How Quinn and Albion were so good for each other
IRISH MIDFIELDER MOVES ON WITH ALL GOOD WISHES
ONE of the least surprising transfer moves of the summer was completed yesterday when Stephen Quinn signed for Mansfield Town following his release by Burton Albion.
Quinn rejoins the manager, Nigel Clough, who threw him a career lifeline in August 2018 – a lifeline that the combative Irish midfielder grabbed and held on to in fine style across two and a half seasons with the Brewers.
Having turned 35 in April, Quinn is in the twilight of an excellent career that has seen him clock up 550 appearances so far.
It was clear early in the season just finished that his ability to get about the pitch and influence games as he had in his first two seasons with Burton might be waning a little but, in mitigation, the whole team was struggling.
In League Two, on loan with Mansfield from January, it appears he was doing that again for Clough and there seems no reason why he cannot go on and he has, initially, signed a one-year deal with the Stags.
“The quality he brings us on the ball stands out at this level,” said Clough.
“His hunger and desire are evident daily and we’re delighted to have him on board for next season.”
Quinn added: “I’ve had a great few months here on loan. The lads have taken to me really well and I’m so pleased to be signing now.
“It was a straightforward decision, no question. The football we played over the last few months has been enjoyable.
“We’re a good footballing side and we have to take that into next season and produce over the course of a whole campaign.”
As Clough and any Burton supporter will know, Quinn brings more than just what he offers with the ball at his feet.
His encouragement of younger players is exemplary, be it making sure they are congratulated for their part in a good passage of play or remonstrating with them if they let their efforts drop.
With the media, he was also forthright and free of many of the cliches of the modern footballer. The insights he would offer into how a game had gone were sharp and easy to understand.
Yes, he was perhaps struggling to keep up with the League One pace in his third season with Burton and he would have been wise enough to know that it would have been harder still to keep up with what Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was going to demand of his midfielders.
Quinn played 16 minutes as a substitute in Hasselbaink’s first game in charge before being loaned to Mansfield. It was a good move for all parties.
We should – we will – remember him for his first two seasons with the club.
Quinn played 239 times for Sheffield United when he first came to
England in 2005.
Moving on to Hull City, he was players’ player of the season as they were promoted to the Premier League in 2012-13.
He moved on to Reading in 2015 but knee injuries restricted his second and third seasons.
He played only two League Cup games in his third season, was released and felt his career might be done.
Clough offered him the opportunity to train with Burton ahead of the 2018-19 League One season and Quinn, by his own admission, was not at all sure his knee would stand up to it.
However, it did, and he signed. Careful management of the knee and a flexible approach to training kept him going and he made 48 appearances as the Brewers readjusted back to life in League One, finishing ninth and, of course, reaching the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Quinn’s knowhow, anticipation, covering and passing were a joy to watch: “Quinn – again,” was a familiar refrain in the press box as he mopped up danger repeatedly.
Thirty-eight appearances followed in the following, curtailed season and he was no less influential.
If there is a criticism of him, it would be the bookings count. For all his experience, he never quite got that the more you get in the referee’s ear, the more likely you might be to get booked – and he got in referee’s ears too much.
“Just walk away, Quinny,” was another frustrated refrain.
But no matter. He has moved on now with the best wishes of everyone at Burton Albion.
For two years, the club and the player were just great for each other.
His enouragement of younger players is exemplary, making sure they are congratulated or remonstrating with them