Today marks 13 years since Mansfield Town secured their place back in the Football League after their triumph in the then Blue Square Bet Premier League.

Stags clinched the title in 2013 and cemented their promotion along with the league victory. Under the guidance of manager Paul Cox, Mansfield ended their five-year absence from the Football League.

The coaches, players, supporters and club personnel were all delighted with the achievement and immediately set their sights on further success, with John Radford eager to push on from their promotion to League Two and continue to climb the football pyramid.

“We're back where we deserve to be in League Two, and hopefully out of that [division] quite quickly and going up rather than down,” Radford, who bought Mansfield Town in 2010, said after the historic win over Wrexham.

Adam Murray of Mansfield lifts the trophy as Mansfield celebrate after the Blue Square Bet Premier match between Mansfield Town and Wrexham at the One Call Stadium on April 20, 2013 in Mansfield, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Adam Murray of Mansfield lifts the trophy as Mansfield celebrate after the Blue Square Bet Premier match between Mansfield Town and Wrexham at the One Call Stadium on April 20, 2013 in Mansfield, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Stags had a tense game ahead of them against the North Wales side, as a defeat could have resulted in them competing in the play-offs. If Mansfield drew or lost and league rivals Kidderminster Harriers won their game, the end of the season would have looked very different. But Stags got the job done on the day and captain Adam Murray described it as the biggest moment of his career.

“It's the best feeling I've ever had. I can't believe we're champions. It's been a hard season and we've done it,” he said after the historic result.

Mansfield Town had enjoyed a stunning second half to the season as they reached a record-equalling 12 consecutive wins. Their promotion ended a five-year spell away from the Football League.

Following their rise back up to League Two, Stags worked hard on their next mission – to reach England’s third tier. They spent ten seasons in the fourth division before the 2023/24 season finally saw them achieve their dream as they succeeded with an automatic promotion spot. Stags finished third that campaign to secure their long-awaited rise up to League One under Nigel Clough.

Prior to their success, Mansfield had come close under the current manager on two other occasions – both heart-breaking in their own way. During the 2021/22 season, Stags were denied their ticket up at the final hurdle, as Port Vale triumphed in the play-off final. The following season, they failed to reach the play-offs only by goal difference, which spurred them on to finally make the jump up a year later.