Robbo "Gutted" At Sale Of Best Pal

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If the sale of Lee Trundle was going to hit anyone hard it was always going to be best pal Andy Robinson. The two scousers arrived at the club at the same time just about in the Summer of 2004 and formed a bond both on and off the pitch that has seem some incredible high moments and some magic touches between them.

But Robinson has revealed to the Evening Post just how much Trunds agonised over whether to leave Swansea for Bristol City and how gutted he himself was when Lee called him to say that he was going.

''I know it was a hard decision for him to make,'' Robinson said.

''I spoke to him a number of times about it and I know it's something he agonised over massively. ''Lee loves Swansea and he loves the fans - I think he showed that with what he did on the pitch, scoring 20 goals a season for four years. ''But this is a great move for him. I won't say he's furthering his career, because things might not work out for him, you don't know. ''But I know his age was a big factor and the fact that he came into the game late. People will say the move's all about money, but he has got a chance to play in the Championship and that's a big thing for a player.''

''I was gutted when Lee called and said he was leaving,'' Robinson went on. ''Everyone's sad about it because it's not a nice feeling when good players go, and Lee is one of the best who has ever played for Swansea. ''A lot of people are going to be upset, but I would like to think the fans will remember the good times Lee had here and what he did for the club. I hope they wish him all the best. ''It doesn't matter whether you're a labourer, a builder of a footballer, if an opportunity is put in front of you, you have to look at it.'' Robinson reckons the fee of at least £1million for Trundle, who turns 31 this autumn, means all parties come out of the deal with something to be happy about. But the midfielder added: ''I know for a fact the club didn't want to sell him, and Lee is a massive loss. He was a big player on and off the pitch for us and it's not easy to replace 20 goals a season.'' There have been rumours that Robinson could follow Trundle through the exit door, with Championship side Leicester linked with the former Tranmere man. ''I spoke to the gaffer about that and he said as a player you should take speculation as a pat on the back,'' Robinson said. ''But I'm a Swansea player, I love the club and I'm staying here.''