The new arrivals, just 24 hours before today's big kick-off against Hartlepool United, should help push up the crowd even further, with an estimated 10,000 expected to pack Brunton Park for the first game of the John Courtenay era. The popular Irish businessman is confident of success in his first season at the helm and has faith in Roddy Collins, the man he brought back from the wilderness after he was sacked by Mark Knighton towards the back end of last season. Collins has spent most of the last week on the phone and the deals he concluded yesterday will not be the last. Winger Brendan McGill from Sunderland could be signed on Monday and Collins told CFM Radio in a phone-in last night that up to three other players are also being chased. Baldachino arrives highly rated from Bolton Wanderers. He is a pacy winger who would complement McGill should he arrive and could go straight in to make his debut today. Hevicon has come in on loan from Blackburn Rovers but will probably be only on the bench at best. Burns comes from Bristol City, who shelled out £100,000 to Nottingham Forest for him two years ago. Collins knows about him through a recent loan spell at Shelbourne, the club he persuaded to let go of Richie Foran.
Meanwhile Brunton Park was a hive of activity again yesterday as season ticket sales shot past the 700 mark. Ticket books for the East Stand have not been made ready in time so the 200 or so who have bought season tickets for it will receive vouchers for today's game. The last time United had a five-figure league gate was on May 6 1995 when 12,746 attended the Lincoln City match which was the final game of the 1994-95 championship campaign. However the Imps spoiled the party that day and won 3-1. A more likely target for today's match will be the 10,242 who attended the Hartlepool game two weeks earlier. Picture from News & Star |
