Mansfield Prepare For Action

It’s been a busy summer thus far over at the One Call Stadium and, as pre-season gets underway for Mansfield Town, we look at their friendlies, their new signings, and a new contract for the manager, Nigel Clough.

The action itself begins this coming midweek (Tuesday 8 July) when Clough sends a strong side over to Cannon Park, home of Retford United, for the first of six friendly matches that includes a trip to Ireland, to face Sligo Rovers (League of Ireland Premier Division), and home clashes with Championship sides Middlesbrough, and Oxford United.

Over the past month or so the club have certainly been busy behind the scenes, with six new signings welcomed to the Stags; the first two of those arrived in late May with the addition of defender Ryan Sweeney, and midfielder Regan Hendry.

Since then, the club has pretty much strengthened across the park with a new goalkeeper, another defender, and two more midfield players, strengthening what was already a reasonably strong squad. Liam Roberts (https://www.nottinghamsport.com/index.php/2025/06/11/ex-wren-roberts-joins-stags/) will take his place in goal for the new season, whilst experienced (320+ career appearances) defender Kyle Knoyle joins following the expiration of his contract with Stockport County.

Joining those are the midfield trio of Nottingham Forest loanee Kyle McAdam, the afore-mentioned Scotsman, Regan Hendry, and Guyanese Nathan Moriah-Welsh; McAdam arrives on a season-long loan from the Premier League Reds and can play in positions on the left flank, whilst former Scottish youth international, Hendry, joins following the expiration of his contract with Tranmere Rovers.

As for Moriah-Welsh, he is 23-year-old Guyana international, born in England, and arrives from Scottish Premier League club, Hibernian, where he spent last season – he has played 26 times for his country having made his debut back in early 2021, in a 4-0 win over Bahamas in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.

Perhaps the clubs’ biggest signing however was the announcement that Nigel Clough was extending his stay at the One Call Stadium.

Joining in November 2020, Clough has spent the past four-and-a-half years in the Stags hot-seat, first stabilising the club, then leading them to promotion to EFL League One in 2023.

Having had over 250 games at the helm, Clough is now the second-longest serving manager in the club’s history, behind 1980s boss, Ian Greaves (1983-89), who had 311 games in charge – Clough’s record is, at present, better:

Clough P255 W110 D62 L83 W% 43.14

Greaves P311 W101 D99 L111 W% 32.48

Speaking of his contract extension, Stags owners, John & Carolyn Radford told mansfieldtown.net: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Nigel in the past four-and-a-half years and are delighted to announce that he is extending his stay at One Call Stadium.

“The progress the club has made during his time as manager is unparalleled in the modern era at Mansfield Town and we feel that we’re building something special with Nigel at the helm.

“He is a man of principle and integrity and his drive, determination and will-to-win for Mansfield Town is relentless.

“Nigel has helped foster a remarkable spirit within the club and is someone with whom the supporters connect.

“We will continue to offer all the support we can to help him and his staff in our pursuit for progress.”

Now though, it’s all focus on pre-season, with which training is already in full-swing, and the first text coming on Tuesday night, the first of six outings the Stags and their ever-loyal faithful will look to enjoy.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES – Retford United (a, 8 July), Macclesfield Town (a, 12 July), Sligo Rovers (a, 15 July), Middlesbrough (h, 19 July), Oxford United (h, 22 July), Matlock Town (a, 29 July)

As for the new season itself, that kicks off on Saturday 2 August when Mansfield head to the Pirelli Stadium, before welcoming Doncaster Rovers to the One Call Stadium a week later (9 August).

The Stags have also been drawn away to Chesterfield in the opening round of the Carabao Cup, they will travel to the SMH Group Stadium on Tuesday 12 August (1945 KO), this being just one of seven matches in August alone to kick off the new season. Keep up-to-date with all the Stags activity via their X HERE and website HERE