MARTIN RILEY RE-SIGNS FOR THE STAGS
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Riley becomes fifth summer signing
mansfieldtown.net, 3rd June 2013 Defender Martin Riley has today become our fifth summer signing, re-joining us on a free transfer from Wrexham. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/riley-becomes-fifth-summer-signing-852412.aspx?#905Ul8JKsKzhyrFP.99 The 26-year-old, who featured on 44 occasions for the Reds last season, was a popular figure during his previous spell with us in the 2011/12 campaign. Riley was a formidable member of our defence as we lost to York City in the Play-Offs, after finishing third in the Blue Square Bet Premier. The former Wolves trainee left us to join Wrexham last summer, and collected an FA Trophy winners' medal during his season-long stint in North Wales. However, Riley was unable to help Andy Morrell’s side win promotion as the Reds agonisingly lost to Newport County in the Conference Play-Off Final. Nevertheless, the athletic 6ft centre-back boasts Football League experience from a previous spell at Cheltenham Town in the 2010/11 season. The Wolverhampton-born star made 26 league appearances for the Robins, helping them to achieve a comfortable mid-table position. On his return to One Call Stadium, Riley said: “I spoke to a few clubs in the league about the possibility of joining them, but if I'm honest, Mansfield was the only club I wanted to come to. The manager, players and fans know me and I know them, which all helps. "It feels like unfinished business for me [to return to the club]. I'm chuffed to bits to be back here," he added ---------------------- Unfinished business for returning Riley mansfieldtown.net, 4th June 2013 New signing Martin Riley has stated that he has "unfinished business" after re-signing for the club yesterday. Martin Riley is speaking to our Head of Media & Communications video at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/unfinished-business-for-returning-riley-853739.aspx?#eykzOlqpovqAIVxr.99 Riley was a popular figure during his previous spell with us in the 2011/12 campaign, where he became a key figure in our side which reached the Conference Premier Play-Offs that term. Despite collecting an FA Trophy winners medal at Wrexham last season, the 26-year-old was unable to help the Reds land a place in the Football League. And the 6ft centre-back admitted that our new found status as a Football League outfit, had a major influence on his decision to return to One Call Stadium. He said: "The fact that [Mansfield Town] are a league club now is massive. I spoke to a few clubs in the league about possibly joining them, but there was one place that I wanted to go. "The gaffer, a lot of players and the fans all know me, and that helps. I know them too, so hopefully it's going to be a smooth transition. Without a doubt, it feels like unfinished business to be back. "I don't go into any team expecting to start - you have to earn that. But I back my ability to establish a place in the team and show the gaffer what I'm about." Riley, who began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers, continued: "I've been lucky in that every club I've been at, I've had a great rapport with the fans. "Hopefully, they'll take to me again - and we'll see if they'll sing that song too! It was a great song! What I'm hoping to do now is consistently perform for Mansfield Town in a higher league. "Obviously I'm still the same player, but I've got that little bit more experience. I played 44 games [for Wrexham] last season, and it was the most consistent in my career." During Riley's spell at One Call Stadium, the 26-year-old formed a close bond with striker Matt Green, for whom he was full of admiration. "He's a good friend of mine, so we spoke all season. Hopefully, if he signs back here, which I hope he does, it'll just be like the old times. "We are very close, but we're competitive too. In my last spell here, I think he split my eye open in one training session, but that's the way we've always been against each other and it's healthy for both of us." ------------------------- |
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