Former Bull Sam Craven Signs with Mansfield Town FC
BUFFALO, NY - Sam Craven, a former UB men's soccer player and 2011 student assistant, has signed with Mansfield Town FC. Sam is the older brother of current UB midfielder Richard Craven and he spent one season as the Bulls starting defender, making 12 starts and scoring one goal on 11 shots.
Craven spent around a month on trial with the club trying out for a chance to sign. The club announced on Tuesday that Craven will be the newest member of the team and he will come in as a midseason addition to the Stags side, currently seated ninth in the 24-team league with a 12-5-13 record (W-L-T). The Nottingham, England native will be the prodigal son for Mansfield City, growing up just a few miles from the team's home pitch.
In an interview with the club's website, Sam said "I'm really happy to be here. To be back in English football and so close to home is 'quality'. I've been away (from England) for five years, and to return to a club like this is brilliant. There's more bite and aggression in the game over here, and that suits me."
The Football Conference is a professional soccer league in England which consists of three conferences: Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Mansfield Town is a member of Conference National.