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Archived News from June 2005

PILKS JOINS NOTTS, EATON AND CURTIS LEAVE
24th June 2005 14:14


mansfieldtown.net:
Midfield general Tom Curtis and Left Back Adam Eaton have said their farewells to Mansfield Town FC.

Thirty two year old Curtis who was contracted until June 2006 reached an agreement with the club that would enable him to finish his career at another club as he wants to play regular first team football and with the way the Stags squad is shaping up this was looking less and less of a reality.

"Tom Curtis and I sat down towards the end of the season and I told him how next season was looking team wise and a as senior pro who wouldn't be guaranteed a starting line up and I told him that if he could get himself fixed up I wouldn't stand in his way.

"I understand that Tom has got himself a new club and today he left Field Mill with best wishes from everybody here." said Palmer.

Also, Adam Eaton will be leaving the club in the next week or so when a deal is finalised between him and the club.

"Adam Eaton will be leaving the club soon as well, we are just nearing a completion to a deal that will allow him to leave the club unfortunately he has been injured for a lot of his time here playing only eight games in two years and at this level you need to have players out on the park. It's no matter how good they are, if they aren't on the pitch playing they are not that much good for you" Palmer added.

Meanwhile the Stags Boss is looking forward to more new arrivals on Monday to further bolster his squad.
"I am expecting more players in on Monday next week, one who has already signed and a few more. I am looking about carrying a squad of about 22 players next season" Palmer told the official website.
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Notts County official site:
Kevin Pilkington Agrees To Joins Notts

Notts County Football Club is today delighted to confirm that Mansfield Town goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington has agreed to join the club on a two-year contract.

Pilkington, who is 31 years of age, comes to Meadow Lane with a wealth of experience having began his career with Manchester United, while he has 246 appearances to his name in professional football having been the first choice at Mansfield for three seasons.

He also arrives as one of the most highly rated goalkeepers in League Two, having been a key member of the Stags squad that achieved two promotions in his four years at Field Mill.

Out of contract, he opted against remaining at Field Mill and will join the Magpies on July 1 2005 once his deal with the Stags expires. He had in previous weeks been linked with a move to Blackpool in League One, but he stated in the media he wished to remain in the Nottinghamshire area.

Kevin also becomes the first signing made by new Manager Gudjon Thordarson, as he begins to build his own squad ahead of the 2005/06 League Two season.
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PILKS: WHY I JOINED MAGPIES
Evening Post, 23 June 2005
STEVIE RODEN

Kevin Pilkington today said his family played a major part in his decision to join Notts County.

Pilkington has agreed to sign for the Magpies after rejecting a new contract with Mansfield Town.

The out-of-contract goalkeeper was also wanted by former boss Keith Curle at Chester and there was interest from Tranmere in League One.

But Pilkington, who lives near Newark, said: "Notts is a massive club and I was ready for a new challenge.

"I have had five great years at Mansfield but was offered less money and felt that was not right.

"Keith Curle made me a great offer but it would have meant commuting or moving my young family.

"But once Notts came in I had no hesitation. They should be in a higher division and hopefully we can get promotion this season."

Pilkington was wanted by Notts as a 17-year-old but turned them down to join Manchester United.

The 31-year-old, who will officially sign a two-year deal on July 1, said: "It is a feeling of completing a big circle. Obviously the lure of Manchester United was too much before.

"I experienced promotion, relegation and the play-offs with Mansfield. Now I want another promotion with Notts."

Pilkington was first contacted by Notts earlier in the summer when contract negotiations stalled with Saul Deeney. The current goalkeeper rejected a new contract and Notts decided to look elsewhere with the Irishman staying on a week-to-week basis until he finds another club.


 

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