Archived News from December 2008
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BARKER ON MANAGER POSITION
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Mansfield Town hero Barker's 'Come and get me' managerial plea to owners
CHAD.co.uk, 23 December 2008, by John Lomas RICHIE Barker has issued a last ditch 'come and get me' plea to the Stags board as they look set to select the new manager at Field Mill. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Mansfield-Town-hero-Barkers-Come.4819499.jp Former Stags striker Barker was the fans' and bookies' favourite for the job and Chad understands he has spoken to Mansfield. But Ilkeston Town boss David Holdworth on Monday night emerged as the favourite, with bookies suspending betting on the former Sheffield United player. However, Barker - who had been touted to return either as player/manager or as a player/coach with a new manager - on Tuesday afternoon told Chad: "I am still interested and have heard various things, but no-one ever got back to me from the club. "I am assuming I am not wanted and never was. I don't know if they used my name to drum up a bit of interest. "But I am a bit disappointed with the way it has been done. "The final paperwork for my permanent move to Rotherham is being finished today and I expected something might have been sorted or hinted at from Mansfield before then. "I have always made people aware of my fondness for the club and my interest in going back to work there. Obviously that has fallen on deaf ears as some people are not interested in having me there, which is unfortunate. "I have always said it would be a great club for me to start a managerial career at Mansfield. I wanted to go back to put a smile back on people's faces and make the club something for people to be proud of and not embarrassed about." Chad was unable to contact Stags chairman Andy Perry on Tuesday afternoon for comment. ROTHERHAM boss Mark Robins has denied that former Stags striker Richie Barker is going back to Hartlepool United and lashed out at 'mischief-making'. It seemed, according to a Rotherham fans' website, that a story appeared on the official Millers website yesterday saying Rotherham were not going to make Barker's return to Millmoor permanent on January. But Barker, who many Stags fans would love to see become the new boss at Field Mill, was bemused as he has agreed the new deal with Rotherham today. Chad spoke to Robins who said: "That story is untrue and I have no idea where it came from. "I think there is a bit of mischief-making going on here and I intend to get to the bottom of it and find out what's what. "Richie's deal is certainly going through - that's a fact." ------------------- |
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