That idiot batchelor is trying to change the name of Mansfield to
Harchester?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7318218.stmAlso :
Unfotunately it is true although Keith Haslam has not yet confirmed that he has sold the Stags to John Batchelor (formerly of York City). If you want to see the full story have a look at the Mansfield Chad's website where there was almost a new story every hour yesterday
http://www.chad.co.uk/stags/Mansfield-Town-to-be-named.3924217.jp?CommentPage=2&CommentPageLength=10#commentsBatchelor has admitted that he has asset stripped companies and that he is looking to make money out of Mansfield Town for himself and his immediate family. He admits making £120,000 from York City before it went into administration. He also seems to have a lot of enemies as people who have worked for his companies have been emailing the CHAD telling them that Batchelor has no assets, lives in a rented flat and has had his Bentley taken off him. He has admitted that he has no assets. Have a look at the Questions and Answers on the CHAD website.
His attitude to the fans is summed up by the following comments:
Mr Batchelor, after spending the last 24 hours answering questions from fans via Chad.co.uk, also issued a statement about his motives for wanting to buy the Stags:
"Let's be clear, I want a football club, preferably one in the league. The ONLY reason that I want it is to make money, the only reason that I want to do that is to look after my immediate family. I can only do that by making it work on the pitch and as a result making it work commercially. This would be MY club, if you like what you see come and watch, if you don't, then stay away. I am not even interested in discussing it with "fans", however, I will talk to customers anytime. If Mansfield is going to host professional football, it has to accept that there need to be some HUGE changes at this club. If the fans don't want to host it, all they need to do is not turn up. I have a plan, and I have a vision of what football needs to do, I am going to do my best to achieve it, I am not a multi-millionaire, just a guy who has some idea's who is prepared to have a go and take a risk"
"I will budget for no fans turning up at the ground, which really every club should do. As you will have seen from my replies, I am not trying to attract negative thinkers, either get behind this, or watch football somewhere else. IF I am successful in achieving ownership, this will be MY club, MY business and up to me to provide entertainment, it is MY risk. Come and watch if you want. I'm sorry if all of that sounds a bit brutal, but those would be the facts of life, and I do not want to get off on the wrong foot by telling anybody something that is misleading, as I said in an earlier response I have that T-shirt. What do you want? I would have thought that it would be better to start off with honest responses. I am in this to make money,"
The Supporters Trust have been described as "web warriors","all mouth and no trousers" "mouthy fans" and "armchair critics".
He also gave the following answer to a York City fan
Wise Man From York:
Q2. Do I recall rightly that you disappeared into the Cheshire sunset and your nice new abode sometime after the £400K from Persimmons Homes went walkies from York City, leaving York City 'Sporting Club' far further up the creak than when you arrived wielding your golden £1 coin?
JB: You recall correctly.
You could not make it up!
Some Stags fans believe it may all be a cunning ploy by current owner Keith Haslam to persuade fans to accept him back at Field Mill. An accountant called Stephen Booth is currently running the club on his behalf until he finds a buyer but a lot of fans think that Haslam does not really want to sell because he makes too good a living from the football club.
