David McGoldrick says he is motivated by ‘proving doubters wrong’ as he gives first interview on signing for Mansfield Town.
The 38 year old scored 18 goals in 41 appearances for Barnsley for the 2025/26 season, with fans voting him as Player of the Year, while he was was also awarded Players’ Player of the Year.
But after Barnsley offered him a new deal, he rejected, and now he’s joined Mansfield on a one year deal. Check out what he and his new manager Nigel Clough had to say…
💪 He’s here. Let’s get to work. 🦌 pic.twitter.com/p9pQFfoai2
— Mansfield Town FC (@mansfieldtownfc) June 16, 2026
I’m delighted to welcome experienced forward David McGoldrick to the Stags.
His prolific goalscoring record throughout his career and the experience he brings will be a huge asset to the club as we continue to grow and push forward.
COYS!!!
— John Radford (@JRadfordMTFC) June 16, 2026
Manager Nigel Clough said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to sign David who arrives at Mansfield Town with an impeccable track record at this level and above.
“The quality that he possesses in the final third was the main reason we pursued him.
“Our assessment at the end of the season was that we needed a little difference in the final third. With the permanent signing of Tyler Roberts, and now David McGoldrick, to add to Rhys (Oates) and Will (Evans), it gives us good options in attack.
“Our sincere thanks to the club’s owners, Mr & Mrs Radford, who have supported and sanctioned the signing, as well as to Stephen Quinn [part of the club’s backroom staff] who was instrumental in David joining us having played with him at Republic of Ireland.”
MCGOLDRICK’S INTERVIEW:
Interviewer: David, welcome to Mansfield Town Football Club. What are your thoughts and feelings after signing a one-year deal here?
McGoldrick: Yeah, happy to get it sorted. And the manager has been brilliant talking to me, wanting to get into the club. But when you’ve got a manager that’s full of faith in you to come to this big club, then I’m delighted to get it over the line.
Interviewer: What did the manager have to say to you?
McGoldrick: He didn’t have to say too much. Obviously, I’m at a stage in my career and it’s been a tough decision in terms of to do what. And he explained how he would look after me, how he treat me, the club, the way they work every week, every day is planned for me on the pitch. I think that’s vital and I see no better fit than here at the minute.
Interviewer: Your signature was most chased by a lot of clubs. What was the main pull to come to Mansfield Town for you, David, at this stage of your career?
McGoldrick: There’s a couple of key factors. The manager being one, the massive one. I know a few of the lads here as well, so it’s always welcome when you know a few of the boys. Local, you know, things to move away from home, but in terms of my kids and certain things, I’ve always wanted to be around for them and this is the perfect thing for that. And the size of the club, the club’s massive, playing against them for many years, knowing about the club, coming to play for this size of club at my stage of my career is massive. So it’s all fed into one thing.
Interviewer: You speak about the players. Did you speak with some of the lads before signing and who did you play with previously? Who do you know in this squad?
McGoldrick: Yes, Elliott Hewitt and Jordan Bowery, you know, they said nothing but great things and everyone I speak to about the club, about the manager, you know, it’s nothing, negatives have come back. So that’s really good as well to get that kind of information on board in this decision. you know, I’m really excited to get started.
Interviewer: What was your impression of this team last season when you played Mansfield twice?
McGoldrick: In them two games, a lot of character, you know, being down and then coming back. Both times to get a draw and a win, you know, that shows character, real men in the team, quality as well. Obviously, know Johnny Russell from my time at Barnsley, he’s come here. I’ve to him as well about everything and I just know the group of lads and it’s really something that I’m going to jump into and be part of that character. I bring a lot of character, bit of leadership and hopefully the quality onto the pitch as well.
Interviewer: How was your season last with Barnsley David? 15 goals in the league, 18 in all competitions.
McGoldrick: Yeah, it was good as ups and downs, a period where I wasn’t playing. And then when I got my chance, start of year, start of 2026. I took it with both hands and managed to score some goals and went on a good group day in my form. And hopefully I can carry that on for next season.
Interviewer: What did you make of League One last season and similarly how different or likewise are you expecting it to be with the new teams and that type of thing this time around?
McGoldrick: If I’m honest, I don’t feel that there was much difference from League One to League Two in terms of quality every week, but there’s some teams that was marginally better in terms of quality and finances and stuff like that. It’s going to be tough. There’s some good teams that have come down from the Championship, big teams that have come up from League Two. It’s going to be interesting. It’s going to be hard. But the way the manager wants to play and how he wants me to play and the players that are already here, I’m really excited and I believe that we can do really well in the league.
Interviewer: Let’s speak about playing style and that type of thing. How do you see your role here?
McGoldrick: Score goals. That’s the thing that I’ve been brought in to do and I want to do that, and I will do that. I’ve done it all my career, so that’s the main thing. You can give me all kind of roles, but I just kind of play naturally when I’m out there and bit of an old school. I like to get on the ball. I work hard, link up, and obviously as one of the senior men in the team that I’ve been for many years, the way I play and work, and it will gravitate to the younger people. So hopefully it all comes together and it’ll be a success.
Interviewer: How have you advanced over the years and have you had to adapt your game at all?
McGoldrick: Yeah, in terms, you you learn things every year. That’s one thing in football. You learn things all the time. You can never stop learning. If you’re a manager, if you’re a player, the game changing all the time. You know, I know that I can’t go skip past three people all the time. You know, you have to be more wise up there, and let some time. It’s not all about the feet and running around crazily. It’s about how you look at a game from the bigger picture. You know, I’ve learned things and things just come naturally on a game. I can read games and then hopefully get myself in the best position.
Interviewer: I read that you said that as time has gone on, you’ve had to get a little cuter on the field.
McGoldrick: Yeah, you have to know, younger players, in way that the modern young boys coming through, you know, they’re more physical and more got more attributes than when we were back in our day. You know, you have to be cuter. You have to play the game, you know, you can play the game physically, upstairs is a different type of game. And I like to, you know, take advantage of that.
Interviewer: What are you wanting to achieve here?
McGoldrick: Everything, you know, score goals, the top, top of that table, the top half of that table, the top six, anything, you know, I just, you know, I never, I’m a player that’s going to a club, never put targets. I never put anything, you know, some of the change rooms that I’ve been in over the time that’s successful. It starts from in the change rooms, how the boys get together. I believe that the group are here together here. That’s one of the main things that Nigel brings team bonding. And I believe if we get that right with a bit of luck and everything, then we can have a really successful season as a team. Personally, I cherish every moment of being a footballer. I know that it’s not forever. I’m thankful for this club for giving me an opportunity again to go for another year. I know there’ll be doubters saying that I’m my age and there’ll be doubters saying everything, but I’m doing this for me and to score goals and to carry on and to prove that if you look after yourself, train well, eat well, live well, then you can put your mind to anything. I want to do that and I’ve got the beam up on it to go and score goals.
Interviewer: Pre-season is just a few weeks away. Are you looking forward to it?
McGoldrick: Yeah, don’t mind pre-season. Pre-season, I’ve done many of them in my time. We were at 22, 23, so I know all about it. It’s vital for a player to go into their season with a good pre-season behind them. I can imagine it won’t be easy here in terms of the running and the football aspects, but if you don’t enjoy it, then what are you in it for? You work hard on the pitch, on a training pitch. They say it, what I’m still saying is work hard in training, be better in battle or something like that. The same that goes, and I’ll be ready for the battle when it comes, get myself in the best shape I can and to be successful.
Interviewer: You’ve enjoyed such a good career David so far, haven’t you? What still motivates you?
McGoldrick: Doubters is one. People can go under from comments and stuff like that, I’m extremely blessed to be playing to prove that I can still score goals, to prove that I can still play the highest, the past two, three teams that I’ve been at. Even at my age, I’ve got a player that you see on all the teams. So that’s my aim to be a success here and, you know, only prove at the same time, you know, I’ve got, I’m hunger, I’ve got the hunger. So when you’ve got the hunger, you know, you can achieve anything.
Interviewer: This is a signing, doubtless, that will excite the Stags faithful. How excited are you?
McGoldrick: I’m excited. Excited, you know, big, big year for me. You know, Really excited to play for the club, to play in front of the fans, play with the players. A new chapter in my career, in my life. I’m really excited. We’re pre-season soon and to meet all the boys and get started yet. I’m really excited to become a Mansfield Town player.
HIS CAREER:
Youth
–2004 – Notts County
Senior
2004 – Notts County – 4 games (0 goals)
2004–2009 – Southampton – 75 games (15 goals)
2005 → Notts County (loan) – 7 games (0 goals)
2007 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) – 12 games (6 goals)
2007–2008 → Port Vale (loan) – 18 games (2 goals)
2009–2013 – Nottingham Forest – 73 games (9 goals)
2011 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) – 4 games (1 goal)
2012–2013 → Coventry City (loan) – 25 games (17 goals)
2013–2018 – Ipswich Town – 145 games (41 goals)
2018–2022 – Sheffield United – 136 games (30 goals)
2022–2023 – Derby County – 45 games (25 goals)
2023–2025 – Notts County – 76 games (30 goals)
2025– Barnsley – 41 games (18 goals)
International
2014–2020 – Republic of Ireland – 14 games (1 goal)
Here’s how fans reacted with David McGoldrick ‘proving doubters wrong’ as he gives first interview on signing for Mansfield…
@wafcleo: Brilliant signing for Mansfield that. Not only weakening a direct rival but also improving their threat going forward. Will Evans had a disappointing season compared to his first campaign so it’s only right they further bolster their attacking options.
@Butsag1: “I feel the ambition” take note @BarnsleyFC
@FtblJack20: What a shit day to be Barnsley fan losing Philips and Mcgoldrick on Same day we are fucked
@charliekeegan: Nigel Clough might just be cooking up something special at Mansfield Town… 🦌 David McGoldrick is the latest player to join the #Stags, after netting 15 goals and providing 3 assists in 37 games for @BarnsleyFC last season. Stags finished 10th in League One. Top 6 coming? 👀
@MJE_1982: “Won’t sign for Mansfield, he’s a Notts fan” lost count of how many times I’ve heard that over the last few weeks #stags #notts
@JoshTalksEFL: didn’t he run ‘i want to retire at notts’ gimmick 🤣
@AllThingsBlades: some signing, Mansfield top 6 next season.
@davo33uk: Crikey that’s Barnsley in a relegation fight
@COYRCOYRCOYR: Sad he’s gone, still easily got what it takes. Anyone saying he’s too old has no idea what they’re talking about and they’ll eat their words within a few months of the season starting. My head would be on fucking mars if I was a Notts fan so fair play to you boys on that front.
@jlwstag: Great signing ✍️ 💛💙🦌 providing that he can stay fit
@LutonTownExile: Some signing for them that is. Even at his age he’ll score 20 for them next year. Seriously play off/promotion contenders now.
@LewisT_Williams: Mansfield could be one to keep an eye on next season. They seem to be building something quite nicely and wouldn’t surprise me if they finished higher than a lot of people expect
McGoldrick has played for Notts, Forest, Derby, Wednesday, United, Barnsley and now Mansfield 😂 https://t.co/jcyw7TRudU pic.twitter.com/U9S5pESGQk
— Tom (@TomJubb1867) June 16, 2026
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