The moves are dependent on John Courtenay completing his takeover of the club, but this is now considered a formality and the deal with Michael Knighton should be finalised by Wednesday. Once Courtenay is installed in Brunton Park he will repay the PFA loan which will allow his manager to immediately start signing players. However attempts to sign striker Glen Crowe from the Dublin club have stalled and it seems the highly-rated striker will NOT now be coming to Brunton Park. Both Molloy and Shelley have played for the Republic of Ireland, Molloy for the under-21s and Shelley for the under-20s. Molloy is a striker who can also play in midfield while Shelley is a versatile right-sided defender. Collins is in no doubt about their pedigree. "It is brilliant. Trevor Molloy will have people on their feet. It is unbelievable for us. He is one of the most talented players in the country. You would have to pay in excess of £200,000 for him over here, but we are getting him for free. Brian Shelley is a good young player, with a lot of potential," he said. To facilitate the new arrivals Collins is continuing his moves to get rid of players he inherited from Ian Atkins. Dave Morley remains on loan at Oxford and Atkins is keen to sign him on a permanent deal. He is also hoping to sign defender Lee Maddison. Midfielder Mick Galloway looks likely to join Scottish First Division outfit Airdrie, with negotiations at an advanced stage. Goalkeeper Luke Weaver, who is on standby to replace Peter Keen at the moment because of a thigh problem, is also on the transfer list and has already had a trial with Northampton, where his former boss Martin Wilkinson is the chief scout. Stars come out for CCUIST Ex-United legends Hughie McIlmoyle, Peter McConnell, Bill Green and Johnny Evans were amongst the guests at a special cabaret evening held in aid of the supporters' trust (CCUIST) at Harraby Catholic Club last night. Also present were United's goalscoring goalkeeper Jimmy Glass, whose goal in May 1999 kept the Cumbrians in the Football League and Carlisle-born former England international Kevin Beattie. Top band Gize kept a full house of 300 well entertained. A blue United No.9 shirt worn by McIlmoyle in the late 60s was auctioned off for a sum of £350, along with other shirts donated by Bill Green and Peter Beardsley. A raffle, football quiz and merchandise sales, including signed photos of Glass's goal added to a bumper night for the 9-month-old trust, which now has over 900 full members. Earlier in the day McConnell, Evans, Beattie and Glass took part in a special penalty shoot-out at Brunton Park with manager Roddy Collins. Beattie and Collins formed one team and were declared the winners after Collins managed to score with his spot-kick and save the effort of Glass. |
