The Fall From Plaice - Part 2

By: Gainsbro Mariner
Date: 16/12/2012 (Last updated: 20/01/2013)

WHEN Darren Mansaram burst on to the scene in 2002, we were all aware of his repuation. Here we had a strong goalscoring forward with compusure, pace and good heading ability.

"Flash" as he was nicknamed certainly seemed to prove his worth during the 2002-03 season, a few goals and some impressive performances were one of the few positives to be taken from the fateful season we last spent in The Championship. We ended that season trying to cling on to Flash as the more established and wealthier clubs around us pondered a bid for him! By the time the following season kicked off Mansaram was still a Town player and then started the downward spiral in performances that eventually led to his departure over a year later. Russell Slade had come in and had shipped in an endless pot of trialists, he had initally told us that only one of Flash, fans' favourate Abdou "Abdul" Tangara, and Trinidad pensioner Clint Marcelle would get a contract. However both Flash and oddly Marcelle received contracts and a couple of months into the new season both had departed. Flash's eventual departure was preceded by a loan to Halifax Town, which would turn into a permanent move.

Mansaram's time with Halifax was less fruitful than his loan spell, and within the year after his depature from Blundell Park he found himself farmed out on loan to York City, Tamworth and Worksop Town. He eventually made a permanent move to League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers, though it was a move to rivals Bohemians a few months later which brough his best and lengthiest spell since leaving Grimsby. In 2008 after two years abroad he returned to England and signed with Leigh Genesis, the club formed out of the ashes of former Conference side Leigh RMI. His stay was short and he briefly joined Nottinghamshire minnows Retford United before returining to Ireland with Dundalk. By 2009 he had returned back to England and had a month with Gainsborough Trinity. Soon followed yet another move this time to Droylsden before joined United Counties League side Armthorpe Welfare.

Mansaram became a free scoring talisman with Welfare like you would expect any 26-year-old former Championship player to be. He departed Welfare towards the business end of the 2011-12 campaign and returned to the region signing for Brigg Town. Initially released by Brigg in the summer, they re-signed him in August only to see him leave for Arnold Town in November. Still only 28-years-old, the former Town front man now plys his trade in the Northern Counties East Premier League with Armthorpe.

To be continued....

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