Readers of national football magazine FourFourTwo named Stags’ top scorer the best player in League Two, with 19 goals and eight assists as of last weekend.
On Saturday, the 26-year-old missed a key sitter at 1-0, which was unusual for him, as the Stags lost 4-1 at home to Crawley Town.
Clough remarked of his award: “That is fantastic for him – obviously it was before he had his chance on Saturday!”
That’s what occurred on Saturday; nine times out of ten, if not more, he puts it in with his eyes closed, as he has all season.
“Instead, he hits the back of the stand; it was that kind of day. However, this honour is based on his statistics, which include both goals scored and assists.
“People in the league have scored goals or assisted. I don’t think anyone has done both like David, which is why he deserves it.”
On his current goals and assists total, Keillor-Dunn told FourFourTwo: “I’m thrilled, but a little frustrated not to have more. I’m quite critical of myself.
“When I joined the club in January of last year, Nigel Clough told me to express myself in my preferred position of attacking midfield, behind the strikers.”
“The manager stated that he did not want any play-offs this season and instead aimed to finish in the top three. That has been our motivation. League Two is the most difficult it’s ever been, but I’ve liked it.”
Keillor-Dunn reflected on his early years in the game, saying, “I was contracted to Newcastle from the age of seven before moving to Middlesbrough for compensation at the age of twelve.”
“I signed for Sunderland when I was 17 or 18 – I’m a huge Sunderland fan – but nothing came of it, so I moved to Chesterfield, then Scotland with Ross County, so it’s been an adventure.”
“That was five-and-a-half hours from home, leaving friends and family, but football was what I wanted to do.”
Keilor-Dunn has been connected with Championship clubs including Hull, QPR, and Millwall this season, and he said: “It’s good, but I never trust anything until I sign a deal, and it’s up to me to keep my form going. “I want to help Mansfield win promotion from League Two.”
