Squad
Jason White
Date of Birth: 28/01/1986.
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Goalkeeper.
A product of the youth policy at Field Mill, the keeper has often been an understudy at Mansfield to more senior pros. Given the chance to establish himlsef as number one in 2007-2008, but struggled to do so. Was hit by the news in the summer of 2008 that he would require an operation on a knee injury that will sideline him in the early part of the 2008-2009 season.
Paddy Gamble (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Date of birth: 01/09/88.
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Goalkeeper.
The tall, Nottingham-born goalkeeper first played under Billy McEwan during a loan spell at York. Helped Stalybridge Celtic to the Blue Square North play-off final in 2007-2008 before stepping up a level to join Mansfield for the start of 2008-2009 on a half-season loan.
Luke Herriott
Position: Goalkeeper.
Seen as one for the future by boss Billy McEwan, the teenager signed for the Stags just before the beginning of the 2008-2009 campaign.
Gary Silk
Date of Birth: 13/09/1984.
Previous clubs: Portsmouth, Wycombe (loan), Boston (loan), Notts County.
Position: Right-back.
Brought to Mansfield by Billy McEwan as part of the squad rebuilding needed after the club's relegation to the Blue Square Premier. Spent two seasons on the books of Notts County after coming through the ranks of Portsmouth.
Chris Wood
Date of Birth: 24/01/87.
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Left-back/right-back.
Looked to have established himself in the Mansfield first team in 2007-2008 until he was struck down by injury. A tenacious competitor and solid defender, the former youth team player will hope for better fortune in 2008-2009.
Ashley Kitchen
Date of Birth: 10/10/88.
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Right-back.
Shot to prominence at the end of the 2006-2007 campaign when Mansfield's senior side was decimated with injuries and he put in some capable performances. Had little opportunity to impress in 2007-2008 though.
Adie Moses
Date of Birth: 04/05/1975
Previous clubs: Barnsley, Huddersfield, Crewe, Lincoln.
Position: Central defender.
The experienced camapigner joined Mansfield in the summer of 200 having been released by Lincoln City. He trained with the club under Paul Holland and stayed on when new manager Billy McEwan was appointed. Is the team's captain.
Alan O'Hare
Date of Birth: 31/07/1982
Previous clubs: Bolton, Chesterfield.
Position: Central defender.
Made the switch across the A617 from neighbours Chesterfield to play non-league football for the first time as yet another summer 2008 signing. The former Eire youth international came through the ranks at Bolton before clocking up more than 150 appearances at Saltergate.
Alex Jeannin
Date of Birth: 30/12/1977.
Previous clubs: Troyes, Darlington, Exeter, Bristol Rovers, Hereford, Oxford, Kidderminster (loan).
Position: left-back.
The Frenchman has spent most of his career playing in England with a variety of Football League and non-league clubs. Signed on at Field Mill the week before the start of the 2008-2009 season after Oxford agreed to let him leave on a free transfer.
Nathan Arnold
Date of Birth: 26/07/1987
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Right midfielder/striker.
Another former Mansfield trainee who has graduated to the first team. A nippy player who can cause defences real problems on his day with the ball at his feet. One of only two regular first-teamers to stay with the club following their relegation at the end of last season.
Jamie McGhee
Date of Birth: 28/09/89
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Right midfielder.
Another youngster who has made it through the Stags youth ranks into the professional game. A tricky player who likes to run at defences and who can deliver dangerous crosses.
Matt Somner
Date of Birth: 08/12/82.
Previous clubs: Brentford, Cambridge (loan), Bristol Rovers, Aldershot, Notts County.
Position: Central midfielder.
After starting with Brentford, Somner dropped into non-league football with Aldershot before getting another chance in the Football League with Notts County. Is back in the Blue Square Premier after joing Mansfield in the summer of 2008.
Jonathan D’Laryea
Date of Birth: 03/09/1985
Previous clubs: Man City
Position: Central midfielder.
The other senior player to stay faithful to Mansfield after the disappointment of 2007-2008. He was initially released by the club but manager Billy McEwan chose to bring back the holding player, who was hampered last season by an ankle injury. Is a former team-mate of Micah Richards and Michael Johnson in the Manchester City youth-team.
Gavin Hurren
Date of Birth: 22/10/85.
Previous clubs: Kidderminster, Bromsgrove (loan).
Position: Defender/midfielder.
A player who attracted Mansfield boss Billy McEwan by his versatility. Had played approaching 100 games at Blue Square Premier level before joining the Stags in the summer of 2008.
Warren Burrell
Date of Birth: 03/06/90.
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Midfielder.
Kept on at the end of 2007-2008 after completing his two year trainee period. Played in Mansfield's last game in the Football League - for now at least - when the Stags lost 2-0 at Dagenham and Redbridge.
Ryan Goward
Date of Birth: 01/11/89.
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Left midfielder.
Signed his first porfessional contract in the summer, a promising left-sides midfielder who tasted his first senior action in 2007-2008 under then boss Billy Dearden.
Michael Blackwood
Date of Birth: 30/09/1979.
Previous clubs: Aston Villa, Chester, Wrexham, Stevenage, Halesown, Telford, Lincoln, Kidderminster, Oxford.
Position: Left-back/left midifelder.
One of Bill McEwan's first signings in July 2008, the much-travelled player offers the Stags genuine width down the left. Can play in a defensive or more advanced role. Likes to get forward whenever he can and is a genuine goal threat.
Mark Stallard
Date of Birth: 24/10/74
Previous clubs: Derby County, Fulham (loan), Bradford City, Preston (loan), Wycombe, Notts County, Barnsley, Chesterfield (loan), Shrewsbury, Lincoln.
Position: Striker.
Dropped out of the Football League for the first time in a long and successful career to become Billy McEwan's first signing at Mansfield in July 2008. An intelligent forward, adept at holding the ball and with an excellent scoring record.
Jason Lee
Date of Birth: 09/05/71.
Previous clubs: Charlton, Stockport (loan), Lincoln, Southend, Nottingham Forest, Grimsby (loan), Watford, Chesterfield, Peterborough, Falkirk, Boston, Northampton, Notts County.
Position: Striker.
The third former Notts County player to join Mansfield in the summer of 2008. Boasts a wealth of Football League experience having played for 12 different clubs, offers a real presence and is a significant threat in the air.
Aaron O'Connor
Date of Birth: 09/08/83.
Previous clubs: Scunthorpe, Ilkeston, Gresley Rovers, Grays Athletic.
Position: Striker.
Started out at Scunthorpe but has spent much of his time since then in non-league circles. Turned down a contract with Grays at the end of 2007-2008 and joined the Stags in August 2008 after a successful trial.
Emile Sinclair (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Date of birth: 20/12/87
Previous clubs: Nottingham Forest.
Position: Striker.
The Leeds-born player can also play wide on the right and has a terrific turn of pace anf eye for goal. Still a little raw, but gaining in experience all the time and having already scored his first senior goal for parent club Forest against Gillingham last season.
Lewis Trimmer
Date of Birth: 30/10/89
Previous clubs: none.
Position: Striker.
Will hope to make further progress in 2008-2009 after signing a porfessional contract in the summer. A busy striker with plenty of promise.