History of Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town was founded in 1897 under the name of Mansfield Wesleyans. Like many football clubs, their name derives from a local church, in this case the Wesleyan church on Bridge Street. Playing in Chocolate and Sky Blue shirts, with Royal Blue shorts and socks, the club played in friendly matches and local cup ties. Its first game was on 4 September 1897, drawing 2–2 against Sherwood Foresters. Mansfield first joined a league in the 1902–03 season, competing in the Mansfield and District Amateur League. 6 September 1902 saw the Wesleyans lose their first league fixture 1-0 away at Mansfield Corinthians. A week later, Shirebrook Swifts put 13 past the Mansfield goalkeeper without reply, the worst defeat ever suffered by the club in a competitive match. The team ended its first season in 7th place (of 12).
Knutsford F.C.
The club was formed in 1888 and according to articles from notes from the Northwich Guardian dated 1888 the club played their games at The Heath. "Rugby was to be allowed and there was already Football played on the Heath". These notes are stored in the towns heritage centre. The first known record of a formal Knutsford Team comes from 29 December 1888 when,
"On Boxing Day, the Knutsford Football Club greatly distinguished themselves on the Heath against the Manchester ‘Aberdeen’ Club – being successful in scoring 14 goals to nil. In the late 1880s – early 1890s organised local leagues and district cup competitions were formed in Northwich, Crewe, Sale and Manchester. Knutsford Teams competed in organised friendlies and then these Leagues with various names playing on the Heath and a ground off Manchester Road. The earliest known record (from the Guardian archives) of a senior Knutsford Team playing in a recognised League The Manchester Federation League – is for season 1898–99 – when Knutsford Parish Church Association Football Club – playing on the Mere Heath Ground won their very first trophy (the Manchester Federation Championship Trophy) on Saturday 14 April 1899.