Sporting Digest: Football

Birmingham have made an increased pounds 600,000 bid for the Stockport midfielder Chris Marsden. They are willing to offer the former Stockport striker Kevin Francis in part-exchange.

David Speedie, the former Chelsea and Coventry City striker, has signed for the Northern League club Crook Town.

Gillingham midfielder Mark O'Connor, 34, who suffered a broken leg in November 1995, has announced his retirement from the game.