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Archived News from May 2002

CHAD REPORT ON CORDEN DEAL
15th May 2002 15:29


MANSFIELD Town's talented winger Wayne Corden has at last put pen to paper to a new three-year contract.

It is another huge boost for manager Stuart Watkiss following last week's double signing of central defenders Neil Moore and Dion Scott on free transfers.

Corden's magic was one of the big factors behind last season's promotion to Division Two and Watkiss said: “We are delighted Wayne is coming back. “We were always confident he would sign and now things are really starting to take shape for next season. “I hope players still waiting on their contracts will get a big boost from Wayne signing and do the same. “Wayne proved last season what an asset he is to the team and he is always a potential matchwinner. “There is no reason why he shouldn't do the same at a higher level next season.”

Stags had already been given a double boost last week when Watkiss shored up the defence with the signings of central defenders Neil Moore and Dion Scott.

Much-travelled former Everton defender Moore (29) arrives on a two-year contract after over two years with Conference club Telford United and is seen as having the much-needed experience with spells at Blackpool, Oldham, Carlisle, Rotherham, Norwich, Burnley and Macclesfield under his belt.

Meanwhile Scott (21) is a bright prospect from Walsall reserves who has been unable to battle his way into their first team on a regular basis and has signed a one-year deal.

The good news for Stags is that both have Second Division football under their belts already with Moore even having played a handful of Premiership matches with the Toffees.

“We are very pleased to have them both on board,” said Watkiss. “One is a senior pro while the other is a young, up and coming player and both are proven at this level. “Dion is a good defender with an excellent spring and I know he has been brought up the right way at Walsall under Mick Halsall and Ray Graydon. “I have seen him progress through their youth and reserve sides and he will fit in well with the rest of the lads.”

He added: “Neil is a player I have seen six times at Conference level and he has yet to break sweat. “No disrespect to the Conference but he is far too good for that level so fans should not read too much into the fact that he is coming from Telford. “He is a good player who has the right balance of defending and knowing when the time is right to get the ball down and pass.”

The two players were certainly delighted to get their futures sorted out early. Moore, who has been playing in the Home Nations tournament this week with the England semi-professional team, said: “I am very grateful for the chance to get back into League football again. “The thought of playing at the grounds we will be going to next season really excites me. “Yes it is a big step up from Conference to Division Two but people should remember it was a big step down for me when I went to Telford. “The standard in the Conference is hardly park football and I have played Second Division football before and I would like to think it's not changed that much. “The lads won't find it too different to Division Three, though there are obviously better players so you find that if you make a mistake, it is punished. You really have to concentrate hard for 90 minutes.”

Dion Scott added: “I am glad it's all sorted out. “I want to get my career going again as I had a hard time at Walsall. I came through their ranks but they didn't want to take a chance on playing a youngster regularly when they were going for promotion or battling relegation. And they did both while I was there! “I like to think I am a pretty quick, aggressive defender who is a good talker and fans can expect 100 per cent from me every time I go out there.”
Source: The Chad

 

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