Archived News from April 2007
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D-DAY FOR DEARDEN?
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D-Day for Dearden?
CHAD website, 04 April 2007 BILLY Dearden is hoping to sort out his Mansfield Town future this week - then begin contract negotiations with his players. The 63-year-old, who has returned to save the club from relegation worries since Christmas, looks set to stay. But he is to meet with chief executive Keith Haslam and chairman James Derry this week to try to sort out a few issues and hopes an announcement can be made before the end of the week. "I did have a meeting set last week but had to cancel it as I was ill," he said. "But I am hoping to sort something out this week. "I originally came here until the end of the season and said I would see how it goes. "I think it has gone okay and I have enjoyed it from my point of view. "But there are things that have got to be sorted out. "I want to have some training facilities organised and, if finances permit, I would like a reserve side. "I want to do everything I can to improve these kids." He added: "I do have a good idea about who I want for next season and would like to sort things out sooner than later so those we are releasing have as much time as possible to get fixed up elsewhere." Although his own future is still to be sorted, Dearden is already putting the wheels in motion for next season. Sorting "Whoever is in charge needs pre-season sorting now and I am ringing round organising games right now," he said. "We are a bit behind with that but I think we'll be okay. "I am trying to sort out a couple of non-League away games and a couple of good games on here. "I would want the lads back in for 5th July, five weeks and two days before the first game of the season." l Youngster Chris Wood has gone out on a month's loan to non-League neighbours Ilkeston Town. ---------- DEARDEN IS READY TO MAKE CHANGES Evening Post, 03 April 2007 Billy Dearden admitted today that he has more or less made up his mind which players will be offered new deals at Mansfield this summer. A number of players are out of contract at the end of the season, including Alex John-Baptiste, Giles Coke, Simon Brown, Gareth Jelleyman, Stephen Dawson and Jason White. Dearden says some of those players have been playing for their Field Mill futures since he took charge. But he said: "I have had in my mind what I wanted to do for three or four weeks. I have a good idea now who will be staying and who will be going. "The contracts will be offered as soon as possible because I want to give people who are not staying the chance to get a club for next season. "I have not spoken to any of them yet, but I'm looking to have a couple of hours with the chairman this week and go through all the players." Dearden is also keen to finalise his own situation so he can get on with planning Mansfield's pre-season games. He hopes to organise five or six friendlies, including away games against non-league opposition and a couple of matches at Field Mill. |
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