Colchester United's Peter Heard has played down speculation he could become the new vice-chairman of the Nationwide Football League.

The millionaire U's chairman is reported to be one of the favourites to replace the League's current vice-chairman, Ipswich Town chief David Sheepshanks, who is having to stand down following the Blues promotion to the Premier League.

Both Heard and Sheepshanks are attending the annual Football League chairmen's conference at Chester today (Wednesday) and tomorrow.

Heard, only just back in the country after holidaying in France, said: "I have not spoken to anyone within the League for the past two weeks.

"I am not aware of any moves to make me the new vice-chairman, but the position is obviously something that will be discussed at the meeting."

Heard is already a member of the Football League Board and is also involved with one of the many Football Association committees.

League spokesman John Nagle said: "The position of vice-chairman may well be discussed at the board meeting before the actual conference gets under way."

Meanwhile, striker Tony Lock was due at Layer Road today to sign his new contract while U's boss Steve Whitton was locked in more talks with utility player Aaron Skelton, who is still thinking over his new terms.

Skelton is currently being strongly linked with his former club Luton Town, who must unload players before they can sign new ones.

Former U's loanee Alan White is one of them, but Whitton ruled out any hope of a swap deal involving the two players because of his financial demands.

Whitton said: "I'm hoping the Skelton situation will get sorted today, but at the moment White is way out of our range.

"Any chance of a swap deal with White appears to be a non-starter at this stage."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.