Considered the oldest functioning stadium of England's professional league system and one of the oldest football grounds in the world, Mansfield's Field Mill's name is owed to a large mill which used to stand just south of the field until its demolition in 1925. It has hosted football since 1861, although some reports date it back as far as 1850. Field Mill was renamed One Call Stadium in 2013. Image: 1962 sees these big queues gather outside Field Mill.placeholder image
Considered the oldest functioning stadium of England's professional league system and one of the oldest football grounds in the world, Mansfield's Field Mill's name is owed to a large mill which used to stand just south of the field until its demolition in 1925. It has hosted football since 1861, although some reports date it back as far as 1850. Field Mill was renamed One Call Stadium in 2013. Image: 1962 sees these big queues gather outside Field Mill.

Stags: History behind Mansfield Town Football Club – how much do you know?

By Phoebe Cox
Published 12th Feb 2025, 08:58 BST
Updated 12th Feb 2025, 13:17 BST

For this retro feature, we are taking a closer look at the history of Mansfield Town Football Club (COYS).

Although organised football had been played in Mansfield for many years prior, the current club's origins can be traced back to 1897, specifically to the Wesleyan Church on Bridge Street.

But what else do you know about the mighty Stags?

Here are some interesting facts and finds about our hometown club...

The name "Stags" is believed to have originated from Mansfield's close proximity to Sherwood Forest, and the the coat of arms of the former Borough of Mansfield. The club's badge has included a stag since the 1960s.

5. How 'Stags' came to be

The name "Stags" is believed to have originated from Mansfield's close proximity to Sherwood Forest, and the the coat of arms of the former Borough of Mansfield. The club's badge has included a stag since the 1960s. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell

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Mansfield Town Ladies Football Club was established in 1994. The first team currently compete in the East Midlands Ladies Premier League. Training takes place at RH Academy. Home matches are played at either RH Academy or One Call Stadium. Photo: Doncaster Rovers Belles v Mansfield Town Ladies.

6. Mansfield Town Ladies'

Mansfield Town Ladies Football Club was established in 1994. The first team currently compete in the East Midlands Ladies Premier League. Training takes place at RH Academy. Home matches are played at either RH Academy or One Call Stadium. Photo: Doncaster Rovers Belles v Mansfield Town Ladies. Photo: Andrew Roe/AHPIX LTD

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Thanks to Steve's Football Stats, the domestic honours include: Domestic League Division Three champions: 1976-77; Division Three (North) runners-up: 1950-51; Division Four champions: 1974-75; Conference champions: 2012-13. Domestic Cup: Freight Rover Trophy winners: 1986-87; FA Trophy runners-up: 2010-11. (Image: On Wednesday, February 26, 1969, Mansfield Town FC beat West Ham United 3-0 in the FA Cup. The game took place at Field Mill Ground in front of 21,117 spectators).

7. Domestic honours and wins

Thanks to Steve's Football Stats, the domestic honours include: Domestic League Division Three champions: 1976-77; Division Three (North) runners-up: 1950-51; Division Four champions: 1974-75; Conference champions: 2012-13. Domestic Cup: Freight Rover Trophy winners: 1986-87; FA Trophy runners-up: 2010-11. (Image: On Wednesday, February 26, 1969, Mansfield Town FC beat West Ham United 3-0 in the FA Cup. The game took place at Field Mill Ground in front of 21,117 spectators). Photo: Mansfield Chad

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Mansfield Town Community Trust has been uniting people through sports since 1990 in Mansfield, Ashfield, and surrounding areas. Here is Keith Painter, super Stags fan, on his 90th birthday in 2024 with Michal Kasinowicz and Gary Shaw from the trust.

8. Mansfield Town Community Trust

Mansfield Town Community Trust has been uniting people through sports since 1990 in Mansfield, Ashfield, and surrounding areas. Here is Keith Painter, super Stags fan, on his 90th birthday in 2024 with Michal Kasinowicz and Gary Shaw from the trust. Photo: Brian Eyre

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