EXCLUSIVE: Skipper Gary Mills has no hard feelings over Lincoln City exit
Gary Mills revealed his exit from Lincoln City was already under way before Gary Simpson was appointed manager as he insisted he had no hard feelings over his exit.
The Imps skipper left the club by mutual consent this morning meaning he is now free to concentrate on his rehabilitation from a long-standing knee injury.
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Gary Mills has left Lincoln City.
Mills, who has been sidelined since late December, said the seeds of his departure were sewn a week last Sunday, when he was told the club wanted talks over his future by a director.
The midfielder, who is out of contract in the summer, could not disclose the reasons why he was summoned, but said he held no grudges.
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"I've no hard feelings," he said. "Gary Simpson has had nothing to do with it. It was already on the cards before he arrived.
"After the Barrow game, I got a call on the Sunday telling me the club wanted to talk to me about my future.
"I met the chairman on Friday and sat down with him and he was as good as gold. I've a lot of respect for him. He had the balls to sit down and look in to the whites of my eyes and tell me what was what rather than do it by text or phone.
"It was not my decision to leave. The club told me their reasons, but I didn't agree. Either way, it was best for both parties that we parted company.
"There's no issue with me. It's football. It happens. I don't regret coming here. It's a great club and only one of the few I would have left Nuneaton for.
"I had some good times under David Holdsworth especially the run we went on before Christmas."
Lincoln were on 30 points when Mills damaged his ligaments in the 1-1 draw against Gateshead on December 29.
Since then they have only picked up seven more having faced accusations by some fans that he has contributed little.
Asked what kind of dressing room he leaves behind, Mills said: "It's a fantastic dressing room. Someone Tweeted me to say it was arguably the worst team in the club's history.
"Frankly, I thought that was a disgrace. What the lads put in on a daily basis is unbelievable. You have to remember, we are not a Mansfield who have players on £1,300 - £1,400 a week and sitting in the stands.
"We have lads on less than £500, but they always, always, give 100 per cent for the club. We have to get by on effort, spirit and endeavour and we do. The lads are different class.
"I'll take a bet with anyone that they stay up and if someone fancies a little flutter come and find me on my @garymills10 account, I'll gladly have one with them.
"I think a few of the fans had a pop at me for not contributing, but fact remains the team has only picked up seven more points than when I came out of it. I must have been doing something right.
"People may not like the fact that I am outspoken, but that's how I am. If I see something wrong or don't agree I will speak my mind. I'll do it face to face rather than be a snake."
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by alltheseyears
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 12:58PM
“To use the well worn phrase "it's a short career" is beginning to ring hollow. Just how many employees have long term careers these days?
20 years ago it was suggested the average employee changes "career" at least 3 times in the work life, so how is that different from a fit young man (or woman) having a sports career folowed by what us ordinary mortals would call an ordinary job and having to retrain?
With present employment conditions most people are simply grateful to have a job. Somehow footballers have got into being considered different to others.
I agree it is very different between Premiership players and players at lower league level but generally footballers do seem to think they are removed from economic realities.”
by Bicksy
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 12:33PM
“T@Sweepclean - welcome, I'm just trying to highlight is that my role is still a 'real' job, only very different to that maybe which is the stereotype for this phrase and one that's commonly banded about around about "living in the real world" - all the best.”
by Sweepclean
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 11:59AM
“Thanks Bicksy for taking the time to explain what work you do It sounds an interesting job to be in.”
by Bicksy
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 11:02AM
“@sweepclean - sure, I'm a Programme Test Manager working for a company in Moorgate down near the Bank of England (London), I don't work in Lincoln as I work with tier 1 organisations at head office level, most of which are in the Retail sector, however I still live just outside the city. I work significantly more than 40 hours per week which is typical and "real" for the industry and type of business I work in. Not only don't I work in Lincoln, I travel both on and off-shore significantly with my job and just returned from working in India for the last month; which is 'real' for what I do; hope this helps.”
by redimp45
Wednesday, March 06 2013, 9:14AM
“Most footballers in the lower leagues have very little social time during football season that includes Christmas and easter so the money they earn is not that good compared to the cost of the quality of a working life, Yes they get eight weeks off during the summer but by then I guess they are more than ready for it. Stop moaning about what they earn, if the players show commitment and passion under the new manager, who cares what they are on it is not our problem.”
by Sweepclean
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:57PM
“Hi Bicksy
With respect what is your 40 hour a week job If you don't mind me asking.
Then one or two others might add there's also.”
by Bicksy
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 7:26PM
“What do you class as a "real 40 hour a week job" @OldLincolnia? I hear and read people spout this phrase a lot and always intrigued to understand what they mean by it or perceive a real job to be because I could almost guarantee that my "real 40 hour a week job" is considerably different to probably yours and indeed many others.”
by sheffieldimp
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 6:47PM
“What makes me wonder about the Gary Mills departure (wrongly I think) is why are we still paying long term injured players such as Rob Duffy and Conal Platt. I have nothing against either player and believe if they were fit they would be an asset to the side but the club are not getting their moneys worth, which is presumably the reason for Gary Mills going”
by redimp45
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 1:54PM
“£500 pound a week for a short career is nothing, these boys have to find a life outside of football once their career is over, These boys are not wrapped up in cotton wool like the the premiership footballers. That is the trouble with clubs outside of the top flight who probably have more people living in their towns and cities buying already rich club football shirts pretending to be fans. In my opinion Sky TV have ruined league football in this country along side a weak FA who extended the parachute payments to teams relegated from the premiership. If like me you have watched your local lower league club fold whilst the likes of top flight teams can spend enormous amounts on players with good reputations rather than ability then you too should be saddened by the state of lower league football.”
by redeyes1180
Monday, March 04 2013, 11:15PM
“Oldlincolnia, you forget what a short life being a footballer is. This is the entertainment business (or should be) and wages in that industry are always higher than you and I earn in the real world. I'm actually surprised that its only £500 a week for the lowest paid players. As for RedImp27, I think Mills did a good unsung job and he's quite right to point out the lack of points after his injury. That said the club were right to let him go. His wages will let Simmo bring one of his players in and lets hope that the skill Keith showed in picking good players has rubbed off on him.”