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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from February 2011

DEADLINEDAY-IN:SPENCE,MOULT,GROF;OUT:SOMNER,WILLMS
7th February 2011 14:12


Russ's deadline day summary
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 31 Jan 2011

Manager Duncan Russell speaks to mansfieldtown.net on today's comings and goings at Field Mill.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2281110,00.html

As another transfer window comes to a close, the Gaffer reflects on today's two departures and two arrivals.

This morning we announced that midfielders Ryan Williams and Matt Somner have both been released. Russ said that this decision was mutual whilst going on to pay tribute to their professionalism.

He added: "It was a mutual decision - they were happy to go and we were happy to release them.

"It was in my remit when the Chairman appointed me to reduce the squad which I have done with Mills and Duffy both leaving and letting go the loan players Steve Cook, Simon Grand, Peter Vincenti and Kevin Pilkington.

"I would like to thank them both for their service to the club though. Matt and Ryan have been nothing but professional and I wish them all the best in their future careers."

In terms of additions to the squad, the services of Stoke striker Louis Moult and free agent defender Dan Spence were secured today. Russ said that he is delighted to have captured two players following the disappointment of seeing his efforts to sign Lee Hendrie and Leon Knight come to nothing.

He said: "Spence was brought in on recommendation. He has played in Spain at Glenn Hoddle's academy so he is well versed in football.

"He's a very tidy player and extremely versatile. He can do a job in midfield and left back in addition to his preferred role at right back.

"I wanted to bring in a right back to give Gary Silk some competition. I have always said that I want to create some healthy competition in the side and have players looking over their shoulders in order to get the best out of them.

"Louis Moult has had four or five games for Stoke. He's a young lad but a typical Pulis player - he will work hard and is a very mobile striker.

"I've been offered a number of other strikers, some proven scorers, but I wanted someone more useful. The thing you will get with Moult is that he is hungry to make a name for himself.

"It's a good deal for us because Stoke were happy for us to have him for a month and he has some experience of the Premiership.

"It's a very difficult time for managers. Players have slipped through the net like Leon Knight who I tried to bring in last week and Lee Hendrie before that but you have just got to keep on going."

Finally, Russ did not rule out further forays into the transfer market by reminding supporters that we are still free to sign non contract players at any time. He also said that efforts were still being made to bring in a goalkeeper.

"I would still like to bring in a few others. There are a number of non contract players who are keen to come to this club and we can sign them anytime.

"We will also see what happens with the Kevin Pilkington situation. I would like to sort something out in terms of bringing in a 'keeper and that one is with the Chief Executive now."

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Stags boss looks to young signings
Evening Post

DUNCAN Russell believes the youthful enthusiasm of new signings Louis Moult and Dan Spence can make them hits at Mansfield Town.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Stags-boss-looks-young-signings/article-3164707-detail/article.html?

Striker Moult, 18, has signed on a month's loan from Stoke City, which could be extended if things go well.

Former Reading trainee and right-back Spence, 21, has joined until the end of the season after a trial, having previously been in Spain at the Glenn Hoddle Academy.

Russell is delighted to have made his first captures as Mansfield boss, having previously missed out on James Dance, Lee Hendrie and Leon Knight.

"I have been offered a lot of strikers but I like the fact I have got a young player in Louis," said Russell.

"It's not a panic 'buy' after missing out on Leon Knight. As I have said all along, some of the best deals are done on the last day when you have been patient.

"Louis is very fit and works very hard and he's really eager to do well. He's what you would expect for a striker who is in a Tony Pulis squad and the fact they have signed him up for two years tells you a lot.

"It's the same with Dan. He's hungry. He wants to prove himself, being on a short-term contract.

"It's good for the club and it's good for him because it gives us the chance to have a look at each other.

"He will give Gary Silk some competition and he's versatile as well, giving us cover at left-back and in midfield."

A busy transfer deadline day saw Ryan Williams and Matt Somner released by the Stags.

The club tried to bring back Kevin Pilkington until the end of the season from Luton, while also giving him coaching duties. They were also looking at bringing in another keeper.

And Russell is looking at other non-contract players who can be signed outside the transfer window as free agents

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New keeper signs loan deal
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 31 Jan 2011
Notts County goalkeeper David Grof has become our latest new arrival.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2281481,00.html?

The 21-year-old comes highly rated at Meadow Lane and joins us on loan until the end of the season.

Currently the Magpies' third choice shotstopper, Grof follows striker Louis Moult and right back Dan Spence as the third new arrival at Field Mill on a busy transfer deadline day with his paperwork being completed shortly before the 11pm cut off.

Hungarian-born, the promising youngster joined County on a one year deal in July having previously played for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.

He was sent out on loan to Tamworth earlier this season to pick up some valuable experience before being recalled by Paul Ince following an injury to Robert Burch.

He will provide good competition with Neil Collett for the no.1 jersey whilst first choice glovesman Alan Marriott continues to be sidelined through a long standing groin problem

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Russ captures Spence
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 31 Jan 2011

Manager Duncan Russell has added defender Dan Spence to the squad until the end of the season.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2280902,00.html

The former Reading right back has BSBP experience after featuring for Salisbury throughout 2009 prior to a move to Glenn Hoddle's soccer academy in Spain.

Russ was impressed by what he saw in a trial organised by Glenn Hoddle and the player's agent George Foster and has allocated Spence squad number 20.

As the ink was still drying on his contract, the 21-year-old exclusively told mansfieldtown.net: "Glenn Hoddle and George Foster, who used to be manager here, both knew Duncan Russell and got me a trial here last week. Luckily Duncan saw something in me that he wanted until the end of the season.

"At the moment the goal is to play some football. I've been out of the professional game for 18 months and I think Mansfield Town is the perfect place to do it.

"The guys are a good bunch of lads and I look forward to working with them."

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VIDEO: Spence on Field Mill arrival --->
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2281000,00.html

mansfieldtown.net, Mon 31 Jan 2011

Our latest signing Daniel Spence speaks exclusively to mansfieldtown.net.

The 21-year-old right back joins us on a non-contract deal until the end of the season following a successful trial last week.

Dan Spence is in conversation with our Head of Media & Communications Mark Stevenson

The former Reading trainee has been at Glenn Hoddle's football academy since his release from The Royals in 2009 and said: "I've been in Spain for the last 18 months at the Glenn Hoddle Academy. The idea is to get back into football for boys who have been released.

"There was no partying out there as such, it was about getting your head down and hopefully getting a club.

"Glenn Hoddle and George Foster, who used to be manager here, both knew Duncan Russell and got me a trial here last week. Luckily Duncan saw something in me that he wanted until the end of the season.

"The guys here are a good bunch of lads and I look forward to working with them.

"Before the academy I was signed at Reading. They are my hometown football club and I was there from being a trainee and a scholar to a first year professional.

"All the young lads there had jobs and unfortunately I was Steve Coppell's tea boy. It was good fun though."

Asked about what qualities Spence thought he would bring to the side, he added: "I like to see myself as an attacking right back. I have lots of energy so I like to get forward and get crosses into the box.

"I consider myself not to bad at one on ones and hopefully I can bring that to the side.

"At the moment the goal is to play some football. I've been out of the professional game for 18 months and I think Mansfield Town FC is the perfect place to do it."

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Mansfield's Spence ready for right-back battle with Silk
Evening Post, 3 Feb 2011

DAN Spence is determined to make the most of his second crack at English professional football – but admits he faces a considerable obstacle in Gary Silk to do it.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Mansfield-s-Spence-ready-right-battle-Silk/article-3179324-detail/article.html?

The 21-year-old right-back signed for the Stags on Monday – along with Stoke striker Louis Moult and Notts County goalkeeper David Grof – having spent 18 months at the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain.

Former Reading trainee Spence has already had the chance to get to know his team-mates after a short trial.

And after impressing manager Duncan Russell enough to earn a deal until the end of the season, he is hoping to land a longer contract.

To do so, he will have to dislodge Mansfield's longest-serving player in Silk, who will be keen to hold onto his shirt, having been briefly dislodged by loan signing Steve Cook.

"What happens for me at Mansfield all depends on this last three months of the season – how many games I play and if I do well," said Spence.

"It would be great to win a contract at the end of the season but if it doesn't come here then I will have to move on.

"It's not going to be an easy task to get in the team because Gary Silk is a very good player with a lot of experience.

"I'm sure he has been doing his stuff but if an opportunity arises, then I have to take it.

"I know the gaffer has said the team will be picked on merit and that's good to hear – that's the way it should be."

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Stags land striker
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 31 Jan 201
Stoke City forward Louis Moult has signed for us on a month's loan.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2280885,00.html

The highly-rated 18-year-old joins us until February 28th and will be eligible to feature in four league matches and Saturday's FA Trophy tie against Alfreton in that time.

After graduating through the Potters' Academy, Moult has made one senior appearance for Tony Pulis' men and has most recently been on loan at League Two Bradford, where he scored one goal in 10 appearances earlier this season.

In a twist of fate, Louis's older brother Jake plays for Alfreton and could line up in The Reds' midfield against us this Saturday.

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Moult joins Mansfield
bradfordcityfc.co.uk, Tue 01 Feb 2011
Former Bantams loanee Louis Moult has joined Blue Square Bet Premier side Mansfield Town on a month's loan.

http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/News/0,,10266~2281628,00.html?

Moult's move to Field Mill was one of three transfer deadline day signings made by the Stags on a busy day for the Nottinghamshire club.

The 18 year old Stoke City striker spent the first half of this season on loan at Valley Parade after signing for the Bantams in late July.

Moult made 15 appearances for Peter Taylor's side during his time at the Coral Windows Stadium, scoring his only City goal during the 5-0 romp of Oxford United back in October

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Forest Green Rovers net Matt Somner from Mansfield Town
BBC.co.uk

Forest Green have signed Mansfield Town midfielder Matt Somner on a free transfer, while the Stags have also released club captain Ryan Williams.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/9382443.stm?

Somner, 28, who has yet to pass his medical, moved to Field Mill from Notts County in August 2008 and made more than 60 appearances.

He has been on loan with Altrincham this season.

Williams, 32, joined the Stags from Weymouth in February 2009 and made 30 appearances last season.

But he has been out on loan at Gainsborough and has played just twice for the Stags this season.

Gary Mills, Rob Duffy and loanees Simon Grand, Peter Vincenti, Kevin Pilkington and Steve Cook have already left the Stags this month.

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Williams and Somner released
mansfieldtown.net, Mon 31 Jan 2011

Winger Ryan Williams and midfielder Matt Somner have today exited Field Mill.

http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2280632,00.html

They join Gary Mills, Rob Duffy and loanees Simon Grand, Peter Vincenti, Kevin Pilkington and Steve Cook in the list of players to depart this month.

Neither player was expected to feature in manager Duncan Russell's first team plans for the remainder of the season and they are now free to sign for another club following their release.

Ryan Williams has been with us since February 2009 after being snapped up from Weymouth by former manager David Holdsworth. Mansfield-born, the 32-year-old winger made over 30 appearances for us last season followed by a further two this season following on from a loan spell at Gainsborough. He now relinquishes his duties as club captain.

28-year-old Matt Somner joined us in August 2008 from near-neighbours Notts County and has made over 60 appearances in the amber and blue. The tough-tackling central midfielder had returned from a loan spell at Altrincham earlier this month after making nine appearances in the BSBP this season for the Moss Lane outfit.

We would like to thank both Ryan and Matt for all their efforts whilst at Field Mill and wish them all the best for the future

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Midfield duo shown the door by Mansfield Town
Evening Post, Mon 31 Jan 2011

WINGER Ryan Williams and midfielder Matt Somner have today left Mansfield Town.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/mansfieldtown/mansfieldtownnews/Midfield-duo-shown-door-Mansfield-Town/article-3163503-detail/article.html?

They join Gary Mills, Rob Duffy and loanees Simon Grand, Peter Vincenti, Kevin Pilkington and Steve Cook in the list of players to depart this month.

Neither player was expected to feature in manager Duncan Russell's first team plans for the remainder of the season.

They are now free to sign for another club following their release, with Tamworth and Altrincham keen on Somner.

Williams has been with the Stags since February 2009 after being snapped up from Weymouth by former manager David Holdsworth.

Mansfield-born, the 32-year-old winger made over 30 appearances for Mansfield last season.

But he has been limited to just two outings this term and spent a spell on loan at Blue Square Bet North side Gainsborough and relinquishes his duties as club captain on his exit.

Somner, 28, joined Mansfield in August 2008 from near-neighbours Notts County and has made over 60 appearances in the amber and blue.

The tough-tackling central midfielder had returned from a loan spell at Altrincham earlier this month after making nine appearances for the Moss Lane club.

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Rovers squeeze in Somner deal
thisisgloucestershire.co.uk, 2 Feb 2011

FOREST Green narrowly beat the transfer deadline to capture midfielder Matt Somner from Mansfield Town.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/football/Rovers-squeeze-Somner-deal/article-3170451-detail/article.html?

Somner, a former Welsh Under-21 international, was released from his contract at Field Mill on Monday and joins Rovers on a free transfer until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old began his career at local club Brentford before spells at Cambridge United, Bristol Rovers, Aldershot Town and Notts County.

He joined the Stags in the summer of 2008 and was a regular until earlier this season, when he was farmed out to Blue Square Bet Premier strugglers Altrincham on loan.

Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday had hoped to make two signings on deadline day but missed out on his second target – believed to be a wide player.

The window for emergency loans re-opens next week, and New Lawn fans can expect more movement in and out of the club.

Hockaday said: "We needed more experience and a little more belief and Matt is the leader and warrior my team needs.

"I had hoped to secure another player before the window closed, but the move the club wanted to take place was frustrated due to a suspension within the club the player was coming from.

"So that may now have to be considered as a possible emergency loan when the window re-opens on Monday."

Somner played alongside Rovers duo Luke Jones and Craig Armstrong at Mansfield and will add steel to the middle of the park following the departures of Lee and Mike Fowler.

Handed the number 28 shirt, he is likely to go straight into the starting line-up for this Saturday's crucial relegation clash at home to Hayes and Yeading United.

Mansfield have also released 32-year-old winger Ryan Williams, who had a spell on loan at Forest Green from Bristol Rovers in 2004/05.

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