Southend have signed five more to pre-contract agreements. Craig Easton, Sofiene Zaaboub, and Blair Sturrock - son of Paul - played for the manager at Swindon and other sides, while Ryan Hall and Mohsni Bilel came from their trial match last week. The club now have more players on pre-contract agreements than under contract, and registered players Francis Laurent, Jean-Francois Christophe, Franck Moussa and Stuart O’Keefe have all asked to leave the club.
Charlton have released Izale McLeod with immediate effect after agreeing a termination with the £1.1million striker. Halesowen's future remains in doubt. The FA are still to ratify the takeover by the Ingram brothers, causing three friendlies to be postponed. The Ingrams have been under fire from supporters for offering a ticket to the World Cup final to the winner of a £50 a ticket prize draw - then withdrawing the prize when only 25 tickets were sold. Matt Clarke remains in charge while he awaits his fate from his FA charges for match betting.
Aldershot have named Kris Machala as their third chairman in a year. The club are looking to add 'four or five' new directors over the next few weeks. Cheltenham have signed defender Steve Elliott on a two year deal after finding the finances in their budget. Bournemouth believe they will have cleared their debt within three months. When the current owners took over 12 months ago they owed £1.7million.
Bradford striker Jake Speight has been released from prison after having his 12 week jail sentence reduced to a suspended sentence on appeal. Cheltenham have signed defender Martin Riley from Kidderminster. The 23 year old hasn't cost them a fee despite Kiddy offering him a new deal.