We are hugely disappointed to announce that, after great efforts to keep it alive, our Centre of Excellence has been forced to close.

Our funding from the Football League has now ceased after two years in the Blue Square Premier.

To run a Centre of Excellence costs a minimum of £90,000 per season and despite great efforts from club officials and parents alike, sponsorship and other grant-aided schemes have been unsuccessful.

A small parents' committee had put a funding proposal together which would cost each individual child £80 per month to fund the Centre.  Unfortunately, we did not feel this proposal had sustainability and the Centre may have shut halfway through the season due to the lack of funding.

Chairman Andrew Perry said:  "I am hugely disappointed that we have been forced into position.  Being out of the Football League for two years now has dealt us a massive blow with the loss of funding to our Centre.

"I am endeavouring to make sure we still have a seemless supply of local young footballers who will be able to pull on the famous amber and blue shirt.

"As one door closes, another one opens.  We are now looking to develop a partnership with one of the biggest youth leagues in the country can be the link between Mansfield born lads striving to be a part of our youth setup and finally, the first team.

"Talks with the Chad youth league are ongoing and I am sure we can forge a fantastic partnership to benefit the young up and coming footballers of Mansfield.

"We would like to put on record our thanks to the efforts of parents, coaches and obviously our young players for all their hard work and commitment.  As always, the club has an open-door policy and will assist and anyway we can to put the young players in touch with other centres or any other local football club."

Mike Whitlow and his backroom staff have since left their posts to take up other roles in football.