The Graveyard Of Ambition? Not Any More

It seems somewhat ironic that in a week where Wrexham fans celebrate regaining the control of their stadium from Alex Hamilton, another prize asset that was successfully prised away from them for nothing and with far less protest is making his customary headlines at his new home.

The news today that Swansea City F.C. have rejected an club record offer of £750,000 for star striker and talisman Lee Trundle has been greeted in all quarters as further evidence that after 20 years of turmoil both on and off the field, we're finally taking some serious steps forward that might not inevitably be followed by several more steps back. Not only is it much more than a simple rejection of a respectable financial offer for our showboater-in-chief, it's also a statement of intent to all and sundry that Swansea City will no longer be easy pickings for the games biggest outfits.

In years gone by it's been a simple story of sell to survive. Young player comes through the ranks, mid range club purchases them for around half what they could be worth, side struggles to replace them, and the whole cycle begins again. We've had managers for whom the prime responsibility has been in bringing on young talent and selling them on to keep the club in business. In my lifetime, Frank Burrows is the shining example. For older fans, Trevor Morris did much the same job. Players come through; they get sold on. Sure, we had a brief spell in the late 70's/early 80's where we lived the dream, but it all nearly ended up in tears. That, it seemed, would be our lot.

Not any more it would appear.

There's probably not been a point in the recent history of our club when things have looked as rosy. Six-figure profits declared, progress on the pitch, new stadium (well it is!), but always at the back of our collective minds has been the nagging doubt that it could all be temporary, which I suppose is a natural response given the number of times when the light at the end of the tunnel has been an oncoming train. This time however you get the feeling that things might be different. It's all well and good the board stating that a player will not be leaving (involving an unusually welcome statement from Huw Jenkins), but when the player himself rejects the possibility of moving then it's hard to avoid getting the impression that we're really going somewhere.

In addition to that, it's not just us the fans who could take an interest in today's announcement. Our refusal to accept what on the face of it is a bloody good price for a twenty-nine year old striker unproven above League One can only strengthen our hand when attempting to entice players to join the White Rock Revolution. To use some site swear words, the likes of Holt and Williams are already known to be interested in coming here. Our refusal to sell to one of the game's genuine Sleeping Giants will indicate to them and anyone else Kenny takes a fancy to that we mean business, and we haven't had to make absurd claims in the press to achieve it.

Of course, there may come a time when an offer is made that is simply too good to turn down. Outside of a handful of clubs at the highest level that's a simple fact of life for everybody. But now we can rest assured that any player who leaves White Rock will only do so if it's beneficial to the long-term future of Swansea City. And that's a good feeling this evening.

Photo: Action Images

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