Shaun Derry looking forward to being back at Meadow Lane

Shaun Derry has spoken fondly of the "class" relationship he had with the Notts County fanbase and is looking forward to returning to Meadow Lane.

The 40-year-old began not only his playing career at Notts, but his managerial career too, taking the reins in 2013.

Derry masterminded the Great Escape, helping the club stay up in League One in 2014, but was dismissed in March 2015 as the Magpies could not repeat the feat the following season.

Now managing Cambridge United, who visit Meadow Lane today, Derry reminisced about his time at Notts and expressed his eagerness to be back in front of the "terrific" fans.

“I was immensely proud of what we achieved in keeping the club up,” he told the Nottingham Post.

“Everybody had written us off but everybody pulled together and we managed it against all the odds.

“We then carried that momentum into the next season, when despite it being quite precarious behind the scenes, we got into the top four.

“But myself and Greg knew that we were hitting crazy heights and the expectation to keep that going just wasn’t realistic.

“Then in the January window, we lost four quality loan players and they just weren’t replaced in terms of like for like.

“But, even then, at no point was the club in danger of being relegated and that happened after I left.

“Still, it was a massive learning experience for me and the relationship I have with the fans there was a different class.

“When I’ve been back they’ve always afforded me a terrific ovation and I am looking forward to seeing them again.

“There are lots of Notts fans among my family and friends and they will be at the game on Saturday."

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