Archived News from July 2006
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DOUBLE BOULDING TARGET
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mansfieldtown.net, 21 JUL06
Ongoing talks with the brothers have taken a promising turn with Rory looking as though he could put pen to paper on a deal later this afternoon (Friday). ----------- Double Boulding target? CHAD WEBSITE, 20JUL2006 STAGS boss Peter Shirtliff is hoping to sign at least one Boulding - and maybe two! Former Mansfield Town winger Michael Boulding was finally unveiled as a trialist at Field Mill in last night's 1-1 friendly draw with Derby County, even netting a late equaliser after coming on as a second half substitute. The team sheet showed his 17-year-old brother Rory, is also on trial at the moment. And Shirtliff admitted after the game he would like to sign both of them. Shirtliff had kept Michael Boulding's trial under wraps for a couple of weeks, though the whispers were already out among the more observent Mansfield supporters. The former professional tennis player, who once shared a room with Tim Heman and had an ATP ranking, had spells with clubs like Aston Villa and Grimsby Town after his two-year spell at Field Mill seven years ago before quitting the game to start a business a year ago. But the 30-year-old is now looking to get back into football and impressed last night, twice going close before finally beating Lee Grant. And he was playing on the left of midfield - an area Shirtliff has already said is a priority for strengthening. "I am speaking to the lad all the time," said Shirtliff. "I want him to stay with us but there are one or two things we need to sort out. "He is a lovely lad and I think he is enjoying being here. But he has got to make a decision on certain things. "I would also like to keep his younger brother, who is a centre forward. "If we got Michael Boulding in then the only position not covered would be left back. "I didn't have enough time to judge Paul Collins last night in all fairness to him. We need a game in which he will get more of a defensive test for me to be able to judge him properly." Shirtliff was pleased with his side's showing against Championship opposition last night. "I thought we played quite well," he said. "I was pleased with the performance. "But the bottom line is that it was slightly false as not many teams in our league will play like Derby played. "All credit to them, they passed the ball well and played some good football without really penetrating our box too many times. "They kept the ball and made us work very hard. "It was wonder goal that broke the ice - a great strike. "But we bounced back quite well. It was a good work out and I was delighted for them. "I wanted to give everyone an hour. "I was pleased to see Chris Beardsley back. He is an enthusiastic boy and, although he still a bit away from full fitness, he is improving all the time. "There were other good plusses for us, particularly down the right hand side where I thought John Mullins and Matt Hamshaw worked well together." |
Latest | July 2006