United striker Jamie Brooks, out of contract at the end of this season, has signed a new deal committing him to the club for another year. Having missed the whole of the 2002/03 and 2003/04 seasons, and only making six starts last season (scoring twice), following his contracting Guillane-Barre syndrome, Brooks has just undergone a hip operation. Jamie is hopeful of being ready in time for pre-season in about two month’s time.

Another of United’s out-of-contract players, Lee Molyneaux, has also signed on for a further season. In his first season as a professional, Molly made just six starts, and came off the bench ten times, last season, playing in a variety of positions, although his favoured role is as a right back. Meanwhile three scholars (Paul Burton, Tom Winters, and Bradie Clarke) have also signed on as professionals. We don’t know how long they’ve signed for, but hints from manager Brian Talbot recently suggests that Burton is likely to be on a short-term deal of three months or so, to see if he impresses, while the others will probably have signed one-year deals.

United’s pre-season friendly schedule has now been officially confirmed. As well as the Yeading, Oxford City and Brighton games that we’ve already flagged up, there are two further matches for United’s squad to use to get themselves ready for the new campaign. These are an away game at Aylesbury on Saturday 23 July, and a home game against Leicester City a week later on Saturday 30 July. The season starts the following Saturday, 6 August.