How cool Carolyn is winning over bunch of Stags

® EXCLUSIVE by DAVID WOODS completely unprepared in that respect. “I’d react. I’d try and become almost like a mega-bitch to compensate, which wasn’t me. I’m now just natural and think, ‘Well, that’s the way I am’. “I’ve grown up and matured and am more confident in the role.” Not that she feels fully accepted yet, but there has been slow progress and grudging respect. Winning the Conference in 2013 was a high and under Radford’s tenure Mansfield broke even last season with plans progressing to build a Hilton Hotel at the club’s One Call Stadium. She has also resurrected the Mansfield women’s team, with up to 300 youngsters coming through the current system, while a female sports therapist, Lizzie Reed, has been appointed. A qualified lawyer and mum-ofthree, Radford’s background is actually in fashion. “There’s this image of me, then there’s the reality,” she said.

“I have been to Durham, one of the best universities in the country, and got a Masters degree.

“I’m a very capable person. A lot of people think this is a publicity stunt. People that know me can see why I was appointed – I’m good at the job.

“I was watching a programme on the telly the other day about football being banned for women for 50 years and it is still that kind of mindset.

Mistakes

“It’s still the same in terms of executive appointments – there have been none. Even in terms of representation on boards at the FA. I keep trying to put myself forward.”

Having being ignored in favour of “older gentlemen”, some with less experience, she took the unusual step last month of posting a promotional video on YouTube in a bid to represent League Two on the FA board.

She admits she has made mistakes and has had to tackle players who wanted a last big payday, but says she has to protect the “family business”.

“I’m going to run things professionally because it’s my money, our children’s money essentially. So if they were inappropriate to my face, I’d get rid of them.”