Baker Sale Shock

Today it has been revealed that the Stags last week accepted a £80,000 bid from Hartlepool for terrace hero Richie Barker, with the deal eventually falling through. Today Barker spoke about the saga, and in the Nottingham Evening Post said "I was surprised because I have never asked to leave and I intend to see out the new contract I signed in the summer," he said.

"I am happy here and I signed for an extra two years because it is a place where I could see me playing out the rest of my career.

"Why would I want to move away from a club where I am captain and in the side regularly and scoring goals to a club where I don't know anyone?

"I have waited a long time to be captain of a side and I enjoy it and don't want to give it up. I am closing in on 100 games and 50 goals for the club - landmarks I want to pass.

"I had conversations with the boss and he told me that he doesn't want me to leave.

"I think we are just starting to get things together as a side.