Archived News from January 2010
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AARON BROWN ON TRIAL
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January 11 http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1928751,00.html? Brown begins trial Trialist defender Aaron Brown will link up with the squad this morning for his first training session, first team coach Gareth Holmes revealed today. Manager David Holdsworth will be running his eye of the 26-year-old 6ft 5' defender who can name Stafford, Tamworth, Reading, Yeovil and Burton amongst his former clubs. In other transfer news, Gareth Holmes assured fans that a lot of work is currently going on behind the scenes to bring in some new faces during the January transfer window. He added: "The Gaffer is looking at and meeting with a number of players and is working hard to bring in the right calibre of player. "We don't rest on our laurels and are always trying to improve but at the end of the day, we are always restricted by finances. "The Gaffer is always getting phone calls from players who want to come here, many from higher leagues, and that is testament to how much other players want to come to this club. "Look at Jon Challinor and Andy Burgess - experienced players who wanted to come here instead of other clubs." Holmes also stated that David Holdsworth's main priority at the moment would be to tie up a deal keeping Ollie Hotchkiss at Field Mill beyond the end of his current loan deal on Friday. This has been complicated, however, by the interest being shown by other clubs in the midfielder's services and the large amount of transfer activity that Leeds United are expected to undertake before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month. "We are hoping to have it sorted out as soon as possible although we are facing a lot of competition from other football clubs," he said. "Ollie wants to come to this football club but Leeds will have other priorities to deal with during this transfer window." Finally, Holmes was confident that he and the players would remain focused during this period of poor weather and are coping well with the frustration of seeing a number of our fixtures postponed. "We have a clean bill of health and everyone is back and fighting fit. Snowballing and sledging has done the lads the world of good so that's a positive and we can push on." "All we can do is be prepared. We did our homework for the Luton game, as I went down and watched them at Southampton (in the FA Cup Third Round), so no-one can say that we haven't done things right. "We are hoping that it (Saturday's game against AFC Wimbledon) is on but the lads will be training in Derby and at other indoor venues this week so that they can get a football out and keep a smile on their faces." ------------------- Gareth Holmes video interview ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1929004,00.html --------------- Stags upbeat on transfer targets Evening Post, January 12, 2010 MANSFIELD Town believe their burgeoning reputation can help them lure their top targets to Field Mill in the January transfer window. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-upbeat-transfer-targets/article-1693544-detail/article.html? Manager David Holdsworth is already in talks with several targets and a central defender and striker – to replace Daryl Clare – are top of his wanted list. The Stags are hopeful of bringing in at least one of those players before the weekend's scheduled trip to AFC Wimbledon. They also hope to clinch a deal for Leeds midfielder Ollie Hotchkiss, who has just finished a loan spell with the Stags, inside the next 24 hours. But first team coach Gareth Holmes says Mansfield can afford to be patient – because so much top-class talent is keen to sign for them. "The gaffer is looking for players and we are working hard to bring the right calibre of player to strengthen the squad," he said. "We can't rest on our laurels and we are always trying to improve things and make then better. "We are hopeful of bringing in someone for the weekend. The gaffer has been working really hard to follow up in a couple of areas. "Of course we are restricted by the budget but that is the same as Manchester United or any other club – except perhaps Manchester City! "Players are wanting to come who have played in a division higher and who have played in this league and been successful. "That's testament to how much other players think of this club. Burgess, Challinor and Brough chose us above other clubs. "There is no panic because a lot of players want to come. They know we are doing things right and they know we want to push on and improve. It's a case of putting the right deal to the right player." Clare's departure to Gateshead was a setback Mansfield were not anticipating, but Holmes insists the club are strong enough to cope. He said: "The way the gaffer is, we are always prepared for every eventuality. "Fortunately we are in a position where we can look forward, even though Daryl is not coming back. "Pezza (Kyle Perry), Duffers (Rob Duffy) and Jake (Speight) have all done well and we have numerous players the gaffer is getting phone calls about." Mansfield plan to train at the DW Sports fitness complex in Derby this week, with Holdsworth set to run the rule over central defensive trialist Aaron Brown. ------------------- Stags closing in on Hotchkiss Evening Post, January 11, 2010 MANSFIELD Town are quietly confident they will secure the services of midfielder Ollie Hotchkiss for the rest of the season – and possibly beyond. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-closing-Hotchkiss/article-1692875-detail/article.html? Manager David Holdsworth revealed last week the Stags faced competition for the 20-year-old, who has just finished a three-month loan spell at Field Mill. But the Leeds player – who also played for Mansfield on a temporary basis last season – has indicated Mansfield are his preferred choice. First team Gareth Holmes said today that if all goes to plan, the Stags hope to seal an agreement within the next 48 hours. "The gaffer has spoken to Ollie and he's eager to come to us. We're hoping to have it tied up as soon as possible," he said. "There has been a lot of competition because he is a good player. He is young, has technical ability and a good future. "Leeds have to weight up their issues because they have their own agenda in the transfer window. "But hopefully it can happen in the next couple of days. "I've not spoken to the gaffer as to whether it would be until the end of the season or longer – he deals with that side of things. "But we want to build for the future, so we don't just want people on short terms contracts. You can't build a framework like that." Trialist Aaron Brown has joined Mansfield for training for the first time today. The central defender has recently been released by League Two side Burton Albion. ------------------ Boss meets with target CHAD.co.uk, 11 January 2010 By John Lomas MANSFIELD Town boss David Holdsworth met with a potential new signing today as the players began their preparations to face AFC Wimbledon next weekend. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Boss-meets-with-target.5972199.jp And former Burton centre half Aaron Brown joined in with training for the first time today on trial as he bids to win a contract. With conditions again horrendous outdoors, Mansfield are to train at Derby's indoor Powerleague Centre adjacent to Pride Park for a few days this week to help them get some actual football played as well as fitness training. Holdsworth said last week he was looking at a right winger, a striker, and several centre halves as he takes a look at players who might further enhance his high-flying squad. "The gaffer is meeting a player today and is working hard to bring the right calibre of player here on the right deal to strengthen our squad," said first team coach Gareth Holmes. "We won't rest on our laurels and will always try to improve the squad. Hopefully we may get one in for the weekend though we are always restricted by the budget. "The fact we were able to attract players like Jon Challinor, Andy Burgess and Michael Brough here when other clubs were interested in them shows players come here because they know things are done right." Stags are still waiting confirmation from Leeds United that midfielder Ollie Hotchkiss can stay on loan for the rest of the season. "We hope it's done sooner than later, but I am sure Leeds have deals to sort out that are greater priorities than this one in the transfer window," said Holmes. It is too early to know what chance Stags have of playing at AFC Wimbledon this weekend but Holmes added: "We prepared properly for the Luton game last weekend which was postponed and we will do the same again this week for Wimbledon. "Even if it's called off at the last minute, we will be prepared." Next Tuesday's home clash with Altrincham is already off due to Altrincham now needing to play an outstanding FA Trophy match with the Dons instead. ---------------- |
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