Field Mill owner repossesses Stags' ground
The owner of Mansfield Town’s ground has repossessed the land and refused the club's entry to the venue. Keith Haslam posted a warning on the gates and locked the club’s new owner, John Radford, out of the stadium.
Haslam has terminated the club’s lease on the ground and requested all enquiries to be directed to the bailiffs employed by his company, Stags Ltd.
He had leased the ground to the club since selling it in 2008. Mansfield Town was recently bought by millionaire businessman John Radford.
Radford spoke to Insider last month and said that it was his “main ambition” to buy the ground back.
The notice posted on the stadium gates read: "To whom it may concern. Take notice that Stags Limited as landlord has this day re-entered these premises which are situated at and known as Field Mill Ground, Quarry Lane, Mansfield.
"The landlord is entitled to repossess and the landlord has now exercised its right under law.
"Any attempt to enter these premises without the express consent of the landlords named above will render those responsible liable to civil and/or criminal proceedings being brought against them."
It then requests that “all communications in the first instance” be made through Burlington Enforcement, Certified Bailiffs.
In a statement, Burlington Enforcement said: “Burlington Enforcement, acting on behalf of Stags Ltd (the owners of Mansfield Town Football Stadium) have today changed the locks and terminated the club’s lease of the stadium.
“The club has failed to pay the rent that fell due under the lease in June and September 2010. Stags Ltd are extremely disappointed that it has been necessary to take this step.
“When the club’s new owner, Mr John Radford, took over, it was understood that one of his primary aims was to resolve the future of the stadium.
“Indeed, an initial meeting was held with Mr Radford prior to which payment of the outstanding rent owed by the club was promised. The rent was, however, not paid thereby necessitating the action taken today.
“We are aware from various reports that Mr Radford is said to be in current negotiations to purchase the stadium. However, since the initial meeting, from which Mr Radford apparently ‘took many positives’.
“Stags Ltd have had no communication with Mr Radford or the club concerning a sale of the stadium. Stags Ltd remain willing to engage in a constructive dialogue with the club regarding the future of the stadium.”
