Mansfield Town's play-off push was all too brief this season. But it has made defender Ritchie Sutton all the more determined for next term.

The Stags bring the curtain down on their campaign at Bristol Rovers today, with a mid-table finish firmly on the cards.

In their first year back in League Two, it is still considered a success, according to Sutton, but now he wants more.

Four wins in a row took Paul Cox's team to within touching distance of the top seven, until a 1-1 draw at Accrington Stanley, followed by successive defeats saw their hopes dashed.

Ironing out those blips, and avoiding a repeat of their 13-game winless run back in the autumn, is now the aim.

"I think we've got to look at the play-offs as a minimum," said Sutton.

"It shows how the season turned when we conceded a last minute penalty against Accrington, then all of a sudden we started playing badly.

"If we'd won that game, who knows where we would have been now. But it wasn't to be.

"Next season, we've got to learn from this and get that consistency, I think that will be the key; then, minimum, play-offs.

"We set our standards high at the beginning, so when we had that dip when we went 13 games without a win (in the league) – if we could have just picked up a couple of points there, we would have been in good stead for the play-offs.

"I think we've got to learn from that and get that consistency next season, then we'll be right up there."

Sutton hopes consistency in his own performances will follow.

In his third season at the One Call Stadium, he has benefited from making regular appearances.

And the 28-year-old also believes the manager's preference for a 3-5-2 formation has also helped his cause.

"Even though I'd played in the league before, I had been in and out of the team with the odd game here and there," said the former Port Vale man.

"I think I've played nearly 40 games this season, so it's been good on a personal note for me. "It's given me confidence knowing I can do it in this league.

"I think it's done me a favour playing three at the back because I'm halfway in between an out-and-out centre-half and a full-back, so that right side of the three is perfect for me.

"Whether we continue to go with the three is to be seen, but I think I've played well there and have played well even when we've gone to a four."

And with a year's option on his current contract, Sutton wants to further his progress with Mansfield.

"I want to get something sorted ASAP," he added.

"The gaffer knows I'm happy here and it's where I want to play my football, so hopefully we can get something sorted."

In the meantime, there is a game to be won.

Rovers are three points above the relegation zone and a draw would secure safety. But their visitors make the trip in search of a win.

"It's going to be a very tough game for us, but the main thing is we need to finish our season on a high," said Sutton.

"We don't want to be going into the close season disappointed. We need to show we know we've got a good chance of pushing for play-offs and promotion next season.

"We're looking to get a result; whether it sends them down or not, we're going to be looking to win the game."

Champions league ice hockey is coming to the city after Nottingham Panthers accepted a wildcard invitation to participate in the newly formed competition during its inaugural campaign.

The Panthers competed in the Continental Cup last season and reached the 'semi-final' stage, where they narrowly missed out on progressing further in Italy.

But now the club will compete alongside some of the top teams in Europe in the new Champions Hockey League in what will be the highest level of club competition ever staged in this country or competed in by the Panthers.

Elite League winners Belfast Giants were set to take the spot but decided to turn down the chance, giving Challenge Cup winners Panthers the opportunity to step into their place – this after the tournament organisers expanded the 2014-15 season from 40 to 44 teams.

And Corey Neilson's men have been included as one of four new teams alongside Briancon Diables Rouge of France, Danish outfit SønderjyskE Vojens and Vålerenga Oslo from Norway.

They join the top teams from Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Austria and Czech Republic and will find out who they will face when the draw for the group stages is made on May 21.

Panthers will face three other teams home and away from August 21 to October 7, before the top 16 teams then qualify for the play-off stages in November, with the eventual final on February 3.

It has been confirmed Panthers will look to play their home games from August 21-24 and on September 23, pending what happens with the draw.

And coach Neilson told the club he is excited at the prospect of taking the Panthers into a new frontier.

"It'll be fun, it's definitely a new challenge for us. The Continental Cup experience, even thought it was taxing physically, we learned a lot from," he said.

"I'm excited to do it all again. I've sneakily started to spread the word around with some import players and they're excited about the possibility of joining us and being involved in such an event to showcase their talents.

"It's going to be a long summer but I'm excited about the task ahead.

"In the Continental Cup, I thought for a bounce here or there we could have progressed. But this is even more of a step up and playing against these type of teams should be pretty special.

"As long as we do our thing and we have identity as a hockey club then hopefully we can compete at a good level."

Panthers GM Gary Moran added: "Last season we had six games in the Continental Cup, winning four and losing two, each by a single goal.

"We are thrilled to be able to move on a level with this invitation. Our inclusion is great for the sport in the UK, it will be exciting for our fans and it is a great honour for our club to once again fly the flag."

Some of the existing founder clubs include Red Bull Salzburg, Sparta Prague, IFK Helsinki, Adler Mannheim, ZSC Lions Zurich and Frölunda Gothenburg.

More than 40 apprentices will don caps and gowns at a graduation ceremony next week to mark the completion of their training.

The 10th annual graduation ceremony, organised by the Notts Training Network, will recognise the hard work of apprentices and celebrate their achievements.

This year's graduates come from a range of industries, including business and administration, customer service, hairdressing and health and social care, and have all completed their apprenticeships at an advanced or higher level.

James Huseyin, 28, of Hucknall, will be celebrating the completion of his advanced level apprenticeship in hospitality, supervision and leadership. James, who is the manager at the Broomhill Inn, in Hucknall, decided to do his Level 3 NVQ alongside work to boost his CV.

He said: "The apprenticeship has been hard and challenging but 100 per cent worth it. Apprenticeships are good because they are hands-on and you learn more skills because you are on site. They also look good on your CV and if I decided I wanted to set up my own business it would look good because I would have experience. I'd recommend them to anyone.

"HIT Training [his training provider] has been excellent and my employer, David Cash, has been great, letting me go on this course and backing me. He has also let assessors come into his establishment while I am working."

Next Thursday the graduates will be cheered on by their proud families as they collect their certificates on stage at the Albert Hall.

Melissa Lee, 20, of Carlton, has just completed her advanced hairdressing apprenticeship at Hedley & Co, in Netherfield. She worked at the salon five days a week and visited her training provider Nottingham Hairdressing Training Agency once a fortnight.

Melissa said: "I have loved my apprenticeship and have wanted to do hairdressing for as long as I can remember.

"I am really excited to graduate and would definitely recommend an apprenticeship. They are also great for building your confidence."

Hedley & Co owner Sarah Bates, who is also Melissa's NVQ assessor, said: "Melissa is fantastic. When she first came here she didn't have much confidence but she has excelled.

"She is the second girl to have graduated at the ceremony and it is something she should be proud of."

Karen Hodgson, chief executive of the Notts Training Network, said: "We are extremely proud to be hosting the 2014 graduation event, celebrating the amazing successes of our apprentices.

"The opportunities available to learners through apprenticeships is growing and we hope the event will inspire others to follow the same route and progress their careers with apprenticeships."

What do you think? Tell us at opinion@nottinghampost.com

Jack Grealish is hoping Notts County will win their fight against relegation after revealing: "I had a dream we'd stay up."

The Magpies head to Oldham this afternoon for a date with destiny as they aim to secure the point that will keep them in League One.

The only way Notts can be relegated is if they lose and Crewe and Tranmere win their games against Preston and Bradford respectively.

But Grealish (pictured) is convinced Notts have nothing to worry about if his snoozy premonition on Wednesday night is anything to go by.

"Believe it or not, I had a dream that we'd stay up and I hope it comes true," he said. "I didn't score the winner, but I wish I did.

"I'm not too sure who scored for us, but I dreamt Crewe were beaten and Bradford beat Tranmere. That meant we ended up staying up."

More than 3,500 Notts fans will travel to Boundary Park for the showdown, one of the club's biggest away followings in the league since they played Lincoln in 1998.

It is set for a special atmosphere in what has been a remarkable turnaround for the Magpies in recent months as they were largely written off after the 3-2 defeat against relegation rivals Tranmere in March.

But the belief of manager Shaun Derry has never wavered and his players have since been on a remarkable run of form to propel themselves out of the bottom four.

With safety now in their grasp, Grealish is hoping Notts can end the greatest of escapes with a flourish.

"Carlisle did us a favour in midweek by not winning at Crawley," he said.

"They cannot catch us now – it's just Tranmere and Crewe now.

"There's no way we can go there and just say we will sit back.

"The gaffer will tell us to keep doing what we've been doing over the last few weeks.

"If we do that then the result will come.

"We'll go there looking for three points."

Fans are reminded that spaces on the club's official travel have now sold out.

Coaches will depart from the boatyard which is situated on Meadow Lane.

Supporters will have access to the coaches from 10.15 with the departure time at 11am.

Fans can park their cars at the ground but spaces are on a first come first served basis.

A 45-YEAR-OLD man who failed a breathalyser test and told police his friend had been at the wheel has been banned from driving.

Stephen Skinner was arrested when his ex-wife called the police after he went to her home and banged on the door while shouting, Derby Crown Court heard.

When police caught up with him, he failed a breath test but said his friend had been driving his car. However, in court, he admitted driving with excess alcohol on November 26.

Skinner, 45, of Oxford Street, Long Eaton, was disqualified from driving for four years.

He was given a three-month jail sentence, suspended for a year, told to attend a education, training and employment programme and ordered to obey a three-month curfew between 9pm and 6am, which will be electronically monitored.

Skinner must pay an £80 victim surcharge.

The cousin of a soldier killed during a training exercise has said he was a "top lad" and will be missed by his family.

Private Cameron Laing, of Hucknall, died after being struck by an uncoupled trailer on his way back to Okehampton battle camp, in Devon, on Tuesday evening.

The 20-year-old, who served with 7 Theatre Logistic Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, suffered severe head and chest injuries and was pronounced dead at 9.45pm.

Private Laing and his partner were expecting a baby boy and had already decided to name him Cameron.

His cousin Josh Queeny, 22, also served in the Army between 2008 and 2011.

He said: "He was my little cousin, he was a top lad and he will be loved and missed by his family and his son. He was just looking forward to being a dad."

Ashfield district councillor for Hucknall East, Dave Shaw, offered his condolences.

He said: "I was shocked and saddened when I heard of Cameron Laing's death.

"My son actually knew Cameron – they went to school together at Holgate so he's very upset by the news.

"My deepest sympathies go to his family at this time."

Mark Spencer, MP for Sherwood, also paid his respects to Pte Laing and the work of the Armed Forces. He said: "The tragic death of Pte Cameron Laing in Dartmoor on Tuesday morning is a solemn reminder of the risks and dangers taken by all our Armed Forces personal.

"The sacrifices they make to protect our freedom should always be in the forefront of our minds when these such incidents occur and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Pte Laing joined the Army in 2011 and had been serving with 7 Theatre Logistic Regiment Royal Logistic Corps for just over a year.

A statement released by his family and partner, Jessica Morris, said: "Cameron was an amazing son, brother, boyfriend and expectant father.

"He was a loveable rogue, always playing practical jokes and the fun in any situation. He couldn't wait to be a father to his son, baby Cameron.

"He will be sorely missed by everyone whose life he touched."

ONE hundred free compost bins will be given away to encourage more residents to go green.

NottsCounty Council's waste contractors Veolia have organised the giveaway to celebrate International Compost Awareness Week this week.

To be in with a chance of winning a bin, which will be delivered to your door, householders must call in at one of the composting roadshows being held across Notts and take part in the free prize draw.

The first Get Composting event is on Thursday at Retford Market, followed by one at

Mansfield Market on Friday and then at the Notts County Show, in Newark, on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be to further chances at events on Tuesday, May 13, at Arnold Market, and on Wednesday, May 14, at Hucknall Market.

International Compost Awareness Week aims to encourage more people start using peat-free composts containing recycled material.

Composting helps to improve soil structure, maintain moisture levels and grow better plants and vegetables. It adds nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and helps buffer very acidic or alkaline soils.

POLICE are hunting an absconded prisoner whose last known address was in Bulwell.

John Harty left Sudbury open prison on Wednesday. he has not been seen since. The 26-year-old was nine months into a four-year jail term for burglary and assault offences.

He is white, 26-years-old, 6ft 1in, and of proportionate build. He has short dark brown wavy hair, a beard, blue eyes and has an Irish accent.

ROBERT Wass, 21, of Vicars Court, Clipstone Village, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis in Clipstone on February 14. JPs in Mansfield handed him a community order with a drug rehabilitation, to be reviewed every five weeks for six months. His first review is on May 22 at 11.30am. He was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

JAMES Barratt, 23, of Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, pleaded guilty to driving a Vauxhall Corsa when he was using a mobile phone. He was fined £55 by magistrates in Mansfield. He was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Three penalty points will be added to his licence.

DARREN Cotterill, 45, of Covert Close, Hucknall, pleaded guilty to driving without a seatbelt in Nottingham on July 6 last year. Magistrates in Mansfield fined him £80 and ordered he pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

CARLA Murden, 27, of Lodge Lane, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. She was over the limit in Kirkby-in-Ashfield on February 13. She had 172 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35, magistrates in Mansfield heard. They fined her £100 and ordered she pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs. She was banned from driving for 18 months.

STUART Anderson, 40, Honeywood Drive, Carlton, pleaded guilty to using an uninsured Audi in Wilford Lane, Wilford, on April 5 last year. Magistrates in Mansfield fined him £180 and ordered he pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for six months.

ADRIAN Askham, 40, of Hervey Green, Clifton, was fined £600 at Mansfield Magistrates' Court. He was found guilty of failing to provide police with information about the identity of the driver of a BMW. The driver allegedly committed a road traffic offence in Arnold last August. JPs ordered Askham pay a £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Six penalty points will be endorsed on his licence.

GINTARAS Deryba, 21, of Cross Street, Newark, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving whilst disqualified in the town on March 15. Tests showed he had 79 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. He admitted he was driving an uninsured Rover 25. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and banned from driving for three years. He was given a 12-week curfew, between 9pm and 4.30am, and tagging. He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80 and £85 costs.

BEVERLEY Dennis, 65, of Coleby Road, Broxtowe Estate, denied not wearing a seatbelt in a Ford Galaxy in Coleby Road, Broxtowe, on May 22 last year. Her case has been listed for trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on June 18 at 10am.

ANTONY Chadwick, 25, of Portland Road, Carlton, was fined £275 for drink-driving. He admitted driving an uninsured Vauxhall Corsa over the limit in Foxwood Lane, Woodborough, on August 29 last year. When tested, he had 51 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. JPs in Nottingham banned him from driving for 12 months and ordered he pay a £27 victim surcharge and £85 costs. He must pay £350 compensation for having no insurance.

DARREN Dorman, 35, of Horsham Drive, Top Valley, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was caught in a Vauxhall Zafira in Beechdale Road, Beechdale, when he was over the limit on April 2. When breathalysed, he had 79 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. Magistrates in Nottingham remanded him in custody until July 25 at 2pm.

KEIRON Lang, 22, of Mackinley Avenue, Stapleford, denies inflicting grievous bodily harm to a male in the Sports Pavilion pub, Bramcote, on July 27 last year. He has been bailed to attend a plea and case management hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on August 28.

JARED Wilson, 35, of Fairbank Crescent, Sherwood, pleaded guilty to drink-driving in Mapperley Road, Mapperley, on December 14 last year. When tested, his reading was 163 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine, over the limit of 107. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was fined £320 and banned from driving for 12 months. He was ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge.

DAVID Wharmby, 39, of Minerva Grove, Hucknall, is accused of a benefit offence. He allegedly falsely represented the extent of his physical capabilities with a view to getting Disability Living Allowance on April 16, 2010. He is on bail to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on May 9 at 2pm.

MARCUS Massey, 23, of Mill Lane, Kirkby Woodhouse, has been bailed for allegedly assaulting a male and using threatening behaviour in Nottingham in February. He is on bail to attend his trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on July 28 at 10am.

FOR more than 20 years Alan Smith has lived under the black cloud of reoccurring bouts of depression.

He calls the condition a "monstrous illness" which has caused him a "profound sense of hopelessness" – that at times has been so bad, he says he has, on three separate occasions, tried to take his own life.

In the most recent episode, which happened while he was working up to 80 hours a week as a sheet metal worker, Mr Smith, 61, said he felt mentally exhausted and unable to cope.

However, he hid this "overwhelming crushing feeling" from colleagues and loved ones – choosing instead to put on a brave face which often lead to hours of uncontrollable sobbing behind closed doors.

His lifeline was an article – about Muted, a new charity for men with depression, in the Post on December 3 – which made him realise that he was not alone in his plight.

Five months later and Mr Smith, who lives with Linda – his wife of 41 years, in Hempshill Vale, Bulwell – is now volunteering at the charity and feeling a lot more positive.

He said: "Depression makes you feel very isolated but when I read the article in the Post I realised I was not alone. I bought a smartphone and tracked Muted down. It was the lifeline I needed. It saved my life.

"I think a lot of the guys at Muted look up to me as a father figure. When they listen to someone like me who has been through it all and come out the other side I think it empowers them and gives them hope."

A dad to two grown-up children and grandad to nine-year-old Pearce, Mr Smith said he felt an intense pressure to provide a comfortable standard of living for his family which lead to him returning to work on several occasions despite feeling unfit to do so.

He finally left his job on November 27 and now works six hours a week as a cleaner.

"You realise that all these possessions and things that you think you need, you don't. Being happy and spending time with your family is the most important thing," he said.

Following a mental breakdown in 1993, Mr Smith was diagnosed with mental burnout and was put under the care of the psychiatric ward at the Queen's Medical Centre for six months as a day patient.

He has since been diagnosed with dysthymia – sometimes known as chronic or neurotic depression.

As well as attending self-help groups and taking daily antidepressants, Mr Smith also combats stress and dark moods by taking his rescue dog Bella for long walks and going on regular breaks with his wife to their caravan in Matlock.

Muted founder Ian Hastings, 42, of Arnold, said Mr Smith was an inspiration to the charity, which also wants to help families and friends of sufferers.

"The horrible thing about the illness is that you feel on your own. It can be triggered through your job, like Alan, or relationships, it can be day-to-day life – it is not just one cause it can be many."

The group has organised a charity firewalk at the Wolds pub and restaurant, in Loughborough Road, West Bridgford on Saturday.

Anyone who would like to help should email: info@muted.org.uk.

Have you been affected by depression? Get in touch: newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

SURVIVING a massive heart attack was the wake-up call a 66-year-old grandad needed to embark on a healthy new lifestyle.

Graham Baxter was at his home in Buckingham Avenue, Hucknall, with his wife Jeanette, 68, when he felt an ache in his back.

Less than three weeks later the retired textiles dyer was recovering from a lifesaving triple bypass operation.

He said: "I started experiencing chest pains in July. I told my GP and was sent to King's Mill Hospital where they told me that I had angina.

"Then, on September 2, I got this terrible pain. I had been out for the day and had just got home.

"I felt an ache in my back which came round the front – it felt different to how it did before."

An ambulance was called and Mr Baxter, who at the time weighed 17 stone, was rushed to King's Mill Hospital, in Sutton-in-Ashfield, where he spent the night before being taken to the Trent Cardiac Centre at City Hospital.

"I was told in the morning of September 3 that I would be having the triple bypass – it was amazing how efficient and quick everything happened. All the staff were wonderful, too.

"From the moment the paramedic came to me going home the treatment I received was brilliant. Throughout my stay at both King's Mill and the Trent Cardiac Centre the treatment I received was excellent and I would like to say a big thank you to all concerned," he said.

"I'm told the operation lasted four hours but to be honest I have no idea – I was completely out of it. I lost two days.

"I was out in six days and I am feeling fine now. They do a rehabilitation course after the operation to encourage exercise and a change of lifestyle. It was a bit of a wake-up call."

Mr Baxter, who has two grown-up sons and two grandchildren, Luke, 7, and Georgie, 2, now goes to the gym every week and has lost two stone.

Jeanette said: "Graham has been really good and followed all the advice about medication, exercise and diet. He used to do a lot of sport but had a knee operation last year which meant it was more difficult to go for walks and things so it's really good he's lost two stone. It was a frightening experience at the time but we are now trying to look forward."

Have you been inspired to change your lifestyle? Get in touch at newsdesk@nottinghampost.com