Archived News from January 2007
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IT`S A DISGRACE AS HASLAM SELLS BARKER
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Mansfield 103.2 03Jan2007 11am: Barker is in Hartlepool having a medical now, after a deal was agreed last night.
Update 03Jan2007 5.45pm: Barker has signed for Hartlepool. And all this after the Stags chief executive received an unbudgeted £125,00 for Liam Lawrence. -------------- Hartlepool snap up striker Barker BBC.co.uk Hartlepool United have signed striker Richard Barker from Mansfield Town. The former Stags skipper, 31, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the Victoria Stadium for a fee believed to be around £80,000. "I am delighted to have a player of his experience and calibre," Pools boss Danny Wilson told his club's website. Barker, who has scored 40 goals in 95 league games for Mansfield since signing from Rotherham in 2004, had been a long-standing target for Wilson. -------------- Hartlepool official website: Pools' boss Danny Wilson was a satisfied man at The Vic today after seeing weeks of hard work pay-off to secure the signing of Mansfield Town striker Richie Barker, "It has been a situation that as been ongoing for maybe eight weeks or so," he told the Official Website. "But it is something that had to be done professionally and properly between the two Clubs and we feel we have done well in ensuring all ends are tied up by January." Barker has scored 15 goals so far this season for Mansfield and the Pools' manager is confident he'll be a big hit with The Vic faithful. "I am delighted to have a player of his experience and calibre and we saw on Saturday why he is a handful for defenders. "We are defending very well as a team at the moment but he was still a handful for us." Wilson admits it has been a long process but he is delighted to finally get his man And Wilson was quick to point out the importance of owner IOR's full backing in the signing of Barker, "I am sure Mansfield will be very sorry to see him go but sometimes it is difficult for smaller clubs to refuse these deals that come along. "And that's the beauty for us of having the support of IOR because without them it is very possible the deal would not have been done. "But we can't worry about other clubs, we need to focus on finishing the season as high as possible and Richie will help us do that." Wilson is confident Barker will prove a hit at Pools as he has done at Mansfield Town . Barker leave Mansfield with a reputation as the model pro who was a big influence on their younger players and this played a big part in the signing admits Wilson, "We do our homework on players; we don't just bring them in. "We look at their background and make sure they will fit in and he comes tops in all of those categories. "He is a top lad; Chris (Turner) and me have known him for a few years now through our Sheffield Wednesday connections and we know all about his background and personality and there was no hesitation in recommending him to come here." And Wilson was quick to offer words of support for Mansfield Town and their new Manager, "Every club is reluctant to let one of their top players leave but I wish them all the best, particularly my good friend Billy Dearden. "They have a lot of good young players at the Club and I'm sure Billy will bring out the best in them." -------------- CHAD website, 03 January 2007 (morning) Stags confirm Barker talks MANSFIELD Town have confirmed their skipper Richie Barker is back in talks with League Two rivals Hartlepool United today. Barker turned down a move to Hartlepool a few weeks ago but, with the January transfer window now open, Barker was at Hartlepool's Victoria Park this morning discussing a possible move. If he agrees to the move this time it would be a huge blow to Stags' hopes of survival with them just one point of the relegation spots. Barker's 48 goals in 106 appearances almost single handedly kept them up last season and have kept them off the bottom this season. However Mansfield Town Football Club said: "While we can confirm Richie is speaking to Harlepool today, is is by no means a completed deal and there is nothing firm on the table right now." The fee being reported for the deal is only £80,000 which, even if the whole amount was given to new boss Billy Dearden, would give him an almost impossible task to replace his captain and top goalscorer. Barker has repeatedly stated he was happy to stay at Field Mill and both Peter Shirtliff and Billy Dearden said they wanted him to stay. More news later as it develops. -------------- STRIKER BARKER IN HARTLEPOOL TRANSFER TALKS Evening Post, 03 January 2007 MANSFIELD captain and top scorer Richard Barker today looks set to leave Field Mill for Hartlepool. The popular striker, who has netted 15 goals this season, has been the subject of a fresh bid from Pools this week. It has been reported that he has been seen at Victoria Park this morning to discuss personal terms. And, if everything goes according to plan with his negotiations, he could well be on his way for a fee in the region of £80,000. Barker had said earlier today: "I don't really know whether I'm coming or going at the moment, but I should imagine it will be sorted out shortly. "It has been difficult playing with this hanging over me and I didn't even know if I would play against Hartlepool until Sunday. "I'm still hoping to stay, but it is sometimes out of your hands." Barker has been impressed with the approach of new manager Billy Dearden. "He is a good character. He came in and said he is no super-manager, just a man manager. He's definitely lifted people and put smiles on faces and I think he will do a good job for the club." ----------- |
Latest | January 2007