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Archived News from September 2007

103.2 EXCLUSIVE: GET BEHIND THE TEAM - DERRY
27th September 2007 8:46


103.2 interview, 26 Sep 2007: Get behind the team not protest, urges Derry: clip here
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Keith Haslam told Evening Post website thisismansfieldtown.co.uk he hopes it will be no more than weeks before Mansfield Town has a new owner. Haslam is intent on selling, saying: "I am actively pursuing a deal through my representatives. I would hope it would take no more than a few weeks."
Read more here

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Get behind the team not protest, urges Stags chairman
CHAD.co.uk, 26 Sep 2007
By Tim Morriss
STAGS chairman James Derry has urged fans to get behind the players on Saturday and not demonstrate against owner Keith Haslam.
Earlier this week Chad.co.uk revealed that four supporters groups - Stags Fans For Change, Stags Supporters Association, Team Mansfield and Ollerton Supporters Club - had united for a protest before this Saturday's vital match with Dagenham.

They are frustrated at the time it is taking owner Keith Haslam to sell the club . . . and the club's slide on the pitch into the Football League's relegation zone.

Chad.co.uk then reported on Mr Haslam's decision to stay away from Field Mill on matchdays, but fans have said they will still go ahead with their protest.

Mr Derry told Ian Watkins, from local radio station Mansfield 103.2, today: "I am disappointed because what is it going to achieve? Keith Haslam has announced he is not going to matches, he is going to sell the club, things are progressing . . . and instead of a demonstration the fans should be supporting the club and get right behind the players. It is unsettling for the team.
"We are in a very perilous position (on the pitch) and we need to start improving quickly. You can get adrift very quickly in this division.

"I urge the fans to get right behind the team on Saturday and let's get a performance and result like against Stockport.

"I can understand the fans' frustration, but the fact is the club has been for sale for a long time . . . my consortium's bid was only announced in July, it is only two months since I came into the ring to say we were interested, which is not very long when you are trying to buy a business.

"There are things going on which people aren't aware of . . . we need to make sure this is the right deal, this is a deal for the next 10 years, we are talking about a 10-year lease.

"My bid is still moving forward. I would like to think we are weeks rather than months away from a deal.

"We need to get it resolved, we are in limbo at the moment."

When told of the renewed interest in the club from Australian businessmen - exclusively revealed in Chad this week - Mr Derry added: "What ever is the best thing for Mansfield Town I will be supporting. If they want to talk to me about it, fine."

And when it was suggested that the two rival bidders might link up, he concluded: "I have spoken to them in the past. I wouldn't rule anything out at this stage."

 

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