In the summer, one of the first acts of newly appointed Lincoln manager Sam Ellis was to transfer list Pollitt and Dave Ridings and Pollitt soon agreed a move to Darlington. On 14 November 1995 his one-time Lincoln City manager Steve Thompson, acting as team manager with Colin Murphy as general manager, paid £75,000 to secure Pollitt's services for Notts County. In his time at Meadow Lane, Pollitt failed to dislodge regular custodian Darren Ward and had to wait until 22 February 1997 before making his County debut in a 2–0 away defeat to former club Bury. Seeking regular first-team football, Pollitt was sent out on loan to four different clubs during the 1997–98 season. Mike Pollitt had two spells at Rotherham United, from 1998 to 2000 and 2001 to 2005. Between these two spells was a season at Chesterfield. Pollitt was very highly regarded at the South Yorkshire club, and whilst at Rotherham he registered the highest number of clean sheets (77) in the club's history. He was regarded as "one of the best goalkeepers outside the Premier League" during his time at Rotherham. After serving six years at the club Pollitt is regarded as a Rotherham United legend and one, if not the best keeper in the club's history. Following the club's relegation to League One in 2005, Pollitt made a move to Wigan Athletic, who had just won promotion to the Premier League. Wigan acquired his services from Rotherham United in June 2005. Prior to Rotherham, Pollitt had also played for Oldham Athletic and Sunderland but his move to Wigan (initially as cover for existing goalkeeper John Filan) following advice from Paul Barlow, gave him the chance to play Premier League football. His outstanding performances earned him a regular first team place, and in February 2006 he helped Wigan to a place in the 2006 League Cup Final. In the semi final he saved a penalty from Arsenal's Jose Antonio Reyes to help Wigan triumph. In the final itself a hamstring injury in the opening minutes meant that he had to be substituted in the 15th minute, and was replaced by Filan. Despite being an English goalkeeper playing in the Premier League and playing a part in the success of Wigan Athletic in the 2005–06 season, Pollitt was not considered by Sven-Göran Eriksson for inclusion in the England squad for the 2006 World Cup. In November 2006 Pollitt joined Ipswich Town on loan for a month.