Barry Jepson dies aged 71

It was announced recently former Stags striker Barry Jepson, who was the club's top scorer with 22 goals in 1955/56, has died, aged 71. Over 100 people attended his funeral at Mansfield Crematorium.

Jepson was born in Alfreton, and after starting his career at Chesterfield, he drifted around non-league clubs including Ilkeston Town, and had a trial at Derby County, before joining Mansfield in March 1954. He played in 2 games during the 1953/54 season, and just 8 during the following season scoring 1 goal. During the 1955/56 season he was the club's leading scorer with 22 goals from just 26 league games, and another goal in the FA Cup. He hit a purple patch late in April 1956 with 7 goals in 4 games, including a hat-trick at home to Bradford City. Just 2 months earlier, in February 1956, Charlie Mitten had taken over at Field Mill as Player-Manager. Mitten also died recently and will be the subject of a future article.

The following season, Jepson was again in prolific scoring form scoring 13 goals in just 19 games, plus another goal in the FA Cup. But at the beginning of January 1957 it was reported in the CHAD that Jepson had asked for a transfer "because he felt he might do better with another club." On 21st January, he was transferred to Chester City "in a deal involving a £1,000 cheque". Just 5 days later Jepson turned out for Chester against Mansfield and scored a hat-trick as Stags were thrashed 6-2. The following season (1957/58) Jepson was top scorer for Chester with 25 goals. He scored five goals in one game for Chester against York. In 1959 he moved to Southport, before moving into non-league. Jepson surpassed his 5 goals in a game for Chester with six for Lockheed in the Birmingham League in October 1960.

Compiled by Martin Shaw and Paul Taylor