It took just four days for the inevitable to finally occur.
November 4th will be remembered in world history as a day when man was launched into orbit, but celebrated, albeit in Nottingham rather than Russia, as the day Gary Mills was finally ‘relieved’ of his managerial duties at Notts County Football Club.
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Mills has now been appointed manager of Conference North outfit Alfreton Town. Enough said.
After nine years with the club in a playing capacity, the Magpies found a ready-made replacement for Mills in the mould of veteran Ian Richardson.
The-then 33-year old was given the sizeable task of acting as stop-gap for the club as the board brood over their situation.
Whilst opinions appeared divided upon Richardson’s temporary appointment at the time, Richardson went a long way to changing the verdict of the typically cynical Notts fans with straight victories over some of over the games’ world super-powers. The jury, however, remained very much undecided.
Defeating Shrewsbury Town 3-0 in the league before progressing with a 2-0 win in the cup against Woking, Richardson’s short managerial was beginning to inject a sense of confidence into the club that had been lacking for so very long now.
Goals from Paul Bolland, Glynn Hurst and Chris Palmer helped clinch only the club’s second home win of the season, whilst Julien Baudet and, later, Gavin Gordon helped see the Magpies into a second round tie the very next month, easing some, at times, all too evident nerves at the ‘Lane that day.
Notts were to draw Swindon Town in the second round of the competition, with the game being played at the County Ground the very next month.
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A slender 1-0 defeat on their travels was helped little with the shattering news that youngster Shane McFaul had been rushed straight to hospital, suffering what was thought to be a broken neck.
A defeat in front of less than three thousand fans on a cold, winters afternoon in the Lancashire hills certainly marked the up-hill battle that lie ahead for the Magpies, still – at this point – only just floating away from the relegation zone.
Fortunately for McFaul, the defender was able to travel back from Bury’s Fairfield hospital the following day, after some close overnight monitoring of the rookie.
It goes without saying, however, that the drab performance that day showed that progress was needed, and quickly.
The defeat at Gigg Lane fell after assistant manager under Mills, Darron Gee finally surrendered his pay cheque in spite of calls of ‘We shall not be moved’ from the former Hucknall player, who chained himself to the main gates outside of Meadow Lane in protest of Mills’ sacking.
Despite the Magpies hitting a purple-patch in front of goal, rumours began to circulate of a possible loan swoop to capture former Notts youngster Paul Heffernan.
The now Bristol City striker – who bagged 21 goals for the Magpies just one season prior – had fallen very much out of favour at Ashton Gate, with such news not falling on deaf ears.
Richardson circled, Heffernan wriggled free.
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Young striker, Matty Williams was to make a return to the club after a bout of ‘compassionate leave’, returning with a bang as he stooped to head his first league goal for the club days after his return.
Despite an equaliser from Cambridge United that day, the Magpies came out of the game after yet another thumping strike from in-form winger, Chrissy Palmer as his late winner was enough to secure all three-points for the Magpies that day.
Before the month was out, NCM delivered the news first that ‘keeper Steve Mildenhall was to depart the Magpies in a bid to restructure the club’s thickset wage bill.
Days letter, and true to NCM’s word, Mildenhall left for League One outfit Oldham, after seeing his contract with Notts terminated.
For the continuation of the season review,
be sure to check back to NCM throughout the coming weeks.