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 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.