AFC Mansfield

AFC Mansfield are back in the United Counties League Premier Division North, the fifth tier of the non-league pyramid. After a brief spell in the Northern Premier League, the club found themselves adjusting to life back at Step 5. They are not overly concerned with the table in these games, preferring to focus on building a squad that can compete away from home at Forest Town Arena. The ground is small, with a capacity of just 500, but it is the heart of the community in Forest Town, a suburb of Mansfield in Nottinghamshire.

The club has a relatively short history compared to its neighbours, having been founded in June 2012 by three former directors of Mansfield Town FC following management disputes. The decision to start fresh did not come without risk. The nickname, The Bulls, comes from a bull featured on their crest, a symbol that has stuck.

One moment stands out in their rise. In the 2016–17 season, they defeated South Normanton Athletic 2–0 in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup. That run boosted local pride, even if the club had to weather the storm when a failure to meet ground grading regulations forced them back down the league structure in April 2019.

Now, the focus is on consistency rather than chasing glory. The rivalry with Shirebrook Town remains their most significant local derby, a fixture where emotions run high. While they have won the Central Midlands League North Division Championship and the Toolstation Charity Cup, those honours feel distant.