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Archived News from December 2011

CONNOR LEAVES, FREEMAN EXTENDS
4th December 2011 18:36


Connor makes decision to go part-time
Thursday 1 December 2011
http://www.mansfieldtown.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~2533930,00.html

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Stags striker Connor departs
Nottingham Post, Thursday, December 01, 2011

MANSFIELD Town striker Paul Connor has today left Field Mill to join Blue Square Bet North outfit Gainsborough Trinity on a part-time basis.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Stags-striker-Connor-departs/story-14010663-detail/story.html

The move will allow Connor time to explore alternatives outside football, along with spending additional time with his young family.

"I've got one eye open on various possibilities after football and I want to be playing more matches at my age," said the 32-year-old, who signed in July 2010 on a free transfer from Lincoln City.

"After speaking with the manager (Paul Cox), he reluctantly agreed that this was the best decision for me and my family, and I would like to thank him for his understanding.

"I've had a great 18 months here and will leave with some good memories.

"I would like to wish the club every success - it will be the first result I look out for on a Saturday afternoon."

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Trinity add Stags striker
Thursday 1 December 2011

http://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/sport/local-sport/trinity_add_stags_striker_1_4023851

GAINSBOROUGH Trinity have added Mansfield Town striker Paul Connor to the ranks, ahead of this weekend's visit to Corby.

The veteran has made just four starts for Stags in the Blue Square Premier this season, adding to 11 appearances from the bench.

Connor, 31, joined Mansfield from Lincoln City in 2010 and has scored 89 goals in his 307-game career.

The signing ends the Blues' desperate search for a striker having scored just four times in their last six outings.

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Mansfield Town extend loan deal of Nottingham Forest defender Kieron Freeman
chad.co.uk, Thursday 1 December 2011

DEFENDER Kieron Freeman says he wants to show Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cotterill what he can do following a one month extension to his Mansfield Town loan deal.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town-fc/mansfield_town_extend_loan_deal_of_nottingham_forest_defender_kieron_freeman_1_4023016?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Freeman has impressed during his four games at the club so far and says he was delighted to put pen to paper for another month.

“I'm over the moon to be here for longer,”he said. “I have really enjoyed my time here, there is a great bunch of lads at the club.

“The Mansfield fans are really passionate and it is great to be playing in the first-team instead of the reserves.

“Reserve team football doesn't mean a lot, it is about getting form and fitness rather than results, it is not like having three points to play for.

“We are a good team and just need a win to get the ball rolling, once we win we will be hard to stop. I think there is a lot more to come from Mansfield Town.

“You get less time on the ball at this level and playing for Mansfield Town is a great chance for me and a stepping stone in my career.”

And as well as a regular run of games, Freeman is also hoping for some stability at Nottingham Forest to help improve his chances of making the step up to Championship football.

“It has been hard at Nottingham Forest this season with all the changes to the managers,”he said. “You work hard to impress one manager and get noticed but then a new manager comes in and you have to start the proccess all over again.

“I want to show Forest and the boss what I can do and hopefully my performances here are filtering back to them.”

Stags boss Paul Cox also spoke of his delight after tying up the deal and said: “He is a player I want to follow carefully. Kieron has got the make up of someone who can be a very good player at a high level.

“He has come to Field Mill wanting to get something out of this loan deal and to improve as a player and become mentally stronger.

“During his time here he has worked hard and shown a strong mindset, we are delighted to extend his loan deal.”

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Forest youngster's loan at Stags to be extended
Nottingham Post, Thursday, December 01, 2011

KIERON Freeman's loan at Mansfield Town is to be extended by another month, manager Paul Cox has revealed.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/Forest-youngster-s-loan-Stags-extended/story-14010291-detail/story.html

The full-back's temporary stint was due to run out ahead of the Stags' home clash with Braintree on Saturday.

But Cox has spoken to the youngsters' parent club, Nottingham Forest, and the player is now set to stay put until into the New Year.

"I'm delighted because it's been great coming to Mansfield," said Freeman.

"It takes you a couple of days to settle in when you are a new player, but they are a great bunch of lads here and I feel at ease now.

"The fans are passionate and it's good to be playing in games that mean something. In reserves games some players are trying and others not."

Cox is equally pleased to agree an extension and said: "It was a straightforward decision.

"He's got everything needed to be a very good player at a higher level and he's been consistent for us."

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Stags boss Cox gets his man – eventually
Nottingham Post, Friday, December 02, 2011

KIERON Freeman almost missed out on a second month on loan at Mansfield Town – because boss Paul Cox struggled to get in touch.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-14019138-detail/story.html

The 19-year-old has impressed in his four games since joining the Stags in early November, making his debut in the 2-1 defeat to Cambridge United.

?That stint was due to expire ahead of tomorrow's home game with Braintree. But the loan has now been extended by a month – albeit after an initial hitch.

When Cox's club mobile was stolen, he lost some of his contact numbers and tried, in vain, to get hold of Freeman. It was only via his agent that he was eventually able to negotiate the extension.

"The lad texted me on Wednesday saying 'thanks very much for the loan.' I got straight back in touch and said: 'Hasn't your agent spoken to you? We want to keep you for another month!'

"You can come in and stroll around thinking you are too good for this level – and then you can get caught out.

"But Kieron has come in with a brilliant attitude and done all the horrible things well, as well as being a good footballer."

Meanwhile, striker Paul Connor is leaving Stags to join part-time club Gainsbrough Trinity of the Blue Square Bet North.

Cox said: "I had a chat last week and he said he was feeling the rigours of full-time training and playing.

"He could have sat on his contract until the end of the season, but that's the measure of the man he is."

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