First Bradford City visit since relegation season for struggling Mansfield Town

Saturday will see the first visit by a Bradford City side to the One Call Stadium for 13 years since that fateful relegation season that saw Stags lose their Football League status in 2007/08.
Michael Boulding - missed penalty.Michael Boulding - missed penalty.
Michael Boulding - missed penalty.

Ironically the Bantams return as Stags are, for the first time since that season, once again looking nervously over their shoulders.

Two more previous points were spilled on that last visit on 5th December 2007 as Bradford held Mansfield to a 0-0 draw with Michael Boulding crucially seeing a penalty saved midway through the first half, won by his brother Rory.

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Stags dominated the afternoon but played far too many long, high balls forward against a big, physical Bradford side on the day, playing into their hands.

The clubs used to cross swords regularly in the past, the 2-0 defeat at Valley Parade last month being their 62nd meeting with 24 wins for Bradford, 21 for Mansfield and 17 games drawn.

But that last 0-0 draw in the relegation season was the first time they had met at Mansfield in 15 years – ironically also in another relegation season.

Stags will be hoping that is not an omen as to their fate this time around!

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Stags had clinched promotion on the final day of the 1991/92 season but were to slide straight back down again the following season, winning only 11 of their 46 games.

But the visit of Bradford on 12th September proved to be of the high points as they won a first game at the level in style at last at the sixth attempts, thrashing Bradford 5-2.

Defender Greg Fee helped himself to an unlikely double with Ian Stringfellow, Paul Holland and a Steve Charles penalty kick completing the scoring for the 3,552 crowd.

It was a repeat of Stags' 5-2 win over Bradford back in December 1957.

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Stags also enjoyed a 4-1 home win over the Bantams back in March 1973.

But in January 1971, Bradford left with a thrilling 5-3 victory and also won 4-3 at Field Mill in November 1958.

Stags have only won two of their last last 13 meetings