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Stags fans blast Haslam and pledge TV protest


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Published Date: 29 November 2007
Email Tim Morriss

ANGRY fans have slammed Stags owner Keith Haslam's decision on Thursday not to sell the club to the James Derry consortium - and vowed to highlight their protests in front of Sunday's live TV cameras.
Some are calling for a boycott of future matches at Field Mill and others have returned their tickets for the FA Cup tie at Harrogate Railway in protest.

The tie, to be screened live on BBC 1 on Sunday afternoon, will also see protests from the furious supporters.

Mr Haslam announced on Thursday lunchtime that he had rejected a bid from the James Derry consortium.

  • Haslam rejects Derry offer



However, the two parties will meet in a showdown meeting on Monday morning in one last-ditch bid to secure a deal.

  • Derry to meet Haslam on Monday


A spokesman for Stags Fans For Change, a vociferous group formed to remove Mr Haslam from the club, told Chad: "This will start our protests all over again.

"We saw the Derry deal as light at the end of the tunnel.

"Now Haslam seems to be cynically putting everything to one side in the hope of another pay day.

"If he has the nerve to go to the game on Sunday he can be assured of a 'warm' welcome.

"We will make sure the thousands of BBC viwers are aware of the situation. The banners and chants will be out again."

SFFC is holding a race night at the New Ram, Littleworth, Mansfield, and called on as many fans as possible to attend and discuss protest plans.

TEAM Mansfield chairman Chris Vasper told Chad today he would not be attending any future matches at the Mill while Mr Haslam remains in charge of Mansfield Town FC.

And he called on supporters to consider how they felt after the news of the takeover rejection.

Mr Vasper - who warned the news places the future of the club in jeopardy - said: "It is clearly a black day for Mansfield Town FC. The failure to come to a deal must be laid squarely at the feet of Keith Haslam, whose only motivation seems to be his own personal greed.

"It is clear that he is happy to wait and see what happens on Sunday and any possible 'big' draw in a future round of the FA Cup.

"Keith Haslam's comments over recent days suggest he is concerned about the financial safeguards for the club. This beggars belief in the light of the illegal loans he has taken out of the club and the loans for land owned by his own holding company

"Over the past three years the club has made 250,000 losses in each of those years and indications are that they will be even bigger this year. How is that safeguarding the financial future of our club?

"To their credit James Derry and John Thorpe, on behalf of consortium, have kept the chairman of TM and the Stags Supporters Association (SSA) informed as much as they can about the progress of the sale, within the confines of their own confidentiality agreements.

"They have been open and honest and transparent as they promied they would be and represent the best possible future for MTFC.

"Keith Haslam has shown complete disregard for any bidders who come to try to purchase the club. He did it with TM, Andy Perry, the Australians and now he is doing exactly the same to James Derry. He does not have the interest of MTFC, the club or its supporters in mind.

"The sooner he is gone the better the club will be

"I, for one, am dreading the events of Sunday afternoon and evening and hope that if we do get through we don't draw one of the 'big' teams, otherwise we will find Keith Haslam ruling the roost for some time to come."

Mr Vasper added that the past 14 years of limited progress at the club had come from luck and unexpected windfalls, rather than leadership.

He said: "MTFC is lacking in leadership, direction and needs a change now or there will be no football club in 12 months' time."

Are you a fan? Let us know what you of the latest developments below

The full article contains 708 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 02 December 2007 12:19 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Mansfield
 
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1

dot,

29/11/2007 16:38:37
The gloves are off! We MUST let Haslam and the whole country how we feel. Be loud on Sunday, those who are going. Let's have banners etc
2

everton,

29/11/2007 16:43:20
What a farce AGAIN! This man is making us a laughing stock! Are we surprised? NO! He was always going to try to benefit from the cup run. If only we had lost to Lewes!
3

Red,

29/11/2007 16:48:03
Farce - there simply is no other word to describe it!! Haslam Out - and NOW!
4

Adamr999,

29/11/2007 16:52:20
HASLAM OUT! LETS SHOW THE WORLD THAT HES NOT A GREAT OR WELCOME MAN LIVE ON THE BBC ! ONCE AGAIN MR HASLAM BRAKES PROMISES AND HEARTS
5

Adamr999,

29/11/2007 16:59:28
Do remember though people the last time protests went on in matches it distracted the players so make sure u get behind the team aswell
6

adoptedstag,

29/11/2007 16:59:41
Show eveyone on Sunday the depth of feeling of the fans,whats the bets that Palmer says what a great chairman he is .
7

burnie,

Mansfield 29/11/2007 17:06:39
What a surprise, I do not understand how anyone thought Mr Haslam would not put himself first. I feel sorry for the players who are a great bunch of lads. All those plans by the consortium that turned out to just hot air. Did they really think buying the trading name and not the ground made good long term commercial sense? Still now I will no longer be watching the Stags it will save me a small fortune.
8

Mick'heykeith',

Stokesley North Yorkshire 29/11/2007 18:05:38
Keith Haslam's selfish behaviour is of course entirely predictable. He has not interest in the club or its fans, nor has he for many years. He will not move on until there is nothing left financially for him to gain for remaining at MTFC. Many of family are stags fans and they are all of the same opinion. We will do anything that is within the law to get Keith Haslam to leave out of MTFC as soon as possible.
9

Derby Stag,

29/11/2007 21:31:58
Haslam has to go and sever all ties with the club. This is not a man that has any principles or decency in him. Surely someone can make him see sense! He will thrive on any publicity good or bad and I honestly beleive there is something very disturbing about someone that can knowlingly do this to club, players and fans. Where is Alan Meale his friend and supporter for many years when the electorate, town and fans need him. Surely now is the time to put things right and stand up and be counted !!!!! you
10

Amber Rob,

29/11/2007 23:14:24
I've been going to Field Mill since 1972 and have barely missed a home game in the past 35 years. I will not step foot inside Field Mill again whilst Haslam is the owner of the club. He has been the weakest link for 14 years, but is now threatening the very existance of our club by refusing to get out and give our club a chance to prosper after years of suffering under his appalling and chronic mis-management.
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