Gill speaks out

The game, played back on October 30, was the final straw for many supporters, who had already witnessed a 3-1 hammering at local rivals Mansfield Town in the previous away fixture.

Two away day batterings in a row was too much for the board - as well as the fans - to take and they took the popular decision of relieving then-manager Gary Mills of his first team duties.

But it was ex Peterborough man Gill who was the on-the-field scapegoat. The 24-year-old had endured a nightmare start to his Magpies career, and after the Mansfield debacle, was placed on the transfer-list by Mills, who had grown tired of Gill's below-par performances.

And when Gill came back into the side at Rushden as a makeshift right-back, it only led to disasterous consequences, with him suffering some of the worst abuse from his own supporters ever seen for a Notts County player.

He responded to the criticism with a gesture towards the stand that only suceeded in making the abuse more venomous, and it is only now that Magpie fans are beginning to get behind the midfield man again as the club looks to make a fresh start under fans favourite Ian Richardson.

"Saturday was my first start since being getting the stick at Rushden, and I am not sure if I was harshly treated or not," Gill told the official site.

"The old gaffer played me at right-back that day instead of David Pipe and perhaps the fans didn't like it.

"He is a better right-back then me and he should have started the game, but I don't pick the team. Maybe the fans felt aggrieved, I don't know.

"I do know Pipey is a fantastic player and I understand how the fans felt because I was unhappy with how I played and they had a right to express their opinion."

In a comment that is sure to melt the hearts of the female County fans, Gill admitted the hardest part of all was that his mum was sat in the stand at Nene Park.

"It was very difficult to handle because I had never experienced anything like that before in my career," he said.

"The worst part of that at Rushden was that my mum and dad were in the stand. My mum got a tad upset and I was more worried about my parents then myself.

"I now have to hold onto my place and prove to the fans that I am better than what they saw of me at Rushden. It was the worst experience of my career and it was tough to take, and even tougher for my mum to take," he continued.

Gill hadn't started a game since then, until Paul Bolland's three-match suspension opened up a vacancy in midfield that he has been only too happy to fill for recent away trips to Swindon and Grimsby.

And he is now keen to put his early-season form - and the Rushden debacle - behind him.

"I got a bit of stick, and it was hard to get over but you have got to get over it in this game. Richo has been quality to me since he came in and has helped me get over it all. It was difficult, but I am over that now."

NCM would like to wish Matthew all the best. We would also encourage all fans to get behind him - and all the team's other players- in Saturday's match at home to Wycombe.