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Archived News from January 2009

ANTHONY HOWELL &CURTIS SHAW SIGN, WOOD OUT ON LOAN
22nd January 2009 22:38


David Holdsworth's Monday morning press conference video here

Stags sign two more players - Anthony Howell and Curtis Shaw, both from Ilkeston,, read here

Anthony Howell and Curtis Shaw are interviewed, read here

Chris Wood joins Ilkeston on loan, read here

CHAD reports: here and here

MANSFIELD Town have signed two more players this afternoon - Anthony Howell and Curtis Shaw, both from Ilkeston.
They have become the sixth and seventh permanent signings by new manager David Holdsworth, since he took over at Field Mill just after Christmas.

Howell (22) is a left-sided forward who has had experience at Eastwood, before moving to Ilkeston.

Shaw (21) - who was at Field Mill on Saturday - is a creative central midfielder and a former Stags Centre of Excellence player when he was aged around 13/14, before going to Kidderminster and then Ilkeston.

They have both joined on 18-month contracts and follow the manager, three members of his backroom staff and two players - Briscoe and Garner - to move to Field Mill from the Robins.

Howell, who described himself as a 'pacy player', said he wanted to 'prove his worth', while Shaw said: "The manager has put his faith in us to play at a higher level . . . now we want to improve the squad.

Shaw added: "I put my trust in him (Holdsworth) as a manager and he convinced me to come here.

"We want to improve as players and see the club move forward, it is a big club in a big stadium, and shouldn't be at this level."

And Howell added: "David has high standards and we want to deliver those high standards and prove to the fans and ourselves that we can do better."

Manager David Holdsworth told the club's official website mansfieldtown.net: "They are both quality players. They are both eager to play for me.

"I know both of them as characters and they are the type of people I want at this football club.

"They are both determined and hungry to succeed."



Stags hope to bring in Reid on trial


Earlier in the day Holdsworth revealed that he hoped to bring in Oxford defender Levi Reid on trial, while defender Chris Wood is expected to go out on loan to Ilkeston.

And rumours late on Monday were linking experienced utility player Craig Armstrong (33), released by Cheltenham, with a trial at Field Mill. Armstrong had been at Burton Albion, but the BSP leaders have decided not to offer him a contract.

Armtsrong started his long career at Nottingham Forest and once commanded a £750,000 fee when he left the City Ground for Huddersfield. Sheffield Wednesday later paid £100,000 for him.


RIGHT full back Levi Reid is set to join Mansfield Town on trial this week.
The defender is expected to be released by his current club Oxford and Stags manager David Holdsworth hopes to add the 25-year-old to his squad for the reserve match at Shrewsbury on Wednesday.

Reid has played 81 first team matches for Port Vale, Stafford Rangers, Macclesfield and Oxford.

Reid would slot in at right back in place of Chris Wood who has joined Holdsworth's former club Ilkeston Town on loan.

"Chris has signed all his papers to go to Ilkeston on loan but is cup-tied for their midweek Derbyshire Senior Cup game and won't play until next weekend," said Holdsworth.

"Ilkeston are a good club and Chris needs to play some competitive football. It will do him good."

Holdsworth may also have another trialist in for the Shrewsbury game and is waiting on a phone call.

Former Stags trainee, central midfielder Ashley Burbeary, will play as will fellow trialist trio Dan Whatsize, Sean Webb and Gianluca Harvarn, who all played against Derby County last week.

Whatsize revealed after the Derby game that he had battled on with a back injury in his attempt to impress. Harvarn went off with a groin strain but both players are now fit again.

However, young former Newcastle United trainee keeper Paul Farman has returned to Blyth Spartans after his week's trial.

"He is a good young keeper and we won't forget about him," said Holdsworth. "But it's all about location, location, location and he lives up in the North-east.

"Maybe we can sort out some digs for him down here? He has good attributes and you don't go to Newcastle for nothing."

Teenage striker Connor Higginson will get another chance to impress after almost making the bench on Saturday.

Said Holdsworth: "I saw things that I liked in him last week - I am not worried about his age.

"I would have no hesitation in using him. But I looked at my bench for last weekend and though we lacked depth which is why I brought Tomi Ameobi in."

Holdsworth quashed rumours that Michael Blackwood could be on his way out of the club this week, saying: "It's the first I have heard of him going anywhere, unless he's going on holiday!

"I am hoping he is back in training tomorrow with a spell on the pitch in the reserve game at Shrewsbury on Wednesday in mind.

Transfer-listed keeper Jason White is back in training for the first time since his summer knee operation tomorrow and Holdsworth hopes someone will come in for him either on loann or full time, though knew nothing of rumours he was also Ilkeston-bound.

But defender Alan O'Hare continues to be plagued by a niggling knee problem and will have a scan on it this week.

 

Latest | January 2009