Paul Holland

I've got to say he's a top bloke. It was the day after his club lost league status and I guess he could have probably done without two students pitching up and basically asking why his team were crap. But he took the time out to speak to us even though we were not from a proper paper (though we did say we were from the Post to get access to him) and to be honest I think that is damm good of him. I wish Mansfield the best of luck in the Conference next season, unless they meet Basingstoke in one of the tinpot non-league trophies.

Pictures of annoyed Mansfield Fans

Mansfield FC, Local Impact

Traders who operate close to Mansfield’s Field Mill ground are worried about the effect the club’s relegation will have on their business.

Pub Manager Suzanne Hemsley, from the John Barras, on Nottingham Road said: “We were absolutely rammed on Saturday and it is a worry that there won’t be as many people in next season.

“Takings may well be down as some of the visiting teams may not bring as many fans either.”

John’s Fish Bar lies next door to the pub and staff were also pessimistic.

Owner Bambos Constantinou said: “We definitely expect to see a drop in trade on Saturday afternoons.

“It’s a shame that one of the biggest towns in England won’t have a Football League club.”

Mansfield Fans Vox Pops

Cliff Hinks, Sutton-in-Ashfield: It is always good to have a football league club in the town. Playing in the Conference is bound to have a negative effect on the economy. They have built a nice stadium, which will now host a bad standard of play. I don’t think we will bounce back unless there are some major changes.

Geoff Mellors, Kirkby-in-Ashfield: It is a shame for the football team and its fans. Hopefully some decent players will be brought in over the summer and we’ll regain our league status at the first attempt.

Ian Fowles, Mansfield – It’s a shambles. The outside of the ground looks shoddy, its no wonder the players perform badly when they turn up and look at that. They must be demoralised even before they take to the field. No wonder the team got relegated. I have been coming for 25 years but I’m not sure I'll bother next year.

Elaine Seagrave, Mansfield – It is shameful that we’ve lost our league status. We need a new manager and a few new players – then we can get back to league football. Either that or they’ll be playing against my young lad soon!

Megan Jackson, Pingston – The players just weren’t good enough throughout the season. I’m not confident we’ll be back in the league with this team. We need new players.

Paull Holland Interview for Newsweek

By Dan Palmer & Peter Fearn

MANSFIELD TOWN boss Paul Holland could not hide his disappointment after the Stags’ 77 year stay in the Football League came to an end.

Chester City’s goalless draw with Stockport last night confirmed the club’s relegation to the Conference, as they now lie four points adrift of third bottom Dagenham & Redbridge with just one game remaining.

Holland’s own playing career was cut short when he damaged his cruciate ligament and the 34-year-old says that seeing his side go down is on a par with that.

“I’m very disappointed after we’d given ourselves every chance of going into the Rotherham game with something to play for,” he said.

“Over the course of the season we got what we deserved.

“Life in the Conference will be hard but we’ve got to be positive and say we are going to bounce straight back, following the example of other teams like Doncaster, Chester and Hereford.”

The club may also have to deal with a drop in attendances next year, with some supporters choosing not to watch non-league football.

“The real Mansfield Town fans will keep coming. We’ve got to stick together and I’m sure the real fans will be behind us,” said Holland.

“As a team we need to be 100 per cent better on the field and 100 per cent better off the field.

“I hope that things are sorted out on and off the pitch. We’ve got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves,” he added.

Holland also conceded that some of the playing squad would probably leave the club over the summer.

“There are big decisions to be made regarding players and staff. I’m sure some players will move on to football league clubs.

“I’ll have to decide if some deserve another chance here or if I should send them elsewhere.

“At the moment the dressing room is not a nice place to be.”
Holland took over at Mansfield from sacked manager Billy Dearden and is keen to remain in the job.

“I only took over eight games ago and it was just too big an ask to save the club from relegation.

“Hopefully I’ll be manager of Mansfield next season and win promotion back to the football league.”