Mansfield striker signs for Bucks

AFC Telford today staged a dramatic transfer deadline day coup by swooping for Mansfield striker Ian Holmes.

Holmes, who scored twice against the Bucks last season in bagging 34 goals for UniBond League premier division outfit Matlock Town, has signed on loan until the end of the current campaign.

And his temporary move will include the Blue Square North play-offs should Telford’s season go into overtime.

There was little sign of what was to follow this morning, with manager Rob Smith and assistant Larry Chambers resigning themselves to a quiet transfer deadline day after two fruitless days of telephone calls.

But Holmes - a target for Telford last summer - has been struggling to get a first-team place at Mansfield in his first season to Field Mill and contacted Telford at lunchtime in an attempt to instigate the move.

“The first I knew about it was when Ian rang and said that he was due to go on loan to a Conference club,” said Smith.”His words were he wanted to join us because we were flying - and we are delighted to have him on board.

“We saw at first hand what he could do last season and you won’t see a harder working striker anywhere.

“Mansfield have decided to go with experience to try and get them out at the bottom of League Two and we have benefited.

“It’s a new face and it should give everyone a lift.”

Holmes has scored three times for the Stags.

Meanwhile, Smith has attempted to rally the AFC Telford United faithful for the run-in.

Successive defeats over the Easter weekend have led to growing fears of a late wobble as the Bucks attempt to seal a play-off place.

But Smith said: “I can’t emphasise how important the fans are to us now.

“We have said all season that they have been absolutely brilliant - but we have got two home games left now and we know if we win those two, we will be in the play-offs.

“I understand the frustration they are feeling - probably more than they think I do.

“It gets to us as more than anyone, but we have lost two football matches and if we win one on Saturday, we are within touching distance of the play-offs.

We have to stay positive.”