Archived News from May 2005
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PALMER AFTER CLARE, JACOBS & GRIFFIN
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PALMER EYES NEW PLAYERS
Evening Post, 18 May 2005 MARK ROACH Mansfield Town's 2005-6 pre-season training officially kicked off this week with several new faces at training. After the Evening Post revealed that Hucknall Town's former Mansfield striker Danny Bacon was interested in a move to a higher level, Carlton Palmer reacted by inviting him to training. And Palmer, who will be 40 in December, has also revealed he is considering resurrecting his own playing career. Blackpool full-back Rob Clare and Oldham Athletic defender Kyle Jacobs, 18, will be playing in Stags colours next season. But Paul Warne has turned down Mansfield in favour of Oldham. Forest Green Rovers striker Charlie Griffin has been offered a deal and former Stags player Chris Beardsley is still a target. Palmer appears to have given up on Bury striker Colin Kazim-Richards and Leicester forward Tommy Wright. ------------- Stags signings, Palmer plots playing return CHAD, 16 May 2005 PLAYERS began to arrive at Field Mill today as next season's Mansfield Town side began to take shape. England U21 defender Rob Clare was hailed as a major capture, 18-year-old Oldham Athletic defender Kyle Jacobs has also agreed to sign. And manager Carlton Palmer is considering pulling his boots on again for one more season to help bring on his talented youngsters. Non-League hotshot Charlie Griffin has been offered a deal and former Stags youngsters Chris Beardsley and Danny Bacon are both in the frame for a return. But interest in Bury striker Colin Kazim-Richards is cooling and Leicester City are currently asking too much money for young striker Tommy Wright. Also Stags have missed out on Paul Warne who has opted for higher division football at Oldham Athletic. But both Leicester and Sheffield United have agreed to let Palmer have players on loan, possibly until Christmas initially. "I am feeling really excited about next season already," said Palmer. "I have told players who are not coming back like Colin Larkin, Alex Neil, Scott McNiven and Luke Dimech they don't need to come in anymore, even though they are being paid until June. "I want to start fostering a team spirit and having the other players here can affect what you are trying to do. "Rob Clare and Kyle Jacobs came in on Monday and both have agreed to sign. "Rob began the season as an England U21 international and a lot of people in Blackpool can't believe they have let him go. "He could have gone back to Stockport but he enjoyed his football under me there and is happy to join back up with us. "Rob has been playing at right back there but he is a central defender and a very good one. He can play in a three as well so I am delighted to have him here. "Kyle Jacobs is a promising, stocky full back who I was tipped off about by John Sheridan, who is youth team coach at Oldham." Palmer's chief task is bringing in some strikers and, with players like Luke Beckett and Junior Agogo pricing themselves out the market right now, Palmer is looking to take a chance on former Swindon striker Charlie Griffin. The 25-year-old has hit 20 goals at both Woking and current club Forest Green Rovers and Palmer said; "We've made Charlie an offer. "I know Wycombe have also made one - a better one than us. But it would mean him living near London and the cost of living down there is much higher than here. "He has scored 20 goals this season in a side that only won six Conference matches which says a lot about his character. He is desperate to get back into the League." Born in Bath, the 6ft striker started with Chippenham Town before joining Swindon for a couple of seasons. Spells at Yeovil and Woking followed before a return to Chippenham and a summer move to Forest Green. Kidderminster are still holding out for a transfer fee for Chris Beardsley's Field Mill return. Palmer said: "He is one of several young players that should never have been allowed to leave here and he is Mansfield through and through. The lad is keen to come back "I don't mind giving them a token gesture of a grand or two but I won't pay what Stuart Watkiss is asking. "Trouble is we have been talking for two weeks and that has been another two weeks they have had to pay Chris. "If they hold out they will have to pay him another three months and, if we won't go to a tribunal and he won't sign, he won't be able to move until the January window which is no good for us, Kidderminster or the lad. "Danny Bacon has been in and trained with us today and I like what I've seen. "I know he is also Mansfield through and through and I will go to watch him in the FA Trophy final with Hucknall Town at Villa Park this Sunday. "It will probably all be down to what sort of money he is expecting in the end." But Palmer has missed out on Warne, who did so well on loan last season. "Paul has said his decision is not down to money but playing at a higher level; with the chance to get promotion as Ronnie Moore has been given a very good budget," said Palmer. "Our interest in Kasim-Richards has cooled as he is being pushed to go higher and being touted everywhere. I want players who want to come here and play for Mansfield Town. "And Leicester are asking £50,000 for Tommy Wright who has not really played or scored goals. "I don't mind paying a fee if it is justified and warranted. but it has to be value for money. I would like to bring Tommy here. But not for that much." Intriguingly, Palmer is also talking about a one-season comeback at the age of 39. "I have had two years of rest and still believe I can play in this league," he said. "I can remember playing against Ray Wilkins when he was 38 and I couldn't get near him. "I think I would be of benefit to the team both in experience and in height. "I will train hard to get fully fit and, if I am on the pitch, I trust Peter Shirtliff to run things off it. "I could play central defence or midfield but see myself playing just in front of the defence, maybe alternating with Giles Coke so I could teach him and bring him on. "And if I am on the bench it gives us a late threat to bring on for set pieces. For too many seasons Mansfield Town has been a largely small side and I want to get at least six players over 6ft to try to get us out this division. "That will mean we can be a bit more direct. But we will not play long ball football. "I just want us to be playing our football in the final third and get the ball over their defenders and close them down. "That's how the other sides have got out of this division. And the standard of the league is largely poor. "Obviously if I don't feel right then I won't come back. But I feel as fit as I have done for a long time right now and I have lost a stone and a half." Palmer is continuing negotiations with keeper Kevin Pilkington over a new deal. But Alex Neil is ready to leave the club after turning down the offer made to him. "There was room for a bit of negotiation, but I asked Alex what his bottom line was and we would not pay that sort of money. I doubt if anyone else will either," said Palmer. "I won't give players more than I think they are worth. "I know my budget and we also have the Liam Lawrence money. It's all a question of me finding value for money. "Our budget is capped at 60 per cent of our income which is obviously down on this time last year with smaller crowds. "But I hope we can make a good start to the season and get the fans back in which will allow us to increase our spending and bring more players in by the transfer window." Stags skipper Alex John-Baptiste has learned he will be suspended for the first three games of next season. That follows the post-match report of referee Trevor Kettle over comments made to him by John-Baptiste after Mansfield's 5-2 defeat on 9th April. ------- mansfieldtown.net: Stags Boss Carlton Palmer has been having a look at ex Stag Danny Bacon with a view of offering him terms that could see him return to Field Mill in the Summer. The twenty four year old striker has been training with the stags this morning and Palmer liked what he saw: "I have had Danny Bacon training with us today and he did a good job and he will be training with us for the rest of the week and I will be going to see him when Hucknall play at Villa Park on Sunday so we will see where we go from there." Said Palmer. ------ mansfieldtown.net: Stags Boss Carlton Palmer, true to his word has been in talks with a number of players this morning in an attempt to bolster his squad for the 2005/06 season. Kyle Jacobs from Oldham will be putting pen to paper this afternoon. Rob Clare from Blackpool and Charlie Griffin from Forest Green Rovers have also been in the building this morning discussing deals with a view to joining the Stags. Jacobs an eighteen year old right sided full back comes very highly rated by his previous club. Training with the Remaining Stags at the JJB this morning he impressed the Stags management: "John Sheridan the youth team coach at Oldham 'marked my card' about Kyle so I got in there early doors to get him to speak to us before other managers had a look at him, he trained with us this morning and looked every bit as good as I was told. He will be signing for us today" said Palmer. "I have also spoken to Rob Clare and he has agreed to sign and hopefully he will be joining us for training on Wednesday" he added. The England under 21 centre back has attracted other interest, with Stockport trying to win his commitment but it is the bond between the player and his former boss that could prove to be the deal maker bringing Clare to Field Mill. The other player in the building today, Charlie Griffin has played for Swindon before playing at Forest Green where he has shown great character scoring twenty goals this season. League 2 rivals Wycombe have also made a bid for the player where he has been training but the Stags Boss is hopeful of acquiring the 25 year old hitman's services. Griffin is expected to come back with an answer later today (Monday). Meanwhile the news that Midfield player Paul Warne has agreed to join his former boss Ronnie Moore at Oldham have come as a great disappointment to Carlton and the rest of the Mansfield Town team. ------------ mansfieldtown.net: Stags Boss Carlton Palmer is set to sign an experienced ex England International - himself. The thirty nine year old has returned to training and says that a come back could be on the cards. "I have had two years out so my aim is to register as a player and train every day with the players. I have lost some weight and am only nine pounds over my ideal playing weight so I don't anticipate any problems. I may play just inside the back four to help Giles Coke with his education because I believe that is a position that Giles can go on and play at a higher level." Said Palmer Palmer's gola is not for selfish reasons but to help his young squad build on their education. "this will be for only one more season to help the young players on with their footballing education then that's it!" he insisted ----------- mansfieldtown.net: Alex John-Baptiste will miss the opening three games of the 2005-06 season following a decision from the FA regarding his behaviour during the away trip to Yeovil in April. The referee's report from Mr Kettle highlighted an incident of un-gentlemanly conduct when Baptitste had an exchange of words with the referee off the pitch, so although not issued a red card he will have to sit out a three match suspension --------- Stags boss plans to sign himself BBC.co.uk Mansfield Town boss Carlton Palmer is poised to make up to five new signings - including himself. Palmer, 39, last played in February 2003 when he was player-manager at Stockport but has returned to training with a view to playing next season. He also wants ex-Blackpool defender Rob Clare, Oldham defender Kyle Jacobs and Forest Green striker Charlie Griffin. Former Town striker Danny Bacon, 24, may also return from Hucknall Town following Sunday's FA Trophy final. Bacon, who left Field Mill for Hucknall two years ago, has recently been training with the Stags. But Colin Larkin, Alex Neil and Luke Dimech will join Scott McNiven, who has already been been released. ------ |
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