Sporting Digest: Football

SIMON STAINROD, the former manager of Dundee and player with Queen's Park Rangers and five other English clubs, has been named as the new manager of Ayr United following the dismissal of George Burley, the former Ipswich and Scotland right-back.

GEORGE FOX, a director of Dundee United since 1955, died on Christmas Eve. He spent several years as United's chairman; the club named its newest stand, opened last year, after him.

MICHEL HIDALGO, the coach of France when they won the European Championship in 1984, has been asked to assist Morocco at next year's World Cup finals.

TRANSFERS: John Burridge, goalkeeper, Newcastle to Lincoln (loan); Lee Hirst, defender, Coventry to Lincoln (loan); Michael Harrison, striker, Port Vale to Stafford Rangers (loan); Davie Cooper, winger, Motherwell to Clydebank (free); Warren Hawkes, striker, Raith Rovers to Berwick Rangers (free); David Kennedy, defender, Ayr United to Queen of the South (free).

GM VAUXHALL CONFERENCE Drinkwise Cup semi-final draw: Halifax Town or Macclesfield Town v Northwich Victoria; Bromsgrove Rovers v Yeovil Town. (Two-leg ties to be played weeks beginning 31 January and 14 February).