Archived News from June 2017
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STAGS SIGN BOBBY OLEJNIK
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Stags sign experienced shot-stopper
mansfieldtown.net, 08 June 2017 Mansfield Town are delighted to announce the signing of former Exeter City goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik. The 30-year-old shot stopper becomes the club's 12th signing of the close season. Born in Vienna, Austria, Olejnik progressed through the youth setup at both Rapid Vienna and Austria Wien before moving to England to join Aston Villa's youth team. After signing professional at Villa Park, Olejnik joined League Two side Lincoln City on loan towards the end of the 2006/07. The former Austrian under 21 international left Villa at the end of that season to sign for Scottish side Falkirk. After usurping Tim Krul as the club's number one, Olejnik was a regular fixture between the sticks for the next three seasons. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/june/stags-sign-experienced-shot-stopper/ Whilst with the Bairns, Olejnink made his European debut in the Europa League, keeping a clean sheet in his first game against Liechtenstein-based club Vaduz. He left Falkirk to sign for then-League Two side Torquay United ahead of the 2011/12 season. Following a solid first season with the Gulls, Olejnik enjoyed a stellar second campaign and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for League Two. Despite signing a contract extension with Torquay in February 2012, he joined then-Championship side Peterborough United on a three-year deal in June 2012. He was a mainstay of Posh's side in 2012/13 and made 275 saves across the season - the most by any goalkeeper in the Championship. Posh were back in League One the following season and Olejnik again excelled as the last line of defence. He received the club's Player of the Year award and also kept 22 clean sheets during the campaign, equalling the club record. Olejnik spent time on loan with Scunthorpe United and York City over the next two seasons, before being captured by Exeter City in June 2015 following the expiration of his contract with Posh. He made 63 appearances over the last two seasons with the Grecians. "I am delighted that Bobby has joined us, considering he had a few options in League One to consider," said manager Steve Evans. "The lad is an experienced goalkeeper who has a real burning desire to again play Championship football and for sure he is very capable. "I ran a final analysis on Bobby when I watched him against Carlisle United and Blackpool in the recent League Two play-offs and it has to be said that he was excellent, so I went about meeting him with his representatives. "Once again our CEO, Carolyn Radford, was able to negotiate strongly and get a deal suitable for the lad to want to be at Mansfield Town. "Bobby readily accepts he has a real fight to claim a starting spot, given we have already Conrad Logan signed. Both of these lads are ambitious and will want to be playing and for me, competition for the shirt is the best way to inspire the best performances. "Our squad for the new season continues to take shape. We have a talented group, versatile in the systems of play which we can adopt and there is a beautiful balance too. It is coming together nicely. "Despite having a little break, my work continues with a real focus. The squad is a couple of players short of where I ideally want us to be. We have identified targets, talks and negotiations continue and in like everything we do, we must continue to ensure that we get value for money. "My chairman is delighted with the business we have done and his support to all of us is unwavering. "League Two next season is going to be so tough. I really respect the work going on at a host of clubs. Exeter City, Luton Town, Carlisle United, Coventry City, Cambridge United and Crewe Alexandra all stand out to me as having significantly strengthened plus we have Swindon Town, a super football club who are at least two leagues lower than they should be so we have lots of work to do in the weeks ahead." ------------------- Boss looks forward to battle of new shot-stoppers mansfieldtown.net, 08 June 2017 Manager Steve Evans is expecting a highly competitive battle for the Stags' number one jersey. The Stags' boss today added to his impressive new-look squad with the acquisition of experienced 30-year-old goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik. The former Exeter City custodian, who kept a club record 22 clean sheets with League One Peterborough in 2013-14, put pen to paper at One Call Stadium this afternoon. He will compete for the Stags' number one spot with experienced shot-stopper Conrad Logan - an instrumental figure last year in helping Rochdale achieve 9th position in League One. And speaking exclusively to http://www.mansfieldtown.net this afternoon, boss Steve Evans said: "Conrad is a big strong lad. He was oustanding for Rochdale, often the Man-of-the-Match in a very gifted team. "He keeps the ball out the net and his kicking is Premier League class. That is a big claim but I will stand up for it every single day that ends in the letter 'Y'. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/june/boss-looks-forward-to-battle-of-new-shot-stoppers/ "Bobby has played very successfully at Championship level. He has joined us from a good club in Exeter City and I know, like me, their manager (Paul Tisdale) rated him highly. "I watched him for Exeter against Carlisle in the play-offs and he was excellent. "I went to watch him at Wembley and like most, I was surprised that he wasn't in the starting team but I watched every minute of his warm-up and despite his obvious disappointment he was meticulous in everything he did. He has demonstrated by action that he is a top professional." The Stags' gaffer added: "Let the battle commence and the best man every single week will play." ----------------------- Stags have made great signings, says new 'keeper https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2017/june/stags-have-made-great-signings-says-new-keeper/ Mansfield Town's new goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik has praised the ambition of the Stags in luring 'great signings' to the club. Manager Steve Evans has earned nationwide plaudits after making a number of eye-catching signings during the close season. And Olejnik, who previously enjoyed two seasons with Exeter City, has become the Stags' 12th signing in five weeks. In an exclusive interview with http://www.mansfieldtown.net after signing yesterday, the 30-year-old said: "You want to play with the best and I think the bookies have put us [as] favourites to go up. "There have been great signings made already and the manager has that attraction to bring in the best players because of what he's achieved and where he's been. "I'm really looking forward to next season. The end goal is to be in the league above next year." Bobby said Steve Evans was a big influence in his joining the club. "Having met the manager a couple of times it was a 'no brainer' [to sign]. "The manager has got great ambitions and has a great record with promotions [with previous clubs]. "I like the way he tries to play football, what he demands of his players and what he's achieved in the game." The 6ft 2in glovesman is also looking forward to fighting for the number one jersey with fellow new signing Conrad Logan. "Whenever I've had a really good year in my career it has been when I've had a good challenge. "For someone like Conrad who is experienced and has had a great career as well to be here, it's good and I'm looking forward to the challenge." When asked about his qualities as a goalkeeper, Olejnik said: "Communication is something I like to work [on] with the back four. It gives them confidence so that they can rely on me by my voice. "If I can tell them something important it makes my job easier and it can mean there's less shots and crosses as well. "I feel good when coming for crosses and dealing with them. In England that's a big factor of any game." To hear more from Bobby Olejnik log in to iFollow Stags. -------------- Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans makes fresh gaffe when talking about Bobby Olejnik By David_Byrom, June 08, 2017, devonlive.com Steve Evans says he watched Bobby Olejnik in Exeter City's play-off final against Blackpool, when in fact it was Christy Pym in goal It's fair to say Steve Evans enjoys a fairly fractious relationship with Exeter City fans - something that certainly will not be strengthened with the news that Evans' Mansfield Town have signed Bobby Olejnik. Olejnik was technically released by City on Monday, although Paul Tisdale seemed to indicate that he was still hoping to offer the Austrian keeper a new contract, something that now obviously will not be happening. Yet one has to wonder how much research Evans put into signing the 30-year-old - by his account, it's an awful lot, but it does not seem to have been enough to tell the difference between Olejnik and his former teammate Christy Pym. "I ran a final analysis on Bobby when I watched him against Carlisle United and Blackpool in the recent League Two play-offs and it has to be said that he was excellent, so I went about meeting him with his representatives," said the Scot. That is all well and good, Olejnik did play against Carlisle United in City's play-off semi-final, but was subsequently replaced by Pym for the final. Perhaps Evans spent most of the final watching Olejnik on City's bench... The Stags boss went on to say that he felt City had significantly strengthened this summer - an impressive achievement, considering the club are yet to announce any signings. Read more at http://www.devonlive.com/mansfield-town-boss-steve-evans-makes-fresh-gaffe-when-talking-about-bobby-olejnik/story-30378902-detail/story.html#SUegvvzqwdrdVj3R.99 ----------------------- Carolyn Radford on facebook 07 June 2017 Ready to smash next season... another signing tomorrow...surely we must be favourites?! COYS #sexiestceo Cx ---------------- EARLIER STORY: Exeter City release Bobby Olejnik but hope to offer keeper new deal 5 June 2017 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40160380 Bobby Olejnik played in both of Exeter's play-off semi-final ties but was dropped for the final Exeter City still hope to offer Bobby Olejnik a new contract despite releasing the Austrian goalkeeper. The ex-Peterborough player, 30, made 23 appearances last season for the League Two side, who were beaten in the play-off final by Blackpool at Wembley. Midfielder Tom McCready and full-back Connor Riley-Lowe have also been let go but six have been offered new deals. "We are yet to establish whether we are able to carry three goalkeepers in the squad," said Exeter boss Paul Tisdale. "With Bobby's contract expiring, he has not received an offer, although we would love to keep him if it were possible." Christy Pym and James Hamon are the other keepers on the Grecians' books. The Devon side have 18 players under contract for next season, including forwards Ollie Watkins and David Wheeler, with defender Troy Archibald-Henville and Jamaica international Joel Grant among those yet to respond to offers from the club. -------------------- |
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