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Bury have put youth team coach Richie Barker in temporary charge after Alan Knill's departure. The 35 year old former striker will be assisted by suspended midfielder Steven Schumacher. Oxford have reported a profit of £403,000 for last season after a loss of £875,000 the previous year, but they still made a small operating loss excluding player trading.
Port Vale have held match ticket prices for next season with the exception of a 50p rise in kids tickets. However they have come under criticism for cutting the time early bird season tickets are available, and prices for new season ticket holders are to rise. Lincoln boss Steve Tilson has defended releasing players from their contracts early after Albert Jarrett became the 13th to take a pay-off and leave Sincil Bank. Tilson says it is a much cheaper option than keeping unhappy players at the club.
Plymouth are down to just one bidder according to the BBC after frontrunner Kevin Heaney pulled out. Only a local hotelier remains in the running, while the Administrator is expected to re-approach one of the discounted bidders. Shrewsbury winger Benjamin van den Broek has opted to sign a pre-contract agreement with Dutch side Den Bosch with his Shrews contract expiring in the summer. Manager Graham Turner has hinted the Dutchman will not play for the club again in the wake of the deal.
Walsall have handed ex-Bull Dean Smith a two year contract as permanent manager at the Bescot Stadium. The 40 year old has lost only five of 18 games in charge since taking over in January. Former Bulls loanee Neil Mackenzie has left Tamworth by mutual consent and retired from professional football at the age of 34. The former Notts County and Mansfield man is due to become a father soon and wants to remain close to home.
