Stephen Antony McLaughlin

Stephen McLaughlin's move to Mansfield Town in July 2020 came on a free transfer, closing out a spell at Southend United that included one of the more memorable runs of his career: as part of the squad that won the 2015 Football League Two play-offs, he featured in both the semi-final and the final. He had joined Southend permanently that same year after his contract at Nottingham Forest expired, having spent time out on loan at Bristol City and Notts County during his time with the club.

McLaughlin's route into English football started in Ireland. At Derry City he won the League of Ireland Cup in 2011 and the FAI Cup in 2012, a season in which he was also named in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year. Nottingham Forest paid £160,000 to sign him from Derry City in 2013.

At Mansfield, McLaughlin has become one of the squad's mainstays. The 2021–22 season stood out individually: he was named Mansfield Town Player of the Season, collecting four separate awards including both the Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season. Two seasons later, he was part of the squad that secured promotion to EFL League One via the third-place promotion play-off in 2023–24.