Archived News from June 2009
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STAGS SIGN CRAIG ARMSTRONG
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Stags capture defender Armstrong
June 12, 2009 BBC Radio Nottingham audio interview ---> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/8097599.stm Mansfield Town have signed former Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday defender Craig Armstrong. The 34-year-old, who can also operate in midfield, has signed a one-year contract at Field Mill and becomes the Stags' ninth signing of the summer. Armstrong told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It is a league club, it's only been in the Conference for a season. "If I can help the boys to win a football match, then it'll be good for myself and the football club." Armstrong started as a trainee with Forest, before joining Huddersfield Town and later Sheffield Wednesday. Spells with Cheltenham Town and Kidderminster Harriers followed, but Armstrong has said one of the main reasons for the move to Mansfield was to be playing at a club near his home in Nottingham. "I've lived in and around Nottingham since I left the North East when I was 16, and I've got children in school in Nottingham," said Armstrong. "I've travelled around a lot while my family has stayed in Nottingham, so it is like coming home, definitely." --------------------- Utility man seals Stags switch Evening Post, June 12, 2009 CRAIG Armstrong today completed his move to Mansfield Town on a one-year deal – as predicted by the Evening Post yesterday. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Utility-man-seals-Stags-switch/article-1072768-detail/article.html The former Forest trainee, 34, can play anywhere down the left hand side, as a left-sided central defender and in central midfield. He has played more than 400 senior appearances from 13 different clubs, costing Huddersfield Town £750,000 in 1999. He will provide healthy competition to Paul Heckingbottom and Ryan Williams down the left flank. "Craig has experienced football at a good level with the likes of Forest and Sheffield Wednesday and now he can bring that experience to us," said first team coach Gareth Holmes. "He is very versatile and gives us a lot of options, which any squad needs. "Craig is a very good senior pro and he will be very good to have around in the dressing room, encouraging the younger lads. "With him, Ryan Williams, and Paul Heckingbottom, we have a nice blend of experience to go with the young talents such as Louis Briscoe, Scott Garner and Scott Gardner. "Craig is 34 but we have done our homework and we know he is a model professional who keeps himself fit. "All the players we have brought in are team players and Craig is another one. "They all have the right attitude and are driving in the same direction. You have to get the right people on the bus, as Sir Clive Woodward would say." Armstrong spent the latter half of last season at Kidderminster Harriers and becomes Mansfield's ninth signing of the summer. -------------- Armstrong to follow Becks' example at Stags Evening Post, June 13, 2009 DAVID Beckham proves age should be no barrier to Craig Armstrong being a success at Mansfield, says first team coach Gareth Holmes. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Armstrong-follow-Becks-example-Stags/article-1073589-detail/article.html The utility man, who can pay anywhere down the left, as a left-sided central defender and in central midfield, has signed a one-year deal to become Mansfield's ninth summer signing. A7 34, South Shields-born Armstong is the same age as former England captain Beckham. And Holmes believes the way the LA Galaxy star continues to produce the goods shows veteran campaigners should not be written off. "We have done our homework on Craig and he is a model professional in the way he keeps himself fit," said Holmes. "He has managed his body very well throughout his career, so we have no doubts in that regard. "If you look at David Beckham, he is the same age but he is still playing international football. "OK, so it is at a different end of the spectrum, but it proves that just because a player is a little bit older, doesn't mean they can't be effective. "I think Craig will have no problems slotting into our squad and his experience will be invaluable." Armstrong started out as a Forest trainee and made 49 appearances while at the City Ground, including substitute appearances. He has since played for 12 other clubs, costing Huddersfield Town £750,000 in 1999 and was with Kidderminster Harriers before being released at the end of last season. Armstrong is delighted to join the Stags and said: "It's great to be back in the Notts area after starting at Forest at 12. "I first spoke to David (Holdsworth) in January and we hit it off and have been in contact since then. "It is a bit of a relief to get signed up because a lot of contracts are up at this time of year. "A lot of clubs say they want to go for younger players, but you sometimes need experience and I will bring that whether I am in the team or not." ---------------- Armstrong's Stags ambition CHAD.co.uk, 11 June 2009, By Stephen Thirkill MANSFIELD Town has today (Friday) signed experienced midfielder Craig Armstrong. http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Armstrong39s-Stags-ambition.5359308.jp The former Nottingham Forest trainee and Huddersfield Town player becomes the ninth signing of a busy summer at Field Mill. He follows Steven Istead earlier this week and Paul Heckingbottom, Gary Mills, Tim Sandercombe, Daryl Clare, Luke Graham, Luke Jones and Jake Speight earlier this summer. Armstrong (34), who made 49 appearances at the City Ground, spent the latter half of last season playing for Blue Square Premier rivals Kidderminster Harriers. Speaking after he put pen to paper Armstrong told Chad he hoped to win the Conference title with Mansfield Town. "I am here to win the league with Mansfield Town, we have to aim to win the league this season and have ambition. It doesn't matter how old you are you still want to win medals and win games. "I was part of the Burton set up last year and also Kidderminster who were going for the play-offs and it is great to be part of a winning team. "I spoke to the club in January about signing but the timing wasn't right. "Once I knew the opportunity had come up again I didn't think twice about joining the club. "The squad is big with a great blend of youth and experience and is very versatile. "That is an important quality at this level because different teams will throw up many different challenges. "It is a long season and a good squad is needed. It is a really exciting challenge ahead. This is a big club and I hope to bring my experience to help take the club forward." First team coach Gareth Holmes also spoke of his delight and said Armstrong would bring many options to the Stags squad. "Craig has played at higher levels and that shows the ambition and quality we are bringing to this club. "He will bring a lot to our squad and help us to lay the foundations of where we want to take this club "Conference football is about being versatile and having an in-depth squad to face a long season." And the latest signings may not be the last of the close season, with Holmes confirming boss David Holdsworth is still on the look out for one or two more players. --------------- Stags close in on ninth summer signing Evening Post, June 11, 2009 MANSFIELD are closing in on their ninth signing of the summer in the shape of midfielder Craig Armstrong, the Evening Post understands. http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/nonleague/Stags-close-ninth-summer-signing/article-1070547-detail/article.html The well-travelled 34-year-old former Forest trainee is a veteran of more than 400 senior appearances with 13 different clubs. The South Shields-born player spent the latter half of last season playing for Blue Square Premier rivals Kidderminster Harriers Armstrong made 49 appearances at the City Ground, although a chunk pf tjose were as a substitute. He cost Huddersfield Town £750,000 in 1999. ---------------------- |
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