SOCCER SHORTS:ALEX FERGUSON has been charged with improper conduct by the English Football Association.

The charge relates to Saturday's encounter with Hull at Old Trafford when Ferguson marched onto the field immediately after his side's 4-3 win to remonstrate with referee Mike Dean.

A clearly annoyed Ferguson confronted Dean a before heading to the home dressingroom.

He has been given until November 19th to respond.

Doyle signs new deal to stay at Reading 

KEVIN DOYLE has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal with Reading.

The 25-year-old striker, who is the Championship's joint top scorer with 11 goals this season, has signed a deal which will keep him to the club until June 2011.

Doyle had been linked with a number of Premier League clubs following Reading's relegation and is hopeful his decision to sign a new deal will put an end to rumours he wants to leave the Madejski Stadium.

"I am delighted to have signed this new deal," Doyle told www.readingfc.co.uk.

"I've had ongoing discussions and over the last couple of weeks we have come to an agreement that is right for both me and the club.

"I have had great support from the chairman and everyone at the club since I arrived from Ireland three and a half years ago, and I take enormous pride in playing for Reading."

Bohemians have four on shortlist for player of the year award

THE DOMINANCE of Bohemians over the course of this year's League of Ireland title race has been reflected in another of the end of season awards lists, with the Dublin club providing four of the six-man shortlist for the Ford-sponsored PFAI player of the year and six of the organisation's team of the year, writes Emmet Malone.

Goalkeeper Brian Murphy, captain Owen Heary, winger Killian Brennan and striker Glen Crowe are in the running for the main award, the winner of which will be announced on Sunday week, with Keith Fahey and Mark Quigley of St Patrick's Athletic also in contention.

Two more of Pat Fenlon's men - Mark Rossiter and Jason McGuinness make the team of the year, which also features Séamus Coleman of Sligo Rovers, Derry's Niall McGinn and Joe Gamble of Cork City.

David Cassidy of Dundalk, Sporting Fingal's Robbie Doyle and Wexford Youths' Conor Sinnott are all on the shortlist for the First Division player of the year but Waterford United are best represented in the team of the year with four players, including Robbie Clarke and Kenny Browne.

NOMINATIONS: Premier Division Player of the Year: Killian Brennan (Bohemians), Glen Crowe (Bohemians), Keith Fahey (St Patrick's Athletic), Owen Heary (Bohemians), Brian Murphy (Bohemians), Mark Quigley (St Patrick's Athletic).

First Division Player of the Year: David Cassidy (Dundalk), Robbie Doyle (Sporting Fingal), Conor Sinnott (Wexford Youths).

Young Player of the Year: Niall McGinn (Derry City), James O'Shea (Galway United), Mark Quigley (St Patrick's Athletic).

Referee of the Year: Neil Doyle, Alan Kelly, Richie Winter.

Premier Division team: Brian Murphy (Bohemians), Owen Heary (Bohemians), Mark Rossiter (Bohemians), Jason McGuinness (Bohemians), Séamus Coleman (Sligo Rovers), Niall McGinn (Derry City), Joe Gamble (Cork City), Keith Fahey (St Patrick's Athletic), Mark Quigley (St Patrick's Athletic), Glen Crowe (Bohemians), Killian Brennan (Bohemians).

First Division team: Chris Bennion (Dundalk), David Breen (Waterford United), Damien Brennan (Shelbourne), Kenny Browne (Waterford United), Robbie Clarke (Waterford United), David Cassidy (Dundalk), Conor Sinnott (Wexford Youths), Michael Foley (Waterford United), Robbie Doyle (Sporting Fingal), Anto Flood (Shelbourne), Conan Byrne (Sporting Fingal).