Richie Wellens said he wants next season’s lap of honour to have a different feel as he sets his sights on promotion from League Two in 2019/20.
Wellens, whose side beat Notts County 3-1 at the County Ground on Saturday, wants to see a closer relationship with the fans and a pride from the players in what they have achieved.
Theo Robinson scored two in the victory of the Magpies with Kaiyne Woolery opening Town’s account on the day after Kane Hemmings had put the visitors ahead.
Wellens made clear his plans for the 2019/20 campaign:
“I want to make a real good go of next season – when our supporters cheered on Saturday it gave us a lift. Notts County’s supporters were fantastic but when our supporters lifted we looked a threat – we were dangerous when we attacked.
“We had a lap of respect for our supporters and the support they’ve given us this season, and I like looking at body language – we walked around and they were 20 yards away from the advertising boards because they don’t want to get so close to the supporters.
“That’s because there’s a little tinge of, not embarrassment but, disappointment because of where we finished this season as a whole. If you’ve just won something and you do a lap of honour you go right to the hoarding boards because you feel that bit braver, that bit prouder of what you’ve got.
“I clocked and said to the players in the dressing room, let’s have a real good season next season, a really good go. Think back to today on this day next year and be closer to the supporters because you’re proud of what you achieved.
“On the whole, since I’ve come in, it’s been very good at times but overall a 7/10.”
One man who enjoyed the lap of honour was Matty Taylor who played his final game of an incredible 20-year career as he hangs up his boots:
“It was always the plan to give him some game time – it happened a bit earlier that what I planned – but I have a lot of respect for him and the career that he’s had. We should honour that but I didn’t plan on bringing him on in central midfield but it was gutting he didn’t score from the free-kick because that would have been the icing on the cake.”
