waiting for nearly two months for Uefa to meet and discuss their request to allow the six exiled clubs to return to European competition.

Swansea, Cardiff City, Wrexham, Merthyr, Newport County and Colwyn Bay were all prohibited from playing in European club competition following the formation of the League of Wales.

But the FAW started pushing their case for reinstatement this season following pressure from BBC Wales who hold the television rights for the much-maligned FAW Premier Cup.

Arthur Emyr, head of BBC Wales sport, has warned the FAW that it may withdraw its £750,000-a-year backing unless the competition winner is granted European status by the end of next season.

The case for reinstatement will be heard at today's Uefa clubs competition committee.

"The fact that the clubs play in the English pyramid system is an obstacle we are trying to overcome," explained FAW secretary- general David Collins.

"We have stressed how detrimental it is to Welsh football that our top clubs are unable to represent Wales in Europe and pointed out the problems that it has caused."

If Uefa refuse to grant the FAW European recognition for a Premier Cup competition that is by invitation and not national, their other option would be to push for the six clubs to return to the Welsh Cup.

Swans stand by Thomas Swansea City were standing by their man today despite being left with no grounds to appeal against Martin Thomas's controversial red card at Hartlepool on Saturday.

The tough-tackling midfielder was shown his second yellow card just 16 minutes after coming off the substitutes' bench to help Swansea clinch an impressive 1-0 victory at Victoria Park.

Thomas was booked in the 84th minute for slowing down a Hartlepool free-kick, while he lunged with studs showing at defender Graeme Lee two minutes later.

Although Thomas withdrew his challenge and did not make contact with the defender, Yorkshire referee Kevin Lynch brandished his second red card of the afternoon Earlier Michael Barron was dismissed just before half-time for stamping on Steve Watkin.

"The referee probably had no option other than to book Martin for the first offence because of the way their striker overreacted," explained Swansea's assistant manager Alan Curtis.

"I'm not so sure about the second yellow.

"If you know Martin and the way he plays the game, then you know that's the type of challenge he goes in for.

"It was not meant to harm anybody. It was just a genuine attempt to win the ball.

"Maybe he mistimed it a bit because of the conditions and the fact he had just come on."

Swansea will look at the incident on video this week for their own peace of mind, but Football Association rules block any right of appeal against two yellow cards.