Nigel Clough, the manager of Mansfield Town, expressed his gratitude to the fans for the team’s first promotion to League One in 22 years.
Tuesday’s full-time at One Call Stadium was accompanied by wild celebrations as the Stags defeated Accrington Stanley 2-1 to secure a spot in the third division of English football.
An own goal in the first minute from George Maris, whose shot was deflected in, and a goal by Stephen Quinn in the 63rd minute guaranteed automatic promotion. This ensured that the Stags’ celebration, which had been set up by a superb 4-1 victory at promotion rivals MK Dons three days earlier, could not be stopped by Tommy Leigh’s late goal for the visitors.
Following his two-game victory to secure promotion, Clough declared, “This is for the thousands that were here tonight.” It’s for the people who have supported the club for fifty or sixty years. It’s wonderful that they can enjoy tonight because they have experienced some really sad times here throughout the years.
“Mansfield’s incredible achievement to be playing in the league above for the first time in 22 years makes this a special night.”
Clough continued, alluding to the heartbreak of previous seasons, when the Stags were eliminated from the play-offs on goal differential after losing in the League Two play-off final, leaving supporters disheartened: “We all left Wembley unhappy two years ago, so it’s a little bit of repaying that as well.
It takes some time to set in when you finally accomplish something after coming so close. A few days will pass.
“But our promotion is the most important thing. We finally succeeded in achieving our goal after three years of effort.
“To get here, it has taken three years and a great deal of suffering.
“We’ve done it in this season; it doesn’t matter what happened in previous ones.”
The Stags have topped the goalscoring charts and received accolades for their style of play this season, which has delighted the management and the football community.
“It has been an absolutely incredible season,” continued Clough. It says it all to be the league’s top scorers and to have an excellent defensive record. Since our first day at Crewe, we have attempted to play and have set out in a positive manner.
It is pleasing that some Mansfield supporters have told me that this season is the best they have ever witnessed, citing the football as much as the promotion.
“individuals come here paying with their hard-earned money, so we are very aware of the sacrifices individuals make these days. Therefore, it’s as good as anything for them to claim they appreciated it when they walk away.
“I appreciate their help, guys.”
