Some fans are unhappy about Mr Haslam's running of the club

Mansfield District Council said it had received a number of complaints about posters bearing the words "Haslam Out" which have appeared around the town.

No one has admitted putting them up, but the council has warned it will fine anyone caught posting them illegally.

A petition against Mr Haslam's running of the club is also being circulated.

Raising the issue

Graham Parker from the protest group, Stags for Change, said fans had been getting increasingly frustrated over Mr Haslam's continuing presence at Mansfield Town.

"While we recognise what the council has said in that there's some illegality in putting the posters up, people will take whatever means they think are necessary to raise the issue about Keith Haslam," said Mr Parker.

But lifelong fan Barry Salmon, from Mansfield, said posters were not the answer: "I've been watching the club since 1942 and with it, we've had bad managers, bad chairmen and bad players so this is nothing new.

"I don't like Haslam but there are other ways of doing it."

Andre Camilleri, portfolio holder for public protection at Mansfield District Council, said people had to abide by the law.

"If you are caught putting up posters, you will be fined, on the spot, �75, it doesn't matter if the poster says Haslam in or Haslam out."

Mr Haslam has declined to comment.