BY PETER JONES
WITHIN EVERY CLUB THERE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF BONA FIDE CLUB LEGENDS, FOR MANSFIELD TOWN FANS KEVIN BIRD IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM.
Born in Doncaster, his football schooling came with Doncaster Rovers where he was released in 1972, before making a senior appearance. Bird moved thirty miles south to Mansfield and was set to call it his home for the next eleven years.
Bird was a tough, footballing centre half who became a loyal and reliable member of the Stags side. His return of 63 goals in 445 games was certainly impressive for a defender. These stats see him sitting high on both the appearances and goal scoring charts for Mansfield.
Being aged twenty at the time of his arrival meant that Bird was required to hit the ground running, he strung together a fair amount of games in his first season. The two goals that he scored were also impressive as he picked up the ball and dribbled through defences before scoring. He was becoming a fan favourite for his consistent performances and attacking prowess. Despite personal highlights. Mansfield were relegated in the 1971-72 season.
The following three seasons became a battle to return to the Third Division. They looked set to immediately bounce back as they were top of the league at the turn of the year. However, winning just six of their final twenty fixtures saw Mansfield remain in their league. Again, despite this disappointment for the club, Bird was securing his position in the side and his place as a firm fan favourite. Jimmy McCaffrey, Duncan McKenzie and Bird were the Mansfield heroes in a disappointing season where promotion was ruled out on the final game. The following season was much worse as Mansfield slumped to a 17th place finish.
1974-75 proved to be the season where everything clicked. and Mansfield finished top of the Fourth Division. The football on display was exhilarating for the fans as Stags scored over 100 goals across the season, largely down to the 30 goals of Ray Clarke. Clinching the title with a 7-0 victory over Scunthorpe, where Bird was on the score sheet, ensured it was a memorable season for fans and players. The season was frustrating for Bird as much of it was spent recovering from a broken ankle.
Mansfield had returned to the third tier and the supporters only had to wait two more seasons before they made a further leap into the second tier. Despite a shaky start to 1975-76, Mansfield ended the season unbeaten in 19 to secure safety. Bird again struggled with injury but was part of a team that endured a successful League Cup run reaching the Quarter Final. Coming off the back of a strong end to the previous season, in 1976-77 Mansfield continued their fine form and secured another promotion.
Bird, and the rest of his Mansfield side, were part of the first and only team to reach the second tier of English football. Bird had shifted from central defence to right-back as he took the place of stalwart Sandy Pate. Under the stewardship of player-manager Peter Morris. Kevin Randall and Ernie Moss proved to be the goal scoring sensations that helped secure a first-place finish. That was to be Bird's finest hour in a yellow shirt.
The following five seasons saw a gradual decline back into the Fourth Division. Bird fell victim to several injuries but remained a reliable servant when he was fit and available to the team. 1982-83 proved to be his final season, his final game brought with it a goal in a defeat to Peterborough. Eleven years of service had lifted him to the fourth highest appearances in Mansfield history and he was rewarded with a testimonial.
Close to 3,000 fans turned up to give thanks to Bird, who was later released at the close of the season. He went on to join Huddersfied Town before spending the final days of his playing career with several non-league local Mansfield sides. He has an executive suite at Field Mill named after him and is sadly suffering from dementia in Mansfield today, aged 65.
A loyal and talented defender, Kevin Bird remained at Mansfield for a substantial amount of time. He was also part of the most successful team in the club's history end will forever be synonymous with Mansfield Town.
