SSA Newsletter Dec 24

HI SSA MEMBERS

Firstly all at SSA would like to wish you all an upcoming Merry Christmas and let's hope Santa brings our Stags a sack load of festive League One points!

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Thank you for your ongoing support of SSA this is greatly appreciated. You should by now own your new SSA 24/25 Membership Card, if you have collected this from SSA thank you very much for helping keep our postage costs down. Some cards have been posted to our non-locally based members. If you are still without your card, it can be collected on Home Matchdays from SSA generally from 1.00pm - we have moved from Sandy's Bar & Kitchen and are now based just to the left of the entrance inside the Radford Foundation Marquee. You can also collect your card on SSA Family Friendly Away Travel - contact us via the methods below if you passionately need your card posting! If you wish to upgrade your Amber Membership SSA Life Membership is available, this would involve you paying a minimum of £1,000 to SSA to the bank account listed below. This one-off payment would be non-refundable and would make you a member of SSA for the rest of your life without ever having to renew again.

NAME OF ACCOUNT: Stags Supporters Association
SORT CODE: 30-95-43
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 20101868

We would like to thank Creative Steelwork, our outstanding Membership Partners, please check them out online at https://creativesteelwork.co.uk/

1861 SUITE MATCHDAY HOSPITALITY

SSA members who have enjoyed 1861 hospitality so far this season have given us excellent feedback however availability is now practically fully booked for the rest of the season. As previously explained SSA purchased a seasonal table for our Amber Members with Season Tickets for ALL league games this season in the 1861 Suite. There are qualifying criteria to meet so you must have a minimum of a year's worth of Amber membership payments to qualify for this benefit. There will be a charge of £25 per Junior Member payable in advance due to the club charge to the SSA. Remaining hospitality is allocated on a strict first come first served basis and is based on availability only. If you are an Amber Member with a minimum of a year's membership (or prepared to pay your season balance up front) and are a Season Ticket holder and wish to try this experience email askthessa@gmail.com with your Membership and Season Ticket Number to check the latest availability.

SSA DONATIONS/MERCHANDISE

SSA are continually in discussions with the club over various issues and following your support in enabling us to buy new canopies outside Sandy’s Bar & Kitchen at One Call Stadium https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2023/october/ssa-funds-new-sandys-canopy/ we have offered to fund a new canopy outside the club ticket office to protect supporters from the weather when purchasing or collecting match tickets. We have chased this with the club who we understand are still currently investigating options following this offer and we look forward to being able to progress this.

SSA are delighted with the hard copy celebration magazine of our promotion that was produced by the football club and paid for by SSA. This historic memento is still available online from SSA 24/7 at www.thessa.net as is other promotion merchandise exclusive to SSA including winter woolly hats and double-sided Promotion/League One scarves. As one of the clubs Official Partners we also have some outstanding promotion and League One pin badges available online so please do check these out. Limited Christmas badges and our brand-new “Love The Stags” badges are now available, as well as our new style SSA Polo Shirts which can be personalised with your initials! If you turn the back of your membership card over, you can scan the QR code which takes you straight to our online superstore. You can also buy SSA merchandise directly from us before any One Call Stadium Home game, from approximately 1pm on a 3pm kick off just inside the new Radford Foundation marquee. SSA merchandise is also available on all our Family Friendly away travel trips so just ask us!

With the exciting upgrade of the Bishop Street Stand now well underway our website at www.thessa.net also features our historical publication celebrating One Call Stadium Field Mill with some wonderful images available, you can download an electronic version of this publication at https://thessa.net/redevelopment-of-field-mill for free.

SSA are also proud to be the Home Shirt Sponsor for our Number 1 goalkeeper Christy Pym and 3rd kit sponsor of our versatile international player Lucas Akins.

SSA JUNIOR PRIZE DRAW FOR MASCOT PACKAGES

SSA have been thrilled to be able to continue to do something new and special for our young Junior Members who are entered into a regular random draw to win a match mascot package, funded by the SSA. Several winners have made some wonderful memories this season already, including Jake for our topsy-turvy clash against Burton; Freddie for the battling draw against Stockport, Olivia for our excellent win against Cambridge; Priya who loved her experience against Stevenage and Frankie-Rae against Bristol Rovers, who as you can see from this video: https://www.facebook.com/StagsSupportersAssociationssa/videos/919344623073161, was very excited for her day. Young SSA Member Lyle was also the Stags mascot during our wonderful away win at Wigan. SSA would like to thank Mansfield Town Community Trust for their support in ensuring that the prize winners have a great time. To make sure your child is entered into our next random draw join them online at www.thessa.net

COMMUNITY TRUST – CHARITY WALK

The excellent work from our Community Trust was recently highlighted as part for the EFL’s Week of Action, including this video, which shows how they are making a positive impact in the local area: https://www.facebook.com/mansfieldtownfootballclub/videos/532028163073141 Three of the Community Trust team will be taking on a 77-kilometre walk, ahead of our upcoming home match against Huddersfield. The walk will start at John Smith’s Stadium and finish at One Call Stadium. They are raising fund for the Community Trust’s mental health projects. Further details and a link to donate can be found here: https://www.mansfieldtownct.net/post/mansfield-town-community-trust-dedicated-fixture-mtct-huddersfield-to-mansfield-charity-walk.

UPCOMING CLUB EVENTS

You can now book your Christmas meal at Sandy's Bar & Kitchen. Choose between two and three delicious courses from the restaurant's new Christmas menu. Tasty festive dishes will be available from Tuesday 03 December (excluding Mondays, matchdays & Sundays). Call 01623 482 482 (opt 2) to book. Don’t forget Amber members can claim a 10% discount off food In Sandy's Bar + Kitchen on non-matchdays on production of a current SSA Amber Membership Card.

If you aren’t planning on making the trip to Stevenage for the League One clash in March, you may be interested in “A Crazy Bingo Party”, taking place in the club’s Radford Foundation marquee. More details can be found here: https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2024/november/19/book-your-tickets-now-for-crazy-bingo/

2025 Mansfield Town calendars are in stock and available to purchase both in person from the One Call Stadium ticket office and online at: stagstickets.co.uk. This would make a great stocking filler for any Stags fan.

FAMILY FRIENDLY AWAY TRAVEL 24/25

SSA run family friendly away coaches to ALL Stags competitive away games and bookings are taken on a match-by-match basis by texting 07967 689597, Please remember and respect that the travel line is operated by a volunteer who is also working, so please be patient on a response. There is high demand for SSA Family Friendly Away Travel, and we ask therefore that if you become aware that you will no longer be travelling with us, that you let us know as soon as possible, so that we can offer these seats to other supporters. SSA would like to thank our ongoing Travel Partners Dukeries Homes https://www.dukerieshomes.com/ for their brilliant support.

PIZZA HUT

SSA would like to thank Mansfield Pizza Hut Restaurant for offering all SSA Amber Members a 20% discount on all food ANYDAY on production of your Amber Membership Card! This does not include the lunch buffet and is not available in conjunction with any other offer. The restaurant is also offering Stags Supporters a matchday discount for every Saturday home game. Pizza Hut Mansfield also say they are happy for fans who use this offer to remain parked in their car park after their meal and throughout the game at no charge.

GOLDEN GOALS 24/25

SSA would like to thank our ongoing Golden Goal Partners Rima-Faz Indian Restaurant https://rima-faz.co.uk/ who are again kindly offering 20% discount in their restaurant on production of a Season 24/25 Golden Goal Ticket.

SSA EVENTS JUNIOR HALLOWEEN PARTY

Thanks to all SSA Members who allow us to fund Halloween parties such for our junior members. In partnership with our friends at Mansfield Town Community Trust. A selection of photos from the party can be found here: https://www.mansfieldtownct.net/post/happy-halloween-from-everyone-at-mansfield-town-community-trust

SSA EVENTS JUNIOR CHRISTMAS PARTY

Again in partnership with our friends at Mansfield Town Community Trust - our Junior Christmas Party takes place on Sunday 22 December at 10am. Booking details can be found here: https://bookwhen.com/mtctevents/e/ev-sho0-20241222100000. Places are limited, so please sign up now if you want your child to attend the event.

THE BAKERY BOX

Speaking of parties, if you are looking for some sweet treats to celebrate a special occasion, check out our friends at https://www.facebook.com/thebakeryboxbychloe who make delicious Stags-inspired cakes and cupcakes. Recent customers include Stags captain Aden Flint!

ASHFIELD CHEESE – IDLEWELLS INDOOR MARKET

Anyone who has recently been up to the hospitality suites may have noticed a change in the cheese boards provided post-match. This is due to a change in supplier, with the cheese selections now provided by a Stags supporter. Further information regarding what cheeses are available can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/Ashfieldcheesecounter, or why not visit for his store on the Idlewells indoor market in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

JOLLY FRYER – KIRKBY-IN-ASHFIELD

Check out our friends at https://www.facebook.com/JollyFryerKirkby who make delicious food including a chippy twist on a festive favourite with their footlong pigs in blankets, available over the festive period. This local company are long-term sponsors of our Stags, and their advert can often be seen on the club’s LED advertising boards. If you pop in you will get service with a smile and are deserving of your support!


AGM

SSA plan to hold our next AGM alongside a future club event in order to maximise value to our members making the trip to the One Call Stadium. Due to club logistics and technical circumstances beyond the control of SSA this was unable to take place before the last Fans Forum with the owners. We were informed the club needed several hours preparation time on that day with the Forum being the first of its type to be held in the new Radford Foundation Marquee, the date chosen by the club for that Fans Forum also clashed with the Official Club Team Photoshoot and transfer deadline day. Unfortunately, there were still issues with the sound system which was moved from the 1861 Suite to the marquee that day and the audio was difficult for everyone, especially the first half of the Forum with our owners. If any members have any questions at any point, please do email askthessa@gmail.com.

FA FINE DONATION POINT

Following the news on www.mansfieldtown.net that Mansfield Town FC were fined £10,000 some fans approached SSA saying they wanted to contribute towards this fine and asking for a trusted way to do so. SSA therefore set up an entirely voluntary way for ANY fans/individuals/company's/organisations to do so if they wished, this collection point has now closed and the £210 contributed was recently donated to Mansfield Town FC

SUPPORTER LIAISON OFFICER

SSA are aware the club have allocated an Official Supporter Liaison Officer Vickie Broughton so if you have any questions do not hesitate to email Vickie direct at slo@mansfieldtown.net.

TRIBUTES

From discussions with the club, we understand that the club plan to pay tribute to all supporters and former players that have passed away at the first home match of the calendar year, rather than paying tributes at the game closest to the deaths.

HELEN’S BAR - BENIDORM

SSA were delighted to leave a double sided SSA Promoted 2024 / League One 24/25 scarf and the hugely popular Promotion Magazine “The Stag” at the Benidorm bar on our latest visit. Stags fans whenever you go to Benidorm don't forget to check out Helen's Bar - Home of Mansfield Town Supporters Club Benidorm and spend your money at a Stags bar.

BOARD MEETINGS

Via the Stags Fans United Supporters Trust (SFU) Stags fans are represented at some Mansfield Town Board Meetings. As well as the SLO route above if you have any issues you want raising, email us at askthessa@gmail.com

AN EVENING WITH PAUL TAYLOR

Long serving Stags Official Club Historian and SSA President Paul Taylor holds regular history talks on Mansfield Town at Mansfield Museum. His next talk is on 26 February 2025 at 7pm and you can purchase your tickets at https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum/events/event/6109/mansfield-town-f-c-1961-1980-an-evening-with-paul-taylor. It would be great to see you.

SAFETY

SSA send a representative to the MTFC Safety Advisory Group that meet regularly. If you have any issues to raise email us at askthessa@gmail.com and we will take them directly to the SAG Table.

NANA’S PERSONALISED GIFTS

With Christmas soon approaching, if you are looking for something Stags related, that is not available from the Club Shop, check out the excellent quality brand new merchandise from our friends at Nana's Personalised Gifts - this local company sponsor the Stags Team Sheet and deserve your support! Their Watching Super Mansfield Hoodies, Polos, Tees and Caps are now available to order online at:
https://www.nanasgifts.co.uk/stags

Items are available for delivery or click and collect from their Low Street store in Sutton. All items include size guides. Christmas sacks, personalised goods and babywear are now in stock, and all items are also available from their shop on Low Street, Sutton.

FACEBOOK

We would strongly advise you to like SSA on Facebook, as this is our fastest mass communication method https://www.facebook.com/StagsSupportersAssociationssa/

INSTAGRAM

We have also recently launched a new Instagram account. Please give us a follow at https://www.instagram.com/stagssupportersassociation

103.2 NEW RADIO SHOW

Local radio station Mansfield 103.2 have recently launched a new dedicated sports show on Friday nights between 6pm - 7pm. This will be a one stop shop for all things Stags, including contributions from Mark Stevenson and the SSA's Dean Foulkes and Martin Shaw. You can catch up on previous episodes including exclusive interviews with Legends like Matt Green and George Foster here: https://www.mansfield103.co.uk/friday-night-sport.

SSA HELP!

SSA is ran by passionate, hugely dedicated volunteers and we are always looking for positive, enthusiastic and willing volunteers who want to help contribute value to SSA. If you have a couple of hours to spare especially on a home matchday before the game to help us sell our Golden Goals we would super appreciate your help! Indeed, if you have any skills, time and value you would love to bring to help us improve SSA, please don`t hesitate to get in touch we would love to hear from you. Contact us by any of our communication methods below.

CONTACTING SSA

Due to increased costs and the increase in use of electronic communications SSA no longer have a postal box at Kirkby In Ashfield so please address any correspondence to us via email at askthessa@gmail.com or by direct messaging us on Facebook. You can also text SSA Enquiries on 07923 919277. SSA would also like to politely ask members not to message individual Committee Members on their personal social media pages or telephone numbers with SSA business as our volunteers dedicate huge amounts of personal time to SSA and do have personal and private lives as well as work commitments. SSA now have hundreds of members, and our volunteers are not available for instant answers to questions 24/7. We would ask for respect for our Committee Member volunteers private lives and all direct messages to SSA's Facebook or texts to SSA's Enquires and Travel telephone numbers will be answered as soon as time allows. Thank you for your understanding.

Many thanks as always for your outstanding support!

Come On You Stags!

SSA Committee