Stevenage manager Steve Evans has revealed he has been in recent contact with Mansfield Town owners John and Carolyn Radford, in a post-match interview.
After a 1-0 victory against Swindon on Tuesday evening, Stevenage looks likely for automatic promotion, however, after losing to former club Mansfield on the weekend, the 60-year-old received various messages from people involved at the League Two club.
What Were The Messages About?
Last weekend Stevenage travelled to face Mansfield in a clash where both teams desperately needed three points. The home side came out on top in a 1-0 victory, and Evans has seen said people inside the club, including owners John and Carolyn Radford, messaged him after the game.
The Scottish manager explained he would like to keep the text private, however, said: “It was very humble” from his former bosses.
The History Between The Two
Steve Evans are plenty of history dating back to the Stags, managing them for several seasons. After getting the sack from Championship side Leeds, Evans dropped down to League Two for Mansfield, however, ditched and left the club during an important spell.
The Stags were fighting for promotion near the top of the league when Evens packed his bags for League One side Peterborough at the end of February. His late departure was not received well amongst the Mansfield fans and club hierarchy, as they were outraged by the way he left.
Will Stevenage Be In League One Next Season?
After their first away victory in two months, Boro now sits 3rd in League Two with two games remaining. The gap between them and 4th is now up to four points, with a win-all bet sealing their confirmation in League One next year.
With their remaining fixtures against Grimsby and Barrow, who have nothing left to play for in the league, Stevenage could be singing about promotion as early as Saturday.
What’s Been Said:
Speaking to the media after the 1-0 victory against Swindon, Evans got on the topic of his conversation with Mansfield’s owners.
“There were people messaging me who are Mansfield-minded saying when we win on Tuesday and you get beat, we will be a point behind you and we are coming to get you Evans.
“It was quite interesting that the Radford family, both John and Carolyn, texted me to say that, well I will not say what they said because that’s private, but it was very humble.
“Saturday is a huge game, but if we don’t deal with Saturday, then we need to go to Barrow and deal with Barrow, so it is one game at a time.”
Writer’s View
Some Mansfield fans may not be able to forgive Evans as much as it seems the owners have, however, it’s nice to see positive communication between the two parties.
As for Boro, with promotion looking more than likely, it’s good to see them have success after a few troubling years. When Evans came in last season Stevenage was under real threat of relegation out of the Football League, but if you fast forward a little over a year he now potentially has them celebrating League One football.
Time we moved on from Steve Evans The Stags have had enough time to move forward but failed at Wembley badly last year.Well done to Stevenage FC management players and supportersrs for your promotion Stags still hoping.
The animosity between Mansfield and Steve Evans relates to how he deceived the club and owners when he left. He resigned from his position at the club as he said he and Paul Raynor had been given a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ to manage abroad in China. The very same day he attended a Peterborough United game and later that week was unveiled to be their new manager. He later explained that he was on his way to the airport and called in to watch the Peterborough match, where he was offered the job on the spot.
He signed A LOT of players on long expensive contracts, some of them close to retirement. It took Mansfield years to recover. He royally screwed the club over.
Don’t talk daft …. The only people that have cost Stags money are the owners who have managed the club on the field badly…
What Steve Evans says turn it around and you’ve got the truth….. respect n humble isn’t in his vocabulary he walks over people to get what Stevie wants looking at his past record in management isn’t that great bribed his way through Boston cost the club a promotion to the football league failed at Leeds failed at Gillingham walked out on Mansfield failed at Peterborough and only time will tell about Stevenage as for the Radford if asked they would probably reply Steve who ?