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Archived News from December 2008

PERRY: McEWAN WAS SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED
19th December 2008 17:32


Andy Perry interview from BBC Radio Nottingham (before Wrexham game) here
13Dec2008
Perry: Billy McEwan was surprised and disappointed.

Mansfield Town chairman Andy Perry says he will not approach managers who are currently in a job after Billy McEwan was sacked last week.

Players Adie Moses and Mark Stallard have taken temporary control of the team since McEwan's departure.

Perry told BBC Radio Nottingham: "If somebody really wants to manage Mansfield Town then they should come and see us."

Perry wants a manager and assistant with Blue Square Premier experience.

The chairman said he would like to have made an appointment by Boxing Day.

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Stags chairman Perry: We got McEwan deal wrong
Evening Post, December 16, 2008

ANDY Perry has admitted giving sacked manager Billy McEwan a three-year contract was an error of judgment.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-chairman-Perry-got-McEwan-deal-wrong/article-548246-detail/article.html

Many were surprised the Scot was handed such a long deal on his appointment in July.
And Perry now says he and the new board were too eager to back their man to bring success in the long-term.
The chairman insists he has learned much since those early days and accepts McEwan's contract should have been shorter.
"When you look at it now we (the new board) were probably overwhelmed by the situation a little bit," said Perry.
%3Cbody%3E%3Cdiv%20id%3D%22adDiv%22%3E%3CA%20HREF%3D%22http%3A//ads.anm.co.uk/ADCLICK/CID%3Dfffffffcfffffffcfffffffc/AAMSZ%3D452x118/SITE%3DTHISISNOTT/AREA%3DFOOTBALL/SUBAREA%3D/ARTICLE%3D548246/acc_random%3D5852866762/pageid%3D/RS%3D10307.%22%20target%3D%22_new%22%3E%3CIMG%20SRC%3D%22http%3A//iad.anm.co.uk/anmdefaultad.gif%22%20ALT%3D%22%22%20border%3D0%20style%3D%22margin-bottom%3A%200px%3B%22%3E%3C/A%3E%3C/div%3E"We wanted stability. That was the big thing at the time.
"Now we can look at things differently, with hindsight, and say we could have done it for a shorter period and then looked at it again.
"Both parties perhaps didn't realise what they were up against at that time."
Perry paid tribute to McEwan's work in a difficult transitional period, straight after the summer's binding agreement that ended with a completed takeover last week.
He said: "Billy came in at a time when we were new to it, and did a lot of good work behind the scenes in those first few months.
"Just to get a team together at the start of the season was fantastic, but in a way he had more time to prepare for it than we did.
"We didn't know if we were going to be able to take over. But Billy could have players in mind that he wanted to sign. He knew some of those players could even have arrived up by the time he came in."
McEwan preferred to look after all first-team affairs on his own, but Perry says he is looking for a management team this time.
"I think having structure is the key and having people who can work hand-in-hand with each other, manager and assistant," he said.

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Stags chairman dampens clamour for Barker return as new Mansfield manager
CHAD.co.uk, 13 December 2008, By Stephen Thirkill
FANS' favourite Richie Barker is not one of the more than 30 people to have so far applied for the vacant Mansfield Town manager's position.

Full story at CHAD.co.uk here

Of the 30 men to have applied for the job, Stags chairman Andy Perry said around 15 of them were 'of interest'.

But he said that Barker and three other names mentioned in the inevitable speculation - former Stags managers Steve Parkin (currently on the coaching staff Hull City), Billy Dearden and former Forest player Gary Mills - had not applied.

And Perry also confirmed that the club would not be approaching another club for permission to speak to a manager, adding: "If someone really wants to manage Mansfield Town Football Club they must come to see us, we will not be approaching clubs."

That would also seem to rule out Eastwood Town boss Paul Cox, who on Saturday revealed he would be interested in the Stags job if approached.

The Field Mill managerial hot-seat was made vacant on Wednesday night after Billy McEwan was sacked following a string of poor results - eight defeats in 10 league matches - and dire performances.

Speaking ahead of the FA Trophy kick-off at Wrexham, Perry told Chad: "We have got a list and there are many names that are of interest to us. We will be drawing up a short list and interviewing.

"We have said we would like someone to be in place before next Saturday, but we will not make any knee-jerk reaction.

"It is more realistic to think that we will have someone in place by Boxing Day, but I am not setting any deadline.

"Of course we have the transfer window in mind, but it is important we get the right structure in place.

"That will be two men in charge. Football has moved on and we will be looking at managers who are forward-thinking in terms of how they use fitness coaches and sports psychologists."

But Perry says the fans' desire to see former favourite Richie Barker installed in the hot-seat it is 'unrealistic at this stage'.

"Richie is under contract with Hartlepool United and has a pre-contract agreement to join Rotherham and that is the situation at the moment," he said.

"Earlier in the season we did enquire with Hartlepool about the possibility of bringing Barker back as a player next season.

"The agreement is in place with Hartlepool and bringing Richie in as manager is unrealistic at this stage in my view.

"Things have moved very quickly with the takeover and the sacking. We are looking at many options and it is important that we make the right decision."

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Barker linked to Stags job
Evening Post, 13 Dec 2008
Andy Perry today admitted fans favourite Richard Barker is one of those he would consider appointing as Mansfield's next manager.

Full story at Evening Post website here

But the Stags chairman also said such a move would be 'unlikely' and complicated by Barker's current contractual obligations as a player.

Former club captain Barker has been installed as a 2/1 favourite to be the next permanent manager at Field Mill.

“It was at an SFU dinner that Richie got asked the question and he said one day he would like to come back as Mansfield manager one day,” said Perry. “Then, a few weeks later, this happens.

“But he is under contract at Hartlepool and then has a pre-contract with Rotherham United.

“The reason we know that is that when Billy was in charge we were inquiring about his availability as a player next season.

“He certainly hasn't expressed any interest in coming back (as manager).

“It would be a good one for the fans and we would be interested, but it would be problematic from a legal point of view. I think it is unlikely at this point in time.”

Perry revealed the club has so far had more than 30 applications but said half of those would probably be discounted almost immediately.

He also reiterated the hope a new boss would be in place for next weekend's home league game with Weymouth, although patience is the key.

Perry said: “We have been pleased with the response without the need to advertise.

“I think we will look at it and, whoosh, 15 will go straight away and there will be 15 left.

“I don't think it is right to name people because three or four have spoken to us but don't want everyone to know that.

“We are still optimistic it will be done in time for Weymouth, and there is a sense of urgency, but there is no deadline and no rush.”

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Eastwood Town website

Official Press Release: Paul Cox
Sun, 14th December 2008
Eastwood Town Manager, Paul Cox, has today released the following statement through the Club's official web site.
“It has come to my attention over the last few weeks that there have been a few rumours circulating on the football grapevine regarding my future, probably caused by the extra exposure from our FA Cup run, however, I would like to put an end to any further speculation by confirming;

· In the summer, I signed a new 4 year contract with Eastwood Town and I intend to see out the full length of this contract, I am very happy here and have no interest in looking at other management opportunities

· I have categorically refused to speak to any Clubs that have enquired about my availability either directly or through a third party, my only concern is preparing for the FA Cup game against Kettering Town and achieving this season's target of promotion to the Conference North

· I am looking forward to the challenges in the seasons ahead with Eastwood Town, I feel the next 4 years are very important for the Club and also my own personal development as a young football manager

I would like everyone connected with Eastwood Town, especially the players and supporters, to know that anything they hear or see to the contrary is pure speculation, whether it be by word of mouth or printed in the press.

Yours sincerely

Coxy

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Cox would be interested in Stags vacancy
Evening Post, 13 Dec 2008
Paul Cox today declared he would be interested in the vacant manager's post at Mansfield Town - if approached by the Stags.

http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk/news/Cox-would-be-interested-in-Stags-vacancy.aspx

The club travel to Wrexham today for an FA Trophy first round tie under the temporary charge of senior players Adie Moses and Mark Stallard.

But chairman Andy Perry has said he is keen to bring in a new manager before next weekend's Blue Square Premier game with Weymouth.

Former Notts County player Cox has guided Eastwood to fourth place in the UniBond Premier Division, with several games in hand.

He has also taken the Badgers to the third round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, where they will play Kettering.

That success has seen Cox linked with the Stags and he revealed he is flattered by such interest.

"Mansfield are a massive club and one that should really be in the Football League," he said. "The potential of it is huge because the club have terrific fans and if they were to achieve their potential, I'm sure they could get crowds of 7,000 to 8,000.

"It is steeped in history and when I was playing they had some really good players like George Foster and Simon Coleman.

"I would definitely consider it if I was approached, I would give it some serious thought. You would have to be interested in a job like that.

"But unless something is concrete and I get a call, it is all speculation and I have a job to do at Eastwood."

Cox is confident he would have what it takes to cut it as a manager at Blue Square Premier level.

He said: "I think the game is pretty similar at any level.

"It's just that the players are of a better standard the higher up you go.

"I believe that whatever level you are at, it doesn't cost anything to get you players to work hard.

"I have got confidence in my own ability to work at a higher level."

Bookmakers Victor Chandler have made former fans favourite Richard Barker their clear favourite to be the club's next permanent manager.

Barker said: "All I have heard of is the media speculation and there is not really much more I can say at the moment.

"Mansfield have their game today and I have one for Rotherham and we have to concentrate on those matches." Odds:

Richard Barker 2/1, Keith Curle 5/1, John Hollins 6/1, John Ward 6/1, Chris Wilder 9/1, Mark Stallard 10/1, Alan Buckley 11/1, Nicky Law 12/1, Lee Sinnott 14/1, Stan Ternant 14/1, Darren Patterson 14/1, Leroy Rosenier 14/1, Colin Walker 16/1, Steve Cotterill 16/1, Maurice Malpas 16/1, Peter Shirtliff 16/1, Brian Little 16/1, Denis Smith 20/1, Ian Brightwell 20/1, Kit Symons 20/1, David Holdsworth 20/1, John Trewick 22/1, Mark Cooper 22/1, Alex Inglethorpe 25/1, Jim Harvey 25/1, Glenn Cockerill 25/1, John Cornforth 33/1.

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