Phil Law was driven out of Cambridge United by abusive fans.

Law stood down as chairman and resigned from the board last night after claims that certain sections of the club's supporters had subjected him to 'cruel comments.'

United are now preparing to take the extraordinary step of temporarily suspending the popular message board on their official website as a result of negative remarks aimed at Law and other club officials.

Terry Baker will have his second spell as acting chairman, having previously been in charge for four months in 2006 before stepping down following the fall-out of the Abbey Aid flop that lost United £100,000.

Baker said he could not blame Law for deciding to stand down and explained why the club's message board would be closed.

He said: "The message board is intended for genuine fans to express their views and I am saddened that our genuine fans will have this facility withdrawn for the time being because of the behaviour of a few.

"Phil has been subjected to some cruel comments, which is totally unacceptable and unfair to him and his family.

"A firmer line will be taken in the future with individuals who continue to abuse this facility.

"It has to be said that genuine fans of the club are not being misled by the malicious comments and the board continues to receive many positive and supportive emails."

Law, who joined the board two years ago before taking the helm in January following Lee Power's resignation, said: "It has been an absolute pleasure to work with some very loyal, honest and professional people.

"In particular, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the club on a day-to-day basis.

"I am particularly upset that some of these comments have been made by people who don't always have all the facts about what's going on at the club".

Law said he was pleased with the progress that had taken place while he had been on the board.

He said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the boardroom and I will once again resume my berth on the terraces.

"There is a great foundation in place from which to take our club to the next level and live up to the expectation of our many loyal fans.

"There are so many positive things going at the club, coupled with Gary Brabin's strategy and plans for the way forward.

"I am sorry that I will not now be directly involved."

Meanwhile, chief executive Norman Gautrey has been asked if he would be prepared to continue his role for the foreseeable future following Law's departure.

Gautrey handed in his notice two weeks ago amid claims he was unhappy at Law's leadership of the club.

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Dino Maamria has turned to a former England C international to bolster his leaky defence.

Former Morecambe defender Simon Grand agreed non-contract terms with the Vics boss yesterday, Thursday.

He goes straight into the squad for Sunday’s trip to Torquay.

The 24-year-old comes with plenty of pedigree after playing a part in DINO Maamria has turned to a former England C international to bolster his leaky defence.

Former Morecambe defender Simon Grand agreed non-contract terms with the Vics boss yesterday, Thursday.

He goes straight into the squad for Sunday’s trip to Torquay.

The 24-year-old comes with plenty of pedigree after playing a part in Carlisle United’s Conference National winning side – earning a call up to the national non-league side – in 2005.

He was also with the club when they earned a second successive promotion as League Two champions the following season.

A brief stay at Grimsby Town followed before he signed for Sammy McIllroy’s Shrimps following a successful trial spell last summer.

The Morecambe boss released him in June after he made just five appearances, making him eligible to sign for Vics as an unattached player.

A brief stay at Grimsby Town followed before he signed for Sammy McIllroy’s Shrimps following as also with the club when they earned a second successive promotion as a successful trial spell last summer.

The Morecambe boss released him in June after he made just five appearances, making him eligible to sign for Vics as an unattached player.

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New signing Jon Newby could make his full debut for Burton Albion tomorrow.

 The loan signing from Greenock Morton could partner top scorer Greg Pearson in the Blue Square Premier clash with Stevenage Borough at Broadhall Way, kick-off 3pm.

Albion boss Nigel Clough hopes to have the five-goal striker back in action after a hamstring strain ruled him out of Tuesday's 1-0 win at Wrexham.

Clough said: "We just need to be a little bit cautious in Greg's case because, as a rule of thumb, we always give players with hamstring problems a few more days after they've told us they're fit.

"But if he is 100 per cent, we might just go with him and Jon up front to give us some fresh legs because Shan Harrad and Jody Banim worked extremely hard at Wrexham and might need a breather."

Harrad scored his second goal in as many games to clinch victory for the Brewers, but Clough was pleased with Newby's eye-catching contribution in a late appearance as a substitute less than 24 hours after joining the Brewers on loan until January 2.

The Brewers boss said: "Jon has a good chance of starting because he did all the right things at Wrexham.

"He held the ball and made all the right runs without getting himself into offside positions.

"It's not as though he's a completely new player to us because he did a couple of sessions with us pre-season."

The 29-year-old was one of Clough's summer transfer targets after being released by Morecambe, with whom he had top scored in their first season as a Football League club.

Newby took up an offer from Morton, but the Scottish side's manager, David Irons, said: "It was agreed by both parties that things hadn't worked out the way we would have liked."

Elsewhere, Clough has limited options because of the continued absence of central defender Tony James, on-loan Matt Bailey and a new injury to left-back Aaron Webster.

James broke down with more hamstring trouble after only 25 minutes of a reserve team game at Bromsgrove on Wednesday.

Clough said: "Tony did a full training session without any apparant problem and thought he would be okay, but it wasn't to be.

"He'll be out for 10 days to two weeks, possibly longer, because next time he comes back he needs to be right."

Webster is also expected to be out of action for up to three weeks after picking up a similar injury at Wrexham.

Bailey, who is also on loan until January 2 from Wolves, has tendonitis and is back at Molineux for treatment.

Clough said: "Matt will probably have an injection this weekend, which hopefully will clear up the problem.

"We'll be guided by Wolves as to when he can start playing again, but they've indicated it might be as early as next weekend."

Webster's early departure resulted in Jake Buxton being switched to left back, with skipper Darren Stride coming off the bench to play a starring role at centre half alongside Ryan Austin.

Albion went on to keep only their second clean sheet of the campaign and will have the same defensive set-up at Broadhall Way.

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Barrow started the long trek south today with a new defender in the bag.

The club have clinched the signing of 25-year-old defender Craig James in time for tomorrow’s game at Lewes.

Bluebirds’ joint-manager Darren Sheridan today said the player, who was unattached, is initially on a one-month contract.

A Middlesbrough lad, James started his career at Sunderland and can operate as a left-sided centre-half, full-back or midfielder.

His previous clubs include Hibernian, Port Vale, Darlington, York, Oldham and Livingston in the Scottish Premier League.

The six foot-plus James, who latterly has had a brief spell with Rochdale, was expected to have been in the squad for Tuesday’s game with Rushden but fell ill.

However, he was able to take part at training last night and goes straight into contention for a place in tomorrow’s starting line-up.

Sheridan said that James was not a complete stranger to some of the Barrow players.

He states: “Carlos (Logan) knows him from their days at Darlington and Boydy (Mark Boyd) has come across him before.

“I have also had a word with my brother John (Oldham manager) about the time he spent there.

“Craig is a left-sided centre half but can play other positions and it gives us a few more options.”

Sheridan – and fellow manager Dave Bayliss – will weigh things up again tonight before announcing their final squad.

Paul Brown staked his claim with his third goal on Tuesday while strike duo Jason Walker and Lee Hunt are under pressure from Paul Tait and Nick Rogan.

Adds Sheridan: “We need competition for places. The players need to fully focus on Lewes who won’t be an easy team to beat.

“People said Stevenage were struggling but look what they did to us, it can come back to bite you.”

The 700-mile round trip to lowly Lewes is Barrow’s second longest of the season with the team setting off this afternoon and stopping overnight near Gatwick.

Some AFC supporters are even flying from Manchester to Gatwick tomorrow.

www.nwemail.co.uk/afc/news/

Young keeper Ben Hinchliffe has been given a big vote of confidence by Oxford United boss Darren Patterson.

The 20-year-old, who at the start of this week signed a new one-year deal with the club, has been thrown in at the deep end because of the injuries to Billy Turley and Jake Cole.

Cole could be out for up to six weeks after the results of his scan showed two small tears in his groin.

But Patterson says Hinchliffe is an outstanding young talent.

And although the odd mistake is inevitable from any player of his age, and particularly a goalkeeper, Patterson says he has faith in the former Preston and Derby man, who produced a good performance in Tuesday's 2-1 win at Northwich.

"This is a massive chance for him because it's been a long time since Oxford United have had a good young No 2 goalkeeper, who can learn and improve.

 "The kid's got some fantastic attributes. On his day, his shot-stopping is second to none, he's competitive in the air, and he kicks the ball a mile.

"Obviously he's a young man, and in goalkeeping terms a very young man.

"He basically needs to play regularly and have some proper goalkeeping coaching, and he'll get that here.

"Alan Hodgkinson thinks he's one of the best young keepers he's seen at that age for a long time. However, he has to do the business when he's in.

"We know it's just his decision-making, and he's going to make mistakes . . . goalkeepers do, young, old, experienced or whatever, so we've just got to accept that and try to develop the boy.

"If he can develop the way we hope, he's got the chance to be a very, very good goalkeeper, but it's down to him."

Patterson added: "The biggest thing for us is that he doesn't just give us a No 2, he'll be pushing Billy. And if he gets in and does well, he's staying in. You've got to have that. I can't just drop him willy-nilly because you need that competition."

Hinchliffe did make a bad error of judgment when Barrow scored from a free-kick on the opening day of the season, but he has bounced back well, his showing this week demonstrating his potential.

"He's a fantastic talent but what he has to do is do it now consistently in games. He did it in pre-season.

"He had a very good 60 minutes in a high -ressure game against Barrow, but then had a bad 30 minutes.

"When he's made a bad decision, we're looking for him not to dwell on it.

"All goalkeepers make mistakes. I watched the Rangers-Celtic game last weekend. The Celtic keeper, who's an outstanding goalkeeper, made a basic error.

"Ben fits in finacially for us as well. We've been talking about No 2 keepers and even the local boy from Didcot wanted an absolute king's ransom to be a No 2 keeper.

"This keeper wants to be here, he's turned down more money for the opportunity here to play for Oxford United, which is something I want."

Hinchliffe said: "Oxford United's a club that's going places, so it's good to be around, and that's why I signed a 12-month deal here.

"There were other clubs in for me, two in this league and two in the league below, but Oxford was the right deal for me this time.

http://www.oxfordmail.net/sport/

The biggest transfer deal in Burton Albion's history could make the club £130,000.

 The details of John Brayford's deadline day move to Crewe Alexandra reveal the Brewers will receive an initial payment of £80,000 for the full back.

And the League One club will have to stump up another £50,000 if the 19-year-old makes 40 first-team appearances.

The add-ons have been split into two payments of £25,000 after 20 and 40 games.

Albion chairman said: "The figures show it was a realistic deal for us as well as being a good move for the player."

The Brewers also negotiated a 20 per cent sell-on clause which could dwarf the initial deal if Brayford moves on for a big fee.

Robinson said: "Strikers generally go for the most money, but we feel we secured a good deal with Crewe.

"Hopefully, it will not be too long before John establishes himself in the first-team.

"We will benefit financially in that respect, but it is also important to us that a player we groomed goes on to make a good career for himself."

The Pirelli Stadium supremo revealed that League Two Barnet had also tried to sign Brayford, but their offer fell well short of Albion's valuation.

Robinson said: "Barnet offered us £20,000 and then upped it to £30,000 with the proviso that they got promotion."

"That was not an offer worthy of serious consideration, but the Crewe deal is realistic from the point of view of all concerned."

Aaron Webster could be out of action for up to three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in Tuesday's 1-0 victory at Wrexham.

Jake Buxton, who was switched to left back at the Racecourse Ground, is likely to be asked to repeat the role on Saturday when the Brewers visit Stevenage Borough.

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Manager Mark Yates has urged the Kidderminster Harriers fans to sample the new feelgood factor at Aggborough in tonight’s Blue Square Premier clash against Torquay United.

The club is on a high after the double boost of beating Rushden and Diamonds 2-1 on Saturday and securing defender Keith Lowe on a one-year deal this week.

Yates is hoping that Harriers’ recent form, where they have earned seven points from the last nine, and Lowe’s signing will encourage the fans to flock to Aggborough for tonight’s televised Setanta match against the Gulls (7.45pm kick-off).

“I think we’ve got a squad here now which is capable of doing something,” said the manager.

“We have a young group of players who want to do well for themselves and the team.

“I think it’s a different squad from last season, where perhaps we underachieved.

“The players have realised what it takes to win a game against Rushden.

“The whole team put their bodies on the line and put everything in to get a result.

“We’ve got to remember that and maintain that level of performance.

“We’ve got a big game on Thursday in front of the television cameras and I hope the fans come down and see what’s happening.”

The manager will be eager for his side to build on their recent good run of form against Torquay, who have yet to reach the heights of last season when they finished second in the league and reached the FA Trophy Final.

Harriers’ only injury worry going into the game is defender Martin Riley, otherwise Yates has a full-strength squad to call on.

Lowe will be one of the first names on the team-sheet tonight after he signed a one-year deal with the club.

The defender left Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer and had a brief spell at Aggborough in pre-season as he searched for a move to a league club.

But he returned to Harriers on a non-contract basis a fortnight ago and now Yates has persuaded the 22-year-old to stay on.

Yates was also full of praise for chairman Barry Norgrove, who went over the club’s budget in order to keep the defender at Harriers.

“I said at the weekend that it was vital that we sign Keith and I am delighted to have got him,” commented Yates.

“A lot of credit has to go to the chairman because we had to go over our budget to get him.

“It’s definitely worth it though because we’ve got ourselves a great player.

“He’s an excellent defender and has done really well since he’s been here but he also adds a little bit of quality.”

Left-back Lee Baker, who is on loan from Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion, extended his loan deal at the club until the start of January.

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Crawley Town boss Steve Evans has told two League Two clubs to keep their hands off his players.

This came in the run-up to Monday's transfer deadline.

The clubs made approaches for Reds players Jon-Paul Pittman and Adam Quinn but were told in no uncertain terms they are not for sale.

Evans said: "No offer was made but they asked me to put a valuation on them, and as we do not want to sell them, I refused.

"Pittman's on fire this season and has made a fantastic start. He will not make Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday with a twisted ankle.

"Adam has come into the team and is working on his fitness. Morecambe, Grimsby and Macclesfield tried to sign him last season but couldn't agree a fee.

"He's already a recognised hero with the supporters and his partnership with Jake Wright has been excellent."

www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/

Michael Carr has made a shock return to Northwich Victoria.

The midfielder is back at the Marston’s Arena on a month-long loan from Morecambe – just three months after he quit the club to play in the Football League.

He started Vics’ 2-1 defeat against Oxford United on Tuesday.

“The moment I knew he was available I wanted him back,” said Vics manager Dino Maamria.

“There’s no secret we need to strengthen in the centre of the pitch and Carrsy is the sort of dynamic player that can help us out.

“It’s great news for me and for the supporters because I know he’s a big hero in Northwich.”

Former England C international Carr, 24, signed for the Shrimps in May after they offered him a two-year deal and has featured from the start in all four of their league encounters so far this season.

But, after three defeats and a draw, manager Sammy McIllroy is thought to be lining up Craig Stanley for a recall once he recovers from a toe injury.

He called Vics on Monday to see if they would give their former captain some playing time.

“It’s a move that suits both parties,” said Vics owner Jim Rushe.

“We were in need of a replacement for Joel Byrom while he recovers from injury and Sammy [McIllroy] wanted Carrsy to play some matches.”

The Guardian understands that three other clubs wanted Carr – one from League Two and two big Blue Square Premier clubs – but given the choice the midfielder opted to return ‘home’.

Maamria was delighted to have him back in his line up against the Us, his 156th start.

“I thought Carrsy had a good game,” he said.

“He gives us so much energy in midfield and you heard how glad the supporters were to see him in a green shirt again – it lifted us.”

Maamria appointed Carr as captain when he took over as temporary manager last September, but asked to leave during the January transfer window.

But, one call from Chester City aside, there was no interest in him from other clubs. He was stripped of the captaincy and left out of the team soon after.

Vics could have demanded a fee then as he was still under contract, a situation changed by the summer and Morecambe moved in to sign him on a free transfer.

www.northwichguardian.co.uk/vics/

Tough tackling Kettering defender Guy Branston has won the Blue Sqaure Premier Player of the Month award for August.

The  centre back has been part of a Kettering defence that has only conceded 4 goals in their Blue Square Premier campaign.

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Blue Square Premier outfit Woking have revealed that manager Kim Grant has left Kingfield Stadium following an emergency board meeting on Wednesday.

The decision was made after a series of poor results which sees the Cardinals languishing near the foot of the table.

Phil Gilchrist and Andy Cook will take charge of first-team affairs until the club appoint Grant's replacement.

A statement on the club's website reads as follows:

"David Taylor, Club Chairman, said that in the course of wanting to take the club in a new direction, he had made a big mistake.

"He apologised to the Board, to Chris Ingram and to the fans of the club, and tendered his resignation.

"Chris and The Board unanimously refused to accept it, and asked David to stay on and lead the club forward. He agreed to do this."

www.bluesqfootball.com

New Oxford United defender Karleigh Osborne is set to make his debut at Northwich Victoria in the Blue Square Premier on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old centre back joined United on a month's loan from Brentford on Monday.

Manager Darren Patterson stated last week he was looking to sign a big ugly centre forward and a big ugly centre half, if he could, before the transfer deadline.

But Luke Foster's four-match ban meant he had to prioritise and concentrate first on bringing in a pacy defender, and he snapped up the 6ft 2in Osborne.

"I know I said I was looking for a big ugly centre half, but we've gone for a young, handsome one instead," Patterson said, with a smile.

"He's young, he heads the ball a mile and he's quick.

 "He's a strong boy, exactly what we need at the minute, and a promising young talent.

"I've seen him play a lot, he keeps it simple on the ground and he's already made 45 starts in the league above us."

Osborne said: "I spoke to Andy Scott (the Brentford manager) and he told me what a good club Oxford were, that it would be a great experience for me and I'm really looking forward to it.

"Hopefully I'll get the chance on Tuesday night to show what I can do."

United will probably again use a 3-5-2 formation with Osborne playing on the right of the back three, Barry Quinn continuing as sweeper and Chris Willmott switching to the right.

Patterson has rejected accusations that the wingbacks system is defensive.

"I don't particularly like the system," he said. "We've twice gone on long unbeaten runs with it, but didn't score enough goals, but we created quite a few chances with it on Saturday.

"I'm not playing a 5-3-2 to go for a 0-0 draw, I'm playing a 3-5-2 to score goals and go for the win.

"It's just something that I think suits us when we haven't got Luke Foster's pace, so maybe suits us at the moment.

"But Karleigh's quick and he gives us the option of going 4-4-2."

Patterson added: "I think Barry Quinn's best position is as sweeper, he reads the game very well, and that's where he had his best season for us two years ago.

"And Chris Carruthers is more of a wingback than a left back."

There will probably be a change up front with Jamie Guy and James Constable operating together.

Yemi Odubade is likely to drop to the bench.

Vics, who have lost 1-0 to Cambridge and drawn 2-2 with York in their two home games so far, crashed 5-2 at Crawley at the weekend, when ex-U's midfielder Jamie Cook scored twice.

Another former United player, Lee Steele, whose injury-time goal for Leyton Orient dumped United out of the Football League in May 2006, represents Northwich's biggest danger.

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