IN a dramatic clear-out, Preston North End handed out P45s as they prepared to part company with eight other players.

Skipper Ian Bryson has bee given a free transfer.

Also on a free is ex-Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Bobby Mimms, as does full back Kevin Gage who missed ten matches through injury.

Mark Rankine, who made his debut for North End only last October, goes onto the transfer list, along with Graeme Atkinson along with Steve Wilkinson.

And making up the octet are Central defender Russ Wilcox, who turned in some good performances, and ex-Carlisle captain Simon Davey.

Both should be snapped up quite quickly.

Having cleared the decks, what does Gary Peters now do?

Whatever he does, he knows that whatever money the board puts at his disposal, he must get it right.

The players that he brings in MUST be able to contribute to the job now and that job is a serious challenge for promotion to the first division.

A good, solid rightback is a major priority, as this was a position difficult to fill last season.

Michael Jackson did a good job there but many consider that his best position is in a central defensive role.

If Jackson plays there alongside Sean Gregan, North End would look solid in the back four.

But Gary Peters may prefer to use Gregan in a midfield role where he performed excellently, so a new central defender would be a target.

If Gregan stays at the back then a quality, ball-winning midfielder is essential!

Up front, Reeves and Holt look the likely partnership, with Nogan, who has yet to fulfil the promise since his signing from Burnley, as support.

Mr Peters may be looking for a class striker to put away the chances which went begging so often last season.

We'll see!

The Kop is being rebuilt and Deepdale will be a stadium to be proud of.

But in building the bricks and mortar, what happens out on the park is what matters to the fans and they will now watch with interest at Deepdale's new arrivals.

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