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Archived News from June 2016

STAGS SIGN PAT HOBAN
28th June 2016 22:24


Stags add frontman to ranks
mansfieldtown.net, 23rd June 2016

We are pleased to announce the signing of former Oxford United striker Pat Hoban.

Hoban, 24, joins Adam Murray’s squad ahead of their return to pre-season training on Monday 27 June.

The frontman previously appeared over 40 times for Oxford in a two year spell as well as enjoying loan spells at Stevenage and Grimsby last season.

Hoban also played in Grimsby's recent 3-1 victory over Forest Green Rovers in the 2016 National League play-off Final at Wembley,

Born in the Republic of Ireland, Hoban made a name for himself at Dundalk, where he scored 18 goals in 2012-13, becoming the club’s top goalscorer. In the same season he won the Soccer Writers’ Association Player of the Month (August 2013) and was named in PFAI’s Premier Division Team of the Year (2013).

Hoban becomes the Stags’ sixth new signing of the close season.

Speaking to mansfieldtown.net, Hoban said: "I am delighted to sign for Mansfield. The manager (Adam Murray) showed that he wanted me and that means a lot. He's not putting too much pressure on me to score goals as he wants me to be more of a 'platform player'."

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/-stags-capture-striker-3151559.aspx#KdILEIMlJrFyyeXR.99

Explaining his playing style, Hoban added: "I'm an old fashioned 'number nine' who likes to get in the box and score. I like to think I can hold up the ball quite well and bring others into play and keep the ball in the final third for long periods of time."

Manager Adam Murray said: "Pat is an all-round centre forward and is the type of player who we felt we missed last season.

"His hold up play and link up play is exceptional for this level of football.

"He is someone who will help us keep the ball in the final third for longer periods and bring our other attacking players into play. He is a big character who is used to winning and is another signing who we have added to the group who knows how to win football matches."

The transfer will be complete subject to Football League approval. His contract will commence on 01 July 2016.

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New striker wants to 'make the difference' at Mansfield
mansfieldtown.net

New signing Pat Hoban is determined to 'make a difference' at Mansfield after as he embarks on a new chapter of his career.

The ex-Oxford United striker admitted that he had not reached the form of which he is capable in the past 18 months and praised Stags' boss Adam Murray for handing him a fresh start.

Stags' boss Adam Murray has already indicated that Hoban will perform a 'hold up' role, with his skills being used to maximise Stags' territorial advantage in the final third of the field, it is hoped.

Speaking about the Stags' manager, Hoban said: “He (Adam Murray) has shown massive interest in me (and) he has already explained what he wants from me.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/new-striker-wants-to-make-the-difference-at-mansfield-3152494.aspx#JzguJZcV0C1V5yw6.99

"I’m delighted to be here and I’m delighted to get that kind of interest.

"Once I heard Mansfield were interested it was ‘yes’ straight away. I was just buzzing when I got the call to sign for Mansfield and hopefully I can do well here.”

"When someone wants you that just makes you feel so much better inside.

“He wants me to be a 'platform player' so I think that will work wonders for me, I’m not saying I can’t handle the pressure but it will take a bit of pressure off the goals' side"

Hoban joined Oxford from Dundalk in 2014 following a prolific spell for the League of Ireland side and had spells on loan last season at League Two Stevenage, ending the season at Grimsby Town, who finished the were promoted as winners of the play-offs in the Vanarama National League.

Commenting on his time at the Kassam Stadium, Hoban said: “It was mixed emotions really. Oxford got promoted with a very good side [but] I never really got my chance there."

Explaining his style of play, Hoban added: "[I'm an] old-fashioned number nine who gets into the box and scores goals. I like to hold the ball up and bring others into the team by holding it in the final third for long periods, hopefully get some crosses into the box and score some goals."

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Pat Hoban: Adam Murray backs new Mansfield Town striker
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36621197

Mansfield manager Adam Murray has brushed off new signing Pat Hoban's poor scoring record in England, describing the Irishman as a "diamond".

The striker, 24, turned down National League Lincoln City to agree a move on Thursday after leaving Oxford United.

"We're not bringing him in to rely on his goals, which might seem strange for a centre-forward," said Murray.

"The new generation are losing the ruggedness and know-how to do the ugly bits of the game that Pat brings."

Loughrea-born Hoban scored regularly for Irish sides Mervue United and Dundalk, but managed just three goals in 53 appearances during his time with Oxford and failed to net in loan spells at Stevenage and Grimsby.

He will fight for a role in attack along with Matt Green, Adi Yussuf and fellow new signing Danny Rose.

Murray told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I've spoken to the manager at Oxford, and a lot of their players, and the thing that was coming out of their camp was that he was an absolute diamond.

"He has got goals in him and if he does score goals, brilliant, but his overall game is as valuable as someone who scores 15 or 20 goals."

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Story published then deleted from lincolnshireecho.co.uk

Lincoln City sign former Oxford United striker Pat Hoban
By MWhiley_LE, June 23, 2016

Read full story at http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/lincoln-city-sign-former-oxford-united-striker-pat-hoban/story-29430719-detail/story.html#XSKd5qEklQH2u8FG.99

Danny Cowley believes new Lincoln City striker Pat Hoban has a point to prove after hailing the Irishman as a fantastic signing.

The former Oxford United striker has become the Imps' third signing of the summer following the arrival of midfielders Alex Woodyard and Taylor Miles.

Hoban joined Oxford in November 2014 following a prolific spell with Irish Premier League side Dundalk.

The 24-year-old scored six goals in 53 appearances for Oxford and had loan spells at Stevange and Grimsby Town last season.

Despite a shortage of goals at Oxford, Imps boss Danny Cowley has backed Hoban to be a hit at Sincil Bank.

"We're delighted to have signed Pat. We're expecting him to do really well for us," declared Cowley, who saw Hoban play against his former side Braintree in the FA Cup last season.

"He was hot property when he left Ireland 18 months ago. He was the top scorer and helped Dundalk win their national title.

"He went to Oxford and he didn't score as many goals as he would have liked, so he comes to us very hungry and with a point to prove.

"There were reasons why he didn't score many goals at Oxford. They are probably a lower-league version of Arsenal with a slower build-up and passing the ball into the box. That probably didn't suit Pat.

"We'll be looking to get lots of entries into the box. He's a goalscorer, he's never far away from goal and if he gets the right service he'll score regularly.

"He's a strong boy and can play with his back to goal. He's got good hold-up and link play.

"We know that if we play in the right way, Pat will score goals for us. I think he will be a fantastic signing.

"He's scored regularly in Ireland and now he's desperate to score goals in England."

With last season's top scorer Matt Rhead still on the transfer list and having missed out on signing Dayle Southwell, Cowley could add another striker to his squad before the start of the season

"It's an area we're short in," added Cowley. "At the end of last season, Matt [Rhead] was our only out-and-out striker.

"Jack Muldoon did a fantastic job as a forward, but he is primarily a wide player.

"The fact Jack can play in both positions is a bonus to us, but we need more depth to that area. At the moment, we've got Matt and Pat."

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