Field Mill - Mansfield Town Stadium
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Last Update:
August 16, 2024
Field Mill is largely a modern stadium with three good-sized and attractive-looking stands. On the West side of the ground is the Ian Greaves Stand, named after a former manager of the club. Opened in February 2001 this cantilevered two-tiered stand, has a capacity of 5,500. Both ends; the North Stand and the Quarry Lane End are almost identical single-tiered stands, each accommodating just under 2,000 supporters.
The remaining side of the ground on the Bishop Street side is unused for spectators. This site has run its entire length with several large advertising hoardings, which detract somewhat from the overall attractiveness of the ground. Behind the advertising hoardings, you can still see the outline of the old Bishop Street Stand, which was closed some years ago due to safety concerns. It shows though how much the stadium has come on, as at one time this was the Main Stand at Field Mill. This would account for why the team dugouts are located in front of this stand. There is a sizeable television gantry perched on its roof. To one side of the Bishop Street Stand towards the North Stand where the away fans are housed is a large electronic scoreboard that was purchased from Wembley Stadium.
Away fans are housed in the North Stand, where around 1,800 supporters can be accommodated. As you would expect from a modern stand that is free of any supporting pillars, then the views of the playing action are pretty good, as are the facilities. The stand has a low roof meaning that visiting supporters can make some noise from this end, helping to boost the atmosphere. It has been said by many people who have attended a match at Field Mill that the stewarding and policing is friendly with both eager to help matchgoing fans with any queiries they have.
Rob Ferguson adds’ For those away fans arriving by coach, please note that buses should drop off at Portland Street and pick up at Portland Street at the end of the match.’
There is a bar at the ground called the Sandy Pate (underneath the Ian Greaves Stand). Except for high profile matches the bar welcomes away fans and shows Sky Sports. However, as you would expect it gets quite busy on matchdays.
There is the Talbot pub on the Nottingham Road (A60) near to the Sainsburys Supermarket. However, this pub is for home fans only, but the opposite is the ‘Il Rosso‘ which does admit visiting supporters who are not showing colours as Jeff Beastall informs me; ‘The ‘Il Rosso’ is an upmarket wine bar and a little on the pricey side, albeit with a good selection of beers and lagers and Big Screen TV. It is popular with visiting fans.’
There is also the Midland Hotel, on Station Road, which is around a ten-minute walk away from the stadium, near the railway station and admits visiting supporters. A similar distance from the stadium is the Railway Inn on Station Street. This basic pub has a mixture of home and away fans and offers local real ales and food. It is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Chris Patrick recommends; ‘The Sir John Cockle pub is on the A38 going into Mansfield from the M1 and again serves good food’. Whilst Gordon Cleugh adds; ‘About a quarter of a mile past the John Cockle on the A38 there is The Bold Forester which has about 10 real ales and also serves good value food’ and is also listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Whilst Terry Gospel advises that away fans should avoid the Victoria Hotel and Red Lion Pubs. Generally, it is advised to also steer clear of pubs in the town centre. However, there is a Wetherspoons outlet called the Court House, situated in Market Place, which is also listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
While Mansfield do not reinvent the wheel when it comes to their food menu, they do keep it simple and classic, something which many football fans crave anyway.
Often on offer at the Field Mill Stadium is a selection of burgers, sausages and pies. The food is simple and the prices often reflect that, so all-in-all it is okay value for what you get.
Most stadiums at this level boast multiple turnstiles that are usually dotted around the ground- Mansfield Town is no different.
While home fans can use the majority of entrances at the venue, away fans are often instructed to use the turnstiles behind the ground’s North Stand, located off St.Peters Way, as this is where they are usually accommodated.
On the other hand, home supporters are encouraged to use the turnstiles situated behind the South and West Stands – both of which provide exclusive access to the ground for fans of Mansfield Town.
From The North
Leave the  M1 at Junction 29, and take A617 to Mansfield. After six miles turn you will pass the Pheasant Inn on your left. At the next set of traffic lights, where there is a Tesco Store on one corner turn right into Rosemary Street (signposted Derby A38). Follow the road for around one mile and after passing a Burger King and Retail Park on your right, turn right at the next traffic light into Quarry Lane. The ground is up on the right-hand side.
From The South
Leave the M1 at Junction 28, and take A38 to Mansfield. After passing the Kings Mill Hospital on your left and then the Nell Gwyn pub on your right, turn right at the traffic lights after the pub into Sheepbridge Lane. Â After passing under a railway bridge (height restriction 10′ 9″) you will reach a set of traffic lights where you turn left into Quarry Lane. You will reach the stadium on the left.
Car Parking
There is some parking on the ground which costs £5. There is also the station car park which costs £4 for the day. This car park is located behind the adjacent Portland Retail Park (behind Burger King), which means it is handily placed for the away end. It is also signposted from the town centre ring road. Otherwise, it is a case of finding some street parking, especially on parts of Nottingham Road and side streets off it. Please do not park in the retail park behind the away end. Parking is restricted to two hours and is camera monitored, so you will end up with an expensive parking ticket if you do park for longer than two hours.
The Field Mill Stadium can be seen from Mansfield Railway Station which is no more than ten minutes walk away. The station is on a local line and is served by trains from Nottingham. To get to the ground from the station; Leave the station and turn left along the dual carriageway, (away from the town centre), you should see a retail park on the right. Go straight ahead at the first set of traffic lights, along Portland Street and then right at the next lights and into Quarry Lane. The ground is a short distance down this road on the right-hand side.
Planning on staying overnight in Mansfield? Well here are some suggestions for good hotels that are located relatively near the Field Mill Stadium:
- Mansfield Lodge Hotel, 28 Woodhouse Rd, Mansfield NG18 2AF
- Travelodge Mansfield, Mansfield Rd, Sutton-in-Ashfield NG17 4HG
- The Clifton Hotel, 11 Terrace Rd, Mansfield NG18 2BP
Mansfield Town do not change their ticket prices based on the fixture they are playing which is unlike many nowadays. They do however have a pricing structure based on the stand you choose to sit in with the Ian Greaves Upper stand being the most expensive tickets and the Quarry Lane stand being the cheapest.
Adult: £21-£24
Senior: £19-£21
18-21: £17-£19
13-17: £14-£16
7-12: £10-£12
U7: £0
Despite being built before 1861, Mansfield Ton did not play at Field Mill until 1919. Three years after Mansfield Town moved in, the Grandstand was built with the other three sides mound formed from ash from nearby Coal Mines, all of which was completed by 1926. In 1929, funds used from a cup run the year before, were used to erect a covered stand on the Bishop Street side. The first terracing was built during the 1930s from railway sleepers which lasted 20 years.
In 1961, floodlights were installed and turned on before their League Cup game against Cardiff City. Also in the 19602, a new grandstand was built on the west side of the ground after being purchased from Hurst Park Racecourse. The stand costs Mansfield Town £30,000. The stand was first used in 1966 but was not fully completed until 1971.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
The atmosphere at Field Mill is incredible, and here is a video of Town supporters celebrating a late equaliser with songs and chants to give you a taste of what to expect upon your visit:
FANS: 🎶We’re the #Mansfield boys, making all the noise, everywhere we go…🎶#Stags‘ fans can be heard from miles around at full-time as they applaud our players after a late leveller at Lincoln secures a hard-fought point. pic.twitter.com/DgFmH4XAtN
— Mansfield Town FC (@mansfieldtownfc) November 24, 2018
Record Attendance
24,467 v Nottingham Forest
FA Cup 3rd Round, 10th January 1953.
Modern All-Seated Attendance Record
9,243 v Northampton Town
Division Three Play-Off, 20th May 2004.
Average Attendance
2023-2024: 7,406 (League Two)
2022-2023: 6,728 (League Two)
2021-2022: 4,323 (League Two)
2020-2021: 0 (Covid) (League Two)
2019-2020: 4,419 (League Two)
Mansfield Town owner Carolyn Radford has confirmed the club aims to develop the Bishop Street Stand but they face difficulty due to infrastructural issues.
The Bishop Street Stand was condemned in 2006 due to safety issues but, Carolyn is eager to rebuild the stand to continue to grow the club. Carolyn Radford is in constant contact with Mansfield Council in a bid to come to an agreement for the stand to be redeveloped in hopes of increasing Mansfield Town’s growing support.
Mansfield have finally received a boost in their quest to renovate the stand, having had plans approved by the council in the summer of 2024. A three-step process will now be put in place, with the club stating that a brand-new toilet facility, state-of-the-art hospitality boxes and a capacity expansion are all part of the plan.
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Images
Mansfield Town v Leyton Orient
League Two
Tuesday 20th August 2019, 7.45pm
Tim Scales (Leyton Orient)
Mansfield Town v Crewe Alexandra
League Two
Saturday 23rd March 2019, 3pm
Andy Newman (Neutral)
Mansfield Town v Crawley Town
League 2
Saturday 5th May 2018, 3pm
Steve Smytheman (Doing the 92 again)
Mansfield Town v Lincoln City
League Two
Tuesday 6th March 2018, 7.45pm
David Beck (Lincoln City fan)
Mansfield Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Football League Two
Tuesday 12th September 2017, 7:45pm
Iain Burnham (Wycombe Wanderers fan)
Mansfield Town v Plymouth Argyle
Football League Two
Saturday 11th March 2017, 3pm
David King (Plymouth Argyle fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the One Call Stadium?
I had not visited Mansfield Town for a few years and last time I went it was a terrible game that Plymouth lost!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I stayed the night before in Nottingham and caught a Trent Barton bus service to Mansfield which took around 45 minutes. The bus station at Mansfield is conveniently situated near the town centre and no more than 15 minutes walk from the football ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I went to the Court House pub where I was made welcome. I met a friendly Mansfield fan who first went to a game in 1947 when he was five years old. The old boy had plenty of tales to tell. I had some food and drinks here before heading to the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the One Call Stadium?
The One Call Stadium is surrounded on several sides by houses but the floodlight pylons make it easy to find. It is near a retail park just outside the town centre. The away end gave good views of the stadium which was reasonably modern apart from one disused stand which had the press box apparently on top of it. There was a large Police presence at the ground although the atmosphere was relaxed and I saw no trouble.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The Plymouth fans made a good noise, the low roof over the stand helping acoustics. Mansfield were on a good run and were trying for the play offs so their fans were in good spirits. Mansfield were well on top in the first half and had a number of good chances to score but did not take them. Plymouth meanwhile could not get going and were struggling to get possession of the ball and create any threat going forward. The second half started as the first half finished but a tactical change by Argyle seemed to turn the tide in Argyle's favour. A well executed free kick by Graham Carey and a well placed header by Sonny Bradley gave Argyle an undeserved lead. Seven minutes later it was 0-2, another free kick taken by Graham Carey. Despite Mansfield throwing caution to the wind for the last 25 minutes Argyle held out for the win. The travelling fans, players and coaching staff were delighted with a hard earned win against a spirited Mansfield side.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I walked back to the town centre after the final whistle and caught a bus back to Nottingham for an overnight stay,
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great win for Plymouth although we were rather fortunate to come away with three points. I'd loved to have been in the dressing room to hear Derek Adams (Plymouth manager) and Steve Evans (Mansfield manager) "have words". His post match reaction just made the Argyle win the more sweeter!
Mansfield Town v Grimsby Town
Football League Two
Saturday 24th September 2016, 12.15pm
Kevin Dixon (Grimsby Town fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the One Call Stadium?
Another relatively local game for us, at a ground I have not visited for many years. Also another big away following, although our ticket allocation was a bit less than the capacity of the away end.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Simple journey of 67 miles via Gainsborough, Retford and Ollerton. Plenty of pay and display car parks near to the ground, with just a five minute walk from where I parked in Nottingham Road
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
With the early kick off, I had no time for food or pub, and there didn't seem to be any home fans about on my walk up to the ground.
What you thought o n seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the One Call Stadium?
The Field Mill ground has been substantially rebuilt since my last visit, with new all seater stands at either end, and on one side. The other side is still occupied by an old stand, which is no longer in use, and somewhat spoils the overall feel of the stadium.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
A bit of a dour game between two evenly matched sides, which was settled by an Omar Bogle penalty for Grimsby in the first half. Mansfield looked like a team which had failed to score in the previous three games, and for all their hard work, they failed to create many clear chances. As usual, we made it difficult for ourselves, by dropping deeper and deeper in the second half, but we held out, and it was pleasing to keep a clean sheet for the first time since the opening day of the season. Stewards were fine, toilets clean, and food looked okay, although I didn't have anything.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Bit of a jam getting away from the car park, as I had to go back round past the ground as I was heading for Manchester. If I had been heading home to Grimsby, there wouldn't have been a problem.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Not a particularly good game, but the result was what mattered. The support from the travelling Mariners' fans was superb as ever. The One Call Stadium is a ground that I would happily visit again.
Mansfield Town v Cambridge United
Football League Two
Saturday 7th May 2016, 3pm
Robert Marsters (Cambridge United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the One Call Stadium?
This was the last game of the season, up until the week before Cambridge could have sneaked into the play offs but as it happened todays game was a dead rubber. I'd been to Mansfield last season but as it was a hot sunny day, so we opted to make the trip.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey took around 1hr45 from just outside Cambridge and was very easy to get to using a satnav. We parked on a residential street off the main road, opposite the retail parks. It was about five minute walk to the ground. As we'd been here before we knew where the ground was but it was well signed and easy to see from a distance.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As we were running a little late we went straight to the ground. Collecting tickets was easy and walking round the stadium, there was a good atmosphere from the home fans, possibly because it was the last home game of the season.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the One Call Stadium?
Field Mill looks quite impressive for a League Two ground. The Main Stand that runs down the pitch is a big two tier one, and the stands at either end of the pitch are also big all-seater ones. The only downside being the small stand that is boarded on the other side of the pitch. It looks odd seeing the dugouts positioned in front of boardings. The view from the away end is good, the stand is quite high up.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was quite a dull affair, both teams seemingly happy to play out a 0-0 draw as they had nothing to play for. Mansfield fans seemed quite quiet and they had given out those awful clappers. The food bar also managed to serve up the worst sausage roll I think I have ever eaten. The away fans spent more time in the second half bouncing a beach ball around the stand, which really summed up the game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
After the game we stopped at one of the many fast food restaurants on the retail parks surrounding the ground, so after eating there we drove straight out of town without stopping.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The One Call Stadium is decent although there doesn't seem to be much around Mansfield to visit. It was a shame that the game itself was pretty poor.
Mansfield Town v Stevenage
Football League Two
Saturday 9th January 2016, 3pm
James Walker (Stevenage fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the One Call Stadium?
This was one game I wasn't looking forward to too much given our recent poor form. For me, this one had defeat written all over it, however it was a new ground for me so it had to be done.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I took the official supporters coach as usual which meant finding the ground and parking wasn't an issue. The coach parked right outside the away turnstile meaning finding it again after the game was easy.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went straight to the club shop (which is now just a merchandise truck outside) for badges and programmes (£3 each). After that we decided to cross the road to go to the sports shop opposite to kill a bit of time before the ground opened. Please be aware that the staff on the door of the supporters bar ask for I.D for proof of age, so if you are young looking then please make sure to bring it along with you if you want to go for a drink at the ground first!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the One Call Stadium?
The ground is mostly very nice to look at. The two stands behind the goals are big single-tier stands, whist the stand to the right from the away end is a double-tiered modern stand. The stand to the left of us is an old terrace that isn't used by fans, instead is covered by advertising and flags.
View From The Away End
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself was awful from our point of view as we just couldn't get going. A goal in each half from Mansfield gave them the win as a consolation goal with the last kick of the game gave us nothing to celebrate. I went for the standard Chicken Balti pie today (£3.20) and it was a lovely one. Some of my friends told me that the hot dogs and other pies on offer were also delicious. The atmosphere was non-existent today from both sets of fans. A few young supporters sitting neat the away end tried to get the Mansfield fans going but couldn't do anything.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was easy. We came out, turned left anf our coach was there waiting for us, and a quick journey home was very welcome for us!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
This was a poor day out for us, but thankfully we didn't get hammered and it wasn't a too long journey home. We didn't stop off and so were arriving back at the Lamex just after 7.30pm.
Half Time Score: Mansfield Town 1-0 Stevenage
Full Time: Mansfield Town 2-1 Stevenage
Attendance: 3,126 (112 away fans)
My Ground Number: 65 of the 92
Mansfield Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Football League Two
Saturday October 31st 2015, 3pm
Russell (Wycombe Wanderers fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the One Call Stadium?
It was to be my first league away trip with the Chairboys, other than the Play Off Final at Wembley last season. I don't get to as many games as I'd like, as with working most Saturdays, and starting early mornings during the week, then long mid-week trips also difficult. Plus home games at Adams Park are a 200 mile round trip for me.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Journey was fairly straightforward. As I live in North West Leicestershire, Mansfield is a relatively short trip into Nottinghamshire. Up the M1 and then the A38 into Mansfield,. Field Mill is well signposted and I parked on the Railway Station car park.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Sat listening to Chelsea v Liverpool on the radio in the car park, before taking the brief stroll to the ground, via the Burger King. The home fans I had contact with seemed friendly enough.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Had a quick walk around before entering the turnstiles into the away end. The actual turnstile entrance looked a bit ropey, but functioned well enough. Away end seemed tidy enough, though the ground looks a bit odd, with the old stand on one side closed.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Game went very well for the Chairboys. Away fans very noisy, home fans very much less so, which seemed odd, though the early goal might have killed it for them. They did respond to their team having a right go in the second half, though. Couldn't hear the stadium announcements in the away end, nor could I see a match clock or scoreboard. I think there is a clock, but it's at the other end, and mounted at the side of the old stand, I think, so it's tough to see from the away end. Stewards around the ground seemed friendly and helpful enough. Can't comment on the pies or the toilets, as I didn't want or need either.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away seemed fine. Short queue to get out of the station car park, but it cleared quickly enough.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Very happy following my first away trip with the Chairboys, though the result helped that, no doubt. Was pleased to have gone and watched them at Mansfield, and credit to Mansfield, they played some nice stuff, as a lover of football of all sorts, that was a happy bonus too. Would certainly return.
Mansfield Town v Luton Town
League Two
Tuesday, February 17th 2015, 7.45pm
Nick Meadows (Luton Town fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I've been to Mansfield before but I always follow Luton when I can. Also a win could take us into the top three in the League.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It was a fairly straightforward enough journey on paper, straight up the M1 from Luton then about 6 miles in a straight line once off the M1 at junction 27, However roadwork's on the M1 and then extremely bad traffic around Mansfield made the journey time almost three hours. I parked in the train station car park, there were lots of spaces, cost 70p per hour (pay & display) and you can see the stadium from there and takes around 5 minutes maximum to walk to the away end.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Next to the railway station car park is a Frankie & Benny's and a Burger King. I had a quick bite to eat in Burger King and then walked to the Talbot pub, onlly to be informed that tonight this was for home fans only. I was directed instead to a pub called the Midland which is located in-between the train and bus stations. It was not the most glamorous of pubs, but it was away fan friendly and I can't argue with £2.80 for a pint of Foster's (especially living in the south). After leaving the pub, it took around ten minutes to walk to the away turnstiles.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
I've been there before, there are 3 decent modern stands, but with the remaining side consisting of a boarded up stand that is not used, it looks strange. There was only a sparse home crowd in attendance.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Less said about the game the better. Both teams were awful and Mansfield nicked it with their only chance of the game, a counter attack from our attacking set piece. Home fans were quiet apart from when they scored. They have a drummer (which in my opinion is never a good thing) and to be honest he/she isn't that great! Luton had a third of the crowd and if you takeaway the Luton fans, Mansfield's crowd was lower than what we've taken to at least 2 away games so far this year. Bottles of Carlsberg at the ground were £3 and although I didn't eat the food seemed reasonably priced. Toilets? They're toilets! I did however notice a lack of bins, which meant that I saw a lot of litter, lying around.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Only a five minute walk to the car, and surprisingly there wasn't a huge amount of traffic around the stadium, so a quick getaway. I was home exactly two hours after starting my car.
7. Overall reflection:
Disheartening…
Mansfield Town v Cheltenham Town
League Two
Saturday, December 13th 2014, 3pm
Richard Symonds (Cheltenham Town fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case maybe):
As a Cheltenham Town fan, I hadn’t been to Mansfield before and with me also trying to do 'the 92' it was another ground to be ticked off the list. I also used the opportunity to visit and stay with friends in Repton for the weekend so it all worked out well.
2. How easy was your journey/ finding the ground/car parking?
It was as easy journey up the M1 from Repton. I parked in a 'Pay and Display' car park in Grove Street just up from the ground. It cost £2.80 for 4 hours, the time required to eat, drink and see the match.
3. What did you do before the game pub/chippy….Home fans friendly?
Before the game we went to McDonalds on the retail park by the ground and then for a pint in the Talbot opposite the stadium. The home fans were friendly enough although getting served in the Talbot was difficult. It was busy, only had two staff on the bar and we obviously weren’t regulars. The locals seemed to be enjoying watching Derby County getting beaten on the huge 110 inch television screen showing Sky.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
The ground is quite smart apart from the abandoned stand on one side. The Ian Greaves (Main) Stand is particularly impressive by League 2 standards and was pretty full. The away end has an excellent view of the whole pitch.
5. Comments on the game itself, Atmosphere, Stewards, Pies, Facilities etc.
The game itself was pretty poor, two teams towards the bottom of the league playing without much confidence. However, both goals in the 1-1 draw were crackers and there is nothing like a late equaliser for your side to change your perspective on the previous 80 odd minutes. A draw was a fair result, the atmosphere wasn’t great but then as I said it was a pretty poor game. Stewards were almost conspicuous by their absence, no problems at all. Didn’t try any of the food or drink as the queues were pretty long.
6. Comments on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away after the game was fine, walked back to the car park and got out of Mansfield and back to the M1 without any problems.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day:
Generally a good day but I suspect if we had been one up and then conceded a late equaliser it would have felt a bit different!
Mansfield Town v Morecambe
League Two
Tuesday, September 16th 2014, 7.45pm
Dominic Bickerton (Doing the 92)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Another ground that I had yet to visit, so I always look forward to ticking another one off the list. Also an excuse to meet up with an old mate and have a bit of laugh whilst watching some football.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
One of the easiest grounds to get to if you're going by train. You can see the stadium from the platforms – you can't go wrong.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
I arrived fairly close to kick off due to a delayed train, this meant we just decided to make our way straight into the ground and take our seats.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground itself is fairly bland with not much character. The three modern stands are neat but are let down by the large open corners that allow wind to come blowing in from all directions. The old Bishop Street Stand has been boarded up and is home to a small cabin on the roof for cameras. It certainly takes away from the feel of the ground as it's quite an eyesore. Despite this Field Mill is still one of the better grounds at this level.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was an extremely poor advert for League Two football in every way. Neither side looked up to much and another season in League Two likely awaits both of them. A scrappy game that looked set to be a boring 0-0 until a last minute Liam Marsden long throw was headed in by Alex Fisher, giving the home side the three points. Funny how 89 minutes of dross can be transformed by a goal!
The match gave Mansfield and Morecambe fans very little to shout about, and as such the atmosphere was one of the worst I have experienced at a football league fixture. The home end had a drummer who was just awful and was generally ignored by the majority of Mansfield fans, whilst Morecambe only took 65 supporters. Hardly the most conducive conditions for a good atmosphere but still very disappointing from the home faithful.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
A short walk back to the train station and you're back on the train. Easy enough.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A disappointing visit. The lack of quality on the pitch and atmosphere in the stands meant I didn't really enjoy my trip to Field Mill, however I'm sure it would be far better experience when the team are on form and there's a larger away following to add to the atmosphere.
Mansfield Town v Oxford United
League Two
Saturday August 16th 2014, 3pm
Rob Pickett (Oxford United)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
It was a fairly local game for me, as I am an exiled Oxford United fan living in Sheffield. As it was still early on in the season, I still had some of that new season initial optimism!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I decided to drive to this fixture. It was a pretty straightforward route into Mansfield from the M1 and the ground is well sign-posted. I arrived in good time and was able to park in the club car park.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
I had ordered my ticket from Oxford United beforehand but frustratingly it had not turned up in the post. A phone call to the OUFC ticket office followed who then liaised with the Mansfield Town ticket office, resulting in me needing to collect my replacement ticket from them on the day of the game. The collection of new ticket was dealt pleasantly and efficiently. Bizarrely the original ticket sent by OUFC ticket office arrived 4-weeks later! There are various retail eateries near-by, so went with an Oxford mate for a spot of lunch ten minutes walk away.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end and then the other sides?
Over the last few years Mansfield have developed the ground on 3-sides and it is a compact modern stadium. However the fourth side is unused and this lets down the overall look of the stadium. Let’s hope the Club In time, find the finances to build a new stand to complete the stadium. Overall though, it is a decent League Two ground.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Mansfield had a feel of a family run club that was welcoming to away fans, even the stewards were helpful and friendly. I only had tea at half time which was the standard fayre. The atmosphere was poor inside the ground, but this was not helped by awful match played between two poor teams. Mansfield were fractionally better and won the game late on. My early season optimism soon evaporated!
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Inevitably getting out of the club car park took time, but once on the way, it is quick to get out of Mansfield and on with your journey, back up the M1
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a very poor game which muted the atmosphere. However, the ground and day out was pleasant and, based on this experience, I would say Mansfield Town welcome away fans with a positive attitude. I'd happily go again.
Mansfield Town v Southend United
League Two
Saturday, February 8th 2014, 3pm
Tom Raffan (Southend United fan)
I took the train to Mansfield, going from St. Pancras to Nottingham, and then getting the local line to Mansfield, from where I could see the stadium with a very simple walk.
Upon arrival I found it was an unusual complex in that there was a fence around the back of the stand, and the turnstile was in a gate on this, and so once you were through you were not actually in the stand. On the back wall were loos and catering facilities, while also a welcoming poster which had the Southend United logo and the message 'Thank you for travelling 169 miles to support your team' which was a nice touch.
Having asked whether we could sit anywhere, the steward said that officially he was not allowed to say yes, although he was fairly relaxed. I found a seat at the back of the stand near where our drummer was, and from this high central position the view was very good. With a drummer we were able to generate plenty of noise, far more than the home fans I hasten to add, who were very quiet throughout.
The layout of the ground with the three very isolated stands, the unnoticeable tunnel and the dugouts by the empty side did give a feeling of distance from the rest of the ground. Furthermore it was impossible to hear what was said on the tannoy which was quite annoying, as we had no idea when the injury time started, nor how much there was (I didn't notice the fourth official's board go up).
At half time I had a hot dog, which was one of the cheaper hot options at £2.50 and as football food goes, it was very nice.
As for the game itself, it was a horribly windy day (which was not helped by the absence of wind shields on the stand) which completely ruined the spectacle. About 7 or 8 footballs must have gone over the Bishop Street Stand it led to us losing 2-1.
This was not one of the better away day experiences I have had, and not just because of the result, though if you are looking for an away game easily accessible by train, this is the one you want.
Mansfield Town v Southend United
League Two
Saturday, February 8th 2014, 3pm
John & Stephen Spooner (Southend United fans)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I visited this ground many years ago but my son could not recall. Southend had only lost one in the last 12 games and were unbeaten in 2014. Whilst Mansfield were 19th in the League having won only two home games since coming back into the Football League last season as Conference Champions. Southend had won 3 nil at home to Mansfield earlier in the season so the prospect of another 3 points made the trip a must.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
My son and I travel to games from North Wales as exiled fans so it was about 110 miles each way and just over 2½ hours along the M56, A6, A619 and A617. The ground was easy to find and we asked about parking at the ground, which we could for £5 but decided to park in a side road just round the corner to avoid delays in getting out of the car park. We turned into Quarry Lane and then parked in Highfield Way.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We ate our usual pre-packed picnic and listened to radio commentary on Liverpool v Arsenal. We didn’t meet any fans to talk to.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground came into sight on our right as we arrived next door to a retail park. The ground appears quite impressive with a large Main Stand. As we walked to the away entrance gate via a small gate from the club car park, we got a full view of the adjacent busy retail park. Entrance is via an electronic system scanning ticket barcodes. The Main Stand and stands behind each goal appear modern and all seated. The stand opposite the Main Stand is dilapidated and not used being covered in large wooden advertising boards. The 40 or so, advertising boards make the ground appear scruffy in my opinion. There is a small wooden hut on the top with a couple of hardy cameramen trying not to be blown away by the gale force winds. The manager dugouts are also on that side of the ground, isolated from any fans of either side. We were given the whole of the away stand and the leg room is comfortable. The views of the pitch are superb. The pitch was rain sodden but played well.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was played in freezing gale force gusting wind and rain and there was not much atmosphere until Mansfield took the lead with a great shot in the first half. Southend fans did their best to will the team on but a 2nd Mansfield goal in the second half subdued even the most die hard Southend fans. There is a food service area under the stand, offering the usual pies and drinks at reasonable cost. I can recommend the hot and tasty beef and onion pies at £2-50. The stewards were relaxed and friendly. Southend managed to get a consolation goal in the 90th minute but, too little too late. The Mansfield mascot is a stag (adult) and he was accompanied by a baby stag (youth) which was an unusual sight. The match program of 70 pages was £3 and a reasonable read.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
There was no delay in getting away from the ground and we relied on satnav to take us back to North Wales. The weather had worsened as the satnav guided us to the M1 we assumed wrongly that we would be taken directly north to the M62 and a straight forward journey. We instead, found ourselves taking the old Sheffield to Manchester elevated route via the A628 Snake Pass road, which is a tricky route, even in the middle of summer. Luckily, being dark we could not see the drops neither side of this high, twisting road, only the twinkling lights of villages and towns way below us! The route was interesting to say the least in driving rain and gales force winds, and one I would not recommend in any circumstances.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
This was a good day out with an interesting journey, but the weather and result spoiled the day. Mansfield is a good ground to visit and the Main Stand is modern and impressive.
Attendance: 3,055 (484 away).
Mansfield Town v Scunthorpe United
League Two
Saturday, January 11th 2014, 3pm
Joe (Scunthorpe United fan)
BTravelling down to the One Call Stadium was straight-forward as I had gone on one of the official club coaches. We got to the ground nice and early. It’s fair to say there are plenty of facilities close to the stadium, as a retail park was located directly next to it.
On arrival, we went through the turnstiles, which are managed by ticket machines, where each person scans the barcode on their ticket, which unlocks the turnstile and allows them to pass through. For some reason, my ticket wouldn't be accepted and the turnstile would not unlock. A friendly steward noticed this and let me though one of the gates instead.
After finding my seat, two things occurred to me. Firstly, it was still a long time until kick-off, and secondly, it was really cold, being early January! A quick trip to the food kiosk was in order, which is located under the stand. A good selection was available at what I thought was really good prices. A cup of coffee was £1.50 for example. I also noticed they sold Pot Noodles at £1.50 too, which actually is a really good idea!
After reading a previous review about the stewards I was a little wary, but must say that all of the staff were very friendly, helpful and polite. One addressed me as ‘Sir’ and asked if I needed any help finding my seat.
Another thing that surprised me was how good the view was from the away stand. Their largest stand looks really nice, and the away end had decent seats. I tracked down the local radio station on 103.2FM and listened to their commentary. The commentator made a point that Mansfield had been in the Conference for a few seasons, and said how good it was for them to see the away end full. Scunthorpe sold out the away end with 1,220 tickets sold.
The Town fans and Scunthorpe fans both made a lot of noise from the start of the match, which made for a great derby-like atmosphere. I was greatly for the good views from the away stand when Hayes scored an amazing goal on 9 minutes right in front of us! Understandably this quietened the home crowd a little but they encouraged their team to pull something back.
Half time saw a really big queue at the kiosk, but the staff on it were still friendly and coped well.
Scunthorpe won 2-0, and it’s fair to say that the decent ground and friendly atmosphere made for a good day out. Best of luck to Mansfield Town in the future!
Mansfield Town v Liverpool
FA Cup 3rd Round
Sunday, January 6th 2014, 4pm
Glynn Jones (Liverpool fan)
Believe it or not there is a dearth of decent aways in the Premier League nowadays, regular visits to clone-grounds such as the Britannia just don't cut it anymore. And so there a whole bunch of supporters who pine for an away draw in the Cup, and the lower league the opposition the better. And given that this was only our third ever game against Mansfield, and my first, then this was undoubtedly a "must see" fixture.
The journey to Mansfield from Merseyside was pretty straightforward, we avoided the "short" route through the Peak District and just went M62, M1, completing the journey comfortably in under two hours.
Being seasoned drinkers we always like to stay overnight and sample the hospitality that the various towns and cities have to offer. We booked rooms at the Mansfield Travelodge the night the draw was made, we paid £27 per room which we thought was reasonable, but if we'd waited until the week of the fixture we could have had the rooms for £19 each! The Travelodge is a mile or two out of town but a local Private Hire taxi into town would only cost about a fiver, during the day time. A Hackney Black Cab back to the hotel at 2am cost about £9.
The Saturday night in Mansfield town centre was great, some cracking little pubs notably The Oak, The Market Inn, The Swan and the Bowl In Hand was a nice little starting place, especially with it's pool table. If you're younger and are after something a bit more lively than you too won't be disappointed as there are plenty of those types of places. As for match day drinking AVOID the Byron unless you like pubs that are rammed full. Just walk the extra 100 yards to the Swan. Getting to the ground is a 10 minute walk from here, or a 15 minute stroll if you prefer.
On match day I was initially tempted to park on the retail park adjacent to the away end, but if you wanted a reasonably swift get away this would be every inch the bottleneck that it looks. I instead opted to park on a Pay and Display just around the corner, off Peacock St/Garden Rd. 70p per hour and we were out of town in less than 5 minutes.
It's a tidy little ground, with decent leg room for the more "leggy" amongst us. The catering was OKish, I asked for a Balti Pie but after one bite I discovered it was a meat and potato'. I took it back and the fella was really professional, he apologized told me he'd run out of Balti, gave me my money back and said I could keep the meat and potato'. So, not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I ate it. Entry to the ground was easy and the stewarding was very relaxed.
The atmosphere in the ground was a little strange due to there only being stands on three sides, and you couldn't hear the fans behind the far goal at all, so most of the noise was generated by the larger Ian Greaves Stand. As a result most of the chanting was between the away end and the Greaves stand, and it got quite lively at times!
The game itself will be remembered mainly for the Luis Suarez "hand ball" goal, but if anybody cared to view the facts of the matter they would know that the Ref saw the hand ball and deemed it to be accidental. The other goal (the first) was scored by debutant Daniel Sturridge, in a not very pretty game played on a shocker of a pitch. A late Mansfield goal ensured that the ball would be pumped into the Liverpool box at every opportunity. There were a few nerve jangling moments but I never really thought Mansfield would get a second, and so it proved.
In summary – I wish I could go to Mansfield every season.
Mansfield Town v Exeter City
League Two
Saturday, August 10th 2014, 3pm
Steve Ellis (Exeter City fan)
1. Why were you looking forward to going to this ground?
This is a new ground for me and it was the season opener.
2. How easy was your journey?
The journey was straight forward, travelling up on the supporters coach leaving Exeter at 8am, arriving at 1pm.
3. What did you do before the game?
On arrival at the ground some supporters opted for the clubhouse, we took a 10minute walk to the Railway Inn, in station road. This pub was away supporter friendly with a good mix of home and away fans. Pints were priced from £2.50, food on the menu was all listed at set prices starting from £2.50. On returning to the ground I picked up the match day programme for £3.
4. First impressions on seeing the ground?
Away fans are housed in the North stand at one end of the ground, opposite is the quarry lane stand which almost mirrors the north stand, then there is the Ian Greaves (west) two tiered stand, all three offer good views. The east, Bishop Street stand is currently closed for redevelopment.
5. Comment on the game, atmosphere, refreshments, stewards and toilets?
The game was played in good spirit with both teams wanting to start the season well, the match ending in a 0-0 draw. Atmosphere between the two sets of supporters was good, the Exeter fans paying tribute to the former number 9 Adam Stansfield in the ninth minute and home fans recognising this and joining in. Refreshments all seemed to be reasonably priced with drinks starting at £1.50, hot food from £2.50. Toilets are under the stand and were clean and the stewards were helpful and low key.
6. Comments on getting away after the game?
Very easy walk back to where the coach dropped us off and a straight forward journey home.
7. Summary of the day out:
A very good day out and the way we played we still went home in good spirits.
Mansfield Town v Barrow AFC
Conference Premier League
Saturday, March 17th 2012, 3pm
Darren Riley (Barrow AFC fan)
As a follower of a club that has played non-league football for forty years now it has been a treat to visit the grounds of clubs that have been relegated to the Conference recently as they are far superior to the type of ground I am used to. Field Mill is, in my opinion, the best ground in the Conference with its three modern all seater stands and relatively lavish facilities that put others to shame. As a Barrow fan I appreciate a bit of comfort as we don’t get much at Holker Street!
I travelled to Mansfield by train as I always do. The station is just across the road from the ground which makes access easy. I’m not sure how easy it would be to park a car so I would always recommend doing the last leg by train to prevent any parking bother. The station is on the ‘Robin Hood Line’ and served by trains from Nottingham which is where I changed as I travelled up from the South.
As I have a long journey to Mansfield, travelling up from Kent, I have never arrived with enough time before hand to do much else than go straight to the ground. There is a retail park next door to Field Mill but the only food and drink I saw on offer was a Macdonalds which isn’t really my thing. I did have a wander around hoping to find a coffee shop to get a thirst quenching latte but I wasn’t successful.
Although the ground has obviously been rebuilt in the recent past it does look a bit run down on the outside which is perhaps a reflection of the hard times the club has suffered in recent years which has ultimately led to the loss of their Football League place. Away fans are accommodated in single tiered stand behind one goal which gives excellent views. One side of the ground is unused with the old stand still in place but it has been decorated in such a way that it doesn’t really detract from the overall look of the place. The stewards at Mansfield have something of a reputation for being a bit strict but I had no problems with them and they showed me where I could put my flag in a sectioned off area of seats.
The travelling Barrow fans were very quiet at this game as the usual group of singers had chosen not to travel, maybe they had a premonition of what was to follow! The home fans became more vocal as the game wore on as they celebrated goal after goal against a Barrow side that were totally outclassed. After each Mansfield goal the club played music which was so loud it was distorting badly. I understand why they do it but I wish that they didn’t subject the poor away fans to it. It became tedious after their third goal but when you are subjected to it seven times you wish the speaker system would blow up.
We were 4-0 down at half-time so I chose to seek comfort at the tea bar. A Chicken & Mushroom pie was purchased at a fairly reasonable £2.50 and a Mars bar for 80p. The pie was fine, nothing special, but kept me going through what was to be a long second-half.
The 7-0 defeat kind of destroyed the away day experience. It was our biggest loss for 36 years so at least I can say ‘I was there’ in the future but it was quite depressing to see your team beaten like that. Getting back to the station was simple and was in plenty of time for my 17.14 train to Nottingham before getting a connection back to London and onwards to Kent arriving back at 9.30pm.
Mansfield Town v Tamworth
Conference Premier League
Saturday, September 4th 2010, 3pm
Scot Rowland (Tamworth fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to going to Field Mill as having visited last season. In my opinion its without doubt one of the best stadiums in non league at the moment. And was confident that we (Tamworth) could get a result.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking:
The journey was simple enough, travelling by train from my home in Lincoln. Catching the 11:42 to Nottingham for the subsequent connection to Mansfield. Field Mill is possible one of the easiest grounds to find once you get to the train station, as its clearly visible from the platform. And simple to get to just making your way through the adjacent retail park to the back of the North (Away fans) Stand.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Before the game we took in a few pubs in Nottingham as opposed to Mansfield. Going to The Waterfront and The Canal House, both located 5 minutes walk from the train station on Canal Street both of which I'd recommend to any fans travelling to Mansfield via Nottingham with time to spare. Especially the Canal House which serves real ale and has the added feature of actually having the canal running through the middle of the pub. With spending most of our time in Nottingham we didn't have the opportunity to talk to any home fans, but found the Notts County fans we came across very friendly.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground:
The ground is a fantastic stadium. And puts many stadiums in this division (including our own Lamb Ground) to shame, which is understandable with Mansfield being an ex-football league team. The away end is a typical one tier seated stand, behind the goal. And gives a great, unrestricted view of the action, and a great atmosphere can be created in this stand. The rest of the ground comprises of the large two Tiered Main Stand home to most home supporters. And the single tiered Quarry Lane End adjacent to our stand. Although the Bishops Street Stand to the left by-line of us looked a bit out of place compared to to rest of the relatively modern stadium.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game was a very close encounter as I expected with Mansfield sitting top of the league and Tamworth making a very healthy start to the season. The game was limited to a few chances for both sides with the Lambs scoring the only goal of the game mid-way through the first half. On the balance of play, Tamworth probably just about deserved the three points. The atmosphere from the Tamworth Fans was fantastic and we really got behind our boys, the home fans were surprisingly quiet for a side lying top of the table, but were clearly frustrated by their team. I had heard that the stewards at Mansfield have a reputation of being quite rough with away fans but this was unfounded as we encountered no problems and were pretty much left to get on with enjoying the game. I didn't try any of the food at the stadium and the toilets are quite a good standard for a non-league away stand, but with the ground being quite modern the facilities are the same.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was fine, taking the short walk to the station, within plenty of time for the 17:15 return train to Nottingham. I'm unsure of the parking at Field Mill but I could see it being rather hectic to get away from the ground with the busy retail park next door to the stadium.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A fantastic day for any Tamworth fan, with a great three points from a good goal from Wilkinson. No problems whatsoever and would definitely recommend a trip to Field Mill, as the standard of the stadium its very high and the simplicity to get to the ground.