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).
History of Mansfield Town F.C.
In 1950–51, Mansfield became the first British team to remain unbeaten in a 23-game schedule, although could only finish second to Rotherham (only one team was promoted to the Second Division). The club made another brilliant run in the FA Cup, beating non-league Walthamstowe Avenue and Chelmsford City, Second Division Swansea and Sheffield United to make the Fifth Round. Stanley Matthews' Blackpool won 2–0 on their way to Wembley.