Mansell signs for Bristol Rovers

[taunton_gull]

I'm a little surprised he has been offered a new deal. Whilst it's fair to argue he has more left in the tank than Nicholson surely the time is right for him to move on as well? As has been pointed out we're pretty stuck when it comes to bringing in new players given the amount of the budget those still under contract are taking up. I'm not sure how another year of Manse will help our cause, 'club legend' or not his poor form was at the centre of our terrible season and I wouldn't rate him as conference standard today.

[chunkygull]

I'm a little surprised he has been offered a new deal. Whilst it's fair to argue he has more left in the tank than Nicholson surely the time is right for him to move on as well? As has been pointed out we're pretty stuck when it comes to bringing in new players given the amount of the budget those still under contract are taking up. I'm not sure how another year of Manse will help our cause, 'club legend' or not his poor form was at the centre of our terrible season and I wouldn't rate him as conference standard today.

I cant believe Mansell has been offered a new deal, whatever it is. No way in hell I would have kept him once his contract was up.I would have thought a fresh start or clean slate and a clear out as much as possible would have been the best way forward. It is definitely time Mansell moved on.

Before all those supporters who have a crush on him kick off and have a go, disagree and shout me down, or Lee spits his dummy on Twitter and whines about Torquay fans not loving him - its nothing personal, his time is up, if not long overdue!

I'm sure he's a top bloke, good to have around the club, great in training, pivotal to spirit in the dressing room and all that, but I just dont rate him as a footballer, I never have. I cant actually believe he has been here as long as he has.

To be fair to him if i had my way I would clear out every last one of that squad if possible with the exceptions of Pearce and Cameron and even if they went I wouldnt lose any sleep over it.

This use of the word Legend for players really gets on my nerves, its bandied about far too easily. All those calling Mansell, Nicholson and Hargreaves legends, I would really like to know what for? Yes they have had good times at the club, yes they have all given 100% when playing, yes they were part of the squad that got us back in the football league, but Legends? Never!

All will go down as part of the clubs history, all might even go down in United folklore, possibly Hargreaves might qualify for the Torquay United Hall Of Fame for his wembley goal and being captain, none of them though are Legends!

[MidDevon]

As soon as I saw Manse had been offered a new contract I was not surprised

I was not happy, but was not surprised. Under CH management Mansell generally played crap, but still got selected in the key central midfield position....I think most of the man love going on is coming from CH himself, why else would he offer him a new deal?

I am however absolutely delighted that he has offered Lathrope a contract, but surely with him playing behind Mansell ,our central midfield will just not be capable of the dynamic service our forwards will deserve. Lathrope needs a playmaker in front of him and Mansell is not that

If he does sign (I am sure he will as no one else with offer him a league contract) I fear it could turn rather nasty as yet another ball is given away at home to Dover on a cold Tuesday night....I really hope I am wrong


I can only pray and I mean REALLY pray that the plans for Mansell are as right back next season....but I doubt my prays will be answered

[Neal]

Gee I can't believe some of the posts. We are not a charity for hard working families. Its a f ing hard business where some people like Thea and hard working fans pay money to watch football. All football players know damn well what the situation is. Don't like it sell herbal teas for a living.

I too have been made redundant many times, its tough but you get on with it.

I'm afraid there is no sentiment in football, you can't afford it. And hats off to CH for listing all those who I'm afraid are not good enough for conference football. Its given me some hope. Yes I'm sure we will be stuck with a few and that could damage our chances next season. Knills legacy lives on. What an utterly useless manager he was.

[hector]

Of course he has every right. But.... i wouldnt want a player in my squad who "reluctantly" stays becuase it was the only option, and begrudgingly so. Given the alledged tweets I have seen on here it seems that this could be the case.

Jeez we are going to need every player pulling in one direction 100% next season if we want to do anything. He wasnt on my list to stay, and given some of the more aggressive posts on here over the last few months by some posters he wasnt on theirs either.

Thats football, you can be a legend and then one season of poor form, thats it. These guys know this, if you cannot take it then dont do it.

No, if he is pissed off with the offer I would withdraw it becaus we cannot afford any issues next season.

In reality, are any of the players offered new 'reduced terms' contracts going to be giving '100%' next year? Do pay-cuts make you do the same job any better? Not saying that the players deserve a pay-rise nor that they don't deserve a pay-cut, seeing as they are now lower division players but players at Torquay's level are entitled to try and get the best deal they can for themselves and their families, the same as any of us would.

They, like any of us, when considering job prospects, will weigh up the costs of moving house - not just financially, but in terms of ripping up a settled life - and may deduce that once the costs, both financially and personally, are factored, that disrupting everything for a bit of extra money isn't worth it and therefore may stay. On the other hand, the offers may be so derisory, that they simply have to move.

[lucy6lucy]

In reality, are any of the players offered new 'reduced terms' contracts going to be giving '100%' next year? Do pay-cuts make you do the same job any better? Not saying that the players deserve a pay-rise nor that they don't deserve a pay-cut, seeing as they are now lower division players but players at Torquay's level are entitled to try and get the best deal they can for themselves and their families, the same as any of us would.

They, like any of us, when considering job prospects, will weigh up the costs of moving house - not just financially, but in terms of ripping up a settled life - and may deduce that once the costs, both financially and personally, are factored, that disrupting everything for a bit of extra money isn't worth it and therefore may stay. On the other hand, the offers may be so derisory, that they simply have to move.

They signed the original contract which had a RELEGATION clause in, just like a championship player getting a PAYRISE on promotion to the to the premiershit. They know the score, they got us in this mess if they don't like it bugger off. If there is money in herbal tea in Torbay or indeed England then go for it mansell, but get real mate

[rooster]

I cannot believe the ignorance of people who can't see why a player would not want to to take time out to consider his options for his future career and family............can anyone say they would be any different, i don't think so........
If the deal is right he will sign and give it his best, no question, its the way it works.....
We've blamed various managers for our shortcomings and now were blaming players, most of these appointments were fully supported and people were vocal about them, now its gone wrong its everyone else's fault, well you can't have it both ways........

[eastmoorgull]

Well said - why do normal rules of life not apply to footballers???? Mansell will always give 100% to TUFC; maybe with decent players who care around him he'll have one more season at his best.

What ever happened to loyalty?

[Richinns]

I cannot believe the ignorance of people who can't see why a player would not want to to take time out to consider his options for his future career and family............can anyone say they would be any different, i don't think so........
If the deal is right he will sign and give it his best, no question, its the way it works.....
We've blamed various managers for our shortcomings and now were blaming players, most of these appointments were fully supported and people were vocal about them, now its gone wrong its everyone else's fault, well you can't have it both ways........

Nail and head.

[gullintwoplaces]

I think that some posters believe that footballers are a strange species who don't have families, mortgages to pay and food to buy. Just get off Manse's back, he will have to decide on his offer in a reasonable timescale and then we will know.

I don't know why some people have got on their high horse about the word "legend", I have looked and NOBODY has said that he is a legend! He has been a loyal player who has given some good seasons to the Gulls, but who played poorly for much of last season (as did most of the squad). I think he could still play well again, but if he leaves it will not be the end of the world for us, although I would course wish him well.

[PhilGull]

Regardless of what you think of Mansell today if what he has done in the 7 years previous doesn't qualify him as a club legend then what does? He was an integral part of four play-off teams, captaining two and a cup final team and most importantly of all spent the middle 5 of those 7 years as a fans favourite, in everyone's top three favourite players!
If he isn't a legend then who is? Oh sorry, I forgot about all those players back in the 60s and 70s who lifted all those trophies in our glory days!

As for reasons for keeping him, well we need experience. If we start next season with a squad full of players all under 25 then we will not get promoted. The best teams in the Conference have a wealth of experience with a smattering of youth. We need players like Mansell if we are going to bounce back.

[Dave]

Whether Mansell is a club legend or not is neither here nor there, and is pretty irrelevant to our current situation , think we all know the clubs been relegated and suffered a drastic loss of income. No one can doubt Lee Mansell has been a good and loyal servant of our club, something I'll always thank him for, but that doesn't qualify him for any special treatment including a 3 year £1.5k a week deal our club could not pay.

That said, he is also a family man, he, like every one else deserves a chance to have a think and do what's right for him and his family, if the club having given him a month that's fair enough.

[ferrarilover]

Regardless of what you think of Mansell today if what he has done in the 7 years previous doesn't qualify him as a club legend then what does? He was an integral part of four play-off teams, captaining two and a cup final team and most importantly of all spent the middle 5 of those 7 years as a fans favourite, in everyone's top three favourite players!
If he isn't a legend then who is? Oh sorry, I forgot about all those players back in the 60s and 70s who lifted all those trophies in our glory days!

As for reasons for keeping him, well we need experience. If we start next season with a squad full of players all under 25 then we will not get promoted. The best teams in the Conference have a wealth of experience with a smattering of youth. We need players like Mansell if we are going to bounce back.

Matt.

[Yellow4life]

http://postimg.org/image/4gnpxva3v/

Why would he be in the legends team, if he was staying?

[yellowforever]

http://postimg.org/image/4gnpxva3v/

Why would he be in the legends team, if he was staying?

On the other hand, those sort of games tend to be played by ex players don't they...?