Archived News from January 2017
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CLEMENTS SIGNS FOR GRIMSBY IN 5 FIGURE DEAL
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Midfielder sold to Grimsby
mansfieldtown.net, 19th January 2017 Midfielder Chris Clements has today been sold to Grimsby Town for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old has made 155 appearances for the Stags, scoring 11 goals since joining from Hednesford Town in 2012. But since the Stags' midfield was strengthened at the start of this month, first team opportunities have become limited for the former Crewe Alexandra player. Manager Steve Evans said: “There is no doubt that Chris Clements is not only a talented young man but an outstanding professional to work with on the training ground every day. Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/2016-17/midfielder-sold-to-grimsby-3526828.aspx#HYEtl53fPEuo7ciE.99 “However, we have strengthened significantly in that area of the pitch and given the competition and where we see people having to play football, we didn’t think young Chris would get on the pitch as often as he would like. “Following several chats we’ve had, it became obvious to me that it was best for this football club if we moved him on. “We gave permission to two football clubs to speak to Chris, one ofcourse being Grimsby, and left the decision down to the young man himself. “He leaves with our best wishes and we look forward to seeing him later in the season.” The club wishes Chris every success in his career and sincerely thanks him for his efforts at One Call Stadium. -------------- Club Statement - Chris Clements grimsby-townfc.co.uk, 19th January 2017 GRIMSBY Town Football Club are delighted to announce that we have agreed a deal to sign midfielder, Chris Clements from Mansfield Town for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old becomes the Mariners third signing in 24 hours, agreeing to an 18 month deal. Clements came through the academy at Crewe Alexandra, making his debut in the 2009 FA Cup fixture vs. York City. He also spent time out on loan at the likes of Nantwich Town, Leigh Genesis and Stafford Rangers, before making his loan move to Hednesford Town permanent in 2010. In a two year period at Hednesford Town, Clements made over 100 appearances scoring 28 goals for the club from midfield. His appearances earned him a move to Mansfield Town in 2012, helping the club win promotion from the National League during the 2012-13 season. Clements has been a regular in the Mansfield Town team, making over 150 appearances since joining the club in the summer of 2012. In that time, Clements has also captained the team on a number of occasions. Chris has also previously worked with assistant manager, Mickey Moore whilst he was first team coach at Mansfield Town. Read more at http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/club-statement-chris-clements-3526760.aspx#4If11LM8MSJOf6M4.99 Chris will meet his new team mates and manager today at the clubs training ground and will be available for selection for this Saturday's fixture vs. Notts County. ------------------- A fond farewell as Clements joins Grimsby Town chad.co.uk, by JOHN LOMAS, Thursday 19 January 2017 Mansfield Town’s longest-serving player, Chris Clements, today joined League Two rivals Grimsby Town for an undisclosed five-figure fee with add-ons. The talented 26-year-old midfielder was signed by the Stags from Hednesford Town in 2012 and helped the club to the Conference title. But, under new boss Steve Evans, he has fallen down the pecking order and Grimsby today won a battle between themselves and another League Two club for his signature. “I know from our chairman he played a massive part in getting the club back up in to the Football League with his performances and we thank him and wish him all the best,” said Evans. “Things like that are never forgotten by the fans. You give it your life and you care. It means everything and I know the Stags fans will give Clem a warm reception when we see him. “We gave young Clem and his representatives permission to talk to two clubs in League Two and the two clubs went head to head. It made no difference to us. “The chairman got a very fair deal from both and I said to Clem go and speak to both, explore the options and get out those meetings what you want. “He has chosen Grimsby Town. I have known the chairman John Fenty for many years. It is a good club with a good young manager and they have great supporters who get right behind the team. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/a-fond-farewell-as-clements-joins-grimsby-town-1-8343466 “I get loads of stick when I go there and it’s great because they care for their club.” Evans continued: “Outside of the game against us we wish that young man well. He just wasn’t going to be starting for us at this minute in time and he’s desperate to play football. “We will never forget what he did for this club, especially in the Conference season. “I think he is an outstanding young man off the pitch as well. More and more that becomes important to managers and head coaches. “When you deal with these players on a daily basis, you want people in who have a real desire and purpose to play football, but also you want them to have a smile. “It is unusual for people to be around as long as he was, especially in Leagues One and Two where it’s more difficult to secure longer term contracts.” Clements was a regular choice under previous managers, but Evans said: “We’ve had a few things happen. “Lee Collins has gone in there and done well, Jamie McGuire is still as competitive as ever, young Ben Whiteman is a natural central player, the boy Baxendale has stepped up in my time here to almost try to claim a place, we have Joel Byrom, who’s come into the club, and we are still trying to improve on that area of the pitch. “So it was going to be more difficult. It’s just horses for courses. “The other two clubs see him as a big part of it and I have just seen others in front. But it doesn’t mean I don’t think he is a top footballer for the level. “You can’t keep 24-25 players happy and any head coach or manager who does that ultimately gets into a bit of trouble. So you have to focus on your main core group and trust all your players.” Evans said the fee paid remains private, but future success and big money moves for Clements have been covered with add-on clauses. “The chairman has got a decent five-figure fee for Clem with decent monies payable if he is a success for them,” he said. “If he goes in, is absolutely wonderful and gets a great move, then we’d probably welcome it as we’d get a nice portion of that as well. “It’s undisclosed and private. The chairman tells me he is happy with it so I am happy with it.” Evans confirmed that Clements would be able to line up against the Stags when they head for Grimsby in a month’s time. “I think gone are the days now when you could stop someone from playing against their former club,” he explained. “It’s only a gentleman’s agreement now and that’s hard when people come under pressure. “I expect Grimsby to be challenging at that top end for the play-offs and if they have paid decent money for Chris Clements they will want to put him on the pitch. “If we bring someone in permanent and they come from League Two they would be playing against their old club the next week if it suited us. That’s the way football has gone now.” ------------------- Meet Chris Clements grimsby-townfc.co.uk, 20th January 2017, by Ryan Petterson The first chat with the latest recruit. Catch the video interview below. New signing Chris Clements is hoping he can help lift Grimsby Town up the League Two table. “I just want game time and to help the team get up the league now and start winning football games,” he said. The 26-year-old, who previously played for Crewe and Hednesford before making the move to Blundell Park from Mansfield yesterday, told Mariners Player he can’t wait to get started for Marcus Bignot’s side. Read more at http://www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/meet-chris-clements-3529712.aspx#2y1TxMKLSglpv1lG.99 “I needed a new chapter in my football career. I was at Mansfield for a long time and I needed new ventures, and Grimsby seemed like the perfect club to come to. “I wasn’t getting enough game time as I thought I needed. Having the opportunity to come here was a big plus for me.” Clements could provide vital creativity in the midfield area, as well as being a set piece specialist. “I try to get on the ball, keep it down, play, and get goals. I think I’ve got five this season for Mansfield; different kinds of goals - open play and free-kicks so hopefully I can chip in with a few here. “The way that the gaffer said he’s trying to play, I think that will suit me down to the ground. They’re going to get the ball down and play so hopefully I can fit in nicely.” He came on as a substitute, after recently being injured, as Town picked up a 1-0 away win against Mansfield in September and the midfielder admired what he saw from the Mariners. “I like the way Grimsby play; it’s a very attacking team, a lot of pace up top, and obviously got the ball down and played, and beat us at the One Call. It was a good team, I was impressed.” The Birmingham-born midfielder also highlighted the importance of Town’s fan base. “Obviously the fans here are loud, which you didn’t get as much of that at Mansfield, so it’s a good club to come to.” And there several familiar faces for Clements to reunite with at Blundell Park. “I know Mickey Moore, the assistant here, so that was a big sway in the decision for myself. “Jamey Osborne, we were at Hednesford together so we know each other’s game, know what each other’s good at, and complement each other nicely, so hopefully it’s a good partnership. “He’s got that in him (scoring goals), he’s a great player, and that was another reason that swayed me a little bit because I know him well, know how he plays, and what he can bring. “He shouldn’t have been at the level he was at, and I’m just glad he’s got his move to the Football League because this is where he belongs. “Adi Yussuf - obviously he’s just come from Mansfield as well.” Clements could make his league debut for Town this Saturday (3pm) as they host second-bottom Notts County. ---------------- LOMAS ON STAGS: Talented Clements can still have his day by John Lomas, chad.co.uk, 19 Jan 2017 extract: Don’t be surprised to see Clements star against the Stags when they go to Grimsby next month, he is very capable of that, and it would be a shame if his immense natural talent did not see him on a bigger stage before his career ends. If that happens Stags will be happy too as they have sell-on clauses. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/lomas-on-stags-talented-clements-can-still-have-his-day-1-8343483 --------------------- JAMIE MCGUIRE @JAMIEMCGUIRE23 Gutted to see @clemmo14 go but great move mate wishing you all the best at Grimsby ! Martin Shaw @shawma1 Thanks for the memories @clemmo14, Mansfield's longest serving player. He scored plenty of great goals, including: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1x6zQz-Ip0 ----------------- Mansfield Town agree deal to sell Chris Clements chad.co.uk, Thursday 19 January 2017 Chris Clements is to leave Mansfield Town. Boss Steve Evans confirmed the long-serving midfielder’s departure during this afternoon’s weekly press conference. Clements is currently talking to two league clubs and a deal is expected to be concluded later today. Read more at: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-agree-deal-to-sell-chris-clements-1-8342937 The fee is a five figure sum with the popular player leaving with the best wishes of the club. -------------------- --------------- Evans quote (16Jan2017) : “We tried to do something with Jack last week and they tried to do something with one of ours. It was almost getting near to being done and it never got across the line but we’ve not revisited that this morning. “It didn’t work out because there was another deal with someone else perhaps going in the direction of Blackpool and we couldn’t get it done. But we were really up against the timeline. He was referring to a possible deal with Clements going to Blackpool and Redshaw coming to Mansfield. --------------- |
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