Archived News from April 2010
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OXFORD PREVIEWS+ NAYLOR,COLLETT,TURNER CONTRACTS
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http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2026458,00.html VIDEO & COMMENT: Burgess insists he is happy at Stags Andy Burgess and Louis Briscoe are speaking to Mansfield 103.2's Dave Rhodes Posted on: Fri 16 Apr 2010 Andy Burgess was misquoted in a newspaper article on Tuesday which suggested he would rather be playing his football away from Field Mill, the midfielder insisted today. The report, which appeared in the Northants Evening Telegraph on the day that we faced his former club Rushden & Diamonds midweek, quoted the 28-year-old as saying: "I certainly wish I was still there (Rushden) but it's easy to say I should have done this or that. "People close to me know that I regret leaving and I'm gutted that I'm not part of this season's achievements. "But I had to jump at the chance of joining Luton Town and then Mansfield took over my contract following a change of management." Burgess said this morning that he was in fact misquoted and that his comments were taken out of context. He adds that he is fully committed to us and that fans can read about his true feelings in last Tuesday's programme where he featured in the big interview. "I'm disappointed that my comments to a newspaper were taken out of context completely," he said. "I was misquoted. I actually said that in hindsight I would have stayed with Rushden and not moved on to Luton (as his time at Kenilworth Road was hampered by injury) but that has nothing to do with how I feel about Mansfield. "I am delighted to be at Mansfield Town. I was not misquoted in Tuesday night's programme where you can see what I really said." The experienced left-sided midfielder was absent during our 1-0 home defeat to AFC Wimbledon last Saturday due to a stubbed toe which occurred in a freak accident at home after he kicked the sofa whilst picking up his young son. He says that he has now fully recovered from this injury and is looking forward to locking horns with promotion hopefuls Oxford at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow afternoon. "The toe is fine now. We did not want to risk it on Saturday (against AFC Wimbledon) so that I would be fit to face Rushden on Tuesday night. "It was only the second time I'd played against one of my former clubs and got a result. We're taking on another former side of mine tomorrow so hopefully we can get another result down there. "We will take alot of confidence from Tuesday as it was a big win. There's not that pressure to get in the play offs now so I think we can go there and get three points. "The Oxford fans have expected to get back into the Football League ever since they got relegated so they will be absolutely desperate to go up through the play offs. They will want to get a good result tomorrow to go into them with some momentum. "The pressure will be on them which we don't have anymore so we can just go there and relax." ---------------------- Burgess believes honesty is best policy at Stags Evening Post, April 17, 2010 HONESTY is the best policy, so the saying goes – and Andy Burgess is not one to disagree. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Burgess-believes-honesty-best-policy-Stags/article-2030618-detail/article.html? The Mansfield Town midfielder has always spoken his mind about all matters football, even if those views have not gone down well with others. He has riled Kettering Town fans in the past while with former club Rushden Diamonds ahead of big derby matches. He infuriated fans of today's opponents, Oxford United, with comments he made about boss Jim Smith – a Us legend – on his departure from the Kassam Stadium. And since moving to the Stags he was candid in expressing his opinion that this season's Blue Square Premier League is of the worst standard he has seen for years. But Burgess insists he will not change, just to keep people happy. "There is no point in not saying it how it is. I wish sometimes more people in football were honest and didn't just say what people want to hear," he said. "I know the Oxford fans don't like me and I'm not likely to be made welcome today. "But I didn't make it up when I left Oxford, I just told the truth. I certainly don't retract what I said. "It was a disappointing season when I was there because we went something like 22 games unbeaten yet finished second before losing in the play-offs. "I believed the manager played a big part in that. "The fans have always made their feelings clear, and I'm sure they will do again today, but you could say I thrive on it. I don't think they boo bad players going back to a club and, at times, I think they enjoyed the way I played." Burgess upset some of the Mansfield fans this week when he was reported as saying he wished he had never left Rushden. But he feels those quotes have been taken out of context and is happy to be signed up for another year at Field Mill. Burgess said: "I was disappointed with what was written in a paper about the fact I'd rather still be playing for Rushden. "What I said was I would rather have stayed at Rushden than gone to Luton, which I thoroughly enjoyed, even though it didn't work out. "That was well before I came to Mansfield and has nothing to do with my time here. It's all about Mansfield now and I'm looking forward to next season." The Stags have experienced the pressure of trying to perform for expectant home fans in the latter stages of this season, meaning Tuesday night's first home win in six games – a 3-2 success over Rushden – came as a relief. Mansfield now have the chance to turn the tables in that regard as United, who average over 5,000 for their home matches, will consider nothing less than three points is satisfactory. "Oxford fans expect to be back in the Football League at the end of this season, just like every season," said Burgess. "The pressure is on them to win and get some momentum to take into the play-offs. There is no pressure on us and we can go and enjoy it." ----------------------- http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2026309,00.html VIDEO & COMMENT: Stags face defensive crisis Dave Rhodes (Mansfield 103.2) and Matt Halfpenny (Evening Post) are posing the questions from today's press conference. Posted on: Fri 16 Apr 2010 David Holdsworth has only one fully fit defender to select for tomorrow's squad as we travel to Oxford. Luke Foster is ineligible to face his former club whilst Gary Silk is doubtful to play due to a hamstring strain. Luke Jones is available but lacks match fitness whilst loanee defender Andy Nicholas has returned to Rotherham after breaking his elbow during our midweek win over Rushden & Diamonds. With Paul Heckingbottom and Craig Armstrong both out on loan, Scott Garner is currently the only fully fit defender in the squad meaning that the Gaffer will have to improvise and name a makeshift back four at the Kassam Stadium. "There's a lot of equations that I'm trying to address today so we can see who is available. I think I might have to play," he said. "I made an agreement with (Oxford manager) Chris Wilder when I signed Luke Foster that he wouldn't play and I will 100% honour that. "Andy (Nicholas) has now played his last game here this season. He has played very well during his time here and I'm grateful to (Rotherham manager) Ronnie Moore for helping us out when we needed a left back. We wish him well. "It will be down to the last few minutes before the game that I will know who can play because as of today, I cannot currently pick a side." Whoever does play tomorrow is being urged by Holdsworth to go and out enjoy playing in front of what is certain to be a large crowd. The U's enjoy an average home gate of over 6,000 which is second only to Luton in the Blue Square Premier attendance league. The Gaffer says this can only be viewed as a positive and that it should not daunt his players. He added: "It will be a very big crowd but you want to have an atmosphere. "All I would say to any player, at any club, is to go and play in front and the biggest crowd you can because it means that you're playing well." ----------------------- http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2026896,00.html Young trio sign new deals Posted on: Fri 16 Apr 2010 We are delighted to announce that defenders Ben Turner and Tom Naylor along with goalkeeper Neil Collett have signed extended contracts. Turner (18), currently on loan at Unibond Premier side North Ferriby has signed a contract extension which will keep him at Field Mill until May 2011. Centre half Tom Naylor has put pen to paper on a two year deal. The 18 year old has enjoyed a regular slot in Belper Town's line up throughout the season. Goalkeeper Neil Collett will provide competition for Alan Marriott on a permanent basis next term. The ex-Coventry trainee has penned a one year deal after joining us on non-contract terms. GAFFER SAYS: "Tom (Naylor) has had a wonderful season. His progress is there for all to be seen. I am delighted he has wanted to stay with us. We are delighted with Ben's progression. We are hoping he can step up to the mark next season after a successful loan spell with North Ferriby. I've been very pleased with Neil since he joined us, acting as Alan Marriott's understudy. He has shown his mettle after coming in and he will continue to push Alan next season. ------------------------ Stags trio sign deals Evening Post, April 16, 2010 MANSFIELD TOWN have announced that defenders Ben Turner and Tom Naylor along with goalkeeper Neil Collett have signed extended contracts. http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Stags-trio-sign-deals/article-2031355-detail/article.html Turner, 18, currently on loan at Unibond Premier side North Ferriby, has signed a contract extension which will keep him at Field Mill until May 2011. Naylor has put pen to paper on a two-year deal. The 18-year-old centre half has enjoyed a regular slot in Belper Town's line-up throughout the season. Goalkeeper Neil Collett will provide competition for Alan Marriott on a permanent basis next term. The ex-Coventry trainee has penned a one year deal after joining us on non-contract terms. --------------------------- Naylor and Turner ready to step up Evening Post, April 17, 2010 TOM Naylor and Ben Turner can challenge for a Mansfield Town first-team spot within six months, manager David Holdsworth predicted today. The teenage defenders have agreed extended deals to stay at Field Mill until the summer of 2011 and 2012 respectively. Goalkeeper Neil Collett has also penned a one-year deal. Naylor, 18, has already made his senior Stags debut, playing in a 2-0 win over Altrincham late last season and has since impressed on a season-long loan at Belper Town. Turner, also 18, has yet to make his first-team bow but has become a firm favourite out on loan at North Ferriby United. "Both players have made extremely good progress this season by dipping their toe in the water with other senior teams," he said. "It is great to secure them for an extra season and they could save the club a lot of money in the future. "They have both worked extremely hard on the training ground and are developing nicely. They could be playing senior football in the next half a year." Holdsworth looked into bringing Craig Armstrong or Paul Heckingbottom back from their respective loan spells at Forest Green and Gateshead as cover for Andy Nicholas, who has fractured his elbow. But the Stags are now likely to call on Andy Burgess, Kyle Nix or Matt Somner to fill in as an emergency left-back at Oxford United today. Luke Foster will not play as part of an agreement between the Stags and his former club. Luke Jones, back from an ankle injury, is set to deputise. ---------------------- Extended contracts for trio CHAD.co.uk MANSFIELD TOWN have given defenders Ben Turner and Tom Naylor and goalkeeper Neil Collett extended contracts. Turner (18), currently on loan at Unibond Premier side North Ferriby, has signed a contract extension which will keep him at Field Mill until May 2011. Centre half Tom Naylor has put pen to paper on a two-year deal. The 18-year-old has enjoyed a regular slot in Belper Town's line up throughout the season. Goalkeeper Neil Collett will provide competition for Alan Marriott on a permanent basis next term. The ex-Coventry trainee has penned a one-year deal after initially joining on non-contract terms. Manager David Holdsworth said: "Tom (Naylor) has had a wonderful season. "His progress is there for all to be seen. I am delighted he has wanted to stay with us. "I am hoping Ben (Turner) can step up to the mark next season after a successful loan spell with North Ferriby. "Neil Collett has shown his mettle after coming in and he will continue to push Alan Marriott next season." ------------------- Stags could recall left back to fill injury void Evening Post, April 16, 2010 MANSFIELD Town could recall one of their on-loan left-backs for tomorrow's penultimate game of the season at Oxford United. http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Stags-recall-left-injury-void/article-2026448-detail/article.html Andy Nicholas has been ruled out for the rest of the season after fracturing his elbow against Rushden and Diamonds on Tuesday. He has returned to parent club Rotherham United, leaving the Stags without a recognised left-back. But the club do have two players in that position – Craig Armstrong and Paul Heckingbottom – out on loan at Forest Green and Gateshead respectively. Mansfield could utilise youngster Ben Turner or Andy Burgess, who played there in an emergency at Cambridge. But it is understood boss David Holdsworth is looking at bringing back one of the duo who shared the role before Nicholas' arrival. "Oxford is always a tricky place to go, even more so with these few injuries that have left us down to the bare bones," said Holdsworth. "Andy did his injury during our win over Rushden and he won't play again this season. "It does leave us short in that area, so we will have to explore all the options open to us." Right-back Gary Silk is also set to miss out with a hamstring injury, with Jon Challinor favourite to take his place. Luke Jones could return from an ankle injury to play with Scott Garner in central defence – if Luke Foster is ruled out as part of an agreement made with Oxford when the player signed for the Stags in January. Meanwhile, Holdsworth has denied any interest in Ilkeston's Dan Lowson after the goalkeeper had been linked with a summer move to Mansfield. He said: "I think that's come about because he was a reserve team keeper at Gretna when I was coaching there." ------------------- Stags skipper has no regrets as he prepares to face old club Evening Post, April 16, 2010 YOU would think Mansfield Town's Luke Foster would be casting an envious eye at former club Oxford United over the next few weeks. http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Stags-skipper-regrets-prepares-face-old-club/article-2026446-detail/article.html While the Stags will be redundant following their last game of the season against Kidderminster Harriers on April 24, the Us will be involved in the Blue Square Premier play-offs and fighting for promotion to the Football League. But an acrimonious exit from the Kassam Stadium means the new skipper at Field Mill has no regrets. Foster was an influential figure for Oxford before the turn of the year, missing only a handful of games. And after being a regular first choice for the previous two seasons as well, the 24-year-old would have been happy to commit his future to United. But a meeting with manager Chris Wilder early in the New Year quickly persuaded Foster his future lay elsewhere. "We sat down in January because I was out of the contract at the end of the season and Chris said there were a few clubs sniffing around, a few in this league and a couple higher," said Foster. "I told him I was looking to stay put, but he said he probably wouldn't offer me anything and that I could speak to other clubs. "That came as a real shock, but I said I would rather sort my future then than in the summer. "I played well over 100 games for them and was player of the year in one of the seasons. "I did love it there, but it did leave a bitter taste because I thought there was a lack of respect and I felt I deserved more. "There are quite a few things that have affected Oxford which is why they have dropped off. "They have lost Adam Murray in the second half of the season, who set up a lot of the play for them and haven't really replaced him. "And sometimes you can peak too soon while Luton, on the other hand, have gone about their business quietly and hit form at the right time so that even if they don't go up automatically, they will be favourites to win the play-offs. "But I think how the club treated me perhaps affected things in the dressing room as well. "All of a sudden I was cast aside, out of the blue, after playing a lot of games for the club. I wasn't even training with them. "I think some thought if it could happen to me then it could happen to the rest of them and was maybe a bit unsettling. "But I don't hold grudges because that's football and I realise it was purely a business decision." Foster is unlikely to be able to play against his former team-mates today. An agreement was made between Wilder and Mansfield boss David Holdsworth that he would sit the game out. With the Us certain of a top five place but unable to claim top spot, the Stags have asked Oxford to re-consider. But Foster is not holding out much hope and said: "I think Chris would have a lot of questions to answer if I was to pop up with the winning goal having initially made the agreement. "I'm gutted not to be playing because I would have loved to have gone back there leading Mansfield. "It's disappointing that having left they are involved in the play-offs, but it's more disappointing that I haven't got there with Mansfield. "Hopefully, this time next year we will all be talking about being in Oxford's position, if not better." Knowing the Oxford team well, Foster insists leading scorer James Constable is the man to stop. The former Shrewsbury striker has netted consistently throughout the campaign and helped ensure oxford have lost only twice at home all season. "James has got 21 for them and got a hat-trick against Chester as well, which I know he still counts!" said Foster. "Oxford have always been strong at the back but he is their main threat going forward." -------------------------- |
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