Fairytale season for Stags teen Thomas

Jack Thomas celebrates his first senior Stags goal.

After bagging his first senior goal for the Stags in yesterday’s 2-1 home defeat by Portsmouth, Thomas (18), was permitted to speak to the media for the first time and said: “It means everything. I had a season ticket here five years ago. I can’t really believe it.

“At the Northampton game I was shaking, but I’m not nervous any more.”

To read a match report click HERE

To read manager Adam Murray’s view click HERE

On his goal, a superb curling effort under the far angle from 20 yards from the left, he said: “It’s a dream come true. I have waited for it a long time and it means everything.

“I don’t score many so I didn’t really know what to do.

“I was talking to Lee Beevers the other day after training and he told me to shoot more.”

Thomas went out on loan to Hednesford Town earlier in the season and admitted he thought his days with his hometown side may be about to end.

“I can’t really believe it,” he said. “When I went out on loan I thought I might be getting dumped out. But I couldn’t have been any more wrong.

“Looking back now I probably wasn’t ready to get chucked in but I feel ready now.

“The squad have all been really good with me.”

As a youngster in the stands supporting the Stags, he had no hesitation when naming his favourite player from those days.

“It was Adam Murray,” he said. “He has been brilliant for me, even when I was playing for the youth team.

“If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here now. He gives me a lot of freedom to go and play.”

Thomas was a little overwhelmed by so many trophies yesterday and even said: “I don’t really know if I should have got them, but I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me.

“We have so many young players coming through right now it can only be good for the club.

“I won’t get big-headed or anything because I’ve not achieved anything yet.”

Thomas was one of five players in the side aged 21 and under yesterday as Murray gave youth a chance.

Stags battled well but were handicapped by having Ritchie Sutton red-carded after only 50 seconds and then going 2-0 down.

Mansfield will complete their League Two campaign at Accrington Stanley next Saturday.