Coventry upset to see Gary Mills leave

Last updated : 09 January 2004 By Joanna Walker
Eric Black, current first team manager at Coventry City today spoke of the loss of current reserve team manager Gary Mills who today has left for Notts County.

He revealed that “it is a massive blow to lose
Gary because he is a very good coach and has become a very good friend, so we will certainly miss him.”
But Black knows that it was Gary Mill’s “desire was to be a No.1” and that moving to
Notts County “is a fabulous opportunity for him.”
Black spoke very highly of Mills and stated that
Notts County had picked a “winner” and someone who is “very professional” and who has got “enormous determination to succeed.”

Mills, 42 said that he “is sad to leave somewhere that he has been enjoying so much,” but ultimately I want to be a manager and you don’t get many opportunities.”

Mills, talking about Nottingham and Notts County, he stated that “it is my home town and a great club. It is in a mess but I want to be the one to bring it out of that.”
And with having played there from 1987-89 and again from 1994-96 he told of his “anticipation of returning as manager.”

He went onto to reveal he had spent yesterday afternoon with people at the club and that he felt “very honoured” that they hadn’t interviewed anyone else.

He also clearly stated a tinge of sadness at leaving
Coventry and that he didn’t want to let Gary McAllister down with the current situation at the Sky Blues. But he said that “both Gary and Eric understand and have both told me that I have got to do it”

He finally went on to “wish Coventry well and hope that they reach that top-six place they are trying to get. I would have loved to have been part of it. But life goes on and I have a fresh challenge ahead of me now.”


Mills first challenge comes in just 24 hours from now as he takes charge of his first league game for
Notts County against high flying Bristol City at Meadow Lane.