Mansfield Town

Defender Beevers was a warrior in our defence last term as he overcame shoulder, elbow, and facial injuries at different stages during the season, to make 34 league appearances. 

Meanwhile, Howell proved to be a figure of consistency in our midfield, and produced several accomplished performances as we won the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Shortly after penning a new contract, Beevers said: “I’m delighted to have got everything sorted. [League Two] will be a tough challenge, but I’m raring to go. 

“In previous years teams that have gone up from the Conference have done well in League Two, so I think the standard is pretty much the same. 

“We’ve got to go out all guns blazing and not fear anyone.”

Asked about his injury woes last term, the 29-year-old continued: “Towards the end of the season I had a bit of a pain in my knee, which I sustained at Wrexham. 

“I had a scan to find out [the extent of the injury]. I thought it was a cartilage problem at first, but I found out it was a micro-fracture, so it’s just a case of having plenty of rest. 

“There has been a few other little niggles, but nothing major. [My previous injuries] are all healing well and will get strengthened in time for pre-season.” 

Howell, whom we signed from Alfreton Town in 2011, said: “I’m enjoying my time here. I feel as though I’m a ‘fans favourite’ and your confidence grows when you have that support. 

“The Liverpool game was a huge confidence boost. I played against Lucas [Leiva], a Brazilian international, and I knew that I wouldn’t come up against a better player for the rest of the season.” 

He added: “So we had nothing to fear after that, but I always had a feeling that we would win the league, even in the early stages of the season.”