 Dolan gave him a contract for the 2000–01 season and appointed him as York's captain despite the concerns over his knee.Swan battled against his own body to play all the pre-season friendlies, including a clash with Manchester United and their star players of David Beckham, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes.He was sent off in the first game of the season after attempting to headbutt Chesterfield's Steve Blatherwick.