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Archived News from May 2008

GUARDIAN: EMAIL TOUTS BAP ON THE CHEAP
14th May 2008 15:34


Baptiste agent clueless
The Guardian, Wednesday May 14 2008

Story online here

A controversial email has attracted the interest of Football Association officials after the agent of a player at Mansfield Town touted him around to Football League managers "on the cheap". Alex Baptiste, a versatile 22-year-old defender who four months ago was attracting the attention of Championship clubs, handed in a transfer request to his club last Thursday, five days after their relegation to the Blue Square Premier.

An email was apparently sent by Baptiste's FA-licensed agent, Alex Cowdy, on Monday saying the player would be available for "a fee of around £75,000 ... a huge reduction on what the club have been looking for in the recent years. This is due to the fact that a takeover of the club is likely to happen by tomorrow, and the owner would like to push through a deal for Alex before then," said Cowdy's email. "Obviously when the new ownership comes in there is no guarantee the fee will be as low as this. If you are interested in Alex, I would recommend lodging a bid with Keith Haslam today in order to get the player 'on the cheap'." When contacted Cowdy did not deny sending the email. Haslam, Mansfield's majority shareholder, said he knew nothing of the email, adding: "none of it is factual", and said that the club fix players' transfer values only once they know who is interested. "And if he feels a takeover is taking place in the next day or so," said Haslam, "he doesn't have a clue."

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Here's the full content of the email, sent on 12th May

Dear Manager,
Mansfield Town have indicated they are looking for a fee of around £75,000 for Defender Alex Baptiste. This is due to the fact that a takeover of the club is likely to happen by tomorrow, and the owner would like to push through a deal for Alex before then.

This fee is a huge reduction on what the club have been looking for in recent years and indeed what they have been offered in the past for Alex by Championship clubs. Obviously when the new ownership comes in there is no guarantee the fee will be as low as this.

If you are interested in Alex, I would recommend lodging a bid with Keith Haslam today in order to get the player 'on the cheap'.

Alex Baptiste - Mansfield Town FC
Centre Back/Right Back
Age 22, Height 6'1, Weight 12.6 stone

Contract: Ends June 2010, made over 200 league appearances, highly rated. Comfortable anywhere across back, and as a defensive midfielder. Made debut as 17 year old in League One. Won Player of Year on several occasions. Very composed, quick, good passer, good in the air.

Please call me on

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