{ the news }
 
An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from January 2011

SFU: WREXHAM AND MANSFIELD FANS PROTEST
30th January 2011 17:56


PHOTOS FROM THE FANS UNITED PROTEST, FIELD MILL, 29 JAN 2011

Photos by Dan Westwell and from Wrexham via Jamies Davies














































-------------

Darren Shaw of Stags Fans United, and Wrexham fan Jamie Davies, were on the BBC Non-League show earlier in the week. The audio segment with SFU and Wrexham fan is here
-------------

Fans to hold joint protest over plans for stadiums

25 January 2011
by: Garth ApThomas

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/98103/fans-to-hold-joint-protest-over-plans-for-stadiums.aspx

WREXHAM fans are set to play a major role in a mass joint protest involving football supporters from across the country due to take place at the weekend.

Organisers say the demonstration is a designated “Fans United Day” which they are planning to hold outside Mansfield Town's Field Mill ground on Saturday.

The demonstration will begin an hour before the kick off of Mansfield's home match against Wrexham.

Jamie Davies, a spokesman for the Wrexham fans, said the protest was being held to highlight concerns of both sets of supporters over future plans for their stadiums.

Followers of other clubs with similar worries have expressed an interest in attending, including Nottingham Forest and Cardiff.

Earlier this month the Leader reported on proposals by chairman Ian Roberts to form a new company to lease out the Racecourse to Wrexham FC and the Crusaders rugby league team for home matches.

It is a move which has raised alarm among many supporters.

Mr Davies said: “We are hoping to get the message across both at a local and national level about how worried we are over what is taking place.

“Wrexham fans were promised that the new board would be more transparent. That happened early on, but now we are being kept in the dark again.”

Mr Davies stressed the plans for the weekend protest were still being drawn up.

The day itself is going to be low key.

“It will be a friendly but informative protest to demonstrate to the people of Mansfield and Wrexham that we are going to stand together and support one another through difficult times where possible.”

Mr Davies said a large banner would be unfurled featuring the badges of Wrexham and Mansfield, and bearing the words: “This Ground Is For Football.”

“We had a trial run at Saturday's away match against Cambridge and it went well.

“The banner had Cambridge's emblem on it and both sets of fans applauded.

“We will have the banner outside the ground at Mansfield and hope to take it inside for the game, but we need permission.

“We are also hoping to have a similar protest at the next home match at the Racecourse.”

---------------------

http://www.stagsfansunitedsociety.co.uk/

SFU: We have today received the following letter in support from Wrexham Supporters Trust.

Monday, 24 January 2011
Wrexham Supporters Trust Supports SFU Plight

To find out more information regarding Wrexham Supporters Trust and to hear about their own fight to keep the Racecourse ground in the clubs name, click onto http://www.wst.org.uk

January 24th 2011

Michael Abbs (chairman),
Stags Fans United, Mansfield

Dear Michael,

I am writing on behalf of our members, to wish you and your fellow supporters every success in your struggle to achieve a just outcome for your club.

Here in North Wales we have followed the story of your struggle with considerable interest and all Wrexham fans are appalled that such a famous club is in danger of eviction from its traditional home.

There are far too many characters who get involved with football clubs for all the wrong reasons. Every week we read about some old and well loved institution that is being exploited by those who have little interest in football beyond the value of the land that the stadium sits on.
The Mansfield story should serve as a stark message to supporters of every club that is under threat of losing its ground.

Wrexham and Mansfield are clubs that have much in common and we consider the Stags to be very much part of the Wrexham story. Most notably that incredibly depressing afternoon in May 1977 when a character called Ernie Moss broke our hearts. I am pretty sure that you view those events in a different light!
The strength of any club lies in the collective spirit of its supporters and I am sure that the followers of Mansfield are not lacking in this respect. We came back stronger from that setback in 1977 and I am sure that the Stags will do likewise and emerge from these troubles as a stronger club.

This week's game between our clubs will be one of the biggest of both our seasons as we both strive to return to the Football League. From first whistle to last we will be partisan in our support for our team and hoping and praying that we can secure the points at your expense.

However, outside of the ninety minutes, we are all football fans at heart and share common dreams and aspirations. On Saturday Wrexham fans will be taking a banner that states a very simple message;

“THIS GROUND IS FOR FOOTBALL”

It is a sentiment that supporters of all clubs, big and small, can support.

We wish you all the best with your campaign and look forward to our visit on Saturday. Let us hope that there will be many more visits to follow.

Yours in Sport.

Gavin Jones
Secretary
Wrexham Supporters Trust
secretary@wst.org.uk

-------------------

 

Latest | January 2011