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Archived News from January 2020

STAGS SIGN JOE RILEY
31st January 2020 0:27


Stags sign full-back
mansfieldtown.net, Sat 25 January 2020, 12.30pm

Mansfield Town is delighted to announce the signing of former Plymouth right-back Joe Riley.

Born in Salford, Riley began his professional career with Bolton Wanderers in 2011, after graduating from the club’s academy.

The 28-year-old made his competitive debut for the Trotters in a League Cup tie against Macclesfield Town in August 2011, before appearing in the Premier League for the first time in a 5-0 win over Stoke City at the Reebok Stadium in November of the same year.

https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2020/january/joe-riley-signs-for-stags/

Riley received a standing ovation when taken off late in the win over the Potters, and started the next game against West Brom.

In February 2012, the defender signed a three-and-a-half contract with then-Premier League Wanderers.

A half-season loan spell at Oxford United in 2014 followed, in which he made 28 appearances in all competitions for the U’s between August 2014 and January 2015.

Riley then joined Bury in January 2015, helping the club earn automatic promotion to League One in his first half-season, as the Shakers finished in third position.

The full-back made the switch to fellow League One side Shrewsbury in 2016, making 42 league appearances in total for the Shrews before making the move to Plymouth in June 2018.

He has made 18 appearances for the Pilgrims in 2019/20, the latest being in a 3-0 victory over Carlisle United in Sky Bet League Two.

“I’m delighted to be here,” said Joe, after signing on a season-long deal (*). “I’m really excited about this new challenge.

“I’m ready to go. I can play a number of positions, predominantly at right-back and I’m looking forward to showing the Stags’ fans what I’m all about.”

(*) this means until the end of the season.

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by Martin Shaw, Sat 25 January 2020

Joe Riley was announced as a new signing a couple of hours before kick off, came in at right back.

Riley is a 28 year old, who left Plymouth a couple of days ago after being there for 18 months, and he had previously been promoted with Bury.
His career has been punctuated by a series of injuries and it is a sensible decision by Mansfield to give him a contract until the end of the season with a view to extending it if he stays injury-free.
Manager Coughlan explained pre-match that he wanted Riley to bring some defensive stability, and get up and down the pitch.

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Joe Riley delighted to be ‘back up north’ with Mansfield Town
chad.co.uk, by John Lomas

Defender Joe Riley was delighted to join a Mansfield Town side that had hugely impressed him as one of the Plymouth substitutes just a few days earlier.

Argyle won that game 3-1 as Stags paid the price for missed chances, but Riley said: “I thought it was a great game and Mansfield could have been three or four up at half-time.

“We all know the quality in this squad. I thought Mansfield were brilliant in the first half at Plymouth.

“I don't think we'd come up against a team at home before that had played like that against us. I think we were all taken aback.”

The Salford-born 28-year-old came through the ranks at Bolton, where he played in the Premier League, before a loan at Oxford and spells with Bury and Shrewsbury.

https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/joe-riley-delighted-be-back-north-mansfield-town-1379987

Riley has started 18 games for Plymouth this year but admitted he wanted to return north and Mansfield were the perfect option.

“I’m delighted to be here,” he said. “It's a club that's in a new era with a new manager and I think I can be a part of that.

“This is a new chapter and a new challenge and I know the aims and ambitions of Mansfield going forward.

“Also, location-wise this is more beneficial to me and my family. I have spent 18 months down south at Plymouth, having been a northerner all my life. So I was delighted to get the call from Mansfield.

“I was playing most games, but then I picked up a little injury and the team have been on a fabulous run since. That's part and parcel of football. So I explored the option of coming here and it's one I am excited about.”

He added: “I can play a number of positions, predominantly at right back and I’m looking forward to showing the Stags’ fans what I’m all about.

“It will depend on the formation. I came through the ranks at Bolton as a right back but can play wing back, centre half or centre midfield.

“I think I have a good energy about me and a bit of quality on the ball. The older you get the more defence-minded you become - that'd down to experience.

“I have been around the block and know a few of the lads here already. I spoke to them and they gave the club and manager a glowing reference.

“It can be hard not playing games and I want to get back and start enjoying it again. I felt like I was ready for a new challenge as well.”

League Two has certainly impressed him so far.

“Having spent a few seasons in League One, the quality of League Two has certainly gone up. It's a lot more dynamic as a league now,” he said.

“Teams and players are a lot fitter than they used to be. If you take it game by game and go on a run you could end up anywhere.”

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EARLIER STORES:

Plymouth Argyle confirm Joe Riley departure ahead of reported Mansfield Town move
Pilgrims' boss Ryan Lowe paid a glowing tribute to the 28-year-old as he left Home Park
plymouthherald.co.uk, By Chris Errington, 24 JAN 2020

Joe Riley has left Plymouth Argyle and is expected to sign for their League Two rivals Mansfield Town.

Riley, 28, started this term as the Pilgrims' regular right wing-back before he was hit by injuries.

Byron Moore and, more recently, Joe Edwards have taken over that position for Argyle, who have won six of their last seven games in League Two.

Riley made a total of 14 starts and four substitute appearances this season and scored two goals.

Manager Ryan Lowe, a former team-mate of Riley’s at Bury, paid tribute to him as his departure from Home Park was confirmed.

He said: “We would like to thank Joe for all his work he has done here. He’s a terrific lad, terrific player.

“He was a friend before I came here. He was a big influence on me taking the job in terms of the discussions I had with him.

“But he has found himself out the team, through probably no fault of his own, maybe because of injuries.

“We have had Byron playing there (at right wing-back) and Joe Edwards playing there, who have been doing terrific also.

“It was only fair that I let him move on and get a longer contract somewhere else.

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/plymouth-argyle-confirm-joe-riley-3773563

“From me, my staff and the players, we would like to thank Joe for everything he has done and wish him all the best.”

Riley was signed for Argyle by former manager Derek Adams in the summer of 2018.

Overall, he made 38 appearances for the Pilgrims, including 30 starts, but has now been released to continue his career at another club.

Riley has been heavily linked with Graham Coughlan's Mansfield, who are at home to Bradford City tomorrow.

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Exclusive: Mansfield Town set to sign Plymouth Argyle defender with PL experience
By Pete O'Rourke, 23rd January 2020

Plymouth Argyle defender Joe Riley is poised to sign for League Two rivals Mansfield Town this month, Football Insider understands.

The right-back is out of contract at Home Park this summer and the Pilgrims have decided to cash-in on his sale now rather than allowing him to run down his deal and leave on a free in the summer.

A source at Mansfield has told Football Insider the club are set to secure a deal for the 28-year-old in a bid to bolster their defensive options and boost their hopes of survival this season.

https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-mansfield-town-set-to-sign-plymouth-argyle-defender-with-pl-experience/

Riley has made 18 appearances in all competitions for Ryan Lowe’s men this season but his contract situation means he is set for the exit door before the end of January.

He began his career with Bolton Wanderers and he made three Premier League appearances for the club in the 2011-12 season, but his time at the club was hampered by a succession of injuries.

The full-back left the Trotters to join Bury on a free transfer in January 2015 where the full-back rebuilt a career which has seen him play almost 150 games.

The full-back joined Shrewsbury in 2016 and helped them reach the League One play-off final in 2018 before joining Plymouth that summer.

Mansfield are languishing in 20th spot in League Two and Coughlan sees Riley’s experience as a key addition to his side as they battle to avoid relegation.

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