LETTER: Stags need our support

Despite talk of promotion, our team has finished in the middle of the basement division again. 
Owner John Radford deserves praise for putting a small fortune into the football club, but it could be said he has seen little return for his investment, I am sorry to say.

We fans must hope he continues his commitment to the Stags. Otherwise, I think we would face major problems in keeping the club in existence. No doubt he would welcome other people willing to help fund the club, but I see no signs of any other backers being out there.

I can only feel envy when I see the progress made by neighbouring clubs at Chesterfield, and Rotherham, in that they have built new ultra-modern stadiums and are, of course in higher divisions.

Our ground by comparison is nothing to shout about is it? Having only three sides means it lacks atmosphere and does not intimidate visiting opponents.

It’s a mystery to me as to why only one of the three stands has been named after a former hero. I know we do not boast many former footballing stars here in Mansfield, but I am sure there must be some people worthy of being remembered for good service to the Stags and being honoured in the way Ian Greaves has been. Ken Wagstaff and Sandy Pate are two names who spring to mind.

If we ever get a fourth side to our ground, then that gives scope for another person to also be remembered.

Another thing that, in my opinion, holds back our advancement is that successive owners of our club have appointed inexperienced managers who have to hit the ground running.

It is an unescapable fact our team has achieved success when the men at the helm have “been there and got the T-shirt”.

I am thinking of previous managers such as Billy Bingham, Dave Smith and Ian Greaves, who all had previous coaching experience elsewhere before coming to Mansfield. This is no disrespect to our present manager Adam Murray.

Having talked about our frustrations about the Stags continuing lack of success, I know the majority of us supporters will be back at the One Call Stadium come August. We live in hope don’t we? After all Leicester City have come from the lower end of their table to win the Premier League and few predicted that.

David Stafford

Berry Hill Road, Mansfield