Archived News from May 2012
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BURNLEY BID FOR O`NEILL REJECTED
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video interview with Paul Cox
Tue 15 May 2012 http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2773215,00.html --------------- Mansfield Town are full of ambition insists manager Paul Cox Wednesday, May 16, 2012 Nottingham Post PAUL Cox insists being prepared to sell star full-back Luke O'Neill does not show a lack of ambition at Mansfield Town. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-15667447-detail/story.html He believes it is quite the opposite, as he looks to use any transfer fee to strengthen his squad for a promotion push next season. ?Championship Burnley have tabled a five-figure offer for the player, who is contracted until 2013. And with O'Neill making it clear he is keen to move on to play at a higher level, Cox said it is imperative the Stags get the right compensation for the defender. The 20-year-old was a consistent performer at both right and left-back after joining from Leicester City last summer, as the Stags finished third in the Blue Square Bet Premier before going out in the play-offs to York. Cox said: "Money talks but it is not a lack of ambition. "If Luke does go, people have to trust me to find an adequate replacement and continue in the same way as last season. "We just have to make sure the money that comes into the club is used towards players and to strengthen this club. We want to finish higher than we did last season. "To do that, we have to strengthen and that is what I aim to do. "We are a non-league football club and even if we went into League Two, people are always going to go for good, upcoming players. "Unless you are Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, you are at the mercy of big clubs. "We have been up front with him and his representatives and if a club comes in and compensates us adequately, he will go. If not, he stays here." Mansfield have arranged a home friendly against Notts County on Monday, July 23. The Stags will host Derby County two days later ------------- Burnley bid for O'Neill rejected mansfieldtown.net, Mon 14 May 2012 We can confirm that a bid for our full-back Luke O'Neill from Burnley Football Club has been rejected.The Clarets are the first club to come forward with a concrete bid for the player after recent press reports have linked the ex-Leicester trainee with a move to a handful of Championship clubs. http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2772317,00.html Manager Paul Cox told mansfieldtown.net this afternoon: "The offer has been turned down as it is well below our valuation of the player. "We have also had enquiries from another Championship club. "We are in the process of putting together a squad which will improve on our position of third place from last season - to do that we will aim to keep our best players. "As a manager, I would never want to stand in the way of a young player's progression, but I have to do what is in the best interests of this football club. "I expect more offers to come in for Luke and if the right offer comes along, we will not stand in his way." The 20-year-old swept up three awards at last Friday's End of Season Dinner following a highly impressive debut season at the One Call Stadium ----------------- Big week ahead for Paul Cox as he starts to shape future of Mansfield Town Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Nottingham Post MANSFIELD Town have rejected an offer from Burnley for full-back Luke O'Neill. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-16086959-detail/story.html The Clarets are the first club to come forward with a concrete bid for the 20-year-old player after recent reports linked the ex-Leicester trainee with a move to a number of Championship clubs. Manager Paul Cox said: "The offer is well below our valuation of the player. "We have also had enquiries from another Championship club. "We are in the process of putting together a squad which will improve on our position of third place from last season – to do that we will aim to keep our best players. "As a manager, I would never stand in the way of a young player's progression, but I have to do what is in the best interests of this football club. "I expect more offers to come in for Luke and if the right offer comes along, we will not stand in his way." Cox believes this week will be a crucial when it comes to his plans for next season. Cox said: "There is a lot to do as I am going away on Saturday, so I will sit down with the lads this week. Options have been sent out on players and we have a few contracted players already here. "There are some big decisions to be made." --------------- Stags reject Burnley bid for O'Neill chad.co.uk, Monday 14 May 2012 MANSFIELD Town today rejected a bid from Championship club Burnley for full back Luke O'Neill. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/stags-reject-burnley-bid-for-o-neill-1-4546829 The Clarets are the first club to come forward with a concrete offer for the player after recent press reports have linked the ex-Leicester City trainee with a move to a handful of Championship clubs. Manager Paul Cox told mansfieldtown.net this afternoon: “The offer has been turned down as it is well below our valuation of the player. “We have also had enquiries from another Championship club. “We are in the process of putting together a squad which will improve on our position of third place from last season - to do that we will aim to keep our best players. “As a manager, I would never want to stand in the way of a young player's progression, but I have to do what is in the best interests of this football club. “I expect more offers to come in for Luke and if the right offer comes along, we will not stand in his way.” The 20-year-old swept up three awards at last Friday's End of Season Dinner following a highly impressive debut season at the One Call Stadium --------------- EARLIER STORY: Burnley eye up move for Mansfield defender Saturday 12th May 2012 By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter, Lancashire Telegraph BURNLEY are understood to be weighing up a move for highly rated non-league right back Luke O'Neill. http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/article_upload/ The 20-year-old Mansfield Town defender is on the radar of a number of Championship clubs, with play-off semi-finalists Birmingham City and Cardiff City also thought to be tracking the Leicester City graduate. O'Neill has been a star of the season for Mansfield, who came close to a return to the Football League four years after dropping out, but were beaten in their Conference play-off semi final with York City. Blessed with height and pace, the former England youth international loves to get forward and link with attacking players, as well as put crosses into the box, and is a threat at set pieces. As such, he would be the right fit for Clarets boss Eddie Howe, who prefers his full backs to have an attacking influence. O'Neill has similar attributes to the Clarets' player of the season, Kieran Trippier, who has been linked to Newcastle United just months after making his loan move from Manchester City permanent in January. Burnley have not yet received any firm offers for Trippier, however, and are keen to hang onto the England Under 21 international, with a view to bringing in an understudy. Sources close to Mansfield believe that is a situation that would suit O'Neill in the early stages, as he adapts to making the step up. With just one year left to run on his contract, the Slough-born defender would also only command a modest transfer fee. Mansfield sold Tom Naylor to Derby for a six-figure fee in January. O'Neill, however, would be expected to cost in the region of £50,000 or £60,000, although it is likely that the Stags would want this to be bulked up by add-ons and sell-on clauses. ------------------- |
Latest | May 2012