Notts County Manager Ian McParland has sent out a rallying cry to supporters ahead of this Saturday's vital home game with Rochdale.

McParland understands the fans' frustrations given Notts' struggles in recent years, but he is urging the fans to get right behind the Magpies in the final nine games of the season.

Article reproduced from the Nottingham Evening Post on Thursday 20March 2008 by Dave Parkinson

Notts County boss Ian McParland is calling for fans to stick with them one last time - despite admitting the Magpies have given them precious little to cheer in the past four or five years.

The oldest Football League club in the world is once again facing the threat of relegation after narrowly escaping the drop on the final day of the season in 2005-06.

Now Notts stand third from bottom in League Two - only three points off the relegation zone, having played more games than their rivals and with nine games left to play.

"It's not been great and I accept that as I am not one to make excuses," said McParland. "But we have nine massive games coming up over the next few weeks and the fans will have a huge part to play.

"They are the main part of this football club and while we have to give them something to cheer on the pitch, it also works both ways.

"They have to get behind us, even when things aren't going so well. At Peterborough on Saturday, the 400 fans who made that journey were absolutely fantastic.

"They got right behind the team and it showed through in the performance of the players. That's what we want from now on - and especially at Meadow Lane.

"I don't want the players frightened to make a mistake. That's been the case for too long though we saw in that final game of 2005-06 what backing was there.

"It was also the same when the club was in administration. How much the fans cared shone through then and I share that passion, believe you me.

"I know it has been four or five years since the fans have had anything to shout about but the important thing is we ride this season out together.

"I have a lot of things in my head I would like to do to improve this club, as have the board, but at the moment it is all about survival."

Plans for the reinstatement of the youth system, a reserve team and new training facilities are all in the pipeline, along with off-the field improvements to boost club income.

But first Notts must retain their League status.

Crunch matches are fast approaching against the likes of fellow strugglers Mansfield, Bury and Wrexham.

McParland said: "We have to stay positive and keep plugging away and believe the goals and wins will come. To do that, the fans must stick with us."