Archived News from June 2014
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TORQUAY SIGN LOUIS BRISCOE
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New Torquay United signing Louis Briscoe starts the ball rolling
By Herald Express, June 11, 2014 THE PACE of Torquay United's recruitment drive is picking up, with manager Chris Hargreaves making former Port Vale and Mansfield Town winger Louis Briscoe his first 'new' signing of the summer. Read more: http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/BRISCOE-STARTS-BALL-ROLLING/story-21218863-detail/story.html The Gulls are also battling Conference rivals for the signature of a promising young non-League centre-forward. Hargreaves would not confirm that he has already offered a transfer fee to try and land the so far unnamed striker. But I understand that United do have competition from at least one of the other clubs which are expected to figure in next season's Conference Premier promotion race, so a bid from Plainmoor is likely. At a time when budgets everywhere, including Plainmoor, are being cut, it would show of Hargreaves' determination to make United competitive that he is prepared to devote some of his cash to a transfer fee. Few lower division clubs are considering that option. Briscoe, 26, is on his way to Plainmoor after five seasons at Mansfield. During the three years from 2010-2013 the Burton-born winger scored 32 goals from the Stags' right wing, was named in the Conference Team Of The Year and voted the club's Player Of The Year (2011) and helped them to win promotion back into the Football League in 2013. Briscoe fell out of favour with Town boss Paul Cox last season, being loaned out to Nuneaton at one stage. He was an unused sub when United won 3-1 at Field Mill in April and was then released in May. But he ended up with 36 goals from 134 starts (plus 51 subs) for Mansfield, and Hargreaves is confident that he has a player who can deliver for him next season. "Louis has pace, he can beat a man, he has an excellent goal record for a winger, and he can also play up front if needed," said Hargreaves. "From our first talks, he was very keen to come here and give his career a fresh start. "He's a good age and he has already played nearly 200 games." Briscoe's imminent arrival will follow the deal which saw in-house striker Ashley Yeoman sign a new one-year deal last month. ---------------- Former Mansfield Town winger Louis Briscoe aiming to resurrect career at Torquay United chad.co.uk, by Stephen Thirkill, stephen.thirkill@chad.co.uk, 25 June 2014 Former Mansfield Town winger Louis Briscoe says he wants prove his doubters wrong following his move to Torquay United. http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/former-mansfield-town-winger-louis-briscoe-aiming-to-resurrect-career-at-torquay-united-1-6694431#.U6tKSp_auew.twitter The Burton-born winger is aiming to resurrect his faltering career and fire Chris Hargreaves’ side to promotion at the first time of asking. Briscoe made 178 apearances for Mansfield but became a forgotten man and made just two appearances in League Two last season. “It was frustrating that I didn’t get a chance to play for Mansfield in the Football League after I had played a big part in getting the team promoted,” said Briscoe. “I had a few injuries at the start of last season, but it was more about the formation we were playing and having no place for an out and out winger. “This move is a fresh start for me and I cannot wait to get going. “The manager has shown a lot of interest in me and once I knew Torquay wanted me the decision was made. “I spoke to a few other clubs, but I was really impressed with what Chris had to say and how he wants to use me in the team. “Some people will look at me and see that I did not play a lot last season and think I am a poor signing. “The manager, like myself, sees me as a player who is hungry to show what I can do, to show that I have still got it and to prove the doubters wrong. “I am moving house and everything like that and am fully committed to Torquay and getting the club promoted. “We will be winning more games than we lose. I would not say we are the favourites to win the league, but we will certainly be one of the favourites to get promoted. “I played a lot of games at Mansfield Town and I know what it is like to get promoted out of that division. “You need to have hunger and desire in your team as without that you have no drive. I think this team will have that and I am looking forward to getting started.” Briscoe will best be remembered at Mansfield as the man who kept his nerve to fire Stags to Wembley in 2011 after his penalty secured a semi-final victory at Luton Town. Said Briscoe: “I had some great times at Mansfield Town and scoring the penalty that took us to Wembley and my hat-trick against Barrow in the 7-0 win are great personal memories for me. “The 2010/11 season was probably my best year at the club. I was given a free role and scored 19 goals. It was definitely a role that suited me. “I scored less goals in the next two seasons because we became a lot more rigid in our style of play. “We had a striker in Matt Green who scored 57 goals in two seasons. I had a lot less freedom as we were all foils for Matt. “He was the guy getting the goals for us and he was our match winner. We got promoted so it was definitely the right thing to do at the time. “At Torquay the boss wants to give me a free role and use me as a player who can hurt teams. It is much more suited to my game. “Chris has a great vision for the club and I am sure we can succeed.” ------------------- |
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