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Archived News from January 2008

BOOTH EXPLAINS TRANSFER FUND POLICY
10th January 2008 21:26


'Dearden the right man for the job'

Chief exec backs manager and explains transfer fund policy

CHAD.co.uk, 10 Jan 2008, by Tim Morriss

STAGS boss Billy Dearden has been given a vote of confidence by the club's chief executive Stephen Booth.
With Mansfield Town firmly entrenched in the relegation zone from the Football League after five defeats in six League matches - despite a terrific run to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup - some fans have called for the manager to be sacked.

But Mr Booth, who said Dearden was the right man for the job when he took over in December, has again backed the boss.

He said: "Changing things now is not the solution. Billy is the right guy and why would a new manager make any difference? And that is not the dreaded vote of confidence before a sacking!

"Billy has created a talented team which is unfortunately very young. Tuesday was a game too far for them.

"Ultimately it was not a good performance on Tuesday, it was bit like Accrington after Peterborough . . . after the Lord Mayor's show.

"But Billy is starting to get the injured players back and with the new players we will have a squad to compete."

The Stags have won just four League matches this season and are currently five points from safety, though they do have matches in hand on some of their relegation rivals.

Dearden has been struggling to bring in new faces, though he says there are deals lined up for players once they are released by their current clubs.

On Tuesday evening, after the 4-0 home defeat by Wycombe Wanderers, Dearden said: "I don't know what money I have - it's up to those higher up the ladder. I have been told what I can spend on wages but if I needed to spend £50,000 on a player that will find out what money I can have."

On Thursday Dearden also admitted he would rather be spending a small fee and bringing in full time players on 18 month deals with one eye on next season than dealing only with loans.

"It is so frustrating at the moment," he said. "Things will happen – it's just a question of when. But if they don't materialise very quickly then I will have to look elsewhere.

"The deals are still ongoing, but I am fed up of saying that now. Both are loan players. I have been told there is money available to me for wages for loan players but I don't think there is any money available if I wanted to spend fifty or sixty grand on a player.

"We have made a lot of money from the FA Cup run but I realise the club has to keep going and that money has gone into the club so my hands are tied to an extent.

"I am trying like hell to get players in and over-turning every stone. It is not easy attracting players to a club in our position.

"I would like to bring in players on 18 month contracts which would give them a lift and also help me with one or two players we already have who I would like to talk about contracts next year."

But on Thursday evening Mr Booth said: "It is very clear. Billy was last week given a budget in terms of wages etc to work with and he is actively purusing a number of targets."

When asked if there would be any money available for transfer fees, the chief executive added: "If he (Billy Dearden) has specific requests for additional funding I would consider that on its merit.

"But it would be remiss of me to speculate lots of money on players and wages. I have to balance what is right for the club in the long-term.

"This industry is littered with clubs who have thrown money at problems and got nowhere.

"I would not jeopardise the future of the club by speculating and buying players we can not afford and which would not do anyone any good."

 

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