Colchester United have completed the signing of left back Marc Tierney on a permanent basis from Shrewsbury Town on an undisclosed fee. The twenty-three year old has been at the Weston Homes Community Stadium on loan for a month but, with the January transfer window now open, the U's have converted his deal to a permanent one on Friday morning.
Grimsby Town have signed West Ham United left-back Joe Widdowson on an initial one-month loan deal.
UniBond League Division One South club Belper Town have confirmed the signing of former Gresley Rovers goalkeeper David Clarke. The Nailers were forced to look for another keeper after the 'will he won't he' saga of PAUL PETTINGER'S move to neighbours Matlock Town was finally completed.
RICHARD TRACEY has been sent out on loan to Koolsport Northern Counties East side Maltby Main to gain some match fitness and restore confidence in front of goal.
Annan this week handed professional contracts to 18-year-old Aaron Muirhead and 17-year-old PHIL STOREY that tie the pair to the club until 2010.
Grays Athletic have put Ross Flitney, Rob Gier, Stefan Bailey and STUART ELLIOTT on the transfer list. The club have told the players they will not be renewing their contracts at the end of the season and are therefore free to seek employment elsewhere.
Free agent CHRIS BIRCHALL has signed with Brighton & Hove Albion until the end of the season following a successful trial period. Birchall recently agreed a release from Coventry City and has been training with Micky Adams' side for a fortnight. He turned down a move to Carlisle United after spending time on loan at the Cumbrian side earlier this season.
Newry City have granted Eircom Premier club Finn Harps permission to speak to midfielder Sean Friars about a possible loan move until the end of the season. The club received a bid for the player from Institute but this did not meet their valuation and was turned down.
Jennison Myrie-Williams joins League One side Hereford United on a month's loan. The young forward moves to the Bulls in time to make his debut in tomorrow's League One fixture against Walsall. Jennison has enjoyed plenty of loan spells at League One level, including stints with Tranmere Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Carlisle United.
Southport boss Liam Watson has signed up former Preston and Watford striker ALLAN SMART. Allan Smart is the club's Youth Development head coach and educator, running our SSES youth development scheme. Now the vastly experienced striker adds cover to the Port squad during the next three months which includes a hectic schedule of ten fixtures during February.
UniBond League Division One North club Newcastle Blue Star, who beat off stiff oppostion to sign David Southern from Blue Square North neighbours Gateshead, have also added ex-Tynesider GARETH MCALINDEN, Daniel Moore and Karl Richards to their promotion-chasing squad.
The vastly-experienced 31-year-old McAlinden was in his third spell with skilltrainingltd Northern League side Bedlington Terriers. His previous clubs include Dunston Federation and then Newcastle Blue Star, having previously played at Newcastle United, Carlisle United, Doncaster, Scarborough, Gateshead and Blyth Spartans.
Blue Square North club Workington`s midfielder Shaun Vipond spent last week training with Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical. The 20-year-old played in a behind closed doors game for Hamilton's reserve team but insists he is still committed to the Borough Park outfit. Vipond is currently on non-contract terms with Workington, which would allow other clubs to sign him for free.
"I had a good week's training with them and played for their reserve team in a friendly," he said. "They wanted to have a look at me and it went really well but I don't think anything will come of it. I am happy here at Workington. I just went there to train and nothing more. I am fully focused on the game on Wednesday night and cannot wait to play Wrexham this weekend."
Southend United have today cancelled the contract of striker RICHIE FORAN by mutual consent. The Irishman is now free to seek employment away from Roots Hall with Foran set to return to Scotland. Foran moved to Southend in January 2007 in a £150,000 move from Scottish Premier League side Motherwell.
However, despite featuring in Steve Tilson's Championship sides' line-up to begin with, he fell out of favour and in November 2007 went on loan to League Two side Darlington. During his two-year stay with the Blues, Foran made 22 appearances and scored 2 goals. The former Carlisle United striker again spent two months on loan with Darlington earlier this season and now looks set to return north of the border.
New Inverness manager Terry Butcher has made his first signings for the club, bringing in midfielder RICHIE FORAN and striker Eric Odhiambo. Butcher worked with 27-year-old Foran during his time at Motherwell and moved for the Irishman following his release from Southend United. Foran scored 23 goals in 90 appearances for Motherwell before Southend paid £150,000 for him in January 2007.
West Ham United have agreed to allow JOE WIDDOWSON to stay with Grimsby Town until the end of the season. Although the left-sided defender has only made three appearances so far, Mike Newell has been suitably impressed by the 19-year-old.
Oxford United have signed York City striker Craig Farrell on loan until the end of the season. Farrell, 26, started his career at Leeds before spells at Carlisle and Exeter City. The forward was taken out of the team for York's FA Trophy match at Kidderminster on Saturday when the deal with Oxford was finalised. Farrell is in line to make his Oxford debut in Sunday's Blue Square Premier clash with Lewes.