Relegation Fight Over

Last updated : 26 April 2004 By Joanna Walker

After an absolute shocking season which was set in stone after the 5-0 drubbing by Bristol City at Ashton Gate on the opening day of the season back in August, Notts have finally been condemned to Division Three football.

Manager Gary Mills was obviously downbeat in his comments after the match. But he fully believes that with the right squad and a proper pre-season training for all the players, the Magpies will bounce straight back up.

“It is massively disappointing, and it proves that the players here at the moment are not good enough and that things have not been right here for some time because the Club has been fighting relegation for three years.

Mills: As Relegation Is Confirmed
I am very sad at the moment, but now we have to do something and get a squad together we can be proud of next season in the 3rd Division.” Mills told the Club’s Official Website after the match.

Mills, stuck to his word when he spoke earlier in the week about players showing passion and a fighting spirit, by revealing in his post match comments that he told the players at half time on Saturday he would take off any player who let their head drop, despite making his maximum of 3 substitutes at the re-start.

He was obviously making it crystal clear to players out of contract this season that he will not tolerate players giving up during a game, it’s a shame he did not follow through his actions, as it would have been interesting to see what reaction he’d have got from fans and players alike!

Mills went onto to sum up the game in his eyes; quite frankly I think he is spot on, as will most fans. The game highlighted exactly what this season has been all about – missed chances and extremely poor defending. Right from day one back in August, it has been the same old story week in, week out.

“We were unlucky not to get a goal back earlier than when we did, with Steve Scoffham having a few chances, but sadly it just wasn't to be for us.

Relegation was about defeat on Saturday, it was about losing 5-0 at Bristol City on day one, 4-0 at Swindon two weeks later and the fact it took seven weeks to get the first win. It is all about the season, and we have simply not been good enough. We haven't scored enough and have leaked too many, and the performance levels have not been good enough, so we have to make sure it does not happen again.” said Mills.

Mills has already spoken of his desire to have ‘his team’ in place by August and has promised a not surprising cull of players over the summer in order to get the team set to his requirements by August 7th when next season begins.


“By August I'll have what I consider to be my team on the pitch ready to do all they can.

I've got players who struggle when they go behind in games and it's up to me now to bring in players who can handle the pressure and win matches.”

I say, roll on next season! Hopefully during the course of next season there will be committed players, a few more wins and a lot more to be cheerful about – let’s face it, it’s long overdue!
We may have been relegated but one thing to remember is that at least we still have a club to support.