FORMER Manchester United apprentice Karl Brown has rejoined Ramsbottom United.

Manager Ken Bridge swooped to sign the skilful midfielder today after serving a seven-day notice on UniBond First Division outfit Flixton.

And though he is out of tomorrow's home league game against Salford City through suspension, the move was set to be completed in time to make Brown eligible for Rammy's crucial Carlsberg FA Vase tie with Squires Gate next Saturday.

Brown made a big impression in his first spell at the Riverside before badly breaking a leg in an innocuous-looking challenge at Nantwich last year.

But he has since battled his way back to full fitness and Bridge is delighted he has agreed to return.

"Karl is a quality player, there's no doubt about that," said Bridge.

"It's not often you get the chance to sign someone who has been involved at the level he has.

"If he hadn't been so unlucky he could have made it.

"But I'm delighted he's decided to return because it was in midfield where I felt we needed to strengthen.

"And he's been with us before so he knows what we are all about."

Brown signed for Manchester United as an apprentice at the same time as Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and David Beckham. But while they went on to win a host of trophies, a series of injuries wrecked Brown's chances of breaking into the big time.

He finally slipped into the non-League game after being shown the door in 1994.

And, following spells with Macclesfield, Northwich and Witton Albion, he first joined Ramsbottom from Radcliffe in 1997.

But his injury jinx struck again just three months later and, after over a year on the sidelines with a broken leg, he opted to join Flixton in the summer. The move didn't work out, though, and now Bridge believes he can play a vital part in his plans at the Riverside.

"We badly needed some strength in midfield and I think we've got it now," said Bridge.

"I think we can compete with most teams in this league now and I'm fairly happy with my squad, although we need another forward but they are harder to find."

Meanwhile, United were hoping for another boost off the pitch when a surveyor from the Football Trust was set to visit the Riverside today.

The club are hoping for a grant to help finance a £40,000 ground improvements project which would include covered terracing behind one goal, a new generator to power the floodlights and cladding and re-roofing work on the existing dressing rooms. But the Football Trust will only agree to release funds after studying the surveyor's final report.

"We are keeping our fingers crossed," said secretary John Maher.

"It would be a tremendous leap forward if they decided to give us the go-ahead.

"In terms of what the league require, we haven't got a problem on that score with the facilities we have at the moment.

"But we are always looking to improve things in case we are ever in a position to go any higher."

Striker Steve Orrell is also unavailable tomorrow because he is at a wedding.

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