Jenkins Accepts The Inevitable

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Swans chairman Huw Jenkins was in philosophical mood as he entered the post-Lee Trundle era at the Liberty Stadium despite meaning many miles away on the club's pre-season tour to Holland.

Although Bristol City failed to reveal their million pound man yesterday, Jenkins accepted the fact he was a Bristol City player. The Western Mail states that the hold up was over his image rights deal but now everything has been concluded according to the Chairman

"It's done and dusted and we have to accept that Lee is a Bristol City player," said a downbeat Jenkins.

"The hitch was that for whatever reason, the proposed transfer moved a bit too quick for our liking and the paperwork involved.

"It was an oversight on somebody's part and it was rushed a little bit.

"There was a few parts not completed and we needed full coverage before agreeing to it.

"Everything we requested though has now been completed and Lee is now their player."

He added, "From my point of view, it's a very sad day and situation for Swansea City.

"We just couldn't give him Championship football next season and took into account those wishes and Lee's commitment to Swansea over the last few years.

"As much as we wanted to keep Lee focused and tried to persuade him to stay with us, we've reluctantly agreed for him to join Bristol City.

"Nobody wanted him to go, but some things are just out of our control. If players have ambitions to test themselves at a higher level then there's nothing we can do.

"The timing couldn't be worse, but keeping an unhappy player or a player who is forced in the corner to stay with us is certainly not the right thing before the start of the season.

"But Championship football was one thing we couldn't offer and at his age it was an opportunity he wanted to take up, especially when he thought the offer from Bristol City was a good one.

"Ask my daughter and she says he's worth £10m. It was never about the money. No amount of money is going to replace him on and off the field and it's going to take a long time to get over it.

"The manager can go out to find more players to keep the club going forward,

"Roberto is well in advance of most clubs because we signed most of our players before pre-season and got four or five possibilities lined up

"Life after Lee Trundle will be hard as he brought his own personality and attributes to the side. But other players will bring theirs.

"Yes, the players and results will solve the problem, but short-term any sort of money won't make up for losing him."

He went on, "It's a backward step, but it has to be overcome. I think the plus point is that we have Roberto, who is a great manager.

"Lee has carried the club forward with his personality on and off the field, but I think Roberto is someone the supporters look up to take the club forward

"And, while it's disappointing, we have to move on a get over it."