Notts County Football Club has appointed Andy McMillan as head of Academy coaching.
South African McMillan, a UEFA A Licence coach, brings a wealth of experience to the position following a long and successful playing career and will chiefly be responsible for the youth team.
McMillan is hugely excited by the role and wants to instil a winning mentality in the under-18 squad but do it by playing football in the right manner.
He told the Magpie Player: “Playing football, for me, is vital because I’ve been at clubs where there’s been a change and they’ve wanted to go more direct, which is not in my philosophy.
“I want it to be a passing game and I want them to be comfortable on the ball but at the end of the day you’ve got to score goals.
“You have to go forward at some point but it’s how you go forward.
“The winning is vitally important, as these boys are under 18s now and they’ve got to get it into their heads that they’ve got to win football matches.
“You can’t always play football but they’ve got to realise when it’s time to play and when it’s time to protect a goal lead or a point.
“It’s a massive learning circle and they’ve got to show myself and Mick [Leonard] that they’re good enough to make that next step.”
“I want to produce players that are good enough to go on for this club and if it’s not here, then elsewhere, because then at least you’ve done your job.”
McMillan’s playing career included 11 years with York City, where he played nearly 500 times and is ranked second in their all-time appearance chart.
There he helped City gain promotion to Division Three in 1993 and was selected by his peers for the PFA team of the year.
McMillan was also part of the famous York side that beat Manchester United and Everton - two of the biggest upsets in the history of the League Cup.
He also had spells for Ayr United and Pickering Town before hanging up his boots.
In 2005, McMillan returned to Bootham Crescent to assist with youth development and help coach the club’s under-16s.
He then moved to Hull City in a similar role, coaching in the Tigers’ Academy.
More recently, he has coached upcoming scholars at Lincoln City and Barnet.
Everyone at Meadow Lane would like to welcome Andy and wish him all the best for the upcoming campaign.