Jacks Set For Margetson Swoop

Jacks in for 'keeper
By Chris O'Brien
July 1 2004

Arch-rivals Swansea City are interested in signing Bluebirds 'keeper Martyn Margetson over pre-season. Lennie Lawrence has stalled on offering the 32-year-old a new deal at Ninian Park, and could now pay the price with the Jacks showing a lot of interest in the experienced Welsh international.

Arch-rivals Swansea City could be set to offer Cardiff City 'keeper Martyn Margetson a contract as they attempt to prise the veteran from under the noses of the Bluebirds. Lennie Lawrence has foolishly delayed offering City's first choice shot stopper a  new contract, and as a result he could lose the Welsh international, and to the worst possible club at that!

32-year-old Margetson has made no secret of the fact that he has been left frustrated by Cardiff stalling on giving him a new deal, and supporters have also shown anger at the delays believed to be due to the poor financial state at the club. Margetson established himself as number one last season and capped off a tremendous season with his first international cap, keeping a clean-sheet as Wales beat Canada 1-0 at Wrexham's Racecourse.

Margetson undoubtedly has earned at least another season at Ninian Park, and he would be expected to hold the first choice slot ahead of Neil Alexander for the duration of the campaign. However, Swansea boss Kenny Jackett is desperate to find a replacement to Roger Freestone, who left the Vetch Field after years of service last month. Jacks chairman Huw Jenkins has revealed that Margetson is one of Jackett's targets.

"We've looked at a number of keepers who are out of contract and Martyn is one of them," Swans chairman Huw Jenkins told the Western Mail.

"We'd be delighted if someone of Martyn's calibre fell into our laps."

The departure of club legend Roger Freestone angered many Jack supporters, and the club now only has one professional goalkeeper on their books in Brian Murphy. Should the bottom flight outfit attract Margetson to the Vetch Field with a big-money contract offer, they would acquire the services of an experienced 'keeper who has played for Manchester City, Bristol Rovers, Southend United and Huddersfield Town in a busy career.

Margetson started last season as a bench warmer, but worked hard in the wings and put in a number of impressive performances for the reserve team and seized his opportunity when it arose. Neil Alexander was dropped after a series of clanger during City's December losing streak, and Margetson played every Football League game between then and the end of the season and then found his way into Mark Hughes' Wales side.

If he was to depart, then City would almost certainly look to sign a new 'keeper before the start of the pre-season. Neil Alexander may be opted for as number one if Margetson headed west, but Heart of Midlothian goalkeeper Craig Gordon has been linked with a move to Ninian Park recently so Lennie Lawrence may look to Tynecastle for a replacement. The Bluebirds will talk to Margetson next week, and the 'keeper is then expected to make the decision of which South Walian rival he will play for shortly after.