Mills has got Corby Town absolutely buzzing, says chairman Noble

Stevie Noble believes the arrival of Gary Mills has got Corby Town “absolutely buzzing” again.

An enforced break from match action due to the current national lockdown has given everyone a chance to reflect on what has already been the most unique of seasons under the Covid-19 cloud.

Experienced manager Mills was appointed as the new Steelmen boss in the summer and, despite a slightly stuttering start, his impact has been impressive.

Whenever the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central campaign resumes, it will do so with Corby sitting on top of the table after five wins from their first seven matches.

That has been achieved despite a long injury list while Mills’ recent recruitment seems to have had a positive effect on the squad.

It’s all added up to create a positive atmosphere that chairman Noble says runs way beyond the playing squad.

“The place has been absolutely buzzing, which is great in the current circumstances,” the Corby chairman said.

“To me, it’s the manager who gets the place going because it’s a football club and football is at the core of it so if the football is good and everything on the pitch is positive then it gives everyone a lift.

“If a place is flat, I think it comes from the top which is the manager and if a place is buzzing, that also comes from the top.

“Gary has given all of us a really positive vibe.

“Even if you take away the results, it’s just a nice place to be around with him here and all the volunteers and ground staff and everyone else who helps out have been lifted by the atmosphere.

“Having such a positive and professional person around is making us all look at our jobs more. He is not only making the players do their job better but he’s making everyone do their jobs better.

“We just can’t wait for December 2 to hopefully get back at it.

“Hopefully things in the country will be better and if that’s the case then Corby Town will be ready to pick up the baton again.”

Whether things can go back to exactly how they were from December 2 remains the million dollar question for football clubs from Step 3 and below.

The grassroots game was halted as part of the national restrictions but the hope is that things can resume quickly next month and the Southern League this weekend confirmed its intention for the season to restart on Saturday, December 12.

Corby were backed well by their supporters in the early stages of the season as they regularly reached the restricted capacity of 400 for their home matches.

The Steelmen, like every other club, put in a lot of work to ensure supporters could attend matches safely, only for it to be taken away once the new lockdown was announced.

And while there has been plenty of frustration, Noble continues to reflect on the bigger picture.

He added: “It’s not ideal but it’s essential isn’t it?

“The way we look at it is that if we have to do it then we have to do it. The country wants to slow this virus down and we all have to play a part.

“Everybody is in the same boat and football falls into quite a low category to be honest.

“I know it’s frustrating for all of us involved and it is a great release for people to get out and watch football again but if the authorities say it’s not safe then we have to do what we have to do.

“Whatever the FA and other organisations have told us to do, we have adhered to it the best we can and we have been strict at Corby because we want everyone to be safe.

“If things are halted then there is a reason for it but it is frustrating because a lot of work by a lot of people has been put in to ensure the games go ahead in a safe environment.

“But I will just reiterate what I said in the first lockdown. If we come out of the other side as a country better off after the lockdown then happy days, if not then it’s frustrating.”