The news will come as a huge boost to John Courtenay, who has experienced several delays to the ending of the process. The main sticking point was a proposed £2 million loan from Sterling Consortium that has since been scrapped as Mr Courtenay covers the club's outstanding debts himself. He has already made one payment of £750,000 to creditors with another £750,000 due soon. The administrators from BKR Haines Watts will now stand aside to allow Courtenay to take full control. Up to now, all purchases have had to be agreed with the administrators first. Courtenay has plans to introduce new commercial staff and open up a new club shop at the back of the East Stand. He has also invited Lord Clark of Windermere, John Bourke and Andrew Jenkins on to the new-look United board of directors, who will now assume control of the day-to-day decision making. A fourth place has been left open for a representative of the supporters' trust, CCUIST. Manager Roddy Collins inherited a threadbare squad of just 15 players when he returned to Brunton Park in July following Courtenay's takeover. Since then he has signed 19 players and has his eyes set on more following the lifting of the administration order. Hull City's Gary Alexander and Matty Glennon are both in his sights. He has also made no secret of his desire to sign midfielder Stuart Green, who is on long-term loan with the Tigers from Newcastle. However any permanent deal for Green would have to wait until January when the Premiership transfer window opens again. Collins also wants to tie up a loan deal to bring Franchise FC defender Des Byrne to Brunton Park. Byrne, who was involved in a fracas at a night club earlier this year which led to a court case in which he was cleared of affray, has been on trial at United in recent weeks. He could be signed in time to make his debut at Macclesfield on Saturday. Freeman released Forward David Freeman has been released by United after appearing in just four games. He joined the Cumbrians last month from Nottingham Forest after impressing in a series of friendlies. He failed to score in his brief spell at Brunton Park. Former United target set to join Grecians Grant Holt, who was on trial at Brunton Park last month, is on the verge of a permanent move to Third Division rivals Exeter City. Holt, who is currently back at Barrow, for whom he scored 26 goals last season, impressed watching Exeter scouts with a hat-trick last night in a 3-1 win for the Bluebirds at Hyde United. Holt is on a short-term deal at Holker Street and manager Kenny Lowe accepts he will leave to join a league club. He played for Exeter's reserve side and scored against Torquay last week. He is now expected to complete a move to St James Park. During his trial spell at Carlisle, Holt impressed with two goals against Celtic in a friendly. Picture from News & Star |
