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Press cuttings |
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Friday, December 13, 2002 MCNAB DEMANDS RUSHDEN REPLAY |
| Exeter Express
Boss Neil McNab is not worried how Exeter City play tomorrow - so long as they take all three points from fellow relegation strugglers Swansea. |
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Friday, December 13, 2002 Flynn recruits two more loan players |
| Newspaper After seeing his side claw their way out of the relegation zone on Saturday, Swansea City director of football Brian Flynn has brought two more loan players to the club this week. Flynn has recruited Leeds striker Craig Stiens and West Ham midfielder Leon Britton. Britton, a classy 20-year-old midfielder, joined the Hammers for £400,000 from Arsenal when he was just 16, but is yet to make his senior debut. Steins is a big strong lad with a good pedigree Stiens, originally from the Swansea area, is a member of the Wales Under-19s team. Flynn told the club's official website: "We're going to take a look at him for the next fortnight and if we like what we see we could keep him for the whole year. "He's a big strong lad with a good pedigree. If he comes here it will be to further his career and help his development." One of the major reasons for bringing Flynn to the Vetch was his renowned ability to operate on a limited budget and make shrewd loan signings. The money to bring the youngsters in has been donated by the long-suffering Swans fans. Loan-signing Richards has had a positive impact on the team The benefits were clear to see in the 2-0 win over Shrewsbury, where on-loan Marc Richards and Alan Tate played leading roles. Flynn's bold 4-3-3 tactics were also widely praised, and it seems that the former Wrexham supremo is finally putting his mark on the Swansea squad. Unfortunately, Swansea face a long wait before they can hope to build on Saturday's victory. Their next game is not until December 14 when they visit Exeter City.
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Friday, December 13, 2002 Loan arrival Britton set for Swans debut |
| Western Mail LEON BRITTON is poised to make his Swansea City league debut at Exeter tomorrow after completing his loan signing from West Ham, writes Ian Hunt. The 20-year-old midfielder impressed in the friendly against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday and is expected to slot straight in for the Third Division basement battle at St James' Park.
Britton will be joined in the squad by 18-year-old Leeds United striker Craig Stiens - a former Swansea City schoolboy - whose loan move until the end of the season has also been completed. The Vetch Field revolving door was in full working order yesterday as Leigh De-Vulgt became the latest victim of director of football Brian Flynn's squad restructuring. The former Wales Under-21 defender, who made 27 appearances in three years with his home-town club, leaves Swansea after agreeing a settlement on the remaining seven months of his contract. "I told Leigh that he would benefit from moving on and trying to find himself a new club," said Flynn. "Telling players they're no longer part of your plans is an unpleasant part of the job, but Leigh is young enough to bounce back and forge a good career from the game." De-Vulgt follows Andrew Marsh, Michael Jackson and Jonathan Keaveny, who left the club last month. Their departure helped pave the way for the arrival on loan of Manchester United defender Alan Tate and Blackburn striker Marc Richards. Flynn is considering the possibility of extending Tate's loan spell until the end of the season, while Richards could stay for at least another month. But Wolverhampton-born Richards, who scored his first Swansea goal in the 2-0 victory against Shrewsbury a fortnight ago, is out of the Exeter match tomorrow after collecting an achilles injury. Defender Jason Smith is also ruled out with an ankle injury. Matt Murphy (calf) is doubtful, but James Thomas and Andrew Mumford (both calf) should recover in time. Flynn has striker Jamie Wood available again and, with Steve Watkin and John Williams both finding the net against Forest Green, has several candidates to replace Murphy and Richards in attack. The victory at Forest Green and the much-improved performance against Shrewsbury have boosted the Swans' confidence of recording their first away win in the league since February. "There have been a lot of positive signs in the last few games," said Flynn. |
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Friday, December 13, 2002 Swans strengthen squad |
| BBC Online Swansea director of football Brian Flynn says two further loan signings will be completed on Friday. Leeds 18-year-old striker Craig Stiens will sign until the end of the season, and West Ham's 20-year-old midfielder Leon Britton will initially join on a month's loan. The recent deals for Alan Tate of Manchester United and Blackburn's Marc Richards run out at the end of the month, but Flynn is also hoping to extend their stay at the Vetch. "It's all part of the building process to improve the squad," said Flynn. To make room for the new recruits, Flynn has decided to terminate the contract of defender Leigh De-Vulgt. The former Wales under-21 international has accepted a settlement from the club on the remaining six months of his contract. He becomes the fourth Swansea player to be shown the exit door at the Vetch as Flynn begins to stamp his mark on the first-team squad. Said Flynn: "It's a difficult time when you have to tell players they are not part of your plans. "But Leigh took it very professionally and realised that his chances were going to be limited with Terry Evans coming back and the emergence of young Stuart Jones." De-Vulgt made his debut almost three years ago, and was given a two-year contract by manager John Hollins in the summer of 2001. But he has failed to nail down a regular place in the side, making just 27 competitive appearances. |
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Thursday, December 12, 2002 SWANS MAKE ANOTHER PAY-OFF |
| Evening Post Swansea City were today set to part company with a first-team player to make room for further fresh faces at Vetch Field. It is understood the player has been offered similar terms to those agreed with Jonathan Keaveny, Andrew Marsh and Michael Jackson last month. And the player, expected to be another of the younger, less well-paid members of the Vetch playing staff, was due at the ground today to finalise the severance deal. The latest departure will help clear space on Swansea's wage bill for Brian Flynn to sign West Ham midfielder Leon Britton on a month's loan and Leeds youngster Craig Stiens on a 12-month deal. Both those moves are likely to be completed in the next 24 hours - in time for Saturday's crunch bottom-of-the-table clash with Exeter. Stiens's hopes of making his full debut at St James's Park increased yesterday when on-loan Blackburn striker Marc Richards limped out of training with a strained Achilles tendon. Club captain Kris O'Leary is also eyeing a starting berth after stand-in skipper Jason Smith was ruled out for four weeks. The 28-year-old defender thought he had only suffered bruising to his shin after a training ground collision on Monday, but further tests have shown lateral ligament damage in his left ankle. The loss of Smith is a huge blow to Flynn's plans for the busy Christmas period, and he will be hoping Richards's problem proves to be only short-term. Richards was back in Lancashire today for Blackburn's medical team to have a look at him, though Swansea physio Richie Evans reckons the 20-year-old should be available for the home clash with Leyton Orient in nine days' time. ''I'm gutted as I'm looking to get as many games as I can under my belt while I'm here,'' Richards said.?''Even if I only miss one game, that's one less chance to show what I can do.'' Meanwhile, released goalkeeper Marsh seems set to follow Keaveny to Mitsubishi Welsh Premier outfit Carmarthen. |
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Thursday, December 12, 2002 CLUBS DETERMINED TO MAKE THE MOVE TO MODERN HOME |
| Evening Post Both the Swans and All Whites remain determined to get to Morfa as quickly as possible. The Vetch Field and St Helen's, where the two clubs play their home matches, have been allowed to fall into a run-down condition with the prospect of a move to a modern new stadium on the horizon. Earlier this autumn, former Swans star Leighton James described the two grounds as ramshackle. Vetch legend Alan Curtis said today: ''There is no hiding the fact that if the club is going to progress and prosper it needs to move to a new stadium. ''Even in the third division there are so many clubs who either have or are ready to move to new stadiums. ''It's the way forward. You don't have to be a genius to realise Vetch has seen better days. ''Very little has been done to the ground in terms of major development for years. ''We regard ourselves as a sporting city and we need a new stadium to go with it. ''Any setback would be a blow to everyone.'' All Whites Supporters' Club chairman Gerry Lindenburn said a swift move was of paramount importance with revamping St Helen's no longer an option. ''The stand at St Helen's has a shelf-life of virtually nothing,'' he said. ''We can't stay at the ground without spending a great deal of money. ''Unfortunately, Swansea just doesn't have that kind of money. '''And the move to Morfa has gone on so long I'm not sure we are ever going to see it." |
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Thursday, December 12, 2002 SUPER STADIUM IS A GRAZING GROUND |
| Evening Post
They're under starter's orders. But they certainly aren't off. Land earmarked for the 20,000-seater Morfa Stadium, originally planned to be built by this time next year, seems to have become a temporary grazing area as these horses imply. No visible sign of work on the long-awaited development has yet appeared and it has now emerged that the project is again ready to go into extra time. Earlier this summer, council chiefs claimed work on the flagship scheme would be under way by now. The only activity comes from a troop of world-weary nags who have wandered on to the land. The horses have not been the only visitors to a site which fans of the Swans and All Whites would love to see occupied by diggers and workmen. Just a few weeks ago an old car was dumped inside the entrance gates. And back in October a lone golfer crossed the perimeter fence to provide the area with a rare glimpse of sport. A further delay in the scheme comes at a bad time for Swansea, with the future of top class sport in the city shrouded in uncertainty. The Swans currently lie fifth from bottom of Division Three and are haunted by the prospect of non-league football next year. The Vetch Field has long been considered one of the most run-down grounds in the Football League. Meanwhile, the All Whites face being excluded from European competitions with a proposed new West Wales provincial team based at Stradey Park. Supporters of both clubs today insisted it was vital that the scheme was finished in time for next season. Lifelong Swans fan Ben Charles said: "For the whole future of Swansea City it\'s a necessity that we move and the sooner we get on with it the better. "If it drags on for another year then I fear for the future of the club, especially with other sides moving to new stadia. "Twelve years this has been dragging on and now we have been presented with another delay. "I feel we have got left behind and the longer this scenario goes on the more you doubt it will ever happen." It was a view echoed by St Helen\'s season ticket holder Simon Rogers, who said: "This keeps on happening. "Every time we think we are getting somewhere, we seem to find ourselves back at square one." Just two months ago, Swans fans threatened to stand against senior council figures over their handling of the project. Today's latest development is likely to fuel their anger. The situation for supporters is not helped by the fact deadly rivals Cardiff City are racing ahead with their own plans for a luxury new super-stadium. A detailed planning application has been submitted for a £100million, 60,000-seater stadium for the capital club, near its current premises in Ninian Park. It prompted Swansea-based Assembly Member Peter Black to claim the city is trailing in the football stadium stakes. "We have had deadline after deadline on the Morfa Stadium development and each one has passed with little evidence of any progress," he said last week. "Like the vast majority of local people - and as a member of the Swansea City Supporters' Trust - I want to see this stadium at Morfa built as soon as possible." |
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Thursday, December 12, 2002 Swans expect stadium delay |
| Teamtalk Swansea City claim their much-anticipated move to a new stadium is unlikely to happen before February 2004. The Swans had hoped to move into the new 20,000 all-seater Morfa stadium - to be shared with the city's rugby union club - at the start of next season. But the development has been hindered by a series of delays by the construction company Millers. A Swans spokesman said: "The Vetch has become run-down and shabby because we've put work off, anticipating a move to the new stadium. "The council have told us that as far as they're concerned the development is all systems go and that any delay is down to the developers. "At the start of this season we believed we could be at the new site by next August, but February 2004 is now likely to be the earliest date for completion." Smith doubt for Swans Jason Smith is doubtful for Swansea's trip to Exeter City on Saturday after suffering a shin injury in training on Monday. The Swans defender and captain pulled out of a friendly match against Nationwide Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday. He will receive treatment this week but is rated 50/50 to recover in time for the Division Three clash at St James' Park. But the good news for Swans manager Brian Flynn is that three injured players are all expected to return. James Thomas, Andrew Mumford and Matt Murphy should all be fit after calf injuries. |
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Thursday, December 12, 2002 SMITH WORRY FOR SWANS |
| Evening Post
Brian Flynn is facing a clutch of selection posers ahead of Saturday's trip to Exeter - and Jason Smith could miss the bottom-of-the-table clash. |
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Wednesday, December 11, 2002 Britton does his first-team chances the power of good |
| Western Mail
Forest Green Rovers ................................... 0 LEON BRITTON could have played himself into Brian Flynn's first team for this weekend's crucial Division Three clash at Exeter. The West Ham midfielder put in a show-stopping performance in last night's friendly win at Conference strugglers Forest Green, completing an impressive trial that should earn him the loan he is seeking at the Vetch. Flynn was also given food for thought by Leeds reserve forward Craig Steins in his second trial match. The teenager dominated the right wing throughout his second-half run out in the freezing cold of the Cotswolds. It was a valuable outing for the Swans, without a first-team fixture since their 2-0 victory against Shrewsbury Town on November 30. Consequently, Flynn fielded a strong lineup, with keeper Roger Freestone returning to the stage where he made a handful of appearances in the late 1980s before his move to Chelsea. Forest Green boss Colin Addison, who was in Flynn's shoes a year ago, brought in former Yeovil forward Francis Kumbar and Australian goal-keeper Chris Giannangelo, with the latter the more solid of the two trialists. Called into action several times, he denied Britton and Lee Jenkins twice in the early stages, before Steve Watkin slammed in Jamie Wood's cross to break the deadlock in the 35th minute. Forest Green had a few chances at the start of the second half, with Alex Meechan's lob kept off the line by Jenkins and Freestone blocking Kevin Langan from close range. Watkin also skied a good opportunity for his second, with Giannangelo doing well to block the striker twice more as well as denying John Williams' double strike. But he could do little about the Swans second goal, after confusion between Matthew Russell and Matthew Coupe left the ball loose for Williams, who blasted it in to seal the win.
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Wednesday, December 11, 2002 Swans disappointed over further Morfa delays |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY last night expressed disappointment over another delay in the development of the long-awaited Morfa Stadium. The club, which will share the 20,000-seater facility with Swansea RFC, had hoped to be in their new home before Christmas 2003. They received encouragement in the summer when Swansea Council said that heavy plant machinery would be on site by last month with the first foundations appearing in January. But, though the authority insisted yesterday that preparatory work was being carried out, no visible developments have yet appeared on the Landore site two miles north of the city. And it is understood that it could be another two months before developers Millers start work on the £70m project, meaning February 2004 is likely to be the earliest the stadium will be completed. "That would be very disappointing for all concerned as we have been waiting to move for some time now," said Peter Owen, Swansea City's communications officer. "The new stadium is important for the future of the football club and the rugby club. "And it's important that it is completed as soon as possible as further delays would mean further patch-ing-up of the Vetch Field. "Hopefully, the council and the developers will be able to work together to overcome any further obstacles." Millers were unavailable for comment yesterday and Swansea Council said they were unable to confirm when the contractors would move onto the Morfa site. But a spokesman said, "Work has been carried out by the council to progress the scheme in preparation for the developers to come on site. "We said there would be work on the site at the beginning of last month, but did not specify that this would be work by the contractors. "This is entirely consistent with the time-scale agreed by the partners and there will be further announcements as the project develops." This is the latest in a series of delays that have dogged the project since it was mooted 12 years ago. FORMER Swansea City midfielder Michael Jackson has been farmed out on loan to Dr Martens Western Division side Cirencester Town - only three weeks after signing for Bath.
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Tuesday, December 10, 2002 MORFA GRANT BID SHOCK |
| Evening Post Key funding for the new Morfa Stadium is still not in place despite council claims earlier this year that work would be underway by now. Today's shock revelation is certain to add more confusion to a drama that has now been running for more than a decade. A council spokesman has confirmed that a vital bid to SportLot for £3million to cover the basic costs of moving Swansea FC and Swansea RFC to Morfa has only just been placed. It will be discussed by the funding group on Friday when a decision should be made. But the fact that a key element of the project has still not been resolved after years of planning is a surprise. Legal teams for both developers Millers and the council met yesterday to put the bid together - if they hadn't the next time they could have made one would have been February. The bid is expected to be approved. Today's revelation comes despite assurances earlier this year that a start on the £70 million prestige project would be made in November. In August Councillor Byron Owen, Cabinet Member for Development, said that heavy plant machinery would be on site by last month with its first foundations appearing in January. But no visible sign of work on the 20,000 seater stadium has yet appeared at the Landore site. Swansea Council and Millers have both kept quiet on the progress of the scheme leaving fans in the dark. Marilyn Croft, spokesperson for the Swansea Supporters Trust, said today: ''The feeling on the terraces is that we need to know and we need to know the truth and if it is going to happen in our lifetime. Many dates have come and gone but we are still left in a quandary. ''Everyone is fed up - they keep saying, 'what is happening?' '' Millers yesterday drew up a statement for the Post regarding the current state of play with the stadium. However it was held back by Swansea Council who said it needed to clarify some details. Now it is looking increasingly likely that the project, which has been on going for 12 years, will again go in to extra time. John Loftus, President of the West Wales Chamber of Trade, believes the stadium will help attract investment to the area but that all the uncertainty surrounding it was not productive. He added today: ''The problem is if they don't tell people, people will assume the worst. It is always better to come out with facts.'' So far only DIY giant B and Q has signed up for the scheme although food supermarket giant Morrisons has submitted a planning application for a store at the site which still has to go in front of the full council.?Meanwhile fans are being forced to wait patiently for news. All senior councillors yesterday refused to comment on the position. |
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Tuesday, December 10, 2002 Britton Britain's most expensive |
| Western Mail MENTION the name Leon Britton and most people will think of the former Tory Home Secretary. "That's the wisecrack I get the whole time," smiles the OTHER Leon Britton, the 20-year-old midfield dynamo who has just joined Swansea City on loan. He too, however, is used to the headlines. In his case, it concerned the little matter of becoming British football's most expensive 16-year-old when he signed for West Ham from Arsenal for £400,000. That's some sum, Britton saying: "It was splashed over the national newspapers at the time, but the truth is I didn't think about it too much back then. "Four years on my attitude is, `Phew, almost half a million for a 16-year-old?' That's quite staggering when you look back in hindsight. "It's not as if it happens every day, is it? "What's more, the fee goes up to £1.5m if I play a certain amount of first team games." So, even though Britton has failed since to go on make any of those first team appearances for the Hammers yet, that very heavy price tag is what offers the Swans hope as Brian Flynn tries to work out whether the Londoner should join his Swans revolution. First things first: Britton wouldn't have been with Arsenal if he couldn't play. Secondly, West Ham most certainly wouldn't have paid £400,000 for him at that age if he couldn't play. And, thirdly, take it from me Flynn wouldn't have signed Britton if he couldn't play. So he obviously can. The bigger question is whether Britton, at 5ft 5in, can withstand the hurly-burly of bottom-of-the-league football. He believes he can and is desperate to make his mark at The Vetch and return to West Ham to challenge for a place in their Premiership starting line-up - if they are still in the Premiership, of course. "It's been pointed out to me that I've left one club in danger of relegation for another," said Britton. "But the significant difference is that, here at Swansea, I'm looking forward to making an impact and helping us climb away from the foot of the table. "With West Ham I've only been on the periphery, so don't have any opportunity for first team football. "I'm still amazed that they are down at the bottom in the first place. The talent at that club is amazing - Cole, Carrick, Defoe, Di Canio, Kanoute. Yet, for some reason, it's just not right." As a 16-year-old, Britton clearly had the world at his feet. Arsene Wenger was manager of Arsenal and they were about to become the dominant force in British football. "They didn't have too many high-profile midfield foreigners on the books at the time, only Vieira and Petit I think," said Britton. "But suddenly the club started signing not just high-profile players from abroad, but also 17 and 18-year-olds. Not just from France, but places like Brazil, too. "I realised my opportunities would be limited and, hard though it was to leave, perhaps that was the best thing for me." Even then the world was at his feet. In came West Ham with that bid, which eventually was anticipated to reach £1.5m. For a 16-year-old! "I won't say that put too much pressure on me because I didn't set the fee," says Britton. "Anyway, luckily Jermaine Penant and Jermaine Defoe, who were similar ages, went shortly afterwards to Arsenal and West Ham for even more money. So that took any pressure off a bit. "I felt my first team chances would be enhanced with West Ham. They'd just won the FA Youth Cup and had a proven record of giving young players first team football." So far, however, it hasn't worked out that way for Britton. "It's been frustrating being stuck in the reserves," he said. "But that's one of the reasons I've come to Swansea. "It give me a chance to push myself harder, hopefully impress the manager and better myself as a player. "Fingers crossed, it will work out for me here and I will return to Upton Park a better player and person for the experience - and one who proves he is ready for first team football at last." |
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Tuesday, December 10, 2002 Friendly reunion for Addison |
| Western Mail SWANSEA CITY will be reunited with former manager Colin Addison tonight when they travel to Nationwide Conference outfit Forest Green Rovers for a friendly (7.30pm). Swans director of football Brian Flynn - anxious to keep his Third Division side match-fit - arranged the trip to Gloucestershire in the absence of a first-team fixture last weekend. It provides an intriguing reunion with Addison, who took charge at The Lawn in the summer after a short stint as assistant to Tim Harris at Newport County. The former Hereford United and West Bromwich Albion manager comes up against the Swans for the first time since he and his No 2 Peter Nicholas were controversially sacked from their jobs at the Vetch in March. Addison's fight to keep Forest Green in the Conference - Rovers are currently third from bottom - mirrors Flynn's battle to maintain Swansea's Football League status. Tonight both sides will aim to draw strength for their respective relegation battles after encouraging results in their previous games. Swansea recorded an emphatic 2-0 victory against Shrewsbury Town in their last outing on November 30, while Forest Green thumped Leigh RMI 4-1 at The Lawn on Saturday. Forest Green are expected to include former Aston Villa striker Steve Cowe, who has joined on loan from Newport County. And Flynn will take a full squad in preparation for the crucial Division Three clash at Exeter on Saturday. Meanwhile, Swansea have dropped their claim for compensation over striker Mamady Sidibe's departure to Gillingham in the summer. Fifa regulations introduced after the Bosman ruling stipulate clubs are entitled to compensation for players under the age of 24 who leave when their contract expires. But a Swansea City spokesman said, "After taking advice on the issue we decided we didn't have a strong enough case. There was not enough ammunition to make a claim, mainly because Mama was only offered a short-term contract with us." |
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Tuesday, December 10, 2002 THOMAS LIFTS SWANS FOR EXETER CRUNCH |
| Evening Post
James Thomas is fit for action and ready to hit the scoresheet again when Swansea City face relegation rivals Exeter this weekend. |
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Tuesday, December 10, 2002 Flynn examines trialist |
| Teamtalk Swansea boss Bryan Flynn will run the rule over two players in a friendly game against Forest Green this week. Midfielder Leon Britton was signed on a month's loan from West Ham last week but, with Swansea without a game last Saturday, will have to wait for his first-team debut until Saturday's trip to Exeter. Britton, signed from Arsenal for £400,000 as a 16-year-old four years ago, will be aiming to impress in this week's friendly, as will Leeds reserve striker Craig Steins. Steins has been training with the Swans and has been offered a two-match trial. He will play in the friendly and, if he does well, could be included in the squad for Saturday |
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Monday, December 09, 2002 FLYNN PLANNING TO KEEP TATE AT VETCH FOR THE SEASON |
| Evening Post
Brian Flynn has revealed plans to keep on-loan defender Alan Tate at Swansea City for the rest of the season. |
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Monday, December 09, 2002 Britton out to impress |
| Teamtalk Swansea loan signing Leon Britton hopes his spell at Vetch Field will be a good move for all concerned. Midfielder Britton became British football's most expensive 16-year-old when he signed for West Ham from Arsenal for £400,000 four years ago. The 20-year-old said: "I'm looking forward to making an impact and helping Swansea climb away from the foot of the table. "It gives me a chance to push myself harder, hopefully impress the manager and better myself as a player," he told the Western Mail. |
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Sunday, December 08, 2002 Britton Britain's most expensive |
| Wales on Sunday MENTION the name Leon Britton and most people will think of the former Tory Home Secretary. "That's the wisecrack I get the whole time," smiles the OTHER Leon Britton, the 20-year-old midfield dynamo who has just joined Swansea City on loan. He too, however, is used to the headlines. In his case, it concerned the little matter of becoming British football's most expensive 16-year-old when he signed for West Ham from Arsenal for £400,000. That's some sum, Britton saying: "It was splashed over the national newspapers at the time, but the truth is I didn't think about it too much back then. "Four years on my attitude is, `Phew, almost half a million for a 16-year-old?' That's quite staggering when you look back in hindsight. "It's not as if it happens every day, is it? "What's more, the fee goes up to £1.5m if I play a certain amount of first team games." So, even though Britton has failed since to go on make any of those first team appearances for the Hammers yet, that very heavy price tag is what offers the Swans hope as Brian Flynn tries to work out whether the Londoner should join his Swans revolution. First things first: Britton wouldn't have been with Arsenal if he couldn't play. Secondly, West Ham most certainly wouldn't have paid £400,000 for him at that age if he couldn't play. And, thirdly, take it from me Flynn wouldn't have signed Britton if he couldn't play. So he obviously can. The bigger question is whether Britton, at 5ft 5in, can withstand the hurly-burly of bottom-of-the-league football. He believes he can and is desperate to make his mark at The Vetch and return to West Ham to challenge for a place in their Premiership starting line-up - if they are still in the Premiership, of course. "It's been pointed out to me that I've left one club in danger of relegation for another," said Britton. "But the significant difference is that, here at Swansea, I'm looking forward to making an impact and helping us climb away from the foot of the table. "With West Ham I've only been on the periphery, so don't have any opportunity for first team football. "I'm still amazed that they are down at the bottom in the first place. The talent at that club is amazing - Cole, Carrick, Defoe, Di Canio, Kanoute. Yet, for some reason, it's just not right." As a 16-year-old, Britton clearly had the world at his feet. Arsene Wenger was manager of Arsenal and they were about to become the dominant force in British football. "They didn't have too many high-profile midfield foreigners on the books at the time, only Vieira and Petit I think," said Britton. "But suddenly the club started signing not just high-profile players from abroad, but also 17 and 18-year-olds. Not just from France, but places like Brazil, too. "I realised my opportunities would be limited and, hard though it was to leave, perhaps that was the best thing for me." Even then the world was at his feet. In came West Ham with that bid, which eventually was anticipated to reach £1.5m. For a 16-year-old! "I won't say that put too much pressure on me because I didn't set the fee," says Britton. "Anyway, luckily Jermaine Penant and Jermaine Defoe, who were similar ages, went shortly afterwards to Arsenal and West Ham for even more money. So that took any pressure off a bit. "I felt my first team chances would be enhanced with West Ham. They'd just won the FA Youth Cup and had a proven record of giving young players first team football." So far, however, it hasn't worked out that way for Britton. "It's been frustrating being stuck in the reserves," he said. "But that's one of the reasons I've come to Swansea. "It give me a chance to push myself harder, hopefully impress the manager and better myself as a player. "Fingers crossed, it will work out for me here and I will return to Upton Park a better player and person for the experience - and one who proves he is ready for first team football at last."
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