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Archived News from May 2009

SILK AND SOMNER SIGN TWO YEAR DEALS
19th May 2009 23:54


Silk and Somner sign new deals to June 2011 --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1657926,00.html

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Silk and Somner agree new Stags deals
Evening Post, May 14, 2009

GARY Silk and Matt Somner have today agreed new contracts which will keep them at Mansfield until June 2011.
Silk, who collected three player of the year awards has turned down interest from a League Two club – believed to be Macclesfield – to stay at Field Mill.
The right-back made 45 appearances for the Stags in total last season.
Tough-tackling midfielder Somner was the subject of interest from two Conference clubs.
But the man who turned out 39 times for the Stags last season has instead opted to stay put.
"We're both delighted. We both wanted to stay at Mansfield." said Silk, who previously played with Somner at Notts County.
"There were a few clubs interested in both of us but all along we wanted to stay here.
Somner added: "There are so many players who are out of contract and we were in the same boat shortly after the season ended.
"But we continued our negotiations with the club for quite some time. I am glad we have arranged something at last and am delighted to stay."
Their new contracts start on June 1.

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Silk and Somner sign new deals
CHAD.co.uk, 14 May 2009, By John Lomas
MANSFIELD TOWN duo Gary Silk and Matt Somner have agreed new contracts which will keep them at Field Mill until June 2011.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Silk-and-Somner-sign-new.5269805.jp

Silk, who collected three Player of the Season awards had turned down interest from a League Two club to stay at Field Mill.

The right-back made 45 appearances for the Stags in total last season.

Tough tackling midfielder Somner brushed aside two Conference clubs to extend his contract at Mansfield. He turned out 39 times for the club last term.

Player of the Season Gary Silk told the club's official website http://www.mansfieldtown.net: "We're both delighted. We both wanted to stay at Mansfield. There were a few clubs interested in both of us but all along we wanted to stay here.

Matt Somner said: "There are so many players who are out of contract and we were in the same boat shortly after the season ended, but we continued our negotiations with the club for quite some time.

"I am glad we have arranged something at last and am delighted to stay."

Last week it seemed the two may move on when the club announced they had permission to speak to other clubs.

Their new contracts will begin on June 1st 2009.

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Silk and Somner commitment shows Stags mean business
Evening Post, May 15, 2009

THE tying of Gary Silk and Matt Somner to new contracts shows Mansfield mean business next season, says first team coach Gareth Holmes.
The duo agreed deals yesterday, committing to the club until June 2011.
Right-back Silk was player of the year in the season that has just finished.
Somner was one of the most consistent performers for the Stags once David Holdsworth had taken over for the second half of the campaign.
It takes the number of senior players contracted to the club to 11 with Alan Marriott, Scott Gardner, Scott Garner, Luke Jones, Louis Briscoe, Jonathan D'Laryea, Ryan Williams, Rob Duffy and Jake Speight already signed up.
"There was interest in both players from other teams and for them to re-sign here, shows what they think of this club and where it is going," said Holmes.
"Silky had interest from League Two, so it shows what his aspirations are for his time here.
"Everyone on board has the same ambition of getting in the play-offs next season, we have a real ambition.
"It is not just one who thinks that way, it is all the players, the management, the backroom staff, the girls in the office and hopefully the fans.
"The fans can play a massive part and if they we can assure them we will be doing everything we can to push for the play-offs."
Silk's signing in particular will be a huge tonic to the fans, who have taken the former Notts County man into their hearts.
Holmes believes both men can play a key role in 2009-2010.
He said: "Silky wears his heart on his sleeve and he epitomises the people of Mansfield – honest and hard-working. He is a tremendous professional.
"The players that we have next season should all have those attributes – where we can dig in when times are difficult and kick on when the times are good.
"Soms is one of those players that every football club needs and we are really pleased to have him back on board.
"His attitude and work ethic are second to none – and that's the type player we want here."

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Stags boss will not be held to ransom
Evening Post, May 15, 2009

DAVID Holdsworth insists he will not be held to ransom by anyone interested in signing for Mansfield Town this summer.
He is well aware his budget will not allow him to compete with the likes of Luton Town and Oxford United.
But he says he will use the money that is available wisely and not pay over the odds to land his targets.
"It is very exciting times because you do play a bit of cat and mouse," said Holdsworth.
"But the fact is you can't kid a kidder. Lots of players throw stuff at you and there are a few egos.
"I find it amusing some of the quotes I am getting and a lot of it is pure fabrication.
"But these players have to remember I have been there, seen it and done it and I will only pay what is right.
"It is going to be very tough to compete with Luton, but I'm very ambitious and so is Mr Perry (chairman) and the rest of the board.
"I'm not jealous of anyone else. We are where we are. But I can't afford to bring in someone on £1,200, of course I can't.
"You have to have a structure to your budget and do it right."
Holdsworth admits he is loving the day-to-day business of being a manager at this level.
The manager is hoping to earn a reputation as someone who can make the most of limited resources.
And he hopes fans will trust in his acquisitions, even though they may not all be familiar names.
Holdsworth said: "I like to do my homework on players. They many not be who people know, but who want to progress.
"As a manager if you do that and it works then you get recognition for it. "

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Stags squad continues to take shape
CHAD.co.uk, 15 May 2009, By Stephen Thirkill
THE re-signing of Stags duo Gary Silk and Matt Somner is a massive boost for Mansfield Town's promotion hopes says new first team coach Gareth Holmes.
The experienced duo have agreed new contracts which will keep them at Field Mill until June 2011.

Silk, who collected three Player of the Season awards, had turned down interest from a League Two club to stay at Field Mill.

The right-back made 45 appearances for the Stags in total last season.
Tough tackling midfielder Somner brushed aside two Conference clubs to extend his contract at Mansfield. He turned out 39 times for the club last term.

Said Holmes: "Gary Silk who is one of those players who wears his heart on his sleeve and we are delighted to have kept him here.

"He is hardworking and is a fans favourite. It shows that as a club we are doing the right thing, that we have ambition and that we are building solid foundations. On and off the field he is an excellent professional.

"Somner is a good player with a very good attitude and work ethic and that is the type of player we need at the club.

"We are thrilled to have kept him at Field Mill because he is an important member of our squad.

"The boss has numerous transfer targets such as players that have played at this level but also in the Football League and there will be more players to come."

Their new contracts will begin on June 1st 2009.

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Stags is a club to be proud of, says new coach
CHAD.co.uk, 15 May 2009, By Stephen Thirkill
MANSFIELD has a football club to be proud off which deserves to be well backed by the public.
That is the view of new first team coach Gareth Holmes who joined the club's coaching staff earlier this month as David Holdsworth steps up the clubs promotion bid.

Holmes, who is a former Derby County player with his A licence coaching badge, formerly worked alongside Holdsworth at Ilkeston.

And after reunifying their partnership Holmes spoke of his delight at the new challenge ahead.

He said: "Our link at Ilkeston is well known and the boss asked me to come here and take a few training sessions to see how it went and how I worked with the players.

"It went really well and the rest is history. Coaching is something I really enjoy, I love passing on my experience and advice. This is a massive challenge and a fantastic opportunity for me personally.

"Coaching was always something I was really interested in. I gave everything I could during my playing career and I will do the same during my coaching career.

"I am really impressed by the players and how they apply themselves. We have the foundations here to take the step up.

"I will bring enthusiasm and will be there to support the boss whenever he needs it."
And Holmes, who has played for Nuneaton and Leigh RMI in the Conference, also called on the Field Mill faithfull to get fully behind their side for the start of the new season.
Said Holmes: "The club is going places on and off the field.
"We are working really hard as a club with the community.
"The fans have got their club back with the new owners and they have something to be proud of.
"I want to see the club forward and we need the fans with us to do that. Up and down the country football teams put their town on the map.
"Mansfield Town gives this town an identity and is something for the community to be proud of.
"We are all aiming for the play-offs and promotion, it will be a team effort from everyone, that includes behind the scenes staff right up to the fans."

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