Archived News from December 2009
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GRAHAM JOINS YORK AGAIN, BRADLEY TO HARROGATE
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Luke Graham finally completes York switch , 08 December 2009, evening ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1899366,00.html --------------- Bradley off to Harrogate CHAD.co.uk, 9 December 2009 PROMISING young striker Jason Bradley has been allowed to join Conference North side Harrogate Town on loan until the end of the season. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Bradley-off-to-Harrogate.5895796.jp? The 20-year-old, who has enjoyed a spell at King's Lynn this season, has been sent to the Sulphurites to gain valuable first team experience. Speaking of Bradley's departure, manager David Holdsworth said: "Jason wants to play at the highest level possible. He's chomping at the bit to get time on the pitch, and this loan will give him that opportunity. "I'm sure that he will provide a good service for Harrogate," he added. Meanwhile the transfer of Luke Graham to York City was finally concluded last night after he and the Minstermen completed personal terms after it seemed the whole move had broken down earlier in the week. Defender Graham, 23, will join York on a further month's loan and is expected to sign permanently when the transfer window re-opens in January. ---------------- Stags striker joins Harrogate Evening Post, December 09, 2009 MANSFIELD Town striker Jason Bradley has agreed to join Harrogate Town on loan for the rest of the season. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-striker-joins-Harrogate/article-1589043-detail/article.html? The former Sheffield Wednesday and Darlington player has found opportunities limited at Field Mill this season. He has already been out on loan at King's Lynn before suffering an injury. Now back to fitness, he is keen to get some first team football under his belt at Blue Square North level. "Jason wants to play at a high a level as possible and this will be a step up from King's Lynn where he was playing before," said Mansfield manager David Holdsworth. "He will get games, he is champing at the bit and it is a reward for him because he has worked extremely hard in his rehab coming back from injury." ------------------------- Nix starts rehab Evening Post, December 09, 2009 MIDFIELDER Kyle Nix has started his Mansfield Town comeback – but is not expected to return until February. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Nix-starts-rehab/article-1588344-detail/article.html? The former Bradford City man (pictured) damaged his ankle on the training ground, requiring surgery. Nix has now embarked on his rehabilitation with physio Jason Truscott. The 23-year-old was predicted to be out until the New Year but manager David Holdsworth thinks it will be longer. "Nixy is back and starting his rehab work," he said. "He is a good healer but you still have to manage things right when you have had an operation. "If we can get him back by the middle of February then I will be pleased because it could take him eight weeks to get right and then another four or five to get back fit." Four Mansfield players – Ryan Williams, Gary Mills, Luke Jones and Craig Armstrong – are suffering from illness and face a race to be fit for the weekend's FA Trophy tie at home to Tamworth. Kyle Perry (thigh) is being rested and Michael Brough (ankle) also did not train yesterday. Jon Challinor (head) has recovered from a blow against Grays while Jake Speight (knee) is still waiting for the full results of a scan. Central defender Luke Graham has signed for another month on loan at Blue Square Premier rivals York City. The former Kettering man finally agreed personal terms yesterday after the move looked to be off. He is expected to make the move permanent in January. Prices for the Tamworth clash have been reduced to £12 adults, £6 concessions and £3 under-13s. ------------------------ video interview with David Holdsworth, 08 December 2009 ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/FromTheBoss/0,,10325~1898958,00.html ---------------- Luke Graham returns from York, 08 December 2009, morning ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1898689,00.html --------------- Illness bug sweeps Field Mil CHAD.co.uk, 08 December 2009, By John Lomas FOUR Stags players have been told to stay away from the club as an illness bug swept Field Mill this week. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Illness-bug-sweeps-Field-Mil.5892495.jp? Ryan Williams, Gary Mills, Luke Jones and Craig Armstrong have all been hit and boss David Holdsworth is trying to make sure it doesn't spread further ahead of Saturday's FA Trophy clash with Tamworth. "There seems to be a bit of a bug going round the area and with injury and illness all in all I have 10 missing at the moment which us not great," said manager David Holdsworth. "I am keeping the ill boys away and told them to see their own respecetive doctors as we can't have them in here with illness." Kyle Perry and Michael Brough, who have been playing with injections into injuries, are resting up this week while Paul Heckingbottom, who took another blow to his injured ribs late in Saturday's game with Grays, is also taking things lightly. But Scott Garner is available again after suspension and Luke Graham is back in the fold after his move to York City broke down when they failed to agree terms. Jon Challinor will also be fit after taking a blow in the face just before half time last weekend. "Jon came off and was groggy and needed looking at, he wasn't fit to carry on," said Holdsworth. "The officials did well on Saturday but I thought they got that one wrong. I asked the referee why he booked their lad and he said it was for leading with the elbow in the challenge. "If there was intent that should have been a red card and the referee must have thought there was intent to book him. "Thankfully Jon has a rock hard head and he will be fine for Saturday." Stags begin their Trophy journey knowing it is a competition that they can realistically win at Wembley at the end of the road. Holdsworth was a spectator at last year's final between Stevenage and York and said: "I am never jealous but when I went to watch last year's final with the chairman I was envious as we had beaten Stevenage a few days before when we had smashed them. "We want to be successful here and I want to do well in cup competitions. I would love to lead my side out at Wembley. It would be a wonderful occasion for the fans to go to the new stadium. "But you have to earn it. It is important to be draw at home as our fans can make a big difference." Gary Mills' Tamworth, who are four games without a win, sit 14th in the BSP after promotion last summer. And they will contain some familiar faces as their squad includes ex-Stags Iyseden Christie, Simon Brown, Neil MacKenzie, Michael Blackwood, Gavin Hurren and Tom Shaw. If a replay is needed it will be at The Lamb on Tuesday, 15th December (7.45pm). ------------------- Evening Post, 8 Dec 09 LUKE Graham has returned to Mansfield Town after failing to agree a deal with York City, manager David Holdsworth revealed today. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Undefined-Headline/article-1587100-detail/article.html? The former Kettering central defender was expected to join the Minstermen after a successful loan spell. The two Blue Square Premier clubs had agreed a deal and there were expected to be no problems. But with no agreement reach between the player and York manager Martin Foyle, Graham has been recalled to Field Mill. "Luke is back having failed to agree terms with York," said Holdsworth. "York were driving it but have failed to see the journey through." Meanwhile, ticket prices for this weekend's FA Trophy first round tie at home to Tamworth have been cut. They are now £12 for adults, £6 for concessions and £3 for U-13s. The match is a pay-on-the-day fixture where season tickets do not apply. In an attempt to save stewarding costs, only the West Stand Upper and Lower tiers will be open for the tie. Away supporters will be hosted in a section of the lower tier towards the North Stand end. -------------------- York City loan star Luke Graham keeps options open for January window Tuesday 8th December 2009, By Dave Flett http://www.yorkpress.co.uk MANSFIELD Town defender Luke Graham is hoping to extend his loan stay at York City to a further month before considering his options in the January transfer window. Blue Square Premier rivals Mansfield are ready to allow the former Forest Green and Kettering centre-back to make his move to Bootham Crescent permanent, but Northampton-shire-based Graham does not feel the time is right to make that commitment. The 23-year-old, who returned to Field Mill yesterday after the completion of his one-month loan spell, has faced six hours of commuting every time he has attended a training session or played a home game for the Minstermen. City, suffering a shortage of defenders due to injury, are keen to keep Graham having only conceded two goals in his five starts. But, talking about his geographical predicament, he said: “I live in Rushden which obviously causes problems even though I've managed to work around it for the last month. “It might seem like I'm making excuses, but it's a 300-mile round trip every time I come up to York. I'm moving to Northampton with my girlfriend this week and, sometimes, these things take priority. It wouldn't feel right to go anywhere permanently at this stage and that's just being honest with everybody. The idea was to move half-an-hour closer to Mansfield, but I lost my place after being ill and I didn't expect things to go so well at York. “That's certainly given me food for thought and I'd love to stay with York another month to keep the winning run going and be here for a showcase game at Stoke, that all the boys deserve, before seeing what the transfer window brings.” Even if Graham does not return on loan, he is likely to spend Boxing Day at Bootham Crescent, where Mansfield, fourth in the table, will provide the opposition. Having seen both clubs at close quarters this season, Graham feels the pair could be meeting again in play-off combat at the end of the campaign. He said: “There's not much to choose between the two clubs and both have big, strong strikers who can score goals. Mansfield are a bit more direct and physical all over the park and also have a big squad. “York, though, maybe have a bit more quality in the middle of the park, although Mansfield have addressed that by bringing in Andy Burgess and Jon Challinor and I can see both clubs being in the play-offs. Time will tell who finishes higher.” Graham currently boasts a 100 per cent winning record on the pitch for City and admits he has enjoyed the rearguard actions that have seen Martin Foyle's men secure a succession of narrow victories. He said: “I enjoy being put under pressure. When you have easy afternoons, it can bite you in the backside because you can be sauntering about and suddenly concede a goal due to a lapse in concentration. “I would rather be in the thick of things from the start and TY (David McGurk) and the other boys relish it. If a team puts the ball in the box, we will head and clear it all day because that's our game.” Graham has forged a great understanding with McGurk in the centre of defence after an injury to Ben Purkiss gave him his opportunity, necessitating a switch to right-back for skipper Daniel Parslow. Graham added: “TY has a lot of experience with no frills and, like the best defenders at this level, he does the simple things well. He's a very good player and, hopefully, I have done a decent enough job alongside him.” Graham also questioned those critics who have bemoaned the club's failure to win any of their eight consecutive victories by more than a one-goal margin. “All supporters pay money to be entertained, but what do you class as entertainment?” he asked. “Is it all about keeping possession and sexy football, as Ruud Gullit used to call it, but ending up bottom of the table? “I think entertainment is seeing your team win games every week.” ------------------------- |
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