Archived News from March 2007
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JELLEYMAN WANTS TO BE PART OF STAGS FUTURE
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JELLEYMAN WANTS TO BE PART OF STAGS FUTURE
Evening Post, 23 March 2007 Gareth Jelleyman today revealed he would relish the chance to sign a new contract with Mansfield - because he thinks exciting times are ahead at the club. First-choice left-back Jelleyman's current deal expires at the end of the season. The 26-year-old admits he has been disappointed that the Stags have not challenged for a play-off spot this season. But he believes under Billy Dearden, Mansfield can be serious promotion contenders in 2007-2008. "I would love to stay on at Mansfield, but that decision is out of my hands," said Jelleyman. "It is up to the gaffer and the chairman, but I have really enjoyed my time here. "I think there is huge potential here. With the players we have and with a couple of additions we could be challenging." Jelleyman is focused on tonight's League Two game with Macclesfield. He is pleased that the team have another home game so soon after the disappointing defeat to Boston last Saturday, which Jelleyman described as "the worst we have played at home all season". MANSFIELD V MACCLESFIELD PREVIEW Evening Post, 23 March 2007 Plenty of things are up in the air at Mansfield Town right now, but Matt Hamshaw is thankful his future is not one of them. Over the next few weeks, the fate of manager Billy Dearden, a host of out-of-contract players and even, possibly, the club's ownership will be decided. But because Hamshaw signed a two-year deal when he was brought in by Peter Shirtliff from Stockport last summer, he can look forward to a welcome summer break before returning to Field Mill next season. The 25-year-old, by his own admission, has had an up-and-down season on the field. But his form became insignificant in February when he and wife Kerry lost their son Liam at birth. To his credit, Hamshaw has come back strongly, determined to finish the season well. And he is more than happy to already be sure of a place in the Mansfield squad for next season after the terrific response from his team-mates and the supporters to his tragedy. "It's been difficult personally but playing has been a good release for me," said Hamshaw. "I felt before it happened I was probably getting into my best form. "Because of the couple of weeks off that knocked my fitness back a bit, but it has been good to get back playing. Mansfield is a great club and when the fans get behind you, there is no better place." "It was a big thing to leave Stockport, but I have always enjoyed my football and I wasn't towards the end of last season, so I knew it was time to move on." Boss Billy Dearden has hinted he would like to stay on at Field Mill next season. And Hamshaw is hoping he does get the opportunity to continue working with someone he rates very highly." He said: "I would love to see him stay. He is a great manager and I wish I had got him as a gaffer ten years earlier. "He is a true professional, a great man manager and is really enthusiastic. Billy is a quiet man but when he does speak, everybody stops and listens. He has Mansfield in his blood and I don't think he would have managed anywhere else - expect if Man United or Sheffield United had come calling!" DEARDEN HOPING YOUNGSTERS CAN SHINE Evening Post, 23 March 2007 Billy Dearden is hoping his young players can follow in the footsteps of the 'awesome foursome' he nurtured in his first spell at Mansfield. Liam Lawrence, Leroy Williamson, Bobby Hassell and Craig Disley were all blooded by the Stags boss at the end of the 2000-2001 campaign. The following season the club won promotion form the old Division Three - with the young quartet playing key roles. Now Dearden is hoping the current crop of youngsters can develop in the same way. Their first chance to impress will come tonight with skipper Jake Buxton (knee), Jonathan D'Laryea (ankle), Callum Lloyd (thigh), Michael Boulding (groin) and Danny Reet (dead leg) all set to miss out. "You can't get to see much of the likes of Nathan Arnold, Danny Sleath, Rory Boulding and Chris Wood because they don't get reserves football apart from friendlies," said Dearden. "They have only played three or four games since Christmas, which is not right, They should be playing football. "We want to blood them but doing that has been brought on quicker because of the injury situation. "We did it before with Liam, Dis, Bobby and Leroy and all of those players are still getting a good living out of the game at a higher level." Dearden, meanwhile, said he had not entered into talks about a contract for next season yet. He said: "All the lads want to know what I'm doing contract-wise because pre-season has to be sorted out. "I have been impressed by the young lads and with what we have at the club and with additions, it can be successful. "It is more or less odds on that I will stay, but it depends on a few matters being sorted." |
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