Archived News from November 2010
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HOLDSWORTH DEPARTS
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Thu Nov 18 2010 3.50pm David Holdsworth departs mansfieldtown.net, Thu 18 Nov 2010 David Holdsworth and Mansfield Town Football Club have parted company by mutual consent. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2224405,00.html? The decision has been reached following an unacceptable run of results which has seen us win just once from our previous eight league matches. We believe we have done everything possible to support David during his time at the club. We would like to thank him for his professionalism and hard work whilst with the club. The club will keep supporters up-to-date in respect of any managerial appointment, but, in the meantime, Duncan Russell will prepare the team for our important home game to Hayes & Yeading United on Saturday We will not be rushed into finding a successor and will explore every avenue to appoint the right manager to take Mansfield Town Football Club forward. ----------------- video interview with John Radford ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2224542,00.html VIDEO: Chairman speaks out following Holdsworth departure mansfieldtown.net, Thu 18 Nov 2010 Chairman John Radford has spoken exclusively to mansfieldtown.net in the wake of the mutual decision made by Mansfield Town and David Holdsworth this afternoon to part company. Pressed on what motivated the decision, Mr Radford referred to a run of form which has seen us win just once in eight league games and exit the FA Cup in the First Round stage. John Radford is in conversation with our Head of Media & Communications Mark Stevenson. The Chairman feels that after initially giving David Holdsworth his backing, the time was now ripe for change. It was nevertheless a difficult judgement to make. He said: "It's down to results. Recently they have not been good for the club. "I said when I took over that I wanted the club to be in a play off position at least this season. It got to a point in the season when I had to make a decision so David and I decided to part company. "Managers live and die by results. If you look at the last 10 games there have only been three players who have played in every game. There have been too many changes. "I let him have the players he wanted, we've got a squad of 32 players at the moment which is a large squad for a club in the conference. "I have lost a lot of sleep over the last few nights. You want to support your manager. I have spoken to a lot of people behind the scenes and David is a good manager but now was time for a change." In terms of the future, Mr Radford said that there were no candidates in the frame as yet and that an appointment would only be made after all applications had been considered. Assistant Manager Duncan Russell has agreed to take charge of the side in the interim. He added: "We will look at all potential candidates and shortlist a few. I want someone level headed with a bit of experience. "We will look to appoint someone in the next three weeks. Duncan has said he is happy to stay on board so that is not a problem." -------------- audio interview with John Radford from BBC Radio Nottingham ---> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/9207409.stm? Boss David Holdsworth leaves Mansfield Town BBC.co.uk, Thu Nov 18 2010 Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth has left the Blue Square Bet Premier club by mutual consent after less than two years at Field Mill. The Stags have won just once in eight league matches and chairman John Radford told BBC Radio Nottingham that "the time was right for a change". "You have to call it at some point. A manager lives by his results," he said. "It's something that in the last few nights I have lost a slot of sleep over and it's been a hard decision." The Stags finished out of the play-off spots last term and, despite a promising start to this campaign, are now in tenth place. Radford added: "David is a good manager but we needed to make a change. It was a mutual decision and I wish him all the best." The club statement added: "We believe we have done everything possible to support David during his time at the club. We would like to thank him for his professionalism and hard work." Assistant boss Duncan Russell will take charge of the team for Saturday's home game against Hayes & Yeading. Holdsworth was appointed manager in December 2008 and last season he signed an extended contract keeping him at Field Mill until 2013. And although a summer of upheaval saw chairman Andy Perry resign, the youth team scrapped and severe financial pressures force the club to work to a reduced playing budget, the Stags were in the promotion places after a bright start. But their recent slump has seen them slip to mid-table and the final straw was last weekend's dismal 2-1 defeat at Forest Green Rovers. Supporters have become increasingly critical in recent weeks - both with the results and the fact that Holdsworth made more than 60 signings in less than two years in charge. The Stags were taken over by Doncaster-based businessman Radford in September. He pledged to invest £500,000 in the club and is desperate to take them back to the Football League as quickly as possible. Radford said he is keen to get a new man in place as soon as possible - although he refused to confirm or deny that former Doncaster boss Dave Penney was being lined up. "I have a few people in mind and a few calls to make," Radford said. "And hopefully over the next three weeks we will get the situation resolved." ---------------- Stags manager Holdsworth leaves the club CHAD.co.uk, Thu Nov 18 2010 UNDER-FIRE Mansfield Town FC manager David Holdsworth has left the club after a poor run of one win in the last eight matches. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags_manager_holdsworth_leaves_the_club_1_2772253 A statement released by the Stags on Thursday afternoon said that the decision was by 'mutual consent'. It went on: “The decision has been reached following an unacceptable run of results which has seen us win just one of our previous eight league matches. “We believe we have done everything to support David during his time at the club. We would like to thank him for his professionalism and hard work whilst with the club. “The club will keep supporters uptodate in respect of any managerial appointment, but in the meantime Duncan Russell (assistant manager) will prepare the team for our important home game against Hayes and Yeading on Saturday. “We will not be rushed into finding a successor and will explore every avenue to appoint the right manager to take Mansfield Town forward.” Holdsworth was appointed just before Christmas 2008 after the sacking of Billy McEwan. He has been under pressure recently on the terraces after a poor run of results saw the Stags slide from the top of the table to their current 10th position, with fans believing that new owner John Radford would act sooner rather than later to address the problem. There has been speculation among supporters that former Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney could be a replacement, although York City recently parted company with Martin Foyle and former Forest Green Rovers boss Jim Harvey is another possible replacement. -------------------- Holdsworth told the Non-League paper: "I'd like to thank all the managers, players and friends in the game for their support over my time at Mansfield. Their wishes in the last couple of days have been very kind and hugely comforting." ----------------------- Boo-boys didn't influence decision to release manager, insists owner CHAD.co.uk, Thu Nov 18 2010 MANSFIELD Town's new millionaire owner John Radford has said that supporters' recent 'Holdsworth out' chants played little part in the decision for the Stags boss to leave Field Mill. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/boo_boys_didn_t_influence_decision_to_release_manager_insists_owner_1_2772359 Radford, who took over earlier this season, admitted in an interview on BBC Radio Nottingham on Thursday afternoon that he had been aware of the fans' frustrations over recent matches. However, he said: “You have to dig your heels in a bit and look at the performances and what is going on behind the scenes. I have also spoken to the backroom staff and then made my decision . . . not on the fans chanting 'Holdsworth Out'. Holdsworth left the Stags by mutual consent earlier on Thursday following a run of just one win in eight matches and a slide from the top of the BSBP table. Radford admitted to having had a few sleepless nights recently as he agonised over whether or not to release Holdsworth. He said that the manager's departure was 'amicable' and added that he 'wished him all the best'. The owner added: “You have got to call it at some point and we needed to make a change. “David is a good manager but it was time for a change and to look for a new manager. “Managers live by results and we should have had a few more points than we have.” ---------------- 'Tinkerman' Holdsworth axed for poor results CHAD.co.uk, Thu Nov 18 2010 STAGS owner John Radford has said that manager David Holdsworth's exit from Field Mill on Thursday was 'purely down to results and experimenting a little too much with the squad' - and declined to comment when asked if the manager 'had lost the dressing room'. Radford told the club's official website http://www.mansfieldtown.net: “It's down to results, recent results have not been good and as I have stated since taking over, I want the club to be in at least a play-off position this season. “David has made a lot of changes and we have got to a point in the season where I had to take this decision, I did not want to leave it any longer. The recent FA Cup defeat to Torquay 'hurt' admitted Radford, adding 'it has got to the situation now where I wouldn't be doing my job responsibly if I didn't make the change now. I have got to give the new manager time to get us back to winning ways. “Managers live and die by results. Purely results and probably experimenting a little too much with the team and the squad. I don't want to get into being a football manager, but over the last 10 games we have only played the same players in three of those games . . . there's been too many changes. “I have lost a lot of sleep over the last few nights, you want to support your manager and be 100% behind him. I have spoken to a few people behind the scenes and it is time for change, but it was very tough decision.” Radford said that he allowed Holdsworth to 'have the players he wanted' in a squad of 32, a 'large squad for the Conference' - and declined to comment when asked if the manager had 'lost the dressing room'. Looking to Holdsworth's replacement, the new owner said that he was looking for a manager who is 'level headed, has a bit of experience, may be 45plus with a bit more experience than we have currently had'. Radford, who is due to meet the players with caretaker manager Duncan Russell on Friday, added that he hoped to name his new boss within three weeks. The owner also thanked the fans for their continued supporting, saying: “Please keep coming to watch the Stags and I will do everything I can to make sure we succeed in this league.” ------------------- John Radford told the Non-League paper: "The lesson for me is not to let managers run riot in a sweet shop, I guess. I let him have the pick of the players he wanted and that might have contributed towards it, but it's been a hard decision to make." --------------------- Stags chairman plays down Penney speculation CHAD.co.uk, Thu Nov 18 2010 STAGS chairman John Radford today refused to be drawn on mounting speculation that Dave Penney is to become the new boss of Mansfield Town Football Club. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags_chairman_plays_down_penney_speculation_1_2772361 The former Doncaster Rovers boss has already been installed as the firm favourite amongst the fans to replace David Holdsworth, who departed Field Mill today by mutual consent following a poor run of form which has seen Stags slump from top spot in the Blue Square Bet Premier to tenth in the table. Penney helped guide Rovers from mid-table obscurity in the Conference to the Championship following a highly successful spell in charge. And he is no stranger to Mr Radford, who was a major sponsor of the South Yorkshire club during their climb up the football pyramid. Speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham Mr Radford said he had not taken the decision to dismiss Holdsworth lightly but had decided to act after speaking to staff at the club. “A manager lives by results and we should have got more points in the last 10 games than we have,”said Radford. “I have lost a lot of sleep over the last few nights about whether I should replace him or not. “I was aware of the growing discontent amongst the fans, but you have to keep detached from that. I did not take this decision lightly. This was an amicable decision and I wish David all the best in his future career.” Radford, who took over the Mansfield Town helm in earlier this season, also played down rumours that former Rovers boss Dave Penney would be coming to the club and said he would consider his options in the coming weeks. Added Radford: “Dave Penney is just speculation at the moment and we will look at each application on its merit. We will appoint the right man for the club and I hope to have this situation resolved in the next three weeks.” Stags have won just one of their last eight league matches and will have assistant manager Duncan Russell in charge for Saturday's home match against Hayes and Yeading. ------------------ Holdsworth leaves job as Mansfield Town manager Evening Post, Thu Nov 18 2010 MANAGER David Holdsworth has today left Mansfield Town. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Holdsworth-leaves-job-Mansfield-Town-manager/article-2912728-detail/article.html? He has parted company with the club by mutual consent. The decision has been reached following what the club described as an 'unacceptable run of results', which has seen the Stags win just once from their previous eight league matches. "We believe we have done everything possible to support David during his time at the club," said a club statement. "We would like to thank him for his professionalism and hard work while with the club. "The club will keep supporters up-to-date in respect of any managerial appointment. "In the meantime, Duncan Russell will prepare the team for our important home game to Hayes and Yeading United on Saturday. "We will not be rushed into finding a successor and will explore every avenue to appoint the right manager to take Mansfield Town forward." Holdsworth's departure ends a tenure of almost two years. He took over as Stags boss in December 2008 following the sacking of Billy McEwan. ------------------ Steve Barker told a Pleasley Stags fans forum that "we will be honouring the contract that David Holdsworth had." see video ---> http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2225712,00.html 19 Nov 2010 -------------- Clutch of new faces contributed to Holdsworth exit, believes skipper Foster Evening Post, 19 Nov 2010 MANSFIELD Town captain Steve Foster believes David Holdsworth's decision to tinker with a table-topping squad contributed to his downfall. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Clutch-new-faces-contributed-Holdsworth-exit-believes-skipper-Foster/article-2913718-detail/article.html? The Stags manager was relieved of his duties yesterday after what the club's board described as 'an unacceptable run of results' – just one win in eight Blue Square Premier matches. Mansfield started the season in terrific form, winning seven of their first 11 fixtures. But things have unraveled in recent weeks, coinciding with the arrival of John Radford as the club's new chairman following his takeover at the end of September. Holdsworth was immediately given the funds to bring in a clutch of new loan signings, with Mihkel Aksalu, Kevin Pilkington, Adam Murray, Steve Cook, Simon Grand, Rhys Day and Peter Vincenti all arriving. But Foster feels integrating so many new faces right in the middle of a busy campaign made it very difficult to maintain the Stags' bright start and ultimately led to his manager's demise. "I don't think we let the manager down before Eastbourne because we had gone to the top of the table and we were flying," said Foster. "Then we had quite a few players coming in at the same time and looking to gel and it was a question of if they had enough time. "The squad put together at the start of the season got the team to the top, yet the necessity to change it was still evident. "They have been good players coming in, but it is difficult to integrate them when there is pressure on to get results. "You could say that new owners like a new manager, but if we had gone 30 games unbeaten then I'm sure the chairman would have been more than happy." Holdsworth's last game in charge proved to be the 2-1 defeat to lowly Forest Green Rovers last weekend – a fifth loss in eight league outings. The game saw Foster sent off for a second time this season, meaning he is banned for tomorrow's home clash with Hayes and Yeading. Foster said: "We went down there looking to win the game and it wasn't a good result for us. But I think if you look over a period of time, that was more the issue. "We went to the top against Eastbourne, but results since then and haven't been good enough. That should have been the time when we kicked on – but we never did. "The board have had a decision to make and they will stand by that. As players we have to concentrate on trying to impress a new boss." Assistant manager Duncan Russell has been placed in caretaker charge for the visit of the Londoners and Foster insist the Stags players will do their best not to let Holdsworth's exit affect them. "When we step out on the pitch we want to win every game – and that has not changed," he said. "It is important that we look to win the game so we can inject some confidence and look to climb back up the league." Former Doncaster Rovers manager Dave Penney has quickly emerged as the favourite to take over the manager's hot-seat from Holdsworth. Foster has worked closely with him during successful spells at Doncaster and Darlington. But he refused to be drawn on the suitability of Penney, who was sacked as League One Oldham Athletic's boss in May. Foster said: "I'm not really going to comment on that. I'm sure the lads will give 100 per cent for whoever is put in charge. "Who is given the job is down to the chairman and the board." The club insist there will be no rush to make an appointment. But chairman John Radford revealed he had been thinking about making a change for a couple of weeks. "It was probably when we got knocked out of the FA Cup (against Torquay). That hurt, but it hurts every Stags fan every game we lose," he said. "David got morale back when he won a game after that (2-0 at Kettering) but there has just been too many runs against us and I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't make the change now. "I have lost a lot of sleep over the last few nights because you want to support your manager and be 100 per cent behind him. It was a very tough decision." Radford is hoping that by acting now, the club can still forced their way back into the play-off picture. He said: "I have got to give the new manager time to get into the club, get things sorted and hopefully get us back to winning ways. "David probably experimented a little bit too much with the team and the squad. We have only played three of the same players over the last ten games – there have been too many changes." On a successor to Holdsworth Radford added: "We will look at all potential candidates and shortlist a few. If Martin O'Neill's is interested then we'll glady accept his CV! "We are looking for someone who is level-headed, got experience, maybe not so much on the young side – someone who is 45 plus." ------------------- Penney front runner to replace Holdsworth as manager at Mansfield Evening Ppst, 19 Nov 2010 DAVE Penney is the hotly-tipped front-runner to succeed David Holdsworth as Mansfield Town manager. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Penney-runner-replace-Holdsworth-manager-Mansfield/article-2913897-detail/article.html? Holdsworth was relieved of his duties yesterday after just one win in eight Blue Square Premier matches, ending a reign just shy of two years. The disappointing run immediately followed the takeover of ambitious multi-millionaire John Radford, prior to Mansfield's 4-0 home victory over Eastbourne at the end of September. That win took them to the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier table, but five league defeats since – including a 2-1 reverse at second bottom Forest Green Rovers last week – has seen patience run out. The Stags are currently tenth in the table, four points off the play-offs. "It's down to results – recently they have not been good," said chairman Radford. "As I have stated since taking over the club, I need and want the club to be in at least a play-off position this season. "David's made a lot of changes and I've allowed him to go ahead with those. "But we have got to a point in the season where I had to take this decision, I didn't leave it any longer. "David and myself have spoken and decided to go our separate ways. The decision was reached amicably and I wish David all the best." Team captain Steve Foster admitted he was not massively surprised by the move, given the increased expectations since the club's ownership changed hands. He said: "Obviously results have not been going well lately. He's been under pressure and now it's come to this. "It is still always a shock to see a manager go, but now the players have to focus on getting a result this weekend." Penney, 46, appears the ideal candidate to take the reins at Mansfield, having previously led Doncaster Rovers to the Conference title. He worked under the South Yorkshire club's chairman John Ryan, a close friend of Radford's, so is already acquainted with his potential new employer. Penney also led Doncaster to promotion from League Two and has since taken charge at Darlington and, most recently, Oldham, who he left in May of this year. Should the Stags look elsewhere, other possible contenders include former York manager Martin Foyle, seen at Mansfield's FA Cup game with Torquay, former Hereford boss Simon Davey, ex-Forest and Notts manager Ian McParland and Eastwood's Paul Cox. Assistant manager Duncan Russell is in caretaker charge for tomorrow's home game with Hayes and Yeading. --------------------- Where it went wrong for Holdsworth in his reign at Mansfield Town Evening Post, 20 November 2010, by Matt Halfpenny ASK a Mansfield Town fan in a few years' time what they will most remember about David Holdsworth's tenure as manager and it will probably be the sheer number of signings he made. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/went-wrong-Holdsworth-reign-Mansfield-Town/article-2916465-detail/article.html? A trawl of the Post's records reveals that during his near two-year spell at the helm, the former Sheffield United man signed an incredible 48 players on permanent deals and a further ten on loan. Admittedly, with Holdsworth so prolific, there are one or two names who may have slipped through the net, meaning the total could actually be more than 58. Certainly, the figure would be much higher if you counted all the players who have come and gone on trial. Nonetheless, it has seemed liked every single week, sometimes every day, that there has been a new face walking into Field Mill. No matter what the time of year – inside or outside the transfer window, whether Mansfield were flying high or in a trough of form – you always knew the next signing would not be far away. Holdsworth made his intentions abundantly clear from the outset. Within his first week he had made six additions. It was a theme that was to continue through to his penultimate week in charge when he snapped up free agent Danny Mitchley on a week-to-week contract. In the immediate aftermath of the sacking of Billy McEwan, that facet of Holdsworth's managership was a welcome asset. At a time when the club badly needed an injection of new blood, he provided it. But, in the long-term, it also proved to be his biggest Achilles heel. While Mansfield were never short of players, they arguably had, at times, too many, so that there were always several disgruntled squad members not in the team. Of course, that is partly an occupational hazard of being a professional footballer at an ambitious club; you have to expect stiff competition. But one thing the continuing revolving door did result in, something that could have been reined in, was a lack of continuity. While other clubs, notably York last season en route to the play-offs, preferred to keep a settled team and formation, Mansfield were in a constant state of flux. In the space of five league games last October and November, Holdsworth introduced five new faces – Craig Dobson, Michael Brough, Jon Challinor, Andy Burgess and Lee Morris – in as many matches. It has been a similar story a year on with seven different loan players, along with Mitchley, appearing during the last month of his reign. Players rarely like to see a team chopped and changed without good reason and no doubt many of those who have now left the club would feel they were not given the run of games they needed to show their true abilities. It was even something chairman John Radford pointed to in his reasons for opting to make a change. The other major bugbear for supporters was Holdsworth habit of switching the side's formation. 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 have all be employed by the Stags this season and last, and often the reason given was to counteract the opposition. But the result was that the players often seemed not entirely comfortable with how they were lining up. It's one thing to have Premier League stars switching systems from one week to the next. But for non-league players it is a big, big ask. None of this conjecture would have mattered, nor come to pass in the first place, had results improved following the takeover of Radford at the start of September. But the fact Stags slid from top of the Blue Square Premier pile to tenth place has put Holdsworth out of a job. Managers live and die by their results, and, with the increased expectation of a multi-millionaire backer, the slump the team has endured in recent weeks was never going to be tolerated. Fans will be forever grateful for the way Holdsworth resurrected Mansfield's fortunes when he first took over at Field Mill. In the short-term he stabilised a club still in freefall following their sad exit from the Football League at the end of the 2007-08 campaign. But it is the lack of progress in his final 12 months that was Holdsworth's eventual undoing. A tinkerman's policy did not, in the end, prove fruitful. The roll-call of Holdsworth. His Mansfield signings in full: Permanent deals: Dan Whatsize (Chesterfield), Alan Marriott (Rushden), Curtis Woodhouse (Rushden), Louis Briscoe (Ilkeston), Rob Duffy (Newport), Scott Garner (Leicester), Curtis Shaw (Ilkeston), Anthony Howell (Ilkeston), Gianluca Havern (free agent), Paul Mayo (Notts County), Neil MacKenzie (Notts County), Scott Gardner (Leeds), Ryan Williams (Weymouth), Daryl Clare (Rushden), Craig Armstrong (Kidderminster), Luke Jones (Kidderminster), Kyle Nix (Bradford), Gary Mills (Stevenage), Jake Speight (Droylsden), Kyle Perry (Port Vale), Tim Sandercombe (Notts County), Luke Graham (Kettering), Steven Istead (Ilkeston), Blair Sturrock (Torquay), Ed Eley (free agent), Paul Heckingbottom (Bradford), Craig Dobson (free agent), Ollie Hotchkiss (Leeds), Michael Brough (Torquay), Jon Challinor (Cambridge), Andy Burgess (Luton), Luke Foster (Oxford), Neil Collett (Coventry), Jon Shaw (Rochdale), Paul Connor (Lincoln), Steve Foster (Blyth Spartans), Chris Smith (Tamworth), Paul Stonehouse (Forest Green), Kevin Sandwith (Oxford), Tyrone Thompson (Torquay), Adam Smith (York), Ashley Cain (Coventry), Keigan Parker (Oldham), Luke Medley (free agent), Lee Gregory (free agent), Adam Murray (Oxford), Danny Mitchley (free agent), Mark Preece (Forest Green). Loan deals: Tomi Ameobi (Doncaster), Levi Porter (Leicester), Lee Morris (Hereford), Andy Nicholas (Rotherham), Mihkel Aksalu (Sheffield United), Rhys Day (Oxford), Simon Grand (Fleetwood), Steve Cook (Brighton), Kevin Pilkington (Luton), Peter Vincenti (Stevenage). ----------------- A timeline of David Holdsworth's reign as Mansfield Town manager Evening Post, 20 November 2010, by Matt Halfpenny December 24 2008: Holdsworth, then employed by Ilkeston Town, reveals to the Post he has been offered the Mansfield Town job after negotiations with the Stags board. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/timeline-David-Holdsworth-s-reign-Mansfield-Town-manager/article-2916458-detail/article.html? December 29 2008: Before the match with champions-elect Burton Albion, Holdsworth is unveiled to the Field Mill crowd and watches the Stags lose 2-0. January 17 2009: Bad weather delays Holdsworth's first game in charge, but he gets off to a winning start as Rob Duffy's first half strike brings a 1-0 home victory over Crawley. April 24 2009: Having taken over with the Stags in danger of being sucked into the relegation zone, Holdsworth ends the season on a high with a 2-1 victory over play-off bound Stevenage. The Stags finished the campaign in 12th by winning seven and drawing four of their home games under the Londoner. August 22 2009: A 3-0 home victory over Ebbsfleet sees Mansfield march to the top of the table after four wins from their first five matches of the 2009-2010 season. November 14 2009: A 2-0 success at Crawley convinces many that Mansfield are serious play-off contenders before indifferent form over Christmas and New Year sees the Stags drop down the table. March 16 2010: A 1-0 home defeat by York City, despite Alan Marriott's penalty save, realistically ends Mansfield's play-offs hopes. April 24 2010: Striker Jake Speight bags a hat-trick but Mansfield throw away a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Kidderminster Harriers. The Stags' only full season under Holdsworth sees them finish in ninth spot. September 25 2010: After John Radford is unveiled as Mansfield Town's new owner, Mansfield move to the top of the table after their seventh win in 11 games – a 4-0 trouncing of Eastbourne. November 6 2010: Mansfield lose 1-0 at home to Torquay United in the FA Cup first round, a result that chairman Radford said prompted him to think about making a managerial change. November 13 2010: What proves to be Holdsworth's final game in charge sees Mansfield lose 2-1 at second-bottom Forest Green after a largely poor performance. November 11 2010: Holdsworth is relieved of his duties for what the board describe as "an unacceptable run of results." The Stags have lost five of their previous eight league games, winning just once to slide to tenth in the table. ------------ Penney would be spot on for Mansfield, says Sandwith Evening Post, 20 November 2010 DAVE Penney would make an excellent new Mansfield Town manager, believes left-back Kevin Sandwith. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Penney-spot-Mansfield-says-Sandwith/article-2916747-detail/article.html? The former Doncaster boss is favourite to take over at Field Mill after David Holdsworth's near two-year reign at Field Mill ended on Thursday. If that happens, Sandwith would be more than happy to link up again with his former gaffer in South Yorkshire. The pair helped Doncaster to promotion from the Conference to the Football League at the end of the 2000-2001 season. "Dave was really good when I was at Doncaster – really enthusiastic," said Sandwith. "He helped them get up into League Two and then into League One as well, so he has got a good CV. "I would welcome his appointment, he would be a good manager for the club if the chairman went that way. "He has a lot in his locker. He got the (Doncaster) lads really fit and organised and working at a high tempo. He set out a structure and how he wanted to play. "He is a manager with experience and I'm sure he would have a positive effect on the place if he came in. "He knows the league we are in now and also the league above it." Mansfield's former head of youth Paul Hall has returned to the club to assist caretaker-manager Duncan Russell for this afternoon's home game with Hayes and Yeading. The Stags have turned down an undisclosed bid from FC Halifax for striker Lee Gregory. --------------------------- Deano's joy tempered by brother's fate Monday 22nd November 2010, By Michael Pearlman http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/8679422.Deano___s_joy_tempered_by_brother_s_fate/? NEWPORT County boss Dean Holdsworth was thrilled to see his side get back on track with a 2-0 victory over Southport on Saturday, but admits his weekend was spoiled by Conference rivals Mansfield Town, writes Michael Pearlman. ... The three points fire County into fourth spot in the Conference National, but boss Holdsworth wanted to make clear that he feels the “disgusting” sacking of his twin brother, David, ruined any enjoyment for him. Holdsworth is outraged by the manner in which the Staggs opted to remove David Holdsworth, sacked on Friday despite Mansfield being just four points outside the play-off spots. “I really feel I have to speak on this and to speak up for David who is very, very disappointed and upset with how he has been treated,” he said. “It has certainly spoiled my weekend despite a great result for us, and I want to make my feelings clear because to me the way the situation has been handled is unbelievable. “I am not making judgements on whether it was right to do it (sack him) or not, because that's the industry we are in and David knows that as well as anyone. “But the manner of the dismissal stinks, in my opinion. It's an absolute disgrace. He's given absolutely everything to make that club successful and he was sacked over the phone, not even told face to face. “He's not even had a conversation with the chairman and I just find that amazing, for a club of their stature to treat someone so poorly and discourteously. I am very angry about it.” ----------------------- John Radford told the BBC Non-League Show, Mon 22 Nov 2010: - He had a face-face meeting with David Holdsworth planned for last Thursday, at which he would have discussed the departure with him face-face, but Holdsworth was ill at home and he could not really afford to leave it past Thursday. ---------------------- |
Latest | November 2010