Late on Monday afternoon Nottinghamshire County Council confirmed the news - following reduced capacity at the ground over the past few years due to different safety concerns.

The last time Field Mill was at full capacity was in July 2005 and the news is a tribute to the club's new owners - Andy Perry, Andy Saunders and Steve Middleton; and safety officer Les Norman - who took over in the summer and made the safety issues one of their priorities.

The council says progress had been slow in addressing its Safety Advisory Group's (SAG) safety concerns under previous owner Keith Haslam.

The most recent capacity reductions were imposed for the lack of a proactive approach to safety management, poor standard of stewarding and lack of commitment to safety at all levels throughout the club.

However, a new safety officer last year - Les Norman - and the three new owners this year have now satisfied the county council that they are developing a safety culture at Mansfield Town.

Sue Storey, from Nottinghamshire County Council and chairman of the SAG, told Chad: "I am delighted to announce that Field Mill is once again at full capacity.

"We have an excellent working relationship with the safety team and the owners at Mansfield Town. Communication is good and they are taking a very proactive approach to any safety issues that are raised.

"We are now working in partnership with the club and the other organisations from the Safety Advisory Group and I feel we are making real progress.

"Our ultimate aim for safety at sports grounds in Nottinghamshire is to ensure that anyone who wants to enjoy watching sport can do so safely.

"We are confident that the ground and the safety management are taking account of the national guidance on safety matters and achieving the required level for full capacity. I look forward to working with the club to continue to monitor and support the progress being made."

Nottinghamshire County Council has the legislative powers to reduce or increase a sports ground's capacity depending on a range of safety criteria.

The county council takes advice from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), which is made up of representatives from the Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Town supporters club and Football Licensing Authority.

Stags chairman Andy Perry told Chad: "It is fantastic news about the capacity. We said from day one that there was a lot of building to do here and the foundations had to be right.

"We had to make sure safety was right and work with the district and county councils.

"Within a few weeks we already have the ground back up to 100 per cent capacity so it goes to show there is a lot of good, hard work being done by everyone."