Archived News from July 2004
|
NEIL/TATE/MCNIVEN ALL SIGN
|
 |
|
mansfieldtown.net
More Signings at the Mill Keith Curle has secured the signatures of three new Stags players. Trialists Alex Neil, Scott McNiven and Chris Tate have all agreed to put pen to paper and further their careers at Field Mill. Alex Neil and Scott McNiven have both agreed to a 1 year deal where Chris Tate has agreed on a short term contract. All three have been offered the possibility of extensions to these deals if the club and player are happy with each other. Neil signed his contract first thing this morning with the other two to follow shortly. Stags Boss Keith Curle explained: "These initial terms are a good opportunity to see if we are good for the player and if they are good for the club. The players will have to ask themselves if they can further their careers at this football club and in my opinion the answer is yes! The extensions like all other area in this club are success related this is more than football common sense it is Business. When a player performs well individually the team are rewarded. The governing factor has to be that the club is successful" Speaking to Alex Neil after he signed on the dotted line he told mansfieldtown.net: "I came to the end of my contract at Barnsley and at the same sort of time the manager and the Chairman changed and I found myself a free agent but that's just what happens in this game. I knew Keith Curle from my time at Barnsley so when he asked me to come on trial I jumped at the chance. I was impressed by the way the lads play and gel in the changing rooms. I watched the play off final and was impressed at the game and felt that Mansfield did a great job. "I only hope that we can achieve the same again this time around only go further. I would describe myself as a good midfield player with a good knowledge of the game so I hope to bring that bit of something special to the team, create chances and hopefully score some goals as well. "Keith (Curle) is building a strong squad and with a few more signing I believe we will be a strong challenger for promotion this season." The right side midfielder has plyed his trade at Dunfermline and Airdrie before going to Barnsley and at only 23 years old the hard hitting Glaswegian has a wealth of experience and 'a good footballing brain'. Curle added: "it would be unfair to compare the new incoming players to the ones that have left as some people are starting to do. Do I expect Alex to score 22 goals this season, not really but I do expect him to bring other attributes to the squad. He has a good footballing brain and makes himself busy, knowing the game he can read a situation well and react accordingly. The same applies to the other lads that join us they each have an attribute that I have identified as been on my want list and believe that they all will do a great job for this football club." The Stags supremo has identified more players that he wishes to bring to Field Mill but has to wait for them returning to the country after Pre-Season tours abroad with clubs currently in the League Championship. Also he is looking at bringing in another 3 or 4 triallist as well extending the trial period of French Leebibi Noham who has impressed so far especially when coming on during the friendly game against Stoke City at the weekend. "it offers us another chance to take a look at him and the attributes he has to offer, he has pace and is good at getting forward. Ganns (John Gannon) has been taking a crash course in French to communicate the lad. Well! When I say a crash course, he has been watching Only fools and Horses" added Curle. |
Latest | July 2004