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Archived News from May 2002

CORDON SIGNS NEW DEAL
14th May 2002 18:57


Teamtalk: Tricky winger Wayne Corden has finally signed a new three-year deal with the club, keeping him at Field Mill until 2005. The 26-year-old had been considering his options for several weeks before he finally put pen to paper on the new contract. Corden was a major force in Mansfield's promotion and manager Stuart Watkiss said: "This is a massive boost for everyone at the club. We were always confident he would sign and we are obviously delighted. He proved last season what an asset he is to the team and I am sure he will be a big player for us again next season in Division Two." Watkiss said rumours that Corden was bound for Cardiff City earlier this week were always 'pure speculation'.

Evening Post: Mansfield winger Wayne Corden has ended weeks of speculation by signing a
contract to keep him at Field Mill for the next three years. The 26-year-old, who scored eight goals in Stags' promotion campaign, put pen to paper yesterday, after holding discussions with the club since before the end of the season. The winger, who arrived from Port Vale in the summer of 2000, scored the winner in Stags' 3-2 win at Cheltenham in August, which proved the most vital kick of the season, and added the first in the 2-0 victory over Carlisle on the final day of the campaign. Corden is delighted to have finalised the deal. He said: "It's been a few weeks but we have finally managed to have sorted everything out and that has come as a big relief. I have been talking to the club for a few weeks and we have just had to wait on a few minor points but they have now been sorted out and I am delighted to be staying at the club."

Corden, who was ever-present during the Stags promotion campaign, was particularly pleased to commit himself to the Field Mill club until 2005. He said: "I'm particularly pleased that it is three years because that gives me that little bit of extra security. I've got a mortgage and bills to pay like everyone else and it is good to know that I will be able to bring money in for that time. But it has been the great end to a great season for me and the club and I am looking forward to playing in the Second Division. I am not saying that we are going to win it but, with the young players we have got at the club, I am sure we can more than hold our own. They have gained from the experience they obtained last season and there is no reason why they cannot build on that. We will be going all out to win as many games as we possibly can."
Manager Stuart Watkiss believes Corden's signature is a huge boost for the club as they plan for next season's campaign in Division Two. Watkiss has already added two central defenders to the squad and sees the retaining of his left winger as an integral part of his plans for next season. Dion Scott has been brought to the club after he was released by First Division Walsall and Watkiss has also been able to sign Neil Moore, a former Everton and Burnley defender, from Nationwide Conference side Telford United. He said: "I'm absolutely delighted and, with the signing of two new players last week, I believe the team is now beginning to take shape. "Wayne proved last season that he is not only a very good player but is also one of our potential match winners. There has been a little bit of a delay but, really, we were just dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's and I was always confident he would sign a new deal."

Corden's agreement means Scott Sellars, Allen Tankard and Chris Greenacre are the remaining players who have yet to commit themselves to new offers from the club. All three were offered new deals at the end of the season but have yet to put pen to paper. Watkiss said: "Hopefully the news will mean some of the others will sort their deals out soon as well."

 

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