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NEW STAGS STAR IS MR VERSATILITY
Mansfield have made utility man John Mullins their first signing of the summer.
The 21-year-old defender or midfielder has joined on a two-year deal after being released by Reading at the end of last season.
Hampstead-born Mullins has spent much of the last two seasons on loan at Kidderminster Harriers.
He was part of the side - along with Stags striker Chris Beardsley - that went down to the Conference in 2005.
"I wasn't going to be figuring much in the Reading side so I see the move to Mansfield as nothing but positive," said Mullins.
"I was on loan at Kidderminster when they got relegated which wasn't too good but I am looking forward to playing in the Football League again.
"I do not know a great deal about Mansfield Town, but I do know a few of the lads and I can't wait to get started.
"When the gaffer (Peter Shirtliff) contacted me I was delighted at the opportunity to come back into League football as I wasn't sure what was going to happen at Reading. Hopefully I will bring some quality to the side. I have a lot of energy and want to do well."
Shirtliff is delighted with his capture.
"I am pleased about signing John as I think he is going to be an asset to the club," he said.
"He can play anywhere across the defence and in midfield although I have brought him in for the right-back role.
"I think he will bring some quality and he is a consistent player who arrives at Field Mill with a good pedigree.
"At Reading they do a lot of good work in the coaching of players and, at 21, he is the right age for this football club.
"He has experience but he still has room to grow."
Mullins joined Reading as a trainee in July 2004 but did not make a first team appearance during his time there.
He made 46 appearances at Kidderminster and scored four goals.
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Mansfield CHAD (Website)
Stags - Shirtliff lands new defender
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Stags' boss Peter Shirtliff today acquired the first name on his hit list.
Reading full back John Mullins put pen to paper on a contract that will see the versatile 20-year-old plying his trade at Field Mill for the next two years.
Mullins, released from Reading this season, is looking forward to the challenge of Division Two football after having a brief taster with Kidderminster Harriers before they were relegated to the Conference.
And doesn't see the move to Mansfield as a drop from glory.
"I wasn't going to be figuring much in the Reading side so I see the move to Mansfield as nothing but positive," he said.
"I was at loan with Kidderminster when they got relegated which wasn't to good but I am looking forward to playing in the Football league again.
"I do not know a great deal about Mansfield Town but I do know a few of the lads and I can't wait to get started.
"When the gaffer (Peter Shirtliff) contacted me I was delighted at the opportunity to come back into League football as I wasn't sure what was going to happen at Reading.
"I don't want to say too much but hopefully I will bring some quality to the side. I have a lot of energy and want to do well."
Peter Shirtliff, pleased at landing the first of his hit list, added: "I am pleased about signing John as I think he is going to be an asset to the club.
"He can play anywhere across the defence and in midfield although I have brought him in for the right back role.
"I think he will bring some quality and he is a consistent player who arrives at Field Mill with a good pedigree because at Reading they do a lot of good work in the coaching of players and at 20 years old he is the right age for this football club in terms of experience but still has room to grow."
Mullins signed for Reading as a trainee in July 2004 and was later on loan at Kidderminster, making 46 league appearances for them including an outing against Stags when they travelled there last season.
Mullins, released from Reading this season, is looking forward to the challenge of Division Two football after having a brief taster with Kidderminster Harriers before they were relegated to the Conference.
And doesn't see the move to Mansfield as a drop from glory.
"I wasn't going to be figuring much in the Reading side so I see the move to Mansfield as nothing but positive," he said.
"I was at loan with Kidderminster when they got relegated which wasn't to good but I am looking forward to playing in the Football league again.
"I do not know a great deal about Mansfield Town but I do know a few of the lads and I can't wait to get started.
"When the gaffer (Peter Shirtliff) contacted me I was delighted at the opportunity to come back into League football as I wasn't sure what was going to happen at Reading.
"I don't want to say too much but hopefully I will bring some quality to the side. I have a lot of energy and want to do well."
Peter Shirtliff, pleased at landing the first of his hit list, added: "I am pleased about signing John as I think he is going to be an asset to the club.
"He can play anywhere across the defence and in midfield although I have brought him in for the right back role.
"I think he will bring some quality and he is a consistent player who arrives at Field Mill with a good pedigree because at Reading they do a lot of good work in the coaching of players and at 20 years old he is the right age for this football club in terms of experience but still has room to grow."
Mullins signed for Reading as a trainee in July 2004 and was later on loan at Kidderminster, making 46 league appearances for them including an outing against Stags when they travelled there last season.