‘I’m here to push Liam Roberts all the way’ says new Mansfield Town goalkeeper Harry Lewis

Roberts has been in exceptional form.

But Lewis is looking forward to his new challenge and said: “I am well aware that Robbo has been absolutely flying.

“We have played against each other a couple of times and he is a great lad.

“I want to help and support him as much as I can, and push him as well.

“He is doing really well at the moment, but it's my job to keep a bit of pressure on him.

“I will try to get the best out of him and hope he is going to get the best out of me, together with Adam Collin (coach) and the other goalies at the club.

“I want to be part of a really successful goalkeeping union here really.

“It is important every day to bring your best efforts to training and on a matchday to be there for Robbo when needed.

“It is an important job and it's a job I know I have signed up for here as an understudy role.

“That does not mean I will take my foot off the gas as I want to push on.

“I want to see Robbo do really well and I want to be right behind him, pushing him all the way.”

He added: “The relationship between the keepers at a club is massive.

“I have definitely seen bad relationships in the past, but, for me, Robbo is a great lad, he's from the Midlands like myself, and both our partners are pregnant.

“So we have got plenty of sleepless nights ahead of us!

“I am really looking forward to getting to know him better and getting to know the group better as a whole.” The 28-year-old has signed an 18-month contract at One Call Stadium. The 6ft 3in shot-stopper began his professional career at Southampton and made three Emirates FA Cup appearances for the Saints in 2017, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 third round replay win over Norwich City.

Lewis then made 39 appearances on loan at Dundee United the following season, recording 11 clean sheets, helping the Tangerines to a third-placed finish in the Scottish Championship. In May 2022, he signed for Bradford City and was an ever-present for the Bantams in his maiden season.

He became a fans’ favourite at Valley Parade before he joined Carlisle in January 2024.

“I moved to Southampton from Shrewsbury Town, which is where I am from,” he said.

“I moved there when I was 17 and spent just short of seven years there.

“I had a really good time there and learned a lot, though I didn't play as much football as I would have liked to. But it has stood me in good stead for the rest of my career.

“My time at Bradford was great. I love Bradford – it's such a brilliant club to be a part of.

“I had a really good time there and was sad to move on, but such is the game.

“I had a difficult spell then at Carlisle all things considered so I am looking forward to moving on to the next chapter and putting that behind me really.

“I have played in their cup games, that's it so far this season. Other than that there's not been too much to report.

“Carlisle are going really well at the moment and I wish them all the best in trying to get out of their league this season. Good luck to them.”

On his move to Mansfield, he said: “I am really excited to get stuck in. I was ready for a new challenge – I have probably been ready for a little while.

“This move has dragged on for a couple of weeks and I have been ready and raring to go to come here, knowing it looked like it was going to happen.

“I have been itching to get through the door and am delighted to finally get it done and get started.

“The move probably took a bit longer than I had hoped, but I'm glad it's all done.

“I am glad to be in the building to help the lads out and get stuck into a new challenge.

“I felt it was an opportunity to get back into the EFL and with a club that certainly seems to be going places.

“Mansfield's results have been brilliant recently and I want to be part of a club that is pushing in the right direction.

“I have a couple of good memories of playing against Mansfield for Bradford.

“I think we won away here in my first season, then we only got a 0-0 draw in my second season.

“It's always been a good place to come. It's a nice part of the world and I am looking forward to bringing my family here and getting settled around here too.

“I have trained here this morning and they are a great group of lads.

“I am absolutely delighted to be here.”

On his attributes, Lewis added: “I would like to think I am a good distributor and good at making reaction saves.

“For me, being a keeper is being there when the team needs you.

“It's not about being flashy, getting carried away with things or trying to be a hero.

“It doesn't always come off in goalkeeping. There are always moments where you want to do better.

“But you just give your all to the team and try to be that last line in defence and be there in important moments.”

Stags boss Nigel Clough said: “Harry has good experience and will be good cover for Liam and challenge him.

“The main thing is we wanted to get Owen Mason out for some experience.

“We said at the start of the season we would go with Owen on the bench to get some experience of being around the first team and working with Liam every day which would improve him.

“But after five months he has played his three games in the Vertu Trophy and a bonus game in the FA Cup.

“Now he needs to get some games at a good level in the National League. That's what young goalkeepers need.

“Anthony Nunez is another one - he is out at Anstey Nomads. Goalkeepers need to play, especially young ones, to get that experience.

“The plan here was always to look at it again after Christmas and see what the best course of action was and we think this is it. Harry fits the bill for us.”