Nigel Clough: Premier League transfer spending ‘beyond comprehension’, says Mansfield Town boss

Mansfield’s rise to League One, having not played in the third tier for more than two decades before their return to that level last season, has seen attendances at the One Call Stadium increase.

And while Clough and the Stags resisted paying fees for recruits in the latest transfer window, he insists there is no policy against spending.

It was only a year ago that they spent £200,000 – one of the biggest fees in the club’s history – to bring in striker Will Evans.

“We have no problem with that [paying transfer fees],” Clough said.

“We paid a fee for Will Evans a year ago and it’s been very good value with him.

“And we put plenty of bids in [this summer] but when people start talking silly money, we won’t do that. We won’t pay over the odds for somebody who we don’t think is worth it. That is just the policy of the club.”

Clough stands by that policy even when he freely admits that significant money spent in the division – namely by Birmingham City and Wrexham last season – paid off with promotion.

“Birmingham and Wrexham were out on their own last season,” he added. “And with Charlton in there, the three biggest wage bills went up [won promotion]. That probably shows you something or how much it means.

“With those two out of the way, it’s much more even in the league with spending. But even now, Huddersfield have spent big, and others have spent more than £1m on strikers.

“It’s big money for League One, which seems to be the way that football is going at the moment.”