Stags blown away by response of fans

MANSFIELD TOWN chairman Andrew Perry says he was 'blown away' by Saturday's attendance at home to Gateshead as the Stags recorded their highest Field Mill gate in almost eight years.

A bumper 7,261 spectators crammed into the ground to take advantage of the club's offer which allowed supporters to pay any amount they wanted to see the match – an offer the Stags are keen to repeat.

Income from Saturday's match is still being calculated and it is expected that gate receipts will exceed a normal home matchday – although the exact figure will remain private.

Perry said: "We are still in the process of analysing all our income streams from Saturday's match; programme sales etc, beverages but this initiative wasn't about making money.

"It was all about inviting the people of Mansfield to come and support the team in our fight for promotion. The fans certainly played their part.

"The response from the people of Mansfield blew our minds. We've had some excellent e-mails from supporters who will still come back despite the result.

"We felt we had let the fans down by not getting the result we wanted."

Perry says the club will repeat the offer next season following its massive success.

"We will look to do it again – I have no doubt about that, but it will be next season. We may well even tell supporters which game we will apply it to when the fixtures come out ahead of next season.

"If we could turn to the town and ask for a figure which they would be willing to pay every home game then we would look at that too. We need feedback.

"I hope the result and performance didn't put some people off and that they still enjoyed the day.

"But it isn't about one game, it is about a whole season. We are still in a very healthy position, sitting in the play-offs. So I would say to the town 'Keep smiling and keep supporting our lads'."