3/1 To Win
Derby County will meet Mansfield Town in a pre-season clash at the One Call Stadium on Wednesday 18th July.
Ahead of the contest, dcfc.co.uk has taken a look back over the Stags’ history to provide an in-depth profile of the Rams’ pre-season opponents.
A Moment In History…
An FA Cup run during the first half of the 2012/13 season was the catalyst for Mansfield’s journey back to the EFL.
In 2008 their 77-year stay in the Football League ended and it took four years for the Stags to work their way back. Their promotion season started off rocky and a mid-table placing had fans calling for manager Paul Cox to be sacked.
However, a 2-1 win over Lincoln City set up a third-round tie with Liverpool in the FA Cup. Despite a brave display, Mansfield were knocked out in a 2-1 defeat to the Reds. Following that match, the Stags won 20 of their last 24 games to earn promotion back to the Football League where they have since remained.
What Happened Last Season?...
Mansfield finished just outside of the League Two play-off spots in eighth.
The Stags underwent a managerial change in the closing weeks of the season after Steve Evans agreed to a deal with Peterborough United. At the time of his departure, Mansfield were in fifth place.
Two wins, four draws and six losses under new boss David Flitcroft saw Mansfield slip out of the play-off race.
The Stadium…
Field Mill, currently known as the One Call Stadium, has been the home of Mansfield since 1919 and has a capacity of 9,186.
It is the oldest stadium in the Football League hosting matches since 1861.
Who’s The Boss?...
Mansfield’s manager is David Flitcroft and he has been since March 2018 following his appointment from Swindon Town.
The former midfielder began his managerial career at Barnsley as caretaker boss in the 2012/13 season and guided the team to Championship safety. Two seasons later, he led Bury to promotion to League One.
Who To Look Out For?...
Mansfield’s top goalscorer and Players’ Player of the Season last campaign, Danny Rose, signed a deal to extend his stay at the club until the end of the 2019/20 season fending off reported interest from both League One and Championship clubs.
The interest was validated after he found the net 14 times in 39 league appearances last season and added five assists. The striker also scored three times in three FA Cup appearances, with a brace in the 3-1 win against Shaw Lane while his other came in a 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City.
The 24-year-old began his career at Barnsley, making 17 appearances for the first team after developing through the youth ranks. In 2014 Rose signed a permanent deal with Bury after spending time on loan at the club.
In 2016 the Nottinghamshire side snapped him up.
Did You Know?...
In the 1950/51 season, Mansfield Town became the first Football League club to complete a 23-game home schedule unbeaten. However, that season they missed out on the only third division promotion spot.
