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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from February 2010

GATESHEAD PREVIEWS
7th February 2010 19:00




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Stags can shine on national stage, says Perry
Evening Post, February 05, 2010a

ANDY Perry says Mansfield Town can shine in the national spotlight if the public back their 'Pay What You Want' offer against Gateshead tomorrow.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-shine-national-stage-says-Perry/article-1806272-detail/article.html?

Supporters of both clubs can decide the price of their admission to Field Mill.
The forward-thinking scheme has attracted interest from the media and a host of clubs.
And chairman Perry believes the backing of the town through a bumper gate will benefit not just the club, but the community as well.
"The motivation we have in doing this is to bring new people to our games and break down barriers to coming to watch us play," he said.
"We are a club that are fighting for promotion with a good home record and hopefully some of the people will like what they see and want to come back.
"We are conscious that the eyes of the nation are on us. What we are doing was running across the Sky Sports News ticker tape the other day.
"And I have had numerous club chairmen phoning me up asking about it. They are all waiting to see how it works and I just hope we can show them it has captured the imagination of Mansfield.
"If we could get 4,000 people along, then we would be happy with that. We realise it is not easy because people have other commitments.
"But we are hoping that people will look what we have achieved and what we are going to achieve. We know (playing in) the Blue Square Premier is not necessarily going to motivate people to come.
"But we are trying our hardest to get back into the League and we ask people to put down any pre-conceptions they have of Mansfield Town in years gone by and make this a success."
Perry is hoping the promotion will not be a one-off.
He added: "This is definitely something we would consider doing again.
"I'm not sure what the rules are in the Football League, but you are allowed to have three offers a season in the BSP. We will try to look at the bigger picture."

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Long throw is Challinor's lethal weapon for Stags
Evening Post, February 05, 2010

IT is a remarkable tale you just could not make up.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Long-throw-Challinor-s-lethal-weapon-Stags/article-1806302-detail/article.html?

Jon Challinor did not even know he had a long throw in his armoury – until he tried to copy his namesake after watching him on television.
The Mansfield Town midfielder showed his expertise with ball in hand against former club Forest Green last weekend to help the Stags launch a superb comeback from 1-0 down to win 4-1.
It was his "bombs" that caused David Hockaday's side huge problems and enabled Mansfield to pile on the pressure which eventually told.
Yet it was only by chance that Challinor – signed in November from Cambridge United – discovered his unusual skill.
Egged on by his Aldershot team-mates, the 29-year-old tried to emulate Tranmere's Dave Challinor, whose fearsome long throw helped Rovers to the quarter finals of the 1999-2000 FA Cup.
And, incredibly, the Northampton-born player found he could.
"Someone asked me, as a Challinor, if I could do the long throw like Dave used to. They said I would be bound to have a long throw," he said.
"I thought I might as well give it a go and I couldn't believe it when I could!
"It came from nowhere really, it isn't something that I have practised or worked on.
"It can be something that works really well and it certainly did against Forest Green.
"We have got people in the team who can score goals from set pieces."
Challinor scored on his debut for the Stags in the 1-1 home draw against Eastbourne and was a regular in the side up to Christmas.
But he was not allowed to play against Cambridge and lost his place in the side for the subsequent games against AFC Wimbledon and Chester.
But he was recalled at Forest Green, where he used his long throw to such devastating effect.
Challinor said: "It has been great to get back in the side. You can't get too frustrated when you're not in the side because we have good quality at the club.
"People can say what they want about those tactics, but it can be effective whether you are getting the ball in with your hands or foot.
"It is always hard for teams to defend if you keep putting balls into the box – it puts them under pressure.
"Usually something will drop for you and I was glad one of my throws led to a goal against Forest Green.
"To see four goals go in did give us a lift in confidence."
Challinor's response to being left out of the side has delighted his boss, David Holdsworth.
"We have got closer in midfield and closed down the space and Jon has played his part in that," he said.
"He has not been involved for a few games, after he couldn't play against Cambridge, but we have kept his confidence up.
"He has stayed motivated and he has played very well. People are talking about Jon's long throw now, but I always knew he had that in his locker."
Tomorrow, fans get the chance to attend Field Mill for the match against Gateshead on 'a pay what you want, sit where you want' basis.
It is an innovative attempt by the club to drum up big support and follows a cut-price season ticket opportunity.
Holdsworth is hoping the supporters will turn out in their droves for the game, in which ex-Stags Daryl Clare and Paul Heckingbottom will be unable to play.
"I think it is an amazing gesture by the club. The chairman and the board have been very forward-thinking," he said.
"They have seen that, in the past, the club has not done enough for the community, but now they are trying to correct that.
"Everything is positive and we have been in the play-offs for 99.9 per cent of the season.
"Hopefully, the fans will turn out and give the players their support; win, lose or draw. It will be greatly appreciated if they do."

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Holmes praise for Stags' 'pay what you want' initiative
CHAD.co.uk, 04 February 2010, By John Lomas
STAGS first team coach Gareth Holmes was full of praise for the club's decision to allow fans in for whatever sum they want to pay to see Saturday's home clash with Gateshead (3pm).

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Holmes-praise-for-Stags39-39pay.6045086.jp

"It is a great gesture from the board of directors at this football club," he said.

"It shows we have moved on from past regimes. This is how much the local community have got their football club back and how much we think of them.

"Some clubs look at fans as revenue-makers who they take for granted will come no matter what, come hell or high water. But we want to give them something back."

People can simply turn up on the day and pay ANY amount they wish at the turnstile.

Spectators can sit anywhere in the stadium (except in season ticket holders' seats) as the entire ground will be open for the match with a capacity for home supporters of around 7,000.

Season ticket holders' seats will remain reserved and they are advised to bring their season ticket books as usual.

Stags need to quickly bounce back after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Wrexham and Holmes added: "We were all very disappointed and frustrated as we felt we deserved something out of the game on Tuesday.

"Gateshead are a difficult team to be beat as they proved at their ground.

"We will be preparing in the right way and won't rest on our laurels. We must make sure we start the game well and force ourselves on it early doors.

"Look at what Ebbsfleet did to Luton recently. A lot of teams in our division can beat anyone.

"But the teams at the top are the most consistent. It's no co-incidence they are where they are.

"They grind out results and turn defeats into draws and draws into wins. That's what we have to aim to do."

Although yesterday's proposed reserve friendly with Nottingham Forest was postponed due to the icy weather, injury trio Kyle Nix, Jon Shaw and Blair Sturrock have all returned to full training and would be available on Saturday if called upon.

Michael Brough will battle on with a shoulder injury that has seen him play on through the pain barrier while Ryan Williams will also play on, despite suffering a deep head wound at Wrexham.

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Stags will show Gateshead respect – Holmes
Evening Post, February 04, 2010

MANSFIELD Town cannot afford to take Gateshead lightly, first team coach Gareth Holmes insisted today.

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Stags-Gateshead-respect-8211-Holmes/article-1805360-detail/article.html?

The Stags welcome the Blue Square Premier strugglers to Field Mill on Saturday.
The hosts will hope to be roared on by a big crowd as fans can choose to pay what they want to get in.
While the Stags are hopeful of clinching a play-off place at the end of the season, Gateshead's primary hope is to stay in the division.
But Holmes knows the Tyndesiders will be no pushover – even though they cannot field former Stag Daryl Clare or Paul Heckingbottom, who is on loan from Mansfield.
"Gateshead will be difficult to play against and they have brought quite a few players in during the transfer window," he said.
"Daryl and Paul won't be able to play but they have signed a couple of others and may have a different look to when we played them last time.
"You can be sure we won't be resting on our laurels, we will prepare right.
"We have to make sure that we start the game well and impose ourselves on it.
"You can never write any side off – look at Ebbsfleet winning at Luton."
Holmes says the players are relishing the prospect of playing in front of a bumper gate.
He added: "It would be great to play in front of a full stadium and hopefully that's what we are looking at.
"In today's society, a lot of people take what they can and think the fans will come out no matter what.
"This is the club giving something back to the community and shows how much everyone values them."
Andy Burgess continues his suspension but is the only definite absentee.
Kyle Nix (ankle) and Jon Shaw (hamstring) began full training today after yesterday's reserve match with Forest was cancelled.
Both have an outside chance of making Saturday's squad.
Michael Borough has been playing with a shoulder injury but should be fine, as should Ryan Williams who picked up a cut to the head in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Wrexham.

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Silk family head north en mass from Isle of Wight
CHAD.co.uk, 04 February 2010, By John Lomas
GARY Silk's Isle of Wight-based family are heading north en masse to take advantage of the Field Mill pay what you like offer to watch this Saturday's clash with Gateshead.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Silk-family-head-north-en.6045019.jp

And he is hoping local folk will follow suit and get behind the Stags.

The Stags board, as a thank you to the town for their support, have decided to throw the gates open for almost free on Saturday and Silk said: "I have not heard of anything like this before so we are hoping for a big crowd.

"I have 10 of my family coming up from the Isle of Wight, so they will fill half a stand and I am sure they will throw a few quid in!

"It makes a big difference on the pitch when you get a big crowd behind you. If we can beat the 5,000 mark that would be brilliant.

"It is important we make the most of every opportunity when we are playing the lower teams and make sure we are ruthless and show no mercy, especially at home.

"I can understand how teams will come to Field Mill and not make it easy for is. But, with our strikeforce, we are more than capable of scoring goals.

"Gateshead are probably better than their position in the league suggests and we were a goal down up there at half time before we won it.

"We must be on our toes and make sure we don't give them a sniff. We keep making it hard for ourselves by going behind. If we can keep a clean sheet I am confident we will win the game."

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Firm friends now in opposite camps
CHAD.co.uk, 04 February 2010, By John Lomas
CRAIG Armstrong wished the departing Paul Heckingbottom all the best after ousting him for the left back slot.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Firm-friends-now-in-opposite.6045036.jp

Armstrong has waited patiently to recapture the slot in which he began the season, even though it is not his strongest position.

Now, after Armstrong replaced the former Bradford man, Heckingbottom has been allowed to go to Gateshead on loan for the rest of the season.

So a week after being team mates, the firm friends of many years will be in opposite camps on Saturday, though Heckingbottom, like former Stags team mate Daryl Clare, will not be allowed to play for Gateshead in the Field Mill clash under the terms of their moves.

"Paul called the other day and wished us all the best," said Armstrong.
"It all happened quickly, but he is not one of those happy to sit in the stands and watch. He wants to be playing football so I suppose it suited both parties at the time.

"I own the left back shirt at the moment but who knows how long I will keep it? The manager is always looking to improve the squad and, if someone else comes in, I hope I can keep them out.

"Me and Paul go back a long way. We were team mates at Sheffield Wednesday. He will be missed around the place.

"Paul had a bad couple of years at Bradford when he could have been forced to quit with injury.

"We wish him all the best and I hope he can help keep Gateshead in the league.

"Left back is not my best position. I came here as a central midfielder or a centre half. But I want to play wherever I am needed.

"That is left back right now and I hope I can stay there for the remainder of the season."

Stags fans can pay what they like to get in on Saturday to see their side try to see off a side battling relegation and Armstrong added: "What the chairman is doing is fantastic for the club and he is trying to give something back. I hope we end up with 4,500-5,000 in there.

"They are all banana skins in this league. But after the way we dominated Gateshead up there, they won't be looking forward to coming here. If we can start out the blocks how we are capable of then hopefully the result will be a formality."

Stags will want to quickly shake off the misery of the 2-1 defeat at Wrexham in midweek.

"I was a bit disappointed with how we defended and I was a bit disappointed in my own performance, though Wrexham were at home with their tails up and they came at us quite strongly," he said.

"But I thought we had weathered it. We made a positive change at half-time and as soon as we scored I thought there was only one team who would go on to win it."

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Fans at Mansfield v Gateshead can pay what they want
By Sam Sheringham , Tuesday, 2 February 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/mansfield_town/8492556.stm?

Blue Square Premier side Mansfield Town are offering fans the chance to pay whatever they want to see their home game against Gateshead on Saturday.

The club's owners thought up the scheme to boost the crowd and thank fans and the people of Mansfield for their support since the 2008 takeover.

"Let's pack the ground for this match and roar the team on to victory," said chairman Andrew Perry.

The scheme also applies to away fans at the 10,000-capacity Field Mill ground.

People will be able to turn up on the day and pay any amount to watch the game.

They will be able to sit where they want, except in the seats reserved for season-ticket holders.

The Stags are currently fourth in the table - 10 points behind leaders Stevenage - and their last home game drew an attendance of less than 3,000.

"This is a gesture to the whole town and outlying districts," added Perry, who clubbed together with fellow fans Andrew Saunders and Steve Middleton to buy out controversial owner Keith Haslam.

"The town has supported us since the takeover of the club and we are now giving something back to the community by allowing people to come to the match for a price which they decide.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for the people of Mansfield to get behind the manager and players in our bid for promotion."

Manager David Holdsworth added: "I think that it is important for the fans to give the players their support - win, lose or draw.

"We've only lost one game at home in a year so let's hope the town comes out to support the boys.

"Playing in front of a large crowd would be brilliant for the team."

The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in English football, has even caught the attention of South America, with Brazilian newspaper O Globo carrying the story.

The initiative has drawn comparisons with a similar scheme from rock band Radiohead, who allowed punters to pay what they wanted to download their 2007 album In Rainbows.

Mansfield are keen their fans will not be left High and Dry on Saturday afternoon.

606: DEBATE
Personally, I think this is a brilliant thing for the owners to do and they can't be accused of not trying to get the locals involved with the club

PETAREA

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Pay ANY price to watch the Stags' next home game!
CHAD.co.uk, 28 January 2010
STAGS are offering a one-off opportunity for the people of Mansfield to pay ANY admission price to watch their home match against Gateshead on Saturday, 6th February.

http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Pay-ANY-price-to-watch.6025171.jp

The revolutionary decision was made by the Stags' four owners as a token of thanks to the people of Mansfield for their support.

People can simply turn up on the day and pay any amount at the turnstile.

Spectators can sit anywhere in the stadium (except in season ticket holders' seats) as the entire ground will be open for the match.

Season ticket holders' seats will remain reserved and they are advised to bring their season ticket books as usual.

This once-in-a-lifetime offer will also apply to Gateshead supporters.

Chairman Andrew Perry said: "This is a gesture to the whole town and outlying districts.

"The town has supported us since the takeover of the club and we are now giving something back to the community by allowing people to come to the match for a price which they decide.

"Spectators will not have to buy tickets, all they have to do is simply turn up on the turnstile and pay what they like.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for the people of Mansfield to get behind the manager and players in our bid for promotion. Let's pack the ground for this match and roar the team on to victory.

"Season ticket holders are also welcome to make a donation if they so wish.

"All monies which have come into this great football club since the start of the season have gone towards the playing budget."

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David Holdsworth told mansfieldtown.net that Perry, Saunders and Middleton are forward thinking and the inclusion of Hymas adds to that. He added “We've only lost one game at home this year, so let's hope the town comes out to support the boys.”

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Latest | February 2010