Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town was formed under the name of Mansfield Wesleyans in 1897, the name of the club coming from the local Wesleyan church. The club played friendlies up until the 1902–03 season, when it joined the Mansfield and District Amateur League. When the league dropped its amateur tag in 1906, the church abandoned the club, which changed its name to Mansfield Wesley and moved into the Notts and District League.
History of Mansfield Town F.C.
In the following 6 years, the club had mainly mediocre seasons in the League, finishing in the top half only once, and nearly having to apply for re-election in their first season. A merry-go-round of managers occurred as Mansfield struggled, although two players stood out above the rest. Harry Johnson was signed for the Stags' first season and managed 104 goals in three years. When he retired he was replaced by Ted Harston, who managed 81 in two seasons, including 55 goals in the 1936–37 season before being transferred to Liverpool. Harry Crawshaw, Harston's replacement, managed 25 goals in his one season for Mansfield before leaving for Nottingham Forest. Short up front in 1938–39, Mansfield managed only 44 goals, finishing 16th in the last season before football was abandoned for World War Two.