Top of the list are Lee Andrews and Richie Foran, who are believed to have been watched by First Division Preston North End. Andrews has previously been linked with Scottish giants Celtic. Andrews and Foran are the only players on the Brunton Park payroll who are likely to attract a transfer fee. But other players have been told they can go for nothing if an offer comes in. Directors Mark Knighton and Andrea Whittaker are struggling to keep the club afloat and recently made a drastically reduced pay offer to the out of contract players who are all leaving the club at the end of June. This offer has yet to be accepted by the majority of players. Only 15 remain on the squad, which at the moment is likely to be the smallest in the English leagues. Unless the PFA lift their ban on the club signing new players, United will almost certainly be forced to field untried YTS apprentices next season. They do not currently have enough players to name a full squad. United have no manager and only two qualified coaches left on their staff. According to club sources, up to 40 people have applied for the vacant manager's position, including some managers currently employed at Second and Third Division clubs. United are also understood to be lining up some big clubs for pre-season friendlies, in anticipation of a sustained boycott by frustrated fans. Season ticket prices were announced today, all increasing on last year. The club have over 350 season ticket holders, most of whom have said they will not be renewing for the coming campaign. Picture from News & Star |
