Archived News from January 2023
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GEORGE LAPSLIE SIGNS FOR GILLINGHAM
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Lapslie joins Gills in permanent deal
mansfieldtown.net, Sat 14 Jan 2023 Midfielder George Lapslie has completed his transfer to Gillingham, the club can announce. The 25-year-old - whose contract at One Call Stadium was set to expire at the end of this season - played 104 times for the Stags scoring 23 goals, after originally joining on loan in October 2020 before making his stay at the club permanent in January 2021. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2023/january/lapslie-joins-gills-in-permanent-deal/ The club places on record its thanks to George for his endeavours whilst at One Call Stadium and wishes him well for the future. ------------------------ Nigel Clough told iFollow Stags, 14 Jan 2023: “George Lapslie has been confirmed at Gillingham. We had an offer for Oli [Hawkins] and George [from Gillingham], which the club felt was a good offer bearing in mind that they both had five months left on their contracts.” “Oli is 31 in April [and] they offered him a fantastic package for two and a half years. “George Lapslie turned down two improved [contract] offers that we’ve made [him] in the last two weeks, so we accepted the offer for him and he agreed down there.” -------------------- Gillingham joint deal for Mansfield Town stars too good to turn down chad.co.uk, By John Lomas, Tues 17 Jan 2023 Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough said he could not stand in the way of the huge offers that big-spending strugglers Gillingham made to buy his key players George Lapslie and Oli Hawkins this week. The Gills are throwing money at an EFL survival bid and, even though the pair were in contract until the summer, Stags let them go for a combined deal that could net over £100,000 and then quickly moved to bring in three quality players. “We made George Lapslie a couple of what we thought were very good contract offers that his representative turned down,” said Clough. “Then we received this joint offer from Gillingham for Oli Hawkins and George Lapslie which I believe will rise to six figures if Gillingham stay in the league. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/gillingham-joint-deal-for-mansfield-town-stars-too-good-to-turn-down-3990347 “They both had four or five months left on their contract and I don't think either of them really wanted to leave. But we have to look at it all ways round. “From the lads' points of view, the financial packages that were put on the table were significantly more than we could get to - and we think we are good payers. “Oli is coming up to 31 and he has got an unbelievable deal for two and a half years. So for the security of himself and his family it was too good to turn down. “We have to recognise and respect that. We couldn't offer him a two and a half year deal on that, despite us being one of the best payers in the league.” He added: “Money does talk and Colchester and Gillingham have changed the landscape of the January transfer window to a large degree with the sort of deals they are offering. “They're paying big fees and also matching that with big wages in an effort to avoid going out of the league. It is so tight down there as it is at the top. “Owners of clubs are no daft and they will look at the two clubs who went down last season and Scunthorpe are now bottom of the National League and Oldham are down there as well. “It's not just about dropping out the league. It is what are you chances of getting back in? “You look at Wrexham and talk about changing landscapes with pay. Notts and Chesterfield are paying good money - more than many League Two clubs. So it's very difficult when you drop out of the league and they're doing all they can to stay in it.” ------------------- Gills capture signing of George Lapslie gillinghamfootballclub.com, Sat 14 Jan 2023 Gills have captured the signing of former Mansfield midfielder George Lapslie. Neil Harris has added another new face to his squad with the capture of George Lapslie from Mansfield Town. The 25-year-old leaves Mansfield after just shy two-and-a-half years at Field Mill, initially on loan (comment by Martin: to be clear this means he initially joined Mansfield on loan), making 116 appearances and scoring 26 times in all competitions. He follows Oli Hawkins to MEMS Priestfield Stadium who also signed from Mansfield earlier this week. https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/2023/january/george-lapslie-signs-for-gills/ Lapslie was unveiled to the fans prior to kick-off against Hartlepool, with official confirmation received after the full-time whistle. George began his career in the academy at Charlton and spent 12 years at The Valley, making his professional debut in August 2017 in an EFL Trophy tie away at Crawley, finding the net in a 2-0 win. His league debut came a few months later, replacing current Gills midfielder Ben Reeves on 74 minutes in a 1-1 draw at home to Blackpool. After making 54 appearances for the Addicks, he joined Mansfield on loan in October 2020 but made the move permanent just a few months later. ----------------------- George Lapslie @GeorgeLapslie on twitter: What a 2 years it has been at your fantastic club. I am struggling to put into words how much I have enjoyed my time. All my team mates past and present, you are and have been amazing, so many good memories and I wish you every success this season. There are too many people to mention by name who made mine and all the lads time so enjoyable around the training ground and stadium, I will miss you all and am so grateful for everything you have done for me. Thank you to the gaffer for believing in me so many times over the last 2 years and giving me belief in myself. To the fans, I absolutely loved playing for you and wearing the badge, you'll never know how much your support meant to me and my family. Good luck, go and get promoted! Lapo Martin Shaw @shawma1 good luck for the future George and thanks for so many memories This is probably my favourite, your second goal for the club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8rLp4mrgXw -------------------- Gillingham present Mansfield Town midfielder George Lapslie to their fans at Priestfield before confirming their latest recruit kentonline.co.uk, by Luke Cawdell, 14 January 2023 Midfielder George Lapslie has completed a move to Gillingham to cap a super week for the club. Lapslie was paraded on the pitch before Gills’ match against Hartlepool United on Saturday - which they won 2-0 - and his move from Mansfield Town was confirmed later that evening, joining initially on loan (comment: it is not a loan). The Mansfield Town midfielder has become the fifth new signing for Gills in the January transfer window. Manager Neil Harris said: "It's another great addition, he has extensive qualities and knowhow at this level, and has been one of the standout performers in the division this season. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/gillingham-sign-midfielder-george-lapslie-280424/ "He’s a forward runner, has energy, he’s a good lad, a settled lad, a lovely family. "He is quality at the level, with goals, forward runs, assists, energy, cleverness to his play, his anticipation around the ball is phenomenal. "He wants to come and be part of us, wants to play for me, wants to play for a club moving in the right direction." Lapslie, 25, follows Oli Hawkins to the club from Mansfield after he joined prior to the weekend, making his debut on Saturday. Midfield-man Lapslie has made 32 appearances for the Stags this season and has netted seven goals. He’s been with the club for the last two years after joining permanently from Charlton. Lapslie progressed through the youth ranks at Charlton and played 40 games for the Addicks. The Gills have already signed Glenn Morris, Tom Nichols, Timothee Dieng and Hawkins during the window as they look to get out of trouble at the foot of League 2. All four of those newcomers started Saturday’s game against Hartlepool. Both Hawkins and Lapslie will face their old team next month. The Gills head to Mansfield on Saturday, February 11, a week after playing Crawley, who have also lost some of their top players to the rejuvinated Kent side. ---------------------- |
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