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Sport Nation
'Stick or twist?': Ben Waine's big decision to make after English club release
Riccardo Ball • May 9th, 2025 3:32 pm
Photo: Jenny Chuang/Photosport
Ben Waine's contract at Plymouth Argyle has run its course and now he's a free agent, the question is does he stick or twist?
Still only 23, Waine played most of this season on loan at Mansfield Town where his manager was former England international Nigel Clough (son of Brian).
The Phoenix Academy product should be able to secure a deal with a club in the third or fourth tier of the English pyramid but as he's found this season he won't be guaranteed to start.
Clough was effusive about Waine's attitude during the season and said that if Mansfield had had a better season he would've played more, but as it turned out The Stags brought in former Premier League striker Jordan Rhodes as they fought to stave off a relegation battle.
Waine's now former club have begun preparations for life in League One after this season's relegation from the English Championship - his release was one of four announced by Plymouth Argyle on Friday (NZ time).
2026 is a World Cup year so will the 20-plus capped All White be tempted to come home?
Ben Waine kicks a penalty during All Whites' FIFA World Cup Qualifier vs Fiji | Photo: Marty Melville/Photosport
The Wellington Phoenix would, you'd imagine, welcome him back with open arms after how this season has played out while Auckland FC will be looking for a replacement for fellow All Whites striker Max Mata (a player who has had a similar experience to Ben at Shrewsbury Town).
A short term deal with either club would more than likely see him get more minutes on the field than he did in the season just gone, and that will keep him in the reckoning for the All Whites World Cup squad, but will it harm his chances of getting back to Europe?
That's the decision the 'Waine Train' needs to make in the next month.
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