Mills rejects Boro for Mansfield

Gary Mills has left Stevenage Borough this afternoon, joining Blue Square Premier rivals Mansfield Town on a two year contract. It’s a move that I’m surprised has happened, but at the same time am not disappointed. The defensive midfielder was one of Graham Westley’s first signings last summer when he rejected a new contract at Kettering to move to Broadhall Way.

Mills struggled to find form for most of his stay at Broadhall Way and although he put in some good performances towards the end of the season I always felt there were better options available in the squad. Mills told the Mansfield website that he has rejected a 2 year deal offered to him by Graham Westley to sign for the Stags also on a two year contract with an option for a third. I said some weeks ago that Mansfield boss David Holdsworth obviously liked the Stevenage ‘blueprint’ last season and that’s been confirmed again today with the signing of Mills.

If I’m honest I never rated Mills, like many Boro supporters, although he did have some fans that thought he was ok. However, I don’t think anyone will particularly shed a tear now he’s rejected Boro for Mansfield. He never settled into the team in my opinion and I’m sure by the end of the season he wasn’t in Westley’s first 11 either. That maybe the reason he has decided to move north?

Will Westley replace him?

I don’t know. Currently we have Bostwick, Bridges, Murphy and Vincenti all playing for a place in midfield so I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t sign another midfielder. Bostwick and Murphy can do the defensive side of things and wide players like Byrom and Drury can drift inside now we have more cover on the wings with Yemi Odubade and Mitchell Cole signed up for the next two seasons. Saying that though the interview mentions that Mills rejected a new two year deal, which obviously means that Westley had some plan for him for the next two seasons and with Martin leaving last week as well a defensive midfielder could be signed at some point this summer.

Lastly neighbours Hitchin Town hope to announce a pre-season friendly with Boro soon. They have confirmed that they are to face Luton Town at Top Field already and plan to play Boro again this pre-season. Boro have been un-usually slow with regards to announcing the pre-season friendlies, but I suppose there is still a lot of time before the beginning of July.