McEwan knows the importance of having a second string and is hoping someone out there will do what a company did for him when he was York City boss and financially back it.

After several seasons without a reserve team, Stags have been accepted into the Central League for this season but McEwan said: "It will eat into my budget and the club's budget and what we really need is a sponsor who will help us run it.

"I made a similar appeal at York when they were going to scrap the reserve team there. I feel is is essential to have one.
"If you don't have a reserve team it affects the first team and the whole set-up.

"It gives players the chance to play. Our keeper here has only been getting about 10 games a season. How can you retain match sharpness if you are only playing once in a blue moon?

"I need the games so players coming back from injury can sharpen up and also to have a look at trialists. It gives youth team players the chance to step up.

"It is not easy to run a reserve team as it is costly travelling up and down the country. But if you don't play in a league it can be hard to get friendlies this level as League clubs sometimes don't think you will give them tough enough opposition."

He added: "We need to bring the young boys along too. It is a big thing for them to get in the team.

"If they have been brought up supporting Mansfield Town then to play for the club is a dream come true. They sometimes have a bit more feeling for the club than someone who has played for three or four clubs and come in from elsewhere."

With Forest playing Sunderland in the Carling Cup next week, the first reserve game scheduled for Tuesday, 26th August has been postponed.
So Stags' Central League campaign is now due to start on 10th September at home to Shrewsbury (7pm).