McGill was one of the key performers in Collins's side last season which finished 17th in Division Three. He arrived on a long-term loan from Sunderland and now it appears he has finally agreed to make the move permanent after several days of haggling. If McGill's move is confirmed, he will join three other new signings announced by the club today. The Newcastle United pair of goalkeeper Jonathan Brain and midfielder Craig Robson, both 19, have signed on monthly contracts. 18-year-old Kendal Town starlet Gary Prosser has joined up for a year. Robson and Brain who were released by the Tyneside giants in the summer come highly commended by chief scout Barry Robinson although they will be unable to play until at least next Saturday as they are still awaiting Football League clearance. Collins is still thought to be talking with Derry City about their £150,000-rated centre half Darren Kelly. Kelly said last year that he wanted to play for the Cumbrians but his club refused to sanction the move. Collins appeared to admit at the fans' forum last week that no move would be made for Kelly before Christmas but the speculation has persisted. Ten arrests mar United's big kick-off Police made ten arrests in the city centre following United's 3-1 defeat to Hartlepool on Saturday. Nine were were home fans with one from Hartlepool. The incidents occurred in Warwick Road following the end of the match that was watched by a gate of 10,684 - United's highest opening league gate in 28 years - going back to their 1974-75 First Division campaign. The record crowd saw a somewhat disjointed Carlisle performance that boss Roddy Collins described as being "only 40 per cent". However he was full of praise for newcomers Brian Shelley and Trevor Molloy and believes the true Carlisle United will soon emerge to challenge at the top end of the table. He also pledged to step up the search for new faces. Brian Wake grabbed United's consolation in the 80th minute, his first goal for the club on his debut. He signed for them last season from Tow Law but was never registered to play league games. Collins said of Shelley: "He had no pre-season and had only played two games in Ireland this summer. There was no way I was originally going to play him today." He was also keen on Wake's performance as substitute: "He was excellent. He took his goal well, received the ball well and laid it off well." Picture from News & Star |
