Mansfield Town boss, Nigel Clough, has continued with his strengthening of the Stags back-line with his second, defensive signing, of the summer window, bringing in centre-half, Baily Cargill, from the now, League Two side, Forest Green Rovers.
Winchester-born Cargill spent a number of years on the books at South Coast outfit, AFC Bournemouth, having finished his youth training there over a decade ago.
Although his time with the Cherries perhaps wasn’t what he expected it to be, making less than a dozen appearances in six years at the club, Cargill did enjoy several cup outings, and has an, albeit brief, Premier League debut to his name.
The now 27-year-old’s first, senior start for the Cherries, arrived in their League Cup win against Exeter City, he being rewarded with a place on the bench for their following game, in the EFL Championship defeat, at home to Nottingham Forest, back in August 2014.
The Premier League debut, that would come, as a late substitute, in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, in March 2017, some four years after turning professional, it was around this time in which Cargill was also capped, at U20 level, by England.
Whilst at Bournemouth, Cargill, who has become Clough’s third signing of the summer window after Will Swan, and a fellow defender, Calum Macdonald, enjoyed numerous loan spells around the country, gaining much experience along the way.
In 2018, Bournemouth eventually let Cargill move to Milton Keynes Dons, where he’d help them to promotion from League Two in his first season, finishing third in the division, and going on to make over 60 appearances; in 2020 Cargill found himself on the move again, this time to Forest Green Rovers, and with it, another promotion.
Again, at the end of his first, full season, Cargill tasted promotion, this time lifting the League Two title, and spent the last campaign playing in League One, making close to a century of appearances during his time there.
Clough though, he’s seen enough of the player to warrant brining him to Nottinghamshire, saying of his latest acquisition: “He’s a natural left-footer, who was probably one of the outstanding players twelve months ago for Forest Green when they romped the division.
“He wants the challenge of a third promotion from League Two, having achieved it with Forest Green and MK Dons and his desire is still there to get another one.
“We think he’ll complement Alfie Kilgour well and we’re very pleased to secure his signature.”
Meanwhile, in his first interview with the club, Cargill said: “I’m really pleased to get it done.
“….. As soon as I’d met then (management and players), I was keen to get it done
“….. Seeing the facilities is not what I’m used to; obviously, being at Forest Green, they don’t quite have the facilities as you guys here, so I’m really excited.
When asked about his turning down offers from elsewhere to join the Stags, and what the attraction was to come to the club, Cargill, who knows the likes of Jordan Bowery and Hiram Boateng from their time together at MK Dons, added: “Obviously, the facilities are amazing, and the support is great as far as I’m aware.
“Everything about the club just felt right for me.
“My girlfriend’s from this sort of way so she’ll be happy that we’re moving closer to her.
“So yes, everything just felt right.”
Baily Cargill is the third signing of the summer transfer window for Nigel Clough and Mansfield Town, and has penned a two-year deal at the One Call Stadium.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @mansfieldtownfc Bailey Cargill happy to be a Stag.
