THE THIRD DEGREE - Week Ending 9th November

WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 09 2003

Boston = Boston United midfielder Lee Thompson is enjoying his new lease of life after fearing he would never play football again. "The doctors said I might never play again and that I had to consider my career could be over. That was hard to try and get my head around and I was desperate to turn out again. I worked hard and slowly, but surely, forced myself back into contention."Bristol Rovers = On loan Hull winger Ryan Williams has said that he wouldn't rule out a stay beyond that. He said "There's no reason why I wouldn't play first team football, and I've been made to feel very welcome and I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far." The also have trialist a former Arsenal youngster Matt Rouse. Who has been playing in the reserves.Bury = Canadian U23 international Centre half Justin Thompson has signed for the Shakers on non-contract terms. Terry Dunfield and newly signed Justin Thompson have both received international call-ups and will represent Canada later this month.Cambridge = John Taylor admitted that his side's 2-1 win over Unibond league side Lancaster City was far from a pretty game of football, but he praised his team for progressing to the second round of a cup competition for the first time this season. "I'm delighted that we are through that's the be-all and end-all of cup competitions. It wasn't he greatest of games but at 1-1 anything can happen and fortunately for us today we managed to get on the end of a decent cross in stoppage time to win the game."Carlisle = Boss Paul Simpson is looking for Carlisle's LDV Vans Trophy success over Huddersfield to spark an upturn of fortunes. Carlisle are 10 points adrift at the bottom of Division Three Simpson said: "We keep saying the next game could be the one that turns it round for us. Hopefully, this will be the start." Carlisle United boss Paul Simpson is hoping to add to his squad next week. "I'm working to get new faces in for the league game at Mansfield next week because we're down to the bare bones."Cheltenham = John Ward has taken over as manager of Cheltenham Town, replacing Bobby Gould. He watched his side take the spoils with a battling 3-1 victory over Division Three leaders Hull. They are home to Leyton Orient in the 2nd roundDarlington = Darlington manager David Hodgson has appointed Neil Maddison as club captain, taking over the armband from Craig Liddle. Darlington were one of the teams involved in an upset. Ryman league team Hornchurch beat them 2-0 in the FA Cup.Doncaster = Doncaster Rovers have signed Morecambe midfielder Adriano Rigoglioso on their third attempt of the season.Huddersfield = Youngster Adnan Ahmed and Tyrone Thompson will stay till the end of the season. Academy graduates striker Steven Kenworthy, and midfielder Joe Washington are being released. Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson is hoping to persuade Coventry to sell midfielder Lee Fowler. The Wales Under-21 international's three-month loan at the McAlpine Stadium expires at the end of the week, and Jackson has been in talks with Coventry this week over a permanent deal.Hull = Hull City boss Peter Taylor was furious with the match officials following his side's 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Cheltenham Town. "I was disappointed with some of the performances out there but more disappointed by the assistant referee," he complained. "He allowed their first goal to stand despite our players saying Spencer was offside, and he then disallowed a perfectly good goal by Jamie Forrester."Kidderminster = Just one month into his second loan spell at Kidderminster midfielder J.J. Melligan has returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Kidderminster manager Jan Molby has said he had no doubts about ending JJ Melligan's loan spell at Aggborough. "There is no doubting JJ is a very good player. Molby said. "In fact if JJ was to ever be made available by Wolves in the future then we would definitely be interested in taking him on permanently."Leyton O = Striker Adebayo Akinfenwa has joined the O's after turning down Boston United's offer of a longer contract. The London-born frontman joined Boston two weeks ago but decided against a permanent move to Lincolnshire.Lincoln = Lincoln beat high flying second division Brighton 3-1 in the FA Cup to move easily into the second round. They now face the winner of Southend and Canvey IslandMacclesfield = Macclesfield Town have decided to appeal after Colin Little was sent off in Saturday's impressive 2-2 draw at table-topping Hull City. Ex Macc legend Steve Burr is the next manager to be linked with the top job at Moss Rose. Burr is currently in charge at Hucknall Town with another ex Macc manager Peter Wragg as his assistant. Macclesfield caretaker manager John Askey has thanked Stockport boss Sammy McIlroy for allowing defender Rob Jones to leave on loan.Mansfield = Lance Mulligan is no longer required at the club. He's apparently been told to find a new club in the year he has left on his deal.Northampton = Northampton have signed defender Des Lyttle on a non-contract basis.Oxford = Oxford United have handed trials to Andy Brownrigg and Paul Chow both from non-league clubs. Jamie Brooks continued his comeback from Guillain-Barre Syndrome by scoring his first goal in competitive football for 18 months for the reserves. Boss Ian Atkins wants to stay at Oxford United - despite the speculation linking him with the vacant manager's post at Southend. Atkins admitted he was "not interested" in swapping Oxford for Southend,Rochdale = Dale's on loan striker / winger Chris Shuker has opted to return to the Premiership rather than stay for the remainder of the season at Spotland.Scunthorpe = defender Jamie McCombe has gone on a month's loan to Halifax right-back Nathan Stanton will be out of action for up to two months after undergoing surgery to repair cartilage damage. Scunthorpe United have been warned as to their future conduct by the Football Association The club admitted a breach of FA Rule after a clash between Matt Sparrow and Darren Sheridan spilled into a brawl between the two sides. The club were warned about their future conduct and ordered to pay costs. Rangers are set to recall young striker Steven McLean from his successful loan spell with English Third Division side Scunthorpe United. The English Third Division side had hoped to extend his stay beyond December. Manager Brian Laws was a relieved man after their FA cup win over Conference outfit Shrewsbury Town. Laws said: "They must be disappointed. It was as difficult a game as we have had, credit to Shrewsbury, they performed well. We needed some magnificent keeping from Tommy. That double save would have been replayed again and again if it was in the Premier League."Southend = David Webb has taken temporary charge at Southend but has ruled out taking the job on a permanent basis. Oxford manager Ian Atkins is said to be linked with the job.Torquay = Torquay boss Leroy Rosenior praised Burton Albion after the non-leaguers dumped the Gulls out of the cup. Robbie Talbot scored the winner on 71 minutes for Nigel Clough's part-timers. "We gave them a head start with the own goal," said Rosenior. "You've got to give credit to Burton because they are hardworking side, who stuck to their game plan superbly."Yeovil = Yeovil went through to the second round of the FA Cup after thrashing Wrexham 4-1. They now have a home tie with either Barnet/Stalybridge.York = York player-manager Chris Brass is confident of signing a player ahead of next weekend's game against Lincoln.

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.