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Archived News from February 2009

STAGS SIGN GIANLUCA HAVERN AND SCOTT GARDNER
7th February 2009 0:00


2 Feb 2009

Read more here.

Video interview with Gianluca Havern from StagsWorld freeview here.

Video interview with Scott Gardner from StagsWorld freeview here.

Audio interview with David Holdsworth from StagsWorld here.

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http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/alty1.htm

The Blue Square Premier manager of the month for for January is Stevenage's Graham Westley and the player of the month is Scott Garner (Mansfield Town). There is now a commentator's nightmare at Mansfield who have a Scott Garner and a Scott Gardner, as from This is Nottingham we learn that "Mansfield have completed the double signing of defenders Gianluca Havern and Scott Gardner until the end of the season. Havern, 20, has been on trial at Field Mill for the past three weeks. Gardner, also 20, began his career at Leeds United and had a short loan spell at Farsley Celtic at the start of last year". Gardner played against Alty for the Yorkshire side at Moss Lane last season.

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Stags Deals For Duo
by Andy White
Monday, February 2, 2009
http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/article.asp?aid=6838&iid=120&sud=932

MANSFIELD TOWN have handed two players deals until the end of the current Blue Square Premier season.

Joining the Stags after a three-week trial period is defender Gianluca Havern.

The 20-year-old is a former Stockport County youth team captain, who can play as a centre-back or at right-back.

Also arriving at Field Mill is utility man Scott Gardner.

The Luxembourg-born 20-year-old can play on the right side of defence or midfield, and joins the club after leaving Leeds United.

Gardner told the Stags' website: "I have been in discussions for a couple of weeks. This is a really good opportunity for me to go and show what I can do."

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Stags sign two players on transfer deadline day
CHAD.co.uk, 02 February 2009, By John Lomas
MANSFIELD Town manager David Holdsworth further bolstered his squad on transfer deadline day (Monday) with the signing of defender Gianluca Havern and right sided midfielder Scott Gardner.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Stags-sign-two-players-on.4937788.jp

Former Stockport County youth captain Harvern (20) has been on trial at Field Mill for the past three weeks, while former England youth player Gardner (20) has recently severed links at Leeds United to join Mansfield. He can also play at right back.

They have become his 10th and 11th permanent signings since taking control just after Christmas.

"These will give me more strength in depth," said Holdsworth. "I still had a couple of gaps with deficiencies in cover in certain areas. Now I've put that to bed with two good young signings.

"Now we have competition for places which is the most important thing for a manager."

On Gardner he said: "He is very flexible down that right hand side.

"If Gary Silk got injured, no disrespect to anyone, we had no cover.

"He will push Silky and Nathan Arnold. Scott has bags of pace and was eager to get himself into a good club.

"He came highly recommended by Neil McDonald who had worked with him at Leeds and is now at Blackburn. He seems a lovely lad. Having been at Leeds he has a great pedigree and a hunger to get back to that level."

He added: "And 'Luca' is a steady young man - a nice person who wants it. He has worked very hard today. He gives me more central defensive cover and can also play right back.

"Like Scott he will want to dislodge Gary Silk who I thought was magnificent in the second half on Saturday - absolutely outstanding."

The duo have signed until the summer initially and Holdsworth said:"Both have been signed until the end of the season for now. I have to find out about them. I want to evaluate them before I start handing out longer contracts.

"They are both good lads who wanted to come and play for me which I am delighted about. If they do it for me I will be over the moon."

However, no one has left Field Mill and Holdsworth admitted: "The phone has not gone once which is good in one way and disappointing in another.

"Players now really have got to step up and try to earn a contract here if they are willing to do that.

"The door is still open to them all. But it won't be easy. Gone are the days of handing out 'im'll Fix It contracts'- they have to earn it with me.

"Some can go out on loan if they are willing to do that. I wouldn't want to be sat in a stand watching. I would want to be playing - I can't understand that mentality.

"I am very pleased with the three lads who have already gone out on loan. Lewis Trimmer and Ryan Goward did well for Glapwell - Lewis scored - and Chris Wood has played well at Ilkeston.

"They have proved they can go and play and that they want competitive football. It's all healthy."

Every member of Holdsworth's squad did a three hour gym session for today as last week's injury crisis disappeared and he could have a full squad to choose from for Saturday's visit of York City.

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Stags duo told to earn longer deals
Evening Post, February 03, 2009

DEADLINE day signings Scott Gardner and Gianluca Havern were today urged to prove they are worth contracts at Mansfield Town beyond the summer.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-duo-told-earn-longer-deals/article-666124-detail/article.html

Gardner joins the Stags from Leeds United and can play right-back or right midfield.
Former Stockport player Havern also offers versatility as a right-back or central defender and has signed after a successful trial.
The two 20-year-olds will stay at Field Mill for the rest of the campaign, but boss David Holdsworth wants them to earn the right to stay in his squad next season.
He said: "In the last couple of games we have had a lack of cover, but that has been filled by two good, young signings who are certainly going to help us.
3E%3C/div%3E"With all due respect to these two lads, I have to find out about them. This gives me time to evaluate them as people and players. It would be wrong to give out a longer contract.
"They have to earn their contracts, as does everyone else. If they do, I will be delighted."
Holdsworth believes the pair's qualities should suit Mansfield as they look to push on into the top half of the table.
He said: "Scott is very flexible on the right-hand side.
"When you take someone from Leeds you would like to think he has the pedigree and desire to get back to that level.
"Gianluca is a very steady young man who is assured on the ball."
No players left Field Mill before yesterday's permanent transfer deadline, but Holdsworth says some can expect to go out on loan.
"My phone has not rung once about players going out," he said. "They have to be willing to go on loan. I would be frustrated if I were just sat in the stands."
Holdsworth confirmed Paul Mayo and Alan O'Hare (both hamstring) and Nathan Arnold (knee) all trained yesterday.

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Holdsworth doubly delighted with signings
Evening Post, 2 Feb 09
DAVID Holdsworth is thrilled to have beaten today's transfer deadline by swooping to add Scott Gardner and Gianluca Havern to his Mansfield squad.

Gardner, 20, has joined from Leeds United and can play at right-back or at right midfield.

Right-back or central defender Havern, also 20, has been on trial at the Stags for the last few weeks having formerly been with Stockport County.

Both players have signed deals until the end of the season.

“Scott is very flexible on the right-hand side,” said Holdsworth.

“If Gary Silk had been injured before we would have struggled, but now we have a replacement.

“He is good cover, but he will be looking to push Silky and Nathan Arnold hard. He will come into the fold and we'll see what he can do.

“When you take someone from Leeds you would like to think he has the pedigree and desire to get back to that level.

“Gianluca Havern is a very steady young man who wants it and has worked very hard.

“He can give me cover in the centre and at right-back.

“He is assured on the ball but he has to dislodge Gary Silk (to get in the team) and he was magnificent in the second half at Eastbourne.”

Holdsworth said it was unlikely anyone would leave Field Mill as there had been no enquiries about his players.

He said: “The phone has not rung once about anyone, which is good in some ways and difficult in others.

“The players who are here will now have to stop on and try to earn contracts, but I can only field 11 and have a squad of 17. Some will find it tough.”

Holdsworth confirmed Paul Mayo (hamstring) and Alan O'Hare and Nathan Arnold and Jason White (knee) have all trained today.

It means he could have a near full-strength squad to pick from for Saturday's home game with York.

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03 Feb 2009
Trialist keeper Dan Whatsize released
http://www.mansfieldtown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10325~1543595,00.html

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Trialist keeper released by Stags
CHAD.co.uk, 03 February 2009
By Tim Morriss
MANSFIELD Town have released trialist keeper Dan Whatsize on Tuesday.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Trialist-keeper-released-by-Stags.4940793.jp

The youngster had been trying to win a contract under new manager David Holdsworth after being released by Chesterfield.

Whatsize played in a few reserve team matches for the Stags and Holdsworth said: "I am sure he has a bright future ahead of him."

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