The 24-year-old Bohemians hot-shot is rated as the best striker in Ireland and Collins will be hoping that the John Courtenay deal will go through without problems to allow the move to take place. Before moving to Bohs, Crowe had four years in English football with Wolves and Plymouth Argyle. Fellow Third Division side Hull City are also understood be interested in signing him. He played for the Republic in their World Cup qualifier against Portugal last May. Crowe will be hoping to be part of the Irish squad for the finals in Japan and Korea this summer. In addition to Crowe, Collins also says he has snapped up team-mates Trevor Molloy and Brian Shelley for next season. Shelley is an Irish under-21 international defender. If all three do sign, they will join Irish stars Richie Foran, Brendan McGill and Will McDonagh at Brunton Park. Collins is unconcerned by fears that Carlisle could turn into an oasis of Irish talent in the English Third Division. "I don't care if the players are from Timbuktu and, if we're winning, I don't think supporters will care either," he said. "Irish players play hard and they are cheaper than English players. They are prepared to work for fair money, not the bundles of cash players over here ask for. I have agreed in principle to sign Shelley, Molloy and Crowe for the start of the season. "Ireland is an untapped area and we can get them on Bosmans. I can pick up players on free transfers who would cost you £300,000 over here. I am only doing what most managers do when they join a team as you sign players you know can do a job. If a manager came in from the south, he would probably bring in players from down there with him." Tickets selling fast for Trust do The Carlisle & Cumbria United Independent Supporters' Trust (CCUIST) is holding a cabaret evening at Harraby Catholic Club next Friday night (February 8) and tickets are selling fast. Former United stars Hughie McIlmoyle, Tot Winstanley, Tom Clarke, John Halpin, Billy Rafferty and Johnny Evans will be present, as will ex-Ipswich and England defender Kevin Beattie, who was born and brought up in Carlisle and who watched McIlmoyle and Evans from the Brunton Park terraces as a boy. United's goalkeeping hero Jimmy Glass will also be on hand. Top local act Gize are topping the bill, with supporting acts and food will be available at the bar. CCUIST will be auctioning off signed shirts and footballs and there will also be a quiz and a raffle. Tickets cost £5 each and can be bought by telephoning 07754 773603. |
