We’re all going on a League One tour, but what have Mansfield made of 23-24…

After 11 seasons in League Two, the Stags are looking forward to life in the third tier next season

May 22, 2024

Wednesday 22 May 2024

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

Craig Priest from Mansfield Matters joins us today for a look back at the Stags’ promotion-winning campaign.

Today’s edition is sponsored by The Sleep Nanny. A big thank you to Lisa.

Thanks also to RIAN Construction, who sponsor our Mansfield Town content on the website.

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: 148.94 miles

Total steps so far: 237,462

Total raised so far: £1,696

Total completed streets so far: 304 (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

We’re all off on a League One tour, and you lot are joining us! What’s the flight going to be like? Will we be sat on separate sides of the plane completely ignoring each other, messing about chucking peanuts at each other and necking back those little bottles of vodka, or will it be one of those flights where a mass scrap breaks out and the plane has to be diverted to another country?

I think it’ll be one full of high spirits with a little bit of turbulence thrown in for good measure, but we’ll get through it together and when a random nun gets a guitar out, we’ll end up singing “Kum Ba Yah”. That or a terrible version of “Wonderwall”.

Gareth Southgate needs a last minute replacement for his Euro 2024 squad. Which Mansfield player deserves the nod based on their performances this season?

Tough one between big Aden Flint at the back to stop us leaking goals or DKD (Davis Keillor-Dunn) in the 10 role to score some screamers. Actually no, it’s always club first mentality for me, so both of those can stay watching on the sofa and we’ll send our number two goalkeeper Scott Flinders to play in that irrelevant group game when we’ve already qualified.

With World War 3 getting closer with each passing day, the government have asked me to pass on the following questions:

A) Who’s been your toughest player in 2023-24, most suitable to stick on the frontline?

B) What’s the best food you’ve had at a ground in 2023-24, that we can use for the troops in the trenches to keep morale up?

C) If World War 3 does kick off, how will Mansfield fans react in a crisis?

A) Davis Keillor-Dunn has been a lethal finisher, but Lucas Akins has to take it – he’s a good hold up man and things tend to bounce off him well.

B) You’re asking the wrong person here but our sausage rolls have had a massive improvement, and apparently the Stags have the best pie in the EFL, some chicken and balti combo. Just give them all a bag of crisps and let’s get on with it though.

C) Panic, probably turn on each other, and then lambast the fact there’s no escape onto the retail park because the gate is closed.

Best moment of 2023-24?

Promotion! Quickly followed by taking six points from Notts County and watching Forest Green get relegated back to where they belong.

Worst moment of 2023-24?

Crawley at home. Let’s pretend that never happened.

Funniest moment of 2023-24?

Aaron Lewis’ facial hair.

Four Four Two said you’d finish 9th. When Saturday Comes said you’d finish 7th. You finished 3rd. Discuss.

Four-Four-Two is far too old fashioned now, I much prefer the new Four-Two-Everyone else where you like lads formation! When Saturday Comes next we’ll be in League One so…! Joking aside, no publication really took into consideration that our progress would be based on carrying momentum from the previous two seasons and to be fair we overlooked it too. How very silly of us all.

2024 started with defeat at home to Mansfield (Photo courtesy of Mike Petch)

Mansfield 3 County 2 in August. County 0 Mansfield 2 in January. Thoughts?

Two good games between two good sides. The win at your place gave us the springboard to push on a little which was important. I believe that we were the only side to do the double over you which says a lot. Pleased you guys made it alongside us and that documentary film crew. Good luck next season, let’s hope we both stay up and enjoy a good battle again.

Best and worst away days of 2023-24?

MK Dons and Notts County are tied for the best. Worst would probably be Walsall.

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Book a £49 SOS call this month

Lisa Foster is a sleep consultant who helps families with their children’s sleep problems. Waking in the night, early rising or stressful bedtimes can be difficult for parents, but Lisa can support you to resolve the issues. She has a range of packages to suit every budget so please feel free to get in touch, to see how she can best get you the results you need.

This month, Lisa’s offering a £49 SOS call. This is a 30-minute call where you can speak to Lisa to look at making important changes to your child’s bedtime routine to help them sleep better.

Visit lisafoster.sleepnanny.co.uk for further details.

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For any repairs or renovations in Nottinghamshire, give RIAN Construction a call

RIAN Construction is a local family run joinery business, based in Mansfield, with over 17 years worth of experience. When carrying out any task, be it big or small, they strive for the highest of standards to bring an excellent service to you, the customer.

Whether you need a major repair or a renovation, they can deliver professional skills at a fair price. It’s their highest priority to get the job done right the first time on every assignment.

RIAN Construction will provide a full consultation to explain available options so that you can choose the service that’s right for your home or business. They strive to meet your project’s needs and save you the time.

Visit rianconstruction.co.uk for further details.

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Photo of the day

Grosvenor House Hotel, London

At the League Managers Association awards in London last night, Dave Challinor was named League Two Manager of the Year. Thoroughly deserved!

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Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. The Fall Guy (12A) at 2pm, followed by If (U) at 4.30pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £4.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £2, and 3 for £6 on Jägerbombs. 12pm - 11pm.

If you find yourself in Stockport today, pop into The Petersgate Tap (SK1) for a pint or two. 3pm - 10pm.

Pie Meal Deal at The Friary (SK3). Any pie or pudding and chips with peas, curry or gravy. Plus tea or coffee. £7.95. (Greenhalgh’s Pies £1 extra.)

❓ Quiz night

The Rectory (SK8). £35 bar tab for the winners. 8pm.

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100 random grounds that County have played at

#23 – bet365 Stadium, Stoke

Last visit: We’ve only been to Stoke’s new place once, back in September 1997 (when it was called the Britannia). Andy Mutch equalised just after half-time but Stoke scored their winner two minutes later.

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