Football news in brief: Tannadice shutdown for flats demolition

Dundee United are being forced to leave home temporarily - while a set of multi-story buildings are demolished nearby Tannadice.

The Tangerines will be playing away from home on the second weekend of the new SPL season as four long-standing blocks of flats in the Hilltown area of the city close to the stadium get set to come down on Sunday, 31 July.

That means United, who finished fourth last season, have been barred from using Tannadice that day or the previous day on safety grounds.

The SPL have been notified and United will be drawn away when the new set of fixtures for the big kick-off are released on Friday.

Arabs chairman Stephen Thompson said: "We have already been in touch with the SPL on this matter.

"There has been no problem granting this request."

Wanted Shankland commits to Ayr

Mark Shankland has rejected Barclays Premier League clubs and the Old Firm to remain at Ayr United. The 15-year-old academy striker has signed a two-year professional contract after making the breakthrough to the senior squad. According to the club, he had been targeted by top-flight English clubs and Rangers and Celtic but opted to stay put. Ayr chairman Lachlan Cameron said: "Mark has a bright future ahead of him and we believe that to leave to play in England or the Old Firm at this stage of his career would be the wrong move for him or any of our youngsters."

Ling named new Torquay manager

Martin Ling has been appointed as the new manager of npower League Two club Torquay. The 44-year-old takes the reins at Plainmoor after Paul Buckle left for Bristol Rovers. Buckle's departure came just two days after the Gulls lost 1-0 to Stevenage in the League Two play-off final at Old Trafford, and Ling is now charged with the task of taking the Devon club one step further next season.

Ambitious Vaughan to leave Blackpool

Wales midfielder David Vaughan has turned down Blackpool's offer of a new contract and will leave in search of Premier League football. The 28-year-old's deal with the Seasiders expired at the end of last season and he is now a free agent. Having been one of Blackpool's top performers in the club's unsuccessful battle against relegation, Vaughan is likely to have plenty of offers with Sunderland and West Brom already interested.