AROUND 600 Stags fans packed into Mansfield Civic Centre on Monday evening to back a recently created supporters' group determined to help Mansfield Town Football Club into a new era.
Ahead of the public meeting more than £12,000 had already been donated by fans - the first step towards a £250,000 goal which Stags Fans United (SFU) believes would then give supporters a say in the future running of the Stags.
Now the SFU wants more fans to back the cash appeal and provide future new owners of the Stags with a significant financial investment - should controversial owner Keith Haslam complete his protracted sale of the club.
The Stags appear to be in limbo while the owner deliberates over a sale with at least four interested parties – manager Paul Holland still does not know if he has a job next season and no new players have been signed for the first ever season in non league football.
The lack of news a month after relegation from the Football League galvanised fans to attend the meeting and hear SFU's hopes and plans.
It has set a short-term target of raising £25,000 for the SFU Supporters Trust by the end of this week and admitted it was 'blown away' by the interest shown on Monday.
MC Will Lord said: "The first big message we can send from tonight is the fact so many fans are here."
His comments were backed by speakers from national organisation Supporters Direct and supporters trusts representatives at Notts County and Lincoln City, where the fans are directly involved in the running of football clubs.
Kevin Rye from the Government-funded Supporters Direct said; "This is an amazing attendance and show the number of people who care about the club and want to do something about it."
The SFU aims to raise £250,000 to back any new suitable owners in return for shares and a place on the board of directors at Field Mill – and has already held favourable discussions with two parties involved in takeover talks.
The group - a merger of the four major fans organisations at the club, the Stags Supporters Association (SSA), TEAM Mansfield (TM), Stags Fans For Change (SFFC) and the Ollerton Stags Supporters Club (OSSC) – has also called for fans to boycott season ticket sales (when they are announced) and businesses to withhold sponsorship until Keith Haslam completes his protracted sale of the club.
The SFU says that cutting off income to Field Mill until a sale will give new owners the best possible start.
And with business leaders saying that relegation to non league football - under the stewardship of Haslam - is likely to cost the town millions of pounds, many firms, as well as supporters, have already backed the SFU.
Chris Vasper from TEAM Mansfield – one of those behind the SFU – said: "This football club has to be sold right now . . . otherwise it will die.
"Why are we calling for boycotts on season tickets and sponsorship? Because that is the only language Keith Haslam understands.
"Already this club is weeks behind others in the Blue Square Premier.
"We need to invest in new owners and we have spoken to a couple (of the groups in takeover talks with the Stags) who would let us on board if we invest in them."
The SFU has been backed by Mansfield's small businesses and spokesman Victor Bobo told the meeting: "The success of Mansfield Town FC is vital to the local economy . . . the only problem with Mansfield is Mr Keith Haslam!
"The business community in Mansfield as a whole are united behind the fans."
- MP's guarded welcome to new SFU group
And mayor and Stags chairman Tony Egginton told the supporters: "You have proved tonight by coming that you are deeply interested. I am with you all the way, the only priority now is to get back into the Football League."
MP Alan Meale, who did not attend, gave a guarded welcome to the fans group's aspirations in a statement – saying that he was encouraged by the focus on financial support for the club and new owners, but was concerned by the commercial boycott calls.
- How to donate money to the SFU supporters trust
At an eventful meeting, Stags chief executive Stephen Booth made a surprise appearance and announced on the protracted takeover at the club: "I believe I am close to an agreement."
If you want to donate money to the Supporters Trust towards its £250,000 target to help future owners of the Stags in return for a significant say in the running of the club, complete a form handed out at the meeting - or look out for it in this week's Chad. Fans are being asked to donate a minimum of £100. Each investor will receive just one vote, irrespective of the amount donated, and have a say in how the trust's money is spent.
