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Archived News from July 2013

GREEN LIKELY TO SIGN FOR B'HAM / DEAKIN ON TRIAL
11th July 2013 23:30


Cox still awaiting decision from Green
mansfieldtown.net 1st July 2013

Manager Paul Cox has revealed that Matt Green has been made a ‘very good offer’ to stay at Mansfield Town as we prepare for our return to the Football League.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-still-awaiting-decision-from-green-887342.aspx?#oAimcvmtSkaZEpy7.99

The 26-year-old, who was top scorer in the Conference Premier last term, has been heavily linked with a move to Birmingham City, amongst others, throughout the summer.

However, with Green keeping his options open in regards to his future, our boss says that he is doing his utmost to keep the talisman at One Call Stadium.

Cox said: “We’ve made Matt a very good offer and he has stated that if he isn’t going to sign for Birmingham, he wants to come back here.

“But from what I can gather, Birmingham are still very keen to sign him.

“I understand Matt’s desire to play at the highest level possible and I’ll be respectful of whatever he decides, but I’ve got to do what is best for Mansfield Town Football Club.

“Signing a striker is our main priority, but there isn’t a huge panic because we’re aware that there are a number of good players out there.

“At the moment, we’re talking to a number of clubs, representatives and players, so I’m hopeful that something will happen soon.

“I’ve already spoken to five good centre-forwards, who I believe would be good additions to our side, and we‘ve missed out on Calvin Zola, who has signed for an SPL team.

“As long as we get someone in before the start of the season, I’ll be happy,” added Cox.

Meanwhile, our boss has also confirmed that shot-stopper Ian Deakin, who played for Buxton last season, is training with the squad

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twitter.com/StephenThirkill (CHAD) 1st July 2013

Mansfield Town have taken young Buxton goalkeeper Ian Deakin on trial. Paul Cox rates the shot-stopper highly #stags

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twitter.com/CharlieSlater15 (BBC Nottingham) 1st July 2013

#stags manager Paul Cox says there's an 8 out of 10 chance that Matt Green will join Birmingham City
Cox also told me that Green says if he doesn't sign for Birmingham then he will re-sign with the #stags

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Matt Green: Birmingham favourites to sign Mansfield striker
bbc.co.uk, 1st July 2013

Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox says it is "likely" that Matt Green will join Championship side Birmingham City.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23132357?

The 26-year-old striker is out of contract and spent time on trial with Blues this summer.
Although the Stags have offered last season's top scorer a deal, Cox expects Green to leave.
"Judging by how he has been talking, he is likely to sign for Birmingham. We have been planning for life without Matt," Cox told BBC Radio Nottingham.
Green scored 57 times in two seasons with the Stags and played a vital role in helping them win promotion back to the Football League last season.
"Birmingham have put in an offer in front of him and they are still talking. I am not sure if Matt has accepted it or not," Cox added.
"Matt wants to play in the Championship. We made a very good offer, but I think it is more down to ambition rather than the financial aspect.
"He has (also) spoken to a number of League One clubs, but he said if he doesn't sign for Birmingham he will come back here."

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Cox Remains Keen On Green
mansfield103.co.uk, Monday 1st July, 2013

Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox says the club are continuing to wait to find out if star striker Matt Green will pen a new deal at the One Call Stadium.

http://www.mansfield103.co.uk/sport/story/?n=2469&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Green, who is now out of contract, has attracted approaches from a number of clubs - mostly League One teams - after being the Stags' top goalscorer for the past two seasons.

But, it looks as though there is now only one Championship side standing in the way of Green staying in North Nottinghamshire.

At today's press conference, Cox told Mansfield 103.2: "I spoke to him this morning and Birmingham are still really keen.

"It's an ambition thing for him. He wants to play at the highest level and I respect that.

"I know our chairman has made him a very good offer and Matt admits that and he's stated that if he wasn't going to sign for Birmingham he would want to come back here."

Meanwhile, Cox says he is now talking to a handful of strikers as he looks to strengthen the frontline ahead of the club's return to the Football League.

And, Buxton's Ian Deakin is training with the Stags at the moment as Cox looks for a second keeper alongside Alan Marriott.

The 25-year-old played for Cox at his previous club, Eastwood Town, before moving to the Bucks last year.

Meanwhile, the squad are getting ready to fly out to Malta tomorrow morning for their pre-season trip.

Cox says that, whilst out there, the players will be training two times a day, morning and night, ahead of Saturday's opening friendly with local side, the Naxxar Lions.

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Boss says trip is no ‘jolly-up’ as Mansfield Town head for a week in Malta
chad.co.uk, 02 July 2013

Mansfield Town headed off for a week Malta early this morning with manager Paul Cox promising it was no ‘jolly-up’.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/boss-says-trip-is-no-jolly-up-as-mansfield-town-head-for-a-week-in-malta-1-5817389

He said Stags will train twice daily ahead of their first pre-season friendly against Naxxar Lions, who have just been promoted to the Maltese Premier Division as champions, this Saturday.

Cox hopes he will still be there for the game - but wife Natasha is due to give birth this week and Cox knows he could get a call at any time.

“Working in Malta will be a pleasure and should be embraced by the players - but we are not there for a jolly-up,” said Cox. “We will be working extremely hard and players will go there with the right mindset.

“We know we are very lucky the chairman has allowed us to do this. Because of the heat, players will be up really early for breakfast and training before it gets too hot.

“Then at night we will train again building up to the game on Saturday.

“After all the running since we came back, the footballs will finally come out again in Malta which will please them as one or two have probably forgotten what they look like. We do have a 3G surface to train on, but there will be a lot of road running and hill running too.”

He added: “We don’t know to much about the Naxxar Lions. But I am not worries about the the score, it’s all about fitness and getting conditioned for the season.

“I hope we will get as many Stags fans as we can to come out and see us working hard. The lads will get time for a chat and cup of tea with the supporters.”

However, all the time he is out there, Cox knows he could become a father again.

“Deciding to come here was tough, but it is my job. There are a number of flights to get back on if need be and I hope I will be back in time if anything does happen this week.

“I do want to see the birth of my second daughter. But you have to pay the mortgage and sometimes you have to make sacrifices. If she is going to be a Cox she will probably be a week late anyway.”

Stags still have no idea if goal ace Matt Green will sign a new deal.

Championship club Birmingham City are said to still be keen on signing him after a trial there.

League One clubs are also sniffing around, but ambitious Green has promised Stags that unless it is the right move for his career, he would love to stay.

“With League contracts ending I think you will see a lot more movement in the market now,” said Cox. “All we need is the final parts to our jigsaw with strikers our main priority.

“There is no massive panic. I am talking to a few and will be on my phone in Malta.”

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Latest | July 2013