Issue 11

BLACK & WHITE the Notts County fanzine

#11 - SEPT ‘14 - £2

INTRODUCTION I’d like to start my introduction to this latest issue by paying my respects to one of the good guys that we’ve lost in the last few weeks.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Lifetime Vice-President John Mounteney recently. John is someone I began talking with about a year ago as he used to order copies of the fanzine online.

On the very few occasions we met, he would leave me merely echoing the sentiments of the many who have paid tributes in the days following John’s death. He was an absolute gent, always happy to chat about any matter of things. And he would always have you hanging off his every word, such was his charm.

The last time I spoke with him was at MLSB, the day after Shaun Derry’s Notts had completed their Great Escape at Oldham. It was a conversation that for me that gave you an insight into his passion for Notts County.

He said this was a club that even after 57 years of support, still had the power to reduce him to tears.

The moment that Alan Sheehan’s left boot swept home the penalty that pulled the game level, John didn’t cheer. He just sat back down in his seat, and cried.

John was quality, one I wish I’d spoken with more often if I’m honest. His presence is already missed around Meadow Lane on a matchday I know that much.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue, and in doing so have helped us keep up our fairly regular release schedule of late! Cheers to Jacob Daniel, Aston Perrin, Drew Dennis, Sam Arnsby, Adam Taylor, Ian Marsden, Sean Redgate, Paul Smith and Matthew Taylor.

To end, unfortunately we’ve had to increase the price of the fanzine hopefully temporarily to £2. It’s been difficult to run things at that price since we started out and against Richard’s advice I’ve always held off when quite simply I shouldn’t.

I retain the hope that we’ll be back to £1 in due course, but for that to happen we would need a few more advertisers on board. If you’re interested, all you need to know is on page 25 of this fanzine. Our advertising rates at £60 for ten issues offer great value considering our profile is on the rise all the time.

In the meantime, I hope the extra quid still helps offer you value for money!

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CONTENTS The Season So Far ...................................... 03 Stuart Brothers The Ballad Of Cieron Keane ........................ 08 Jacob Daniel About Time They Were Don For! ................. 09 Paul Smith An Uphil Struggle For NCLFC ...................... 12 Aston Perrin Dad’s Army? Don’t Panic ............................ 14 Drew Dennis Enter: The SLO ........................................... 15 Stuart Brothers Reasons To Be Cheerful .............................. 18 Adam Taylor What Might Have Been ............................... 20 Sam Arnsby My Meadow Lane Top 3 .............................. 21 Ian Marsden Where Are They Now? ................................ 22 Stuart Brothers Away Days ................................................. 26 Sean Redgate In Praise Of The JPT ................................... 28 Jacob Daniel County Connections ................................... 29 Stuart Brothers #BringBackTheTartan ................................ 30 Matthew Taylor

DISCLAIMER

Black & White is an independent release produced by fans and as such has no official affiliation with Notts County Football Club. The views in each publication reflect those of the individual contributors themselves.

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THE SEASON SOPART FAR ONE

The Season So Far. A piece so maddeningly depressing last year that we scrapped it around half way through the season because there was no way anyone in the could possibly want to relive what was happening on the field ever again. Here’s to hoping that’s not a problem this season at least!

Days removed from a fine victory over Osasuna to close off the Summer’s pre-season offerings, several of the trialist stars of the Summer months were quick to sign full time contracts with the club.

Bradford City for the sake of £100 more than Notts had made in their initial offer - a number they were willing to negotiate on. For “Mr Sheehan” however, this was a matter of pride according to RT, having tried his luck elsewhere last Summer and coming Former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll back with his “tail between his legs” and signing a was the most notable new addition following a lesser deal. starring role in the Osasuna game. Combative midfielder Elliot t’Whitehouse was next to join On the field, those four new signings would be in having netted on three occasions in the close the opening day’s squad away at Preston North season. And then finally, the surprise addition to End - Carroll and Jones starting, Whitehouse and the final friendly lineup - Gary Jones, scorer of a Dawson from the bench. quite wonderful volley, provider of sumptuous freekick for Hayden Mullins to score.

Deepdale, and Preston. A team that Notts haven’t particularly excelled against since we gained The very last of 14 additions of the Summer came promotion in 2010. Few will forget the sight of in the shape of Leicester City’s Adam Dawson who goalkeeper Iain Turner clearing Stuart Nelson in the signed on a one month loan having impressed Notts goal at Deepdale, or a drab 0-0 at Meadow someone somewhere with his work on the right Lane on an evening Martin Allen when prioritised wing. an FA Cup tie that we lost anyway a few days later.

Or the night Jamal Campbell-Ryce saw red for an The night before we hit the road to start the season, ill-judged tackle on Scott Laird in a 0-0 draw - or Chairman Ray Trew took to local radio to address the sight of the gutless JCR shirking his way off field a number of events from the Summer. He spoke in the return fixture later that season. of the group of ‘rebels’ at the club who didn’t buy into the manager’s philosophy last season, and how County hadn’t scored against this lot since a Matt they’d all been moved on. Also how Gary Liddle left Redmile goal on March 21st, 2000 at Meadow Lane the club on good terms for Bradford City.

- that’s 5,254 days. Granted there were plenty of seasons in amongst that period where we didn’t And most notably - the situation surrounding even share a division, but for whatever reason Alan Sheehan that had dragged on for weeks. these sort of statistics appeal to people.

A rumoured move to Sheffield United never materialised and so last year’s captain ended up at Over 750 Notts fans made the trip to Deepdale,

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a considerable number of whom didn’t arrive until deliveries into the box were bang on the money, minutes before kick-off thanks to an accident on lacking only a gambling forward to make the run the M6. necessary to finish moves off. Hopefully this is something that would follow in due course - this Some supporters outside the away end grabbed was only the first day of the season after all! a word with the Deepdale stadium manager (he even bought a copy of issue 10) who said he had Jake Cassidy stunned the home crowd into silence spoken with the match official David Webb who had with his thunderous opener early in the second half confirmed that under no circumstances would kick- though - absolutely smashing the ball through the off be delayed. home goalkeeper. It was a goal that helped Notts grow in stature, but also throw the PNE gameplan Such beautiful contempt as ever for the paying into disarray. They looked bang average, posing public. such little threat either through the middle of the park or down the right where their options The first half was a tense affair for Notts fans. A appeared limited. side starting with seven debutants looked unable to find their footing as the home side peppered the Diving swine Joe Garner scored the equaliser late box with dangerous looking balls, challenging for on, capitalising on the sort of refereeing decision each with little resistance from anyone in (eugh) that plagued far too many fixtures last seaon. the new green and yellow strip.

Take nothing away from the finish and the intricate passing that led to it - but it was never their throwCounty were indebted to Carroll in goal for a number in at all. Within seconds of it being taken, it was of top quality saves, but also to the crossbar and 1-1. the lino’s flag on the far side when Little poked the ball home.

You can’t turn your nose up at an opening day draw away at Preston North End really can you?

What Notts lacked in the number of chances though, For one, this is one of the trickier fixtures in the they arguably had the best chance of the half when division safely navigated. Secondly, we already had Haydn Hollis - who had already cleared the stand as many points on the board by this stage than it to our right - skied with ease the crossbar from just took us seven games last year! six yards out. It was probably easier to score - but you don’t expect Hollis to approach these situations But that’s not to say I didn’t sulk for at least a fair with finesse do you? If he’s going to score with his bit of the journey home, such was my conviction feet, he’s going to take the net with it. that this had been a performance worthy of the three points. Early season optimism appeared to Half time at 0-0, just barely. But what was there dictate to me that playing in this manner, there’d be to complain about really in the grand scheme of times this season where we might just run teams things? This was never to be an easy ride after all. ragged as they chase the ball down for 90 minutes.

The second half was an entirely different story though. Gary Jones and Alan Smith in the centre of the park were quite simply immense - Smith in particular possessing a read of the game so clearly on an another level to anything we’ve seen in years.

It really is no exaggeration to suggest Preston were chasing shadows for long periods of the half as Notts sprayed the ball from left to right.

It’s a sound logic in principle at least.

The League Cup followed just three days later, a competition which last year sealed an unforgettable away day at Anfield against Liverpool. Sheffield Wednesday were the obstacle in the way of the second round, where potentially Man Utd could be waiting. Aaah, dreamworld.

Could there have been a As it happened though, Notts were outclassed and bit more incision up front? outgunned by their far superior Championship Without question. Some of our opponents - if this was an indication of the widening

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ISSUE #11

gulf between League One and Championship, we He instinctively steered the ball perhaps best get comfy in League One for a while! towards goal following a Nicky Wroe miscue.

Right back Curtis Thompson probably won’t have an evening as torrid as long as this in a long time When Freddie Sears got an - targetted early doors and exploited for way too equaliser with 20 minutes left much of the 90 minutes, with Mustapha Dumbuya on the clock, heads could quite nowhere to be seen on the bench. easily have dropped. In fact - last year’s set of spineless plebs would most certainly have buckled.

Two goals for the hosts in the first ten minutes effectively killed the contest off but the response in Not this year though. the second half was one to take heart from, right up until the third goal.

Liam Noble, a player whose performances were beginning to gather momentum grabbed the Shaun Derry has made clear his desire to have a winner quite spectacularly. Col U’s Marcus Bean team that competes this season, that doesn’t just twice had the opportunity to clear the ball, but was lie down when it’s beaten. He got that at least on equally hopeless with each attempt. The ball found this occasion. Though were it not for a number of it’s way to Wroe who rolled the ball into the feet saves from Roy Carroll, Wednesday might well have of Noble, who steadied himself and curled home a been on their way towards posting a declaration gorgeous 30-yarder into the top corner. score.

One of few players maligned throughout the After the deserved plaudits were reaped post- opening few games, Noble hasn’t looked back Preston though, perhaps keeping Notts’ feet on the since, a constant attacking menace between Alan ground wasn’t such a bad thing? Turned out the Smith and Gary Jones. reward for victory would have been Bournemouth away on a Tuesday night. Safe to say we’re better Making his senior debut because of an injury to off out of it!

Blair Adams, Cieron Keane’s performance had people split down the middle - but that certainly ‘Out of it’ is probably the best way to have endured wasn’t helped by his red card in the second half. the following Saturday’s visit of Fleetwood Town Harsh? Absolutely given that they were his only to Meadow Lane. Bringing a paltry 166 fans to the two fouls of the evening - and it’s not as if much Nottingham, the away side won thanks to a header had gone before to make the referee need to make on the stroke of half-time. Notts were never at the such a rash decision. races.

On the subject of rash decisions, it was one of those As big a fan of Shaun Derry and Greg Abbott as I that brought a premature end to Wroe’s evening as may be - there’s no getting away from the fact that well. Take nothing away from the audacity of the this was quite easily worse than anything served finish from nearly 40 yards out that sailed into the up last season. net - but perhaps it wasn’t the best advised move with the whilstle already gone and him on a yellow So of course, I say with great relief then that it’s card already. a good job that things thankfully haven’t been as putrid since that afternoon. The bouncing back The referee was left with no choice. And as if two began immediately, with a 2-1 victory at home to red cards on the field weren’t enough to contend Colchester United - a side who always appear to with, manager Shaun Derry was also sent to lose at Meadow Lane just lately. the stands for getting just a touch animated on the touchline. His punishment would earn him a Any nervousness, any anxiousness that might have suspension for Mansfield at home in the JPT, and been around the ground was snuffed out early the away game at Peterborough. thanks to Ronan Murray’s first goal of the season.

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A few days later, a trip to the beautiful surroundings of Burslem was on the agenda.

Port Vale away - minus the wretched Lee Hughes adoration that plagued last year’s away day - and the task of being the first team in all competitions this season to shut the prolific Tom Pope out.

Not a problem.

Bristol City are without question one of the biggest obstacles in SkyBet League One this season. Under the guidance of Steve Cotterill and a hefty budget, it will surprise no one should they go on to be this year’s Wolves, making a mockery of the division.

In the end, all this game came down to was a contentious last minute penalty decision awarded in the Robins’ favour. Curtis Thompson was adjudged to have fouled in the area - replays suggest otherwise. But then, woeful refereeing decisions have been part and parcel of the last 16 months or so. We move on.

OK, maybe a slight exaggeration there given that backs to the wall displays are rarely as torrid to A shame though, given that Notts had taken an endure as this was! early lead through Zeli Ismail, who eventually converted what could easily be one of the worst The first half though was one of ruthless efficiency finishes I’ve ever seen! The ball must have gotten from Notts as they were solid in possession of the stuck about half a dozen times under his feet before ball, incisive going forward, and certainly never prodding the ball home. threatened by the bombardment in the air from either Port Vale flank. Gary Jones’ deflected volley Aaron Wilbraham levelled matters on the hour gave County the deserved half-time lead, a margin mark. Only just, mind you. His right footer into they wouldn’t be able to build on until late, late on. an unguarded net was so close to going over the bar. Which left only Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to It could have been so different though! Noble, tie the game up from 12 yards, slotting the spot through on goal having capitalised on defensive kick graciously down the middle of the goal. A indecision was left one on one with only the disappointing result certainly - but against one of goalkeeper standing between him and a doubled the division’s biggest clubs there was no shame in advantage. With the ‘keeper going to ground, going down 2-1. what should have been the easiest of finishes was deflected over the crossbar out for a corner. Ahead of another one of those pesky international Agonising doesn’t come close to describing it! breaks (likely to be the first of many), we welcomed the people of Mansfield back to Nottingham. This As we now know, it was his free-kick (again via a was by no means to be a warm welcome however deflection) that eventually saw the game off - but - Johnstones Paint Trophy glory (if such a thing right up until that moment Vale had been battering exists?) was the prize between the two, but County us. At the time it felt like there had been a dozen barely needed to get out of second gear in this one. goalline clearances, and just as many last ditch Roy Carroll saves! Meanwhile Curtis Thompson at right A sensational passing move down the left had back was having his best game yet in Notts colours led to Ronan Murray opening the scoring on the whilst Haydn Hollis was just as outstanding. night, whilst Jake Cassidy doubled the deficit in the second half. Surrounded by each was minute Efficieny. Professionalism. Graft. Cynicism. The upon minute of Stags mundanity. So bad were their hallmarks of what Notts County have been about so efforts in fact, that with the game not even yet at far this season. We’re making no friends whatsoever it’s conclusion, the visiting fans in the Jimmy Sirrel along the way and it’s a thing of beauty.

Stand were singing “Stand up, if you want Cox out.”

And yes Dan Westwell, we saw you rise to your Best of all? This was a team yet to click. There was feet! more to come.

The reward for victory was a second round tie at

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ISSUE #11

Scunthorpe United - likely to be the first time we half for a hilarious dive) who rather than feed his come up against Neal Bishop since he left us so team mate in space, blazed a shot high and wide.

Certainly a stroke of luck for Notts, but defeat cheerfully a few Summers ago! would have been harsh.

I’m able to end the season so far with one of the more entertaining post-match fallouts of recent Not that Alan Swann believed so! His bitter times - thanks largely to the Twitter meltdown tirade after the game made the 0-0 all the more of Peterborough Telegraph correspondent, Alan worthwhile. That he saw Notts as being negative Swann. Going back to this Summer, and upon in spite of us registering more shots on goal was a Notts signing Alan Smith, for reasons known only strange one, but that County had come to London to himself, Swann stuck his oar in on social media: Road to spoil appeared to come as a surprise to the loon! His illiterate, typo-ridden post-match analysis pieces seemed to only highlight his exasperation.

“Notts close to signing Alan Smith.

That’s them ruled out as a threat then”

Strange that someone affiliated with a club with aspirations the size of Peterborough’s should need to comment on us really. But on reflection, we’re certainly glad he did! The game at London Road itself against Peterborough was by and large quite average. Both sides had their moments but a 0-0 draw was certainly the fair result here.

Notts took time to settle, as has so often been the case this season already, with the hosts looking every bit the highly budgeted side they are. Yet for their pressure the only save Roy Carroll had to make was from a point blank header from a freekick. At the other end, the best chance of the first half fell to Jake Cassidy, but Liam Noble’s pass into him was slightly over-cooked, meaning Cass could only skew his effort wide.

I’ve commented already on the spineless nature of last year’s squad. You look back and think what a loathsome bunch they were - but the difference between then and now is likely night and day. We have a team of animals who would run through walls for Shaun Derry and Greg Abbott - probably even on one leg if they needed to! There is character in abundance with this side. But again - things are yet to click for them just yet. It’s not perfect on the field, but it’s brutally effective. We’re the footballing equivalent of Neanderthal man but so long as we’re surging towards 50 points at a considerably better pace than last year, who cares?

And you sense this team isn’t one which will settle for the mid-table obscurity that so many supporters will. How many more shots at glory will the likes of Roy Carroll, Alan Smith and Gary Jones get? Alongside them we have players like Haydn Notts came out in the second half the better Hollis and Curtis Thomson growing in stature with side. Whilst their efforts at goal might have been every game. With both Harry Andrews and Brad potshots from distance, it was still more than the McGowan picking up rave reviews from their loan appearances also, we’ve certainly reached a time home side could muster at this moment. when slating the club’s academy has passed.

Peterborough ended the game the stronger though with Notts spending long periods without the ball. The blend of youth and experience (with very little Not that Posh were able to do much with it. Their inbetween!) is certainly working out right now. second half consisted largely of overly optimistic Once it really gels though we’ll be quite the force. penalty appeals but little else.

But isn’t this how we want things? We don’t want Right up until the very last kick patting on the head, being told to go on our way, of the game that was. Gary that we’ll be fine if we keep playing the way we are?

Jones - an absolute rock in This is a results business, and for the timebeing recent games - got his studs business is good. caught in the pitch and went to ground. It freed up Marcus Maddison (booked in the first

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THE BALLAD OF CIERON KEANE

When young full back Cieron Keane was subbed off in the second half of Notts' recent home defeat against Bristol City, it is hard to tell whether the applause emanating around Meadow Lane was for a teenager who had put everything into only his second senior appearance, or the fact that manager Shaun Derry had put him out of his misery.

Whilst it was undoubted that Keane had a tough time, for the second consecutive match in his fledgling career, the snide comments at Meadow Lane and subsequent writing off of a young career on the internet afterwards sat particularly uncomfortably.

method of thinking, with the signing of Jordan Cranston on a short-term deal until January hopefully down to Blair Adams' injury concerns rather than a willingness to discard Keane after just two appearances. He also has a challenge in bedding in another young player, Curtis Thompson, who has consistently shown that he is at a level where he is ready to become a regular in League One, but is yet to be given the chance to do so in one position. Thompson, in fact, is another player who has been criticised for his displays during the early part of this season, despite having made barely 10 league appearances in a variety of positions for the club. The time to ask these questions is if he is still making errors after another 90 games.

There seemed to be a lack of allowance for the fact that Keane, barely 18 years old, was making his first steps as a professional footballer and was up against Mark Little, a combination of pace and power that is extremely rare at this level. That he was largely competent in both games strong in the tackle and largely intelligent in his positioning - seems to have been lost in the clamour to criticise him for a harsh sending off against Colchester and being left in Little's slipstream for Aaron Wilbraham's equalising goal When discussions come up about how Notts can move against the Robins. forward, the ability to develop our own talent is usually the thing that is suggested as the most important requirement.

Having thought about it, however, this kind of treatment One of the prerequisites for doing so, though, is creating seems to be par for the course for young players making an environment and a club where they are allowed to their first waves at Meadow Lane - and I am just as guilty improve - something that I wasn't willing allow Hollis to do as everyone else. When Haydn Hollis first broke into the and something that our fans don't currently seem willing to Notts side, he was a tangled mess of limbs, ungainly, allow Keane to do. In this duo, as well as Curtis Thompson uncoordinated and difficult to watch. When Chris Kiwomya and even Fabian Spiess and Tyrell Waite, who were on the handed him a three year contract I thought that we'd been end of some flack for their performances in pre-season lumbered with a player who was never likely to make it in friendlies, Notts have their first batch of young players third tier football. It didn't take long, however, for Hollis to making an impact on the first team for quite some time. find his feet - after a short run of games in the Notts side he became an indispensible player, one who could yet make They will make mistakes and they won't all make it as Notts a tidy sum if his meteoric rise continues and he is professional footballers, let alone at Meadow Lane, but if able to add a little bit more in the way of subtlety to his one or two are able to do so then it makes the perseverance combative defending. with the group, the mistakes that they may make, entirely worthwhile. Keane was called up to the Republic of Ireland At Keane's age, Hollis had just graduated from the Notts Under 19 squad recently - this is an occasion that should be youth system and was little more than an afterthought one of congratulations rather than bewilderment. It needs for the first team, spending short loan spells in non- to be a source of great pride for the club when a young league football with Barrow and Darlington. That some are player makes their first steps in the team and, when they do writing Keane off after two appearances in the first team is have a bad game, we need to resist the temptation to swat ridiculous and symptomatic of why Notts, as a club, have them aside and demand a replacement. If I was in charge not been successful at producing young talent in recent then Hollis would almost certainly have slipped through the seasons. Young players can only come through in a stable, net. Hopefully Shaun Derry is a little bit more wise, but consistent environment where they are allowed to make we all need to create the kind of club in which he is able mistakes and aren't forced into believing that every single to be so. match that is played will be what determines their future.

Jacob Daniel

Shaun Derry must also stop himself from falling into this

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ISSUE #11

ABOUT TIME THEY WERE DON FOR!

It’s on my calendar, it’s in my diary, and it’s in in my head– Saturday, March 21, 2015. 3pm kickoff. For this is the day Notts County finally plant one on MK Dons. It’s the day the Magpies end a sorry sequence of results at the home of a club that shouldn’t be. Well, I bloody hope so anyway.

I’ve a dislike of Nottingham Forest, naturally, and I don’t care much for Mansfield Town either. That’s pretty standard for most Notts fans I’m sure. There are others, too, like Bristol Rovers, Rochdale even Crawley Town, whom for various reasons I’m not very fond of.

they wanted to with anyway.

Winkleman, formerly the manager of bands including Journey and The Clash, goes on: “I want to get into the Championship. The dream is alive, and Milton Keynes is a place where dreams come true.” Not for fans of Wimbledon it isn’t.

But Franchise FC are on another level. At the very mention of that team I bristle, and there are a number of reasons why.

The publicity-seeking Winkleman will stop at nothing to give his opinion, with regular stints on TalkSport and Sky Sports News, forever talking of the outstanding potential of his football club. A 32,000-seater stadium? Sure it looks great, but with an average home gate last season of 9,000, football hasn’t exactly taken off in one of the country’s largest towns.

Let’s start with the obvious. In 2002 the Football League granted permission for Wimbledon FC to relocate to Milton Keynes.

From South west London to Buckinghamshire. Two years later they were given permission to change their name to MK Dons and a new club spawned to this year celebrate its decade. The famous FA Cup win over Livepool, the rise to the Premier League from a non-league background, the Crazy Gang spirit of the original Wimbledon all forgotten.

It shouldn’t have been allowed to happen. But it did, and that a new Wimbledon club formed and replicated its journey through the non-league – they were forced to start way down the pyramid in the Combined Counties division - and back into the fourth tier is nothing short of remarkable.

Next, let’s look at the people involved at Stadium: MK. Have you ever come across a more dislikeable owner as Pete Winkleman? It was this music producer who led the consortium that brokered the franchise-style move from London, uprooting a club and its entire fanbase and community to a place where it shouldn’t be. That, is the crux of why MK Dons are hugely disliked – and of course, I’m not alone in that feeling.

However, Winkleman is something else, too. This is a man who said he made the move “for Milton Keynes, so that we had a sporting structure” never mind that it wasn’t Milton Keynes’ to do what

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pint in different surroundings - be undertaken? There’s not a pub in sight.

And finally, the real crux of the matter. Notts’ quite appalling record in Milton Keynes. Six games, no wins. Infact, it pains me that we’ve beaten them just once in 12 matches – a surprise 2-0 success under Paul Ince thanks to late goals from his son Thomas and Lee Hughes in the 2010/11 campaign.

But away from home it’s yet more painful. Just a point to our name from a possible 18, shipping an eye-watering 15 goals in the process. The sight of that small band of teenagers behind the opposite goal to ours banging their drum and singing along to the Fratellis – yes, them as well – following goal after goal against the black and white army is soul destroying.

Then there is the manager, Karl Robinson. Widely regarded as one of England’s leading young coaches, here is another chap famed for his chatter. If there is a guest pundit slot, a newspaper interview or a Sky Sports piece to be had, Robinson’s your man.

I’ve been there for the last four of those games, and a 1-1 aside on a When appointed, the scouser warm Tuesday evening under Keith became the Football League’s Curle, when Neal Bishop scored a youngest manager, which is rightly beauty and Notts, for once, played some achievement at 29 years their hosts off the park, it’s been old. However, his reputation isn’t dismal. justified. Of course, he has the Dons playing some attractive It’s why I accepted my Manchester football, clearly fit for what is a United-supporting friend’s offer of grand stadium. However, the end a ticket to the recent Capital One results don’t justify the budget he Cup encounter. I was convinced is given. that finally I’d witness the ‘home’ support suffer in Milton Keynes.

In four seasons, Robinson has They won 4-0. failed to lift the Dons out of League One despite consistently having But I’ll keep going, because I have a top six budget – and better in to be there when the smug grins on some seasons. The plaudits he Robinson and Winkleman’s faces receives stagger me, surely a case are wiped off. When I can walk of being seen rather than doing?

50 minutes back to Milton Keynes Central station with my head held Then there is the stadium and high because we’ve finally beaten the town itself. A ground where Franchise FC. home fans query whether to visit Ikea or Asda for their pre-match It’s why Saturday, March 21 can’t entertainment needs no further come soon enough. 3pm kick-off. comment. Although I will add that it’s a nightmare to get to if travelling on public transport. @psmithyjourno And what about that mainstay of great away days - having a nice

Paul Smith

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AN UPHILL STRUGGLE FOR NCLFC

Women's football is largely looked upon as a joke by most in the country (okay maybe just the men). And with nothing to relate to in Nottingham and just Lincoln having a team in the whole of the East Midlands, there was nothing to give women's football any credibility to us.

However, when the Trews moved their Lincoln Ladies side across to Nottingham so that the team complied with the ludicrous FA criteria for entering the newly created Women's Super League, there was a bit of a buzz about it.

what the reasons are behind it, but no-one can say it's for the good of the game. The rest of it can be attributed to the mental number of cup games. As an example, between the second and third league games (another month long period), we played five cup games - and that wasn't down to replays or an Notts as a club had done a great job of promoting extended cup run - totally scheduled. the side and women's football, providing some great offers, cheap/free entry and hospitality, plus The league structure and Saturday 3pm are well the entertainment on the field - there wasn't much known to be two of the main and best things about more that could have been done. That plus it being our mens game, it's the stability that people look a bit of the unknown, something new, a chance of for and leads to a bit of knowledge and therefore seeing Notts compete with the best and with a real interest. But since the start of the season our chance of qualifying for a Champions League. It's league fixtures have looked like this: easy to see why there was quite a bit of interest.

Wed 16th April @ 7:30pm - Arsenal (H) For the first league game against Arsenal, an Sun 20th April @ 2:00pm - Everton (A) attendance of 1,583 was officially given, although Sun 18th May @ 2:00pm- Liverpool (H) the true figure will have been much closer to 2,000 Sun 25th May @ 12:45pm - Chelsea (A) after the gates were opened to let mens season Thur 17th July @ 7:00pm - Man City (A) ticket holders in without registering them. This Sun 20th July @ 2:00pm - Birmingham (H) was a massive attendance for Women's football Sun 27th July @ 2:00pm - Arsenal (A) one of the highest ever seen for a league game Sun 24th Aug @ 3:00pm - Liverpool (A) - and for a game widely hailed as possibly the best Wed 3rd Sept @ 7:30pm - Man City (H) atmosphere seen at a Ladies game.

And our remaining fixtures are (slight plug, but go The quality of football was much better than most along if you've not been to see them yet): had expected to see and people got involved, all in all it was a very promising night. However, the last Sat 20th Sept @ 7:15pm - Chelsea (H) league game saw just 498 through the gates and Sun 28th Sept @ 5:00pm - Everton (H) it's not hard to see why interest has passed away.

Sat 4th Oct @ 6:00pm - Bristol (A) Sun 12th Oct @ 2:00pm - Birmingham (A) For a start, there's been five months between that Arsenal game and the last game against Man City Anyone can see that a) the games are largely and in those 5 months, they’ve played just eight played at random, Sunday 2pm seems to be the league games. Most of this can be attributed to the time of choice but with only five of the 14 being bizarre six week mid-season break throughout June in that slot, it's hardly regular and b) there are a and an even more bizarre month long three quarter lot of large gaps between fixtures there and for no season break covering most of August. Not sure real reason other than poor organisation by the FA.

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ISSUE #11

They will argue that there needs to be the gaps to fit in the cup competitions, as the 'Football League' of women's football play at a different time of the year, but anybody in the world would be asking WHY? How did/does that make sense to anyone?

Let alone the people who are supposed to be running our game, both female and male.

when the team's playing and then remembering.

For the men's side, we know it's almost always 3pm on a Saturday. The wives and girlfriends know, everyone knows Saturday is football so you don't plan daft days out which will mean missing the game.

Here, there's no telling when the games will actually be, and that's the same for everyone; fans, potential sponsors, TV companies, local media, etc who could all boost the popularity of the game. TV/ sponsorship money is desperately needed here, like any other grass-roots/non-mainstream sport, for it to survive and massively unlike men's football, the sooner we release our game their greedy clutches, Meadow Lane was being resurfaced during the the better. men's off-season, so unavailable, which led to the club putting forward a number of options to the FA The footings are there for it take off, there is a including rescheduling the game or playing at an good base of support, football clubs are supporting alternative venue with a number of options again womens teams, the BBC and BT are both showing put to the FA. games. There is a larger focus on women's sport as a whole at the minute, it's family friendly and it's This would have been nothing new and no problems cheap and affordable for everyone. were anticipated but no, the FA gave Bristol the 3 points and fined Notts £500, telling the press The problems can be easily solved. Make all leagues that they had failed to fulfil the fixture because play at the same time of year, have promotion and we couldn't find a ground to play it at. This was relegation throughout the pyramid to create depth, obviously complete crap and left the majority within have a stable day for games to be played focussing women's football as a whole scratching their heads. on Sunday 2pm's or even a league game every other Sunday and fit the cup games in between if I could go much deeper into many other reasons you're desperate for so many cup games. for the interest dropping and why women's football faces an uphill struggle, such as the clash with the You're not re-inventing the wheel! Just look at men's men's season, the lack of fluidity throughout the football for a model of success - ie. the Football divisions (no promotion/relegation outside the top League and non-league pyramid. Premiership can 16 sides who let’s not forget were selected for the f*** off. It’s not hard. leagues rather than earning their spots) and the FA almost ignoring the national side to name a few.

Despite the potential, and arguably need, of women's football in England, until the season However, I'll finish by focusing on the organisation schedule is fixed, I fear women's football is doomed of the league again. As it stands, women's football to fail no matter how good the football is that's is still seen as a joke, but not as much because played. of the players and the standard, but because of how it is run. With such an irregular fixture list and @AstonP structure, it is almost a mission trying to find out Now, some of you may have spotted there are only 13 games listed, and this is not a mistake. The 14th game was supposed to be a home game against Bristol Academy, but the FA in their infinite wisdom decided to award the game to the Notts’ opponents for reasons only known to them.

Aston Perrin

SEPT ‘14

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DAD’S ARMY? DON’T PANIC!

In a few short hours, the transfer window will close until 2015. And taking a quick look at this year’s squad, it’s fair to say that several members of the squad are rather long in the tooth.

The likes of Alan Smith, Gary Jones, Roy Carroll, Hayden Mullins and Garry Thompson have all been there and done it and have a fair few battle scars to show from their battles.

Whilst the squad was being assembled, I read arguments that we’ve got too many old crocks, too many kids and not enough willing twenty-somethings to pit against the big boys of League One, but I’m prepared to argue that that view is completely wrong and that under Sean Derry, we’ll prosper under our very own Dad’s Army.

We are only six games into the new season, and whilst it’s fair to say that expectations were low, the class of 2014/15 have exceeded expectations thus far. Our creditable draw against the Preston Galacticos against Joe “Tom Daley” Garner and the rest on the opening day of the season summed up the new Notts County perfectly– what we lack in style, we certainly make up for in hard graft. We were described by one Preston fan as “a horrible team, by far the worst team to visit Deepdale in years”, and by another as “time-wasting bastards who came with a gameplan aiming for a point”.

Similar comments have been directed at us from opposing fans following our victories against Colchester and Port Vile, with the latter’s supporters in particular highly critical.

Considering those critiques thorough - who cares? I’ve read enough comments from opposing fans and managers in the past informing us that “If you continue to play like that, you’ll be alright and win more than you lose”, but goodwill alone won’t get you anywhere in the long run. The “Get stuck in and never say die” attitude that we’ve witnessed so far is exactly what Shaun Derry wants and if the start of the season is anything to go by, we’ll be fine this year. I’ll be quite happy with an ugly, mid-table season and I’m sure most Notts fans would agree. I’m not sure I could cope with another Oldham away so soon after last year!

Personally, I am very happy to watch nuggety, experienced players surrounded by willing youngsters scrapping for points and grinding out

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 14

dull 1-0 wins if it means that the club is successful and stays away from the dreaded drop-zone. Neil Warnock’s sides throughout the years have never been pretty to watch, but we went to Wembley twice in consecutive years, and I’m sure we’d all take some more days like that! Sam Allardyce’s title winners in 1997/98 weren’t the truest exponents of the beautiful game, and neither were Steve Cotterill’s boys of 2010. Do you remember any complaints about their style, or the age of those squads? Didn’t think so – they did the job, got stuck in and got lots of points along the way.

intelligence, whilst Roy Carroll is still number one for Northern Ireland which isn’t too shabby.

Shaun Derry was highly publicised when he returned to Meadow Lane as saying that the squad he inherited from Chris Kiwomya was fractured and rotten to the core, and that when he’d had a chance to analyse the team, he knew which players were going to go with him and which needed to go. In my opinion, the likes of Smith, with Carroll and new skipper Hayden Mullins will be instrumental in keeping the dressing room together in the difficult times and will prevent player power I see our squad’s experience very from getting out of control - as unlikely much as a positive– Alan Smith and as that scenario seems under the Roy Carroll in particular have played current regime. the game at the very highest level and stayed there for an extended period. Undoubtedly, we’ve had some luck so Neither player achieved what they did far – the stats from our previous two through luck alone– you don’t play for games show that the opposition are Manchester United and your country if getting far too many shots in at goal, you can’t play a bit of football. They’ve and obviously that can’t continue. By both played in the Champions League all accounts, Vile should have come and won Premier League titles. Playing away with something from our smash against the very best hardens you as a and grab job, and we’ll need to tighten player; they certainly won’t be daunted up in defence if we’re going to stay in

by Fleetwood away on a cold Tuesday the top half. Eventually, some of those night in November! shots will go in and we’ll get beaten comfortably at some point. Saying Most importantly, the older players that, it’s a credit to our team and its in the squad can mentor the other character, especially our older players players, and in a squad with a high that we’ve made the start we have. proportion of youngsters, this can only You need your experienced, battlebe a good thing. Smith and Carroll hardened generals in League One, who in particular, and to a lesser extent are prepared to scrap and waste a bit Mullins, Thompson and Jones all have of time to protect three points home a winning mentality which is a crucial and away. asset at this level, and if they can instil this in our less experienced players, We won’t win any popularity contests then who cares how old they are? or style competitions, but we’ll fight bloody hard and that’s alright by me.

So what if they aren’t the players they were a few years ago? I’m well aware So, as Ray Trew often says, “Onwards they won’t improve as players whilst and upwards” Dad’s Army under we us and won’t start every match, but Captain Derry – you can guarantee the they’re still major assets to the club opposition won’t like it up ‘em! both on and off the pitch. Alan Smith in particular has a work ethic not unlike Derry’s, as well as a real life and career outside the game, which, if nothing @DrewNotts else indicates to me both ambition and

Drew Dennis

ISSUE #11

ENTER: THE S.L.O.

Over the Summer months, the club announced that it was inviting applicants for the Supporters Liaison Officer role. This was a position that was put in a place a couple of years or so ago now to very little fanfare.

Ask most supporters what it entailed, who was in the role, or just about anything else and I would imagine the vast majority would stare back at you expressionless. But how is that the right way for the position to exist when it was introduced by UEFA to act as a link between the supporters and the football club’s board?

And so I did some research into the tasks undertaken by ideas for the role and how it should operate, but had never those at other clubs. In all honesty, I don’t believe a club considered having a crack at matters myself. Having read a like Notts County is in dire need of an SLO whilst it’s owners post on Notts Mad though aimed at myself, it was the first are so forthcoming both in person and - for better or worse time I’d given it any thought.

- through social media.

Do I think I could be a success in the role? Absolutely. Am The role of the Supporter Liaison Officer should be to help I naive enough to think I’d have everyone’s approval? Most unite (and not just link) the club's supporters with those certainly not. But if successful I would hope I’d at least be at boardroom level. In terms of perceived radio silence, given the opportunity to make things happen. it should help ensure that both have a two-way level communication. Improvement of dialogue is certainly the Obviously I’m going to be left red faced if I’m unsuccessful, key aim. and I imagine there are candidates far better qualified to have a crack at it than me, but I can assure anyone reading Through both social and print media, an effective SLO that I’d give everything I could to make the SLO position will keep all parties informed of developments that one of note. concern either side – behaving impartially at all times. In engaging with supporters, travel to away matches should I would take on board all suggestions and criticisms with the be performed through both official and unofficial means in logic that each is just as important as the last and that all will order to gather the widest range of opinions possible about be handled accordingly. Correspondence from supporters how people feel the club is being run. would be collated and forwarded to the relevant parties at Notts – be it the board of directors, media, marketing etc.

An effective Supporter Liaison Officer should (where This will be done in email bulletins passed on at the end possible) meet with individual supporter groups as well, of every weekend, but would also be readily available via making sure that each feels as valued to the club as the the club's official website to ensure transparency with both next regardless of matters in the past. These include those supporters and the club. involved with websites, fanzines, and independent travel outlets. Forging links with the local and national media Meetings with members of the club's board and other staff outlets should be considered a priority to reach an even would be preferable also. It is important that the club plays wider audience. There’s no point in making inroads on the it's part also in making sure supporters know the role's supporters’ behalf if they’re not even aware of it! existence is beneficial to the club. When changes are made that have come through the SLO channels, people should be An SLO needs to be approachable, someone whom people made aware of this. aren't afraid to speak with and who they think will tackle issues with. It needs to be someone who is easy to get An SLO's performance however is dependent on information in contact with and not someone who shys away from and support received from the football club, and it's matters. Their email and other contact details should be supporters. With the role still in it's infancy, patience will easily attainable through the club's official publications certainly be required from all parties. and websites especially. Most importantly, it needs to be someone who will act on supporter concerns. No There are a number of key factors that both the football club one will have confidence in someone who appears to be and it's supporters should expect from it's SLO of course. disinterested in what might well be considered to be matters For the SLO to always act with Data Protection guidelines of the utmost importance. when required. I’d want people to know their queries are being taken care of - but if their privacy is important to And they have to be seen to be making a difference, and them then so be it. There’s no sense either in sitting on for this they need to have a presence. A page in the official issues - all would be responded to within 48 hours, and matchday programme for instance would help people be chased up properly if longer was needed. aware of what issues are being raised, and what is being done about them.

Providing a balanced work ethic, showing no bias to either the football club or it's supporters is potentially the biggest But it’s not only our own fans to which they should cater. issue for many. I’m supportive of much of what the Trews By liaising with the SLO’s at other clubs both post and pre- have done at Notts - but would I consider them perfect like match, they can help ensure even visiting supporters to many assume I do? Absolutely not.

Meadow Lane enjoy as smooth an experience as possible.

The good publicity to come through this mustn’t be And finally, the SLO must act responsibly and represent the underestimated. football club with the same spirit and enthusiasm that we expect from our players on the field - from on the internet, This is an approach which extends to away fans also though. through to the terraces.

It is important to be on hand for supporters visiting Meadow Lane should they wish to raise concerns, or merely ask I hope this all comes across coherently given that it’s questions ahead of their away day. Clubs such as Cardiff the most open I’ve been about the position and my City and Sunderland have in the past released guides for own ambitions towards it. Those who have known of it’s away fans which are viewable online – this would certainly existence prior to this article will hardly speak of the SLO be an idea worth actioning and again, is good for the club’s role in the most glowing of terms, but hopefully I’ll get the image. chance to change that, and for the benefit of our club.

At this point, it may not come as a surprise for you to learn I’ve submitted an application myself. Obviously I’d long had

SEPT ‘14

Stuart Brothers

@blackwhitezine

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 15

Wishing both Notts County FC and Black & White all the best and hoping both the fanzine and Shaun Derry’s Notts take us all the way to extra time and penalties this year!

electricaloptions.co.uk

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

The hallowed names of Notts’ managerial legends can be rolled off the tongue without really having to engage one’s brain. Perhaps this is because success stories in our long and sometimes torturous history are regrettably so few and far between.

A much more vexing conundrum as one of the more decorated disappointing. to consider is who have managers in the club’s history, been the worst; the most surely the man to undo the mess Steve Thompson is no doubt disappointing, embarrassing, left him by his predecessor, a more comfortable wearing a hard unpleasant individuals to have woefully out of his depth Russell hat than a Laurel wreath and passed through the perennially Slade. is another standout contender revolving door.

Indeed when for the worst Notts manager the question is viewed through Unfortunately things went of recent times.

Thompson the other end of the telescope, from bad to worse, there were first arrived at Meadow Lane it seems the real challenge is in persistent murmurings of a as assistant to Colin Murphy narrowing the focus down to a fiery relationship with Chairman during which time the squad was top (bottom?) three.

Derek Pavis and any kudos deconstructed to cope with the associated with the transfer financial realities of third tier The Boulevard of Broken Dreams coup of the truly excellent football. is a good place to start. Having Steve Nicol was dashed with the led Everton to a plethora of acquisition of the dreadful Kevin Out went the likes of Paul Devlin silverware, Howard Kendall was Russell, more headless chicken and Gary McSwegan; in came only denied a genuine tilt at than strutting rooster.

Tony Battersby and Paul Rodgers. the European Cup when those The football was at best tepid, misunderstood rogues from Even in the dark days before the yet the team somehow managed across Stanley Park sought internet there were a plethora to limp to the 1996 Play-Off final, to test of the load-bearing of rumours about what is best at which point their limitations structure of the Hysel Stadium. described as ‘goings on’ away were unmasked by Bradford It wasn’t their fault of course, from the pitch, some more City. Reality continued to keep however the subsequent ban believable than others and all far pace the following season and on English clubs led Kendall to too libellous to commit to print. the team were relegated to the leave Everton and drift around a basement - finishing dead last. number of clubs, never able to It is mainly for this reason that replicate the success of his first Kendall is included, rather than With this in mind it is fair to say spell at the Toffees. a profound lack of managerial the unveiling of Steve Thompson talent, his public fall from as manager in summer 2006 was Kendall eventually washed up grace a real life Emperor’s new greeted less than enthusiastically at Meadow Lane in early 1995 clothes moment and deeply by an already traumatised fan

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ISSUE #11

base; emerging tentatively from the cellar and into the daylight, following a season of abuse at the hands of Gudjon Thordarson.

It was like being liberated by Stalinist Russia and, whilst Uncle Joe would surely have been impressed by The Trust’s iron grip on the club’s purse strings, many of our supporters would have likely ended up breaking rocks in the Gulag, on the basis of public denouncements made on Notts County Mad. Back in the real world Thompson was required to assemble a squad from scratch, with only three players retained from the previous season. Without that wise owl Colin Murphy on his shoulder, Thompson’s recruitment policy over the course of his tenure reads like a who’s who of Notts’ worst ever players in any position; including such luminaries as Gary Silk, Dan Gleeson, Ian Ross, Lee Canoville and Hector Sam. To his credit Jason Lee p r o v e d an astute signing and made big contribution in achieving a mid-table finish, even if his bookings outweighed his goals (and he scored a fair few goals).

Nevertheless the football on offer to the paying public was horrid and after a less than subtle meeting in a local hotel, Thompson was handed his cards before the clocks went back the following season.

Paul Ince has probably never been described as subtle, a man who as a West Ham player posed in a Manchester United shirt to force through a transfer and then promptly

SEPT ‘14

christened himself ‘The Guvnor’ to his new team mates.

Despite later claiming he had nothing to do with this and was actually uncomfortable with the nickname, he manfully gritted his teeth and purchased the number plate Guv 8 for his car.

Whilst Kendall undoubtedly had talent as a manager and Thompson generally seemed like reasonable sort of bloke, Ince brought none of these attributes to the party and there was a fair degree of apprehension amongst supporters when he succeeded Craig Short.

Although Short was not long into the job, the club had been busy assembling a boot room structure over time which included Play-Off legends Tommy Johnson and Mark Draper, plus everyone’s f a v o u r i t e c a r e t a k e r, Dave Kevan.

Regardless of an inconsistent start to the season there was a real connection between fans and the team, with the bench clearing brawl at London Road illustrating the spirit and unity of the time.

In dispensing with a coaching set up comprised of former heroes, a bond with supporters was severed and the appointment of the (at best) abrasive Ince rubbed salt in the wound as the club sought to heal and grow post Munto.

Despite an entertaining cup run and the enjoyment of watching

Tom Ince flourish from raw apprentice to professional footballer, a sour atmosphere soon engulfed Meadow Lane.

Despite his apparent bravery on the pitch, the prospect of facing a hardly Paxman-esque Colin Slater after an indifferent performance regularly seemed to terrify Ince, who chose to hide behind his sidekick Alex Rae. Indeed it began to appear that blood stained England shirt or not, Paul Ince did not carry the correct clubs to play himself out of the rough; his tactical acumen without the guiding hand of former assistant Ray Mathias capable of being summarised on the back of a Post-It note.

So there we have it, three names to send a chill down your spine. No doubt many will disagree with the final cut and it is fair to say that competition was fierce; with messrs Brazil, Mills and Thordarson each lucky to have escaped inclusion.

Thankfully it seems that in Shaun Derry we again have that rarity as Notts fans; a manager more likely to succeed than fail, if afforded the time and tools to learn his trade.

Those falling over themselves to stick the knife in on the internet at six o’ clock on a Saturday evening would do well to remember that.

Adam Taylor

@adam3663

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WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

Saturday, August 19th 2014. The day there or thereabouts that every football fan looks forward to each year - the day that Saturday afternoons go back to being important. It heralds an end to being dragged shopping or to some God-awful social event where you have to be polite to people that you really don’t want to talk to, or any one of the other dreadful things that you’ve had to occupy your time with over the desolate summer months!

And for this particular season opener, I found myself at The Cherry Red Records Stadium in Kingston, south-west London, to watch AFC Wimbledon versus Shrewsbury Town.

friend informed me that the ‘pies were henceforth his second team as he’d been keeping an eye out for our results anyway, and I had to admit that I’d been hoping that somehow both clubs would survive, so we decided that this year we I know, this needs a back story. would hit up each other’s games in As of early 2013, I (sadly) live and the south-east together. work in London, largely cut-off from the Lane though I obviously fly Therefore, unable to head up to the black and white flag openl. As Preston, I found myself - fully football is a pretty common topic of adorned in the famous stripes, of conversation in most workplaces, course - heading to see the Shrews I discovered amongst my new kick-off the year against the real colleagues a Swansea City fan (who Dons, fully aware that this could kindled memories of watching us so easily have been us instead. winning 1-0 at the Vetchfield with a As such, it was interesting to talk Michael Brough 25-yarder not that to the fans and gauge how they many years ago, sigh), an Ipswich were feeling after suffering the season ticket holder (anyone else drop, and it’s amazing to think remember us beating them at the now how much stress we had been Lane in the League Cup? It was through when everyone I met was the game that took us on a trip to so positive.

Stamford Bridge, and also my first date with my ex) and a Shrew.

Thinking back, we’ve been relegated once or twice in our Of course, at this time us and time, and all the bad feeling passes Shrewsbury were mired in quickly when you have a new hopelessness and imminent season’s hopes and dreams to look relegation, while they were sliding forward to. rapidly down the table to join us in the mire, so we were having weekly One of the Shrews I talked to, in commiserations on Mondays as fact, said he thought it was a good things became more bleak for both thing that they had one down, and teams.

I liked his reasoning. He told me (stop me if this sounds familiar) I managed to get home for the that last year they had to rely on match between the sides, and with a revolving door of loanees, and Notts having thrown away an early that it didn’t seem that the club two-goal lead, with Jimmy Spencer was managing to attract the sort being sent-off to make things even of quality players needed to move worse, and emerged pointless, forward on a permanent basis, I told my friend that we were because in our division Shrewsbury certainly gone now, but I reckoned - as you could argue for ourselves that Shrewsbury still had a chance - were not a particularly big name to survive as they’d at least shown or had much recent success at they had some fight in them. that level when compared to the likes of Sheffield United, Wolves, Fortunately for my financial Brentford, Bristol City, Preston stability, I’m not someone who the list can of course go on. gambles!

However, in the league below, So, down to League 2 went the the Shrews are tipped as fourth Shrews, and we all know (but I’m favourites for promotion, are one not sure I can still believe) the of the bigger clubs at that level near-miraculous job done by the and managed to sign 16 players management and the players in over the summer along with new avoiding relegation ourselves. My manager Micky Mellon.

BLACK & WHITE PAGE 20

I have to say, some of these signings look decent; our old local rival Liam Lawrence came in and was made captain; they brought back fan’s favourite James Collins, the man who fired them to promotion previously; players who’d performed at League 1 level such as Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro, a year removed from banging the goals in at Tranmere, James Weselowski who had just been named Oldham’s Player of the Year, and right-back Nathaniel KnightPercival from Peterborough.

The match itself wasn’t the best I’ve seen, but it did give me four goals. The Shrews took an early lead and were playing the better football, only to be pegged back just before half-time by a strike from Matt Tubbs, who formed an interesting forward line-up with Adebayo Akinfenwa. He’s built like a tank by the way, I hadn’t seen him in a long time and he’s a big lad!

Shrewsbury didn’t seem to come out the dressing room in the second half and AFC Wimbledon had them under the cosh for a long period, eventually taking the lead through Sean Rigg. Shrewsbury’s keeper made a couple of cracking saves to keep the scores tied, then to keep them in it. Eventually Collins, who had opened the scoring, got the equaliser with six minutes left.

The Shrews could have gone on to win with the best chances late on, however Wimbledon would probably feel aggrieved not to have come away with all three points.

So there I was, as the season kicked off again - smiling as I saw news of Jake Cassidy’s goal at Deepdale, cursing as they stole the late equaliser, and thinking again how much different the start of the new season could have been...

Sam Arnsby ISSUE #11

MY MEADOW LANE TOP 3

That right there in the title was what our esteemed editor asked for, to which my initial thought was simply “Wow”. Whittling down 34 years to just three games is a huge task!

Games in the top two divisions and cup ties kind of overruled lower league games in my head - better quality opposition and all that. I restricted myself to only one victory over the red dogs too! So in reverse order here are my selections.

3) October 1994 - League Cup Third Round Notts County 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur

great that day was. Gary Lund - in the team due to Dave Regis being cup tied - scored the winning goal and we were in dreamland. The celebrations were amazing and it just We were bottom of what is now Championship, having seemed we couldnt do any wrong! sacked Mick Walker and with Russell Slade in charge.

Tottenham under Ossie Ardiles had their famous five I so wanted the red dogs in the quarters but we got of course: Teddy Sheringham, Jurgen Klinsmann, Ilie Tottenham away and our first ever live television appearance. But that Man City game will always be in my Dumitrescu, Darren Anderton and erm... Nick Barmby? memory.

We would be lucky to get out of this tie with a couple of goals defeat! I believe the game is still the biggest gate “Lund has scored, Lund has done it!” we have had since the ground was redeveloped, and boy 1) December 1982 – First Division oh boy, what a night it was! The queue outside the ground was immense. Not getting into Z block so we sat in X block Notts County 3-2 F***** instead, which made it funnier as we were closer to the Spurs fans and their abject misery for the night! Gary I think I had been building it up in my head since the McSwegan scored two whilst Tony Agana - yep, it was season started. The fact we were on a really decent run of one of those nights - opened the scoring with an absolute form beforehand meant nothing to me. But here I was, six rasper. years old and about to go to my first Nottingham derby at Meadow Lane with over 23,000 others.

Klinnsmann got himself booked and Dumitrescu was sent off. We were just awesome that night, Paul Reece in goal Still to this day, the biggest crowd I have been in at had little to do apart from a 20-ish minute spell in the Meadow Lane. I think hyper might have described my second half when Tottenham actually showed a bit of behaviour the week before - but I didn't care. I knew my fight. A Spurs fan ran on to the pitch to have a word with uncles and the rest of family would be all in the Kop and Reece as well - must have been to congratulate him on his when it was full it was an awesome sight - but obviously performance! being full of red dogs it was a truly ugly sight. Yet awesome nonetheless.

Ardilles got the sack pretty soon after, Slade meanwhile lasted till the new year until Howard Kendall came in - but I was stood in my usual place by the fence next to where that’s a whole different story. The memories of that night the players walked out of the changing rooms, and totally will last forever. We were drawn away at Norwich in the 4th unaware of the joy of what I was about to see. For the round and lost 1-0, but we still put in a great performance,. Notts fans who were there the game still feels like it was But the Tottenham game was pretty much the one bright just yesterday - and with just 10 men too - with Iain spot of that very depressing season.

MacCulloch scoring the first goal and then getting sent off in the second half.

2) February 1991 – FA Cup Fifth Round Notts County 1-0 Manchester City

Quite possibly, the best season of my Notts supporting life!

Promotion to the top flight via Wembley and the quarter finals of the FA Cup - and players who to this day are still heroes of mine. And all this a year after being promoted from the Third Division.

Paul Hooks got the second with an absolute belter before Trevor Christie scored the winning goal at the Kop end in front of just a handful of Notts fans in amongst the hordes of reds. Oh to have been a Notts fan in the Kop that day!

The mardiness of their team and fans was confirmed with horrible challenges by Bowyer, Swain and Gunn during the game. Oh, and the fact my Dad’s car got kicked in while we were sat in it as they saw my Notts hat! How hard were they kicking in a car with a man and his six year old son in the back. And even though my family supported them, from that minute I became a true Forest hater.

The greatest of times, and this game sums up that era superbly. The week before and the build up with all the snow and the players sledging at Wollaton Park with the media lapping it up. We were in Match, Shoot, the national papers, and actually even made the Nottingham Evening But it sure didn't detract from the day as a whole and the Football Post headline summed it up perfectly for me, Post, it must have been a slow news day over the river! reading simply: Super Notts! February 12th meant a lot to On the morning of the game, fans cleared the ground of me, but December 4th, 1982 was just so amazing, beating snow and the anticipation was so good. The pitch was them in the top flight with Clough in charge and plenty of atrocious but the game was on and what a game! Match the European Cup squad still there as well? I dont think Of The Day didn't do it justice that night, but Steve Cherry that will ever be beat. got his moment in the sun with an outstanding display of So there is my top three games of my Notts-supporting life goalkeeping. played at the home of English football. Plenty will disagree, But it wasn’t all one way and we had loads of chances that some might agree with my choices - but those three games day and as Des Lynam said on the tele, it could have ended will live with me forever. up 5-5. But it was to finish 1-0 to Notts and the fact I know Uncle Colin’s commentary of that goal off by heart says a @IanMarsden76 lot about my sadness and geekiness - but also just how

Ian Marsden

SEPT ‘14

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW? 2013/14 TOYS OUT OF THE PRAM EDITION

This was so nearly an article that appeared in the last issue but I figured enough eulogising over that shocker of the season had been done, it was surely time to move on? Turns out I wasn’t quite ready to, and having gone for the throat in telling Jamal Campbell-Ryce to get real back in issue 9, I had a few things I wanted to say to the rest of our dearly departed. Will it bring me closure? Doubtful. It’ll feel bloody good though!

The beginning of last season is in the record books officially as our worst ever start to a campaign. Led by a manager already out of his depth, the treatment handed out to Chris Kiwomya by his senior players is one that no professional should be proud of.

CK was sold down the river by a group of players still convalescing over the loss of former manager Keith Curle the season before.

Upon his removal from the club, it became clear that a shadowy clique of senior pros at the club were running the show. Managerial sackings have sadly been an all too common occurrence at Notts County over the past two decades (we’re hopeful that Shaun Derry is here to buck the trend) but the response was one which sent us speeding towards League Two at an alarming rate.

The Team Curle clique contained a number of individuals over a period of time. Lee Hughes, Dean Leacock, Neal Bishop and Alan Sheehan all had no gripe publicly supporting fallen managers and criticising the club’s board of directors who removed Curle after months on end of insipid football with league wins at a premium.

We, the great unwashed were ecstatic that the trigger had been pulled – the players shocked, somehow. To say they’d buried their heads in the sand didn’t quite do the situation justice.

At the forefront of the Curle movement was Bishop and Dean Leacock. - the man appointed club skipper by Chris Kiwomya. How was his faith repaid?

Well put simply - it wasn’t. Leacock even admitted on local radio to holding team meetings behind the manager’s back. What a guy! There was no surprise to see him ditched at the end of the Summer - last seen in a shambolic performance at home to Walsall in a 5-1 defeat. He joined Crawley Town in the Summer where apparently he has impressed this season.

His ‘Iceman Cometh’ act is all fine and dandy when things are going good, but when they’re quickly going down the shitter though as Notts fans will attest to, you just want to give him a right kicking.

Given a change in attitude he’ll be an assett. But having once admitted to nearly quitting football until “rescued”

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by Keith Curle, how long before he just season. Ho hum. can’t be arsed anymore?

A rock solid, calming influence on our Alan Sheehan - the footballer who midfield, it was his injury at a pivotal represented our club magnificently moment last season that altered in the last tumultuous campaign - the club’s trajectory just as things is as fine a left back as you’ll find in appeared to be falling into place under League One. Alan Sheehan the person our new management team of Shaun however appears to revel in changing Derry and Greg Abbott. Having his room unrest and appears none-too- ankle smashed in by Bristol City’s Greg hesitant to twist the knife at any given Cunningham prior to Christmas, it opportunity. He’d eventually made wasn’t until his return much later in the three changes to our interview with campaign alongside Bolton Wanderers’ him in our last issue - each extending Josh Vela that we plugged a hole in a further criticism towards the club’s midfield that had been our achilles heel higher echelons. He’s left us, yet is still all season. looking to rock our boat. It leaves a very sour taste in my mouth.

I’m personally gutted we’ve lost Gary. Not in a way that means he’s It’s an unfortunate side to a player irreplaceable as such - we’ve done who’s input to our League One survival fine/plentiful business in midfield last year was massive. Had he left last this Summer - but because the old Summer few would have batted an fashioned side of me loves having eyelid. Out of contract at Meadow Lane players like Gary Liddle representing he tried his luck at finding a contract my club. Never in interviews did he elsewhere to no avail. Tail between come across as anything less than a legs, he ended up signing a contract polite, respectful pro – whilst on the rife with reduced terms ahead of the field he applied himself in ways that last campaign. Fuel to the fire as I’m most players can only hope to match. sure anyone could understand. But on the field last year he was immense, I won’t cover old ground with Jamal quite easily his best season in a County Campbell-Ryce again. I’ve said my shirt. I can’t begrudge him a move to piece and even that felt like too much a club like Bradford at all given his time spent on him. I hope the splinters consistency either at left back or in the in his backside from the Bramall Lane centre of defence last year. bench are causing him a world of discomfort.

Last issue, Alan highlighted his penalty that “saved us from relegation”, almost A big fan favourite, few were surprised oblivious that in the end, results when Bartosz Bialkowski left Meadow rendered his spot-kick essentially Lane eventually for Portman Road and null and void. Taking to Colin Slater Ipswich Town during the close season. immediately after the game to whine Thus far he has merely been limited about wages didn’t go down well with however to benchwarming. anyone at all.

People tend to focus on the rocky We’d be a League Two club right now patches last season, rather than the without Sheehan’s input last year - but immense form he put in for us in the his is an attitude that I certainly don’t season and a half leading up to that. A think will be missed at Meadow Lane. shame really, his time with us should be remembered fondly.

Jonining him at The Massive is Gary Liddle who conversely was the Manny Smith will forever rank as one consummate professional, a gent in of my greatest Notts disappointments. every respect. En route to a tedious I’d struggle to recall too many mid-table finish the season before last, disastrous displays for the club - so Lidds swept the board at the club’s why didn’t he ever get a prolonged run Player Of The Year awards. Player’s in our side? Attitude? Well, we didn’t Player, Manager’s Player, Fan’s Player see him post-Rotherham in a world – quite the achievement in his first where Shaun Derry had isolated a season at the club. group the Chairman would later label “rebels” did we? Say no more.

And he didn’t miss a single minute of competitive action either. He was He ended up at Wrexham in the then sent off 15 minutes into the next Vaaaanaraaaama Conference. What a

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ludicrous waste of talent.

awful few months of last season.

Impressing enough last pre-season was Mark Fotheringham - again.

Fothers’ passion was admittedly his greatest asset given he brought so little to the Notts team last year when the season was under way.

His career both pre-Meadow Lane and during is one hampered by one serious injury after another though. He ended his time in Nottingham injured, having never offered much else in competitive football other than that unnerring finish in front of the Notts fans at Anfield.

One of the players shipped out by Derry post-Rotherham as he looked to bring the team together, Mark has stepped up a division to join Fulham.

No, I can’t quite wrap my head around it either.

I won’t bad mouth the guy too much because he was a genuinely likeable bloke - but Jesus I wish the Mark Fotheringham that bossed matters last Summer against Galatasaray was the one that turned up last season.

Dagenham & Redbridge rescued Andre Boucaud from his trial at Northampton Town. At Daggers Boucs would link up with Joss Labadie, which obviously worked out so well for Notts last year!

The player Jack Grealish described in issue 9 as the best footballer at Notts was very much a love him or hate him kind of player. I was one who eventually grew to hate him, and not even want him near our squad.

Upon the appointment of Chris Kiwomya, the club’s board stated how the club’s youth system would under Kiwomya’s gaze would help bring talent through to the first team. Only it never really materialised. Part of the way through last Summer, the marquee signing of Danny Haynes appeared to leave Nangle and Lavelle-Moore out in the cold, destined to waste the following few months playing heavily irregular games for the now disbanded Development Squad.

And this Summer? Well, MLM was scoring goals on trial at Macclesfield, before Swindon Town were close to tying up a deal for him. But it’s all a far cry from the days when we were told Everton were sniffing around for signature.

Woah, Enoch Showunmi. What a Like Leacock, there’s a time and place Romello? No idea. Where is he? A donkey.

Bloodeh Showaddywaddy. to behave certain ways. Neither guy Google search doesn’t even suggest Useless. All of that stuff. had a clue in this respect. he’s shown up on the pages of any old local rag saying he’s on trial. Such a The former-Nigerian international The rest? Meh. I saw Malcolm Melvin shame for a lad paraded in front the (really) who at the beginning of recently wandering Meadow Lane prior last Player Of The Year awards for his last season threatened to roll back to the Birmingham City friendly, but first (and only) senior goal. the years (back to those few weeks there’s certainly been no rumours of he was worth buying) almost rose clubs coming in for the former-Aston I’ve preached the need for patience to cult status - but always fell just Villa starley. A player almost destined several times already recently, but it’s short. Nothing short of useless in the to show up in a friendly against us for not without good reason. Given the final third of the field, at the time he Carlton Town or someone of similar overhaul at Meadow Lane this season, it was shipped out on loan last year to stature in a few years, he wound up at will be key. We kicked things off against Torquay United he was actually winning Hednesford Town late Summer.

Preston North End on the opening day headers in the air (!) and holding play with seven debutants in the starting XI, up well. Alas, it was way, way too late Gareth Roberts was a largely another four on the subs bench, and to win anyone over by that point, and inoffensive signing, coming in the same only Mustapha Dumbuya still standing he was last seen on trial at *shudder* day we brought in Jimmy Spencer. He from last season’s opening day.

Havant & Waterlooville, and then has ended up at Chester with former Hemel Hempstead over the Summer. Notts allumni (haha) Chris Iwelumo.

Preston was a fantastic day, one to Stop laughing. It’s cruel. be proud of our team with how they Mike Edwards was there for a short acquitted themselves. Things will take Adam Coombes however is a player time too until his Meadow Lane return. time to gel, but we’ll be ok. Grateful I have an absolute stack of sympathy to even be a part of League One this for. It’s easily forgotten just how good And finally, the former-youth team season given the attitudes of some of he looked last Summer, particular in strike partnership Romello Nangle those discussed in this article, a season scoring against Ipswich Town. and Malachi Lavelle-Moore. Well of consolidation certainly isn’t the each finds themselves without a club - worst thing in the world right now.

Given how maligned a name Coombes a sad turn of events given 12 months has become though, it’s like people ago we were led to believe they were have forgotten his equaliser at to play such a key part in our club’s @blackwhitezine Liverpool, a legitimate high point in an immediate future.

Stuart Brothers

SEPT ‘14

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BLACK & WHITE the Notts County fanzine

This issue of Black & White is sadly the first where we’ve had to increase the price to £2. We’re hopeful that this is merely a temporary step however - and that’s where we need local businesses to come forward!

Now in our third season we’re looking to branch out, offering great advertising rates in a publication with a circulation of 400 sales per issue!

For just £60, we can offer you a half page advert in our next ten issues.

This year, we’re also available in the Notts club shop at Meadow Lane as well as online, so there’s no excuse for anyone to ever miss an issue anymore. We are also stepping up efforts to raise brand awareness with a number of advertisments to follow in matchday programmes across the next few months. stu@thenottsblog.co.uk

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AWAY DAYS

WEMBERLEEEEEEEEEEY!

The 89/90 season had been such a rollercoaster of a ride that we seemed to have been knocking on the door of automatic promotion all season - but we’d eventually fall short of the Bristol clubs. Rovers would go up as champions and City as runners up.

We also had the distraction of the Leyland DAF cup run, which would end in controversial circumstances in the two legged area final against Bristol Rovers. I’m not going to dwell on this as it it still a raw subject for those old enough to have been there to witnes it.

So if we were to secure a place in the old Second Division then we would have to go via the play offs.

Having finished 18 points better off than Bolton in 6th place it seemed a travesty that we would have to face them for a place at Wembley in the final. The first leg was at Burnden Park on a sunny Sunday afternoon where Notts came away with a credible 1-1 draw thanks to a Gary Lund goal in front of a crowd of 15,108.

The return game on the following Tuesday night at a packed Meadow Lane was a nervy affair but an early Tommy Johnson goal at the Kop end settled the nerves of the majority of the 15,200 crowd.

Digressing for a moment, if I was to be asked what is

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my favourite notts goal ever then this night would be at the forefront of my memory and the second Notts goal would be in the one i'd cite.

our social media etc so this was a logistical nightmare - from working out who was going, collecting the tickets, and then getting the money for said tickets! There was 18 of us and I had to buy them all Latching on to a through ball and up which would then have to be racing away from the pursuing reclaimed from the lads. defenders, Kevin Bartlett unleashed a shot from the edge With this sorted and 52 seats sold of the box into the top left hand on Tony Perkins’ bus our big day corner of the Lane End goal to out arrived. make it 2-0.

Setting off early down the M1 The scenes in the County Road to allow for plenty of pre-match stand were incredible, so much joy beers it seemed as the whole of and relief which for me signalled Nottingham and the surrounding that I was finally going to see Notts suburbs had turned out. The County at Wembley. motorway was a sea of black and white and there is something With no further goals, Notts ran surreal in seeing a host of green out winners 3-1 on aggregate double deckers in convoy heading and would line up at the Empire south.

Stadium, Wembley on Sunday May 27th, 1990 against Tranmere Strategic planning to avoid the Rovers who had seen off Bury in North Circular road traffic into their semi final 2-0 on aggregate, the Wembley area meant that we for a place in Division Two. parked the coach at Stanmore and took the tube to Kingsbury Those of you old enough to for pre-match lubrication. After a remember terracing at football decent session in the pubs which matches you will appreciate the were packed out with Notts and next hurdle - Wembley’s reserved Tranmere fans we made our way seating. Turning up with cash one further stop down the Jubilee on the day, standing on some line to Wembley Park. The walk crumbling terrace, as per the norm up Wembley Way with the Twin all season for league games was Towers looming in the distance is not going to be acceptable, so a sight that all football fans dream collecting money to ensure tickets off. On this day, I would be living were purchased together was a my dream! chore that in the circumstances would have to be undertaken.

Having taken my seat in the West End of the stadium I could start Note, this was before we all had to suck in the atmosphere of our internet, our smart phones, this grand old stadium. So many

ISSUE #11

memories this stadium held including the greatest moment in English football when Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966 as England won the World Cup.

after that and from memory the game seemed to fizzle out. The Notts fans, sensing that victory was ours, roared the lads on to the final whistle and ultimately to Division Two football. It was spine chilling hearing the Wheelbarrow But today there was no time for Song echoing around Wembley. nostalgia or sentiment, this was strictly business with a winner Having climbed the famous takes all scenario. Lets face it, Wembley steps skipper Phil Turner Tranmere were no mugs. They'd lifted the Play-Off trophy and pretty much matched us all season turned to salute the travelling and were keen to follow up the last Notts fans. The mandatory lap week’s 2-1 victory in the Leyland of honour pursued and shirts, DAF final v Bristol Rovers with boots and scarves were thrown another Wembley victory. into the crowd and onto the pitch respectively as souvenirs.

A crowd of 29,252 had assembled to witness the third division play The trip back up the M1 was taken off final and the atmosphere did up mostly by waving at passing the occasion justice with both sets Notts coaches and giving the odd of fans in good voice. How would gesture or two and mouthing Notts cope? Would they freeze on "Staying down!" to the Tranmere their big day? Would the occasion ones. get the better of them? Today was not for the feint of heart - this was On returning to Meadow Lane war. we managed to blag into the celebration party arranged for Notts looking resplendent in the the players and staff in the suite famous black and white shirts under the old main stand. No one attacked the Tranmere end in seemed to mind a few extra guests the first half and on the half hour and a cracking night celebrating mark took the lead from a Tommy and getting slaughtered ensued.

Johnson goal. Bartlett fed the ball in from the right and TJ swivelled Reflecting back on the day, I’d and drilled a low shot under Eric managed to tick many boxes.

Nixon in the Tranmere goal from Firstly, I’d seen Notts at Wembley, just inside the 18 yard box. and not least secondly we’d won a Play-Off Final. And thirdly of 17,000 notts fans who had made course, we’d been promoted! the trip rose as one to salute their heroes. The noise generated by Surely the following season the notts fans was unbelievable we couldn't top this one. and seemed to settle the nerves Mid-table obscurity would both off and on the field. Both suffice? Notts fans, you sides were going for it today as know different! the prize at stake was so precious, but with no further goals in the A point I’ve often reflected first half, Notts left the field to a on was the attendance that rapturous applause. day and the following year when Notts took 17,000 & Tranmere came out for the second 25,000 respectively to the half piling on pressure but danger two Play-Off finals and I’m man Chris Malkin on the right wing not naive enough to think - the main outlet for Tranmere's they were all die hard attacks - was well marshalled by Notts fans. As with any the much maligned Nicky Platnauer big football occasion the at left back. I actually made him romance element kicks in my Man Of The Match. and people who have not been to games for years Just after the hour mark the game or even before turn out to was over as a contest, the ball was support the occasion. crossed in from a free kick on the right and Craig Short rose highest If Notts were to get to to nod in a header to make it 2-0. another Play-Off Final The Tranmere heads seem to drop would they be able to

SEPT ‘14

attract a similar following? I’m sure we would. You’ve only got to look at the recent FA cup games in the last few seasons and the 3,500 we took to Oldham when we looked like we would be relegated.

There is obviously enough in the added attraction of an away day at Wembley to whet the appetite for the casual supporter.

Sitting, reminiscing, typing this article, recalling events some 24 years previous drew some parallels between the side Warnock assembled and the current Shaun Derry side.

Both teams seemed at the time to have no real stars - albeit TJ would go on to be a Notts legend - but they both seem to have a togetherness and decent work ethic.

Of course it’s early days yet to suggest that the present squad can emulate the exploits that the 89/90 and 90/91 squads and seriously challenge for promotion, but with a bit of luck and kind draws, just maybe I will enjoy another away day at the now not so new Wembley in the Johnstones Paint Trophy at the very least later this season.

We can dream.

Sean Redgate

@Seanystaxi

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IN PRAISE OF THE JPT

Notts went through to the second round of the Johnstones Paint Trophy recently with a 2-0 win over local rivals Mansfield Town. I feel it's important to start this article with the facts because it's quite easy to lose sight of the JPT's very existence, played in the midst of an international break and with the results barely even a footnote on East Midlands Today, but the game happened and Notts won at a saunter that suggests League Two hasn't got any better since we escaped its vice-like grip.

Indeed, the Johnstones Paint Trophy has become something of a laughing stock, derided by managers and fans alike in the same way that the League Cup has been marginalised by Premier League clubs.

It is true that the competition doesn't help itself much, with the vague rule about having to play six first team players a particularly unnecessary piece of legislation, although abolishing extra time and making kick-offs slightly earlier for some ties have shown a willingness to try and give the JPT a different appeal.

The competition seems to be given a particularly short thrift by Notts fans, with the attendance and atmosphere for a local derby with Mansfield low and pretty tepid, despite admission being cut for the game. Our truly horrific record in the competition is partly to blame for this, with last season's run to the area quarter finals the furthest we have got for some two decades, with a ten-year run of going out in the first round every year (apart from those where we were randomly given a bye) genuinely impressive in its incompetence.

I believe that the JPT deserves a little more respect, however, and to dismiss it out of hand is to take the same arrogant stance that is adopted by so many Premier League managers over the domestic cup competitions. With the League Cup and FA Cup, save for a once-in-a-generation run such as Bradford's a couple of years ago, largely a form of escapism for League One sides such as ours, a way of forgetting the weekly grind of our division with a game against the big boys before being knocked out, like a wild night out after a shit week at work ending with waking up on the stairs, the JPT is the only cup competition that we have a realistic hope of winning. A realistic hope of going to the new Wembley for the first time, of seeing our players in the national stadium competing for

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a trophy. This should be what football is about it shouldn't be an inconvenient fixture shoehorned into the schedule in which you have to play some people you'd rather rest.

Financially, a run in the JPT can also be a huge shot in the arm - Carlisle earned upwards of ÂŁ500,000 from their victorious campaign a few years ago, with the finalists each year always receiving an unexpected windfall. Considering the relative lack of arduousness in making it to the final of the competition - if a club gets a bye then they are just five games from Wembley, including both legs of an area final - it should be treated as a genuine route to both footballing success and a financial treasure trove for clubs at our level. I'm not a mathematician, but I suspect Notts start the season no less likely to win the JPT than they are to navigate two rounds of the FA Cup before lucking out in the draw and pulling out a big tie - with the added bonus of being able to watch Hayden Mullins hoist the cup aloft at the end of it.

Notts face a trip to Scunthorpe United in the secound round of the competition, an unappealing prospect at the best of times, but I would urge anyone who has the chance to attend the game with the same excitement that they do an FA Cup tie and with the same wistful belief that something great could be just a handful of games away. In Greg Abbott, Notts have a genuine JPT expert who has led Carlisle to two finals, for a club in the position that Notts currently is, with a safe but not-verystimulating prospect of a comfortable mid-table season, who would turn down a run in football's forgotten competition? It's time we learned to love the Johnstones Paint Trophy, as fans and as a club.

Jacob Daniel

@JacobNCM

ISSUE #11

COUNTY CONNECTIONS #2

When people talk about how they came to support Notts, one of the more common associations comes from the parents. I on the other hand, was led down this path unwittingly by my Grandparents.

My Granddad, Harold Flewitt was a Notts fan. In a world full of Liverpool or Manchester United-supporting school friends, from an early age I couldn’t quite grasp the attraction to backing a side who these people had no connection with.

And so I ended up with Notts. Not that I’d even remember telling Granddad that for a good few months until a Junior Magpies package came in the post.

My Nan, Joyce, had signed me up as a surprise so I would guess that’s where it really all started. Springy pen, illfitting t-shirt (as most are on me these days as it happens) and a membership card. Great. Back of the cupboard you go. Living in south Wales at the time, it’s not like there was much I could really do with any of it. Well, aside from write.

And no one wanted that just yet!

One day that changed with a letter from Annette Chantrey at the club, inviting me to be a ball boy at Meadow Lane for the game against Charlton Athletic on September 24th, 1994. This was to be my first ever Notts game. It could have been a fair bit earlier had mother dearest planned a trip to Bristol Rovers a bit better – but I suppose in the days before we all had internet, how was she to know upon arrival in Bristol that we’d be told Rovers were temporarily plying their trade over in Bath?!

press was awfully difficult to come by though – unless it was the really, really bad times.

It wouldn’t be until February 2010 that I’d be back at Meadow Lane – a gap of just over 15 years. It would be an afternoon where I didn’t so much as fall back in love with Notts County, but the entire sport. Now living a fair bit closer than Wales, attending the home game against Hereford – the first of Steve Cotterill’s reign – me, the missus and our son Connor took up seats in the Family Stand where Notts would thrash in four unanswered second half goals en route to a 5-0 victory.

The boy loved it, and for his first ever game picked it up quite quickly.

I always have, and likely always will consider Notts to not be my club as such – but my Granddad’s. I’m merely continuing what he started. After that season of Muntofuelled turmoil off the field, that day felt like a real rebirth in a lot of ways. If you hadn’t guessed by this juncture – yes I do like to romanticise the sport a fair bit. But at the full time whistle I picked Connor up into my arms and “Every little thing, is gonna be alright” played out around the ground. I think in the end that season we’d all agree it certainly did!

We made quite the weekend of the Charlton game, staying in the city centre’s Forte Crest hotel just off Market Square.

It was an entertaining match from my vantage point between the Family and Pavis Stands - even if the end result was a sour one. Leading 3-1 with minutes remaining, the visitors clawed back two goals in the last five to snatch a draw – much like they had the previous year at Meadow Attending that Hereford game, I never planned to make this Lane. such a religious thing – but it didn’t take long at all to catch the bug again. The one that would end up with me in This was the day I picked up my first ever possession of a season ticket the next fanzine too - issue 41 of The Pie - from year, spending £30 a week on train the same club shop where we now find tickets to and from Nottingham for ourselves on sale! home games, or away days with the designated wheelman Sean.

Further opportunities to come and see Notts were kept to a minimum Me and the family live in Arnold now and we ended that season relegated.

- the friends we’d made just going to I attended the first game of the next football made the move a no brainer season at Wrexham’s Racecourse in the end, and it’s a move we Ground. “Welcome to Division Two” certainy don’t regret. Plus we have was the welcome from the steward to another addition - Devon - only a the unfortunate few first through the gate. year old yet attending games from We drew 1-1 having taken the lead through Phil Turner, time to time. capitalising on a scuffed’ keeper clearance to score from about 35/40 yards. Whether the years have taken their toll Fast forward to the here and now and I’m on my recollection though and it was only 20 yards or so is editing this fanzine, my homage to the people who worked another question altogether! I also got to see the Allardyce so hard on The Pie and No More Pie In side that drew 1-1 at Ninian Park with Cardiff City – one The Sky. At that Wrexham game, there I only just a few months back found out ended up with was a copy of NMPITS going around, Fat Sam on an FA charge for his reaction to an injury to a League Two special - for want of a goalkeeper Darren Ward. better word – detailing all the clubs in Notts’ new division. The grounds, the Throughout those years, right up until her death, my Auntie pubs, the locals etc.

Doris Astill would keep me updated pretty much weekly with newspaper cuttings from the Post. Compared to the modern It’s one I’m absolutely desperate for us day, the mid-90s were huge for Notts in the now Red Rag. at Black & White to emulate the day we Full back pages were a regular occurrence, particularly for achieve promotion. the night we hammered Tottenham Hotspur 3-0. After she’d passed away, following Notts became a task of scouring the Hopefully it’s not going to be too long multiple Sunday newspapers that would pass through the a wait! household, or watching Ceefax every Saturday afternoon – page 307 I think we were most regularly on! Nationwide @blackwhitezine

Stuart Brothers

SEPT ‘14

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#BRINGBACKTHETARTAN

The 2014/15 Notts County away kit was launched to a hubbub of media fanfare, on the Nottingham Post’s website, but hubbub nonetheless. Reaction to the Nottinghamshire green with yellow stripe was mixed. For those who praised the new direction in attempting to create something memorable and new, there were those that hated it - with one person on Notts’ Facebook page describing it as “Easily the worst kit in the history of sport”.

Quite the claim when you consider that every year in the top 4 divisions of English football at least 184 kits are released, some of which, will be red.

However, comparisons to Norwich are probably justified and hopefully will rile them as much as the hashtag #NCFC being taken up with Notts related news rather than Canary updates has done.

chocolate and blues halves from the 2008/9 season. I would love to see that effort re-done - a great kit wasted on a terrible team. I’m looking at you Gavin Strachan, Paul Mayo and Spencer WeirDaley. Apparently the chocolate and blue halves was the first ever kit Notts wore in 1862, when our nickname was ‘the lambs’. I assume this was because we got slaughtered every week!

Other views on the Facebook page include “Awful kit, the colours may be shire colours but it looks like But as is the case with most things in life, you will vomit in my opinion” and “Hate it looks like baby never please everyone all of the time, but what turd mixed with a bit of sick”. Thanks Internet! surprises me is just how horrified and reactionary people can be when a new kit is released.

Ridiculous over-reactions and bodily function references aside, it’s clear that football kits are an It helps when the team in the kit achieves some emotive subject. It’s how we have to view our team success. I’m sure that the kits that people love for the next nine months, and how they will look are linked to some wonderful memories created in in print and on TV. So it’s understandable people those shirts. want them to be stylish, whilst representing the traditions of the club. People want to be proud of Either way, I hope the follow up to these kits provoke the kit when they show their mates the 25 seconds further debate, more over-reactions, and more of highlights on the Football League Show, so references to things that maybe excreted by the something they don’t like will naturally irk them. human body. Because lets face it, there’s nothing worse than being boring. Imagine if everyone saw On top of that, thousands of husky gentlemen will a new kit and went “Meh, that’s alright”. buy shirts and attempt to squeeze into something designed for athletes. You only have to think of How dull. the skin-tight Spurs kit from 2005/6 to picture the sights that created in North London. @Matthew_Taylor

Matthew Taylor

In contrast to those that want something traditional and conservative, some believe the away kit should be the platform to let the creative instincts run riot.

There was debate on Twitter as to what the best Notts away kits are, with the most memorable kits being the more outlandish getups. The tartan kit from the early 90’s being the clear winner in the popularity contest.

The adventurous kits stay in the memory, good or bad. No one remembers the all yellow kit sponsored

by Paragon Interiors. Until I mentioned it just now.

Stop thinking about it. Now you’re thinking about Darren Caskey in it, having the same problem as those Spurs fans. ‘But ours weren’t made of skin tight Lycra’ you say. No, no they weren’t...

Personally I think the away kit is a great effort. I’m on the side where I think that they should be a bit mad and should push the boundaries. I make no apologies for playing five a side in the 150th anniversary pink third strip, no matter how many verbal bashings I receive from the opposition or my own teammates. And thinking about it - even a couple of referees!

My own favourite away kit of recent years is the

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