Stags supporters have been waiting for 18 months for the unpopular Mr Haslam to accept one of several bids for the club over that time - and he is currently considering two firms offers.

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But the fed-up fans remain sceptical that he intends to end his near 15-year tenure at Field Mill by agreeing a sale.

Now the anonymously produced newsletter - titled 'Keep Calver Smiling' - has been delivered to homes in the Derbyshire village of Calver, where Mr Haslam lives.

The protest has prompted a reaction from supporters and on Friday evening was also condemned by Stags' chief executive Stephen Booth, who labelled the newsletter 'cowardly, underhand, despicable and scurrilous . . . and of no help to the players at such a crucial time just a few hours before a vital match'.

'Keep Calver Smiling' provides details for villagers of fans' complaints against the owner's running of the football club and mentions local people who have backed him.

Anonymous

The newsletter - also sent anonymously to the local media, including the Matlock Mercury and the Chad, and radio station 103.2 - makes reference to Mr Haslam's forthcoming trial at Chesterfield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Mr Haslam denies failing to provide a specimen at the roadside and failing to provide a specimen at a police station on 11th November at Chesterfield.

On Friday morning Mr Haslam, after receiving a copy in the post, told Chad that he did not want to comment at this stage.

Campaign group Stags Fans For Change (SFFC), which has been behind some of the previous 'Haslam Out' protests, has denied involvement with the newsletter.

A spokesman for the SFFC said: "If the SFFC was responsible for this our logo would have been proudly displayed just as it is on our banners, flags and the Haslam Times (mini newspaper), which we have distributed at home matches.

"We can understand supporters losing patience with the incredibly drawn out saga over the sale of MFTC and feeling that they have to do something, anything, to make Keith Haslam's life more uncomfortable, just as he has made life uncomfortable for MTFC fans."

However, on Friday evening furious football club chief executive Mr Booth told Chad: "I have no comment in terms of the content . . . but from a personal perspective it has made my job that much more difficult.

Appalled

"I hope other people will treat this with the contempt it deserves.

"I don't know Keith's family, but if this had happened to me and my extended family I would be appalled.

"I just wonder what the people behind this hope to achieve; what their motives are? They certainly do nothing for Mansfield Town Football Club and, indeed, Mansfield itself.

"I really have a major issue with people who take issues like this to young children - because that is what we are talking about here.

"What would these people think if this had happened to them? I just wonder how they can look at themselves in the mirror after something like this.

"I am not going to apologise for Keith Haslam - for what he has or hasn't done, whether it has been right or wrong.

"But this underhand behaviour is despicable - not putting a name to this is the sign of cowards.

Scurrilous

"I am very, very disappointed and as a father I am also very angry.

"This has nothing to do with the football club. If people have a genuine grievance, don't hide behind a scurrilous document like this. It doesn't add any value to the debate at all.

"I would give those behind it more credit if they have put their name to it. I have tried my best to meet anyone since I came to the club and make myself available, where possible, to discuss things. But I can't deal with anonymous sniping, attacking a family.

"And this also doesn't make it any easier for the players, either at such a crucial time just a few hours before a vital match. Everyone at the club is doing everything to help them and then this comes along from people who supposedly care about the club.

"I can't imagine anything more destructive."

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