Haslam told 103.2's Tony Delahunty that he wished the new owners - Andy Perry, Andy Saunders and Steve Middleton - all the best and added that he knew it was a lifetime's ambition for Perry.

• To listen to an exclusive interview with Mansfield MP Alan Meale on the breaking news of the sale, click on the green play icon

Haslam, who agreed to sell on Thursday evening, added he thought he was handing over a wealthy club and hoped that it would do well in the future.

• Mansfield Town FC sold to local consortium

He said that he had kept silent throughout the recent takeover negotiations because he felt others had been pressured into making statements.

That comment was no doubt a reference to the recent announcement by Colin Hancock that he had secured a takeover agreement for the club.

• Timetable to takeover

Haslam added that he thought the deal with the Perry/Saunders/Middleton group had been conducted professionally.

He said news of the sale would be a relief to his family.

Stags chief executive Stephen Booth, brought to the club to broker a sale, knew nothing of the deal with the Mansfield consortium and had been working with chairman Tony Egginton to complete the Hancock deal.

A shocked Booth told Chad after the sale was announced: "I hope this brings an end to what has been a disastrous two years for the town and the football club.

"I hope that the club can now move forward and have a spring in its step for the new season.

"It was always my intention to achieve a sale of the club and then move on. The fact I have not been involved in this deal does not change that and there is no reason for me to stay now.

• Manager Holland is in the dark

"I have spoken to Colin Hancock's advisor (Colin Hancock is out of the country) and they are extremely disappointed - but it is not for me to comment for Colin.

"I had asked Keith (Haslam) to make Colin aware of the news before it was publically announced and I shall be meeting Keith in the morning."

And late on Thursday evening Stags chairman and Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton - currently in the USA - gave his first reaction to the takeover news.

He told Chad: "I am delighted that we have resolved the ongoing saga.

"I am also delighted to have local ownership under people who I know have a desire to move the club forward.

"I now hope that they can convince the fans to come back to the club - but as Keith (Haslam) is staying as landlord it may be a hard job to persuade some fans to return."

Egginton had been closely involved with the Hancock takeover talks - which would eventually have seen Field Mill sold as well as the Stags, and was as surprised as many Stags fans to hear news of the Perry/Saunders/Middleton consortium deal for the football club alone.

He added: "Like everyone else, I thought that Colin (Hancock) was to be the new owner.

"I was happy with that deal, knowing many of the details and that it would eventually take Keith (Haslam) away from the club completely.

"That deal had an option to buy the ground after three years.

"But this takeover means that he will still be landlord and I hope that we can persuade the fans still to return.

"It is the best we could do, Keith (Haslam) has not gone altogether - but let's all rally round.

"I and Mansfield District Council will do whatever we can to help the owners. And to any sceptics out there, I say give the new owners a go, get behind the club and let's get back into the Football League.

"That and turning MTFC into a community club at the heart of the town again is the most important thing."

He added that he did not expect the new regime to want him to stay on as chairman, saying: "I was only ever interim chairman, brought in to add some stability and facilitate a sale.

"If asked to stay on I will do, but I would have thought they would have other plans and want to drive things forward themselves."

Egginton called on the consortium to engage with the supporters, make the public aware of their plans and unite all those wanting to help Mansfield Town FC

He added that he felt 'extremely sorry' for buyout loser Colin Hancock, but said his presence in the saga had helped to finally persuade Haslam to sell.

The mayor said: "Maybe in a roundabout way Colin has helped to bring this all to a conclusion. We must thank him for that.

"Without his strong approach and hard-nosed negotiations, no doubt Keith (Haslam) would still be talking to the likes of John Batchelor, people playing at buying the club."

Mansfield MP Alan Meale told Chad: "It is excellent news and removes the state of limbo for everyone at the club.

"At last we have a situation where there is purpose to build, a route to follow. If they want my help, they will get my help.

"I haven't spoken to Keith (Haslam) for the best part of seven or eight months and have not got a clue as to what he is doing.

"But this is marvellous news.

"I know Andy Perry quite well, he is a good man. He has football in his heart and cares deeply about it

"I know he has done work for the fans groups.

"I am confident they care enough about the club to ensure they strive for success with it.

"They are people with business acumen and are local people who care about the club.

"These are homebred people who want success and I wish them every endeavour in doing that."

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