Division Four Relegation: Mansfield Town

Long gone are the days where a club would finish bottom of the league and be automatically "re-elected" or would stay up due to the club winning the Conference not meeting certain "regulations" with regards to their stadium. If you finish in the bottom two than you will be relegated.

There is still a huge stigma associated with exiting the Football League. This is despite clubs such as Doncaster Rovers, Carlisle United and Hereford United being relegated to the Conference and rebounding with style. Also, it is worth noting that the Conference currently looks a lot like a Division Four from the 1970s. Aldershot Town, Cambridge United, Torquay, Exeter City, York City and Halifax Town. It also contains clubs such as Kidderminster Harriers and Rushden & Diamonds, both of whom have been in the football league very recently.

Mansfield Town entered the Football League in 1931. So next year will be their first out of the league in 77 years. The club were formed in the 19th Century as Mansfield Wesleyans; taking their name from a local church.

It was in 1910 that the club began using their current name, Mansfield Town. The change angered another local club Mansfield Mechanics - who quickly disappeared into obscurity. Nine years later the club adopted its current colours, wearing a yellow and blue halved kit.

Much of the blame for Mansfield Town's current plight is, not unreasonably, laid at the door of owner Keith Haslam. How a club such as Mansfield who have decent enough attendances, have had some very good moneyspinning cup ties in recent years: Live on BBC1 vs Middlesbrough in the cup earlier this season and an away tie at Newcastle a couple of years ago. This should have left the club with enough money to finish above the paupers of the division such as Accrington Stanley and Dagenham & Redbridge.

Mansfield Town ended their long stay in the Football League on Saturday with a two-nil loss at Dagenham & Redbridge. It will be a long journey back, one hopefully that their fans will try and enjoy, a chance to win a few games and win some silverwear. You get the impression that they will first have to get rid of a certain Mr Haslam before the club can progress..