“History books will say 17th and survival – that’ll do me”

Craig Priest gives his thoughts on Mansfield’s first season in the third tier since 2002-03

May 13, 2025

Tuesday 13 May 2025

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NEXT HOME GAME: Leyton Orient – Tomorrow, 8pm

NEXT AWAY GAME: TBC

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Mansfield supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Tuesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

For a club that spent 11 consecutive seasons in League Two, you’d have thought Mansfield would have enjoyed their change of scenery in the third tier this season. But Nigel Clough’s men seemed hell-bent on returning to the Football League basement during the second half of the campaign. The Stags were 9th when they beat County in January, but dropped to 19th on Easter Monday when Reading put five past them at Field Mill. They finished on 54 points, though, winning their final two matches, and will continue their League One adventure next season. Craig Priest from Mansfield Matters offers his perspective today.

As you can see from the photos above, I was in the away end at Field Mill in August. I was also at Edgeley Park in January to see Mansfield’s annual win in SK3. In fact, for the first time in my life, I’ve been to every single County game this season – all 55 of them! That number will increase to 56 tomorrow night for the second leg against Leyton Orient, and hopefully 57 if we can reach Wembley for the seventh time in our history. I’ve written a book about my adventures this season. If you’d like to support the publication by having your name printed in the book (along with a signed copy and a ticket to the book launch) drop me an email.

Today’s edition is sponsored by CE Building Services. A big thank you to Chris.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

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Mansfield were knocking on the door of the play-offs after winning at Edgeley Park in January, but plummeted down the table following a run of 13 games without a win (Photo credit: Mansfield Town FC)

Best moment of 2024-25?

Other than achieving survival which was our objective from the start, the opening day victory at Barnsley was pretty special. The atmosphere, the way we played, the victory – everything came together in a way that said we’re not just here to make the numbers up.

Worst moment of 2024-25?

Watching us after winning at your place in January thinking “what on earth is happening to us”. An unlucky 13 games without a win.

I don’t think anything will quite beat us throwing away a 1-0 lead at Bolton when Hiram Boateng got himself sent off, before we conceded three times in the last 15 minutes. That or Exeter away.

Funniest moment of 2024-25?

Andy Garner clearly nursing a semi when talking about how ripped Alfie Kilgour had gotten whilst out injured. Oh my God! Find it on YouTube and thank me later.

The Birmingham Boasters and the Wrexham Wazzocks seem to have annoyed a lot of fans in League One this season. Which one are you most glad to see the back of?

Wrexham and their stupid documentary. Forget Welcome to Wrexham, how about Welcome to Arrogant Entitlement? Never liked Deadpool anyway…

Reform have been making a lot of noise recently. Based on this season, what’s in most need of reform at Mansfield, on or off the pitch?

How long have we got here? We need to bring the average age down somewhat and sign some players who can last 90 minutes twice a week.

Four Four Two had you down to finish 18th, EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton thought you’d finish 20th, while the Opta supercomputer predicted you’d be 22nd. You finished 17th. Discuss.

History books will say 17th and survival – that’ll do me. Next!

Kyle Wootton headed County’s equaliser at Field Mill in August (Photo credit: Stockport County FC)

Mansfield 1 County 1 in August. County 1 Mansfield 2 in January. Thoughts?

Pleased to take four points from a very good side; both very good performances. There’s something about coming to your place and getting all three points in recent years!

Best and worst away days of 2024-25?

Barnsley was a cracker. Birmingham was too, surprisingly. “4-0 down, don’t give a fuck, cos super Mansfield are staying up” and “where’s your bin men gone” are particular highlights.

Low lights, Exeter away. Just no.

Which Mansfield player is most deserving of his couple of weeks on the beach this summer?

Dave! (Deji O.) He’s been a calm cool collected figure for us, rightly sweeping up in the awards. That man could wake up in an inferno and go back to sleep for an hour and still walk out like everything’s normal. What a guy.

Never mind Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+, a TV production company have just made Mansfield Town: The Story of 2024-25. Which channel would it be most suited for?

Who used to do soft porn in the 90s… Channel 5? Strong start, disappointing finish. I’ll see myself out shall I?

And finally, apologies for darkening the mood, but you’ve only got 30 seconds to live. Putin’s pressed the red button and we’re all about to die. You can have one last moment of pleasure, watching a single Mansfield goal from this season. What you sticking on?

Stephen Quinn’s goal at Barnsley on repeat.

➡️ Any Mansfield fans joining us today? As stated above, I’ve written a book having watched every County game home and away this season. There’s obviously two big chapters on Mansfield included (home and away). Also, as I celebrated my 40th birthday this season, I’ve written about my four decades as a County fan as well, which I’m hoping will be an enjoyable read for anyone who supports a lower league club. There’s memories of beating four Premier League clubs as County reached the Coca-Cola Cup semi-finals in 1996-97, the club’s rise from the National League North to the brink of the Championship over the last few years, and the tale of a trip to Blackpool 20 years ago when me and my mates had a run-in with armed police after a day on the ale…

If you’d like to support the book, click on the link below to become a paid subscriber and I’ll post you a signed copy with your name printed inside once it’s published.

Thinking of having an extension in 2025?

Adding an extension to your home not only provides you with additional living space but can add considerable value to your property.

Whether it’s an extra bedroom, larger kitchen, utility room, or sun lounge, CE Building Services will work together with you to guide you through the process, and help you assess the best options to suit your budget and requirements.

They will assist you with the design, and decision making process, ensuring you get the best possible living space you require to suit you and your family’s needs.

An extension is often a cheaper option than moving house. Adding an extension can increase the value of your home whether it’s a single storey extension, or a double storey wrap around.

➡️ For a free, no obligation quote, give Chris a call on 07813 025854 or 0161 282 5968. Alternatively, you can email chris@cebuildingservices.co.uk.

Photo of the day

Moor Lane, Salford

On this day in 2023, County lost 1-0 at Salford in the first leg of the League Two play-off semi-final. Matt Smith scored the only goal of the game on a Saturday night in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Today in SK

🥃 Food and drink

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £5.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £1.50, and 3 for £7 on Jägerbombs. Also, double up for £2 on premium spirits.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this month by popping in for a few drinks or a bite to eat.

⁉️ Quiz night

The Steelworks (SK6). 7.30pm. £1 per person.

Chapter 13: The Second Half

It’s the second half of the play-off final at Wembley, with County leading MK Dons by a goal to nil. The story continues with Chat GPT.

The whistle went.

It was shrill and final, cutting through the roar like a blade. For a second, everything held — players poised, fans frozen — then it all surged forward again. The second half had begun.

Danny sat but couldn’t sit still. His legs jiggled. His hands were fists, then not. Lucy was on her feet already, chips forgotten, hat slightly askew. Her eyes never left the pitch.

Stockport were kicking toward their own end now — their fans packed in behind, drawing them forward with noise. A wall of it. A wave. Every clearance, every header, every time Tanto sprinted down the line, it rose again. Danny found himself shouting things he couldn’t remember seconds later. Not words, not really. Just raw noise.

Fifty minutes. Then fifty-five.

Salford came out sharp — as expected. They hadn’t finished fourth by accident. A couple of early warning shots, one that pinged just wide of Ben Hinchliffe’s post, had the crowd clenching. Danny swore under his breath, and Lucy just grabbed his sleeve, like if she held on tight enough, they couldn’t concede.

Time moved differently now. Slower and faster all at once.

Sarcevic started to get on the ball more, pointing, urging. Collar chased everything. Tanto looked like he’d run through concrete if it meant a second goal. And still — it stayed one-nil.

Sixty-five minutes.

Substitutions. Cramp. Water bottles hurled onto the pitch. A County fan with no shirt and a belly like a beer barrel leading chants from Row Z. Danny could feel it — not just tension now, but belief. Real belief. He glanced at Lucy. She was chanting now, properly chanting, face red with effort. She meant it.

Then — Salford had a corner. Their ninth. Their biggest. Danny stood. Everyone stood. The entire Stockport end, as one.

The cross came in, arcing dangerously toward the back post. Bodies everywhere. Hinchliffe flapped, missed it — a red shirt rose—

Thud.

Off the bar.

A sound like the world ending and beginning all at once. Gasps, groans, then a scramble, then a boot — Dan Crowley, maybe — sent it clear. And then cheers. Not just cheers. Survival.

Danny realised he hadn’t breathed.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered, hand on his chest.

Lucy laughed — actually laughed. A sharp, giddy burst. “I thought that was it.”

“Me too,” he said, and for a second, they just stared at each other. Like they were the only ones there.

Seventy-three minutes.

More substitutions. Tanto off. Standing ovation. The kind that makes a man feel ten feet tall.

In came Madden. The old head. Mr. Reliable.

Seventy-eight. Eighty-two. Eighty-five.

Salford pressing now. Desperation in every ball. County dropping back, nerves on the pitch as much as in the stands. Danny found himself whispering things — prayers maybe. Half-formed thoughts about his dad, about past finals, about not letting this slip.

Then — a break.

Madden dropped deep. Held it. Slid a pass out wide. It found its way to Sarcevic. He turned, beat one. Played it through—

Collar was in.

Just him and the keeper.

Time stopped.

Danny grabbed Lucy’s hand without thinking.

Collar didn’t blast it. Didn’t chip it. He just stroked it low, calm as you like, into the far corner.

Two-nil.

And then — eruption.

Danny had never heard noise like it. Not even in the nineties. Not even under the lights at Edgeley. It was like every cheer he’d ever heard in his life, all rolled into one. Flags everywhere. Beer in the air. Strangers hugging strangers. Danny lifting Lucy off the ground as she screamed into his ear.

He was crying. Stupidly. Quietly. Just a bit.

So was she.

They were going up. They were going up.

The final minutes passed in a blur — Mk Dons didn’t fold, but they knew. Everyone did. County held firm. Every tackle was a statement. Every clearance a celebration waiting to happen.

And then — the whistle.

Full-time.

It was over.

Danny didn’t cheer straight away. He just sat, hands over his face. His whole body shook.

Lucy was screaming, laughing, crying. “We’ve done it, Dad! We’ve bloody done it!”

He looked up. And saw it all.

The players sprinting to the fans. The bench emptying. Wembley bathed in blue and white. Songs rolling down from the stands like thunder. And in the middle of it, his daughter, arms raised to the sky, grinning like she’d never stop.

He hugged her then. Properly hugged her. Like he hadn’t in years.

Because this wasn’t just football. Not anymore.

This was memory. This was love. This was home, away from home.

This was Stockport County at Wembley.

And they had won.