And he hopes to have four new players at Brunton Park within days. Trevor Molloy, Brian Shelley, Steve Soley and Michael Jack are all expected to sign for the Cumbrians this week, Soley and Jack re-joining after being released by the old United regime at the start of the close season. Soley has a release clause which allows him to leave Conference club Southport and return to United. He had been named club captain at Haig Avenue but he is set to switch back to Brunton Park and take his place in the new era. Jack was reported to have signed a contract with Danish club Herfolge but it has emerged that he never agreed a deal and is now back in training with Carlisle. Shelley and Molloy have existing agreements to join United as long as John Courtenay is the owner. They are now ready to make the move across the Irish Sea. Molloy had been on loan with Shelbourne after being released by Bohemians in May. Shelley is with Longford Town. Collins confirmed Soley would be rejoining a rejuvenated United today: "We have done the deal with Steve Soley and he is coming back and plans to move up here to live with his wife and kids."
Collins hasn't finished yet. He has promised to bring more players over from Ireland and will also look to resurrect the youth system with the aid of chief scout Barry Robinson, who is also returning to Brunton Park after being sacked along with Collins earlier in the year. The outspoken former Bohemians boss is hoping to prise Brendan McGill away from Sunderland after his impressive debut season on loan with United. McGill has been in talks with his Mackems boss Peter Reid and Collins is confident of capturing his signature. He may also renew his interest in £100,000-rated defender Darren Kelly of Derry City, who was his No.1 target for much of the last campaign. With Courtenay's funds now available to him, Kelly could be within his scope for the first time. But for other players, the door is likely to be shut firmly on their Carlisle careers. Lee Maddison, Mick Galloway, Luke Weaver and Mark Thurstan were not amongst Collins's favourites last season and are likely to be moved back on to the transfer list. None of them managed to make permanent moves last year when Collins dropped them from his plans. Police investigate ANOTHER Brunton burglary In a dramatic 72 hours at Brunton Park, the takeover on Friday was followed by a break-in on Saturday night as thieves legged it with £3,000 in cash after breaking into a safe. The burglary is the second theft to hit the club in the past few months. Earlier in the year, a break-in at the house owned by Mark Knighton next door to the club shop resulted in the loss of valuable items from the club's archives. Police say keys kept at the ground were used to gain entry to the offices, leading to suspicions of an "inside job". Doors were forced off their hinges and drawers turned upside down during the raid. Directors Andrea Whittaker and Mark Knighton who will shortly resign following the Courtenay takeover, were at the scene but unavailable for comment. The thieves are understood to have had knowledge of extra cash at the ground due to increased season ticket sales on Friday. Jenkins, Clark and Corry lined up for board positions The composition of the new-look board of directors at Brunton Park was revealed today by John Courtenay. He is to appoint John Bourke, his long-standing friend alongside former United chairman Andrew Jenkins, Lord David Clark of Windermere and a representative of supporters' trust CCUIST, who are to negotiate the purchase of shares from Courtenay this week. Ex-CCUIST chairman Mike Corry, who stood down for personal reasons last week, is to be asked to take a position on the board of finance director. Picture from News & Star |
