Archived News from April 2005
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LARKIN INTERVIEW FROM IRISH NEWSPAPER
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Larkin lambasts Mansfield chief
April 15, 2005 Irish striker Colin Larkin has hit back at Mansfield Town manager Carlton Palmer after his time at the Field Mill club was effectively ended in controversial fashion by the former England international last week. Larkin asked to be replaced in the first half of a recent League Two clash with Grimsby Town as he was carrying an injury. However, Palmer launched a stinging verbal assault on the Dundalk, County Louth native after the game, insisting his attitude was not what it should have been, that the former Wolves youngster had feigned injury and that he had no future at the club. But, as he prepares for a solo summer fitness regime in a bid to save his cross-channel career, Larkin has strongly refuted Palmer's allegations, declaring that such was his desire to play in the game that he had ignored physio advice. He told the Dundalk Democrat: “After missing the match against Kidderminster on Easter Monday I trained on the Thursday in preparation for the Grimsby game. I felt a slight thigh strain but thought I would be able to play. However after only 22 minutes I could hardly kick the ball and had no option but to come off. “I was gobsmacked when [Palmer] told me I had feigned injury and wasn't committed to Mansfield FC. He said it in front of all the players and that hurt. “The physio had told me that I shouldn't even have considered playing against Grimsby but all I wanted to do was help the club. “I started jogging on Monday and hopefully I will be back training this Friday. My contract is up in June so it seems certain that I won't be at Mansfield next season. Quite a few clubs have already contacted my agent so I'll sit down with them and see what's best for me. “The whole episode has left a sour taste in mouth but he is the first manager I have had a problem with even though I am the club's top goalscorer with 11 goals this season from 29 starts. Hopefully I will put this behind me and move on to bigger and better things.” |
Latest | April 2005