Three down, eight to go (or stay?)

Two more of United's out of contract eleven left the fold today. Following Pål Lundin's departure last week Eddie Newton has gone to China to ply his trade and Nigel Jemson has also left the building. Manager Denis Smith said of Jemson that United need a goalscorer and not a goalmaker, although in his latest stint up the Manor he was neither. Smith is trying to speak to Jim Smith to sign Richard Knight permanently and apparently has put out feelers for other players.

One who remains uncertain of his future is Mark Watson, who has already left for Canada. Apparently a fax received from the Canadian FA hints that Watson could be unavailable for club games, due to international games, for as much as half of next season, although Watty himself claims that he won't be needed for all the matches. Let's hope that he is given a contract nonetheless, for half a Watty is better than none. More worryingly for United supporters is that Denis has promised that there won't be a mass exodus, which is probably something that most fans wanted to see, especially with regard to some of the poorer players this season. Meanwhile Adrian Viveash is leaving Walsall on a Bosman and is someone who could replace Phil Whelan or Steve Davis (or both).

Better late than never (maybe)

At last a report of the Mike Ford testimonial is online and can be found here.

Next season already

United's first pre-season friendly will be on July 19th, somewhere on the south coast. It is also anticipated that there will be two friendlies up the Manor.

FOULMouth 7

The latest edition of the FOUL newsletter, distributed prior to the Scunthorpe game, can be found online here.

Naughty Jimmy

The English FA on Tuesday charged former Oxford manager Jim Smith with misconduct for the second time this season after he again made derogatory remarks about a premier league referee. Presumably they are also going to charge most of the nation's journalists and football supporters?