ST HELENS Town boss Jim McBride has been given a major pre-season headache.

For goalkeeper Mike Allison has left Hoghton Road to join Congleton Town.

But, shrugging off the disappointment of losing him, Jim said: "Everyone at the club wishes Mike well.

"I'd like to place on record our thanks to him for the service he gave since joining us from Droylesden. Whoever comes to replace him will have a hard act to follow."

Anyone who feels they are up to the challenge can contact Jim McBride on 605913.

Meanwhile the club has lined up a number of pre-season friendlies.

They include:

Saturday, July 17 3pm: Ashton Town (away)

Wednesday, July 21, 7.30: Southport (home)

Saturday, July 24, 3pm: Leigh RMI (home)

Tuesday, July 27, 7.30: Warrington Town (away)

Thursday, July 29, 7.30: Tetley Walker (home)

Saturday, July 31, 3pm: Shell (away)

Thursday, August 5, 7pm: Wigan Athletic (home)

To be arranged: Macclesfield Town.

Numbers drawn in Towns Lucky Six Lottery were 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 14. There were no winners so £650 is carried forward to this weekend.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.