Luton legend Lee, who will forever be a Luton legend along with midfield stalwarts such as Ricky Hill, Danny Wilson, Kevin Nicholls and Paul Underwood, was unable to break into the Hatters first-team last season and many Luton fans felt that he was victimised by Mike Newell. Many fans couldn't believe that Lee Mansell was cruelly overlooked by the boss, who favoured Ahmet Brkovic for some strange reason.
Brian Talbot, the manager of Oxford United, has now told Lee Mansell that he will be playing at right-back rather than in midfield. Mansell only appeared in three games last season - a 4-3 defeat in the League Cup at Boston United, an LDV Vans defeat against Swansea City and 10 minutes in an emphatic victory at Torquay. Mansell is particularly pleased about the move because he feels he is joining a bigger club than Luton. Therefore, Carlos Edwards, Kevin Nicholls, Steve Robinson etc. will all be looking on enviously at Lee as he competes in League Two, whereas the rest of the Town squad will have to make do with games against Southampton, Wolves, Norwich, Ipswich, Crystal Palace etc.
Mansell is Talbot's fourth signing for Oxford United, and he has also been involved in deals to sign other Luton legends such as Stuart Douglas when he was manager of Rushden and Diamonds and also Dean Crowe when he was manager of Oldham Athletic. With this deal, many Luton fans will feel that he has excelled himself in the transfer market. Many others were sorry to see Mansell leave the club, as it means they will have no one to shout at next season. Unless Paul Hughes recovers from his virus.