Up the Manor

One of the obstacles in the way of United's long and happy future has been overcome today with the news that the Football Licensing Authority has granted the club temporary dispensation to continue playing at the Manor for another year, until July 2001. Without this dispensation the capacity at the Manor would have been just 2,803 seats, below the minimum capacity of 6,000 required by League regulations, leading to the possibility of the club being expelled from the League. The FLA recognised that the current situation with the Judicial Review is beyond the club's control and this was taken into account when making its decision. It is now imperative that the new stadium is ready in time for the start of next season as it's unlikely that the FLA will be so understanding three seasons running.

Striker light?

Denis Smith has claimed that his main priority is to find a goalscorer for next season's campaign. He is apparently looking at a couple of Premiership reserves, who would command a fee as they are under 24, a third division player and someone from Scotland who would be available for free on Bosman transfers. Smith has also scotched rumours that a deal has been done with Newcastle for Paul Powell, claiming that no-one has made a bid for the 21 year old, who still has three years left on his contract, since West Brom's laughable attempt to buy him last Winter.

Brand new coach

Denis Smith, still peeved that he was unable to bring his buddy Malcolm Crosby to United, is going to talk to Firoz Kassam to see if there is a budget available for him to bring in another coach, claiming that he and Mickey Lewis need someone else to assist. In fact Smith has said that he would sacrifice a player from the squad in order to get another decent coach. As coincidence would have it out-of-contract defender Steve Davis has expressed an interest in taking up coaching, and former United defender Mike Ford, who has now retired from playing, has also stated his desire to return to the Manor in a coaching capacity. All of which could save Den a few bob if he didn't mind taking on someone with no experience.

P45

Another former United player who has had his services dispensed with is Chris Allen, who no longer figures in Stockport's plans. He will no doubt return to his former career as receptionist at Unipart's gym. Meanwhile injury prone tall chap Kevin Francis is being linked with a move from Stockport to Hull on a Bosman tranfer.