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An independent supporters' website dedicated to Mansfield Town FC
Archived News from October 2013

JOHN RADFORD'S THREE YEARS AT THE HELM
1st October 2013 16:15


Stagsnet sends its thanks to John Radford for his 3 years in charge of Mansfield Town.


twitter Martin Shaw ‏@shawma1 25 Sep

@JRadfordMTFC thank you John. 140 characters isn't enough to do justice to the credit you deserve for enabling our return to the FL

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John Radford tells Mark Stevenson the aims for the season are 1st or 2nd:

Chairman pleased with Stags’ development
mansfieldtown.net, 26th September 2013

Chairman John Radford says he is pleased with the club’s ongoing progress after marking three years at the helm yesterday.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/chairman-pleased-with-stags-development-1079336.aspx#LAFGVxYxy2GI8MFt.99

It’s been a good three years and I’ve hit all my targets so I’m a happy chairman at the moment."
Chairman John Radford
Since taking over the club as owner and chairman, Stags fans have seen our team appear at Wembley in the FA Trophy, obtain a place in the play-offs, face Liverpool at home in the FA Cup and win the Conference Premier title last term.

Fortunes have also increased off the field after Mr Radford bought the stadium in March 2012 and put it back into the club’s hands.

Reflecting on three years in charge, Mr Radford said: “I’m really pleased with the performances of the players and the people behind the scenes. It’s been a good three years and I’ve hit all my targets so I’m a happy chairman at the moment.

“There’s been so many highlights: Obviously getting out of the conference was a fantastic day; Greeny’s (Matt Green) goal at Hereford, getting to Wembley [in the FA Trophy], and playing Liverpool. I could go on…"

John Radford is in conversation with our Head of Media & Communications Mark Stevenson

On acquiring Field Mill, now named One Call Stadium, he said: “It was well documented that the club wasn’t in a position to get promoted when I joined as the club didn’t own its own ground, nor did it have a ten year lease. I had to negotiate so the club could get its ground back and be in a position to be promoted. That was a big achievement, for me."

The club’s finances are in a healthier state after promotion to League Two, Mr Radford also revealed.

“We have lost £1million a year since I have become involved but it’s not as bad as that now.

“We need 4,500 fans through the gate in order to break even, and hopefully with the continued performances on the field we can get the missing fans back.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s big derby match at the Proact Stadium, he said: “Chesterfield are in form, and so are we. It will be quite a clash. As a Mansfield Town supporter, it’s the game you want to win and I want to take six points off them [this season] if we can. Saying that, I’d be happy with a draw and over the moon with a win away from home.”

Despite the club’s magnificent progress in the past three years, the chairman insisted that the club must continue to aim high to avoid stagnating. “It’d be nice to get out of this league and into League One. I’m ambitious for the club, along with the fans. I want to have a go at getting [the club] into the championship.”

In this exclusive interview with Stags Player via mansfieldtown.net he ended by thanking the supporters for their backing. “I am doing what any Mansfield Town supporter in my position would do. I continue my promise by trying to do what is best for the club.”

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Cox pays tribute to chairman
mansfieldtown.net, 26th September 2013

Boss Paul Cox has led the tributes to chairman John Radford, who is celebrating his third anniversary at the helm of our club this week.

Read more at http://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/article/cox-pays-tribute-to-chairman-1077831.aspx?#EGTopZk13fYXdjyW.99

Mr Radford has enjoyed much success since he was announced as chairman before our 4-0 victory over Eastbourne Borough in September 2010.

Under his leadership, we made our first appearance at the new Wembley Stadium for our FA Trophy Final match with Darlington in May 2011.

We also faced Liverpool in a pulsating FA Cup Third Round encounter last season, which saw us come close to earning a replay at Anfield.

However, undoubtedly the greatest moment during Mr Radford’s chairmanship came last April, when we sealed an incredible return to the Football League.

“I don’t think there would be a football club without him,” said Cox.

“He needs an incredible amount of ‘pats on the back’ for what he has achieved for this football club, and long may it continue.

“He’s good at what he does. Hopefully, he’ll be around for years to come.”

Our boss added: “It takes time [to move forwards], and sometimes you have to pinch yourself, when you reflect on what we have achieved.

“But that’s history now. I know the chairman and he’ll be interested in what’s around the corner for us and making sure that we’re heading in the right direction.”

Mr Radford will be hoping to celebrate his third-year anniversary at One Call Stadium with a victory on Saturday at fierce local rivals Chesterfield.

It is our first clash with The Spireites during Mr Radford’s chairmanship, and Cox insists that preparations are going as planned for the match.

He continued: “Preparations are going well and there’s not much change from our usual week.

“The lads are working hard and everyone is looking forward to it. There’s a sense of anticipation and it’s a nice game for us to get our teeth into.

“It’s nice that both teams have got off to a great start. As long as we go about our business like I know that we can do, then I’ll be happy.”

Paul Cox’s full pre-match press conference is now available on Stags Player. To subscribe, click here.

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Paul Cox praised Mansfield Town chairman John Radford for saving club
chad.co.uk by Stephen Thirkill 27/09/2013

Paul Cox has paid tribute to John Radford for saving Mansfield Town Football Club.

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/mansfield-town/paul-cox-praised-mansfield-town-chairman-john-radford-for-saving-club-1-6090365

Radford bought the club three years ago and has rapidly transformed Stags from a struggling Conference side into a solid League Two outfit.

Ambitious Radford has also played a key role in transforming the club behind the scenes as part of his ongoing effort to develop new sources of revenue and tap into the local community.

Cox said: “Without him there would not be a football club. John Radford deserves a lot of credit for what he has done.

“We have had a very successful three years, but he is an ambitious man and he will be wanting another three years of success.

“We have progressed a long way as a football club in a relatively short space of time, but that is now history and we need to continue to move forward.

“We have probably progressed quicker than we might have expected, as long as we are going in the right direction I will be happy.

“John Radford has done a great job, you do not get to where he has got to without being astute and clever.

“He knows what he wants and he has been very good at achieving those aims.”

Moments after Stags won promotion back to the Football League Radford spoke of his desire to get Mansfield Town promoted to the Championship.

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Latest | October 2013