THE THIRD DEGREE - Week Ending 26th October

WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 26 2003

Boston = Boston United boss Neil Thompson has rejected rumours that Pilgrims skipper Ben Chapman has been transfer-listed at York Street. The 24-year-old former Grimsby Town defender is currently sidelined with a knee injury Adebayo Akinfenwa could become a permanent fixture at Boston after impressing in his three games so far. The former Barry Town forward, who is on a short-term contract, grabbed the winner against Swindon on his debut and earned the plaudits of manager Neil Thompson for his performances against York and Southend.Bristol Rovers = Bristol Rovers chairman Geoff Dunford has effectively ruled out sacking manager Ray Graydon. Dunford revealed last night he was not prepared to pay off Graydon and hand out 'compensation for failure.' So he wants Ray Graydon to resign so he won't have to pay him.Bury = Bury midfielder Martyn Forrest has left the club after having his contract terminated by mutual consent. The 24-year-old has not played for the Shakers this season and has spent the last month on loan at Conference side Leigh RMI.Cambridge = Former Spanish youth international Leo has turned down the chance of an extended trail with Cambridge United. Cambridge United have released young striker Lloyd Opara by mutual consent. The 19-year-old has been a regular in The U's squad this season, however after meeting with manager John Taylor it has now been decided he should leave.Carlisle = Hull City defender Shaun Smith has singed on a month's loan. Carlisle are set to be without defender Peter Murphy for up to two months due to a knee injury. Boss Paul Simpson unable to bring in a replacement. He told The Journal: "I wish I could go out and bring in the three or four players I feel we need to get out of this position. "Losing Peter Murphy is a massive blow for us."Cheltenham = On loan defender Kevin Amankwaah has left Whaddon Road and returned to Bristol City after spending two months with Cheltenham. Robins caretaker manager Bob Bloomer has managed to extend the loan deal on Darren Jones. Bloomer has been in contact with Danny Wilson at Ashton Gate and agreed another month's deal. Former Northern Ireland and QPR defender Alan McDonald has applied for the manager's position at Cheltenham.Darlington = George Reynolds, the Darlington chairman, is the subject of a police investigation after making a series of threats against the editor of the local newspaper. Darlington boss Mick Tait has ended his interest in midfielder Keith O'Halloran. The former Middlesbrough man was released by Second Division club Swindon Town in the summer and despite two trials with The Quakers, Tait has turned his attentions to bolstering his strike-force instead.Doncaster = Doncaster manager Dave Penney made a surprise return to competitive action on Wednesday when he named himself in Rovers' reserves. Due to injuries and the first-team game on Tuesday, the second-string only had 13 players to play the fixture against Notts County, so Penney was forced to dust off his boots and take part.Huddersfield = Huddersfield have announced their decision to ban for life any fans convicted of football violence-related crimes. The Terriers' new no-nonsense approach to troublemakers was launched this week in a bid to combat violence inside and outside grounds. Previously convicted fans were banned for one season only.Hull = Hull City defender Marc Joseph made his long-awaited return from a knee injury in the reserves' 2-2 draw with Stoke in midweek. Joseph sustained the problem against Cheltenham on August 23 but came through the second-string clash unscathed. However, Saturday's home game with Lincoln is likely to come too soonKidderminster = Jan Molby is the new manger of Kidderminster after being sacked last season. He made his first signing back at the club, Hull City defender Steve Burton. New Boss Jan Molby admitted his side were never at the races in their 2-0 defeat to Doncaster. "We started okay without really getting going" Molby said, "However a horrific mistake for the first goal and that cost us. We are second from bottom and good teams aren't in that position. There is a tough job ahead of us and our target is to stay in the league."Leyton O = Caretaker boss Martin Ling has been given charge of the O's until Christmas, after an impressive run of results by the Brisbane Road side. Lee Thorpe has been fined a week's wages for his sending off against Southend United last Saturday. The O's striker saw red in a moment of madness just before the break at Roots Hall when he elbowed Duncan Jupp in the face.Lincoln = Hartlepool have recalled striker Marcus Richardson from his loan spell at Lincoln City. Lincoln City defender Dave Coulson has joined Dr. Marten's Western Division side Ilkeston Town on a month's loan. Lincoln City have completed the loan signing of the Walsall defender Matt Carbon. Red Imps boss Keith Alexander has brought the player back to Sincil Bank on a one-month deal.Macclesfield = Macclesfield boss Dave Moss has left the club following the club's 2-1 defeat to Southend Moss had been in charge of the Silkmen for just under two years, having succeeded Gil Prescott at the Nationwide Division Three outfit.Mansfield = Mansfield Town defender Jake Buxton looks set to make a loan move to Alfreton Town. Mansfield boss Keith Curle has paid tribute to Kevin Pilkington, who has continued playing for the club while mourning the loss of his father. Pilkington's father passed away on Saturday morning but the Field Mill stopper was unaware of the news until after the 4-2 defeat to Doncaster on the afternoon.Northampton = The Cobblers have signed Blackpool striker Richard Walker on a month's loan. Northampton Town have allowed Oli Burgess to leave the club after his short-term contract with the Cobblers expired. The 22-year-old midfielder moved to the Sixfields Stadium from QPR in the summer. "I would like to thank Oli for his efforts," Northampton boss Colin Calderwood told the club's official website. "His contract was up and that has meant the end of his time here. We have a large squad with a number of players already under contract in Oli's position."Oxford = Oxford United striker Manny Omoyinmi has returned to Margate for a second loan spell. The U's man scored twice on his initial month-long stint with the Conference club. Oxford chairman Firoz Kassam has revealed he is considering selling the club for a pound. Kassam, who bought the debt-ridden club for the same token sum four years ago, told BBC Radio Oxford he is becoming increasingly fed up with the fans' lack of support and trust. "If only they knew what I had to go through on a day-to-day basis they would be shocked."Rochdale = Rochdale boss Alan Buckley has hailed the return from injury of goalkeeper Neil Edwards as a key factor in Dale's recent improvement in Nationwide Division Three. "In terms of instinct and having quick hands he is probably one of the best that I have ever seen. He has done exceptionally well."Scunthorpe = Scunthorpe United have signed Leeds United youngster Paul Keegan on a month's loan. Scunthorpe United have extended Middlesbrough goalie Sam Russell's loan spell at Glanford Park for a third month. Alex Calvo-Garcia has received some good news that his ankle injury that he suffered against Shrewsbury. X-Rays showed that there was no bone damage and would not need an operation but he could still be out for two-three weeks. Scunthorpe United midfielder Ian Kilford is confident he is firmly back on the road to full fitness after being laid low by a virus for most of the season so far.Southend = Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan has signed a contract to keep him at Roots Hall until the end of the season. Flahavan was released by the Shrimpers during the summer but recently returned following an injury to Carl Emberson.Torquay = Manager Leroy Rosenior is apparently on the short list for the vacant management job at Brighton. The Gulls lost 4-0 to struggling Boston on Saturday and Rosenior said, "We didn't start at the right tempo and even when we were flat out, we only seemed to be working at 50 per cent. Boston had a little bit of luck but our performance was nowhere near good enough. We got exactly what we deserved and that was nothing."Yeovil = Ronnie Bull has returned to Millwall after injury forced him to cut short his loan spell at Yeovil Town.York = Chris Brass is calling on his midfield to provide the leadership qualities that will propel York City back up the Division Three table. Skipper Darren Edmondson played his first game for two months in their 0-0 draw with Scunthorpe.

THE THIRD DEGREE IS COMPILED BY MATTHEW PHILLIPS

What are your thoughts? Share them on the Message Board

Can't Get To Your PC?? You can Text JackArmy.net on 07734 661632

Call costs are 32 p per minute peak time, 22p per minute off peak and 11p per minute at weekends. Call times will vary depending on the length of your message. JackArmy.net reserves the right not to post messages it deems unfit for publication. Please try and refrain from the use of foul language when making a call. Calls from mobile phones and abroad may vary.