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).
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Having re-formed, the Club became members of the Manchester League for the 1900-01 season and were champions in the 1908-09 and 1910-11 seasons. They fielded two senior teams for the 1911-12 season, continuing in the Manchester League with the second team competing in the Lancashire Combination 2nd Division. Having withdrawn from the Manchester League at the end of the 1911-12 season, the club reverted to one senior team for the 1912-13 season which competed in the Lancashire Combination 2nd Division. They gained promotion as runners-up at the end of the 1913-14 season to compete in the 1st Division for the 1914-15 season. In line with all other football clubs after a decree by the government there was no further competitive football at the Moss Rose during hostilities.