From: tjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk (Tim Chown)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.soccer
Subject: English news: Maidstone go bust
Date: 18 Aug 92 09:42:44 GMT

[I *really* hope this isn't the thin end of the wedge, but maybe 
regionalised part-time soccer isn't that far off ...]

Third Division Maidstone United have resigned from the Football League,
unable to fulfil their fixtures.  The beleaguered club, a reported
#650,000 in debt and with only two registered players, had their opening
league game with Scunthorpe cancelled by the Football League.
Stones had spent three seasons in the Football League since winning the GM
Vauxhall Conference in 1989.  They are the second Football League
club to quit in six months following the demise of Aldershot in March.

Reading will receive a bye into the second round of the Coca-Cola Cup after
first round opponents Maidstone United resigned from the Football League.
A statement from The Stones said: "It is with great regreat that we have had
to inform the Football League that Maidstone United FC will be unable to
fulfil its commitments regarding the League fixtures for 1992-93.
"A great number of people over the last few weeks have enthusiastically tried
to help save the club.  "Unfortunately, time has finally run
out," the statement said.

The Football League issued a statement following Maidstone United's
resignation from the League.  The statement said: "It is with regret
that the League has confirmed the resignation of third division Maidstone
United.  "The club informed League secretary
David Dent that they would be unable to fulfil their obligations to the League,
after examing all available options.  As a result of Maidstone's withdrawal,
the 1992-93 third division will operate with just 22 clubs and all scheduled
League fixtures will be amended.  

Maidstone United, who quit the Football League on Monday, only joined the 
League in 1989 after winning the GM Vauxhall Conference.
But The Stones' future looked gloomy a few weeks ago when plans for a North
East ground-share fell through.  Chairman John Waugh, who bought the
club three weeks ago, said: "I have been working since 7am on Saturday
trying to work things out.  "I've spent all weekend exhausting
attempts to save the club but it became clear we couldn't do it," he said.
"Everyone at the club is shattered."


Premier division:

MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 QPR Att: 24,471
Two goals either side of half-time ensured a share of the points in a game
that could have gone either way.  David White put City ahead in the 38th
minute as he squeezed the ball round the post after Jan Stejskal could only
palm off Niall Quinn's shot.  But Andy Sinton's left foot shot from
outside the box scorched into the back of the net in the 47th minute leaving
City 'keeper Tony Coton with no chance.  Fitzroy Simpson hit the underside of
the bar as City pressured but Rangers came back strongly in the final stages.

[An interesting point in thsi game, which I saw last night.  After a QPR
player went down injured, City' keeper kicked the ball into touch.  So QPR 
threw it back in to City, who passed it back to the keeper who picked the 
ball up (!!!) to kick it into play again.  No foul was called :-o  ].


Lee Sharpe has been diagnosed as having viral meningitis and will be out of the
game until late October or November.  The Manchester United winger had been
in hospital undergoing tests and was thought to have food poisoning.
United's doctor, Francis McHugh, said: "There is no treatment except complete
rest. It is not infectious in terms of the other players."
Manager Alex Ferguson was disappointed for Sharpe. "It's very frustrating for
him. Lee has been troubled with one thing or another for more than a year."

Cambridge United midfielder Richard Wilkins could be out of action for up
to three months after damaging his knee against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

Liverpool have a major doubt over Ian Rush for the game against Sheffield
United on Wednesday after the Welsh international sustained a groin injury
against Nottingham Forest.

Everton hope to have Barry Horne, Peter Beagrie and Dave Watson fit for the
match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Pat Nevin, Everton's Scotland winger, has turned down a move to Turkish club
Galatasaray. He is now likely to reopen talks with Tranmere Rovers.

Aston Villa are giving trials to Aberdeen's Dutch striker Hans Gilhaus
and German defender Christian Beeck.