Mansfield Town fans praise owners John and Radford after 15 seasons of progress at club
Mansfield Town fans have been reflecting on the club’s fantastic journey up the football pyramid since owners John and Carolyn Radford took charge.
It’s now 15 seasons since boyhood fan John bought Stags with his beloved hometown club languishing in no-man's land in what is now the National League.
His regime began in September 2010 with a low-key 4-0 win over Eastbourne Borough in front of a meagre crowd of just 2,312.
And while many fans may not recall that inauspicious start, they know just how far Stags have progressed since that date.
“If it wasn't for John and Carolyn coming in when they did Mansfield Town would not have a football club.
“They both have worked miracles. Both John and Carolyn love Mansfield Town, and long may it continue,”. Keith Bramhall wrote on the Chad’s Stags facebook page:
Phil Jones added: “We've come a long way since the Radfords took over the mighty stags.”
Stephen Gallagher wrote: “Best owner and CEO in the League bar none. We are very lucky to have them,” while David Clarke added: Thankyou for your commitment to the Stags.”
On the field Stags began to show signs that they could regain their cherished spot back in the EFL with a play-off semi-final defeat to York CIty in the 2011/12 season.
They of course went one better the following season with Paul Cox guiding Stags back into the Football League thanks to the iconic final day win over Wrexham.
John and Carolyn didn’t rest there of course with promotion to League One the next goal.
It perhaps took longer than the pair would have liked with the end of season collapse in 2018/19 under David Flitcroft and the play-off final defeat delaying matters.
But you can’t keep good people down with John and Carolyn sticking with the process and backing Nigel Clough all the way to achieve automatic promotion to League One two seasons ago.
It’s a rise up the ladder that fan Alan Carrington will always cherish, saying: “You have brought the Club out of the Fog and into the Sunshine. Forever grateful.”
Ady Sturman added: “Absolutely great owners who have worked miracles. Thank you to the Radfords for everything they do. May it long continue.”
Kelvin Peters added: “Thank you you are both brilliant onward and upward,” while Melvyn Priest wrote: “They have done so much and keep doing so much. Thanks for everything you have done and keep doing for our club.”
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