McLiar Speaks

McClure also:

Admits he regrets getting involved with the Swans;

Claims the venture has cost his Ninth Floor company, the Swans’ umbrella £4m.

Declares only joining the board at his home town club Norwich would tempt him to remain in football

Queries why, one John Toshack gold en era apart. the Swans have continually bobbed up and down between the bottom two

Maintains that, with the right guidance, the Swans can still be a thriving Division One club.

McClure would not comment on the planned buyout by local businessman David Bradshaw, other than to say: “Who’s David Bradshaw then?”

However, from his London office base, McClure did admit hearing scare stories about the club’s very future. Moving swiftly to quash those rumours, McClure, who wants at least £1.5 million for the Swans, insisted’.

“I gather there is lots of talk about the club going into receivership. “Well I’ve just said we will keep the club going until such time as we find a buyer. “I have no doubt there are people who, from their own point of view, would be quite happy with the idea that they can pick up Swansea City FC on the cheap if we go bust.

“But at the moment we have no intention of putting the club into the hands of the receivers. It is not on the radar. “We don’t see it as being in the interests of the Ninth Floor shareholders to starve the club financially. “I expect we will find a buyer in the not too distant future. Once I have done that. I will announce it and we as a company, will get on with our other business interests.

‘The sooner it happens the better because I don’t want the club to be in a state of limbo for any big period of time. “As far bur Ninth Floor shareholders are concerned, we’ve made the commitment to sell the football club. We are endeavouring to do that as quickly as we can. “We’re not under immediate pressure to do it as such. The main thing. I suppose, is that it’s a management distraction for us and we need to get it off our hands.”

McClure said the Swans were officially on the Ninth Floor audit books for just £1, but that the umbrella company had pumped 4milllon into the club during their time in charge.

“That’s the figure, if you look at the profit and loss account. We’re not going to get that sum back,” said McClure. “People might say we could by selling our best players. Well, the truth is we’ve hardly had the door knocked off with offers. “These days managers, particularly in the lower divisions, wait for the close season, knowing they can get players they want on Bosman frees.

“I’m still in regular contact with our managing director Mike Lewis, letting him and John Hollins know what we can and cannot afford. “As far as I’m concerned, the money asked for by the manager in terms of signing loan players has been supplied.

Equally, the players he wishes to re-sign on new contracts are being offered deals to re-sign.” What about the fact that Ninth Floor would need to keep paying the players’ wages during the summer? “We have to pay the wages until such time as we don’t own the football club any more,” McClure answered. Asked if he regretted becoming involved In the first place, as vice-chairman and then chairman,

McClure admitted: “Yes, of course I do. But It’s easy to be wise in hindsight. “Look. I would be stupid, knowing what I know today, to have got involved. But one learns by one’s mistakes.” McClure won’t say so, but I suspect he feels aggrieved with the local authorities for the way the Morfa Stadium deal has dragged on and on. “People told me when I first joined the club that Swansea was dubbed the place where ambition would end.” said McClure. “I didn’t believe that, But a few years on, I| think one of the things the city itself has to come to terms with is why the football club has failed to secure itself a position in the top two divisions? “It’s not down to passion. The fans there are as passionate as anywhere in Britain.. Yet why does a city like Norwich, half the size of Swansea, do so well? Norwich have been in the top two divisions since the early 1960s.

“Why have Swansea City not done that, with one brief exception under John Toshack apart – and even then the club bankrupted itself to achieve success? “This is something the new owner win have to look at. What are the issues which stop success from happening?” But McClure stressed: “That said, in summary I still maintain the basis for a very successful club is there, if someone has the time. resources and contacts to see it through.”

As for McClure himself, he insists he won’t be joining the board at Queens Park Rangers, even though London newspapers have linked him heavily with the position. I think that was a case of me being spotted having a drink with a couple of QPR directors and a bit too much being made of it,” said McClure.

“I think one lesson I’ve learned at Swansea is not to get involved with football again. If someone were to ask me if I wanted to join the board of Norwich, my home-town club, I might have a think about it. “But I can’t see that happening. And any way, I enjoy having the freedom to do exactly what I want to do on Saturday afternoons.”