Gills in the cup

Today's draw for the first round of the League Cup gave United a home tie against Gillingham, to be played on Tuesday 21st August. This will be the first evening fixture at Minchery Farm, so hopefully the floodlights will be in full working order. They could always use the ones from the Manor, which weren't bought at the auction (although apparently discussions are taking place with another club which has expressed an interest in acquiring them).

Pitcher worth 100,000 words?

Well, according to Mark Wright, he wasn't worth £100,000. That is Geoff Pitcher, lately of Kingstonian, who has signed for Brighton. Pitcher was on United's hit list but Wright was put off by the asking price for the play-making midfielder, although whether it was because Wright thought the requested fee was too high or whether he just didn't have the resources at his disposal to buy him is open to question. It's also debatable whether Pitcher would have chosen Third Division Oxford over Second Division Brighton, but we'll probably never know.

United have also been linked with released Shrewsbury “star” defender Gareth Hanmer, but this is an unconfirmed rumour and, if he's any good, probably best not to be believed.