Both players are imports from the semi-professional ranks of English soccer who are loving their time in a state they knew nothing about before coming here.

"I was very naive," Swirad admitted. "I had only heard about Tasmania from the cartoon devil so I must admit I thought it was going to be a desert and really warm. I was not even sure it was in Australia and had to get the map out and look it up.

"I was told Tasmania is a lot like England but it's very different to what I was used to."

Trethowan added: "I knew nothing about Tasmania. I didn't even know it was in Australia to be honest. But when I got to Sydney and then came down here I saw how pretty it was and what a nice place. It's a bit cold though."

The pair have taken contrasting routes around the world.

Swirad, whose 24th birthday was on Thursday, travelled from Manchester where he played in the Northern Premier League, after catching the travel bug during a coaching stint in the US.

"I missed playing so I got in touch with a company that puts people in contact with clubs around the world," he said. "This sounded like an adventure so I thought I'd go for it."

Trethowan, 25, spent four years in the US and then nine months with the AC Milan Academy in Sydney which staged a camp in Launceston during which City president Austin Fagan invited him, fellow Brit Ben Brookfield and Italian Omar Murati to have a look at the Victory League.

"Once he sold it to us it was a pretty easy decision," said Trethowan, who hails from Oxford, had trials at Swindon youth academy and played in the Hellenic Premier League.

Both players said they had been warmly welcomed and were still adjusting to the inevitable changes.

"I've really enjoyed it. The club's brilliant," said Manchester United fan Swirad.

"There's a bit of banter flying around but there are a few English lads here. I'm surprised how passionate they all are here about English football. They've all got their favourite Premier League team.

"From a playing point of view it's been a bit stop-start with injuries and that but hopefully now I'm fit I can really get going. It's a lot more possession-based over here. It's definitely more direct back home."

Trethowan's family is from Cornwall, which explains what he is finding hardest to deal with.

"The boys have made me very welcome and I'm really enjoying it but the biggest thing I miss from England is going to Home Park to watch Plymouth Argyle.

"The English game is technically better but here fitness levels are phenomenal. I find training here quite difficult and my first game was against South Hobart and that was a right shock. I haven't run that much in my life.

"What I find strange is the opposition don't hate you like they would in England. You can even have a chat with them here which is really nice, not having to hate someone for 90 minutes."

Mid-table rivals Rangers and City head into their fixture with identical records from two wins, three losses and three draws, 17 goals scored and 16 conceded.

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