Archived News from July 2002
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WATKISS ON GREENACRE AND SELLARS
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TIME'S UP FOR NO.10
Evening Post, 02 July 2002 Mansfield Town manager Stuart Watkiss is facing up to life without Chris Greenacre after the striker failed to turn up to the club's first training session of the new season. Craig Disley has been handed the number 10 shirt for the coming season and Watkiss admitted a return for the striker, who scored 28 goals last season, was "very unlikely." Speculation about the player's future has been rife for months and, despite Stags' promotion to Division Two, it has been generally accepted that the 24-yer-old would get a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. Fans were given fresh hope when Bradford City, who looked certain to sign him, went into administration and all transfers concerning the Yorkshire club were halted. However, yesterday's development must be the final nail in the coffin to any hopes of him wearing a Stags shirt again. Watkiss has now admitted he will be looking elsewhere. He said; "I am looking to bring in three players, probably two midfielders and someone to replace Chris. "No-one at the club has spoken to him and we now have to face up to the fact his future does not lie at Mansfield Town. "We have to come to the realisation that he is not going to be here next season." Midfielder Scott Sellars has not been handed a squad number yet and Watkiss is still hopeful he will be able to keep the former Bolton and Newcastle star after a successful short-term deal expired at the end of the season. Watkiss said: "We have not reached an agreement with Scott yet but I am still hopeful we can sort something out." Meanwhile, former Forest striker Bobby Howe is set to join the Stags in training next week. The 28-year-old former England Youth international has been given a free transfer by Swindon, who he joined on leaving the City Ground in January 1998. Watkiss said: "It is not confirmed yet but we hope to be having a look at Bobby next week." STAGS BOSS IS DELIGHTED WITH FITNESS LEVELS Evening Post, 02 July 2002 Mansfield Town's Division Two campaign started in earnest yesterday when Stuart Watkiss's players returned for pre-season training. They were put through their paces with sit-ups and press-ups in the morning, followed by an aerobics session after lunch. They were set to be reintroduced to footballs this afternoon. Watkiss was delighted with the condition his players were in after their lengthy lay-off. They were all required to train on six Wednesday mornings during the ten-week break. Watkiss said: "Everyone seems to have come back in good nick and worked hard so that is very pleasing. "I think the extra sessions helped but players are becoming increasingly aware of things like what food they are supposed to be eating. "Having them fit is crucial because we can then concentrate on looking at our tactics and organisation." New boys Neil Moore, signed from Telford, and Dion Scott, from Walsall, trained with their new team-mates for the first time and three trialists were also there. They were Phil Trainer from Crewe, former Manchester United trainee Gary Sampson and striker Leon Ryan from Middlesbrough. STAGS SQUAD NUMBERS: 1 Pilkington, 2 Hassell, 3 Tankard, 4 Robinson, 5 Moore, 6 Reddington, 7 Lawrence, 8 Williamson, 9 Bradley, 10 Disley, 11 Corden, 12 Clarke, 13 Bingham, 14 Jervis, 15 White, 16 Bacon, 17 Sisson, 18 Scott |
Latest | July 2002