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Archived News from July 2013

STAGS SIGN SAM CLUCAS
1st July 2013 17:38


Stags sign winger Clucas
mansfieldtown.net 21st June 2013

We are pleased to announce that we have completed the signing of winger Sam Clucas.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/stags-sign-winger-clucas-875721.aspx#zaGfYZOKirMQxwZm.99

The 22-year-old, who made 41 league appearances for Hereford side last season, primarily plays on the left-hand side of midfield, but can operate elsewhere.

Delighted with having captured Clucas’ signature, manager Paul Cox said: “In Sam, we have signed an offensive player who will add a lot of quality to our play in the final third.

“He’s a young boy who I feel has the potential to play at a very high level in the game if he continues his learning curve,” added our boss.

Born in Lincoln, Clucas began his career in the academy ranks at Leicester City and spent six years with The Foxes, before leaving the King Power Stadium aged 16.

He spent time at Central Midlands League side Nettleham in the 2008/09 campaign, whilst also studying Sports Development at Lincoln College during the week.

The youngster was offered the chance of a scholarship in the United States, but after a successful trial period he joined Lincoln City on a one-year deal in August 2009.

After making only a handful of appearances, Clucas was released by The Imps in June 2010, but he soon penned a deal with Spanish outfit Jerez Industrial.

It wasn’t long before his talents were spotted by Hereford United, who swooped to take him to Edgar Street midway through the 2011/12 campaign.

Clucas will report for pre-season training along with the rest of our first team squad next week

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Clucas pleased with Stags move
mansfieldtown.net 24th June 2013

Winger Sam Clucas says that a conversation with former Mansfield Town full-back Luke O’Neill helped persuade him to make the move to One Call Stadium.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/clucas-pleased-with-stags-move-877806.aspx#1S4DcePTLDVKkOfV.99

The 22-year-old, who is friends with O’Neill from their days in Leicester City’s youth ranks, signed for us last week after making 44 appearances for Hereford United last term.

“I spoke to Luke O’Neill, who I know from my days at Leicester, before I made the decision to come here, and he had nothing but praise for the club,” said Clucas.

“I’m from Lincoln, so I already know a little bit about the club, but it seems to have a good management team, good facilities and good support.

“My first impressions have all been positive and all the players were very welcoming in my first training session too, so I can’t wait to get my Mansfield Town career started.”

In the penultimate clash of our title-winning Conference Premier season, Clucas teased and tormented our side as we earned a priceless victory at Hereford United.

The tricky winger, who scooped the prestigious ‘Player of the Year’ award at Edgar Street last term, operated on the left flank that night, but can also play elsewhere.

He continued: “It’s only over the past year that I’ve been playing on the left-wing. Martin Foyle [Hereford manager] switched me to that position and I enjoyed it.

“I played up front for six years during my youth career and I’ve played on the right side before too. So, if needed, I can play anywhere across the front four really.”

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Interview with Clucas when he was at Jerez Industrial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=V1Lbnr1blFA

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Sam Clucas Leaves Hereford United For Mansfield
JUNE 24, 2013, by ANDY WHITE
http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/conference-premier-step-two/6615/sam-clucas-leaves-hereford-united-for-mansfield/

HEREFORD UNITED have confirmed that midfielder Sam Clucas has left Edgar Street to join Mansfield Town.

The former Leicester City trainee had a very impressive 2012/13 campaign with the Bulls, scoring nine times in 44 appearances as they secured a sixth-place finish in the Conference Premier.

His club form earned him a call up to the England C side for their recent game in Bermuda and he played all 90 minutes of the convincing 6-1 win.

Clucas, 22, was offered a new deal by Hereford boss Martin Foyle but turned it down in favour of moving into the Football League.

League One side Crewe were interested in signing him but were unable to afford bringing him to Cheshire.

Mansfield had no such financial worries but must pay Hereford a compensation fee for Clucas’ services as he was offered re-engagement of his contract and is under 24.

That fee will be decided at an independent tribunal to be held in the coming weeks

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18th June 2013
twitter.com/mansfieldtownfc

Stags are 'very close' to completing the signing of left winger Sam Clucas, says boss Paul Cox.

Paul Cox says he has had a positive conversation with Matt Green today regarding his future. The striker is currently in Tenerife.

Stags have missed out on a player to a SPL club today, manager Paul Cox has revealed.
(comment by Martin - this player is believed to be Calvin Zola, who has joined Aberdeen, and who was also chased by Notts County).


twitter.com/StephenThirkill (CHAD)
#Stags boss Paul Cox says travelling time and not money is why they beat League One Crewe to the signature of Hereford winger Sam Clucas.

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Coup as Stags pip Crewe to signature of Sam Clucas
chad.co.uk 19 June 2013

Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox has said travelling time and not money were the reason why Mansfield Town beat League One Crewe Alexandra to the signature of Hereford United winger Sam Clucas.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/coup-as-stags-pip-crewe-to-signature-of-sam-clucas-1-5780930?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

The 22-year-old agreed to the deal while on holiday and was due in to ‘dot the i’s and cross the t’s’ on his contract this week.

Crewe assistant boss Neil Baker told their local press the Alex were ‘blown out of the water’ by the finances of the deal Clucas had agreed with the Stags.

Baker told the Crewe Chronicle that the former Lincoln trainee had been a big part of their plans for the coming season, but the Stags put an offer to him that they had no chance of competing with.

However, Cox said: “Some of the things that have been said in the media are painfully untrue and Sam wanted to come here because of our location.

“He did have League One clubs in for him, but the travelling would have been a bit too much. It was Sam who rang us and wanted to come here.

“I am learning about the skullduggery that goes on in the League. I think other clubs should concentrate on their own club and not comment about other club’s financial issues. We are going to have to learn quickly about the League and how people work. If we have to be like other people to survive and progress then so be it.

“It has been quite a learning curve so far, dealing with different people. Some do things differently and probably not the way I would like to do things.”

He added: “We have agreed everything with Sam and now it’s just the formalities. Initially we were told Sam wanted to play League One football. But he only lives 25 minutes from us and didn’t want long commutes. We are pleased to get him as he is a fabulous footballer. The deal is 100 per cent sealed, it’s just about the formalities.”

Cox revealed he had missed out on signing Burton striker Calvin Zola after the Zaire-born hitman chose to sign for Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier Division.

“He would have been massive for us,” said Cox. “I thought we were in with a chance. But we have got to understand that we are now bottom of the pile instead of being at the top of the non-League game.

“We are going to lose some players, not about finances, but about their ambition to play at as high a level as possible. I would never question a player’s morals or ethics as that is what drives us to be at the highest level possible.”

However, Cox still has a wealth of striker talent on his radar and added that Matt Green - his top scorer from the past two seasons - could yet return to the club.

“I had a really positive conversation with Matt again this week,” he said. “He is out at a fitness training camp in Tenerife. I know his heart is with us, but there are a number of clubs chasing his signature and he has to do what is best for Matt Green.”

Centre halves John Dempster and Ryan Tafazolli have both signed their Football League contracts this week.

Cox was delighted with the fitness levels of his players who came in for early ‘MOTs’ this week.

He also said he may add a couple more pre-season friendlies after two offers from League clubs this week.

The released Andy Owens, who spent much of last season on loan at Southport after failing to win a place, has joined AFC Telford United

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Clucas Deal Confirmed
Tuesday 18th June 2013 mansfield103.co.uk

Mansfield Town have confirmed that they are on the verge of signing Hereford midfielder Sam Clucas.

http://www.mansfield103.co.uk/sport/story/?n=2442&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The Stags have beaten off a number of clubs to get the highly-rated 22-year-old to come to the One Call Stadium.

The deal will be formally concluded once Clucas comes back off holiday and boss Paul Cox is delighted to have him on board.

He told Mansfield 103.2 at this afternoon's press conference: "I was quite shocked how it came about, to be quite honest, as we'd been told that he wanted to play in League One.

"But, he didn't want to commute and, because we're only 25 minutes away from his house, it put us in pole position.

"So, we're quite lucky because he's a fabulous footballer."

Cox admitted that he felt uneasy that the story broke in the national media before everything had been concluded, adding: "It's another thing that happens more now we're in the Football League with it sneaking out into the press.

"It happens, there's nothing we can do about it but, yes, he'll be with us next season."

And, it was also announced that John Dempster and Ryan Tafazolli - the two players left to sign the new Football League contracts offered to them by the club - have completed the paperwork on their new deals.

Meanwhile, the Stags manager revealed that he has had productive talks today with Matt Green in his attempt to keep the club's top scorer for the last two seasons at the One Call Stadium.

And, Cox says he has missed out on a striker who has decided to join a Scottish Premier League club instead.

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Foyle Agreed Clucas Crewe Deal
Wed 19 Jun 2013 , Author: Jamie Griffiths

Read more at http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/news/article/foyle-agreed-clucas-deal-with-crewe-873331.aspx#52K70KWDT3oJALtb.99

From our point of view the deal was signed and sealed with Crewe Martin Foyle, Wed 19 Jun 2013

Martin Foyle has revealed that he had agreed a deal with Crewe to sign Sam Clucas.

Clucas is now expected to sign for Conference Champions Mansfield Town, but Foyle has revealed that he had agreed a deal with Crewe to sign the Bulls wideman.

"We'd been speaking to Crewe for a while over them signing Sam, he played well for us last season and deserved to make the step up into League football."

"From our point of view the deal was signed and sealed. Crewe had apparently agreed a deal with Sam and were letting him go out and play for England C, as he obviously needed to be a non-league player, and then signing him on his return."

"But it seems that Mansfield have jumped in there, offered him something better and hijacked the deal."

"I've not heard anything from Mansfield, they've not been in touch at all so it will be another one that goes to a tribunal."

Foyle also expressed his disappointment with the FIFA ruling that allows U23s to join Scottish clubs without going to a tribunal, where as English clubs can only sign 24 year olds.

"I just don't see why there is a different age limit. If Marley had joined an English club they'd have been forced to pay something, but Scottish clubs are allowed to pick players up a year earlier without the worry of paying a fee."

"We might still be entitled to some form of training compensation for him, but it won't be anywhere near as much as we'd have got from a proper tribunal."

"Not only is it not fair on us, I don't think it's fair on other English clubs who are forced to pay-up or miss out. It's obvious to me that it needs to be a level playing field."

Ryan Bowman's move to York City is also set to go to a tribunal.

"I've not heard from the FA about dates, we don't really know the time scales, but we're putting our case together for each of the players and will see what we get."

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EARLIER STORIES:

Crewe "Blown Out The Water" By Mansfield Clucas Deal
By Bobo, MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2013
http://bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/crewe-blown-out-water-by-mansfield.html

Crewe assistant boss Neil Baker has told the local press the Alex were 'blown out of the water' by the finances of the deal Bulls winger Sam Clucas has agreed with Mansfield.

Baker told the Crewe Chronicle that the former Lincoln trainee had been a big part of their plans for the coming season, but the Stags put an offer to him that they had no chance of competing with.

The League One side have also lost out on the services of departing Aldershot forward Danny Hylton, with Rotherham also outgunning them financially.

Clucas is expected to sign the deal at Field Mill when he returns from holiday

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Sam Clucas agrees two-year deal to join Mansfield Town
June 12, 2013

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8772358/Transfer-news-Sam-Clucas-agrees-two-year-deal-to-join-Mansfield-Town

Sky Sports understands Sam Clucas has agreed to join Mansfield Town from Hereford United in a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old midfielder enjoyed a fine Conference campaign with the Bulls and has been targeted by Mansfield on their return to the Football League.

The youngster is to be rewarded with a two-year deal at Field Mill after impressing manager Paul Cox.

Clucas spent time with Leicester City in his youth and has worked his way back into the professional game after spending time with the Glenn Hoddle Academy.

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Reports suggest that Hereford United player-of-the-year Sam Clucas has agreed a two-year deal to join Mansfield Town
http://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/10479842.Reports_suggest_that_Hereford_United_player_of_the_year_Sam_Clucas_has_agreed_a_two_year_deal_to_join_Mansfield_Town/?ref=rss

12th June 2013, By Paul Rogers

HEREFORD United's player-of-the-year Sam Clucas has agreed to join Mansfield Town, according to national reports.

Sky Sport News has said that the 22-year-old midfielder, who earned rave reviews at Edgar Street last season, is set to put pen-to-paper on a two year deal at Field Mill.

Mansfield were promoted to League Two last season after winning the Conference and Clucas is said to have impressed manager Paul Cox

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Alex to miss another target
Read more: http://www.crewe.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=321630#ixzz2W19J3uM3

Crewe Alexandra target Sam Clucas could be on his way to Football League newcomers Mansfield Town.

The 22-year-old Hereford United midfielder is ready to sign a two-year deal at Field Mill, according to latest reports.

Lincoln-born Clucas is said to have impressed Stags manager Paul Cox on their way to winning the Conference title last season. He was subsequently rewarded by being named as player-of-the-year at Edgar Street following nine goals in 44 games.

The Alex already missed out on another of their summer targets when winger Marvin Johnson agreed a new deal at Kidderminster Harriers earlier this week.

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earlier story:
Crewe Eye Clucas A Sly Fox & Bull Who Also Slipped Imps Net.
JUN 4, by savethemightyimps

Crewe Alexander look set to sign ex-Leicester City, Imp and Hereford United midfielder and player of the year Sam Clucas. Sam may have failed to make the grade at Leicester City after 6 years as a youth, but never gave up, choosing instead to study Sports Development at Lincoln college, funded by a job at Debenhams, before being signed by Jacko at Lincoln. He then spent most of his time at the Imps running around a pitch with Richard Butcher, as a fellow Chris Sutton outcast, before moving on to Hereford to become Captain at just 21.

Thanks for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs

http://savethemightyimps.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/crewe-eye-clucas-a-sly-fox-bull-who-also-slipped-imps-net/

Sam’s 9 goals from 44 appearances for the Bulls, 5 in the last 6 games including a beautiful brace at Telford on the final day, was a tremendous, thoroughly deserved triumph last year. At just 21, he had kept the faith, harnessed his frustration and delivered. Sam, a box-to-box midfielder, played mainly on the wing last term, takes his chances and has a shot that reminds one of a now departed player, who was there when he needed someone, to keep his flickering football candle burning. A move to Crewe will further unlock his undoubted technique, but when it comes to determination he is out on his own, well almost…….

The late Richard Butcher had plenty of pearls of wisdom for the young lad, as the two were cut off from the main squad and forced to endlessly run around the training ground. He kept the young lads spirits up at a time when the harsher side of football life threatened a driven lads career. Signed by Jacko, who described him as ‘a real find’, the ex-Lincoln College lad, was destined to become little more than a publicity stunt, facing the ‘moving on’ process despite not being given a chance to show his ability. His choice to turn down a scholarship in the States for Lincoln, appeared to be a wrong one.

Richard often talked of their time together. With Sutton keen to free up the budget, the endless runs and isolation from the squad is a time honoured psychological way to force a player out. This would ensure a player either elects to move to another club or commit a breach of contract that would benefit the club. Fines of up to two weeks wages or the ability to negotiate a reduced severance deal allow the club to save money, needed to fund loans or even a new signing. People will think Sutton harsh, but in truth he was following the tricks of the trade.

Sam managed just 63 minutes for the Imps in the Trophy against Darlington. Missing the cut was as rough as the decision to axe him at the Foxes, after 6 years, despite making it at the Leicester City Academy during the previous 5. He and Richard found out about being transfer listed via the media over the weekend and things came to a head on the Monday morning. The management team asked everyone how their weekend had gone, to which Richard replied, ” Fine other than finding out that I had been transfer listed thanks to the internet”.

Sam was a determined lad who was keen to hone his skills. Neither breached their contracts, with the two forming a brother-in arms bond. Richard also shared the skills he had learned, with the lad keen to build on his strength and stamina as well as passing, movement and shooting, key elements for a box-to-box midfielder player. Richard rated Sam’s natural fitness and technique things, he himself, had been singled out for when Sutton first arrived at Lincoln. He was also impressed with the lads drive and keenness to stay beyond the required time, in what was to all intents and purposes a training regime designed to move both players on.

Sam spent a little time at Lincoln Moorelands before joining the Glenn Hoddle Academy. Here he continued to learn, under the stewardship of Nigel Spackman, Graham Rix and Dave Beasant, getting outings for Jerez Industrial in the Primera Andaluza League. The club had escaped bankruptcy thanks to £160k loan and the signing of a 5-year deal with The Glenn Hoddle Academy.

Sam signed for Hereford in 2011. The club were relegated but, despite struggling financially the Bulls finished 6th, one place and 10 points off the play-offs. Sam like many of the players put their careers before their pay-packets as the wage-run was missed in March and April. Sam will command a compensation fee like Vadaine Oliver as he has been offered a deal by Martin Foyle who rates him highly. He made him an ever-present in the side last year and turned him into a winger. In another twist of fate Richard was changed from a winger to a midfielder by Brian Talbot at Rushden. Even though he would never start a game for the Diamonds, certain influences can shape a career for good.

Good luck Sam, you have always earned your right to play

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Latest | July 2013