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Archived News from February 2013

STAGS SIGN LEFT BACK JAMES JENNINGS
8th February 2013 10:46



The Stags have signed left-back James Jennings from Cambridge.

The defender is well known to Stags fans. Last season he scored against us with a free kick from 22 yards at the Abbey when we came back to win 2-1.

The season before, he gave away the penalty converted by Keigan Parker in our 1-0 win against Cambridge at Field Mill. He was sent off in the same incident. - Martin

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first interview with James Jennings:
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/jennings-first-interview-631935.aspx

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Stags sign Jennings
mansfieldtown.net 31st January 2013

We are pleased to announce the signing of left back James Jennings on a free transfer from Cambridge United.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/stags-sign-jennings-631636.aspx

The 25-year-old, who has made 22 appearances for Richard Money's side this term, joins us on an 18-month deal and could make his debut in Saturday's home tie against Dartford.

Jennings, a set-piece specialist, featured in over 100 league games during his three-year stay at the Abbey Stadium.

Manager Paul Cox said: “James is a player who we missed out on signing in the summer, so we're pleased to have captured him the second time around.

“He has leadership qualities as well as an excellent pedigree in both league and non-league football.

“He will give us balance in both defence as well as going forward,” he added.

The Mancunian started his career at Macclesfield Town and was a member of Paul Ince's Silkmen side that played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in an FA Cup Third Round encounter in January 2007.

A former team-mate of Jamie Tolley and Adam Murray from his time at Moss Rose, Jennings also played alongside Exodus Geohaghon and John Dempster during a later spell at Kettering Town.

An undisclosed fee will be paid by Mansfield Town to Cambridge United should we achieve promotion during James Jennings' stay at the club.

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Mansfield Town new signing James Jennings looks to hit the ground running
Saturday, February 02, 2013 Nottingham Post

MANSFIELD Town new-boy James Jennings insists he will have no problem fitting straight into the Stags back-four.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-18030997-detail/story.html

The left-back arrived shortly before the transfer window closed on Thursday night and goes straight into the squad to face Dartford at home today.

The Stags have been without a game for a fortnight because of the weather, but arrive back at the One Call Stadium following two away victories.

Whether Jennings can force his way straight into the side remains to be seen.

But with games coming thick and fast, the full-back is confident he can make an impact, especially as he played with fellow defenders Exodus Geohaghon and John Dempster at Kettering.

He also knows Adam Murray, the captain and assistant manager, from their time together at Macclesfield.

And after arriving on a free transfer on an 18-month deal after three years with Cambridge United, Jennings cannot wait for a new chapter in his career to begin.

He said: "It always helps when you have played with players previously and at Kettering with Exodus and Dempster we had a very good season.

"I have kept in touch over the years, with Adam Murray as well, and it will give me an advantage straight away as I already know their strengths.

"It helps acclimatise yourself into the back-four quickly and that can only be a good thing.

"I have never joined a club half way through the season on a permanent deal but it is not a problem for me. I am looking forward to getting started.

"I am an attacking full-back who likes to get forward and contribute to the team by bombing on and overlapping.

"But I have also improved the one-on-one side of my game in my defensive work in recent years and with my experience of playing alongside some of these lads previously, I believe I can help the club reach its objective – promotion."

The 25-year-old, who has made 22 appearances for Richard Money's side this term, was allowed to leave Cambridge after expressing a desire to move back to Manchester for personal reasons.

And being happy at home he feels will help him embrace the new challenge ahead at the One Call Stadium.

Jennings is also a set-piece specialist, scoring against the Stags last season.

And he hopes to be producing more magic from dead-ball situations now he is pulling on the amber and blue.

"I have been on set-pieces for quite a few years now and I work on them a lot on the training ground," he said.

"Luckily a few have come off and I have scored a couple this season. Hopefully that can continue."

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Jennings Signs For Stags
http://www.cambridge-united.co.uk/news/article/jennings-to-mansfield-310113-631499.aspx
31st January 2013, by Gareth Bragg/Will Weston

I'd particularly like to thank the fans for their support over the last couple of years and wish them well" - James Jennings

Defender James Jennings has transferred to Mansfield Town for an undisclosed fee.

Jennings, 25, joined the U's from Kettering Town in 2010 and has started exactly 100 league games.

He was appointed vice-captain after a year with the club, and has worn the captain's armband on a number of occasions at the R Costings Abbey Stadium.

Director of Football Jez George explained the surprising move: "We've been sympathetic to the fact that, for personal reasons, James has wanted to move to a club nearer his home in Manchester, so we allowed this deal to happen."

"The timing isn't ideal but like everything else we've had to deal with in the last three months we will get on with it and move on. We wish James all the best in the future and thank him for his time at Cambridge United."

Jennings was quick to point out that this was an honestly-motivated move: "The reason for me moving is purely for personal reasons, not for any football reasons."

"These things happen sometimes and I'll be sad to leave the club. I've got great memories from being here and developed excellent relationships with some good people." he said.

Jennings continued: "I'd also like to thank people behind the scenes who have supported me since I've been here – Eddie (Clark, vice-chairman) and his family, Renford (Sargent, director) and Dave (Doggett, chairman).

"I'd particularly like to thank the fans for their support over the last couple of years and wish them well. I'd also like to thank my team mates and the staff, and send my best wishes to Jez and Richard for the rest of the season.

"I hope the club gets back to where it deserves to be and look forward to coming back here in the future, both to play and watch a few games."

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Latest | February 2013