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Thompson, who took over from Bristol City-bound Gary Johnson, has agreed to stay on at the Somerset club as assistant manager to Slade. That is bad news though for Thompson's former number two Kevin Hodges who is now leaving the club and serving out a six-month notice period. Slade was previously in charge at Conference side Scarborough before his spell at Blundell Park and was apparently Yeovil's number one choice for the job. Meanwhile Yeovil's 24-year old goalkeeper Chris Weale is likely to be back in action in late Autumn after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Chesterfield in early March last season.
Jermaine McSporran has joined League Two side Chester City after being released by Doncaster Rovers at the end of the season, the 29-year old moving to the Deva Stadium after a injury-plagued spell in South Yorkshire. Michael Dobson is another player to drop down a division after being released, the 25-year old former Brentford right-back and captain linking up with relegated Walsall after making over 200 appearances at Griffin Park since being at the West London club from the age of nine. Richard Butcher may also be on the move to League Two, the 25-year old Oldham midfielder having nearly completed a free transfer to Peterborough United after spending only one season at Boundary Park following his move from Lincoln City.
Scunthorpe have had a £100,000 bid for 27-year old winger Kevin Ellison accepted by Hull City, Ellison seemingly surplus to requirements at the KC Stadium despite having a year to run on his contract. Ellison joined the Tigers, also for £100,000, from Chester City in January 2005 but has struggled to hold down a regular starting place. Hull themselves are confident of snapping up Nottingham Forest defender Alan Rogers on a free transfer next week, Rogers having spent the end of last season on loan to Hull. Premier League Fulham are believed to be in talks with Leyton Orient and their highly-rated defender Gaby Zakuani regarding a move to Craven Cottage, the 20-year old DR Congo international having impressed for the O's in their League Two promotion campaign.
Swansea have renewed their interest in Fulham's Darren Pratley, who spent last season on loan to Brentford, the side who the Swans defeated in the League One play-off semi-finals. Kenny Jackett is keen to sign the Barking-born midfielder after having an offer for Pratley rebuked by Fulham once before. City are also considering making an improved offer for Wycombe's centre-half and skipper Roger Johnson after seeing their initial £100,000 bid turned down by the Adams Park outfit earlier this week. Bournemouth central defender Neil Young has signed a new one-year deal at the Fitness First stadium, the 32-year old having made over 400 apperances for the Cherries since joining the club in 1994 from Spurs. Meanwhile defensive team-mate Shaun Cooper has signed a contract extension which keeps him in Bournemouth colours for the next two campaigns, the 22-year old making over 40 appearances for the Dorset side last season. It's bad news for Adam Griffiths though who looks set to miss out a new contract after signing for the club on a short-term deal in January, Griffiths looking likely to move back home to his native Australia this summer.
The saga of a new ground for Brighton rolls on yet further as Lewes Council are appealing against the decision by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to give the go-ahead for a new stadium at Falmer, to the north of Brighton. Mr Prescott's decision in October last year is being challenged on 13 separate points by the Council after an apparent mistake in his approval letter. The decision in October to grant the Seagulls planning permission for a new ground was wonderful news for the club itself after more than six years of playing matches at Withdean athletics stadium. The political wrangle which has ensued with Lewes Council has led to Brighton fans setting up their own Seagulls Party to contest seats at local elections. Gillingham striker Darren Byfield has joined League One rivals Millwall after spending two seasons at the Priestfield Stadium. 29-year old Byfield was the Gills' top scorer least season with 14 goals and his departure will be a big disappointment to manager Ronnie Jepson who is looking to build a promotion chasing squad after the club flirted with relegation last season.