COWDENBEATH have hit out a statement made by Stenhousemuir that blamed the Blue Brazil for them having to pull out of signing Harvey Swann.

The left sided 21-year-old was one of the players manager Gary Bollan retained at the end of the season but their League Two rivals announced on May 26 on their website that he had signed for them.

Swann was pictured at Ochilview posing with a Stenhousemuir strip but the Warriors then issued a statement on Thursday that said the deal “was unable to be completed” with suggestions Cowden had asked for too much compensation.

But the Central Park outfit hit back the following day: “Neither of the assertions on the Stenhousemuir website were accurate.

“Harvey was our player and was not in a position to sign for another club. He has been offered a new contract and if he decided to go elsewhere then Cowdenbeath will be entitled to a measure of compensation but NO discussions had taken place between Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir.”

Chairman Donald Findlay added: “I am deeply unimpressed by the actions of Stenhousemuir FC.

“This is not how we do business and I have made my views known to their chairman, who apologised.

“However, I am more concerned about the impact of all of this on Harvey.

“The welfare of all our staff is of paramount importance. I am very sorry if this has proved to be upsetting for him and we will do what we can for him. That said the blame will lie at the door of Stenhousemuir, not us.”