Local Residents Hit Out

Following recent revelations that a recent Safety Group inspection had found heaters still turned on, under the Bishop St Stand (not used to house spectators), local residents say that the stand is being targeted by gangs of youths, who are climbing into it, through holes at the back of the Stand.

One told the Mansfield CHAD this week, "I think there is a hole into the ground. There are always gangs of youths about and I have seen them getting into the stand."

Residents were alarmed at the discovery of the portential fire risk, as their homes back onto the Bishop St Stand, with the consequences not bare thinking about, should a fire have broken out.

However Stags owner Keith Haslam responded to the claims by telling the paper "There was a hole into the stand, but it was secured. No-one has ever got into the ground before and no-one is able to get in there now. I am aware there was a safety incident, but it was not a fire risk. A monitor overheated, but everything was disconected and contained."

The Stags have been operating on a 70% capacity restriction imposed by the Safety Group, owing to other security issues, and it remains to be seen if these are lifted before the upcoming cup clash with Portsmouth.