Place Farm, for what is likely to be the first friendly of the pre-season. The Us will visit Oxford City, for what has become their traditional pre-season game, on Saturday 22 July. The game is always well attended, and gives supporters an opportunity to see close-season signings in action. This is not always a good thing, although as United usually win comfortably it might be worth attending just for the novelty value. This is the third friendly arranged so far, in addition to the game at Eastleigh on 26 July, and at home to Portsmouth on 4 August.

Midfielder Jay Smith, who was Jim Smith’s first loan signing after becoming manager on 23 April, has signed a one-year extension to his contract at Southend. This has ended any likelihood that Smith (Jay, not J.) will sign for Oxford for next season, despite having been offered a contract by Smith (J., not Jay). There is still no news on whether Tcham N’Toya will sign for the club, nor on the three out-of-contract players who have been offered new deals (Barry Quinn, Chris Tardif, and Billy Turley).

Yesterday, Altrincham’s appeal against their 18 point deduction was refused by the FA panel. This means that they will now almost certainly be relegated from the Conference, with Scarborough’s relegation overturned, despite finishing bottom of the league last season. Scarborough, who came out of administration recently, still have to convince the Conference authorities that they are financially stable, but that will most likely be a rubber-stamping exercise. Scarborough have been given until the end of May to satisfy the Conference that they can continue in the league.