Leon: Time to rebuild

Leon Britton believes Swansea City must look forward with optimism as they bid to bounce back from Premier League relegation.

Britton acknowledges that the pain of dropping out of the top flight will take a while to subside.

But the Liberty legend reckons the Swans must be positive if they are to fight for a return to the elite next season.

Britton made his 537th and final appearance for the Swans against Stoke last weekend after deciding to hang up his boots.

He will begin a new role as club ambassador next season, when he hopes the Swans will rediscover the passing style which has brought them so many happy times over the last decade.

“It is painful and difficult right now for everyone involved at the club because of relegation,” Britton said.

“But it is not all bad news. When you see where we are as a football club compared to where we were, it shows how far we have come.

“It is important now that we look to rebuild and get a clear idea of what we want to do next season.

“We have to make sure we get the idea right and get a clear pathway going forward.”

Relegation was a sad – and anything but fitting – way to go out for Britton and fellow Swans stalwart Angel Rangel, who is looking for a new club with his contract now up.

But Britton is not about to forgot all the happy times he has enjoyed in a Swans shirt.

“When I joined the football club we were at the bottom of the old Division Three,” he added.

“I leave after playing seven seasons in the Premier League. Then you look at the new stadium and the training facilities we have, while we also won the League Cup and played in Europe.

“We have achieved so much over the last 15 or 16 years. It has been a very special time in the club’s history and it has been a real privilege and honour to have been part of it for so long.”