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Archived News from March 2005

ADAM MURRAY JOINS CARLISLE/ PALMER EXPLAINS
24th March 2005 16:13


Palmer 'patient' on deadline day
CHAD website, 23 March 2005
MANSFIELD Town manager Carlton Palmer reiterated this morning that it was 'very unlikely' any new players would come in before today's 5pm transfer deadline.
But he added a couple of more his current squad may follow Adam Murray out of the door as he continues to formulate his squad for next season.
He also pointed out that midfielder Murray was offered the chance of a new contract at Field Mill but chose to drop out the League to join Carlisle United yesterday.
Palmer asked fans to be patient ahead of tomorrow night's visit of Chester City (7.45pm) and said: "What I am trying to do now is clear the decks of players not in my plans and that could see one or two more departures today.
"But, as I said earlier in the week, I think it is unlikely anyone will be coming in before the deadline.
"The thing is a lot of the players I am interested in are under contract until the summer and it would be pointless bringing them in now and paying them until the summer when they can't change our season anymore.
"I am far more interested in blooding youngsters in the first team and seeing if they are good enough.
"I have already agreed terms with a defender who is going to join us in the summer. He is coming from a club two divisions above us and taking an £800 a week wage cut to come here.
"That is the type of commitment I want. I could bring him in now but what would be the point?
"It is no surprise that clubs are starting to leak out that I have enquired about this player and that player as they want to create some interest in their player to sell them.
"But I am happy to bide my time. Bristol Rovers are asking silly money for Junior Agogo right now. But I doubt if anyone will pay that today.
"Rovers will have to revise their valuation to a more realistic figure which is when we will try again."
Palmer said he was disappointed to see Murray go but added: "I only want players here who are desperate to play for us.
"Colin Larkin was told there was a new contract for him if he knuckled down but he could go to Northampton if he wanted.
"But Colin said he wanted to play for Mansfield Town and was outstanding on Saturday.
"I said exactly the same to Adam but, to be fair, I reckon Carlisle had already spoken to him and he had made his mind up.
"I told Adam I was prepared to give him a new deal if he was prepared to do what I expected of him. But he wanted to go. It was his choice.
"Adam is a good player but he has been far too inconsistent this season.
"On Saturday with three hungry youngsters in midfield were were superb. It was the best we have been since I came at closing down and winning the ball higher up the park. And it was no coincidence we scored four goals.
"Fans have known since the summer that this was a transitional season with all the players departing.
"But we did really well to get within four points of the play-offs and had four home matches to come that we looked capable of wiinning.
"I, like the fans, felt we had a great chance. But I was very disappointed in some of the more senior players in those games and it was clear it was time for a major shake-up sooner than later."
Palmer confirmed Stags had missed out on Bristol City defender Kevin Amankwaah.
City accepted bids from both Stags and Yeovil but, unsurprisingly, the player chose to stay in the West Country with Yevil where he has been on loan and who are on the verge of promotion.
Stags look set to receive a big boost tomorrow with skipper Alex John-Baptiste likely to return after two weeks off with severe headaches.
Jake Buxton is also feeling much fitter after hip and groin problems.
But midfielder Tom Curtis is still injured as is left back Gareth Jelleyman (hamstring) who will not be risked tomorrow but has a chance of making the game at Kidderminster Harriers (3pm).
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CARLISLE SNAP UP MURRAY
Evening Post, 24 March 2005
Mansfield Town midfielder Adam Murray has joined Carlisle United for a nominal fee.

The 24-year-old former England under-21 player has signed a two-year deal.

He joined the Stags in the summer of last year after spells with Derby County, Kidderminster Harriers, Notts County and Burton Albion.

He made 62 appearances for Derby, including 33 in the Premiership.

Carlisle boss Paul Simpson said: "I"ve tried to get Adam on three occasions, the last one being back in October, but have always been told that he wasn"t available.

"He"s a very good midfielder with a decent right foot and I"m delighted that we have captured him.

"He"s glad to be here, as well, which is always a good sign."

Murray goes straight in to the Carlisle squad for their Nationwide Conference game against Canvey Island on Friday.

Bristol City right back Kevin Amankwaah is poised to join Yeovil Town - after rejecting the chance to sign for Mansfield.

The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Yeovil and is expected to sign for a nominal fee today, on a two-year deal.

Bristol City player-manager Brian Tinnion said: "Kevin had the option to talk to Mansfield, but has clearly enjoyed his time at Yeovil.

"He needs first team football at this stage of his career and we wish him well."

Stags defender Jake Buxton has been told he could need a hernia operation - but the 20-year-old says he should be fit enough to play in Mansfield's remaining games this season.

"I saw a doctor on Tuesday," said Buxton.

"It's either a hernia or a badly strained groin and I've got to take it easy.

"I'm hoping I will be fit enough to play against Chester tomorrow night - and I should be OK for the rest of this season.

"If I need an operation I will have it done in the summer."

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mansfieldtown.net reports that Adam Murray made the decision to move to Carlisle and not Stags Boss Carlton Palmer, as many may believe. In fact Palmer was prepared to offer the player a new contract at Field Mill which was rejected by Murray who had already made up his mind to join the conference side.

"I spoke to Adam the other day as one of the players who was out of contract in the Summer and I told him that I was pleased with some aspects of his game but not with others. But I was prepared to offer him a new contract and asked him if I could rely on him to be committed to the Football club. He told me that he wasn't sure.

"I think he had already been in talks with Carlisle. I would have liked Adam to stay at Mansfield but if he feels that going to Carlisle is best for him then we will wish all the best for the future" Palmer told the official website this morning.

The manager did admit that there will possibly be a few other players leaving the club to make way for the new incoming during the Summer:

"I am actively looking to bring players into the club, but I seriously doubt that it will be before the Summer. I am clearing the decks to make way for new players coming in. I have already got a player from 2 divisions higher that will be joining us in the Summer. I could probably get him in now but what is the point of bringing him in now, not been able to alter our season and paying his high wages when in the Summer he will come here and take a big drop in pay." He said.

To put the supporters minds at rest Carlton confirmed that Striker Colin Larkin has turned down a move to Northampton stating that he would like to stay at Field Mill and is one of the players that could be offered a new contract at Field Mill.
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http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk

MURRAY SIGNING JUST MINT
23 March 2005

24 year old midfielder Adam Murray joined United's
Play Off push this afternoon, for a nominal fee,
following a hectic day of medicals and contract
signings. Murray has completed a deal that will keep
him at Brunton Park until the summer of 2007.

Adam, who has been called up to the England U21 squad
in the past, has been a regular in the Field Mill side
this season, scoring 5 goals along the way.

He started his career with Derby County as a youngster
and has had spells with Kidderminster Harriers, Notts
County and Burton Albion before signing a two year
deal with the Stags in June 2004.

Whilst at Derby he made 33 Premiership appearances (62
in total), playing in some memorable games both home
and away. His last run out for the Rams was in the
5-0 defeat at Old Trafford in December 2001.

Manager Paul Simpson said, "I've actually tried to get
Adam on three occasions, the last one being back in
October, but have always been told that he wasn't
available. He's a very good midfielder with a decent
right foot and I'm delighted that we captured him.
He's delighted to be here, as well, which is always a
good sign."

Murray will be shown the Brunton Park ropes over the
next few days and goes straight in to the squad for
the Canvey game on Friday.
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Stagsnet received the following from what we are told is a "a trusted source within the Carlisle United", though this is unconfirmed.

Subject: Murray signing

A great move by Simpson. Seemingly he's a contender for POTY at Mansfield
this season.

'Why has he come here?' somebody will doubtlessly say. Well he fell out with
Carlton Palmer over a couple of minor issues which led to him being dropped
for their game at the weekend, a 4-4 draw at Bristol. Murray was told on the
Friday that he would be dropped so he asked why. Palmer told him it was
tactical reasons, and AM thought nothing more of it.

On Monday morning, he was told that his services at Field Mill were no
longer required, but they would be demanding a fee for him. CP phoned
Simpson on Monday afternoon to ask if he was still interested in him, which
we obviously were and the deal was done between the two of them. After his
wrangling over the Corden deal, he made CP agree that this fee was final and
non-negotiable.

Fred got Murray's phone call on Tuesday morning and a deal was hammered out
within half an hour. He arrived on Wednesday for his medical and after some
last minute hitches after Palmer tried to put a spanner in the works, he
signed at 3pm yesterday. This could be the difference between staying down
and going up.

I believe the fee is £7,000 initially with a further payment of £13,000 if
we win promotion this season or next.
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