Rhys Oates has reached the milestone of 150 games played in amber and blue.

The striker has hit a significant landmark in his Mansfield Town career. Since first signing for the club in 2021, Oates has become a key figure under Nigel Clough.

He made the switch to the East Midlands at 26, after turning down a contract extension with former side Hartlepool United. At the time, Oates was a highly sought-after forward, having scored 18 goals in Hartlepool’s promotion-winning season to take them into League Two.

He returned 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions during his first season with Stags, making an instant impact. However, injuries had a big impact on his performances after his maiden campaign and he continued to suffer setbacks with his fitness.

Rhys Oates celebrates during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Burnley and Mansfield Town at Turf Moor in Burnley on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Paul Currie / AFP via Getty Images)

placeholder image — Rhys Oates celebrates during the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Burnley and Mansfield Town at Turf Moor in Burnley on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Paul Currie / AFP via Getty Images)

In January 2024, Oates was ruled out for nine months with a serious knee injury, cutting the remainder of his season short. He suffered the injury on New Year’s Day, just nine games after returning from an ankle problem that side-lined him for two months.

Unfortunately, Oates was unable to play as big of a part in Mansfield Town’s promotion success as he would have liked, and he made just four appearances throughout their first season back in League One.

The striker finally returned to match fitness and played his first full 90 minutes in more than 20 months, with a start against Burton Albion in Stags’ 2025/26 season opener.

“Over the last couple of years with all my injuries, the manager has backed me, given me another contract and taken my option out this year. So I think it's about time I repaid the club, the owner and all the staff, the gaffer and everyone,” Oates said at the time.

Rhys Oates of Mansfield Town in action during the Sky Bet League Two Play-off Semi Final 1st Leg match between Mansfield Town and Northampton Town at One Call Stadium on May 14, 2022 in Mansfield, England. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

“It is amazing to hear the fans still backing me after having had quite a few injuries over the last few years. They have stuck by me and still support me and that is a massive positive.”

Despite such a long absence from the pitch, Oates finished the season as Mansfield Town’s top goal-scorer. He also played a crucial role in their FA Cup run, providing a goal and an assist against Sheffield United and then scoring against Burnley at Turf Moor in the fourth round.

Oates has since signed a new deal with Stags, extending his stay at the One Call Stadium until summer 2027.

He started this season with a goal against Doncaster Rovers and despite new signing Michael Smith being the favoured frontman right now, Oates is ready to make his mark whenever he’s called upon.

“It’s always important that whenever you play, you do your best for the team. We know things are going to rotate, there are so many games this season, players are going to rotate in every position so you need to make sure that you’re ready whenever your chance comes,” he said after Stags’ opener against Doncaster.

“I want to try and carry on from where I ended last season.”