Mimms has nothing to prove

The veteran shot-stopper, now number one with Mansfield Town, returns to Bootham Crescent for the first time since parting company with his hometown club back in March.

Ironically, City's last encounter with Mansfield ended in a 1-0 defeat and brought the curtain down on Neil Thompson's reign as manager.

It also sparked the beginning of the end for Mimms, who was to play just one game under new York boss Terry Dolan before being shown the door.

At the time Mimms, who turns 37 next month, indicated he felt hard done by.

And he has gone on to prove his worth at Field Mill with a string of man of the match displays and fine saves.

But as the man now barring City's longed-for return to marksmen of menace the former Everton, Tottenham and Blackburn ace insists he has no hard feeling towards the club.

"I am not bitter at all although at the time I thought I was, during that period, one of the more consistent players at the club," he told the Evening Press.

"But I have been in the game long enough to know that is how things go if a manager doesn't fancy you.

"A new manager came in and had his own ideas."

However, while insisting he harbours no grudge, Mimms admitted a clean sheet against his former club, who have scored just seven goals this season, would be sweet.

"I do not think I have got anything to prove to anyone," said Mimms, who won a top flight championship medal with Blackburn and an FA Cup winners medal with Everton.

"You do not stay in the game 20 years and have to prove anything to anyone.

"But it is nice to go back to an old club and get something off them and it will be no different on this occasion.

"Obviously, I am looking forward to the game. It is always nice to play against former clubs and I still have a lot of friends there.

"And with me being a local lad it does give it a little bit extra."

Only Torquay have conceded more goals in the Third Division than the Stags this year.

And Mansfield boss Billy Dearden this week signed former Manchester United keeper Kevin Pilkington - on duty at Old Trafford on the unforgettable night York beat the Red Devils 3-0 in 1995.

But Dearden believes Mimms is in the form of his life and the ex-City keeper admitted he was delighted with his own performances.

"I have done quite well and have done everything that has been asked and so I am quite happy with how I have played," he said.

"As a team we are also doing quite well. We had a bit of a hiccup against Chesterfield but we had to play our first four games away from home because of redevelopment at the ground so we have to be pleased with where we are."

Dearden's side secured their first away win of the season last week when they came away from Lincoln toasting a 2-0 victory.

Currently in 11th place and despite their ability to leak goals, Mansfield have lost just two league games all season and have shown a keen eye for goal.

Former Scarborough loan striker Chris Greenacre is the Division's top scorer with eight goals and with 21 goals in total the Stags are the second-joint top scorers behind high-flying Chesterfield.