We're in this together, says Corby boss Mills

Steve Diggin was on target from the penalty spot during Corby Town's big 9-1 friendly success at Desborough Town last weekend. Pictures by David Tilley

Gary Mills insists everyone at Corby Town will have a part to play as the start of the new season approaches.

The Steelmen now know they will travel to Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division side Mildenhall Town for their opening game of the campaign in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup a week on Saturday (September 12).

That will then be followed by a home clash with Aylesbury United on the first day of the Southern League Division One Central season on September 19.

Jordon Crawford continued his fine pre-season form with a goal at Desborough

And, so far, the preparations seem to be going well even though Mills was only appointed as the new Steelmen boss just under four weeks ago.

An emphatic 9-1 friendly success at Desborough Town last weekend was followed by a 1-0 victory over Stamford on Tuesday night as fans returned to Steel Park for the first time since the lockdown began.

And that only added to the positivity that is being created under the new regime,

“It’s a difficult time as we know and to just see some fans in there to watch their team and get back to a bit of normality was great,” Mills said.

Elliot Sandy scores one of his four goals after coming on as a substitute in Corby's friendly win at Desborough

“There were fans next to the dugout and just to be able to have a chat with them was good for them and great for me.

“A football club is not just about the manager and the players, we all have to be in this together. We have to work hard together and everyone has to play their part.

“The stadium and the pitch are excellent and we are looking forward to getting the season going.

“We have got a week and a half and I have got decisions to make but, hopefully, come a week on Saturday we are as close as we can be to what we need.”

A first-half Charlie Wise backheel proved to be enough to earn the Steelmen a win over Stamford, who are managed by former Corby boss Graham Drury, in midweek.

Corby round off their friendly schedule with a trip to Step 3 side Coalville Town on Saturday before their attention turns to the FA Cup.

But Mills insists his focus for that and the forthcoming season is solely on his own team.

“It was a good game overall on Tuesday and a good 90 minutes for everyone to watch,” he added.

“From my side of it, again I learned a lot about the squad of players I have got and the players are learning a lot about me. In a lot of aspects, I thought we were excellent to be honest.

“Pre-season is pre-season and on Saturday I have to look at us and at how we go about playing the way I want us to play.

“I think that’s more important than who we are playing against. I have been really pleased with the three-and-a-bit weeks I have been at the club.

Yes, it’s a short space of time but I think the lads have listened to exactly what I have been saying to them. They are working very hard.

“There is always room for improvement, of course.

“But certainly it’s about the players doing what I ask of them and them enjoying it and if we can do that then we can go and win football matches. We proved that on Tuesday against a good Stamford side.

“We will go into the FA Cup to win a game of football the way we want to and if we put it all together I think we can get into the next round.”

Corby’s opening game of the league season against Aylesbury will then be followed by back-to-back away matches at Coleshill Town (September 28) and AFC Dunstable (October 3).

The festive period sees them hosting Yaxley on Boxing Day before they head to Bedford Town on January 2.

The final day of the regular season will be on May 8 with Corby heading to Bedworth United.