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.
Mansfield marked the new era with another change of kit - this time to amber and royal blue halves. This saw the team pick up the nickname 'The Ambers'. The first league season back after the War saw Mansfield win the Central Alliance title, beating Ilkeston United to the title by one point. This was despite losing the last three games of the season. The 1920–21 season looked like it would go the same way, with Mansfield winning 10 out of the first 12 games of the season. Mansfield eventually slumped to 5th in the table, 15 points behind champions Leicester City Reserves. The Ambers also reached the Fifth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and the Final of the Notts Senior Cup, losing both (to Worksop Town and Nottingham Forest respectively) after a replay.