BLACK & WHITE the new Notts County fanzine
#1 - AUG ‘12 - £1
ALAN JUDGE JAKE BUGG 2011/12 REVIEW
On Wycombe, Curle & the new season
Clifton’s precocious talent talks football From Carlisle to Sutton United, via Turin BLACK & WHITE V FANS PRE-SEASON THE NEW KIDS ALSO TACTICS EURO 2012 THE PLAYERS PAGE 1
INTRODUCTION
Hello and welcome to the very first issue of Black & White.
Thank you for handing over your £1, whether around the ground, on the road, or if you’ve reserved or subscribed online over the course of pre-season. The leadup to this release couldn’t have been any better. The reception has been beyond anything we’d have expected - both from Notts supporters and the local media. We’ve found 47 subscribers within the first weeks of making subs available through the B&W webstore which was a fantastic show of support. Thank you to everyone who became a part of this so early. To close, thank you to everyone who has helped put this issue together (listed below) or have declared an interested in writing for future issues of Black & White. This is of course issue #1, the first of six we’ll be releasing this season. The other five i’m happy to announce will be released before the following home games:
#2 Tues, Oct 23rd Bournemouth #3 Sat, Dec 22nd Leyton Orient #4 Sat, Feb 23rd Bury #5 Sat, April 27th Coventry City As you’ll note, that’s every two months. Baby steps to start out with - but if we make it out of the 2012/13 campaign though we’ll likely up the release schedule. Back to this season, and issue six will be an end of season special. We might even get to cover the playoffs and a trip to Wembley too - that’s all up to you Keith Curle!! We’re always looking for more people though, so drop me a line at stu@thenottsblog.co.uk if you’re interested.And being the very first issue - any feedback our readers can offer will be fantastic! Thanks for all of your support so far! Black & White
CONTENTS
WITH THANKS
The 2011/12 Season Review ................ 03
A very special thanks to Richard at Machine Browser for making this all possible! And as ever my matchday chauffeur Sean Redgate. Plus Ralph Shepherd for helping getting the Alan Judge interview together.
Pre-Season ....................................... 13 A Day In The Life Of A Footballer .......... 14 Alan Judge interview .......................... 16
The people behind this issue, including in no particular order of importance or brillance: Luke Williamson, Jacob Daniel, Richard Ogando, Andrew Dennis, Damon Threadgold, Darren Patterson, Paul Smith and Michael Johnson..
Euro 2012 by Luke Williamson ............ 18
Then there’s the supporters who have helped with the season preview in issue #0 - in no particular of order of how much I like their club (in 22 of 23 cases): Stuart Tarrant, Smiffy, James Bentley, John McGee, Dave Burch, Neil Allison, Jay Baldwin, Ben Barrett, Matt Withers, Jason Derrick, John Mason, Andy, Jason Hammon, Craig Worswick, Benedict West, Carl Matthews, Max Bell, Ian Rands, Andrew Harding, Daniel Speller, Bescot Banter, Sam Robinson
Where Are They Now? .......................... 25
The Pie Man’s Reality Check .................. 19 Jake Bugg interview ............................ 20 The New Kids On Our Block ................... 23 Kicking & Screaming ........................... 26 Is This The Real FA Cup? ....................... 27 Paul Smith talks Twitter ......................... 28 Finding The Balance ............................. 29 We’ve Got Johnno At The Back ............... 30
And Alan Judge. ALWAYS Alan Judge.
DISCLAIMER
The 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 2011/12 SEASON REVIEW
Putting into words just how much better last season was than the one which came before is no easy task. As the team made the trek north to open their season at Carlisle, you’d have been brave to predict Notts County would still be in the play-off picture come the final day of the season. Except Notts weren’t just in the picture - in fact were it not for three dubiously timed Bury substitutions at Stevenage with the game still at 1-0, then it could so easily have been County that made it to the nPower League One Play-Off SemiFinals. And what Notts fan watched those two games against Sheffield United not thinking we’d have given them more of a game than Stevenage would eventually manage? We can look back now and think of games that ultimately cost Keith Curle’s team but don’t we do enough beating ourselves up over where things went wrong? Let’s spend the time looking back over the many, many good times that there were instead, both at Meadow Lane and on the
road! Reminding that club over the river that they DO care about Notts. The short stopover in Turin - and Hughesy’s goal. Crushing the eventual League One Champions on their own turf. Or the quite miraculous fightback at Wycombe with our campaign hanging in the balance. Last season is one that needs remembering. We won’t discuss the cheers that came up from the Kop on the final day against Colchester though, they’re better consigned to hell i’m sure we’d all agree! And let’s not forget - when the news broke of Martin Allen’s sacking, thoughts had already begun turning towards what was looking to many like an inevitable relegation battle. Nobody expected Keith Curle to be the man to turn things around as much as he did!
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AUGUST The expectations amongst Notts County supporters at the start of August were relatively low-key going into the first game of the year away at Carlisle. Pre-season results weren’t the most promising, and many weren’t all that convinced with the calibre of Martin Allen’s signings thus far.
complete nonsense as ever! Just days later in the Carling Cup, we all made short trips aross the river in the League Cup’s first round but not before we cheered the team off as they departed Meadow Lane via the slightest of detours past the Meadow Lane Sports Bar. County were knocked out that night – but heads were held high by the end of the evening. Mike Edwards put Allen’s side on their way, backed up by Craig Westcarr’s last goal for the club and another for Lee Hughes. They weren’t enough though – all wiped out by a swing of the right foot in the last kick of the game from Wes Morgan and a penalty shootout.
But the 500+ travelling fans instead were to see Notts finish the day (joint) top of League One by virtue of a 3-0 win. A debut strike from Jeff Hughes, a Zoko own goal and Lee Hughes opening his account for the season got things off to the perfect start for County. Controversy again was to follow Hughesy (the original one) as he needed to be replaced in the second half for his own protection following a few altercations on the ball. A
Hamza Bencherif, Lee Hughes and club Captain Neal Bishop all missed from the spot to deny what would’ve been a most-famous victory. August 13th’s top of the table clash with Charlton saw Notts lose for the first time this season – that despite Christian Montano’s first goal on loan from West Ham giving Notts hope early in the second half. The Addicks’ goals both coming via Jeff Hughes errors in the first half.
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The visitors that day were to go on and clinch the division quite comfortably – but we weren’t finished with them yet for this year! Notts’ year was to take a surprising turn the following day. Whilst most were picking apart the previous day’s defeat, the club announced that on September 8th, they would be taking on Juventus at the grand opening of their Juventus Arena in Turin. Surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it! Tranmere Rovers visited the following Tuesday, and they went down to a last minute Jeff Hughes penalty (his first of many!). Krystian Pearce and Julian Kelly also got on the scoresheet as we finished with two men more than our overlyphysical guests. Ricky Ravenhill in fact ended the night in hospital with a concussion – picking up a yellow card in the process really took some doing! Consecutive defeats on the road following that game though hampered Notts’ promising start to the campaign. At Sheffield Wednesday, despite taking the lead through a Jeff Hughes penalty, Notts went on to lose 2-1 with captain Bishop sent off in the second half for a second bookable offence diving in this instance.
thought we’d end the season with anyway! Of possibly more concern though was the sale of Craig Westcarr to Chesterfield. Having spent the Summer trying (and constantly failing) to sign a striker – you couldn’t help question the decision to sell a pivotal player in both 2009/10’s Coca Cola League Two winning team, and that squad that narrowly avoided relegation last year. Particularly without a ready -made replacement lined up!
SEPTEMBER What followed a week later was only more embarassing. Charlie Allen and Gavin Mahon made their debuts for the club and looked like an assured pairing - but that wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-0 defeat. Embrassing? Not the scoreline no. More so that PNE goalkeeper Ian Hulme got on the scoresheet in the second half, capitalising on indecision from Stuart Nelson and Krystian Pearce. It ensured that Notts County finished the month off in 15th - the mid-table positioning many
To say September was a special month in Notts County’s history is somewhat of an understatement. Four wins and a draw in League One – we even had the free time to make a trip to Turin for a game against Juventus. Good times? No, simply great times. Goals from Lee Hughes, Krystian Peace and some superb footwork from Christian Montano started the month off with a 3-1 win at home to Bournemouth to send everyone off to the mainland in great spirits. The visitors had levelled the
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game at one point, the Notts of the previous campaign would likely have buckled under such pressure - as it happened the response was quite emphatic though. Juventus was a special night for everyone associated with the club – words don’t quite do the emotions felt from Lee Hughes’ late equaliser justice. That the game finished 1-1 was a legitimate high point in the campaign, one that’ll go down in the club’s history. With the entire squad given a run out, each player will have his own stories to tell from the evening – especially Rob Burch who had the audacity to save a Fabio Quagliarella penalty! Sure, Luca Toni stabbed home the rebound but it was hard to begrudge them that on an evening where those Notts fans who had made the trip were treated like royalty by our hosts. How we all wished we could’ve return the favour this Summer at Meadow Lane! Maybe some other time? Less than 48 hours on from returning home and Notts were taking on and beating Walsall at Meadow Lane in front of an extremely proud following.
Lee Hughes got our Goal Of The Season in the first half, chesting into the air an Alan Judge cross before viciously volleying past a helpless ex-’pie David Grof. Another equaliser followed, before Montano settled the game in the second half. Tired legs after a meaningless, poorly-timed friendly? Not a chance! The first draw of the season came the following Tuesday in a 1-1 draw with Exeter, Ben Burgess getting his first goal of the campaign to equalise. The same night,
Stevenage were hammering Sheffield Wednesday 5-1 at home, which was County’s next port of call. Many sides would be daunted at the task on their hands – not Martin Allen’s though. After Stuart Nelson’s early penalty save, more goals from Lee Hughes and Ben Burgess lifted Notts County into seventh spot with a 2-0 win. Stevenage lose very few games at home - that Notts had managed to do so was quite the achievement. Allen also picked up the nPower Manager Of The Month award for September too – the icing on the cake for a truly memorable month both domestically and abroad!
OCTOBER The highs of September were always going to be a struggle to match – October 1st’s journey to Milton Keynes against their Dons was evidence enough of that. Julian Kelly saw red early on for handling on the line (a great stop in fairness). Stuart Nelson spared Kelly’s blushes momentarily by saving the penalty but it would only postpone the inevitable. County went down 3-0 – but it was only once the searing heat had taken it’s toll on County’s ten men that the hosts finished the game off late on. Defeat, but plenty of positives to take from the afternoon’s sterile environment – not least the very real attacking threat posed by a previously written off Sam Sodje coming off the bench! As Martin Allen shuffled his pack the following Tuesday in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy – it was Karl Hawley who was to get back on the scoresheet, curling home a stunning 30-yarder. A second string Notts though went down 3-1 to Chesterfield who had played much of the game with ten men. For the first time it was being forced in your face just how little strength in depth there was in the side. But with the chance to make it to Wembley missed out on for Notts, the Spireites would go on to lift the trophy. Looking at the positives though – they were also relegated from nPower League One. The Sky Sports cameras were in town the following weekend for the visit of Hartlepool for a Sunday evening kick-off. And what a display they saw! Two more for Karl Hawley and
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Christian Montano’s last before turning to West Ham (needed in their squad, yet pushed out to Swindon almost instantly by Fat Sam) showed the armchair viewing public just what Notts were capable of. A 3-0 win was no less than County deserved in an afternoon they utterly dominated. A week later and we were back on the road for the short sojourn to Chesterfield for a 3-1 win with 2,000+ travelling fans. Ben Burgess, Alan Judge and Sam Sodje at the death saw everyone going home very happy with the afternoon’s efforts. That though was to be the last league win for more than a month. Successive draws at home to Brentford (a Jeff Hughes penalty cancelled out by Summer target Clayton Donaldson’s screamer just ten seconds into the second half) and 2-2 away at Bury (two more Jeff penalties!) still offered no indication of the 4-2 mauling that was to come away at Colchester though! Sam Sodje and a Heath own goal were Notts’ contributions in Allen’s heaviest defeat so far in charge, we’d have to wait until the final day for revenge. But the month still ended with his side now in 6th place a point ahead of Stevenage.
NOVEMBER The month of November probably couldn’t have started much better! With Wycombe Wanderers the visitors to Meadow Lane, Ben Burgess’ header in the very first minute against a side struggling at the lower end of the table would hopefully be enough to set Notts off for the afternoon. In front of a populated Sirrel stand thanks to a Kids For A Quid offer though, Wycombe equalised in the last minute. Two points definitely dropped you thought. Like so many
sides that inflicted misery on Notts in the early months of the campaign – we weren’t done with them though.
high though at least – even if it was in somewhat fortuitous circumstances at home to Scunthorpe United.
With league form slightly on the wane, there was a timely distraction for Notts in the shape of the FA Cup’s first round and the visit of League Two’s Accrington Stanley.
Leading through a Krystian Pearce header, Notts were pegged back by goals either side of half time. At 2-1 down, the visitors had a man sent off for a challenge just off the halfway line. The sort of foul you want to see punished – yet would be outraged if it was from one of your own! Notts never looked back. Firstly, Jeff Hughes came off the bench to grab the equaliser, before Julian Kelly found himself running into the Iron’s area unchallenged before rifling in the match-winner with just eight minutes remaining.
Incidentally, the Stanley and their Ultras were the only side to win at Meadow Lane in the title-winning charge of 2009/10 so it might not have been the easy tie it appeared at first on paper. No such fears though when another superb Karl Hawley brace sandwiched goals from Alans Judge and Sheehan en route to a 4-1 win. The reward? A tricky visit to non-leaguers Sutton United in round two the following month. Another league defeat followed though, away at Huddersfield Town on the day they celebrated breaking the record of unbeaten league games. Conveniently ignoring a play-off final defeat (and a 4-1 stuffing a week before at Swindon Town) we were number 43 on their list – despite Neal Bishop’s late, late consolation strike.
All this was enough to ensure Notts ended the month again still inside the top six! Not bad for a month which had only yielded that single league win right at the very end!
The month was to end on a
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DECEMBER The FA Cup Second Round tie away at Sutton United kicked December off in a fairly professional manner. Again the TV cameras were on hand for the Sunday evening kick-off, with ESPN and many neutrals hoping for a famous cup upset. And they nearly got it – with Stuart Nelson again being called upon for penalty saving duties. With embarrassment avoided, this time though it was Jeff Hughes with two goals that helped seal a tie in the next round away at Doncaster Rovers of the Championship. Back to League One business the next week - and the trip to Yeovil wasn’t much fun for anyone. Having been quite comfortable for much of the game despite not breaking the hosts defence down, a late goal ensured Notts they’d be heading back up the motorway empted handed.
made his competitive debut and looked quite accomplished all afternoon when faced with League One’s most prolific striker, Jordan Rhodes. That not to mean Huddersfield weren’t worthy of their 2-0 lead though.
It all would’ve been so different had Alan Judge’s volley from outside the area cannoned in – but we’d find ourselves saying that quite often for the new few weeks! Another league defeat was to follow on December 17th when Leyton Orient took three points home from Meadow Lane. A late goal from Lee Hughes kept the pressure on, but Jeff Hughes’ late miss from the penalty spot (his only miss from 12 yards of the season) meant County lost the game 2-1.
The last fixture of the calendar year came at Boundary Park, where Oldham inflicted a fourth defeat in four games for the month. Despite taking the lead twice through both Lee Hughes and Neal Bishop, a 3-2 defeat had Notts dropping down to ninth in the table. The play-offs were still in sight – but the gap was four points and only getting bigger. If getting out of League One was to remain realistic, Notts and Martin Allen really couldn’t afford to lose further ground. After four straight defeats, Allen was walking a tightrope – Paul Ince was sacked following five losses on the bounce after all.
JANUARY For a third time already in the campaign, a Notts game was to be beamed to people’s television sets when Sky TV aired the away game at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane just two days after Christmas. United unfortunately weren’t in festive mood, coming back from a goal down to win 2-1. Alan Judge’s free-kick in the first half was all Martin Allen’s team had to show from an afternoon in which they were very rarely outplayed by their title-chasing counterparts. Ishmel Demontagnac’s late dismissal only added further salt to the wound.
Notts County kicked off their 150th year with a home fixture with Huddersfield Town. The afternoon kicked off a parade of club legend’s before the game all in anticipation of witnessing the game that would get a faltering promotion push back on track. Notts youngster Haydn Hollis
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Once more the Notts squad’s resolve shone through, when goals from the Hughes’ of Lee and Jeff rescued a late point – halting in the process a run of four straight league defeats. Doncaster Rovers of the Championship were put to the sword a week later. And who else but Jeff Hughes was again on hand with both goals in a comfortable afternoon at the Keepmoat.
A trip to the south coast a week later yielded no points at Bournemouth, despite Notts taking the lead with a Hamza Bencherif thunderbolt on five minutes, his first goal in black and white wasn’t enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat. Back to Meadow Lane a week later, and some of the best football we’d see at home all season came as Notts secured a 1-1 draw thanks to another Jeff Hughes penalty. MK Dons had taken the lead that afternoon, but Martin Allen’s
substitutions saw County grab a much needed point against our fellow play-off chasers in a thoroughly dominant second period. In truth, the Dons were fortunate to escape with a point! So with everyone on a high from that, Preston North End at home the following Tuesday promised to be a decent evening. But it was with some disappointment that the visitors had managed to walk away with a 0-0 scoreline in one of the poorest performances of the season – we’ll never get an explanation as to why Martin Allen changed so much of his team having looked so strong the previous weekend.
against Exeter City at Meadow Lane. Lee Hughes capitalised on a goalkeeping howler early on before yet another Jeff Hughes penalty gave Notts a 2-1 victory. With two wins on the bounce and only one league defeat in 2012, things appeared calm going into the away game at Hartlepool. Sadly though, our hosts inflicted exact revenge for their 3-0 humbling at Meadow Lane via the same scoreline.
doubt, and those who would back him out of hope rather than expectation. The impact was felt immediately though, County’s form was about to go through the roof. Curle and his backroom of Colins West and Lee, Chris Kiwomya got off to a flyer, starting just one day after their arrival when Jeff Hughes last minute winner over Stevenage set about winning the Meadow Lane crowd over.
That was followed days later by defeat at Stevenage Borough in the FA Cup Fourth Round. No great riches from this year’s cup run – but still it was the first time in over 100 years that the club had reached Round Four three years in a row. Progress, but little consolation for Damion Stewart’s 12th minute own goal that put Notts out. The month ended on a high though at least, as Lee Hughes was again the thorn in Walsall’s side when his volley from the edge of the box inside three minutes was enough to take three points and secure a first nPower League One win in two whole months.
It cost Martin Allen his job, relieved of his duties later on that same evening before the team bus had even got home!
The ship was momentarily steadied on the field with midtable obscurity on the horizon. This being Notts though, there were a few giant plot twists still remaining!
Ray Trew and the board acted quickly to secure the services of Keith Curle who had been working alongside County legend Neil Warnock at QPR during their Championship
FEBRUARY The big freeze in the weather meant Notts had two weeks off before the next game, and it suited them well considering the 2-1 win that followed
winning run last season, and the Premier League this. Has there ever been such a poorly received managerial appointment? You largely found yourself in one of two camps – those who wouldn’t give Curle the benefit of the
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The following weekend, Jonathan Forte’s second half winner in front of the Kop earned victory over Chesterfield before a midweek trip to old friends Rochdale saw Hamza Bencherif’s header bring home another victory. Three wins in three under KC’s stewardship had put Notts County right back in the playoff picture at a time when some had already began to look towards the wrong end of the table. His arrival was a timely intervention by the club’s board. But things were still to get better. Much, much better.
MARCH Having started his reign with three straight 1-0 wins, that run was to come to an end when Notts kicked off March with a home game against Carlisle. This time though, via a 2-0 win. First, Jonathan Forte directed Alan Judge’s cross in for the first goal, before moments later a sublime Alan Sheehan free-kick rounded off the scoring. The winning streak was however to end at Prenton Park the next Tuesday when a last minute equaliser cancelled out Damion Stewart’s early opener. Disappointing at first, but an away point at one of the tougher home records in the division was nothing to be sniffed at. Four wins and a draw in his five games in charge – but what was to come next caught the entire Football League off guard, let alone the Notts County supporters, even the manager himself! On Saturday, March 10th County travelled to London and The Valley, where Chris Powell’s Charlton Athletic side where running away with the League One title having only suffered the one league defeat at home all season. Until this day.
Alan Judge set the team on their way with a 30-yard-drive, right before Forte grabbed an astonishing first half perfect hat-trick. 4-0 at half time away to the eventual champions – this was dreamland! The expressions of the travelling County fans painted a picture in itself, no one could believe this happening. Charlton came out and threw everything at Notts in the second half but could only pull back two consolations as Notts’ backline weathered the early storm. Charging towards the play-off positions and sending out a warning shot to the rest of the division, the 4-2 win was an amazing effort. Full page spreads awaited in the Sunday tabloids the next day, each with Teams Of The Day dominated by Judgey and Jonny Forte – no place for three-assist Jeff Hughes though! Unhappy to sit back with what he had in his squad though, Curle began to really bolster his attacking options. First with the signing of Lloyd Sam from Neil Warnock’s Leeds United. With the nerve to be looking higher up the table than simply sixth place, Notts’ momentum was abruptly halted through a Sheffield double whammy. Firstly by Wednesday who took a 2-1 win in spite of Lloyd
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Sam’s first County goal. In response, Dele Adebola came in hours before kick off against Sheffield United and made his first appearance that night at Meadow Lane. It wasn’t one to remember though as the visitors inflicted a 5-2 humbling on Curle’s side, finishing with ten men thanks to Neal Bishop’s red card. Judge and Julian Kelly added some respectability to the score, but it was little more than a futile response to four first half goals from the Blades. This was the night which was to end the season of Forte when he was hospitalised with facial fractures for a second half elbow which went unpunished. No question Notts would go on to end the season missing his goals. The deal for Curle’s second striking option was completed days later with Maltese international Daniel Bogdanovic signing on loan from Blackpool. A goalless draw at Scunthorpe where Curle’s men did everything but score steadied the ship somewhat. That was ahead of Oldham’s visit to Meadow Lane when Alan Sheehan made the most of great Sam hold-up play to bury a last minute screamer to finish the month on a high thanks to a 1-0 win.
Away from Meadow Lane a few days later – both Stevenage and Carlisle were to play out their game in hand against each other. Stevenage won - a Carlisle win would’ve moved them above Notts, but the Stevenage’s victory would certainly come back to haunt County by the end of the season though as it would turn out!
Back up to 7th in the league, but four points behind 6th place Carlisle United and with them having a game in hand on us – had the run been left a little bit too late with just over a month left to go and six games to play? This was a scenario no one had dared to predict around the time of Keith Curle’s appointment.
APRIL The penultimate month of the season began on Good Friday with over 600 fans heading back down to London for Leyton Orient with revenge in mind for a 2-1 Meadow Lane defeat earlier in the campaign.
equaliser at Meadow Lane dragged Notts County back into a relegation dogfight, a 3-1 home win over Yeovil was lifting us into the division’s top six. Lloyd Sam’s hat-trick, capped off by a spectacular solo effort in the last minute cemented his place as one of the most important players at Keith Curle’s disposal for the run-in. A goalless draw away at Brentford the following weekend was invaluable, and enough to keep the chasing pack at bay for a bit longer.
A 3-0 victory went some way towards making amends as Damion Stewart, Jeff Hughes and Lloyd Sam all struck late in the day. Better still was the news of a late Wycombe equaliser against Carlisle United in 6th right as Notts were pushing for their third goal! County were hot on their heels. A year on since a late Brentford equaliser at Meadow Lane
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With everything seemingly going in Notts’ favour though they buckled at home to Bury. The visitors capitalised on County’s indecision on their way to a 4-2 win. A Lee Hughes equaliser at the beginning of the second half had dragged us back into the game before Bury regained their lead moments later. A Mike Edwards consolation proved futile on the day in which Stevenage regained 6th place with two games remaining. It’s easy to look back now on the importance of the free header which Lee Hughes sailed wide after 16 seconds - but at that stage we still weren’t out of the hunt. The following week hundreds of Notts fans, many in fancy dress made the trip to Wycombe for the final away
game of the season in a mustwin game with the hosts themselves fighting against the same drop that we so narrowly avoided last season. And what an afternoon it was. Wanderers led within a minute before being pegged back shortly after by Daniel Bogdanovic’s first for Notts. A soft penalty restored Wanderers’ advantage before Alan Judge’s most ferocious strike yet put the teams level going into half time.
another week – for Wycombe, they were heading back to nPower League Two. With the pressure firmly on Stevenage going into their evening kick off at Sheffield United, they raced to a 2-0 lead – the ultimate dampener on our celebrations.
in a Notts shirt. Jeff Hughes, top scorer in his first season at the club collected his Golden Boot trophy whilst also being Keith Curle’s Manager’s Player Of The Year. Lee Hughes (unsurprisingly) picked up the Goal Of The Season award for his finish against Walsall way back in September.
The game would finish 2-2, both Notts County and Stevenage Borough were going into the last day of the season level on points with only goal difference to separate them, with Carlisle one point behind waiting for a slip.
The season ended in disappointment – but finishing seventh, and only just missing out on the play-offs due to goal difference? That’s something you’d have been foolish to predict back in July when losing at Hinckley United in pre-season!
MAY Knowing that all they had to do was better Stevenage’s result, Notts raced into a 3-0 half-time lead at home to Colchester. Goals from Jeff Hughes, Daniel Bogdanovic and another Alan Judge belter got the afternoon off to a perfect start whilst Stevenage held a slender lead at home to Bury.
The dangerous Stuart Beavon was to put his Wycombe side in front for the third time in the game and for all intents and purposes as we approached injury time – you thought the season was due a premature end. But that’s hardly the Notts way, is it? A last minute equaliser, and another first goal for the club this time from Dele Adebola and another simply World class strike from the edge of the area from Judgey sealed an enormous win for County. Unbelievable scenes at the finish. The play-off dream lived on for
Kieron Freeman’s first goal for the club rounded off the day, and the season’s scoring though as Bury conceded two late goals to ensure Stevenage would finish in sixth. A late Colchester consolation did nothing to take the shine off a proud afternoon though when all Notts could do was win and hope for the best. That’s not to say the final whistle didn’t sting just a little though. Days later the players would convene back at Meadow Lane for the annual Player Of The Year Awards night in the 1862 Suite. Judgey unsurprisingly took both the Player’s and Fan’s Player Of The Year following his most tenacious of campaigns
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Curle started his rebuild for next season almost immediately by releasing the vast majority of those who found themselves out of contract. Most notably leaving were ever-present goalkeeper Stuart Nelson, and defender Liam Chilvers who’s return to the side many thought had played a key role in the end of season form. Notts were to receive a boost in the news that the sexual assault charge on Lee Hughes had been dropped in place of a charge of common assault. The jury had believed Hughes’ story - that of an act of horseplay gone awry. A guilty verdict - but a distracted Hughes was at least free to focus on his pre-season preparations instead. Hopefully his first goal under Curle isn’t too far off!
PRE-SEASON ROUNDUP Jul 21 - Buxton 1, Notts 1
First Half Bialkowski, Regan (trialist), Williams (t), Labadie, Smith, Leacock, Arquin, Boucard (t), Showunmi, Judge, J Hughes Second Half Mitchell, Kelly, Sheehan, Bishop, Bencherif, Jones (t), Waite, Liddle, Phoenix (t), Raymond (t), Fuentes (t)
Jul 25 - Alfreton 0, Notts 0
First Half Bialkowski, Regan, Smith (t), Hollis, Johnson (t), Mahon, Labadie, J Hughes, Plazimir (t), L Hughes, Arquin Second Half Bialkowski, Kelly, Leacock, Bencherif, Sheehan, Boucard (t), Bishop, Liddle, Fuentes (t), Showunmi, Judge
Jul 28 - Scarb’ 2, Notts 3
Bialkowski, Regan, Smith, Leacock (Fuentes), Sheehan (Bencherif), Mahon (Showunmi), Liddle, Bishop (J Hughes), Campbell-Ryce (Labadie), Arquin, Judge
Jul 31 - Gib FA 3, Notts 1
Mitchell, Regan (t), Smith, Liddle, Williams (t), Boucaud (t), Bishop, Labadie, J Hughes, Showunmi, Campbell-Ryce. Subs Pilkington, Campbell-Ryce, Judge, Fuentes (t)
Aug 2 - Marbella 1, Notts 3
Bialkowski, Regan (t), Leacock, Bencherif, Sheehan, Boucaud, J Hughes, Judge, Campbell-Ryce, L Hughes, Arquin Subs Mitchell, Smith, Williams, Bishop, Labadie, Fuentes, Juanfri (t)
Aug 5 - Notts 1, AEK 0
Bialkowski, Liddle, Smith, Leacock, Williams (t), Boucaud, Labadie, Bishop, J Hughes, Judge, Arquin Subs Mitchell, Sheehan, Bencherif, Mahon, Kelly, Waite, Hollis, Tempest, Fuentes, Zoko.
Aug 7 - Notts 2, Forest 2
Bialkowski (Spiess), Regan (Boucaud), Bencherif (Smith), Williams, Sheehan, Mahon (Labadie), Bishop, Liddle (Arquin), J Hughes (Zoko - Fuentes), L Hughes (Showunmi), Judge (Kelly).
A last minute Alan Sheehan penalty ties things up as Keith Curle experiments with a different side in each half. Buxton had taken the lead just after half-time in a game Notts had dominated from start to finish - only lacking incision where it really mattered. County still without their first win of the pre-season as they claim a goalless draw in which Lee Hughes stole the show with his first half performance - just days after rumours began to circulate that his days at the club might be numbered. Two goals from Joss Labadie and an Alan Judge thunderbolt give Notts a win who twice trailed in the match played on the Bridlington coast. The first defeat of the Summer comes in the Jubilee Cup - two late second half goals finish Notts off after Jeff Hughes equalised just after half-time on the plastic pitch. Notts come behind to win with three well taken second half goals from Lee Hughes, Neal Bishop and trialist Juanfri the day before the club returned from their Spanish training camp. A solid first half performance capped off with a Judge goal proves to be for nothing as the pitch became waterlogged over half-time. The abandonment robs Francois Zoko of his Notts debut. Forest race into a two goal early lead but it’s clawed back with a superb Judge free-kick a first Notts goal from Yoann Arquin equaliser minutes later. Forest escape with a draw with a cynical last minute hacking down on Showunmi.
P 6½ • W 2½ • L 1 • D 3 • F 11 • A 9 SCORERS Judge (3), Labadie (2), Judge (3), Arquin Bishop, J Hughes, L Hughes, Juanfri (t), Sheehan
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2012/13 August 2012
Sat 18 - Crewe (a) Tue 21 - Hartlepool (h) Sat 25 - Walsall (h)
September 2012
Sat 1 - Bury (a) Sat 8 - Shrewsbury (h) Sat 15 - Oldham (a) Tue 18 - MK Dons (a) Sat 22 - Portsmouth (h) Sat 29 - Sheffield Utd (a)
October 2012
Tue 2 - Stevenage (h) Sat 6 - Tranmere (h) Sat 13 - Carlisle (a) Sat 20 - Coventry City (a) Tue 23 - Bournemouth (h) Sat 27 - Doncaster (h)
November 2012
Tue 6 - Colchester (a) Sat 10 - Crawley Town (h) Sat 17 - Scunthorpe (a) Tue 20 - Preston (a) Sat 24 - Swindon Town (h)
December 2012
Sat 8 - Yeovil Town (a) Sat 15 - Brentford (h) Sat 22 - Leyton Orient (h) Wed 26 - Shrewsbury (a) Sat 29 - Stevenage (a)
January 2013
Tue 1 - MK Dons (h) Sat 5 - Oldham (h) Sat 12 - Portsmouth (a) Sat 19 - Sheffield Utd (h) Sat 26 - Leyton Orient (a)
February 2013
Sat 2 - Hartlepool (a) Sat 9 - Crewe (h) Sat 16 - Walsall (a) Sat 23 - Bury (h) Tue 26 - Tranmere (a)
March 2013
Sat 2 - Carlisle (h) Sat 9 - Crawley Town (a) Tue 12 - Preston (h) Sat 16 - Scunthorpe (h) Sat 23 - Swindon Town (a) Sat 30 - Brentford (a)
April 2013
Mon 1 - Yeovil Town (h) Sat 6 - Bournemouth (a) Sat 13 - Colchester (h) Sat 20 - Doncaster (a) Sat 27 Coventry City (h)
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER
9th January 2012. It’s about a quarter past five in the evening and I have just parked up outside Meadow Lane Stadium in Nottingham, the home of Notts County Football Club. I take a few deep breaths and gather my thoughts as I try to compose myself. I always get a strange feeling of anticipation and excitement whenever I come to this place, a place I have had the privilege of returning to since my first visit in 1974, nearly 38 years a supporter of the oldest football league club in the world. I step out of my car and take a short walk towards the stadium, only this time it’s different, I’m not here to watch my footballing hero’s play . . . I’m here to play against them, it’s not the turnstiles but the main gates I will be entering through. I am one of 28 supporters lucky enough to have taken the club up on an opportunity to experience what it is like to be a professional footballer, to experience first-hand what it’s like to be deep within the inscrutable inner sanctum of the players changing room on match day. We all gather in one of the clubs conference rooms awaiting a briefing from ‘The Gaffer’, first team manager Martin (Mad Dog) Allen. I look around the room to see if there is anyone I recognise and my anxiety levels increase
as I realise there isn’t, but I needn’t have worried as new friendships are quickly forged.
as possible. Joking over we head off down to the changing rooms.
It’s 5.45pm and the Gaffer enters the room in track suit top, shorts and flip-flops, it’s the middle of January and we are about to be briefed by a professional football manager wearing flip-flops! This was the first indication of the character of the man and the ‘Mad Dog’ persona that precedes him.
We file in through the door and pick a spot to change. First team kits were set out with shirts on hangers, shorts and socks folded neatly on the bench, just how you would imagine and just like it would be for the professionals. I look up at the wall in front of me to see the kit I had chosen; it was squad number 22, Ben Burgess. I was happy with that, however the XXL shirt and shorts that enveloped me were definitely far more suited to the towering 6’ 4” athletic frame of Big Ben himself.
Introductions over and teams picked Martin has been on great form and has done a fantastic job of relaxing us all. We are joined by assistant manager John Schofield and three senior members of the playing staff in Lee Hughes, Stuart Nelson and Alan Judge who due to carrying injuries were to be key members of our back room team. Our anxiety is heightened again when over the clubs PA system we hear the speaker announce “The ground is now open, I repeat, the ground is now open”. The Gaffer stares at us grinning from ear to ear. “Hear that? They’re queuing out the gates to come and see you play, there are traffic jams on London Road and Meadow Lane is bumper to bumper, it’s going to be a full house and they’re here to see you play”. It was nonsense of course but it was indicative of the effort being made to make this as realistic an experience
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Kit and boots adorned, shin pads secured with tape we all sit and listen attentively to the Gaffer as he gives us our team talk. No punches are pulled as he drills us with our tactical instructions, the intensity rising in his voice as he clarifies his expectations of us, his squad. There is much that is said, and not all in jest. I would love to divulge the content of our changing room parleys but I fear I could not do it justice, after all, what’s said in the changing room stays in the changing room doesn’t it? Let’s just say this was serious, The Gaffer was serious, he wanted to win and failure was not an option. To be continued... Richard Ogando @ncfcog
Wishing both Notts County FC and Black & White all the best and hoping both the fanzine and Keith Curle’s Notts take us all the way to extra time and penalties this year!
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LuSam PHOTOGR APHY www.lusamphotography.zenfolio.com lusamphotography@gmail.com Portrait Wedding Nature
sensitively composed
with added emotion BLACK & WHITE PAGE 15
ALAN JUDGE At number one, is...
Alan Judge unsurprsingly last year took both the supporter’s and player’s Player Of The Season Awards - so who better to have our first interview with as we look ahead to a new campaign? Pictured above striking his last minute winner at Wycombe in the last but one game, I spoke with Judgey not long after the final whistle in last week’s disappointing League One exit at the hands of Bradford City. How have the preseason preprations been so far? They were going very well until that! We know the season starts now – but it starts properly next week. We could’ve win 3-0 today. Yoan, nine times out of ten most people put that away. We’ve had so many chances today – but next week we might only get one chances and we’ll put
that away. I know it’s only a cup game but I think most fans will be most worried about the league. With all due respect as well I wouldn’t imagine that was the same team that will line up next Saturday at Crewe either? Well today we’ve played a formation we weren’t used to, I think the manager’s still experimenting so it’s going to be interesting to see what he does next week. Compared to how Notts finished last year, would you say we’ve improved as a squad? Yes definitely. We’ve done
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well in pre-season, but it’s still going to take time to gel. We missed Deano (Leacock) today, obviously with his experience and all that. Francois (Zoko) is not fully fit yet as we’ve signed him late. But yeah the gaffer’s brought in a good set of lads. What so far have the new lads brought in this Summer? What’s the biggest change you’ve noticed? Just how quickly they’ve gelled together. I know I’ve just mentioned that but they’re all getting on so well. Obviously we look at Deano who’s got vast experience and played in the Premiership and that’s a big one for us. Even re-
signing Gavin Mahon is big. He’s played Premiership and Championship. Gary Liddle’s played League One for the past seven years, and Joss Labadie’s only a young lad but you can see what he’s about and how he likes to get in amongst it. And Francois Zoko scored 14 goals last year so that can only be good for us. When Keith Curle came to Notts I’m assuming you weren’t thinking about the play-offs? At what point did you all start to believe they were an possibility? It was the Charlton game for me when we won 4-2. We showed what we were about and to be 4-0 up at half time was unbelievable. Last year was obviously still a success even without making the play-offs – what was your personal highpoint? It’s obviously got to be the Wycombe game, we’re 3-2 down with two minutes
to go so nobody’s ever expecting that so it was brilliant, really great to be a part of. Was there even a small part of you thinking to pass it when that ball broke to you? To be honest with you, you don’t think! In that split second you just want to hit the ball. You make sure you get on it on target and luckily for me it flew into the top corner. You had a patch last year where everything you hit was hitting the woodwork – did there come a point where you just thought to stop shooting altogether? There was yeah, I was definitely starting to think more to just pass it when I wasn’t scoring but then they just started flying in at the end of the season. Obviously if I keep trying the realistic stuff, not stupid shots I’m going to be confident that they’ll go in.
Curle has obviously been the manager to get the most out of you since you came to Meadow Lane, what’s the biggest change that he and his back room have made? He’s just installed more confidence in me. I don’t get anything back if I give the ball away sloppily or anything. I’m there to try and make us score goals so if I give the ball away it’s not a big deal as long as it’s not in a bad area. He’s just given me more confidence to get on the ball more and express myself. The gaffer’s catchphrase there? I’m telling you, it works! To finish – where realistically do you think this squad can finish this year? Oh definitely In the play-offs. I believe that. The gaffer’s bought the players in very well so I’m confident in that.
THE MEADOW LANE TRAVEL AGENCY packing you off to the destinations which your efforts deserve ...
NEAL BISHOP
Portugal
ALAN JUDGE
Dubai
ALAN SHEEHAN
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Las Vegas
BEN BURGESS
BIRKENHEAD
EURO 2012 - POLAND & UKRAINE When it comes to international tournaments, my house starts to resemble the set of the old BBC TV series Fantasy Football League on acid whilst my life feels like a format of one of its episodes with a rollercoaster of laughs, awkward moments and having some people in my front room that, under normal circumstances, I’d never invite over for a cup of tea. So in-keeping with this, I thought I’d start my look at the Euros by talking about things I’d noticed from watching football this summer: • In Poland & Ukraine there are loads of flies and they all appear to be attracted to both BBC and ITV cameras. • Andy Townsend is insightful (compared to Chris Moyles) and uplifting (in comparison to Mark Lawrenson). • No sane person should ever be subjected to three consecutive football games on ITV. • Roy Keane is as honest as Adrian Chiles is painstakingly boring. • Spain are the new Germany, Germany are the new Spain and Italy are still Italy. • Even when England are not expected to triumph, they’re expected to be triumphant. On the whole, Euro 2012 ended up being one of the more enjoyable football tournaments in recent memory despite us entering June with no real hope. As Roy Hodgson named his squad there were some surprise inclusions as well as omissions but nothing to justify the mass hysteria created by the media after Rio Ferdinand asked his Twitter followers what “football reasons?” Unfortunately, no one put it bluntly enough for Rio to understand that the footballing reasons were the fact he’s not good enough anymore, we have a fair few centre backs ahead of him and if it were to be a straight choice between him and John Terry, the Chelsea man would get the nod by 90% of the neutrals. Whilst the loss of Lampard and Barry was met with a sense of
optimism by some, I failed to share the belief that these two seasoned pros had nothing to offer England but if my disappointment at the pair’s injuries was obvious, it would compare insignificant to the disdain fans angled in the direction of a Jordan Henderson call-up in the aftermath. In France we had an opponent as keen as ourselves not to finish their opening game by defeat. Despite Lescott heading us into the lead in the first half, the freedom of the England half was given to Nasri before the break for the midfielder to beat his club mate Hart from the edge of the box and with it, both sides seemed to agree that a point apiece would be a favourable outcome. The Sweden game on the other hand offered everything the French game lacked. Desire, effort, work rate and goals aplenty, this game reminded many of us how it felt to enjoy an England game with a big number nine even adding a towering header reminiscent of a bygone era. After Carroll’s first half offering, some slightly painful defending in the England box soon had us trailing 2-1 after the break. However an inspired substitution later, Theo Walcott scored and then assisted Welbeck, to wipe that oh-so-smug smile off the man they call Zlatan. With our final group game always likely to be a nervous affair against the co-hosts, neither the-goal-that-never-was or any French failings could detract from the fact we’d topped Group D thanks to a goal-line header from a flattered Wayne Rooney who’d huffed and puffed and failed to justify his return from suspension. The most frustrating thing about Euro 2012 however was the fact that but for a little more invention in our play, we could have easily
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been in our first Semi Final on foreign soil since 1990. For 12 minutes I thought England were excellent against Italy and then our Mediterranean friends decided to turn-up. Pirlo was given far too much respect with Rooney again unconvincing whilst at the back, we bravely battled and fought the cause but on another day Hart’s net could have bulged several times over. I’d have been somewhat disappointed not to have gone out on penalties given our emotional attachment with them in the modern era. It gives us something to cling on to when we discuss the “if only’s” down the pub in the years that follow. The tournament however was enjoyable, even once we’d been sent packing. Normally after an England exit, I struggle to muster to enthusiasm for a Semi-Final but this year I enjoyed it until the end. I was shocked at the way Russia threw away Group A to end up homeward bound after three games, amazed at how the Netherlands seem to underachieve even more than England given the players at their disposal and most bewildering for me I am turning into an admirer of a German side that I was eventually disappointed not to see go further. All that hatred for the perceived arrogance of Völler, Matthaus, Jancker, Kuntz, Kahn and Klinsmann down the years has only recently began to dawn on me that it is pure jealousy at the efficiency with which they go about their business. If anything the Germans are less efficient at present but with a little more flair and energy. I believe this is what they call growing up. Whatever next? Respecting that lot over the river? Don’t be so daft! Luke Williamson @LukeWilliamson
THE PIE MAN’S REALITY CHECK S ARE GOOD? THINK AGAIN! YOU THINK THING
The Great British summer. Don’t you just love it? 2012’s summer months have been particularly noteworthy, encompassing the wettest drought ever, the Queen’s jubilee, Euro 2012 and London’s Olympic Games. Plenty to distract Notts fans from the disappointment of missing out on the playoffs at the end of last season, you’dve thought? Wrong. Debate and rumour never stops and with optimism high, fans are expectant going into 2012/13. Taking a quick look at the squad, I’m happy with the goalkeeping situation after the addition of Bartosz Bialkowski, who, despite having a mare on the only occasion I’ve seen him play (the less said about that, the better), with Spiess and Liam Mitchell to back him up. We’ve got youth and talent there. Job done. I’m certainly happier with that than the axed Stuart Nelson and Rob Burch. Time will tell. In defence, we’ve lost Mike Edwards, which is a blow – “Steady Eddie” did the job, week after week, and not seeing him in a Notts shirt will be strange after 8 seasons, however he chose a longer contract at Carlisle and I can’t blame him for going for security at that stage of his footballing career. He’s sure to receive a great ovation when he returns to Meadow Lane with the Cumbrians. Sam “the salmon” Sodje, Liam Chilvers, John Harley and perpetually injured Stephen Hunt also left Meadow Lane, but I’m not overly concerned about any of them going! Alan Sheehan, Krystian Pearce, Julian Kelly and Haydn Hollis all remain under contract, whilst Manny Smith (Walsall) and Dean Leacock (Leyton Orient) have both arrived to strengthen the Pies at the back. Hamza Bencherif has been told during pre-season that he only has a future at Notts as a centre back, so that’s a bit of extra cover. Rumours abound on Notts CountyMad that ex-loanee Kieron Freeman may be a target, and if he came in, I think we’d be about sorted in defence. Midfield is certainly where Notts look strongest. Keith Curle jettisoned John Spicer (who has finally been found after going AWOL in the Nottingham area about 18 months ago), Charlie Allen (hmmm), and Ishmel Demontagnac (oh dear), and replaced them with Gary Liddle (returning to Meadow Lane for the first time since receiving a boot in the face from Notts skipper Neal Bishop), Joss Labadie (from our friends at Tranmere – more on them later), and Jamal Campbell Ryce (who, if we can keep him fit
long enough, has a point to prove and I fancy him to do pretty well). Strangest signing of pre-season must be Andre Boucard, who signed from Luton on a 6 month loan. Luton fans don’t rate him, and I do question the wisdom of signing a 27 year old from the non-league. Time will tell. The Magpies have retained top scorer Jeff Hughes and rising star Alan Judge, and we do look genuinely strong in midfield. We are, probably, a winger or two short for my liking, but hopefully Keith Curle will be on the case. For me, there is one key thing Notts lack. It doesn’t take a genius to work it out – it’s the same as always… we don’t have a goalscoring striker, and that, as has been the case every close season for as long as I can remember, is uppermost in my mind. We got rid of Ben “Burgervan” Burgess (who ended up signing for Tranmere, realised where he’d ended up and promptly retired). Karl “Hitman” Hawley (Never has one player had so many chances. Countless managers tried and failed with him – he even had a chance to express himself under Keith Curle, but to no avail. No touch, no confidence, no hope). We’ve replaced them with big Enoch Showunmi (from Tranmere – he must be better than Burgess!) and Yoann Arquin (a nonEnglish speaking Frenchman who scored a few for Hereford last year). Not quite what I was hoping for, I’ll openly admit. Rumours abound that Daniel Bogdanovic, Jonathan Forte, Craig Beattie and Francois Zoko are “close to signing” but as this piece is written, no-one has signed on the dotted line, and, for me, that’s a disaster. Coupling the lack of strikers to the rumour that Lee Hughes, the ageing goal machine, may well be on his way out of Meadow Lane (leaving us with Enoch Showunmi, Yoann Arquin and youngster Tyrell Waite) makes me very concerned. That strike force is nowhere near a promotion winning one, in my opinion. League One will hardly be quivering in its boots at the
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prospect of that lot, if you ask me. Goals win games, and it makes me incredibly frustrated that manager after manager seemingly neglects the need to get the striker we so desperately require. Just for once, it would be nice to go into pre-season thinking “there’s our 20 goal man”. Maybe next year, eh? Taking a look at the pre-season thus far, I think it’s fair to say that it’s been a bit of a mixed bag for the Magpies. I know the old footballing adage is that “performances are far more important than results” in pre-season, but, surprise surprise, we’ve not scored many goals. In the first game, Notts scraped a draw at Buxton thanks to a last gasp Alan Sheehan penalty. This was followed by a 0-0 draw at Alfreton. Notts did win 3-2 at Scarborough, thanks to a brace from Joss Labadie and an Alan Judge screamer, but made hard work of it. Perhaps the most worrying result of pre-season, in terms of result and performance came against the Gilbraltar national team, losing 3-1 (Jeff Hughes scoring for Notts). That said, it is unlikely that we’ll come up against rougher opposition this coming season, and astro-turf pitches are pretty infrequent in England! It also has to be said that Gilbratar were definitely “up for it”, with their celebrations more in keeping with the World Cup Final than a preseason kickabout. With a record of P4, W1, D2, L1, F4, A5, and games to come against AEK Athens and Forest before the season opens against Bradford on 11th August, we need to improve. Hopefully, by the time the boys stride out in the League Cup (preferably repeating the 5-0 thrashing they gave the Bantams in 2009), we’ll have the elusive goalscorer and another winger (Lloyd Sam, anyone?) to help us push on into the Championship. Personally, I’m not convinced they’ll arrive, but I’ve been wrong before. I hope I’m wrong again. Andrew Dennis @drewnotts
INTERVIEW: JAKE BUGG Singer-songwriter Jake Bugg has had a busy year - and it’s not looking to slow down anytime soon. With his self-titled debut album out at the end of October, and appearances at this year’s Carling Weekend this month, the 18-year-old stopped by for a quick chat with Darren Patterson. Are you a lifelong Notts County supporter? Not lifelong, I used to play football when I was younger but didn’t really follow it, I stopped playing but after a while got into following it and decided to support a local team. I have been supporting Notts about four or five years, I haven’t followed any other team. What was it that made you choose Notts over Forest? Well they’ve been around longer. I don’t really understand why anyone would support Forest. Also all my friends were Forest fans so I didn’t want to be the same as them. Can you remember the first Notts match you went to? My parents actually took me to a match when I was about three or four, I think we won 4-0 but I can’t remember who it was against. I can remember going though. What have been the most memorable matches while you have been following Notts? The Manchester City match is the one that sticks out most, to draw with the richest team in the world, it was really unexpected and also to see the stadium so full. It was a great atmosphere. The Juventus game last year as well, although I didn’t go, to draw with Juventus was pretty special.
especially on goal difference. Still to finish in seventh place was really good as nobody really expected that. What are your thoughts going into the new season? It would be great to get into the play-off places, we’ve got rid of a few players and I think we’re looking good, hopefully we can get up there and then it’s about staying there. I think we have a great chance. It’s the 150th year as well. I love the new home shirt and think that will definitely have to be brought. Are you hoping to be able to get down to more games next season? Yeah, I am really busy at the moment but I am definitely hoping to be able to get down to more than one game next season. No doubt you would love to be able to play a gig at Meadow Lane one day? That would be great. You see people like Noel Gallagher who have played at their side’s ground and they’re always saying how great it was. It would be brilliant, playing in front of what 20,000 at Meadow Lane. That would be incredible.
Who has been your favourite Notts player? Over the last couple of years I’d have to say it was Lee Hughes. He scores a lot of goals and is still a great player despite his age. You have a pretty busy schedule, did you manage to get to many games last season? Only one actually, the game against Carlisle at home, which we won 2-0 I think. We scored a great freekick. What are your thoughts on last season? It was a shame to miss out on the play-offs,
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If you could sign anybody for Notts, money no object, who would your dream signing be? Oh that’s a tough one. Messi is the Messi is the obvious choice, that’s a real tough question, knowing you could sign anyone. Who would you choose? That is tough, playing in League One maybe someone like Steven Gerrard. Beckham. Yeah or Beckham, with the Juventus connection someone like Del Piero would be really cool as well. Yeah Del Piero would be great. Or Pirlo, he’s still got it. Yeah definitely Pirlo. Getting onto your music, you’re quite busy at the moment, and have just played at Splendour on the main stage, how was that? Splendour was cool, it’s pretty weird seeing exteachers and that in the crowd but it was great to play.
And you have a new album coming out in October? Yeah October 15th it comes out I think. Then I’m heading to the States to tour with Noel Gallagher and Snow Patrol before I come back and do a tour of the UK in support of the album. The Nottingham show at Rescue Rooms sold out straight away, it would have been nice to upgrade to somewhere like Rock City but maybe I can play there next time. You must be really excited about the US tour with Noel and Snow Patrol? Yeah it’s incredible, a real dream come true. Looking forward to repping the city across the US. Get the crowds over there singing the “Wheelbarrow Song” Yeah that would be great. Well thanks for your time, just before you go is there anything else you’d like to say to your fellow Pies? I actually think we’re going to win the league!
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THE NEW KIDS ON OUR BLOCK
Same as every pre-season, there’s been an influx of new players added to Keith Curle’s squad. Having spoken with those who’ve seen them play a fair bit more than us, here’s the lowdown on each... GARY LIDDLE
Hartlepool’s loyal midfielder served the club for just three games shy of 250 appearances despite being aged just 24. John from PoolsTalk here shares his views.
ENOCH SHOWUNMI
Big Enoch was signed on a free having been released by Tranmere Rovers at the end of his contract at the beginning of July. Sam here gives his thoughts on the player voted Tranmere’s Player Of The Year for 2010/11: It’s difficult to say whether or not Enoch will be missed as we never really saw the best of him last season. He broke his leg at the end of the 2010/11 season and it wasn’t quite right for pre-season so he missed the bulk of it and never really got going when he came back. He scored no more than 5 goals, which was hugely disappointing after the promise shown in his debut season for us. In that season, he top-scored with 13 goals - including a smash-andgrab winner away at Meadow Lane - but went on a dry spell of four months without a goal from October until February. Had he not gone on that dry spell he might well have made it to at least 15 goals for the season or even his 20 goal target. As tall as he is, he’s not the best at heading the ball; mainly as he doesn’t actually jump! Not a lot of his goals for us were with his head and when he did win the occasional flick-on, nobody had bothered to gamble on it as he hardly ever won much in the air.
Gary is your typical model professional. A versatile midfielder who can play just in front of the defence, in the defence, or even push on as an attacking play maker. His true potential could shine through now he has made the step up in class to play for a team chasing promotion. Playing with better players will allow him to progress and together in the Notts midfield with Bishop I think if he’s allowed to be the one to push on in the attack he can really shine. He’ll do the nitty gritty in a way that does not always get him noticed. He can deliver quality from dead ball situations and he can finish which is a big plus too. Not the most spectacular player you’ve ever seen but to play for any club for as many years as he did at a consistent standard shows he’s worth his salt. His weaknesses? Most fans would tell you that he often went amiss when the going got tough. In bad times you look for leaders on the field and he unfortunately being one of the senior players at Hartlepool, was not very vocal when Pools needed him to shine. The other question mark over him is, does he score enough goals? In 6 years at the club, 247 appearances and only 18 goals in that time, is that really enough for a midfielder player? liquidfooty.wordpress.com
It probably sounds like I’m being very harsh on him here but what I will say is that he’s willing to run the channels and chase lost causes. He will, however, drop deep to come and get the ball or drift out wide when he should really be central, waiting for a cross to come in.
YOANN ARQUIN
Another free agent, Yoann Arquin was released at the end of Hereford United’s relegation season last year Martin from Bulls News says: If you can get him fit and focused he’ll tear defences apart at a decent level. He was, for the Bulls, a good impact sub - tricky and unpredictable and a danger running at tired defences. He was also lazy and disinterested in equal measure. He often looked like he’d lost interest in games within 20 minutes when starting and rarely completed 90 minutes throughout the season. The biggest problem with Yoann was the nightlife. He was just as famous on the terraces for downing expensive champagne in a local nightclub (often on a Thursday night before a match) as he was for netting winners. Just about everyone could see he had ability. But few believe he has the attitude to really make it. If you have a manager that can control him, and our manager from last season (Jamie Pitman) had no control over anyone, and focus him on the football then maybe you’ve got one hell of a player. Best moments? Coming off the bench to help the Bulls come back from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 with Swindon. Netting twice at Crawley in the final away game to keep our survival hopes up. Seven goals in 16 games in the second half of the season showed he was acclimatising to the British game after just 2 in 22 during the first half. Worst? Apart from the lack of interest he was also quick to explode after a bad challenge. More than once his co-striker had to pull him away from a defender.
liquidfooty.wordpress.com
bullsnews.blogspot.co.uk
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DEAN LEACOCK
BARTOSZ BIAŁKOWSKI
Experienced defender Leacock played for both Derby County and Fulham in the top flight. Leyton Orient fan Andy gives his take on the player:
We’ve all seen YouTube video but no one judges a player on just one game. Southamptonfan from Go Marching In had the following to say:
Russell Slade described Leacock as his “Rolls Royce” after his arrival in February 2012 - He ended up being more a Robin Reliant. It was a gamble that was definitely worth making - another player with a good reputation (see David Mooney and Jamie Cureton) to join Orient that ended up being short of what was expected or needed.
Signed by George Burley back in 2006, Bialkowski was the longest serving member of the current Southampton squad before he joined Notts. A total of 22 appearances in a red and white shirt over a 6 year period however, does speak volumes.
It all started well enough at Orient in a 2-0 away win at a the poorest Preston team I think I ever saw, but all went wrong with a stuffing at home to Scunthorpe, with a dire performance from Leacock In truth it wasn’t just Leacock’s fault. Though he did look like a languid, “poor man’s Ferdinand” (as a Derby fan described him to me). He played with composure at centre back, but we were warned that he could not play at right back or in central midfield. So what can Notts fans expect? Well, as an O’s fan I hope he has stinker when you play us (although we owe you for keeping us up), but seriously He will do a steady job in a sweepertype role in central defence. He brings the ball out well and is comfortable in the air. He came into a poor Orient team and made things worse last season, but in a good side, he could well be very competent. Slade often played him out of position, meaning that we never saw the best of him. He might claim to be able to play other positions besides centre back, but he can’t really. He suffers from a lack of consistency. It was difficult to tell which player would turn up from one game to the next. He seemed to lack effort and be past his best, but maybe that was due to playing in a side lacking confidence. wearegoingup.co.uk
JAMAL CAMPBELL-RYCE
Having last year played for Leyton Orient in our division, CampbellRyce signed permanently in the Summer for Notts. Paul from The Exile Robin says: JCR arrived at Ashton Gate towards the end of Gary Johnson’s largely successful spell as City manager. Unfortunately the astuteness showed in his signings early on in his reign had long since deserted him and JCR was just the latest in a series of disappointing, relatively big money signings made that ultimately diminshed the overall ability of the squad. There were flashes though, he was probably man-of-the-match three or four times in his year-and-a-bit with City (so when he was good, he was very good), and when he was on form he really made a difference to the sides potency. Tricky and pacy, he could turn defenders inside-out and could get dangerous crosses in. Unfortunately, when he was offcolour, he fell over the ball or got eased off easily, giving away possession too cheaply. He rarely played a full 90 minutes, being hauled off for an injection or relegated to the subs bench. The scene was set when he made his debut at home to Cardiff - we were humiliated 6-0. He had his revenge a year later when he capped off an improved overall performance with the third goal against the same side. Highlights were all too rare and his record of two goals never threatened a reasonable record at previous club Barnsley, where 12 goals in 90 games brought him to the attention of others. It may have been the case that the Championship was too tough and tight for him, certainly the additional space and time he may be afforded will help him show off his attributes but it’s inevitable he will frustrate in equal measure. exiledrobin.blogspot.co.uk
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Bart arrived in the January 2006 transfer window, but an awkward fall during a match a month later ruled him out for the remainder of the season. That summer also saw the arrival of Kelvin Davis, who would go on to become first choice keeper and eventually, Club Captain. Appearances over the next six years would be very limited for Bart and, whilst it would be all too easy to remember his time at Southampton for that howler against Blackpool, it’s important to remember that when Davis was injured or suspended, Bialkowski did step up and put in some very good performances some of which kept Davis out of the team after returning from injury/ suspension. Bart was signed as a promising goalkeeper and he is just that. Unfortunately, he found himself the understudy of a goalkeeper who was entering his prime years. A good shot-stopper and kicker, commanding his area and aerial ability on crosses were things I remember him needing to work on most (but it is difficult to be too picky when he has hardly played). Confidence and building a relationship with your defence comes from regular first team football and if he can get a good run of games under his belt for County, I have no doubt he’ll be a very solid keeper for you and could go on to become a good Championship level player in the future. gomarchingin.co.uk
JOSS LABADIE
Labadie follows Enoch from Tranmere Rovers on another free transfer. Sam from Liquid Football again has the lowdown:
MANNY SMITH
Seen as the perfect partner for Dean Leacock in defence, Manny has looked strong in pre-season. Sadly though he only went and got injured last week against Bradford. JJunior9 from the upthesaddlers forum had the following to say about Smith. Mannie will be fondly remember by Saddlers fans for his bravery and dedication to the cause. On more than one occasion, Mannie has suffered concussion, lost teeth and generally put his body on the line for the cause. A cultured defender with the ability to spray a cultured, forty yard pass he certainly is not; however, a dedicated professional, with a great turn of pace and unquestioned commitment describes him most accurately. Mannie is a reliable, oldfashioned centre-half who will always stick his head in where it hurts and use his pace to cover for team-mates, and under Keith Curle’s tutelage, I’m sure that the Magpies have stolen a player worth his weight in gold from their West Midlands Division One rivals. Alongside fellow new signing Dean Leacock, they should form a very useful defensive partnership.
As with Notts County’s other signing from Tranmere, Enoch Showunmi, it’s difficult to say whether or not we will miss Joss Labadie over at Prenton Park. In my mind, he is, undoubtedly, better than Danny Harrison, who has been brought back to the club from Rotherham but the risk in keeping hold of him would have been his discipline, which is his biggest problem. He picked up 16 yellow cards in his first full season at the club and one red card – against Notts County, of all sides – for kicking out. His temperament and ill-discipline is probably the main reason that he was relegated to the bench for most of last season, in which he picked up 8 yellow cards, with the majority of his 31 appearances coming from the bench. The majority of his bookings were, to be blunt, stupid. They were often for persistent fouls or needless, cynical fouls that were done to ‘even the score’ with an opposition player. Two sets of management, Les Parry and then Ronnie Moore, eventually became tired of dealing with it and Moore decided to release him at the end of the season. There is also a diving aspect to Labadie’s game which is not good to see. There have been times when he has gone down far too easily looking for a free-kick or a penalty and has been booked for doing so; obviously he’s not very good at it! In fairness to Joss, he is a decent player and has the potential to play at a higher level. He is, after all, only 21 and has plenty of time to sort himself out. If he can do so then Notts will have signed a terrific, boxto-box midfielder who is capable of scoring 10 goals per season at least from the middle of the park; that is, if he is played consistently in a side that is doing well. liquidfooty.wordpress.com
Curle has obviously tried to sign players in his image: Leacock has the composure of the gaffer in his pomp while Smith has the bravery, strength and speed to burn. upthesaddlers.com
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FRANCOIS ZOKO
Signed late in the day, Zoko was one of the hotly-sought prospects in League One. John McGee says: ‘Zoko Zoko, Zoko there’s no limit!’ So the chant went. And for a short while, there wasn’t. No limit to the love for a man from the Ivory Coast, lost like flotsam in North Cumbria. When he joined Carlisle on trial in August 2010 I remember finding the whole charade hilarious, sharing the joke with a colleague of mine, of a man who starred alongside Sevilla’s Arouna Kone for Ivory Coast u23s pulling on his smalls alongside the part timers at Kendal Town. With his pidgin English, cheeky grin and omnipresent gloves Zoko during his early days cut a beguilingly incongruous figure at Brunton Park – think Cool Runnings to a factor ten and you’re almost there. While the locals revelled in tales of Zoko’s assistance with local ‘Cycle Safe’ campaigns going awry as the man from Africa was snapped pedalling in a pedestrian zone, fans gaped and yawed at his exploits on the pitch. Step overs, threadneedle passes and overhead kicks are rare sights in Cumbria, but they came often in that first season. What also, sadly, came was a shower of frustratingly indifferent performances. Shoulders shaped in an indifferent Gallic shrug became almost as much a Zoko trademark as his silky skills. At times the man could drive you livid, indeed he drove me to claim I’d drive him to another club – that I’d need to pass my test no object to the desperation he wrought. It was this Zoko who arrived for last preseason and it took 3 months to coax him back to the land of the living. He arrived, with a bang at Deepdale on Boxing Day, replacing the stricken Rory Loy and lashing home. His form continued and he looked every inch a player worthy of a move to higher climes, carrying the Blues to an outstanding league finish. With Francois you are equally cursed and blessed. Prepare to ride out the rum times in search of the diamond moments and steel yourself for Saturday evenings fighting the urge to proclaim him a waste of space – you won’t be the first there. In Cumbria, it’s told now that there was a limit to our love for the man. The ruling emotion now one of bitter disappointment at his chosen move, but really it was just as we hoped we’d never have to bid the man ‘adieu’. To the fans who get to marvel at this man, you have a tad of my jealousy, but for those teeth grinding Saturday afternoons, my best – ‘bonne chance’, as our man might have it. keithmincher.com
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? LAST SEASON EDITION!
Back in May, manager Keith Curle released via the club’s website the list of players who’s contracts he had chosen not to renew. Most found new clubs for this season - but it’s perhaps hard to be surprised at those which didn’t!
ANDRE BOUCAUD
Boucaud is the first of three six month signings made in the Summer. Last seen at Luton Town last season, he’s good on both feet, Boucaud is a player that likes to impress and can pass the ball both long and short range to great effect.
CARL REGAN
Carl Regan has returned to Meadow Lane following a brief loan spell which cut short due to injury in the Paul Ince days. Right-back Rego made a dozen or so apperances for Shrewsbury Town last season as they earned themselves promotion to League One for this season. Having impressed during a number of pre-season friendlies, he has signed a six month deal.
TOM WILLIAMS
The well travelled Williams has made Notts the 15th club of his career on a six month deal similar to that of Regan. Another trialist during pre-season, former Cyprus international Williams has attempted to fill in defensively so far - but the less said about that the better. His last competitive fixtures before Notts came for Kettering Town a year ago.
Sadly, Mike Edwards left the club despite being offered a new deal. With Carlisle United offering him an extra year though it was too good for Steady to refuse - could be a big loss for Notts both on the pitch and behind the scenes. It was a transfer that leaves Neal Bishop and Lee Hughes as the club’s two most senior professionals.
Charlie Allen was happy to sit back and tweet about how he’s a lad, how he’s been to Nandos, how he’s so into Drake. how things are “decent” - standard footballer Twitter protocol! Hounded all Summer for news of whether he’d found a new club, suggestions of whether he’d end up where his Dad went caused much frustration.
Also being offered a new contract yet this time (eventually) accepting was Gavin Mahon. Having only played a bit-part role in the playoff push last season because of a clause in his contract, Mahon will be playing a bigger role this season.
So obviously he went and did exactly that, rolling up at Gillingham mid-July mere weeks after his old man had been appointed manager. His backroom again consisted of John Schofield, Carl Muggleton and James Russell. And so last year’s ever-present goalkeeper was next to join the reunion, Stuart Nelson eventually agreeing terms on a two year contract.
Ben Burgess, who had just days earlier finished his season in tasting League Two Play-Off Final disappointment at Wembley signed for Tranmere Rovers. Yet somehow neither were the worst thing to happen to him in the Summer as he announced his retirement from the game at the end of July. Next to find a club would be Ishmel Demontagnac - taking the step down a division in signing a twoyear deal at Northampton Town. His new manager Aidy Boothroyd said: “He needs a platform to show what he is all about and I think we can give him that.” - which is likely a fair comment! Port Vale were linked with moves for both Liam Chilvers (who spent time there last season on loan) and Karl Hawley but a move for neither materialised at the time this has gone to print. Hawley was last seen at large for Doncaster Rovers as a trialist, Chilvers likewise at Tranmere Rovers. Hailed as Kasper’s replacement upon his arrival at Notts, goalkeeper Rob Burch finished the season walking out of Meadow Lane on crutches and is still looking for a new club. Burchio was last seen in a Notts shirt saving a Fabio Quagliarella penalty in the Juventus arena let’s not forget! Also making an impact in Turin was Jude Stirling - we won’t dwell on why too much! Just ask Alan Judge... Jude is without a club which is a surprise for someone with his high standards of etiquette!
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Meanwhile, Charlie’s old housemate George Nicholas’ first match action of the Summer came as a trialist against Watford for Wealdstone FC of the I s t h m i a n League Premier Division. He later signed for them full time. Sadly, Stephen Hunt continues to sit it out on the sidelines still recovering from the injury sustained in March 2011. Having again gone under the knife at the end of June, Hunty still has hope of playing for Notts again and has even been told by Curle he may continue his rehabilitation at Meadow Lane. Former self-proposed “cult hero” Sam Sodje remains without a club too. Is there not one club out there willing to take a chance on this madman? Smiling John Harley is yet to make a move also - but did spend part of his Summer in Cardiff taking his UEFA B Coaching License before going to Spain on trial with Portsmouth. Meanwhile, John Spicer came out of hiding to take part in a trial at Southend United. Vicious rumours began to circulate he had even scored there too. Having seen the Higgs Boson Particle’s existrence proven over the Summer, science’s next big challenge is proving the claims that Spicer is actually a footballer.
KICKING AND SCREAMING
There’s an elephant in the room at Meadow Lane this summer – something that fans seem reluctant to talk about and to accept, but that we all know deep down is going to happen.
For the first time, in my time supporting the club at least, we will start a season with a manager who has built a squad around using a preferred formation of 4-5-1. Despite its rapid ascent to not just a key role in the success of the finest sides in the world, Barcelona and Spain being the obvious examples, but also a place in the consciousness and affections of almost all football fans, formations with a lone striker are still viewed with something of a suspicion in the English football league. It’s a bit like a talented Spanish playmaker who wears gloves on a Tuesday night at Scunthorpe in October – fans at our level seem to see it as aesthetically pleasing but ultimately doomed to failure. This is a view rooted in misplaced nostalgia and selective memories, however, as the often mooted suggestion that this way of playing is almost always unsuccessful at this level is just wrong. The best example of 4-5-1 success at this level recently are Brighton & Hove Albion, who stormed the League One title two years ago playing a system influenced by Gus Poyet’s continental football grounding. Brighton possessed the touch, intelligence and tactical fluidity that is vital for the 4-5-1, or 4-2-3-1 as it has now evolved into, to work, but also a darker side that aided their success at League One level. Somewhat in keeping with Poyet’s own flair-combined-with-hardness style of patrolling midfield, Brighton were perfectly happy to mix it with the division’s most physical sides, giving
them a basis from where to play their football. Happily, I can see comparisons that can be drawn between Poyet’s Brighton and what Keith Curle is currently trying to do at Meadow Lane. If there’s one thing that is striking about our summer signing, it’s that they all seem to fit into the criteria of being big, physical and powerful, looming over the relative midgets we’ve kept from last season. I’d be surprised if Notts lose a physical battle once in the entire season, let alone on a regular basis as was sometimes the case against the better sides last season. The key men in Brighton’s dominant season were the likes of Ashley Barnes, a workhorse of a striker who was both a lethal finisher who coasted to twenty goals and an angry young man happy to run around kicking peoples’ shins, robust but talented Spanish full back Inigo Calderon and holding midfield passer-cumtackler Liam Bridcutt. Looking at the current Notts side, it is hard not to see these qualities in our crop, apart from perhaps one player making it to that elusive twenty goal mark. New signings Gary Liddle and Joss Labadie certainly seem to have the necessary mixture of technical proficiency and borderline midfield ADHD to make the system a success. So, I reckon we can mix it with the inevitable hard nuts of League One, but what the 4-2-3-1 system really relies on is technical and tactic proficiency. This can be seen more in Milton Keynes, a side who paradoxically epitomise all that is good about that side of the formation on the pitch whilst remaining a soulsapping abomination off of it. Karl Robinson’s commitment to his principles is admirable, but I firmly believe he would’ve dragged MK’s small squad into
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the Championship had he added more of the physical grit and determination of a Brighton. When they click, however, Milton Keynes can be an absolute joy to watch and nigh-on unstoppable, weaving patterns around any side who turns up playing a rigid 4-4-2 and trying to ‘mark them out of the bloody game’. Hard-working but technically sound central midfielders Stephen Gleeson and Darren Potter provide the base for the positionally rotating trio of Daniel Powell, Luke Chadwick and Dean Bowditch to cause damage going forward. The fluidity of these three’s movement is what makes Milton Keynes so difficult to mark and Notts will be hoping that something similar can be achieved by Francois Zoko, Alan Judge and Jamal Campbell-Ryce. If they do, it should certainly go a long way to trashing the misconception that playing five in midfield is an automatically defensive formation to play. Of course, there are still slight concerns over whether any of Enoch Showunmi, Yoann Arquin and Lee Hughes have the all-round ability needed to make the formation work with a lone striker, although the pre-season signs have been reasonably promising despite the aversions of some supporters to any system relying on a lone centre forward. The tide is definitely shifting in the lower leagues, however, and the day will soon come when a new generation of fans, both at Notts and across the country, will stop screaming “go 4-4-2 and get stuck in, lads” to “play it simple and keep moving”. In my eyes, it’ll be a change for the better. Jacob Daniel @NottsCountyMad
IS THIS THE REAL FA CUP?
We’ve been following the early rounds of the FA Cup for a while now and, in that time, we’ve occasionally been irked by the sponsor’s inactivity and crass ideas. Budweiser have excelled themselves at the latter despite some very early promise with their live streaming of an FA Cup Extra Preliminary game through their UK Facebook page. Bud didn’t follow up this ingenuity so the goodwill went to waste ... and then they paid for Terry Venables to get involved at Wembley FC. El Tel’s advisory role has now been extended to THAT tie-in with Wembley FC that you’ve probably heard of. What Bud/ Tel have done is dig up some 45 year old footballers to play for Wembley in FA Cup games. This scheme will be accompanied by a ... wait for it ... reality TV program on ESPN!!! What we all need, more reality television. Is it a good idea? There are a number of things that could go wrong, although these things could, of course, make for good telly. On a very basic level there are going to be up to five regular Wembley first-teamers who’ll get dropped for FA Cup games. Cue hidden-camera footage of tantrums in the manager’s office, well you’d be bothered if you’d just been dropped for Martin Keown. Not having played for several years and not playing regularly, will the five superstars even be fit enough to last more than 20 minutes? Cue sirens and tracking shots of ambulances speeding away from Vale Farm, panning to close up on worried looking spouses of once-fit
footballers. Team practicalities aside, Bud have, no doubt, thrown at Wembley enough money to ensure their survival for at least a short time. Given the precarious nature of many non league football clubs, it must have been very difficult to turn down. But was it shortsighted? It’s easy to see how the club might have perceived this ‘opportunity’ as low-impact, especially as it only focuses on the FA Cup. And, for sure, this will garner some big coverage for Wembley, the novelty of seeing a not-quite World Cup winner at Vale Farm (Claudio Caniggia!) will undoubtedly pull a few rubber-neckers in on FA Cup day. But, as well as the likely team issues, there is a huge question mark about whether this will create the ‘unique memories that players and communities will never forget’ that Bud claim? Will this make local people become fans? Every non league and lower league club has their story of a geriatric marquee signing but the vast majority of examples are nothing more than curious and ill-judged footnotes in the
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book of football. So, what on earth are Budweiser playing at? What are they going to get out of this that couldn’t be done in a more humane way? It can only be exposure but that’s so short term. What they could have done is spread the money around more clubs, more constructively and more beneficially to all of grassroots football. They don’t have to be a crass multi-national trampling over the oldest cup tournament in the World for some perceived cultural capital. At the ‘Facebook’ game last season Bud effectively sent a road-show out to Ascot United (v Wembley, ironically) that boosted the gate significantly. It was professional without being obtrusive and engaged the community, exactly what should be done to ensure the longevity of local clubs. An idea like that could be on tour, patrolling the country through every qualifying round and spreading goodwill around the regions. This might also have had a greater and more deep-rooted impact on their brand rather than the overt, short-term PR hit of a reality TV show. Damon Threadgold @therealfacup
‘GEET RESULT THE DAYUH FANTASTIC TE SCORE’ FOR the modern day football fan Twitter has become an essential platform with which to gain information, debate and ‘express yourself’ about the beautiful game. During England’s failed Euro 2012 campaign, dependant of course on who you follow, every other second there would be a new tweet about Hodgson’s tactics, Rooney’s form or Andrea Pirlo. It is the modern way to converse and it has become a very powerful tool. If I am out, and want to get up-to-date with a cricket score, a team’s starting line-up or the latest breaking news I will simply tap the Twitter app on my phone and be immediately up to date. No searching necessary, someone will be talking about it at the top of my feed. It has become all-consuming, and Notts County use it very well too, engaging supporters in debate, providing news and, during games if you are unable to make it, you know how the Magpies are faring by following the official channel. But it hasn’t always been like that of course. It is a relatively new phenomenon. And professional footballers are among the most followed of professions.
certainly if you pay him a compliment. It is fantastic to see the players using Twitter, it gives us an insight into their lives – where else would we know just how fond of Whitby fish and chips Bishop is, or how much Sheehan enjoys eating out with his best mates @wesolowski14 and @billy_kee? Bishop even revealed he is about to become a dad online in the pre-season. But imagine the use of Twitter in year’s gone by. I wonder what sort of tweets past Notts greats would have conversed? Jimmy Sirrel would of course have played it straight ‘if you dinnae score, you dinnae win’ – something like that. Don Masson would have been the epitome of elegance and no doubt a little arrogance, tweeting something along the likes of ‘that was a really pleasing victory today. I was outstanding’ while Tommy Johnson’s tweets after the Wembley victories may have been less easy to understand what with his strong Geordie accent… ‘geet result the dayuh fantastic te score a goal’. It’s a shame it hasn’t always been around, but for the modern fan let’s hope it is here to stay. Paul Smith @psmithyjourno
Notts have several players using Twitter. Captain Neal Bishop is probably the most prolific, while playmaker Alan Judge joined up last season and Alan Sheehan tweets occasionally.
Paul’s Notts County Twitter XI
Last season, there was also the now departed Charlie Allen and his ‘joke of the day’, Jon Harley Stephen Hunt and Rob Burch , while of the early summer signings Gary Liddle appears to enjoy using the social networking site. For me, it was always interesting to read the Tweets of the players during last season at the end of each game. Usually, the likes of Bishop, Judge and Sheehan would pass a comment on the result or performance after every match. I became like a kid waiting for Christmas Day waiting for the opinion of my heroes.
Kasper Schmeichel @kschmeichel1
Jon Harley @Topperhar
Michael Johnson Graeme Lee @jonsarno
@5spike
Neal Bishop
Gary Liddle
Alan Sheehan @Sheezdogg
Judge’s were usually along the lines of ‘great win, fans were brilliant, thanks for all your kind messages’ while Sheehan’s invariably followed the ‘good result, now for a rest up ahead of the next one’. But Bishop’s tweets are the most entertaining. As with his displays on the pitch, he wears his heart on his sleeve and has been known to become embroiled in rows with fans who have clearly messaged him something disrespectful or upsetting. The infamous slanging match after the Stevenage cup defeat carried on following the game, on Twitter, and wasn’t great to see.
Ben Davies
@18bendavies
But he is also responsive in a positive way. He is likely to tweet back if you ask a question, or
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@04NBisho
Craig Westcarr @Craig20naps
@GaryLiddle4
Alan Judge @14Judgey
Christian Montano @Cmontano11
FINDING THE BALANCE
It’s Saturday, 8.30am and my train has just left Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. There are still five and a half hours left until kick-off in what can only be described at best as a glorified training session. And being honest - even that might be just a tad generous! Today Notts are taking on Scarborough Athletic in Bridlington. Last week I’d made the slightly shorter journey up to Buxton to see the start our pre-season schedule. I have to do ask myself why though. Certainly, the idea of seeing our new signings for the first time is attractive, but that’s largely where the positives end from a footballing perspective. Keith Curle has thus far named different sides in each half as he weighs up his options, in both the previous weekend’s 1-1 draw, and Wednesday evening’s goalless encounter in Alfreton – replete with centre circle team talk from the manager. On a personal level I just love getting out to these grounds. Were it up to me the souldestroying Lego brick grounds like Stadium MK would be burned to the ground in place of arenas like these. The allure of a pitchside beer isn’t important, more the ground level view of things, taking in the on-field communications that you lose in more routine stadia. And let’s be honest – that’s about the only noise you hear all afternoon! Certainly it’s clear for paying supporters that their encouragement isn’t needed when their players on most occasions are playing at roughly half their usual capacity. But you still look at those scores and wonder if you should be a little bit concerned. We’re a League One outfit, surely these non-league minnows should be brushed aside with consummate ease with almost FIFA Street proportions? Results don’t matter, you know this all too well - but there’s always going to be that bit of worry at the back of your mind. We all know by now that these
games have absolutely zero baring on what will happen when the season begins on August 11th. Every side out there has their own horror stories of fantastic off-season preparations culminating in a miserable relegation on the final day.
a Sheffield Wednesday XI’s 14-0 slaughtering at Alfreton last July speaks volumes for pre-season results and their relevance in the grand scheme of things. They didn’t come out of last year too badly after all! Notts of course won the game in Scarborough 3-2 thanks to Joss Labadie and Alan Judge’s goals in a decent performance with many positives to take from the afternoon. But isn’t that just slightly hypocritical? That we will happily accept the positives, yet brush off quite easily the slightest hint of negativity from these games?
Similarly, things can go the other way. Notts were quite frankly dire last Summer – including defeat at Hinckley United and having an established centre back having rings run round him by Kettering Town. Come the final day of the season though, it was only goal difference (and some quite questionable Bury substitutions) that would cost It’s all well and good to sing the us a play-off place. praises of a Notts side who have come from behind twice to beat Encounters like these however a side several leagues below are all about the players getting them in English football - but their fitness back after weeks of when Gibraltar’s international rinsing their Nandos unlimited side beat you convincingly a cards and filling Twitter with few days later, you mustn’t lose their “decent banter”. Yet that sight that there are still things won’t stop many going just a to take from the display. bit over the top in their concern. The voices of disapproval sadly And yes, that’s irrespective will always rise to the top. For of Gibraltar treating it like the the majority’s rationally minded biggest game of their lives, musing, it’s always the knee- the gaming being played on an jerk responses that rise to artificial surface, or the quality the top attracting the greater of your internet stream when response. With memories of our you were trying to watch it last Summer still fresh in the online! mind for most, we still get those who firmly believe that failure The hope is of course that by to score a goal in a training the time you’re reading this, exercise means the end of days we’ll be in the second round of for Notts’ chances this year. the League Cup, and started the season with victory at Crewe To some, Keith Curle is already so long as the perfect balance a dead man walking just two has been taken from those prepre-season games in. season games by Keith Curle and his backroom obviously! But such a reaction will be a familiar tail for many English That’s all pre-season contests clubs this Summer. Some are about at the end of the day. who’s “humiliation” may even Will defeat in Gibraltar really make it to Sky Sports News, matter so long as we already further spreading an essentially have three points on the board? non-existent shame beyond their own supporters. But Stuart Brothers @StuTNB BLACK & WHITE PAGE 29
PRE-SEASON BLUES? How was your Summer? Lonely? Miserable? Don’t be one of hundreds of thousands in the UK who suffered alone - the end of the season is a tortuous time for many people. You know it yet you find yourself scared to say it aloud, that Saturday’s were not designed with town centre shopping sprees in mind. But always remember, never forget - you are not alone.
Were you left distraught with how many pitchforks our groundstaff had when it rained? Did signing Andre Boucaud leave you sulking via Twitter uncontrollably? Did defeat to Gibraltar over a three frames per second video stream have you reaching for the bottle? Did you get yourself so wound up over unconfirmed signings that Facebook became your battleground? Did you see that Bradford game last week??? Suffer in silence no longer. You have a friend!
Call The Samaritans, today on 08457 90 90 90
WE’VE GOT JOHNNO AT THE BACK! Hi guys, it gives me great pride to be asked to write for Black & White this year. I so hope you enjoy the magazine and it’s content. Hopefully it will be brilliant especially if the lads on the pitch give us real fans something to shout about!
McStay, Geoff Pike, Adrian Thorpe and John Chedozie. This was a dream come true!
If you ever want to talk, shout me on Twitter (@Jonsarno) with any questions or ongoing debates I raise as I would like my little section to have a little bit more of interaction going on!
It became more of a hobby for the lads more than a chore as away shorts would often be given to the boy that worked the most in the away team dressing room.
Im gonna take you through my journey this season with Notts County after two spells with the club the first started in 1987 as a young school boy spotted by the coach at the time Mick Walker.
We earned £29.50 a week and I remember one year when Christmas came early -the first team were due to play Manchester City in the FA cup and it tipped down with snow and Meadow Lane was covered.
I was asked to join up with the schoolboys that included a young Steve Slawson and an absolute fruitcake of a goalkeeper named James Walker who has carved out an amazing career for himself. I’m so proud of him as we were very close.
Derek Pavis amassed all the YTS boys together, we all thought we were in trouble but he said “If you guys get the snow of the pitch and the game goes ahead ill give you £20 each”. It may not sound like a lot now but we were nearly doubling our wages lol.
We won our Sunday league and quite a few of us were offered YTS forms.
We worked from 9am on the Fri morning till 7pm with plenty fun along the way with the pro’s as well. The game went ahead and we won which made it even sweeter. Now I had to decide which restaurant a lucky lady would be dining with me with an extra...wait for it guys...£20 in my pocket!!
In 1989 we signed for the club and became apprentices on 2 yearr deals, the group above us consisted of Tommy Johnson, Mark Draper, Paul Cox, Richard Walker and David Rush who went onto play for Sunderland in the FA cup final. We had senior pros at the club like Willie
As young boys we took in turns to go and put the half time tea in the opponents dressing room as our job.
Michael Johnson | michaeljohnsonfootball.com
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