Archived News from July 2002
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LARKIN DEAL TO GO AHEAD
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Larkin's about-face on move to Mansfield
By Tim Nash, http://www.expressandstar.com, Jul 30, 2002, 2:55pm Wolves striker Colin Larkin today completed a U-turn when he said yes to newly-promoted Mansfield and provided the Molineux coffers with a £125,000 boost. The 20-year-old former Republic of Ireland youth international will sign subject to a medical at Field Mill tomorrow after agreeing a three-year contract with Stags' Wolverhampton-based boss Stuart Watkiss, a former Molineux youth defender. That means Larkin, who made three League appearances in four seasons at Wolves after a Worthington Cup scoring debut, misses the chance to join Mansfield's depleted attack when they host Derby tonight. But it means Wolves have recouped money to heed previous warnings from chief execuive Jez Moxey, with Larkin becoming the first cash sale since Tony Dinning's initial £600,000 sale to Wigan last September. The initial fee has built-in add-ons, which are likely to include more money after a certain amount of games. Larkin had earlier decided against dropping into the Second Division and vowed to fight for a chance at Molineux. But he changed his mind after a meeting with Moxey yesterday afternoon. "Jez explained to me that there were players in front of me and it made me realise that it wasn't worth me staying at Wolves," said Larkin. "Mansfield came in with a second offer which I couldn't turn down. I have to realise where my best chances of first team football are and that's at Mansfield." Larkin links up with former Newcastle and Blackburn midfielder Scott Sellars at Field Mill, ironically just two weeks since playing against him for Wolves' reserves against Kettering. Manager Dave Jones warned Larkin last week he had around seven strikers ahead of him at Molineux and the boss would have welcomed the cash the player would have brought. The latest development spells disappointment for Hull. The Humbersiders' new boss Jan Molby is a firm admirer following the duo's time together at Kidderminster last season and would have loved to have made a fresh move. Lack of funds prevented him doing so immediately, but he was keenly monitoring the situation and may have reviewed it in the January transfer window if not before. --------------- Larkin set to join Stags nationwide.co.uk, 30 Jul Mansfield Town boss Stuart Watkiss has confirmed that Wolves striker Colin Larkin has agreed to join the Nationwide Division Two new boys. The Stags manager has been chasing the forward for much of the summer and looks to have finally landed his man, subject to Larkin passing a medical on Wednesday. "Colin will be training with his new team-mates on Thursday so long as he passes a medical on Wednesday," Watkiss told the club's official website. "If he passes the medical he will sign his contract on Wednesday afternoon. "Colin is younger than Chris Greenacre and he's already a superb talent. "We've also brought Colin for his potential. He's not yet at the stage where Chris left off and he needs to be given time by myself, the players and supporters. "However, I do believe that he has the potential to be better than Chris." Larkin started only one League game for Wolves but he enjoyed a successful season on loan at Kidderminster Harriers last season and scored six League goals for the club in 31 starts. |
Latest | July 2002