Archived News from May 2007
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GRAY IS NOT A TRANSFER TARGET
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No move for Gray - for now
But Stags linked to Terriers duo CHAD website, 15May2007 By John Lomas STAGS boss Billy Dearden has scotched strong rumours that former Mansfield Town star Kevin Gray is on his way back to Field Mill. But he also stressed he would not rule out an eventual move for the 35-year-old, who has just been released by Carlisle United, if other attempted signings don't come off. Dearden is rumoured to be interested in released Huddersfield Town pair Martin McIntosh and John McAliskey. With Jon Olavn Hjelde retiring and Alex John-Baptiste delaying signing a new contract, Dearden is short in the central defender department right now. "I have spoken to two or three players and need to speak to agents," he said. "So I have irons in the fire and I can't sign everyone and end up with five or six centre halves. It's a waiting game. "I have heard the rumours that Kevin Gray is coming back but it's news to me as I have not spoken to him. "He is not one of those in my plans at the moment. But I certainly wouldn't rule him out if other signings don't happen. "Kevin is a great competitor and would be a good leader to have at the club." He added: "I knew him when he was here as a kid. We sold him to Huddersfield as part of a a deal that brought Iffy Onuora here, and he's had a good career. "I know as you get older your legs go. But I believe Kevin has another year in him. He is different class. "I can't see him coming back here just now. But whether something happens in the future I don't know. "Some of the players I have offered new contracts to have told me they will accept them but no one has actually signed them yet. I think we will see a lot of developments in the next couple of weeks. Gray played 141 games for Stags during 1990-94 and was part of the 1992 promotion-winning side. Billy Dearden is keeping his transfer cards close to his chest but two players he is rumoured to be courting are released Huddersfield Town pair Martin McIntosh and John McAliskey. Experienced Scottish central defender McIntosh (36) and Irish U21 international striker McAliskey (22) have been linked with a move to Mansfield in the Huddersfield media after reports that Dearden watched them in the terriers' final home match of the season to Leyton Orient. Last Updated: 15 May 2007 --------- STAGS: GRAY IS NOT A TRANSFER TARGET Evening Post, 15 May 2007 Billy Dearden today revealed he is an admirer of former defender Kevin Gray - but insisted Mansfield were unlikely to make a move for him. The rugged stopper, 35, was released by Carlisle United last week after a successful three-and-a-half year stint at Brunton Park. He has reportedly been a target of several clubs, including the Stags, where he made his Football League debut as a teenager when Dearden was assistant manager. He is also firm friends with assistant boss Paul Holland after the two played in the same Mansfield team. But Dearden said: "People are asking me about him because he has played here before, but I haven't spoken to Kevin Gray for 12 months, probably more than that. "He probably would be someone who would interest me if he wanted to come back, but he isn't getting any younger and I'm not planning to speak to him. "There is a space at the back because Jon Hjelde has gone, but I'm talking to a couple of defenders already. "Who we bring in depends what the players we have here want to do. If people choose to go, then I will have to look to replace them." The popular Gray played 150 times for Mansfield between 1990 and 1994 after coming through the youth set up. He then spent nine years at Huddersfield before Carlisle. |
Latest | May 2007