Division Three News

Last updated : 02 February 2004 By Matt Carrington

Boston United boss Neil Thompson has signed Hartlepool United striker Adam Boyd on loan for a third month. The 21-year-old has already spent eight weeks with the Pilgrims scoring three times in 10 appearances for the club.

Leyton Orient manager Martin Ling has allowed striker Lee Thorpe to join Second Division Grimsby Town on loan. The 28-year-old was transfer-listed earlier this season after it was revealed he would not be offered a new contract at brisbane Road and he will now spend a month trying to impress at Blundell Park.

Rochdale boss Steve Parkin has signed striker Grant Holt from Second Division Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.

Kidderminster Harriers have parted company with Sam Shilton after agreeing to cancel the contract of the midfielder. The 25-year-old has been unable to command a regular first team spot under Jan Molby's second reign at the club. Shilton made a total of 96 appearances during his two and a half year spell at the club.

Cheltenham Town manager John Ward has lost the services of on loan defender Brian Wilson after First Division Stoke City decided to recall him back to the Britannia Stadium. Wilson had been at Whaddon Road for six weeks but a number of suspension forced Stoke boss Tony Pullis to end Wilson's stay.

Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson has been unsuccessful in his attempts to bring Rochdale striker Paul Conner to Huish Park. Johnson offered an undisclosed fee for Conner - who is out of contract at the end of the season - but Rochdale boss Steve Parkin quickly refused the offer.

Harpal Singh is set to hand Bury caretaker boss Graham Barrow a major boost by returning to training next week. The midfielder - on loan from Premiership side Leeds United - has been out of action for three months following surgery on a shoulder injury.

Carlisle United striker Steve Livingstone has been forced to retire from the game following a back problem which he was unable to overcome. 35-year-old Livingstone played a total of 426 games in his career scoring 77 goals along the way.

Swansea City boss Brian Flynn is hoping to secure the services of Manchester United defender Alan Tate. The 21-year-old defender has impressed during two loan spells at Vetch Field this season and Flynn wants to keep Tate on a permanent basis.

Cambridge United player-boss John Taylor has failed in an attempt to bring Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin back to the club. Dublin played in over 150 games scoring 52 goals for the club in a five year spell before joining Manchester United in 1995.

Darlington boss David Hodgson is still hopeful of bringing striker Peter Duffield to the club despite having an approach to talk the player rejected by Boston. The 34-year-old has been told he can leave the Pilgrims but not until a replacement has been found.

Blackburn Rovers boss Greame Souness has been given permission to speak to Huddersfield Town striker Jonathan Stead. It was thought that a deal between the two clubs was dead after Town rejected the Premiership sides third bid for the player earlier in the week but the 20-year-old will have talks before the transfer window ends. Stead has scored 18 goals so far this season and has been watched by many higher division clubs but Sunderland had been the only other club to bid for his services until now.

Northampton Town manager Colin Calderwood is to take a look at Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Kelvin Jack. Jack recently impressed whilst playing in a reserve team fixture for Walsall but the First Division side have yet to offer a contract to the player.