It has been suggested that, with Mansfield Town facing non-league football for the first time in its history, local businesses could miss out on as much as £5m in lost revenue.

Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses Victor Bobo told Chad this week it was difficult to quantify the cost of relegation, but he added the situation was 'bound to have an adverse effect'.

"The teams Mansfield will now be playing are not the likes of Notts County or Chesterfield and all the neighbouring clubs will be in the leagues above," he said.

"In my personal view this will have a detrimental effect on businesses in Mansfield and Ashfield and the knock-on effect will be felt by the whole businesses community."

Mr Bobo said it was difficult to pinpoint which businesses would be hit hardest and it was important for the club to regain its Football League status as soon as possible.

"We had hoped to maintain our position in the Football League but now the best way forward is to sort out the ongoing problems with (the club's owner) Mr Haslam," he said.

"Hopefully after his departure the business community can get behind the club and its absence can be minimised to one or two seasons –– any longer and the business community will suffer a great loss."

Mr Bobo believes there will be less interest in the club generally and with fewer fans –– both home supporters and travelling fans –– through the turnstiles there will be fewer people spending money in the town.

Smaller crowds and a dwindling fan base will also mean firms who advertise at the club will see their adverts make a smaller impact.

Said Mr Bobo: "The exposure of the club will not be as great as when it was in the Football League and advertisers want maximum impact.

"This couldn't have come at a worse possible time for Mansfield, simply because of the economic slowdown."

• This is article is taken from a special four-page feature in next week's Chad's on how Stags' relegation will impact on the town.