Mansfield chairman James Derry has appealed to local investors to join his consortium as he looks to finally complete a takeover of the club.The League Two strugglers have been embroiled in discussions with various parties for the past 18 months and controversial Stags owner Keith Haslam is still negotiating on offers for the club, through chief executive Stephen Booth.

Two deals have already fallen through, the most recent on February 29 when a financial backer pulled out just hours before contracts were set to be signed.

In a statement Derry said: "From my perspective, I am totally frustrated having concluded a deal, two parties have both withdrawn for different reasons.

"I would appeal to the people of Mansfield to not let the opportunity pass to achieve the desired goal - which is to put the club back in the hands of the people of Mansfield.

"Tonight (Thursday), I am once again meeting another potential partner who has contacted the club to show an interest in being involved with the takeover. Once more, I would stress that this individual is not local."

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