A weekly newspaper reporter has written a book which tells the stories behind a football club’s most important matches.

Mansfield Chad reporter Stephen Thirkill has written Mansfield Town: 25 Most Memorable Matches, which is due to be published by the end of this month.

The book tells the story behind some of the most unforgettable games in Mansfield Town FC’s history, ranging from 1932 to 2008.

It is Stephen’s second book to be published this year, after Tourist Trails was released in March, promoting seven visitor attractions in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The book charts the rise and fall of the club, known as the Stags, down the decades and recalls some of the most memorable cup runs, relegation blows and promotion joy.

Each chapter uses an old match report from the paper’s archives, with Stephen then tracking down and interviewing a player from the game about their memories of it many years on.

Stephen said: “Since starting work for the Chad in 2004, I have been lucky enough to cover Mansfield Town in the absence of sports editor John Lomas on many occasions.

“Travelling up and down the country following Stags has been an experience I have loved every minute of and one which I consider myself very fortunate to have sampled.

“During this period I have experienced many memorable matches and moments and, although Huddersfield Town will always be my true love, I have more than developed a soft spot for Mansfield Town.

“Writing this book and discovering the proud past of this famous club and the many cup shocks of the 1960’s and 1970’s, the successful promotion campaigns and the tales of club legends such as Sandy Pate, Phil Stant and Kevin Bird has been a real honour.”

He thanked his colleagues at the paper who had assisted him with the book.