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Archived News from July 2002

GREENACRE INTERVIEW
5th July 2002 9:23


Stags striker Chris Greenacre has spoken exclusively to Mansfield 103.2 about his move to 1st Division Stoke City and about his thoughts on leaving Mansfield Town.

He was first asked about the last few months. “It's been hectic and its been hard to relax where you're supposed to relax on your holidays, it's been difficult”. Asked about his move to Stoke Chris added “I went to see Steve Cotteril and had a look around the ground and everything and it really impressed me. They made me feel wanted and I can't speak highly enough of the club and I'm looking forward to it.”

He was then asked about his time with the Stags and expressed his gratitude to them for getting his career back on track “Mansfield Town put me back on the map really, they gave me my chance when things were looking down after I left Man City and I'm just absolutely thankful to everybody associated with the club from the manager, Bill Dearden and Stuart Watkiss, Neil Richardson, the backroom staff, the physio and most of all my team mates that I had there. I just want to say a big thank you to everyone, they helped me achieve this move as it were”. He was then asked about criticism from a minority of fans over his move and not telling the fans whether he was staying or leaving “To be honest I've heard one or two stories like that but basically I told everybody that I was going to stay until the end of the season, which I did, and said I'd resolve my future as and when, but I've heard one or stories that I find a bit hurtful really because I tried to give everything I could to Mansfield Town and when you hear bad things like that it does disappoint you a bit but I've nothing but great things to say about the club”. Chris was then asked about the support he had from the fans how he thought the Stags would do in Division 2 “I wish them all the best and thank them for what they did for me, they made my job a lot easier and were absolutely fantastic, I can't thank them enough. It is going to be a tough season for them but to be honest I don't think there is that much between the 2nd and 3rd Division, the ability in the dressing room at Mansfield Town is absolutely fantastic, they've got that mixture of youth and experience which we had last year, the young lads came of age really and achieved what people doubted they could by getting promotion. I'm so proud to have been part of the squad that got promotion and it was nice to be able to give the fans something back for the support they'd given us and I wish them all the best and I shouldn't think they'll have a problem next season – with a bit of luck they can go and do what Brighton did and achieve a second promotion on the bounce”. He was asked about the fact that the Stags had resurrected his career but had no financial reward in return, he agreed it was hard on the club but added “There's things that have gone on behind the scenes, they could have sold me earlier if they'd wanted to but I didn't really want that but hopefully I've given them something back by helping them get promotion. That's the way football works sometimes and as I say I can't thank people enough for what they've done for me”. Asked if he'll look out for Stags results in future he added “It'll be the first score I look for, definitely, without fail, I wish the lads and everybody associated with the club all the best and I shouldn't think they'll have much problem”.

All at Stagsnet would like to thank Chris for his time at Field Mill and wish him all the best at Stoke.

Source: Mansfield 103.2 - Transcript by Stagsnet.

 

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