Archived News from May 2021
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STAGS SIGN ELLIOTT HEWITT AFTER HE LEAVES GRIMSBY
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Stags capture versatile defender
mansfieldtown.net, Wed 19 May 2021 We are delighted to announce the signing of versatile defender Elliott Hewitt on a two-year deal. The 26-year-old, who can play in a number of positions, was most recently with Grimsby Town, appearing 39 times in the 2020/21 season. Hewitt began his career with Macclesfield Town, graduating from the club’s youth academy, before sealing a move to Ipswich Town in 2012. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/may/stags-capture-versatile-defender/ The defender spent three years with the Blues, a stint that included loan spells with Gillingham and Colchester United, while also making 14 outings in the Championship. In 2015, Hewitt made a permanent switch to Notts County, making over 130 league appearances for the Magpies in a four-year period. He spent the last two seasons at Blundell Park, appearing over 60 times for the Mariners. Manager Nigel Clough said: “Elliott is a good player with good experience at this level. He is one that can cover several positions. “He knows the league, knows a few positions, is a good age and has good experience, so it was a bit of a no-brainer for us. “When we’re aiming for just 17 or 18 established outfield players, we need a few players who can move around the team. “It’s very important to have those sort of players and Elliott falls into that category. He sees himself as a defender, but wherever he gets in the team, he will be one that is difficult to get out. “Even teams that go down have good players. If you can get one or two players from those teams, they are still good League Two players.” --------------------------- Manager main reason for choosing Stags - new defender mansfieldtown.net, Wed 19 May 2021 New signing Elliott Hewitt says that, despite having ‘other options,’ Mansfield boss Nigel Clough had a ‘big influence’ on his decision to join the Stags. The 26-year-old, who was most recently with Grimsby Town, signed a two-year deal at One Call Stadium on Wednesday. The versatile defender says he is ‘buzzing’ to put pen to paper on a deal with the amber and blue. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2021/may/manager-main-reason-for-choosing-stags--new-defender/ “I’m buzzing to get it done early on. I can relax, enjoy my summer and look forward to the season ahead. “It all came about quite quickly, really. I spoke with the manager [Nigel Clough] and then met him a few days later. “He [Nigel Clough] has done a lot in the game and knows the higher levels, so I’m sure will be very good for us. “The manager was a big one [influence on choosing Mansfield]. I had other options but as soon as I met the manager here, it was something I wanted to get over the line. “I think he [Nigel Clough] wants to have a good go next year and it suited me, because I want to be involved in a successful team. I feel like now is the right time to do that.” Hewitt, pictured below with Stags' CEO David Sharpe, also spoke of his versatility on the field of play and his hopes for the upcoming 2021/22 campaign. “I can play in a few positions and give my best. My best position is probably centre-back, but I’ve played a lot of games at right-back and in centre midfield. “I enjoy playing centre-back mostly but I’ll play wherever I need to for the team. “I’d like to achieve a good season and hopefully we’re fighting at the top end of the table.” After a season without supporters, the former Ipswich man hopes he can turn out in front of his new fans when the next campaign comes around. “Hopefully they [the fans] can get in to watch a few games this year and support us all the way.” Log in to mansfieldtown.net/ifollow to watch Elliott’s interview in full. ----------------------- Elliott Hewitt ready to enjoy a promotion chase with Mansfield Town after more relegation heartbreak chad.co.uk, by John Lomas Elliott Hewitt believes that under Nigel Clough he can finally enjoy a season of success with Mansfield Town after the nightmare of relegation with Grimsby Town last season. The versatile player, who also suffered relegation with Notts County, yesterday became the Stags' first summer signing after leaving the National League-bound Mariners. “I think the manager here wants to have a good go next year and it suited me, because I've always wanted to be involved in a successful team. I feel like now is the right time to do that,” said Hewitt. “I'd like to achieve a good season and hopefully we can fight at the top end of the table. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/elliott-hewitt-ready-to-enjoy-a-promotion-chase-with-mansfield-town-after-more-relegation-heartbreak-3244129 “It was a tough start for us at Grimsby and a tough ending as well. “But Paul Hurst came in and I don't think the team he had near the end deserved to go down. But in the end we did go down and it was hard to take for us all.” The 26-year-old is excited to get started, happy to sort the move out early and admitted the fact that Clough is the manager was a big influence in him choosing Mansfield over other clubs in the chase for his signature. “I’m buzzing to get it done early on,” he said. “I can relax, enjoy my summer now and look forward to the season ahead. “It all came about quite quickly, really. I spoke with the manager and then met him a few days later. It moved quickly “Nigel Clough has done a lot in the game and knows the higher levels, so I’m sure will be very good for us. “The manager was a big influence on choosing Mansfield. “I had other options but as soon as I met the manager here, it was something I wanted to get over the line. Hewitt prefers to play centre half but is equally adept at other roles. “I can play in a few positions and give my best which is all that can be asked,” he said. “My best position is probably centre back, but I’ve played a lot of games at right back and in centre midfield. “I enjoy playing centre back mostly but I’ll play wherever I need to for the team.” After a season without supporters due to lockdown, the former Ipswich man hopes he can turn out in front of his new fans when the new season kicks off. “Hopefully the fans can get in to watch a few games this year and support us all the way,” he said. --------------------- Elliott Hewitt rejects Grimsby Town contract offer as midfielder set to remain in EFL The versatile midfielder was one of three players to be offered a new deal as Paul Hurst plans for life back in the National League grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, By James Findlater, 19 MAY 2021 Grimsby Town have confirmed that midfielder Elliott Hewitt has turned down their offer of a new contract, and will remain in the EFL next season. The 26-year-old was one of three players to be offered a new deal by Paul Hurst following the Mariners’ relegation to non-league, alongside Luke Hendrie and Giles Coke. Hewitt had been one of Town’s standout players in a disappointing season, impressing with his displays, particularly as he made the move into the centre of defence under Paul Hurst. The versatile midfielder though will not be staying put at Blundell Park, with the club confirming his decision to reject the offer on the table. Town have also confirmed Hewitt will instead look to remain in the EFL next season with a new club, leaving Hurst to look elsewhere for a new central defender for the return to the National League. A short statement from the club said: “We would like to thank Elliott for his efforts whilst at the club and wish him all the best for the future.” https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hewitt-grimsby-town-contract-offer-5433718 Hewitt made a total of 66 appearances for the Mariners in all competitions after being signed from Notts County by former manager Michael Jolley in 2019. ------------------------- Elliott Hewitt's move from Grimsby Town to Mansfield could present double blow for Mariners The midfielder-turned-defender joined the Stags on a two-year deal after rejecting a new contract offer at Blundell Park grimsbytelegraph.co.uk, By James Findlater Elliott Hewitt’s departure from Grimsby Town doesn’t come as a huge surprise - although that doesn’t make it any less of a blow for Paul Hurst. The midfielder-turned-defender was one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise dismal season at Blundell Park, particularly during the second half of the campaign. Having not quite found a regular spot before January, the move to centre-back alongside Rollin Menayese proved to be inspired, and he made the position his own. https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/grimsby-town-hewitt-menayese-transfer-5438192 The fact that he now describes it as his preferred position, having insisted on his desire to play in midfield when he joined the Mariners back in 2019, shows just how far he’s come as a defender. Those performances at the heart of the defence were never going to go unnoticed, and Hurst was always going to have a tough job on his hands convincing him to stay for life in the National League. And so it proved, with Hewitt rejecting the offer of a new contract, and making the short journey south to Mansfield. It’s a move that sees him reunited with his regular centre-back partner from last season - and that might well end any lingering hopes Town had of luring Menayese away from Field Mill. It was always going to be a big ask to not only convince the defender to make the step down into non-league, but also keep Mansfield happy with the deal for a player who remains under contract. Town though were understood to be keen on trying to retain Menayese’s services, viewing him as one of their top priorities for the summer. Hewitt’s move though suggests that Stags boss Nigel Clough was not just paying close attention to Menayese’s progress at Blundell Park, and he may have an eye on a new partnership himself next season. The departure of regular centre-back Ryan Sweeney could also point to a change in direction for Mansfield, and Hurst’s comments when asked about the possibility of signing Menayese permanently following the final game of the season suggest he may have to admit defeat. “I wouldn’t have thought so,” Hurst said. “He didn’t have his best day today, but in general he’s done well for us. “He’s at a league club, and I would imagine, whether it’s either back at Mansfield or elsewhere, that will be the level he’s looking to play at.” Hurst is never one to give too much away, so it’s possible that Town could still chance their arm to try and lure Menayese away. But, with Hewitt moving in the opposite direction, it looks as though Mariners fans’ hopes of seeing the pair line up together again might be reserved for Mansfield now. ------------------------- |
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