The Third Degree

THE THIRD DEGREE - Week Ending 3rd August

WEEK ENDING AUGUST 03 2003

Boston = Chairman Des Wood has responded to the council claim (about the planning permission of he stadium) saying it wasn't thought through. He also said that plans were still in place to find a new home for the Pilgrims. "No council in the country would grant planning permission to build on a football stadium if the team had no where else to go." "There is nothing to worry about and we are getting on with everything we said we would from the start." Player-Coach Stuart Balmer has said he feels Boston can go for a play-off place this season. Goalkeeper Paul Bastock has a new all-time appearance record for the Pilgrims, he has now played 573 times for Boston.

Bristol Rovers = Assistant manager John Still has challenged young keeper Ryan Clarke to show his class as number one keeper, Kevin Miller, may miss the start of the season. Striker David Gilroy wants a loan move to Exeter after falling down the pecking order with the Pirates. Ray Graydon said it is "touch and go" in whether Andy Rammell will be fit for the new season. Wayne Carlisle has been taken to hospital and needed stitches in his leg.

Bury = Boss Andy Preece has admitted he needs a new centre-back. The Shakers have lost experienced defender Steve Redmond to Burscough and Michael Nelson is joining Hartlepool. Boss Andy Preece said there is a very good chance that Lee Duxbury will be captain this season. Defender Greg Strong and winger Harpal Singh have signed on loan.

Cambridge = Striker Dave Kitson is not signing for Cardiff after Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence has confirmed he is not a target. They have also signed Lincoln defender Stuart Bimson from Lincoln. Cambridge are waiting to see how much money they will receive now that Jody Craddock has signed for Wolves from Sunderland and Warren Goodhind will miss the first part of the season.

Carlisle = Former Celtic man Paul Byrne is set to sign for the Cumbrians on loan. Carlisle boss Roddy Collins has warned Hull and Northampton that their summer spending will not guarantee promotion. "Everyone knows money can't buy success," said Collins. He also refused to rule out making further signings and winger Brendan McGill could be out for a up to a month after suffering a rib injury.

Cheltenham = The Robins have signed Ben Cleverley, Graham Fyfe and Bertrand Cozic. Former West Brom player Bob Taylor is set to be a Cheltenham player.

Darlington = Darlington have made their first signings of the summer, Martin Price, who has been on trial with them for a month, signed a short term one month deal and striker Glen Robson.

Doncaster = Boss Dave Penney has approached Morecambe's Adriano Rigoglioso and signed Yeovil's Michael McIndoe on a two-year deal.

Huddersfield = Huddersfield have come out of administration and sold 1000 season tickets in one day!! Nigerian World Cup star Efe Sodje is set to sign a two-year deal. Sodje played in the 2002 World Cup and played well under Dario Gradi at Crewe last season. Steve Yates has signed for Huddersfield along with Bury striker Jon Newby. Peter Jackson has named defender Rob Edwards as captain.

Hull = Peter Taylor is tipping teenager Russell Fry for the very top and said the 17 year old is in his plans for next season. Ryan Williams will miss the rest of pre-season. Andy Holt's proposed move the Northampton has fallen through, he still has a year left on his contract but Hull want to get him off the wage bill. Meanwhile midfielder Stuart Green is back in action after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Kidderminster = Defender Matt Gadsby will miss the start of the season and could be out for up to five weeks, while reserve keeper John Danbury is set to return within the next two weeks. Craig Wilding, Kyle Lightbourne and Narada have all been released. Midfielder Graham Ward and Kenny Coleman have both agreed a 12-month contract with the Harriers Adam Willis has signed and youth star Nick Heath has been awarded his first professional contract.

LeytonOrient = Manager Paul Brush has admitted that Dave McGhee's wrist injury is a huge blow for the O's. "It's a real shame he has worked extremely hard to get his fitness back after a bad injury last year." Matthew Joseph and defender Greg Heald have both returned to training. Marcus Ebdon agrees a short-term deal with Leyton orient.

Lincoln = Defender Stuart Bimson will leave Sincil Bank for Cambridge. Richard Liburd has signed for Lincoln after being released by Notts County. They have also offered Richard Liburd a one-year contract. The Imp's bid for Peterborough striker Francis Green turned down and boss Keith Alexander has ruled out signing Nigel Jemson. Niall McNamara is set to sign for the Imps and Hastings teenage striker Ellis Remy has been offered a three-month contract.

Macclesfield = Macclesfield manager David Moss has backed his players to continue to rattle in the goals once the new season starts. Moss was speaking after the Silkmen thrashed Vauxhall Motors 5-1 on Saturday. "It's always nice to score goals and we looked very dangerous - I am sure this vein will continue. The fact that we can score goals certainly looks good for the coming season," Boss Dave Moss has handed a trial to Villa goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Mansfield = Defender Tony Vaughan has signed a one-year deal, Vaughan spent time on loan with the Stags last season joins from Motherwell. Boss Keith Curle is deciding on whether to sign Maltese defender Luke Dimich, who is on trial.

Northampton = The Cobblers have broken their transfer record to sign Oldham midfielder Josh Low for £165,000. Low is the 12th player to join Northampton since the end of last season. This means Cardiff will receive 50K because of a sell on clause. The move for Hull's Andy Holt has fallen through.

Oxford = Ian Atkins has taken ex-Hammer Izzy Iriekpen on trial. Defender Paul McCarthy will miss the start of the season with an Achilles injury. Jefferson Louis has joined Conference side Woking on loan with a view to a permanent one. Oxford Utd face a battle to keep 16 year old Dexter Blackstock after two Premiership clubs are very interested.

Rochdale = Full-back Michael Doughty has signed a new contract with Dale, Kenny Irons will not be signing for Rochdale after training with the club recently. He left Huddersfield last season and hoped Alan Buckley would sign him.

Scunthorpe = Manager Brain Laws will try and sign 20 year old Glasgow Rangers striker Steven MacLean, but Laws knows that both money and geography of the situation could a problem. Young defender Andy Butler had to visit hospital after a Barton player punched him in the mouth during the Iron's 6-0 victory and Richard Kell is hoping for a new contract.

Southend = Goalkeeper Ryan Robinson has signed for the Shrimpers and Steve Wignall has signed Leke Odunsi on a one-year deal.

Torquay = David Graham has returned for pre-season after a hernia operation. Martin Gritton will miss the start of the season because of a gashed leg. Boss Leroy Rosenior was glad there were no more injuries but disappointed not to get a good result against Exeter.

Yeovil = Manager Gary Johnson is refusing to get carried away by the Glovers' great pre-season form. They have beaten Wolves, Brentford and drew with Preston. Michael McIndoe has signed for Doncaster.

York = Goalkeeper Chris Porter and wing-back Steve Downes have both signed one-year deals, Craig Turns has been released and Andy Jordan has gone to Hartlepool after being on trial with York. Goalkeeper Mark Ovendale is confident York can be promoted next season.

THE THIRD DEGREE IS COMPILED BY MATTHEW PHILLIPS

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