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).
Mangotsfield United F.C.
The club was formed in 1951 after Mangotsfield Football Club closed down its reserve team. The new club joined Division Seven of the Bristol & District League, going on to win the division at the first attempt and earning promotion to Division Six. They won Division Six in 1952–53 and were promoted to Division Four. The club went on to win Division Four, Division Three and Division Two in successive seasons to earn five consecutive promotions. After finishing fourth in Division One in 1956–57, the club moved up to Division One of the Bristol Premier Combination. Although they were relegated to Division Two at the end of the 1960–61 season, they were promoted back to Division One the following season.