Archived News from April 2004
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MANSFIELD`S WHITE SET TO STRIKE OUT
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MANSFIELD'S WHITE SET TO STRIKE OUT
Evening Post, BY STEVIE RODEN, 14 April 2004 Mansfield's big striker Andy White is relieved to have finally forced himself back into the thoughts of manager Keith Curle - but believes the future may lie elsewhere next season. The 6ft 4ins forward has started just one game for the Stags this season and made 14 appearances from the bench. But he has also been on loan to Boston, Kidderminster and Burton Albion. White has played a part in the last five Stags matches and had a last-minute winner ruled out for a foul against Bristol Rovers on Monday. And now he is keen to ensure he remains in the 16 to play a part in the promotion run-in, just as he did two years ago. White said: "It has been a frustrating season for me as I have been sent out on loan a few times. You feel you are not in the manager's plans. "But I have now been back in the frame and I thought I played really well when I came on against Torquay and was unlucky not to get a goal. "I intend to keep plugging away and when I get 20 minutes on the pitch I hope I have a good spell and prove worthy of a starting place during the promotion run-in." Crewe's Dario Gradi took White on a six-week loan spell last season and targeted him again last month, only to be told by Curle that he was needed by Mansfield. "It was disappointing because at the time I was not getting in the Mansfield squad and Dario is a very respected manager at a club in Division One, so it would have been good to go back there on loan," said White. "However, the boss here has put me back on the bench and I want to do my best now to help us to promotion." But with his contract up in the summer, the 22-year-old knows he may have to look for a club elsewhere. "I would love to stay at Mansfield as I enjoy it here, I am a local lad and feel I have a rapport with the fans. "We have a great chance of going up and I want to be involved and score some important goals. "But if that does not happen then I will be like many others in the country, fighting it out for contracts in the game. "I have always been confident in my own ability, there are not many 6ft 4ins strikers out there and a lot of lower league clubs like that type of player." White made three starts and three substitute appearances during an unsuccessful spell at Boston before impressing Jan Molby in his nine appearances for Kidderminster where he scored one goal - against Boston. And at Burton he scored once in three games. He added: "I thought I did well during the loan spells. Boston did not really work out, although I enjoyed my time there. "So a few clubs already know what I can do and if I don't get a new contract with Mansfield then hopefully that will help me get another club. "Ideally, I would love to get a new deal here as I really enjoy it and love the club." |
Latest | April 2004