Archived News from July 2016
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MURRAY COULD STRENGTHEN SQUAD
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Stags boss Murray could strengthen further before the big kick-off chad.co.uk, John Lomas, Wednesday 06 July 2016 As Mansfield Town prepared for their next pre-season friendlies this weekend, boss Adam Murray refused to rule out adding to his squad before the big kick-off on August 6. Murray has already signed defenders George Taft and Rhys Bennett, midfielders/wingers Ashley Hemmings, CJ Hamilton and Kevan Hurst and strikers Pat Hoban and Danny Rose. But as far as any new first team faces are concerned, he said: “I am never going to say never. “We looked at the squad last week and the way certain things work and are working and there might be room for a little bit of movement. Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/stags-boss-murray-could-strengthen-further-before-the-big-kick-off-1-7999637#ixzz4De4CrJMS “I am looking at the way the transfers are going at the minute and a lot of clubs are making some very solid signings “We will keep an eye on that and there might be a little bit of a shake-around - we’ll see how it goes. But, as it stands, we’re very happy with what we’ve got.” ----------------- Stags players already love new coach, says boss Murray chad.co.uk, John Lomas, Wednesday 06 July 2016 Mansfield Town boss Adam Murray said his players already love new first team coach Karl Hawley to bits and he believes he has made the right choice. Hawley came to the club as striker coach towards the end of last season but was last week named first team coach, working with Murray and fellow coach Richard Cooper. “The players love him to bits,”smiled Murray. “He is someone who has a really good relationship with the boys. Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/stags-players-already-love-new-coach-says-boss-murray-1-8000290#ixzz4De4UIEwO “He is probably a bit of a shoulder for them, but at the same time if they need putting in their place, he has that relationship to do it.” Highly experienced striker Hawley was a prolific goalscorer in the Football League, most notably at Carlisle United, where he achieved two promotions, scoring an average of one goal in every two games. In a professional career which has spanned over 15 years, Hawley also enjoyed spells at clubs including Scunthorpe United, Preston North End and Notts County, where he was a key figure in helping the Magpies’ secure the League Two championship in 2010. “What he’s done in the game speaks for itself,” said Murray. “We don’t need to talk about that. I think his achievements and the way he is looked at from inside the game is very high. So I am chuffed to bits.” Murray ended up choosing from seven final candidates for the job and said: “It was a really tricky decision and there was a lot of thought went into it. “It was probably trial and error with people last season and I spoke to a lot of people, probably seven in total, all of different backgrounds, different experience, and different relationships to myself. “When I weighed it all up, with the options I am going to have, I think I’ve got the balance right. “Karl is a modern day football person. Obviously he’s only just finished himself and he’s been coaching for a while now. “I have been on a number of his coaching courses and he is spoken very highly of.” He added: “Seeing him in and around our group last season probably edged it for him if I’m being totally honest - the respect he got off the lads. “He’s someone who doesn’t say a lot, but when he speaks you listen. He’s not scared to tell me when he thinks I am wrong, which I need. “He has an opinion and it’s a very honest opinion, but he’s very polite with it. But if he’s not happy with something he will tell you and I think the group need that. I certainly need it and he fits in well with me and Coops. “We’ve got a really good balance with the U21s manager we’ve brought on board (Mike Whitlow). We have a lot of experience in there as well. We have a lot of drive and energy. “Karl wants to be successful in his own right. Because he’s been around the club he knows me personally and knows how driven I am, he knows his standards are going to have to be top drawer for him to move up and carry on working in this environment. He knows what to expect.” --------------- Stags boss Murray surprised to land Hurst chad.co.uk, John Lomas, Wednesday 06 July 2016 Stags boss Adam Murray admitted he had even surprised himself by managing to capture the signature of vastly experienced midfielder Kevan Hurst. Hurst, 30, has a wealth of experience in the Football League and includes Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United and most recently Southend United among his previous clubs. He was a consistent presence in Southend’s engine room during a fruitful four years at Roots Hall, which included gaining promotion in from League Two in 2015. But he is now a Mansfield Town player and Murray said “I’m not really sure how I pulled that one off. “First and foremost we are actually over the moon with the signing. Read more: http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/mansfield-town-news/stags-boss-murray-surprised-to-land-hurst-1-7999203#ixzz4DeB063rH “It was a big pull to me that Hursty wanted to come and join what we are doing here. He’s been at a very successful club for a few years, which he’d been one of the major parts of. “When they got promoted he was the highest in assists in the league and chipped in with a lot of goals. Already we have seen the quality he’s got - and what a great bloke. “He’s a proper man. He’s another big character. He is a leader with great communication within the group. “So how we’ve got him I’m not quite sure. But it’s certainly a coup and I’m sure if he does what he is capable of, I think at this level he is probably one of the best around in that position. Kevin will play a big part this season.” ---------------- |
Latest | July 2016