Stoke sign Greenacre

By Paul Holmes
July 3 2002

Stoke City have signed striker Chris Greenacre on a bosman transfer from Mansfield Town.

Greenacre has had several clubs chasing his signature this summer following a goalscoring season with Mansfield which helped the club to promotion from the 3rd Division.

Greenacre has always stated that he would leave Mansfield on a bosman in the summer. Stoke had to be paitent for his signature though with Notts Forest also showing a strong interest. Stoke boss Steve Cotterill knows all about Greenacre having seen him play against his former Cheltenham team last season, this is Cotterill's first signing as Stoke manager.

Cotterill spoke to the official website about Greenacre. “We are delighted to get him. Without doubt Chris was one of the most promising young strikers in the lower divisions and is a player very much on the up. He is an excellent signing and is the player we wanted.”

Greenacre also had his say on why he joined the club. “I am delighted to sign for Stoke and can’t wait for the new season. The set-up here and the stadium is impressive, and Steve Cotterill’s appointment in May was a big factor in my decision.

“I feel I can improve my game further and the manager has an excellent reputation as a coach and has a first-class coaching back-up team with him here.

“My first task will be to establish myself in the side. I won’t feel under immediate pressure and I would ask the fans to be patient while I come to terms with stepping up two divisions. But I am very, very excited by this challenge and I am really looking forward to playing for Stoke – the ground, the fans, everything.”