{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from November 2004

BARKER SIGNS ON FREE TRANSFER AND WARNE ON LOAN
27th November 2004 11:12


SIGNINGS TO FRONT LINE
Evening Post, 26 November 2004
As stand-in Stags boss Carlton Palmer signs two new players, STEVIE RODEN previews tomorrow's game with Leyton Orient . . .

Mansfield Town caretaker manager Carlton Palmer made two signings yesterday to bolster his squad.

He has signed striker Richie Barker on a permanent deal and attacking midfielder Paul Warne on an initial month's loan from Championship side Rotherham United.

Barker, 29, signed for the Millers from Macclesfield in the summer of 1999. He started 78 games and made 71 appearances as a substitute, scoring 19 goals. He was allowed to leave Rotherham on a free transfer.

Warne, 31, signed in January the same year, starting 187 games and made 57 sub appearances. He scored 29 goals.

The pair are expected to make their debuts against Leyton Orient tomorrow.

Meanwhile, keeper Kevin Pilkington admits it has been a difficult fortnight for Mansfield Town following the suspension of manager Keith Curle.

The Stags were dumped out of the FA Cup on Tuesday in a replay at Colchester and were held to a goalless draw at Boston last Saturday.

Palmer has been in temporary charge while the club deals with the accusations that Curle bullied a youth team player.

And Pilkington said it has been hard for the players because Curle's suspension came from nowhere.

But despite having a heavily depleted squad going into tomorrow's match, Pilkington is confident the Stags can put an end to their record of five league games without a win.

He said: "We have key players missing but the confidence is OK considering everything that has been happening.

"It was a massive surprise when we found out because we turned up for training on the Thursday and heard Curle had been suspended. It has been a difficult time but the lads are still together and we will have to wait and see what unfolds.

"It is difficult not knowing who is going to be in charge and we just want it all sorted out."

The situation has not been helped by a shortage of players through injury and suspension.

Palmer had to field a number of youngsters against League One side Colchester in the FA Cup replay.

And he will now be without centre halves Alex John-Baptiste, who was sent off in midweek, and Rhys Day, who has been ruled out until after Christmas after an operation on his ankle.

But he does welcome back left back Jason Talbot, on loan from Derby but was cup tied on Tuesday night.

Mansfield could find themselves in trouble with the Football Association after Boston United filed a complaint accusing a section of Stags fans of making monkey chants towards two of their black players.

MANSFIELD (from): Pilkington, Buxton, Talbot, Dimech, Day, Neil, MacKenzie, Curtis, Murray, Corden, Larkin, Lloyd, White, McIntosh, Wood, Herron, Barker, Warne.

MANAGEMENT SIGN A NEW ORIENT CONTRACT
Next Story | Previous Story | Back to list

12:00 - 26 November 2004
Leyton Orient manager Martin Ling and his assistant Ian Culverhouse have signed new contracts this week, keeping them with the O's until the summer of 2007.

And the pair will be hoping the news lifts their players following the 2-1 home defeat against Wycombe last week.

Midfielder David Hunt was sent off for violent conduct following a bad tackle that sparked a scuffle between both teams.

And his appeal failed this week so he will start his three-match ban against Mansfield tomorrow. He is likely to be replaced by Stuart Wardley.

Jabo Ibehre is likely to partner Lee Steele, who has scored 12 goals this season, up front.

Striker Lee Barnard, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, should start on the bench.

LEYTON ORIENT (from): Harrison, Miller, Wardley, Zakuani, White, Lockwood, Carlisle, Newey, Simpson, Scott, Ibehre, Steele, Morris, Donny, Barnard, Jones.

------------
Palmer brings in two new faces
CHAD website, 26 November 2004

CARETAKER boss Carlton Palmer has moved to ease Mansfield Town's injury crisis by recruiting two new players from Rotherham United.

Striker Richie Barker (29) has joined the Stags on a 2½-year deal, while Paul Warne (31) comes in initially on a month's loan with a view to a permanent contract.
Both players say they can't wait for a return to first team action, albeit two divisions down, after the well-documented financial problems at Millmoor.
Barker has been with the Millers for four years after stints with Macclesfield and Brighton.
He admitted it had come as 'a bit of a shock' to leave the Championship club.
"It's all come up in the last two or three days," he said. "But although Ronnie Moore has tried to shield us from the financial situation there, we all knew that two or three players would be going, and as it happens I'm one of them.
"I'm looking forward to the new challenge, though, after four years away from this level, and I hope I can prove that I can come back and score goals again.
"I'm delighted to be coming to Mansfield. I can't affect what's been happening off the pitch, but I hope I can help the club on the field and maybe turn the focus back there.
"The 2½-year deal gives me a bit of security, and I'm coming to a club that has probably the best ground at its level, and which has been pushing for promotion. And maybe I can get a few goals to put us in contention again.
"It helps that Paul's coming too – we've played together for four years so it will be good if we can bring to Mansfield what we had together at Rotherham."
Warne, too, was taken aback somewhat by the speed at which the move happened, but had been told by the Millers boss that if he could find a club he could go out on loan.
"Mansfield suites me perfectly," he said. "I'd got a few options, but it's just down the road and there will be the chance to play first team football so I jumped at it.
"It's good to know that Richie is here, and I also played alongside Dave Artell for a time – so I won't be coming in as a complete stranger.
"And if at the end of the month I've done enough for the Stags to offer me a permanent deal, then of course I would consider it."
Warne, who has spent 6½ years with Rotherham, also favours a forward role, but during the past couple of seasons he has also figured in central midfield and on both wings with Rotherham. But he will be happy to play wherever he's chosen.
"I'm looking forward to the possibility of getting a shirt against Leyton Orient tomorrow," he said.
"I6t's a big game to come in to but I've a couple of friends who play for them so it would be good to be able to line up against them and hopefully beat them."
--------
mansfieldtown.net reports that caretaker manager Carlton Palmer had a good look at the team in the midweek game against Colchester and identified some areas where he felt there was room for improvement, as was his promise to Chairman Keith Haslam. Palmer said: "I had the opportunity of having a good look at the team on Tuesday at Layer Road and with the injury and suspension problems it highlighted that something needed to be done if this football club was to achieve promotion. So, in my capacity as caretaker manager and to keep my word to Keith Haslam I have made some decisions which I believe will help drive this club forward."

Palmer also intimated that this duo was not the end of the incoming to Field Mill identifying at least two more players in the coming weeks he added. "Sometimes brave decisions have to be made at a club this may mean that some players may be leaving and some new players maybe coming. I believe that bringing in good quality youngsters is the key to success in lower divisions. That is not to say that bringing in older experienced players won't win you promotion - it will but it doesn't come cheaply. But the younger players are still on a learning curve. The good ones get better and the not so good learn more from the experience that they are having and if you source from the higher divisions like the Championship and Premiership I believe they will do a job for you at this level."

Richard Barker, signed on a on a two and half year deal from League Championship side Rotherham United is delighted to be given the opportunity to come to Field Mill where he hopes to find the back of the net and aid us in our promotion campaign: "I knew about the move a few days ago but I didn't really know if was going to go ahead so quickly so it came as a bit of a surprise. I have been at Rotherham for four years now so it was a shock leaving but the lads knew about the financial problems at Rotherham and that two or three of the lads would be leaving and as it happens I am one of them. To be fair to Ronnie Moore he tried to keep the financial issues away form the lads but we hear things on the television and in papers etc so we had a fair idea that some were due to leave and three of us went this week.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of playing in what is now League 2 after been at Rotherham for four years and hopefully I can come back and prove that I can score goals again. People think it should be easy coming down a couple of divisions to score but it's not going to be that easy but hopefully I will get a few and we can start climbing the league again.

"I will work as hard as I can and get on a few headers and score a few goals. The most important is that I have a bit of security here I had eighteen months left on my contract at Rotherham but here I have two and half years. And, I think that the ground is lovely it must be one of the best in league 2 but it's proximity to where I live in Rotherham I can be here in under half an hour which is what you want when you have a young family." He told the official website this morning.

"hopefully I can help the fans forget some of the off pitch problems that are surrounding the club at the moment by getting promotion. It has helped with Paul (Warne) coming at the same time it's always nice when you start at a club with someone you know and I have played alongside him for four years now so we don't the same bedding in time as we know what to expect form each other." He added.

Paul Warne was shocked to be leaving his club but is looking forward to the challenges of playing at this lower level:
"I was a little shocked about leaving Rotherham but things haven't being going that well there for a few players and the team in general so I spoke to the gaffer about a month ago and he said if I could get myself a club I could go out on loan. I had a few options open to me and geographically Mansfield is perfect for me as I only live down the road in Rotherham so I jumped at the chance. It happened so fast almost over night. But with Ritchie being here as well I don't feel like the stranger in the dressing room. I have played with him for a few years now and I know Dave Artell well as I played with him a few years ago so this move is ideal for me to get some first team football in." he said this morning.

"I am here for a month initially but after a couple of games the chairman and the manager think I am good enough and want to offer me a contract then I will strongly consider it but if they don't then I will walk away with a smile on my face and take my boots somewhere else.

"I am looking forward to getting a start but you have to realise that in football anything can happen, you train hard all week then on Saturday you find yourself being left out the sixteen and that is frustrating but that's football.

"I have had six and half seasons at Rotherham and to be in the reserve side recently is disappointing so I would love to get a start tomorrow against Leyton Orient. It will be a big game and I know a few of the lads in their team so it would be great to play against them." He added.

For more details visit http://www.mansfieldtown.net
---------
Mansfield swoop for Millers' duo
BBC.co.uk
Mansfield have completed a double swoop on Rotherham for striker Richie Barker and midfielder Paul Warne.
Former Macclesfield and Brighton striker Barker, 29, joins the Stags on a free transfer after almost four years at Millmoor.

Midfielder Warne, 31, joins on a month's loan, having tucked almost 200 games for Rotherham under his belt.
-------------
millers.co.uk:
Rotherham United's team rebuilding plans have taken another step forward today with Richie Barker agreeing to join Mansfield Town on a permanent basis with no fee involved while Paul Warne will also move to the Stags initially on a month's loan tomorrow.

Barker joined the Millers from Macclesfield Town in July 1999 and has played

78 league and cup games in addition to another 71 as substitute scoring 19 goals in the process.

Warne moved to Millmoor from Wigan Athletic in January 1999 and he has started in 187 league and cup games with 57 appearances as substitute. He has netted 29 goals.

The departure of the duo will allow Millers' boss Ronnie Moore to step up his search for new recruits.

--------------
SOCCERBASE.COM:
Richard Barker  
Height 6.00  
Weight 11.06  
Date of birth 30-05-1975  
Place of birth Sheffield  
Position Forward  
Nationality England    

All time playing career

Club From To Fee League FA Cup League cup Other
Mansfield 25-11-2004   Free  No appearance data available
Rotherham 02-01-2001 25-11-2004 £ 60000  69 (71) 12 5 (0) 2 8 (2) 3 0 (0) 0
Macclesfield 14-06-1999 02-01-2001 Free  58 (0) 23 3 (0) 0 6 (0) 2 1 (0) 1
Brighton 01-08-1998 14-06-1999 Free  33 (10) 10 1 (0) 1 1 (1) 1 0 (0) 0
Brighton 19-12-1997   Loan  47 (6) 11 1 (0) 1 1 (1) 1 1 (0) 0
Linfield 01-08-1997 01-08-1998 Free  No appearance data available
Ards 01-01-1996   Loan  7 (0) 3 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0
Doncaster 29-09-1995   Loan  5 (1) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (0) 0 0 (1) 0
Sheff Wed 27-07-1993 23-08-1996 Trainee  No appearance data available
Totals £ 60000 219 (88) 59 10 (0) 4 16 (4) 7 2 (1) 1
goals / game 0.19 (league only)
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals


Paul Warne  
Height 5.09  
Weight 11.09  
Date of birth 08-05-1973  
Place of birth Norwich  
Position Forward  
Nationality England    

All time playing career

Club From To Fee League FA Cup League cup Other
Mansfield 25-11-2004   Loan  No appearance data available
Rotherham 15-01-1999   Free  168 (54) 27 10 (0) 1 6 (6) 1 4 (0) 0
Kettering 07-11-1998 07-12-1998 Loan  No appearance data available
Wigan 30-07-1997 15-01-1999 £ 25000  13 (43) 4 1 (0) 0 0 (1) 0 1 (3) 1
Wroxham 01-08-1996 30-07-1997   No appearance data available
Totals £ 25000 181 (97) 31 11 (0) 1 6 (7) 1 5 (3) 1
goals / game 0.11 (league only)
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
-----
Earlier story, CHAD website:
Injury list grows but Palmer remains optimistic
CARETAKER manager Carlton Palmer is refusing to be downbeat, despite having only a handful of available first team players as he prepares for Saturday's tough match against high-flying Leyton Orient.
The injury list does not make pretty reading and add in Alex John-Baptiste's suspension for his red card during Tuesday's FA cup replay against Colchester, and a bad situation looks even worse.
But Palmer told Chad: "That's football. You just have to get on with it. There's no use moaning about it because there's nothing I can do about it and nothing the players can do about it.
"Dave Artell is available for Saturday but hopefully we will have a lad coming in on loan today (Thursday) because then obviously we will miss Dave for two games after that.
"We're down to the bare bones and we're having to cover our tracks on all area's. It is a testing times for everyone."
Palmer is currently looking at bringing some new faces into Field Mill and said there may be some movement in the next couple of days.
But the team has been boosted by the news that Adam Murray could play on Saturday despite being knocked unconscious early in the second half on Tuesday.
Said Palmer: "I don't know it if was a knee or a boot that caught him. He was sick for a day or so but he's feeling better today.
"There's every chance he could play on Saturday. If he's fit he will be available for selection."
After being knocked out of the cup, Palmer is now looking forward to getting back to winning ways in the league.
He said: "Yesterday and this morning I've been going through reports and watched a tape about them so I know what they are all about.
"There are no easy games now obviously, but the players have got to keep fighting.
"You've got to go through a lot of heartache but you can get through the other side if you have the belief, heart and desire. Some players here have it, others don't."
He added: "I was obviously disappointed on Tuesday. I don't like losing football matches but it was always going to be a difficult ask in view of the playing staff at the football club and who was available.
"There were five young players involved who had never played in the first team before. It gave me a good picture of the players at the football club and what is needed at the football club in the long term.
"I was pleased with the youngsters. I thought they did tremendously well when they came on and showed no fear."

 

Latest | November 2004