Whether it’s true or not it can’t be denied that Mansfield and the surrounding area has produced some brilliant sports stars, including a World Cup winner, an Olympic gold medalist, an FA Cup winner and perhaps the most infamous cricketer of all time.
5. Alex John-Baptiste
Sutton's Alex John-Baptiste progressed from the Stags team up the football ladder and played Premier League football with Blackpool. He then enjoyed Championship spells with Bolton and QPR.
Photo: Getty Images
6. Ray Wilson
Shirebrook's Ray Wilson was one of the lowest profile members of England's 1966 World Cup winning team. The left-back, who was capped for his country 63 times, played in every England game in the 1966 finals.
Photo: Getty Images
7. Rebecca Adlington
Rebecca Adlington wrote herself into the world's sporting history when she won the 800m freestyle final at the 2008 Beijing Olmpics in a new world record time of 8:16:22. She also won the 400m freestyle gold and became the first woman to win swimming gold for Great Britain since Anita Lonsbrough in 1960.
Photo: Getty Images
8. Oliver Hynd
Kirkby's Ollie Hyn and is a multiple medal winner having shone on the big stages. He won the gold medal in the 400 m freestyle S8, beating the world record in the final, and the 200m individual medley SM8, also in a world record, during the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Photo: Getty Images