United today signed centre back Leo Roget on a two-year contract. Roget was most recently with Rushden & Diamonds, and before that at Brentford, having originally come up through the Southend youth system. The 26 year-old was actually on trial with United two years ago, when he actually scored in a 2-1 defeat at Nuneaton Borough. He was also, infamously, the victim of a mistaken dismissal when Oxford played at Roots Hall in 1998, being sent off despite the culprit being a white player. Southend were 2-0 up at the time, but United pulled back to draw the match and the Shrimpers were eventually relegated.

In other transfer news, former Us centre back Scott Guyett has left Chester to join Yeovil on a two-year contract, while goalkeeper Paul Gerrard has moved from Everton to Nottingham Forest. Today’s Daily Star reported that Portsmouth midfielder Neil Barrett was on the verge of signing for United, while persistent rumours concerning Tommy Mooney and Teddy Sheringham won’t go away (Hull today denied that Sheringham was joining them as player-coach). Phil Gilchrist has joined Rotherham with a two-year contract, despite being offered a very generous deal by United. However Oxford weren’t quite able to meet Gilly’s demands, and the higher standard of football was obviously a factor.

United’s home friendly against Chelsea on Saturday 17th has been made all-ticket after the club sold 4,000 tickets in two days. The away game at Wycombe will be shown live on Sky, for some reason, meaning that the fixture is to be brought forward to the Friday evening. Unfortunately this means that a planned Rage On sponsored cycle ride to Adams Park and back has had to be shelved, although we are looking at alternative options.