Mansfield
Town v Darlington
Saturday 16th October 2010, 3pm
Blue Square Premier
| Mansfield
Town FC: Field Mill, Quarry Lane, Mansfield, Notts, NG18 5DA Tel: (01623) 623567 Click for Streetmap of ground The
Stags were a superb example of a club who've redeveloped their ground
in recent years into a decent 10,000 all-seater stadium, half the capacity
in the West Stand, while remaining a force in Division Three. Admission
prices 2010/2011: £16 (£12 OAP/students and £7 under 16) in North Stand
behind goal. Prices actually £2 cheaper for adults than when we
last visited two seasons ago. |
From the North: (Darlington 102 miles)Exit the M1 at junction 28, take the first exit (s/p Mansfield A38). Through seven sets of traffic lights until you come to the Kings Mill roundabout (The King and Miller pub and McDonald's on the left). Take the third exit (s/p Mansfield A38). Continue along the A38 (Hospital to the left), through more lights, past the Sir John Cocklepub to the left and take a right into Sheepbridge Lane. Down the hill, under the railway bridges and take the first left into Quarry Lane (Lord Byron pub on the corner). Field Mill is at the far end of Quarry Lane. Parking: Be careful especially with enforcement in operation at the adjoining retail park on match-days.
Darlington
FC Supporters' Club
ABC Taxis
Tel: 01623 654321 |
Local services on the Robin
Hood Line.
Mansfield Station (NB: Not Mansfield Woodhouse) is a straightforward
enough five minutes walk from the ground - follow signs to the Bus
Station and walk down steps. Left along dual carriageway, straight
on at lights, continuing along Portland Street. Turn right at lights
by church into Quarry Lane. Walking back to station after the
match - head for the side of the Comet store on the retail park
opposite the stadium, as you come out of the away end. There's a
sign for the station and you walk up the drive, past the car park
to your right to the end of the platform, with trains for Nottingham.
Train times (Last updated
July 2010) Birmingham New Street 10.19-(Nottingham, 11.33) 11.55
arr 12.26. Rtn: 17.14 (Nottingham, 17.48) 18.08-arr 19.24. Fares: Cheapday
return, £19
London St Pancras: 09.00 (Nottingham, 11.01) 11.25-arr 11.57.
Rtn: 17.14-(Nottingham, 17.48) 18.02 arr 20.04. Fares: £30 return to
£52.80
Sheffield: 10.05- (11.00 Nottingham) 11.25 arr 11.57. Return:
17.14-(17.48, Nottingham) 18.15-arr 19.15. Fares: Cheapday return approx:
£10.
Cardiff Central 07.45 (Nottingham, 11.05) 11.25 arr. 11.57. Rtn:
17.14, (Nottingham, 17.48) 18.08- arr 21.28. Fares from £34 to £59.50
return.
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Widow Frost, Leeming Street Early Doors, Quarry Lane Nottingham:
Thanks to Colin Fletcher, DAFTS Notts
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The shopping complex opposite the ground has fast food, including Burger King. There's a KFC fast food place a few minutes walk away on Nottingham Road, near Safeway, and a Macdonalds in Park Lane Road not far away. In the ground, there are pies and sausage rolls, crisps, chocolate and hot and cold drinks.. |
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The Supporters'
Club site is basic really. The Official
Mansfield Town website is the best and most comprehensive, while the
fanzine sites seem to have disappeared. The Supporters
Trust website isn't updated very much but has the low down on the complicated
off-the-field issues at the club over recent seasons.
© Photos: Ted Blair
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Steeped in history, Mansfield lies deep
within the heart of Robin Hood country. The town has a long tradition of
non-conformism, due in part to the toleration shown by vicar of Mansfield,
John Firth - who provided refuge for the Quakers amongst others. Sadly that
tradition hasn't survived if recent football trips are anything to be going
by, with the Quakers soundly persecuted and beaten...
Mansfield's status as a market town dates back centuries to Henry III
in 1227. At the centre of Sherwood Forest, all the rich landlords and
barons hunted in the district. The market
is still the heart of the town centre and surrounding it are several impressive
buildings, including the Bentinck Memorial. In
the Old Meeting House and parsonage, are several William Morris windows
in superb condition. The town has seen many industries grow over the years such as quarrying,
coal mining, textiles, farming and gratefully brewing - with
a Discovery
Centre open.
You can see the town's superb 19th century railway viaduct,its 15 arches
spanning the town centre make it one of the largest viaducts in an English
town. To find out more of Mansfield's history, try either the Museum
on Leeming Street, or the Visitor Information Centre in White Lion Yard,
staffed by members of The Old Mansfield Society.
For those wishing to stay overnight I would recommend travelling back
to Nottingham via the Robin Hood Line where numerous places to stay are
located around the Station. An information centre is located near the
Market Square and accomodation can be booked from there. The Information
Centre is a 10 minute walk from the Station forecourt. Contact Mansfield
Tourist Information Centre on(01623) 463770, Old Town Hall.
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Next away matches:
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History:
Formed in 1897 by local chapel-goers, joining local leagues in 1902 and
turning professional in 1905. Moved to Field Mill ground in 1921. In 1929,
the Midland League club beat Wolves in the FA Cup at Molineux and lost
2-0 to Arsenal in front of 44,000 at Highbury. Finally elected to Football
League in 1931/32. Club hit by financial scandal and debts in 1953 after
'illegal payments' and fraud court case involving club secretary. A record
10 Stags players were booked for ironically applauding the ref off the
pitch - he gave a controversial penalty to Crystal Palace in a 1962 Cup
tie. Three Stags players jailed in 1965 for a "match fixing" scandal stretching
back to 1961, one for four years. Beat West Ham - inc Hurst, Moore and
Peters - 2-0 in FA Cup in 1968. Relegated to Div 4 in 1971/72 after going
until December to score a goal at home, promoted again three years later
scoring 100 goals. Beat Leeds in League Cup (1994/95). The Stags have been beset with problems off the field after their drop down, with two mid table finishes and their FA Trophy final defeat to Darlington at Wembley. Paul Cox arrived after a successful period as Eastwood Town manager to try to start a revival.
Railway
Inn 9 Station Street, (01623) 623086
Former
Bateman's outlet in Mansfield, which was thankfully saved from the threat
of development. There should be two reasonably priced ales. A big bonus
are the tasty, good value lunches, from home-made pie (£3) to bacon
baps. TV and children are welcome if dining. Across the car-park
from Mansfield Station (Robin Hood Line), under the bridge along Quaker
Way and turn right. It is close to the town's main shopping area. Unusually
it serves a good choice of cocktails. . 
