Born Of Frustration

AFC Mansfield  3 Morpeth Town  1

Northern Premier League – Division One East

Every once in a while, in football supporting terms, the toys come out of the pram.

We can all handle our teams playing crap, having rubbish players, being largely a footballing failure, but what we can’t handle is turbulence within the ownership and all that goes with it, including the insecurity and uncertainty it breeds.

Politics and greed, we’ve seen it so many times over the years at the professional level, and then of course, led by the pioneers, AFC Wimbledon, the fans get so sick of it that they form their own clubs.

The aforementioned Dons, FC United of Manchester, Coventry United, AFC Barnsley (RIP) and of course, AFC Mansfield are all examples of clubs that have emerged out of the maelstrom of dissatisfaction over what happens off the pitch, not on it!

AFC Mansfield were formed in June 2012 by three former Directors of the Stags who were somewhat unhappy with the goings on at Field Mill, many of which had been dragging on for years, largely over the ownership of the club and the stadium (the two were in separate hands which didn’t help).

They were immediately accepted into the Central Midlands League, and won promotion from the North Division, based out of their home at the Forest Town Arena. The finished runners up to Dronfield Town, and that was enough to earn a place in the Northern Counties East League

By 2015-16 they had recorded another second placed finish, in the NCEL, and with it came a berth in the Premier Division, or Step 5 as it is also known. The movement forward continued and by the end of the 2017-18 they had gained promotion to the Northern Premier League, finishing third behind Pontefract Collieries and Pickering Town despite mustering an impressive 96 points.

So it’s been a success story on the field, but what about off of it? Well the stadium has seen improvements, which to the naked eye include new floodlights and a new stand to meet grading requirements.

Crowds wise though it’s been something of a struggle, a huge influx did not shift across from the Stags and this season they are averaging 103 through the gate, which is the second lowest in the division.

From a commercial and marketing perspective, again looking from the outside, it does look as though the club is moving in the right direction. Sponsorship, advertising and events look to be high on the clubs agenda, and at this level of football they need to be.

I first went to the Forest Town Arena, or The Clod as it is known locally, back in 2004 to watch former tenants of the ground, Forest Town, take on Teversal in a friendly game. The stadium comprises a football pitch with a cycle track around it. On one side is a steep concrete stepped bank that has been seated, the bulk uncovered, with a standing area behind it which sits in front of the Welfare.

A small Atcost type stand has been dropped in just to the side of the banking, while the dressing rooms and tea bar sit behind the goal. The Welfare is a huge place, with various rooms, but football supporters are encouraged to use the main bar area without having to sign in or such like.

It may not be the most aesthetic of venues, but it’s functional, it’s tidy and it has a very good playing surface that holds up to most weather conditions very well indeed.

I’d chosen to go and watch the game, and I’ll be honest, because I wanted to see champions elect Morpeth Town in action, and also being honest, I was expecting an away victory, but it seems I got that very wrong.

Morpeth had a hell of a lot of the ball in the first period but Bulls goalkeeper Jason White made two excellent saves, combined with some stout defending, to keep them at bay. It was the hosts who took the lead though in the 39^th minute when Ellis Wall found the net, very much against the run of play.

Morpeth had the ball in the net in the 66^th minute from a Joseph Walton penalty that was clear cut, this after White had continued to make some outstanding saves. But, just when you thought the visitors were on for the turnaround, Mansfield went straight up the other end for Oliver Fearon to net with a well placed header to make it 2-1.

Morpeth tried to battle back, but frustration got the better of them and as the game moved into injury time they found themselves down to ten men, and with another clear penalty awarded which Fearon duly despatched, it finished 3-1.

A fantastic result for Mansfield, a truly brave and battling performance against a side that will win the league sooner rather than later. The Bulls are safe this season, and under Mark Ward and Jon Froggatt I see no reason why they can’t push on next season.

But what about AFC Mansfield, the club formed out of anger and frustration? Well, they’ve taken on the mantle of the most senior club in the Mansfield area behind the Stags (who themselves are now in a much better place), with more traditional sides like Clipstone and Rainworth falling behind them, but it will come very much down to those running the club.

As one AFC official said to me, age is not on their side, they could do with some younger blood coming through to carry things on for the next generation. The club isn’t for disaffected Stags anymore, so that angle isn’t available, it’s now about harnessing the small but loyal band of followers who love non-league football, to help them to carry on.

But then again, isn’t every club like AFC Mansfield in the same boat as far as that’s concerned anyway?

C’est la vie, mi duck!