Stags’ fans have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity next month to dine with the players who lifted the Freight Rover Trophy 30 years ago.
The squad is returning to north Nottinghamshire on Sunday 16 April to commemorate one of the club’s finest hours.
Stags beat Bristol City 5-4 on penalties at Wembley Stadium in May 1987 following a 1-1 scoreline after extra time.
And now three decades later that famous group of players will celebrate the Trophy success in our 1861 Suite with the Stags’ faithful.
Supporters can join the distinguished squad for an evening to remember on the aforementioned date, with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
The players will be accompanied by coach Bill Dearden and will reveal the inside stories and memories of the glory years to supporters attending on the night.
Winger Kevin Kent, who scored in normal time and the Stags’ fifth spot kick of the penalty shoot-out, said: “Every player I’ve spoken to is really looking forward to this night. We’re all proud that the club is remembering us in this way.
“It was a privilege to play for the club and to play and win at Wembley was a dream come true.
“When I joined the club, the Town had been embroiled in a miners’ strike, so to win promotion the year before and then win at Wembley the next season lifted the whole culture and faith within Mansfield.
“It’s unbelievable really because we won at Wembley on a Bank Holiday 30 years ago so to come back to the club next month on another Bank Holiday weekend will be something special. It’ll be a proud day for us all.
“The banter will be unbelievable that weekend. Everyone’s buzzing to celebrate it with the fans who watched us. We had the best team spirit out of all of the clubs who I played for.
“We took 26,000 to Wembley and I still remember the Chad’s back page headline, previewing the final: ‘Would the last one in Town please turn out the lights?’.”
Kent, 51, also spoke encouragingly of the current Stags’ crop.
“The club has a fantastic manager in Steve Evans and players who are willing to go the extra mile. Things are really looking up.
“The current squad is looking to emulate what we did,” he added.
The Freight Rover Trophy 1987 Winners’ Dinner will be sponsored by Greene King, whose director Joe Parks said: “We are really proud to sponsor this landmark event at One Call Stadium.
“It’s an honour to have our brand associated with such a special event for the football club.
“I remember heading to Wembley with my big brother Dave. It was an extraordinary day and we’re really looking forward to remembering the success with the players and fans next month.”
Places are expected to sell very quickly for the celebratory evening.
For just £40 per person or £390 for a table of ten, you can enjoy a two course meal, the opportunity to have your photo taken with captain George Foster and the Freight Rover Trophy, as well as receiving a special gift to commemorate the occasion and re-living the key moments of that memorable final.
E-mail: sales@mansfieldtown.net to book your place or call 01623 482 482.
