Archived News from August 2020
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STAGS SIGN JAMES PERCH
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Stags snap up former Premier League player
mansfieldtown.net, Thursday 13 Aug 2020 Former Premier League footballer James Perch has signed a one-year contract at One Call Stadium, the club is delighted to announce. Mansfield-born, Perch brings a wealth experience to his hometown club, having amassed over 500 career appearances. The 34-year-old started his career at Nottingham Forest, where he enjoyed promotion from League One in 2008, and made over 200 appearances before signing for Newcastle United in July 2010, for a fee believed to be £1.5 million. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2020/august/stags-snap-up-former-premier-league-player/ The versatile player, who can operate in defence and midfield, made his Magpies’ debut against Manchester United, scoring in a 4-3 loss for the club at Old Trafford. After making 80 appearances for the Toon, Perch made the switch to Wigan Athletic in July 2013 and helped the club to an FA Cup semi-final in his first season as well as scoring in the Latics’ Championship play-off semi-final second leg against QPR. In the campaign thereafter, Perch captained Wigan in 42 matches. He was awarded the Players’ Player of the Year accolade in two successive seasons at the DW Stadium, before moving to QPR. Perch enjoyed three seasons in the Championship at Loftus Road and then signed for Scunthorpe United in 2018. Stags’ boss Graham Coughlan said: “James will bring that much-needed experience that our dressing room is missing. “Being born in Mansfield, he won’t need educating on our club or our DNA. He will be great for our young lads to learn from both on and off the pitch. “His experience of playing at a higher level will help us raise standards around the football club. “His ability is clear for all to see and his fitness levels and appearances suggest that he will be a real driving force in our push for success.” ------------------- James Perch delighted to sign for home town club Mansfield Town chad.co.uk, By Stephen Thirkill, Thursday, 13th August 2020 Mansfield-born midfielder James Perch says its a dream come true to finally sign for his home town club. Perch made it all the way to the top of the game having made 80 appearances for Newcastle in the Premier League. But, as he brings his glittering career to a close, Perch has joined Stags on a one year deal. It brings his career full circle after he began his footballing journey in the Chad Mansfield Youth League before having a trial at Stags. “It is massive and something I never thought would happen with the path I have taken,” he said. https://www.chad.co.uk/sport/football/james-perch-delighted-sign-home-town-club-mansfield-town-2941968 “I thought I had missed my chance to come back and play here, now that I am here it is brilliant. “It reminds me of so much when I was younger, I used to come here and watch games, play school finals here and fish over the road in the dam “All I did as a kid was in and around Mansfield. I was here as a kid on trial and then Forest came in a week later and I signed for them.” And Perch, who won promotion from League One with Nottingham Forest in 2008, says he can’t wait to see some familiar faces once again. “I've always kept an eye out for Stags so when the chance came it was a no-brainer,” he said. “I know so many people in Mansfield, all those I went to school with and played against. “They will see this interview and see I have come back to my home club. “I know loads who have season tickets and it will be nice for them to see me play and will give me more pressure to deliver for Mansfield. “I'm from here, born and raised and it's just great to come back to the club I used to watch. “It will be just great to be a part of it. I used to come down with my mates whenever we could. “I just want to give it my best and see where it takes me.” But, despite playing at the very top, Perch is well aware that League Two is a tough league to get out of. “League Two is tough and demanding, it's very physical and is hard to get out of,” he said. “Some teams play football and some are more direct. There's no formula to get out of it, you just need consistency and dedication. “I see myself playing in midfield here, that’s what the manager wants because of my experience. “It's a young squad so I can distribute my experience from there. “It is going to be tough and will be strange with having no fans in the ground. “It will feel like a training game except there are three points at stake. I don't know what it will be like, but I'm looking forward to it.” -------------------- twitter John Radford @JRadfordMTFC Great to have one of our own amongst our ranks for next season. James’ wealth of experience will be an excellent asset in our dressing room. Welcome to the club James and welcome home. COYS!!! David Sharpe @DavidSharpe91 Productive day @mansfieldtownfc! Welcome to the stags to James Perch and @coreyokeeffe10. Great to have you with us lads!! ---------------- EARLIER STORY: Scunthorpe United: James Perch & Rory McArdle among 11 not offered new deals 05 May 2020 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52547612 Defenders James Perch and Rory McArdle are among 11 first-team players who will be released by Scunthorpe when their contracts expire this summer. The Iron say they will not offer any new deals to out-of-contract first team players because of the coronavirus pandemic and the "significant" loss of income suffered by the League Two club. Former Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Wigan and QPR man Perch, 34, has featured 36 times for Scunthorpe in all competitions this season. --------------------- |
Latest | August 2020