Cotterill Parting Interview

Last updated : 27 May 2010 By Tom Pritchard

A group of journalists sat around a table with tea and biscuits in the 1862 suite earlier today as Steve Cotterill enlightened them upon the reasons why he's leaving and how he's feeling about it. He purchased all the journalists (and himself) some bacon, egg and sausage cops courtesy of his P.A's efficiency.

After stating in a matter-of-factly manner that in no terms had he had contact with Coventry, Portsmouth, Plymouth or any football club under God's green earth he opened up as to why he was leaving. He stated he was "disappointed" with the budget, and after earmarking 3 or 4 players, who he didn't name, but stated they would add to and compliment our already very good players; he went on to say that with the budget Ray Trew had offered he certainly wouldn't be able to get all of them. 

Cotterill was keen to stress that the budget was a reason; but not the sole one. He said there were other things - but didn't delve further. You could speculate that he wants a job closer to his Bournemouth home and who could blame him. He signed a 3 month deal and has made Jesus look like John Barnes with his miracle working. Let's make no bones about it - a Notts County defence being able to keep that many clean sheets is a miracle and a bloody good one at that. Especially, considering that Mike Edwards, John Thompson and Stephen Hunt were all here last season and before. 

He talked of his admiration for the club and would never rule out the possibility of coming back under different circumstances, which he added; would be "when the debt is cleared". He added it wasn't an easy decision, he loves Nottingham and the people involved and that he had laughter every day since he has been at the club. But, he added that it was best to get out on a high.

After all the feverent questioning about why he's leaving, I moved over to much more light-hearted topics. I delved and asked him what his best moment at the club was. He answered with a big smile on his face - "Darlington". I thought he had finished but then he recalled the story of the journey back. "On the way back we'd had everything from Pizza's, Fish and Chips and Chinese. The sandwiches at Darlington ended up getting thrown at people in the dressing room and landed in everyone's hair etc ... and nothing got eaten in the dressing room, or in Darlington in fact it was probably only drink that got had". "We had Fish and Chips and someone threw a chip, then Luke Rodgers threw a chip at Hughesy and there was a video called the 'fun bus' and Hughesy said "Luke, Luke open your mouth" and Luke opened his mouth as if he was going to catch a chip and then he got a full fish in his face and all over the floor and the whole coach erupted". 

He then went on to explain about a time, when he was manager of Cheltenham Town, a female at the civic reception asked him to sign her breast. "You don't just use one hand, you need some support so I was a bit um and er as to where to put my hand". He went on to recall a Notts fan who sits on the right-hand side of the dugout and from the first game, said supporter called him "Cotty" and used to scream "you need to get 'em up Cotty". "In the end I just turned around and told him to shut up and his mates just laughed at him". 

 I asked whether he had a message for the fans and he had but only two words, a heartfelt "thank you". 

It's the respect he demands without being condescending, overly-harsh and critical. It's the fact it's blatantly obvious he knows when to laugh and when to be serious, when to be cruel and when to be kind and more importantly; how to get the best out of his players. This is why Notts County will miss Steve Cotterill.