SHAKERS boss Neil Warnock has emerged as hot favourite for the vacant Sheffield United post.

A dyed-in-the wool United fan, Warnock has made no secret of the fact that the Bramall Lane job is his life's ambition and Adrian Heath's resignation on Tuesday evening could spell his best chance of landing it yet.

The Shakers chief, who is also a Blades shareholder, said yesterday that neither he or Bury FC chairman Terry Robinson had been officially contacted over the position.

But the word over the Pennines is that his time has come and there's no doubt that he would jump at the chance to take over the Bramall Lane reins.

"Until I hear anything from my chairman I don't want to comment on it," Warnock said yesterday.

"I've told all the lads to put all the speculation to the back of their minds before the two big games we've got coming up.

"Everyone knows I'm a big United fan, there's no secret in that, and my name is mentioned every time the job comes up."

In an article in a Sheffield evening paper the Bury boss said he has the passion to lift the crisis-torn club and while he may not have officially applied for the post there's no doubt the move would certainly appeal to him.

Other candidates mentioned are newly-sacked former Stoke manager Gary Megson, ex-Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson as well as Nigel Spackman who enjoyed a brief spell at Bramall Lane two years ago. Warnock's credentials as a wheeler-dealer would fit the bill for the cash-strapped Yorkshire club who have had a turbulent week in the boardroom.

Former chairman of Sheffield United plc Mike McDonald stepped down along with Heath after Tuesday evening's 3-1 home defeat by Port Vale.

Bernard Proctor has temporarily stepped into McDonald's shoes while Kevin McCabe has resigned from the post of the football club chairman to be succeeded by the legendary Derek Dooley who has been charged with the job of bringing in Heath's successor.

And Dooley is going to have to work quickly as he has confirmed that the new manager would definitely be in place by next Saturday (December 4).

Warnock has one or two selection worries before tomorrow's tough home derby encounter with Preston North End.

Definitely missing will be striker Andy Preece, suspended following his sending-off against Oxford United while Paul Reid (back) is certain to miss his third successive game.

Leading scorer Ian Lawson's hamstring is causing concern which could mean a new strikeforce of Paul Barnes and Baichung Bhutia taking a bow.

Preston, unbeaten in their last 12 league games and without a defeat on their travels, are likely to field the same side that saw off Luton Town 2-0 on Tuesday night.

In their ranks will be former Shakers' defender Michael Jackson. Preston will have top scorer Jonathan Macken aiming to add to his 11-goal tally.

North End, currently second in the Division Two table, were last beaten in the league on September 4 when Chesterfield triumphed 2-0 at Deepdale.

Their only cup defeat so far this season came against Arsenal, who beat them 2-1 in the Worthington Cup.

Millennium Challenge

THE first games in the Bury Times and Bury FC sponsored Schools' Millennium Challenge will take place before and at half time of tomorrow's Gigg Lane clash.

The schools involved are Higher Lane, Greenmount, St Joseph's and St Bede's and Our Lady of Lourdes.

Megastore open today

THE Shakers' Auto Windscreens Shield first round tie at Mansfield Town will be played at Field Mill on Tuesday, December 7, kick-off 7.45pm.

Due to FA Cup commitments the Bury v Cambridge United home clash scheduled for Saturday, December 11 has now been re-arranged for Tuesday, February 22, 2000, kick-off 7.45pm.

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