Barnet request League help

BARNET were last night offered a pounds 250,000 lifeline - on condition that the Football League also weighs in with financial aid for the stricken Second Division club.

Stanley Beller, the company secretary, said that a consortium had agreed to buy into Barnet, but only if the League temporarily returns pounds 91,000 withheld from the club since April. The cash was deducted by the League to pay fines and costs imposed on Barnet after investigations last year into the club's books.

'The consortium prepared to step in have made a conditional offer - and it will require help from the League,' Beller said. 'The League will be asked if they will release money back to the club in the short term with the promise that it will be repaid from future transfer revenue.'

Barnet have 16 professionals, but six are out of contract including the pounds 400,000-rated Gary Bull, who looks set to join his former manager, Barry Fry, at Southend.

Murdo MacLeod, the former Scotland midfielder, has been appointed player-manager of Dumbarton.