The Scottish Third Division outfit have snapped up the 26-year-old defender on a three-year contract. The shock news seems to pave the way for striker Daniel Nardiello to join on loan from Manchester United, while trialist Eugene Mhabu could also be on the way into Brunton Park. The Raydale Park club, now owned by Brooks Mileson, have been ambitious assembling a squad to take them to promotion this season. They have already brought in David Holdsworth and Richard Prokas. Now Birch is one of the final pieces in the jigsaw for Rowan Alexander's team. The news though has come as a big blow to Carlisle's fans who rated the former Northwich Victoria full back highly. Birch was named as the Clubs' Most Improved Player of the Season at the Supporters' Club's Awards last May. He was signed by Ian Atkins for £10,000 from Northwich in August 2000. Last season he forced his way back into the starting line-up at the expense of Brian Shelley. Shelley could now take his place for the home game with Bristol Rovers on Saturday. Roddy Collins has been coming under pressure after a start of three straight defeats, two of them in the league. He said his priority was a new striker following the 3-0 defeat at Yeovil last weekend. United have netted just two goals in three games to date. However chairman John Courtenay offered his support to Collins yesterday, saying: "I am confident things will turn around. We need to tweak things a bit. If you remember last season, we lost 6-1 to Wrexham and then bounced back by beating Shrewsbury and Torquay away. Football is about the next match, not the last game." Picture from News & Star |
