Mansfield Town F.C. are an English football club who will play the 2004-05 season in League Two of the Football League.

Based in the small former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, the club are nicknamed The Stags and play in the colours of amber and blue. The present manager is Carlton Palmer, who took over after his predecessor Keith Curle was sacked for misconduct.

History

Mansfield Town were founded in 1897 under the name of Mansfield Wesleyans. Like many football clubs, the Stags can trace their origans to a local church, in this case the Wesleyan church on Bridge Street.

The present name was adopted by the club in the summer of 1910. This move angered deadly rivals Mansfield Mechanics but the none the less went ahead.

By this time the Stags had moved to their present home, Field Mill. Football has played their since 1861 and is widely regarded as one of the oldest football grounds in the world.

After several attempts, the Stags finally won election to the Football League in time for the 1931-32 season.

Perhaps the clubs most famous moment came in 1969, when West Ham United, a team containing many of England's World Cup heros were beaten 3-0 in the FA Cup. The Stags progressed to the quarter final stage where they eventually lost to Leicester City.

The most successful period in the Stags' League history came during the 1970s.

Mansfield claimed the Division Four title in 1974-75 before being promoted to the second tier for the only time in their history in 1976-77. The Stags were relegated at the end of the season.

The Stags captured the Leyland Daf Trophy in 1987. It was the Stags' only game at Wembley stadium to date and was played in front of 58,000 fans. After a 1-1 draw with Bristol City, the Stags won the cup 5-4 in the deciding Penalty shoot-out.

1994-95 was a dramatic season for the Stags as they made the playoffs. Here they lost out at the home of their greatest enemies Chesterfield to miss out on a place in the final.

The Stags did however finally make a playoff final in 2003-04. The club won another dramatic penalty shootout, this time to Northampton Town. The Stags were awarded with a visit to Cardiff's Millenium Stadium. Here they were involved in another penalty shootout, losing to Huddersfield Town.

Chesterfield

No doubt the club's greatest enemy are Chesterfield FC (The Spireites), this deep routed and vicious rivalry has existed for many years and is considered to be one of the fiercest rivalries in the lower leagues.

The local derby between the two sides has been contested 67 times and resulted in 26 victories for the Stags, compared to 25 defeats.

The last meeting between the clubs was in January 2003 where Mansfield emerged victorious with a last minute goal at the Spireite's Saltergate home.

External Links

Mansfield Town Official Website Official Webiste of the Stags Supporters Association