Mansfield Town boss David Flitcroft says the support from the fans at Notts County has left a 'lasting impression' on him and knows how much a promotion this season would mean to the Stags' faithful, speaking ahead of tomorrow's match at Forest Green.
Over 4,000 Stags' fans packed into the away end to watch Kane Hemmings score a last-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw last Saturday and the manager wants to give the supporters some more moments like that to celebrate.
“That is what the supporters want - they want that feel good factor," said the manager, referring to Hemmings' stoppage time leveller.
"That is why they support the club through thick and thin. We want to give them more days like that.”
Flitcroft, who led Bury to promotion from League Two in 2015, said: “I showed the players some footage of the supporters celebrating after we scored (against Notts County).
"I have told the players to run hard for our supporters. The desire they showed to come and support us at Notts has left a lasting impression on me. It is really important that the players understand what it means to them.”
“I have come here to gain another promotion. The fans are desperate for it. John and Carolyn Radford deserve it after all the support they have given."
The manager says that a promotion at One Call Stadium would change the lives of people around the club and Town. “There is only one thing that happens if we do well and are successful here. We can enhance people’s lives. That is what promotion brings.
“I have come here to gain another promotion. The fans are desperate for it. John and Carolyn Radford deserve it after all the support they have given.
"John has supported all the managers that he has had incredibly with resource and infrastructure. It is very important as a manager that we give back.”
The new manager is confident that he can use his experience from his previous managerial jobs to help the Stags finish the season strongly. When asked about the 'pressure' of the last nine games of the campaign, he said: “Pressure is something personally I cope well with.
"I took over a Barnsley team to end up staying up - the first time it ever happened from such a points deficit in the Championship. Pressure comes from the media, the supporters and from above.
"We have to make sure we understand the pressure and the prize we’re playing for – a place in League One.”
Previewing the last nine games, he said: “They are just nine games that you have got to be prepared for, 100% in every detail.
"You can’t let the emotion get the better of you. If you do then you stop your task and your game input. You must be in a controlled state with everything you do.”
Stags head to Gloucestershire tomorrow in fifth place in Sky Bet League Two, with kick-off at 3pm.
