Hours before leaving the country to return to his Australian home, Petty said the severity of the financial crisis at the club left him with no other option but to act with such ruthlessness.

The Swans released two coaches and seven players, and offered eight other players reduced deals on Wednesday.

Six of the seven turned up for training on Thursday morning, prompting Petty to praise their professionalism in responding so positively.

"But they were ones that I had to make -there was no way I could shirk responsibility.

"As a man of integrity, I could not, and would not, let them play until the end of the month, knowing that I was not able to pay them.

"I had to tell the truth, as unpalatable as it may be to many.

"I hope that in the long term, they will respect me for my honesty, and will accept that the decision was the right one for both the football club and the individuals concerned."

Swansea captain Nick Cusack has held regular discussions with the Professional Footballers' Association and the Nationwide League since the announcement.

He has received their full backing in dismissing the legitimacy of the letters of termination issued by Petty.

"As far as we're concerned, we're just going to continue to carry out our duties under our contracts and we fully expect the club to honour their part of that and top pay our wages," said Cusack.

"We will definitely be playing on Saturday (against Southend) and we expect to be paid our wages at the end of the month.

"The club must honour those contracts and the league, we expect, will put pressure on the club to ensure that does happen."

The rest of the Swansea players said they were still trying to come to terms with Wednesday events.

Striker John Williams, one of the seven told to leave the club, said: "I felt as if my heart had been ripped out.

"I was in total disbelief and in total shock."

Goalkeeper Roger Freestone, a Welsh international, said: "It's disastrous - we've got mortgages to pay, bills to pay and families to look after."

Brendon Batson, deputy chief executive of the PFA, warned the Swansea board that while he appreciated the scale of the problems at Vetch Field, he would ensure that the players are looked after.

"I have let them know that we are sympathetic with the club but also how serious the situation is," he said.

"Clubs are not allowed to cancel a player's contract and the contracts which the players have at Swansea have to be honoured."