As speculated on yesterday, the press conference this afternoon at the KasStad was for Firoz Kassam to announce that he had given a permanent managerial contract to Graham Rix. What was unexpected, however, was that the contract is for two years, with an option for a third year extension. Whatever one thinks of the pros and cons of Rix’s appointment, the fact that he has been given a contract of this length has to be regarded as positive news, bringing long-term stability to the club. In an interview on the official club site Rix also claims that he has Kassam’s agreement for a new scouting network and a new training ground. He also makes the more suspect claim that he has got his message across to Kassam that more investment needs to be made in the club, but the proof of that (and of all of the rest) will be in the pudding.

This afternoon’s other action was on the pitch, at Court Place Farm, where United’s reserves lost 2-0 to Bournemouth’s second string. Gavin Lynch scored the Cherries’ opener as early as the second minute, beating trialist Brady Clarke from close range. Bournemouth’s second goal was a penalty by Gareth O’Connor, awarded for a trip by Adam Garner.

United fielded a young and inexperienced side, although it did feature Barry Quinn, who was taken off after an hour, possibly as he could feature in Saturday’s game against Cambridge. Also playing for United were Jefferson Louis and Manny Omoyinmi, both of whom were also replaced early, with ten and twenty minutes remaining respectively, also possibly with the weekend in mind.