Archived News from March 2008
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DEARDEN: HOUDINI WOULD NOT HAVE DONE ANY BETTER
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Dearden: Takeover must be resolved
Evening Post website, 13Mar 2008 Departed manager Billy Dearden today claimed Mansfield would never make progress until the long-running takeover saga was sorted out. Throughout his tenure as Stags boss - ended by last weekend's 4-0 home defeat to Rochdale - the 64-year-old had to cope with constant uncertainty over the club's ownership. Not only does he feel it hindered his plans, but Dearden believes it will continue to hamper the next manager at Field Mill until a deal is finalised. "If Houdini had been the manager this season I don't think he would have done any better," he said. "That's not to say we couldn't have had a few better results, but it would still have been a struggle and it is going to be one to the death now. Full interview at http://www.thisismansfieldtown.co.uk here "Whoever had been in charge wouldn't have had any more funding so couldn't have done too much with the team. It was a difficult situation to be in. "I just hope they get out of it because there is no one who wants Mansfield Town to survive more than me. "But the club can't move forward until the takeover goes through. How can it? "I agreed to stay on this season on the understanding there were funds available and the takeover would be going through within two months. "That was last June or July. A lot has happened since then but still there has been no take-over." He knows things would have been even worse but for the windfall of unbudgeted cash - including two chunks of television appearance money - the Stags received in their FA Cup run to round four. Dearden said: "It's a good job we had a cup run and made around £400,000 because if we'd have not got that at that particular time, particularly from the match at Harrogate Railway, we would have been struggling financially. "I was only given money to spend on wages once we had done well in the cup - there was no money available before that. "Whether keeping the cup run going got in the way of the league form, I don't know. "If we'd gone out we might be in a better league position now. But you can't tell for sure." Had Dearden been able to guide Mansfield to League Two safety, he insists it would have been the biggest success of his managerial career. "If I'd managed to stay and keep them up I think it would have been an even bigger achievement than putting the side together that got promoted in 2001-2002," he said. "For me it is always a bigger achievement surviving under difficult circumstances." Caretaker boss Paul Holland will definitely take charge of Saturday's game at Bradford. Interviews for the vacant manager's post were being held today but, even if a manager is appointed before the weekend, the assistant boss will stay at the helm for the Yorkshire trip. ------------------ If away form had been at home, I would still be here - Dearden CHAD.co.uk, 11 Mar 08, By John Lomas Outgoing manager also thanks fans OUTGOING Stags boss Bily Dearden wished the club all the best in their battle against relegation and insisted – they can still do it. After nine home games without victory, Dearden's latest 14-month reign at Field Mill ended after Saturday's home hammering by Rochdale. But Dearden (64) today told Chad: "I want to wish the club all the best. "I will be looking out for their results and I still think they can get out of this mess they are in. Full story here -------------------- |
Latest | March 2008