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Archived News from August 2017

STAGS SIGN STRIKER KANE HEMMINGS ON SEASON LOAN
27th August 2017 19:07


UPDATE:
Thu Aug 24, 2017
Steve Evans clarifies in the video interview on iFollow about the loan for Kane Hemmings (Oxford can recall in January and Evans is not aware of any fee discussed if Mansfield would like to sign him). See full interview at bottom of this page.

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Stags snap up prolific goalscorer
mansfieldtown.net, 22 Aug 2017

Mansfield Town manager Steve Evans has strengthened his strike-force with the capture of Oxford United frontman Kane Hemmings, we are delighted to announce.

The 25-year-old has signed from the U’s on a season-long loan, with both clubs retaining an option to agree a more permanent solution for the player.

The gaffer, Steve Evans, has fought off interest from a large number of clubs, with work starting as early as May to make this deal come to fruition.

An outstanding capture, Hemmings has a goal ratio of almost one in every two games played, having netted 53 goals in 106 appearances during his career and joins the Stags after helping Oxford to an eighth-placed League One finish last season.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/august/stags-snap-up-lethal-marksman/

As a youngster, Hemmings spent three years with Tamworth before moving north of the border to join Rangers. After joining at 17, Hemmings appeared in three consecutive Scottish Youth Cup finals and went on to captain the under 19s.

He signed a new three-year contract in 2010 and made his first team debut in the Champions League qualifier against Malmo FF.

In January 2013, Hemmings went out on loan to Cowendbeath, where he scored four goals in seven games before he made the move permanent at the end of the season.

The frontman enjoyed a superb 2013/14 season with the Cowden and was named as the PFA Scotland Championship Player of the Year. During that season, he scored the winning goal in the second leg of the relegation final against League One side Dunfermline, maintaining Cowdenbeath's Championship status.

He left Cowdenbeath and moved back to England, joining then-League One side Barnsley on a free transfer before moving back to Scotland with Dundee a year later.

Hemmings excelled whilst with the Dee and scored more than 20 goals in the Scottish Premiership, leading to Oxford United snapping him up in July 2016.

He signed for the U's for an undisclosed six-figure fee, penning a three year deal.

“We have said since the early part of May that we would like to sign another striker in addition to the four lads we currently have," said manager Steve Evans.

"I’m delighted, after three months of hard work, that we’ve been able to land the young man from Oxford United, which was concluded this morning.

“Before I speak about Kane, I would firstly like to once again acknowledge the support of chairman John Radford and chief executive Carolyn Radford for working so hard to put an agreement in place with Oxford United.

“My thanks are also extended to Kane’s parent club for the professionalism in which they have dealt with our interest over a period of two to three months.

“This is a young man who I first tried to sign when he was scoring goals in the Scottish Premier League for Dundee and despite several attempts with my long term friend, the Dundee manager Paul Hartley, a fee could not be agreed.

“He then moved south to join Oxford United, where his goal scoring at an impressive rate has continued.

"Like all of our other signings, I offer the boy no further introduction, other than to say that anyone who can score a goal in every two games will always be a sought after commodity and I was delighted to learn only yesterday that we would be signing the player, given the interest of six to seven clubs in the Scottish Premier League as well as interest from at least six clubs in League One and numerous in League Two.

“I would like to think that the hard work in speaking to Kane’s representatives for a period of time has allowed him to join us.”

The deal is subject to EFL ratification.

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Kane Joins Mansfield on Loan
Striker Hemmings joins the Stags
oufc.co.uk, 22 Aug 2017

Oxford United striker Kane Hemmings has joined Mansfield Town on loan until the end of the season.

Kane, 26, joined the U’s from Dundee last summer and scored 15 times in his first season.

The former Rangers and Barnsley forward picked up a slight quad injury the week before this season kicked off and had yet to appear this season as a result although he was on the bench at Scunthorpe on Saturday.

He joins Steve Evans’ Stags with the loan containing an option allowing United to recall him in January.

https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2017/august/kane-joins-mansfield-on-loan/

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Hemmings sets sights on success
mansfieldtown.net, 22 Aug 2017

Stags' newest recruit Kane Hemmings is looking forward to 'playing and scoring' as much as possible after putting pen-to-paper at One Call Stadium earlier today.

The Oxford United frontman, who has joined the Stags on a season-long loan from the U's, has scored at a rate of almost a goal every two games throughout his career.

And Hemmings is hoping to play regularly for the Stags in what he foresees being a 'successful environment'.

"I just wanted to come and really be involved in something where I'm going to get game-time and be in a successful team and a successful environment as well, like I was last year.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/august/hemmings-aiming-for-success-after-move/

"The manager, the club, the fans and the players have got high ambitions for the season and I wanted to come and be a part of that.

"I never really set a number of goals I want to score or anything like that in any season, I just want to play as much [as I can]. If I play week-in-week-out, I like to think the goals will really start to flow."

The 25-year-old former Rangers' striker says he 'comes alive' in the box and he will be hoping to show Stags' fans his predatory instincts in the coming months.

"I just want to score as many goals as possible. I want to be in and around the box scoring goals. I like to try and link up the play whenever I can and try and make intelligent runs as well.

"I like to think that if the ball comes my way and I'm in and around the box, I can get a good finish and work well off both feet. Hopefully there are plenty of goals to come while I'm here.

"I think when the ball's in and amongst the box, that's when I'm at my best, that's when I come alive. I don't think about things too much when it's in and around the box - if the ball's there to be hit, I'll hit it or I'll try and place it in."

The frontman played with midfielder Paul Digby and striker Danny Rose at Barnsley, whilst he was also team-mates with winger Alex MacDonald at Oxford and Hemmings revealed the latter gave a positive appraisal of the club prior to his signing.

"There are a couple of familiar faces. Macca, Diggers and Rosie I've played with before, so it was good to see the lads.

"I spoke to Macca and I just had brief chats with him about the club and he was 'all praise' so I'm just really glad to get it over the line.

"It's a new start for myself for however long it's going to be and there's some familiar faces as well, some good mates of mine. I'm happy to be here."

Supporters can login to iFollow Stags to view Kane Hemmings' first club interview.

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New start with old faces for Stags loanee Hemmings
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, 22 Aug 2017

Mansfield Town’s new loan striker Kane Hemmings is looking forward to making a new start with some familiar faces. Hemmings began a season-long loan from Oxford United today but was far from a stranger in the dressing room after spells playing with midfielder Paul Digby and striker Danny Rose at Barnsley and winger Alex MacDonald at Oxford.

“There are a couple of familiar faces. Macca, Diggers and Rosie I’ve played with before, so it was good to see the lads,” he told http://www.mansfieldtown.net.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/new-start-with-old-faces-for-stags-loanee-hemmings-1-8716334

“I spoke to Macca and I just had brief chats with him about the club and he was ‘all praise’ so I’m just really glad to get it over the line.

“It’s a new start for myself for however long it’s going to be and there’s some familiar faces as well, some good mates of mine. I’m happy to be here.”

With a strike rate of almost a goal every two games throughout his career, Hemmings believes the more he plays the more he will score. He is also excited by the prospect of Mansfield challenging for promotion and being part of it.

“I just wanted to come and really be involved in something where I’m going to get game-time and be in a successful team and a successful environment as well, like I was last year,” he said.

“The manager, the club, the fans and the players have got high ambitions for the season and I wanted to come and be a part of that.”

On his goalscoring talents, he added: “I think when the ball’s in and amongst the box, that’s when I’m at my best, that’s when I come alive.

“I never really set a number of goals I want to score or anything like that in any season. “I just want to play as much as I can. If I play week-in-week-out, I like to think the goals will really start to flow.”

“I just want to score as many goals as possible. I want to be in and around the box scoring goals. I like to try and link up the play whenever I can and try and make intelligent runs as well.”

He added: “I like to think that if the ball comes my way and I’m in and around the box, I can get a good finish and work well off both feet. Hopefully there are plenty of goals to come while I’m here.

“I don’t think about things too much when it’s in and around the box - if the ball’s there to be hit, I’ll hit it or I’ll try and place it in.”

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Hemmings can do the business for Stags, believes Oxford journalist
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas, 22 Aug 2017

Oxford Mail chief sports writer Dave Pritchard believes United loanee Kane Hemming will do the business for Mansfield Town.

Pritchard watched Hemmings at Oxford last season and, following the player’s season-long loan move today, he said: “Kane has the quality to do well in League Two and in some ways he is a little unfortunate to be moved on by Oxford.

“Only Chris Maguire scored more for the U’s than his 15 goals last season after moving from Dundee, but only six of them came in League One and four of those were scored in defeats.

Read more at: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/sport/football/hemmings-can-do-the-business-for-stags-believes-oxford-journalist-1-8715459

“However, he did bag big goals for Michael Appleton’s side in their run to the FA Cup fifth round, including the winner against Rotherham United and the opening goal against Newcastle United.

“The tally included a wide variety of finishes - headers, tap-ins, strikes from around the edge of the box.” He added: “The key to his success at Mansfield will be on how he’s used.

“The main area United were keen to see improvement was in his link-up play outside the penalty area, but if the emphasis is on delivering him the ball in dangerous areas he can thrive.”

Pritchard confirmed that Oxford can recall the player in January under the terms of the loan deal.

Hemmings has missed the start of the season with a thigh injury but was on the bench for Oxford last weekend for the 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United.

Hemmings joined Oxford from Dundee last summer in a move believed to be in the region of £250,000. He signed a three-year deal, netting 15 goals in 31 starts, but this loan move to Field Mill includes an option to make the switch permanent.

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Kane Hemmings could be recalled by Oxford United if he starts banging in the goals
chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 24 August 2017

Mansfield Town are aware that should new loan signing Kane Hemmings impress and score a huge number of goals, he could end up being recalled by parent club Oxford United in January.

But boss Steve Evans would be delighted if Hemmings did that well and is hopeful the player would want to stay on board and see the job out on his season-long loan.

Evans knows Oxford have the final say and he could end up with a goalscoring headache in the New Year, but if Hemmings has already chalked up the goals, Evans said: “That would be great. “Score me a lot of goals and give me the problem of finding another one in January.

“You would always rather have that problem. I have sold some gifted players over the years as a manager.

Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/kane-hemmings-could-be-recalled-by-oxford-united-if-he-starts-banging-in-the-goals-1-8720170

“I have always said if a player gets an opportunity to surpass where we are then good. “But if he does come here and score goals, which we are hoping he does, why wouldn’t you want to stay here?

“The crowds will be almost double where they were at the beginning of the season and everyone will be really happy. So why wouldn’t you want to stay?

“But we have a lot of water to go under the bridge before that.”

The last striker to come on loan from Oxford and do well was Stags legend Matt Green - and Mansfield hope Hemmings can follow in his footsteps.

“Matt Green came here and did extraordinarily well,” said Evans. “That was why he got another fantastic move. He is a good kid, but we can only focus on the lad we’ve got.

“Kane is an exceptional striker. I am not sure too many guys get 20-plus goals in the Scottish Premier League in a team that’s fighting to stay in the division rather than at the top end of the division.

“He went to Oxford last season and, if you take the season as a whole, the kid scored 18/19 goals at a level above and a lot of those were big games.

“When you score against the likes of Newcastle you’ve got a bit of pedigree.”

Evans added: “We still have to get him razor sharp. “Like most guys who come in, like the MacDonalds and the Byroms, we’ve seen they were not where we needed them to be and Kane won’t be.

“But he will certainly be involved against Luton on Saturday and play a part. Everyone will find out if he starts when they see the team sheet at quarter to two.

“He is under serious consideration. But all our strikers are. We are in good shape.”

Evans was unaware of a fee had already been discussed with Oxford over a potential permanent move. “I don’t know,” he said. “I think the chief executive has had those conversations. Obviously Oxford are his parent club and we have to respect that. “I think both clubs understand where it would need to be if it happened.”

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Fact of the day: Kane Hemmings' dad, Tony Hemmings, was an unused sub against the Stags in 2000

http://www.stagsnet.net/match/reports00-01/CarlisleH.html

Martin

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so by my calculations, Evans finally gets his man after trying to sign Danny Hylton, James Collins, John Marquis, Tom Hopper, James Hanson.

Martin

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Latest | August 2017