Stags crisis deepens

Having played a FA Trophy match against also homeless Worksop at Ilkeston Town’s out-of-use New Manor Ground, the crisis at Mansfield Town has deepened.  The Blue Square Bet Premiership has told them that they cannot play league matches there or at Alfreton Town’s ground.   They could face a fine and a points deduction

Having played a FA Trophy match against also homeless Worksop at Ilkeston Town’s out-of-use New Manor Ground, the crisis at Mansfield Town has deepened.  The Blue Square Bet Premiership has told them that they cannot play league matches there or at Alfreton Town’s ground.   They could face a fine and a points deduction


The future of the former Football League club now rests in the hands of former owner Keith Haslam who locked the club out of their ground at Field Mill.   Like any landlord he is entitled to have his rent paid, but the move has hardly enhanced his popularity in Mansfield.    This article is critical of his stance.   The dispute has its complexities, but it could be argued that he is shooting himself in the foot as the stadium hardly has an alternative use.


Under Haslam’s stewardship a film company did a deal to use the ground in return for re-decorating it.  What was not at first apparent was that it would be done out in the decor of the 1960s which looked funky at the time but seems ridiculous now.   Talk about back to the future.