A young Stags’ supporter received a surprise on Monday evening when Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray and defender Ryan Tafazolli delivered a season ticket to his house.

Josh Stevenson (9), said he was ‘over the moon’ to meet the duo, after he was selected at random by the club as part of a new series of enticements for season ticket holders.

Murray and Tafazolli spoke with Josh in his living room for half-an-hour, along with his father, Phil, and close family.

After opening the door to the Stags’ duo, Josh said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to meet Adam Murray and Ryan Tafazolli.”

His father Phil, whose season ticket was also handed to him by the pair, said: “It’s a really nice touch from the club. He’ll remember this for the rest of his life.

“Hopefully it will make more people come and get a season ticket.”

Speaking about his main reasons for buying a season ticket, Phil said: “Matt Green’s signing went a long way [in buying a season ticket], along with other new players who have signed.”

Murray said: “It’s important that we give something back to our fans – they give us their well-earned money to buy season tickets.

“To give Josh and Phil their season tickets is a big deal for me personally, as well as for the club.

“It’s nice to meet the people that watch us… and the coffee’s decent here as well!”

Murray said it was the players’ job to rouse the Stags’ fans this season, but in return he wanted a loud vocal backing from the faithful.

“We’ll only get the support if we’re decent on the pitch, I’ve said that all along and it’s the same at any football club.

“The part our supporters play is huge. It’s up to us to give them something to shout about and then I expect 110% back.”

Ryan Tafazolli said he was pleased to take part in unique new schemes, such as this.

“It’s a really nice touch from the club,” said the 6ft 4in defender.

“The supporters are everything to the club; we saw that a lot last season against the likes of Tranmere at home, when they acted as our 12th man.

“I’m more than happy to do stuff like this,” he added. “It gives me an opportunity to meet more of our fans face-to-face.”

Other new benefits for season ticket holders this season include:
-a day in executive hospitality for a home league game this season
-an afternoon in the boardroom at a home league game this season
-a matchday experience with the club’s media team at a home league match this season.

PHOTO: Chris Holloway, MTFC official photographer