It is unclear where Mansfield Town will play at the weekend after they were locked out of their own ground. Alfreton’s Impact Arena, Eastwood Town and Notts County have all been considered. However, it looks increasingly likely that the Stags will use Ilkeston Town’s ground. It is not in use following the club’s dissolution earlier this year and it has a capacity of just over 3,000, although one stand is locked out
It is unclear where Mansfield Town will play at the weekend after they were locked out of their own ground. Alfreton’s Impact Arena, Eastwood Town and Notts County have all been considered. However, it looks increasingly likely that the Stags will use Ilkeston Town’s ground. It is not in use following the club’s dissolution earlier this year and it has a capacity of just over 3,000, although one stand is locked out of use on a technicality.
Former chairman Keith Haslam locked the Stags out of Field Mill last week by getting baliffs Burlington Enforcement to change the locks. His ownership of the ground is subject of a legal action by new chairman John Radford and two rent payments from June and September are owing. Radford has offered a payment to be made to an escrow account, but there has been no response.
Radford is reported to have instructed lawyers to look at a dividend paid out to shareholders, including Haslam’s Stags Limited company when Haslam sold the club to a consortium. It is allged that Haslam’s £1.9m purchase of the ground took place out of the £2.36m share of the dividend that went to Stags Ltd.
Last Saturday’s game was called off because of the weather but the referee had to do this pitch inspection from outside the ground as he was unable to gain access. Evo-Stik Division One south side Glapwell share the ground, but have returned to their old ground at Hall Corner for now. You couldn’t make it up.