Manchester United news and links

Boss Dave Pace insists Droylsden can still be Blue Square Bet North title contenders despite a stuttering start.

Lee Steele’s razor-sharp finish cut FC United down to size as Ashton United knocked the Rebels off the top of the Evo-Stik League’s premier division by inflicting their first defeat of the season in front of a  1,069 Bank Holiday crowd at Hurst Cross.

FC United boss Karl Marginson warned his rampant Rebels against complacency after seeing them march to the top of the Evo-Stik League’s premier division with a five-goal rout of visiting Retford.

Non-league Droylsden climbed to seventh in Blue Square Bet North as they took the Tameside derby honours with a comfortable 3-1 victory over struggling neighbours Hyde at the Butcher’s Arms on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, FC United sealed a narrow win over Nantwich.

Altrincham skipper Robbie Lawton remained chirpy despite seeing the Robins continue their slow start in Blue Square Bet Premier with defeat to big-spending Crawley.

Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote refused to be too downcast despite seeing his rebuilt Robins beaten by a late goal in their Blue Square Bet Premier curtain-raiser at Luton.

Altrincham boss Graham Heathcote insists he’ll be happy to see his rebuilt Robins go in at the deep end when they launch their new Blue Square Bet Premier season with a trip to title favourites Luton tomorrow.

The Moss Lane chief, who this week took his summer signings into double figures with the capture of former Wales under-21 keeper James Coates, believes the Hatters are odds-on for promotion.

Altrincham have signed former Port Vale and Tranmere midfielder Danny Holmes from fellow non-Leaguers Ilkeston Town as boss Graham Heathcote makes his final preparations for Saturday’s Blue Square Bet Premier opener at Luton.

Phil Marsh was an instant hit for Stalybridge Celtic as he struck to sink Fleetwood at Bower Fold.

Hyde chiefs have dismissed talk that the Tigers are being bankrolled by City to seek out Blue Square Bet North glory.

Stalybridge Celtic manager Jim Harvey has vowed to make a success of the 101-year-old Tameside outfit’s bold switch to full professional status – even though he’s leading them into their new era on the cheap.

Altrincham’s pre-season opener at Woodley Sports was dramatically cut short by a serious injury to the Stockport side’s centre-half Matthew Cotton.

FC United boss Karl Marginson has significantly boosted his firepower by signing prolific striker Mike Norton from neighbours Curzon Ashton.

Derby have agreed a deal to sign striker Tomasz Cywka on a free transfer from Wigan.

This time next week Fabio Capello, and the rest of the world, will know the 23 men charged with the responsibility of securing World Cup glory for England.

Wigan’s general manager John Benson will leave at the end of this month after 10 years at the club.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has ruled out a move for midfielder Jimmy Bullard this summer.

Brett Ormerod hit the £90million goal to fire Blackpool to the most lucrative, and unlikeliest, of promotions to the Barclays Premier League.

Kevin Francis was always easy to find on the football pitch but he is much harder to track down nowadays.

Spain striker David Villa has completed his move from Valencia to Barcelona, signing a four-year contract at the Nou Camp after passing his medical.

Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt has signed a new contract to keep him at the club for another season.

Rochdale boss Keith Hill has slammed Rory McArdle’s decision to quit Spotland in favour of a move to Aberdeen.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has spoken of his admiration for Spanish striker Adrian Colunga.

England captain Rio Ferdinand says the departure of Lord Triesman should not affect the decision to host the 2018 World Cup.

Oldham Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy says the club’s search for a new manager could be over within the next seven days.

Ricardo Vaz Te could be forgiven for being bitter about Bolton’s decision not to award him a new contract.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is expected to reject an £8m offer from Premier League rivals Birmingham City for French star Charles N’Zogbia.


Birmingham may now decide to increase their offer - they are desperate to sign N’Zogbia and first targeted him back in January.

Hot-shots Wayne Rooney and his former team-mate, Carlos Tevez, go head-to-head in a bid to be the M.E.N. Sport Player of the Season.


If United’s top scorer gets the nod he will be the first player to ever win the award twice… and he is the favourite, having hit 34 goals during the campaign and, of course, he’s already picked up a host of other personal prizes.

It wasn’t exactly a vintage year for any of Greater Manchester’s senior semi-pro clubs, although both Droylsden and Curzon Ashton did come close to promotion, each losing in the play-offs.

At the top of the pile, Altrincham continued to punch above their weight in Blue Square Premier, while Hyde United had double cause for celebration in Blue Square North, staging a successful relegation battle only months after they’d escaped extinction by the skin of their teeth.

Bolton reporter Trevor Baxter gives his verdict on the Trotters’ performance in the 2009/10 season.

Chelsea captain John Terry hailed a “special” feeling after helping the Blues seal their first ever league and FA Cup double by beating Portsmouth 1-0 at Wembley.


Chelsea hit the woodwork five times in the first half but could have gone behind had Kevin-Prince Boateng not missed a penalty in the 56th minute.

Cash-strapped Stockport County could be out of administration in a matter of days after the Football League approved the latest takeover attempt at Edgeley Park.


The 2015 Group - fronted by former chief executive Sean Connolly - were given the green light at a League meeting on Thursday.

Wigan have agreed terms to sign Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz from Bruges, the club have confirmed on their website.


The 27-year-old central defender has been a virtual ever-present for the Belgian club, making almost 70 league and 16 European appearances since joining from Italian side SC Beira Mar in 2007.

Bury have released their retained list following their disappointing finish to the 2009/2010 season.


Paul Scott, Wayne Brown, Richie Baker, Danny Racchi, Damien Allen and Josh Rothwell have been released as boss Alan Knill looks to freshen up his squad.

Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy has surprisingly been named in the Wales squad for this month’s international friendly against Croatia.


Bellamy was thought unlikely to feature in the match in Osijek on May 23 having missed his country’s last three games.

Major League Soccer side Toronto FC will provide Bolton with their first opposition of the summer.


The Canadian team has confirmed they will play Wanderers in the annual Carlsberg Cup in Toronto on July 21.

Oldham’s caretaker boss Martin Gray admitted his future was unknown after presiding over their ninth home league defeat of the season.


Gray took charge following Dave Penney’s departure on Thursday and was set to meet the directors this week.

There hasn’t been much call for victory parades where Rochdale have been concerned over the last 40 years.


Little wonder, then, that the sight of Keith Hill’s promotion-winning squad heading down the town centre Esplanade aboard an open top bus brought a tear to the eye of many a Dale supporter yesterday.

Macclesfield Town have appointed former Burnley, Chesterfield and Halifax defender Glyn Chamberlain as assistant manager to Gary Simpson.