because he was only offered a short-term deal.

The Bermudian was granted a free by Second Division Stoke City in the hope he would find a new club before the English transfer deadline at 5.00 p.m. (GMT) on Thursday.

Four English league teams -- Grimsby, Cambridge, Northampton and Scunthorpe -- as well as non-league Yeovil and Scottish Premier side Aberdeen all expressed differing degrees of interest in taking on the 32-year-old.

Grimsby, close to the bottom of the First Division, looked favourites to land Lightbourne who had 11th hour talks with boss Lennie Lawrence.

However, a deal could not be struck before the cut-off point and he will now remain at Stoke until the summer when transfers are allowed again.

It had been thought that the deal hit the rocks over a signing-on fee and the player's wages but a Grimsby source said yesterday: "Lawrence had been prepared to offer the player a short-term deal and he is unlikely to try and resurrect the deal in the summer.'' Lightbourne is believed to be on a very healthy wage at Stoke and it may make sense for him to carry on getting paid by the Potters while looking around for another club at his leisure.

Manchester City may not have a game this weekend, but that won't stop Shaun Goater from moving up the league -- the statistics league that is.

The Bermudian striker's goal in the 2-2 draw at Bradford City last time out has improved his rankings in the Opta soccer index.

Goater moved up City's player table in both the goals scored tally and goals to shots ratio.

He is now ranked fourth at City, behind defender Steve Howey and strikers Paul Dickov and Paulo Wanchope.

BERKELEY EYE CLEAN SWEEP BAS Berkeley eye clean sweep Berkeley Institute will be aiming for a clean sweep when they compete in all three finals of the Bermuda Schools Sports Federation basketball tournament at Bermuda College gym today.

In the Junior Varsity Boys final, which begins at 5.00 p.m., Berkeley take on Saltus.

Saltus earned their place with a 44-40 victory over Berkeley in the semi-finals of the double elimination tournament.

Berkeley went on to defeat Warwick Academy 45-34 to set up the rematch.

Saltus and Berkeley will also meet in the Varsity Girls final at 6.15 p.m.

Saltus defeated MSA 26-23 in one semi-final and Berkeley defeated MSA on Thursday in the other.

Berkeley then take on CedarBridge Gold in the Varsity Boys finals at 7.30 p.m.

The defending champions earned their place with a 56-50 victory over CedarBridge Gold on Monday.

Last year's finals MVP Jason Simons scored 27 points for Berkeley. Jason Lowe of CedarBridge scored 29 in a losing cause.

CedarBridge were made to sweat on Thursday before edging past Saltus 47-44.

Kyle Lightbourne: will see out the season at Stoke.