{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from June 2014

MARRIOTT LEAVES STAGS
19th June 2014 15:55


Marriott to depart Mansfield Town
mansfieldtown.net, 16th June 2014

Goalkeeper free to talk to other clubs having been unable to agree terms on a new contract.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/marriott-to-depart-mansfield-town-1645418.aspx#ToiGPaXU6WpLJAtV.99

Mansfield Town can confirm that the club has not agreed contract terms with goalkeeper Alan Marriott ahead of next season.

The 35-year-old, who made 201 league appearances for us, keeping 66 clean-sheets, is now free to talk to other clubs.

The news brings an end to a colourful five-and-a-half-year stay at One Call Stadium for Marriott, during which he established himself as our first-choice shot-stopper.

Marriott achieved many career firsts during his time with us - including playing at Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy Final in May 2011 and winning promotion by way of the Conference Premier title in April 2013.

The Bedford-born custodian also scored the first goal in his career in April 2012, when his long downfield kick found the back of the net in a 2-0 televised victory over Wrexham.

Manager Paul Cox said: “Alan has been a tremendous servant to the club in the years that I’ve been here and I’d like to place on record my thanks to him for his efforts.

“I wish him every success in the future.”

The club would like to place on record its thanks to Alan Marriott for his contributions during the last five-and-a-half years and we wish him every success in his future career.

-------------------

Keeper Marriott to leave the Stags
chad.co.uk, 16/06/2014

Mansfield Town will be looking for a new goalkeeper this summer after long-serving stopper Alan Marriott failed to agree a new contract with the club.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/keeper-marriott-to-leave-the-stags-1-6676473

The shock news was announced by the club this afternoon.

It has been reported that manager Paul Cox’s budget has been cut this summer and the 35-year-old Marriott was out of contract after playing 201 games, keeping 66 clean sheets, games for the Stags since joining the club in 2009.

One of the best keepers at Conference level, Marriott’s displays helped to win Stags promotion back to the Football League in 2012/13 and he enjoyed a decent first campaign in the Football League, though missed the last five games with a dislocated finger.

He will also always be remembered for scoring a goal from his own penalty area against Wrexham on 20th April 2012.

Marriott, who began his career at Spurs and played over 350 game with Lincoln City before a move to Rushden & Diamonds, was offered a new Stags deal for 2014/15 but after lengthy deliberations has now turned it down and is now free to talk to other clubs.

Manager Paul Cox said: “Alan has been a tremendous servant to the club in the years that I’ve been here and I’d like to place on record my thanks to him for his efforts.

“I wish him every success in the future.”

-------------------

Mansfield Town: Alan Marriott leaves League Two club
bbc.co.uk

Goalkeeper Alan Marriott is leaving Mansfield after five-and-a-half years, having failed to agree a new deal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27876825

The 35-year-old, who joined the Stags from Rushden & Diamonds on a free transfer in January 2009, kept 66 clean sheets in 201 league appearances.
Marriott told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I had a few discussions with the manager and for one reason or another it was not meant to be.
"I am very sad and disappointed as I was very keen to stay."
Marriott began his career as a trainee at Tottenham and moved to Lincoln in 1999, where he spent nine years before joining Rushden in 2008.
Stags manager Paul Cox said: "I wish him every success in the future.
"Alan has been a tremendous servant to the club in the years that I've been here and I'd like to place on record my thanks to him for his efforts."

------------------

Mansfield Town: Alan Marriott upset to be leaving Stags
17 June 2014

audio interview with BBC Radio Nottingham:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27887108

Goalkeeper Alan Marriott says he is upset to be leaving Mansfield Town.
The club announced on Monday that they had been unable to agree terms with the 35-year-old for next season.
Marriott told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It is a club I have built up quite an affection for, so I feel very sad and upset at having to leave.
"I felt comfortable, I felt happy and I have enjoyed all my time there. It is a wrench to leave but sometimes these things aren't always in your control."
Marriott joined the Stags in January 2009 and spent five and a half years with the club, keeping 66 clean sheets in 201 league appearances.
The former Tottenham trainee, who won promotion with Mansfield from the Conference in 2013, continued: "There were ups and downs, but probably a lot more ups than at any point in my career.
"You have to just look and say 'oh well, that's football' and you have to move on.
"When you come to 35, sometimes people make that decision for you and you have to look for life after football.
"I feel I can still play in the league. I know I can do it but, given the circumstance and age, it's whether people are going to give you another chance at this level.
"But I have prepared for after football by doing my electrician course."

---------------------

Alan Marriott 'disappointed' not to re-sign for Mansfield Town
By Nottingham Post, June 17, 2014

GOALKEEPER Alan Marriott admits he may have to walk away from football after his five-and-a-half years at Mansfield Town came to an end.

Read more: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Alan-Marriott-disappointed-sign-Mansfield-Town/story-21247121-detail/story.html?#ixzz34soYbEZz

The 35-year-old was offered a new contract after his previous deal came to an end this summer, but the two parties were unable to agree terms.

Marriott (pictured) says he is 'disappointed' to be leaving One Call Stadium and feels he is still capable of playing in the Football League.

But with pre-season set to begin in a matter of weeks, the qualified electrician is trying to be 'realistic'.

"We had talks with the manager (Paul Cox) and things haven't worked out," Marriott told the Post. "I'm disappointed to have to leave, it's something I didn't want to do.

"I wanted to re-sign, but it wasn't meant to be and now the real works starts and I'll probably have to start looking for a job in the real world.

"A lot of people tend to write you off because of your age, but I think I'm in good enough shape to still play at that level.

"I've not given up on it, but with only a couple of weeks left before the season I have to be realistic, think of my family and look to get a job in the real world.

"I'm qualified as an electrician, but it's something I can't do on my own, I'd need someone to take me under their wing."

Manager Cox said: "Alan has been a tremendous servant to the club in the years that I've been here and I'd like to place on record my thanks to him for his efforts. I wish him every success in the future."

Marriott made the move to Mansfield in January 2009 from Rushden.

Previously at Lincoln City, he has made more than 200 appearances for Stags, keeping 66 clean-sheets.

"I've got loads of good memories," Marriott added.

"I really enjoyed my time at Lincoln previous to that and thought I'd never better that, but the experiences I've had have been out of this world.

"I've ticked a lot of boxes.

"At times previous to that, I didn't enjoy my football, but I rediscovered that at Mansfield."

Stags boss Cox has already touched base with Crystal Palace stopper Lewis Price this summer, having signed him on loan for the last five games of the season while Marriott was sidelined with a dislocated finger.

And with keeper Ian Deakin one of 11 players not to have their contracts renewed, it may be an avenue he goes down again.

--------------------

twitter Alan Marriott @Mazza_78
Very sad and disappointed to be leaving Mansfield. Really wanted to re sign on reduced deal but don't think I was gonna happen...
Had some great memories over the years to cherish and would like to thank the fans,office and ground staff for everything!...
Finally I wish you all lots of luck for the future and now the hard work starts in preparing for life in the real world. Just need a job now

--------------------

Hero Alan Marriott opens door to Lincoln City return
By Lincolnshire Echo, June 19, 2014

Imps legend Alan Marriott says he would consider a return to Sincil Bank after he was left on the "scrap heap" by Mansfield Town this week.

Read more at http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Hero-Mazza-opens-door-Lincoln-return/story-21262011-detail/story.html?#j7v4XSXPfhHtRUHi.99

The 35-year-old goalkeeper, who still lives in North Hykeham, said he has followed the club ever since his nine-year spell at Lincoln City came to an end in 2008.

But Marriott, who revealed he still speaks to Imps boss Gary Simpson on a regular basis, accepts the club already has a first-choice number one in Paul Farman.

He also said he would consider a move into the part-time game and admitted he is continuing to train as an electrician as supporting his family is his biggest priority.

On Monday, Mansfield announced that Marriott would not be staying at the League Two club next season. It signalled the end of a five-year stint with the Stags.

A section of Imps fans immediately called for him to return, and Marriott admitted he was touched by the messages.

He said: "Football is a weird animal, so I would never rule anything out.

"However, I speak to Gary Simpson a lot and I know what a good squad he has, what a good back line he has and what a good goalkeeper he has in Paul Farman.

"I have been left in a difficult situation. Failing to agree a deal means I've got less than two weeks left now on my contract with Mansfield and that is it. I've been left on the scrap heap.

"A lot of clubs have got themselves sorted with a goalkeeper and, living in Lincoln, I'm in a limited catchment area.

"I'm 35 and feeling as sharp as ever and I'm ready to play. I was very happy with what I achieved at Mansfield and it felt great to be in the Football League last season.

"I feel I could still do a job in the Football League as I kept 15 clean sheets in 40 games last season. However, I have to accept right now I might be looking elsewhere to provide for my family."

Marriott has already been preparing for life beyond football by training as an electrician.

The former Tottenham trainee said he is in a difficult situation as he tries to find a new route to provide for his family.

"I've got to try and keep my face in the football world, but also get it out in the real world," said Marriott, who was axed by former Lincoln City boss Peter Jackson in 2008 after nine years, one season away from earning a potentially lucrative testimonial game.

"It would be great to get another team, but I'm also looking for someone to take me on as an electrician.

"There is a tough task ahead of me now to get the balance right. I feel fit, but I know I need specialist goalkeeper training to stay on top of that and I'm also heading out and about with some electrician friends trying to get contacts in that field.

"Looking at it the part-time game is an option I could consider, I just need to see what opportunities are out there.

"At the end of the day, I've got a family and two children, and they come first."

------------------

 

Latest | June 2014