CLOUGH: ALL OF THE ELEMENTS ARE IN PLACE FOR STAGS TO MOVE ON UP

NIGEL Clough believes everything is in place for Mansfield Town to make the step up to League One. The Stags are 90 minutes away from ending their 19-year absence from the third level of English football as they prepare to take on Port Vale in tomorrow’s League Two play-off final at Wembley. Mansfield were near the bottom of the table in October after been hit by a host of injuries, but they managed to revive their fortunes in superb style.

That culminated in them beating Northampton in the play-off semifinals to secure their spot at Wembley.

And Clough says that the Stags have what it takes to become a League One club once again. “This club is about ready for League One,” Clough told the Mansfield Chad.

“You look at the teams that have gone up – Bristol Rovers are one of the biggest clubs at our level and the level above.

“Then you look at Forest Green and Exeter and they have been knocking on the door for five or six years, just missing out. “So they are ready as well. We are not as close as them in terms of sustained success over the last few seasons. But I think we are ready in terms in infrastructure and everything certainly.

“The RH Academy (training ground) has given the club a great foundation to move forwards and attract players with the facilities. “It was one of the best things the club has done in terms of looking further ahead. It gives you a platform moving forward.” He added: “We will look at where we are after Saturday, but look where we’ve come over 18 months - we were down near the bottom when we arrived and we dipped down there again October/ November time.

“But I think we have steadily been improving and a win on Saturday would cement that and prove that to everybody. Whatever league we are in next season I think we’re in good shape overall.” Mansfield chairman John Radford says he is confident that Clough can complete the promotion mission... with a little help from the fans.

It could also be a county double with Nottingham Forest contesting the Championship playoff final against Huddersfield at Wembley on Sunday.

He explained: “It’s a fantastic experience to know we are taking Mansfield to Wembley. Hopefully it’s going to be a fantastic weekend for Nottinghamshire. “The support has been brilliant all season. When we were at the bottom of the league the fans were still behind us.

“The club is going from strength to strength.”