Towards the end of December, I didn't really expect Notts to make many signings, if any, during the January transfer window. Some sources claimed that no signings would be made at all. I stuck to hopes that we would see some sort of inbound movement within the transfer period at Meadow Lane. I think more than anything I was hoping we would sign players on a permanent basis.

Yet I did think if any movement was made, it would mostly be in the form of loans, and I'm not against that at all – a club like Notts needs to make the most of the loan market.

During the same period, the Nottingham Post had claimed that the return of Liam Noble would be like a new signing and most likely all us Notts fans should expect. I felt this was patronising more than anything, as I didn't think Derry would sit out the window completely.

Then came the arrival of two untested and untried loanees from Derby County, my father’s team.

Kwame Thomas: Looked to be the one with the most promise, in his début he looked to get involved and offered us something completely different up front. It was nice to see a striker looking to bring in the physical side of play, at least to the point he didn't shy a way from getting involved.

Good move? Hard to say but I'd gamble on extending his deal.

Does he offer us anything different? I would say he does. His attitude and ambition, combined with his raw potential, makes him appear useful to have around. We don't have a striker who isn't afraid of getting involved in the way young Thomas does.

Alefe Santos: He arrived with more expectations I would say, instantly I noticed comments about him being Brazilian, but playing football like an English player. This isn't hard to explain, since he's been living in the UK since his early childhood, but he does show some touches of flare and unlike some Brazilians he looks to pass more than he does run – bar the effort he wasted against Peterborough.

Good move? So far, no. He simply hasn't done enough.

Does he offer us anything different? I don't think he's settled in as he could have done, considering his wages I wouldn't expect them to be a lot and he could be worthwhile hanging onto.

William Hayhurst: Put in a very effective and exciting début, even within the last few games he has looked to get involved but has been considerably marked out of games. However, the youngster still continues to impress and if Notts could work more on their dynamics, I can see him being a big signing for the magpies.

Good move? Yes, his ability to cross is something we desperately lacked.

Does he offer us anything different? To say we have been crying out for a winger who can cross would be a massive understatement but he offers much more than that. He offers energy, someone who can assist with defending and link up with the central midfielders.

Billy Daniels: After his speculator début goal, he hasn't quite offered us much else. However, it's very early days and he does seem to have something about him that suggests he could link up well with a striker or an attacking midfielder who can play into him.

Good move? Yes, his ability to be a rotational player will be of importance when we require a little more depth in midfield.

Does he offer us anything different? I echo my earlier comments, but his height and skill does seem to intrigue me.

Hayden White: Coming into the Doncaster Rovers there was a lot said about him, at the time I saw him more as a backup and something we could have needed. Dean Yates said on the radio that he's probably a failed winger, yet having seen highlights of him on YouTube he appeared to be a rugby player and not a footballer – these comments concerned me. And seeing him start at Peterborough United, he offered us nothing and he looked to really struggle in the game. His defending was non-existent and his attacking play was limited at best.

Good move? No, not at all.

Does he offer us anything different? I wouldn't say so, not even as a backup player. I mean he could prove us all wrong but he doesn't seem to have a future in football, let alone the non-league.

Balint Bajner: #NoBajnerNoParty – Now we've got that out the way, I tracked this rumour from the early days where by the Oldham manager said we 'blew them out of the water'. He looked useful from the highlights; his career suggests he has something. His début at Doncaster Rovers received some interesting comments and I was eager to see him start against Peterborough United. His height, ball control and confidence suggest he could be a very good player in League One. I think he did okay in the game against the Posh, I liked his energy, movement and the way he held his own against their defenders. He also didn't go down for a penalty within the first half, many European strikers let a lone at this level would have done.

Good move? Yes, this signing could actually pay off.

Does he offer us anything different? Aside from his cult following? Yes, definitely. He offers us movement, a bit flare and skill. He's the type of signing with little expectation but a considerable amount of promise. I also don't want to forget about his height! To say he's tall, he offers close control and turns rather nicely. If we can bring that into our play and help him more, I would say he offers a lot of hope.

Summary

All in all much better than I had expected, the young players from Derby sort of sent Twitter into meltdown and I understand that. Yet bar White, I am not disappointed. Santos could actually improve, whereas Hayhurst, Daniels and Bajner offer a lot of promise and at least they're ours!

The kid Thomas is also useful.

Am I expecting any more?

Notts are being heavily linked with Nicky Clark, whilst Louis Laing seems quite viable. If I am honest, I don't think we will see any more. I do hold hopes we can, quite possibly we will but I do expect any more personally.

Join Pride of Nottingham and share the "Notts Community" experience by interacting with us. On match days we take to surveying and asking fans their opinions, if time permits we speak to an opposition fan and we then meet our own. If you would like to feature in our videos please do get in touch, the simplest way in getting involved is by joining our community forums.

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For each home game we hope to bring you our "Meet the Fans" range of content. Find out what away fans think in the "Opposition View", then it's straight onto our own with "Meet the Fans" and afterwards we find out what the "Aftermath" is and how our fans feel the game went.

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Join Pride of Nottingham and share the "Notts Community" experience by interacting with us. On match days we take to surveying and asking fans their opinions, if time permits we speak to an opposition fan and we then meet our own. If you would like to feature in our videos please do get in touch, the simplest way in getting involved is by joining our community forums.

Alternatively you can e-mail us by using the contact form found in the main navigation. We take great pride in offering our content to the fans, so we do hope you enjoy them!

For each home game we hope to bring you our "Meet the Fans" range of content. Find out what away fans think in the "Opposition View", then it's straight onto our own with "Meet the Fans" and afterwards we find out what the "Aftermath" is and how our fans feel the game went.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel - PrideofNottinghamTV

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Many thanks to all the fans who featured in videos, we greatly appreciate the time taken by the fans to speak with us.

Once again Mr Trew's taken time out of his busy schedule to answer questions asked by our community here at Pride of Nottingham. It was July 2013 the last time we put a series of questions to the chairman of Notts County Football Club.

Several members of the community took to ask questions, we asked everyone to help select which questions should be put to Mr Trew and here we are.

Question asked by WeymouthPIE; How happy are you with the current position of the club on and off the field? Is it in the position you expected or hoped it would be in at this point when you first took over?

To be honest and frank after the promotion in 2010 i thought we would sail through league 1 and become a championship side. However, i had a rude awakening but i have never lost site of this dream. I am more than happy with the progress this season and i dont mind admitting that its shows to me that there is no correlation between monies spent and success. This season and its no secret i cut the playing budget considerably but we now probably for the first time since my take-over i have a management team who believe in what we are trying to achieve and are happy to work with the budget given to them.

Question asked by hissingdwarf; Do you think the artificial pitch is the way to go? Have you consulted the players on their feelings?

I can say that at the Chairmans Conference is Cyprus in 2011 we were one of the clubs who proposed this. Unfortunately at that time it got voted down. We did this because it was apparent to all the damage the surface suffered from the Rugby. Now we have reached agreement with the Rugby to vacate Meadow Lane then need to 3G or 4G is much less. I am still personally in favour of lower league clubs playing on this surface because the risk of getting Winter games called off is few and far between.

Question asked by Northants Pie; If you could do one thing for the betterment of football in general what would it be? More particularly the football league?

Simply change the way the voting mechanism works. We currently have a system in the FL that even if you had both League 1 and League 2 voting in favour of change if the Championship voted against it, it would fail. I personally think the voting system is outdated and at the determent o football in general. It should be one team one vote in my opinion.

Question asked by Canadian; What is your outlook for the next 3 seasons. Is the aim to reach the Championship?

I think with our management team the club is in safe hands and we are building slowly for the future. The ambition and aim is to have Notts playing year in year out in the Championship that goal has never changed.

Question asked by PTID1862; How does FFP affect both the club and yourself?... are the club currently within the rules without additional revenue injection?

We manage to work with FFP only because the cash i inject into the football club. These monies are not allowed to be put in as loans but have to be Capital. Unfortunately, without someone injecting cash each season the club could not work with FFP simply because the expenditure is greater than our income.

Question asked by Cobby; What do you attribute Derry and Abbott's current success to when compared with previous managers?

This is a very good question which i have to say i have given a lot of thought to. In my opinion the important aspect for them is team spirit and players having the right attitude. We have been offered and had the ability to sign some what i would regard as Top Players at this level but they would not sign them because in there opinion they didn’t have the right attitude. ITs ironic and i have covered this off in a previous response but it highlight to me that there is no correlation between monies spent and success.

Question asked by hissingdwarf; Out of all the players purchased, which has been the worst purchase and which was the 'one that got away' that you regret the most missing out on?

I am not going to talk about specific individuals and i am sure i dont need to mention names because we all know who they are. With regard players we have missed out on there have been a number which i scout identified but the manager in situ at the time didn’t fancy for one reason or another. A number of these players have gone on to play in the Championship and Premier League and what is more sickening for me, been sold for vast sums.

Question asked by TonyHateley; What has been your greatest regret since becoming the owner of Notts County FC?

Quite simply the number of managers i have gone through. My biggest problem was i wanted immediate success and if a manger didn’t deliver this then i was trigger happy. I decided when i hired Shaun and Greg that even if we were relegated i would have stuck wight hem because believe in what they are trying to achieve.

Question asked by Dripsey3; Do you have sleepless nights thinking about the amount of money it will cost to compete in the Championship if we get promoted? Did you know that the Championship is the 6th highest spending league in Europe? Are you sweating yet?

Surprisingly not. Notts work better as a business in League 2 and the Championship. We are fortunate geographically if we were able to get into the Championship that we would have a number of packed house in many games because there are so many Midlands Clubs playing in it. In addition next season Championship Clubs get from memory another £3million a season from the PL so as a business model is works better than League 1.

Question asked by liampie; I would like to know if there is any more plans to develop meadow lane further and if not, does that means you're happy with the ground?

We have had plans drawn up now for just over 2 years on the development of the Family Stand. When i feel the time is right we will push the button on this project.

Question asked by Cobby; Thankfully Greg Dyke's proposals (i.e. B TeamS) to "help" the English football fell of deaf ears. What were your thoughts on his proposals and do you think there is a way the FA could help the English game while also benefiting lower league teams?

In short no. We now live in a era where you have the tail (i.e The Premier League) wagging the dog until they lose some of there power within the game nothing will ever change

Question asked by Notts-Joe; Can you tell us anything new regarding the progress of Jimmy Spencer? I heard that the club have paid for some expensive equipment which will hopefully help in return and news regarding him returning to light training. Can you shed any light on this and Jimmy?

Yes we have invested in some new equipment to assist with many injuries. Jimmy has made use of this equipment and his rehabilitation is now much more advanced. We are hoping if this progress continues he will feature before the end of this campaign. My personal opinion for what its worth and this is not to say the people filling his boots have not done well but if we had him playing this season we would be much higher up the table and close on the heels of Bristol City.

----------------------------------------

Extra question

Question from TonyHateley's six year old Grandson George: My Grandad says you bought Notts County for a pound, the tooth fairy gave me £2 last week can I buy it off you?

Its very easy to buy a football club but its no so easy maintaining one. Whilst i may have brought it for a pound i have spent over £18million to date either in direct cash or through sponsorships directly and indirectly by companies under my control.

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Pride of Nottingham would like to thank Mr Trew for taking the time to answer our questions, we very much appreciate the time and it means a lot to out community that he would grant us time to do this feature. Onwards and Upwards! You Pies!!

Join Pride of Nottingham and share the "Notts Community" experience by interacting with us. On match days we take to surveying and asking fans their opinions, we interview one away fan and we then meet our own.

If you would like to feature in our videos please do get in touch, the simplest in getting involved is by joining our community forums but alternatively you can e-mail us by using the contact form found in the main navigation. We take great pride in offering our content to the fans, so we do hope you enjoy them!

For each home game we hope to bring you our "Meet the Fans" range of content. Find out what away fans think in the "Opposition View", then it's straight onto our own with "Meet the Fans" and afterwards we find out what the "Aftermath" is and how our fans feel the game went

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel - PrideofNottinghamTV

Many thanks to all the fans who featured in videos, we greatly appreciate the time taken by the fans to speak with us.

So, the undefeated run comes to an end by our bogey side Walsall FC who beat us 2-1 at Meadow Lane last Saturday.

Notts was undone early on after Garry Jones poked the ball into the back of his own net, however Garry Thompson pulled Notts level - only for an handball to be ruled against Haydn Hollis. B&O Press Photo have kindly granted us permission to share with you images taken from the game, we hope you like them.

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Yesterday ended like I started my original journey, alone with my son in the cold. I found myself at times thinking about what Notts meant to me as a person, I looked around watching our fans react to each stage very differently.

It was a roller-coaster shared by family and friends, in a sea of mixed shirts.

Shaun Derry's branded Notts a “community”, which is something I've always found to be pretty much true.

The only differences for me is the adventures you encounter with friends, I know I've been pretty lucky in that respect to have witnessed many great moments over the past 2-3 years. Being entirely honest and open, going back any further I know I wouldn't have had this insight which I do now.

It could be a very naive way to look at it, yet there's always been more than a “community” feeling. I remember feeling like I do now but with my grandfather, all those days ago when he would take me to see Notts as a child.

It feels like a family, yes some might not communicate with people but if you do, I know for sure that it wouldn't just be one person, it would be several and you're always adding to the overall total.

Going 1-0 down to Barnsley, the away end felt very tense and it became more so after they had scored their second.

Yet some didn't drop their heads, they shrugged off the disappointment and decided to see it through as we fans of lower division football often do. I watched as little pockets of the “Notts family” started to connect with each other, it slowly turned around as it did on the field. What a fantastic strike by Garry Thompson, it really allowed us to start believing we could comeback.

The rest feels like history now, although I do feel that whatever Shaun Derry said at half time it probably included us fans.

When we equalised the stand which we was situated in just came alive, by this point three people I don't know spoke to me and we started discussing our points briefly.

I know that times are difficult, which you would be able to relate in family life. There's something always happening but the next time you're at a Notts match and it becomes quiet, make yourself heard and be accounted for as part of the community or family.

Our journey is probably only beginning, when one ends another starts and I know my son “Super Pie” will share my sentiments when he is older.

Seven years since our first and only visit. Seven exciting, long, sometimes joyful, but mostly nerve-wrecking years. But at the Oldham game the Swedish magpies were back, It wont take that long again.

There was a lot of boiled up excitement for both me and Fredric as we drove up from London city airport on Friday. Seven years ago we visited Meadow Lane and Notts County to write a big article about the club as a part of my journalism exam.

Since then we been fans, following intensely from afar by radio or the web. But at last we got the chance to be back. We left Nottingham overwhelmed – and wanting to return soon again.

Notts have often been described as a family club, now we know excatly why. After being contacted by Notts-Joe, who is the webmaster of Pride of Nottingham, we arranged to meet up with him along with his son Jake and friend Martin before the game to do a small interview about us Swedish magpies travelling to the game.

Just after we met, Notts-Joe introduced us to commercial manager Damian Irvine who really took us in.

Without us saying anything, we all found ourselves inside Meadow Lane, meeting players like Hayden Mullins and legend Mike Edwards, both really friendly, sitting in the dugout and much more.

Being on a Notts-high after that tour we were guided for a pitstop in the MLSB meeting more great fans – and the Norwegian magpies, before we found ourselves in the Kop. What a great feeling that was!

The Notts fans are truly great at creating an atmosphere. We went to see Manchester City vs Chelsea on the following Sunday (don't hold it against us) and I can tell you that the crowd of 45 000+ or so would have been out-sung.

Second half, sitting with Notts-Joe, Jake and Martin, almost got us on the field it felt and we really hoped for a goal to make the day perfect, but hey, at least we didnt lose and really, this club is about more than just the football and result.

People like Damian, Notts-Joe, Jake and Martin showed what this great club is all about and I know that there are more people like that who support Notts. That's one part of what makes this club great, never mind the division.

After saying goodbye to our new Notts-friends both Fredrik and I walked from Meadow Lane happy but hungry (we were supposed to eat before the game but then we met Notts-Joe and Damian....).

We left Nottingham the day after but I can promise it wont take seven years next time. Hopefully, after telling all our friends about our trip, there will be more than two Swedish magpies.

The greatest of all "great escapes" is firmly in the hands of Notts County, as on Saturday the 26th 2014 they took on Swindon Town who had a slim hope of making the playoffs. Notts needed a win realistically to give them an added boost to the final game against of the season against Oldham, however a draw would have been okay. Notts however put on a good display and overcame the playoff chasing Swindon Town.

Final score 2-0, a late goal by Callum McGregor after Swindon pushed for an equalizer and got caught on the break by the Magpies.

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Pride of Nottingham would like to thank Oskar Papierz for allowing us use of his images, we wish him all the best his photography. Here's his Facebook page and Website.

Yesterday's game against Crawley Town installed further hopes that Notts County are not through with battling. The greatest of great escapes is firmly set for the last game of the season, after Notts secured an home win over struggling Crawley Town. The final result, a narrow 1-0 win which is thanks to a brilliant team effort and of course County's number Bartosz Bialkowski, who made several key saves during the game.

Here you will be able to view some cracking photos taken from yesterday game by our friends B&O Press Photo, many thanks to them!

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Pride of Nottingham would like to thank Oskar Papierz for allowing us use of his images, we wish him all the best his photography. Here's his Facebook page and Website.

Pride of Nottingham is undergoing the task of comparing the last time Notts County were in a similar position as we find ourselves now. The last time Notts found themselves to be in the bottom half of the table in this league was back in the 2010/2011 season.

The majority seem to share similar views to myself that we can avoid the drop but no doubt Derry/Abbott have a task on their hands. Yet until the maths are virtually impossible, we should try to remain optimistic about surviving. We can get behind the squad, even when games are difficult and this might impact the game more than some might realize.

Back on 19/02/2011 Notts County found themselves in the 18^th position. This was the year we first returned to League One and perhaps underwent our progression a little too quickly, as the squad who helped us gain promotion from winning the League Two title was sadly dismantled.

By the start of March Notts were a position higher, with 4 to 6 games in hand of the teams beneath. However, only Tranmere Rovers could move a place ahead if they won and Notts lost their upcoming game against Leyton Orient. Yeovil Town couldn't move ahead due to -15 goal difference, so things were vastly different than what we see today.

Notts slipped to 19^th by the start of April, after we lost 3-0 to Huddersfield Town away from home. Dagenham & Redbridge who would go on to be relegated after finishing 21^st, had played one game more than Notts at 37 and the difference in points was only 1.

Right now on the 19/02/2014 things are very different, we sit 21^st ourselves with 30 points and various teams above and beneath have games in hand.

The final game of the season was at home to Brighton, which we drew 1-1.

By the end of the 2010/2011 season Notts had avoided relegation by finishing 19^th. Walsall finished 20^th 2 points beneath Notts who stood on 50.

The teams relegated were Dagenham & Redbridge, Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle and Swindon town.

Dagenham & Redbridge –P 46 - 47pts

Bristol Rovers –P 46 - 45pts

Plymouth Argyle –P 46 - 42pts

Swindon –P 46 – 41pts

Interesting is the amount of games played compared to the final total of points. On the 12/03/2011 Notts had 42 points compared to our current 30 points.

One of our contributing factors to the current season 8 out of 14 home games, however we can't rely on solely winning at home. We must start picking up wins and draws, if Derry can motivate the players further and avoid the drop he would have achieved no doubt what some fans would've felt impossible.

I have every faith personally that we can avoid the drop.

Here is Part 7 in the series '150 Years of Football'. As before there are links to previous articles for anyone who missed them or wishes to read again.

As I have explained previously, football in the mid 1800's was very haphazard and with very little organisation. Clubs were being formed all over the UK, playing games to different rules. The Football Association was founded on the 26th October 1863 and the Challenge cup which bears its name was first contested in 1871/2, proving to be very popular with clubs throughout the country. However to take part in this competition teams had to accept FA rules.This helped bring together teams playing the varying forms of football under one set of rules - Association Football.

So how did football develop and what about the teams in the 1870's. Well here goes as I try to explain.

By the 1871/2 season The FA had 50 member clubs, 15 of which entered the cup competition originally but only 12 actually played with 12 games in total.

Queen Park who were a leading Scottish club from Glasgow managed to get as far as the semi-final without actually playing a game due to opposition withdrawals and byes. At this time there was a rule allowing both teams through to the next round in the event of a draw, at the organising committees discretion. After holding Wanderers to a draw they had to withdraw themselves as they couldn't afford to travel from Glasgow to London again.

The very first FA Challenge Cup final was played at Kennington Oval 16/3/1872. The Wanderers beat The Royal Engineers 1 - 0.

The 2000 spectators who paid 1 shilling to attend this match witnessed a game considerably different to the game we know today. There were no free kicks or penalties. The goals had no cross bar or nets and there was no centre circle or half way line marked out on the pitch.

The Royal Engineers lost Lieutenant Creswell after 10 minutes with a broken collar bone, this being the first recorded accident in soccer, and no substitutes then either.

Wanderers were a team formed by old boys from prominent English public schools. They didn't have a permanent home ground but played at various venues in London and the south of England, hence their name. The team went into decline in the late 1800's when a lot of its members chose to play for the teams formed at their old schools.

A new Wanderers team was re-formed in 2009 and now play in the Surrey South Eastern Combination.

The Royal Engineers were the first team to tour,visiting Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield in 1873.

The Army FA was formed in 1888.

On 7/11/2012 Wanderers played The Royal Engineers at the oval, 140 years after the first FA cup final losing 7 - 1

Wrexham AFC, the 1st welsh soccer club was formed this year.

The 1872/3 FA cup competition had 16 entrants and Queens Park were given byes to the semi final but withdrew before their scheduled match with Oxford University. Wanderers,having been given a bye to the final triumphed again and were also allowed to choose the venue, beating Oxford University 2 - 0 in the final in front of 3000 spectators. The attendance was considered to be lower than expected due to The Boat Race taking place later the same day.

Rangers FC were formed and corner kicks introduced in this year.

In 1873/4 there were 28 entrants for the cup. The rule giving the previous winner a bye to the final was changed for this season when Oxford University beat The Royal Engineers 2 - 0

Aston Villa formed this season.

In 1874/5, with 29 teams entering, The Royal Engineers beat Old Etonians 2 - 0 after a 1 - 1 draw.

Crossbar is introduced.

1875/6 saw The Wanderers beat Old Etonians 3 - 0 again after a 1 -1 draw. 32 teams entered this year.

Duration of a match set at 90 minutes this season.

Wanderers were the winners again in 1876/7 beating Oxford University 2 - 1. 37 teams entered.

We can see a gradual increase in the number of entrants for the cup each year but the competition was dominated by teams whose members came from a privileged background and therefore had more free time and money to cover traveling costs. The entrants also came mostly from London and the surrounding counties. As the road and rail network in the UK improved and travel became more accessible to the working classes it enabled more teams from further afield to take part in the cup.

So in 1877/8 Notts County entered the FA cup for the first time. Unfortunately they were knocked out in the first round 3 - 0 after a 1 - 1 draw, losing to Sheffield FC (The worlds 2 oldest football teams).

Wanderers made it three final wins in a row this year by beating The Royal Engineers 3 - 1. The attendance for this match was 4500 and 43 teams entered.

West Bromwich Albion and Newton Heath(Manchester United) and St.Domingo's(Everton) formed this year.

1878/9 Saw Notts County lose to Nottingham Forest 1-3 in the 1st round. Forest progressed to the semi final before losing 2 - 1 to Old Etonians who went on to beat Clapham Rovers 1 - 0 in the final.

Sunderland formed this year.

1879/80 was even worse for Notts County as they again went out in the 1st round losing 4 - 0 to Nottingham Forest. Again Forest made it to the semi finals before losing 1 - 0 to Oxford University. Clapham Rovers beat Oxford University 1 - 0 in the final.

Manchester City formed this year.

1880/81 was the 10th year of the FA Cup with 62 entrants, 4 didn't play. Notts County lost 3 - 1 to Aston Villa in the 3rd round Old Carthusians beat Old Etonians 3 - 0 in the final.

There were 73 entrants in the 1881/2 season. Notts County beat Wednesbury Strollers 11 - 1 after the FA ordered the original match to be replayed but went out in the next round 4 - 1 after two 2-2 draws to Aston Villa. Old Etonians beat Blackburn Rovers 1 -0 in the final.This was the first season a working class club and also from outside the London//South area had contested the final.

A programme from this match was sold at auction in May 2013 for a world record £35,250.

Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur formed this year.

In 1882/3 the number of entrants for the cup rose to 84. Notts County beat Sheffield FC 4 -1 in the 1st round and after getting a bye in the 2nd round went on to beat Phoenix Bessemer in the 3rd round. In the 4th round Notts won away to Sheffield Wednesday 4 - 1 and then beat Aston Villa 4 -3 in the 5th round before losing in the semi final 2 -1 to Old Etonians .In the final, Blackburn Olympic beat Old Etonians 2 -1,becoming the first working class team to win the final and also ending the domination of amateur/upper class teams

Coventry City formed this year.

The1883/4 competition saw 100 entrants Notts had another good run beating Sheffield Heeley 3 - 1 in the 1st round. In the 2nd round they beat Nottingham Forest 3 - 0 and in the 3rd round won away at Grantham 4 -1. The 4th round saw Notts win 2 -1 away at Bolton after drawing 1 -1 at home before going on to beat Swifts(Slough) away 1 - 0 again after drawing at home(1 -1) Notts eventually went out in the semi final, losing 1 -0 to Blackburn Rovers who went on to beat Queens Park 2 - 1 in the final, which had an attendance of 12,000.

Derby County formed this year.

Leicester City formed as Leicester Fosse this year.

In the 1884/5 season 114 teams entered the cup. Here are a few of the results - In the 1st round Notts County beat Notts Olympic 2 - 0, Nottingham Forest 5- Rotherham Town(Not United) 0, Staveley 4 - Notts Rangers 1, Sheffield Heeley 1 - Notts Wanderers 0, Derby County 0 - Walsall Town 7, Derby Junction 1 - West Bromwich Albion 7, Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - Derby St.Lukes 4 after a 0 - 0 draw, Derby Midland 1 - Wednesbury Old Athletic 2, Note the number of Nottingham and Derby teams.

Here's a few 2nd round results - Nottingham Forest 4 - Sheffield Heeley 1, Staveley 0 - Notts County 2, Derby St. Lukes 0 - Walsall Swifts 1

and round 3 - Notts County 5 -Sheffield FC 0, Sheffield Wednesday 1 - Nottingham Forest 2

and round 4 Swifts(Slough) 0 - Nottingham Forest 1, Walsall Swifts 1 - Notts County 4

Both Notts and Forest had byes in the 5th round.

6th round Notts County lost 2 - 1 after a 2 - 2 draw to Queens Park, Old Etonians lost 2 - 0 to Forest

In the semi final Forest lost 3 - 0, after a 1 - 1 draw to Queens park.

he final was a repeat of the previous season, with Blackburn Rovers beating Queens Park, this time 2 - 0-Attendance 12500.

In the summer of 1885 The FA legalised professionalism(This has been covered in Part 5 - How it came together)

The balance of power had now moved north but soon football would really take off.

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Previous Article | Footballs First Superstar

Here is part 6 in the series 150 years of football. As before there are links to the previous articles for anyone who may have missed them or may wish to read again. For my last birthday William1984 and Harrys_mummy bought me a book entitled Steve Bloomer - The Story of Football's First Superstar by Peter Seddon. Not many people outside Derby will have heard of Steve but members may have seen his name mentioned on the Jimmy and Jack Statue Fund forum page. I had already decided to make Steve the subject of an article so the forum posting gives me an excuse to indulge myself.

I hope readers enjoy this and find it interesting.

This is a fairly long article, so I have highlighted points of interest after the brief introduction, for those who just wish to pick out the main bits, and the statistics are at the bottom with a few extra bits of information.

Unfortunately there is no surviving film or video evidence of Steve Bloomer in action. All we can go by are what his peers said of him and what was written and of course his footballing statistics.

He was 5 foot 8 inch tall and weighed about 11 stone 3 pound with a very pale complexion, being almost sickly looking.

He had a devastatingly accurate cannonball shot with either foot, was very fast and could dribble but preferred quick interchange passing.He had very good ball control and was adept at volleying. He would often appear indifferent to what was happening in a match before suddenly pouncing on a loose ball or making a run into space to receive a pass. He was known as 'The destroying Angel' or 'The incomparable Steve. He was sent off once for retaliation.

He was also known to stand hands on hip and shake his head and give a withering look to any player who failed to take advantage of a pass from him or didn't pass when he was in a good position. This wasn't done with malice but from frustration at other players not being able to do what came naturally to him. He was his own biggest critic and got on very well mostly with other players. He became a national hero and was idolised in Derby.

Here is his story;

Stephen Bloomer was born on Tuesday 20th January 1874 in the village of Cradley, Worcestershire to parents Caleb and Merab(nee Dunn) Bloomer. This was 4 years before the foundation of The Football League, 10 years before the team he was to grace. Derby County was founded and only 10 years after the formation of The Football Association.

Steve's brother Philip, was born in 1875 and his sister Alice was born in 1878.

Steve's father was a 'puddler', an occupation in the production of iron (the name Bloomer also has connections with iron production).

In 1879 the family moved to New Normanton a suburb of Derby where the family shared a house (44 Yates Street) with another couple and their three teenage children. Steve's father used his 'puddling' skills to acquire a job at Ley's foundry which had been established in 1874 by Francis Ley.

Another sister Emma was born in1882 and another brother David in 1884 which necessitated a move across the road to 87 Yates Street.

Steve left school at the age of 12

Another sister Florence May was born on the 29th of May 1887, but just 6 months later Steve's mother died of pleurisy aged only 35.

This was a very difficult time for the Bloomer's but Steve found an outlet in football.

Around this time a lot of Church, pub and works sporting teams were being established and soccer leagues were being formed as football's popularity grew.

Steve spent 2 seasons playing for the 'Saints' who were attached to St Chad's church and aged 13 helped them to the final of the under 15 section of the Derbyshire boys shield.

The match was played at Derby's racecourse ground on the 11th of April 1887 as part of a football festival in front of 2000 paying spectators. His side lost 14-0 to St Luke's Choir but Steve was beginning to be noticed. Later that day Derby County played Dumbarton Athletic, the crowd having grown to 3000.

In 1888 Steve began working with his father and uncle at Ley's foundry as a striker how apt.

This was a fortuitous move as Francis Ley was a keen sports enthusiast who after visiting the U.S.A. in 1889 and seeing how a lot of American companies provided sporting facilities for their workforce's recreation and health decided to copy their idea.

He had sports fields laid out for the use by his own workers, with facilities for cricket and baseball. This became known as Ley's Baseball Ground.

Ley also founded Derby County Baseball Club as he attempted to encourage baseball and Steve became a team member.

The National Baseball League of Great Britain and Ireland was formed in1890 and Derby ran away with the 1st championship. Unfortunately other league clubs objected to the number of professional American players Derby had(3) and although winning 2 further titles Derby resigned from the league eventually disbanding 1898.

Derby County having played at Leys' ground when the Racecourse was unavailable, made it their permanent home from 1885, renaming it The Baseball Ground and played there until 1997 when they moved to Pride Park.

Derby County were by no means the only club establishing themselves in Derby. Another club called Derby Junction who began as Junction Street Sunday School caused a major upset on the 28th of January 1888 by beating Blackburn Rovers, who had already won the FA cup 3 times(1884,5 and 6) 2-1 in a FA cup quarter final. Junction lost the semi final to West Bromwich Albion. The game was played on Derby's arboretum, close to Steve's home, before 4000 spectators.

Another prominent team in the area was Derby Midland, formed from workers at The Derby Midland railway company but it was Derby County who were to become the most successful absorbing the best players from many local teams before being accepted as one of the 12 original members of The Football League.

Young Steve meanwhile at the age of 14, began playing for Derby Swifts, in the Derbyshire Minor League. He spent many hours alone practicing dribbling and shooting and In three seasons, he progressed to the under 17's, playing mostly as a centre forward or on the left wing winning his first medal along the way.

On the 7th of April 1890, with his younger brother Phillip, playing at right half Swifts won the under 15 Shield final. Steve qualified as he was under 15 when the competition began and scored the only goal against the team he had previously lost 14 -0 to 3 years earlier.

Steve was scoring goals regularly now and The Swifts were getting plenty of local press coverage.

In the following season Swifts lost in the senior final to Brampton works after a replay, though young brother Phillip got a win in the under 15's. There was consolation for Steve in the press reports which described him as the best young prospect they had ever seen.

Steve's reputation was such that Derby Midland invited him to try out in their reserve side while at the same time still playing for Swifts. He made his first team debut on the 27th of March 1891.

Derby Midland resigned from the Midland League and were absorbed by Derby County in June1891, who at the same time decided to run a reserve team. They also severed all connections with Derbyshire County Cricket team from where they had been formed. So now Steve Bloomer was a Derby County player, but not professional.

At the beginning of the1891/92 season Steve was offered a professional contract but decide to remain amateur as he wanted to help derby Swifts in that years Shield. He did however play at outside-right for the possibles against the probables, for the first time in a Derby County shirt on the evening of Wednesday 26 August,1891 at only 17 years old.

According to a report, he was pale, thin and ghost like almost ill looking, causing the crowd to laugh when he first turned out and he didn't get a chance to play for the first team again that season and only a few games for the second eleven playing most of his games for the newly formed third team.

Steve was still working with his father and brother at Ley's foundry in early 1892, but after scoring all four goals in a game for the third team against Darley Victoria, a momentous few weeks were about to unfold. On the 18th of April Steve captained the Swifts in the Shield final. They beat the same team that they had lost to the previous season, Bampton 6-0. Younger Brother Phillip also triumphing with the under 15's in the junior shield.

A few days later on the 23rd of April, Steve scored two for the reserves in a 9-0 win over the Sheffield club.

On the 30th of April, due to a fixture pile up, Derby reserves had two games to play on the same day. Both games were at home, one against Notts County Reserves, the other against Grantham and they needed to win both to secure the championship. The only way around this dilemma was to play two separate reserve sides. Steve, had already promised to turn out for Tutbury Hawthorn in a replayed Burton and District Challenge cup final against Gresley Rovers.

As Derby's 3rd team only played 15 games this season Steve, as an amateur free agent, had to search around at times to get games and hadn't anticipated being required by Derby's second team.

Derby county, fearing that Steve may be 'poached', quickly moved and had Steve signed and registered as a Derby County professional on the 26th of April 1892. Steve was 18 years and 97 days old.

Steve still played for Tutbury, scoring 2 goals in a 7-2 win and Derby won both their matches. The Football Association were called upon to arbitrate if Steve was elegible to play, the outcome being that both Tutbury and Gresley were awarded winners medals but Tutbury were stripped of the winners honour.

Steve was again to be involved in further controversy when Burton Wanderers tried to sign him. Steve refused but due to the persistency of the club's secretary, a Mr. Clarke, Steve did sign but the subsequent FA inquiry ruled that the Burton representative had acted improperly, so Steve remained a Derby County Player.

The 1892/3 season was only the Football leagues fifth season and Derby county had to apply (successfully) after finishing 10th out of 12 the first season, followed by finishes of 7th, 11th and again 10th out of, by now, 14 teams.This was also the season when the Football League expanded with a second division and the first division increased to 16 clubs.

Now fate took a hand with Steve. Due to Derby's new secretary failing to register three players with the League in time Steve got his chance with the first team. So on 3rd of September 1892 Steve Bloomer, in his first match as Derby County first teamer, scored two goals at the Victoria Ground against Stoke in a surprise 3- 1 victory.

After helping the reserves to a 4 - 2 win, and scoring,against Heanor town in the following mid week delayed final of the Derbyshire Charity Cup, Steve was selected to make his home debut against the then mighty Preston North End.

Steve's pay was just 7 shillings and 6 pence per week(about £50-£60) but it was round about this time that he gave up his job at Ley's.

In his first season as a Derby County player Steve played in every forward position scoring 11 league goals in 28 games, John Goodall being top scorer with 13.

John Goodall was born in 1863 in London though raised in Scotland and was a great influence on the young Steve Bloomer. He began his football career with Kilmarnock Athletic, moved to English club Great Lever making his debut against Derby County before joining Preston North End(The Invincibles) in 1895 and winning the 'double' with them in 1888/9. In Preston's record 26-0 record cup win he is credited with scoring 16 of the goals. He also played 16 times for England, was a champion at bowls and curling and played cricket for Derbyshire and Hertfordshire. Derby County signed him in May 1889, a real coup for the club, and he left in 1899.

John Goodall's brother Archie Goodall was born in Ireland and brought up with his older brother in Scotland. He also played a few times alongside John for Preston North End before transferring to Aston Villa for £100. In 1889 he was reunited with his brother at Derby County playing mainly at Centre half, making 380 appearances and scoring 48 goals. He represented Ireland playing at centre half or centre forward, becoming the oldest International goalscorer of the 19th century, the oldest ever goal scorer for Ireland and after joining Wolverhampton wanderers he became their oldest ever goalscorer. He also made a club record of 151 consecutive appearances while at Derby County.

John and Archie Goodall were the first brothers to represent different countries at international level.

The Goodall brothers, with Steve Bloomer, formed the backbone of the Derby County side that was challenging for trophies in the 1890's.

Steve suffered his first serious injury, a broken left collar bone playing against Leicester Fosse in a cup game on the 10th of February 1894 but was soon back in action. This season Steve finished as Derby's top scorer with 19 goals in 25 games helping the Rams to their highest finish to date of 3rd.

In 1894/95 Derby County struggled and though Steve only scored 10 goals in 29 league games he once again was the cubs top scorer.

Steve's personal form was however, good enough for him to be selected to play for England. On 9th of March 1895 he made his international debut at the county Ground, Derby against an admittedly weak Ireland with John Goodall also playing.

England won 9-0, with Steve and Goodall getting 2 goals each in front of 10,000 spectators. This was also the first time Steve's father Caleb, had watched Steve play. Caleb up till now had been against Steve playing football for fear of serious injury but became instantly smitten with the game, becoming an ardent follower of Derby County.

At the end of this season Derby were 15th out of 16 in the league and had to take part in play offs, known as test matches(automatic promotion and relegation was introduced later) to decide their league status for the following year.

Derby's first opponents were Notts County, who had finished 2nd in league Two. The match was played at Leicester's ground on the 27th of April 1895. With 7 minutes to go Notts were leading 1-0 but Steve and Johnny McMillan both scored thus preserving Derby's top tier status.

Derby County made the Baseball Ground their home in 1895. On the 14th of September they played Sunderland, who had been champions three times in the previous 4 seasons, winning 2-0, before a crowd of 10,000, Steve scoring both goals.

Steve also scored a hat trick, home and away, against Nottingham Forest this season.

Derby finished the season 4 points behind champions Aston Villa and Steve was injured for 5 of the last 6 matches, but he was still Derby's top scorer with 23 goals in 22 matches.

In September 1898 Derby, and Steve in particular, came in for some criticism due to lack of form. He and another inside forward, Jimmy Stevenson were made to play for the reserves in a friendly and steve scored twice in a 4-1 win over chesterfield town. The following day Steve and Nicholson turned up for training but were reported for their attitude and insubordination resulting in the derby committee suspending them both. The two players responded quite differently. Nicholson returned to Scotland, never to play for Derby again. Steve though had 'clear the air talks' with the committee and apologised. His suspension was also lifted and the little episode soon forgotten but not before several clubs came sniffing with transfer talk. All approaches were rebuffed and Steve ended the season again as Derby's top scorer with 30 goals from a total of 33 games.The 24 he scored in the league made him top scorer in the country. In one game, a 9-0 humiliation of Sheffield Wednesday, he scored 6 times, which is still the individual scoring record at Derby. Some response!

Over this few seasons Derby were one of the very top clubs but always the 'nearly ' team. Over 11 seasons Derby played in 7 FA Cup semi-finals and 3 finals, losing all of them.

During this time Steve was Derby's top scorer for 15 consecutive seasons and also top scorer in the Football league 5 times.

Steve's brother Phillip was also signed by Derby County and made his first team debut an 28th of September 1895, against Sheffield Wednesday. This was to be his only first team game as he died of peritonitis on 5th of may 1896.

On 19th August,1896 Steve married Sarah Walker at St.Thomas's Church. Their first child Hetty Winifred was born 15th February,1898 followed by Violet Pretoria 30th April 1898. A third daughter Doris Alexandra arrived 27th May 1902.

Steve's Father-in-law Bert Walker, ran a boot making business and became Derby's first paid bootman in the 1890's.

Steve's pay gradually increased and he became Derby's highest earner by the turn of the century on between £150 to £260 per year(about £30,000 today). This isn't much when compared with today's high earners but was more than twice what a miner was paid at the time. Being one of the most famous sportsmen of the time Steve was also able to boost his income by endorsing many products.

In February 1906 the unthinkable happened for derby County fans, Steve along with Jack Ratcliffe, a reserve left back, was transferred to Middlesbrough for a total fee of £750. Steve was at this time 32 and England's record goal scorer and the most famous player. The previous season ambitious but struggling Middlesbrough had signed Alf Common from Sunderland with the first £1000 transfer. The FA did not approve of this his amount of money being spent on transfers and set a limit of £350, implied but not implemented until 1908, hence Ratcliffe was a makeweight to come within FA rules.

On his Middlesbrough debut at Liverpool on the 17th of March1906, Steve suffered a 6-1 defeat as Boro continued to struggle. Steve's first goal came in his third match in a 1-1 draw at notts county and scored 5 more in the remaining 6 games while Alf Common scored 8.

Middlesbrough avoided relegation, securing the one point required to stay up, in game against Blackburn Rovers, Steve scoring the goal, and so did Derby who had also struggled. Forest were relegated with Wolves.

The following seasonwithout Steve, Derby were relegated.

In the1906/7 season Steve scored 20 goals in 36 league and cup games(Alf Common scored13 in 31) to become Boro's top scorer, including 4 against Woolwich Arsenal in what was his 7th game in a 15 day period over Christmas. Steve played in both the league fixtures against Derby in their relegation season, scoring in boro's 4-1 home win.

Steve played his last England game this season against Scotland at Newcastle, scoring in a 1-1 draw.

Between this match and his England debut in1895, Steve played a further 21 international games.

Why did the 'incomparable Steve' only play 23 times for England. Simple, in those far off days there was little international opposition. The only official internationals that were played were mostly the 3 home internationals played at the end of the season between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Scotland were the strongest of opposition teams and Steve was known as 'the hammer of the Scots' for his goalscoring exploits against them.

In 1902 Steve captained England against Scotland in Glasgow in what became known as the Ibrox disaster. While the game was in progress a section of a stand collapsed killing 26 people and injuring hundreds more. The game was stopped and the players left the field but officials decided to continue playing as few of the remaining spectators realised the enormity of situation and feared panic if the game was abandoned. Steve had to lead the England players back onto the field past dead and injured fans before the game continued this game doesn't count in records.

Steve also represented the English league 15 times.

The 1907/8 season saw Steve joint top scorer with 12 goals from 35 games as Boro finished in their highest ever position of 6th.

In 1908/9 Steve scored 14 goals in 28 games but missed 9 games due to illness.

1909/10 Steve was second highest scorer with 1 goals, as Middlesbrough struggled again. he played his last game for Boro on the 25th of March 1910 losing to Aston villa 4-2.

The 1911/12 season began but Steve had not re-signed for Boro and his future was uncertain.

On the 24th of September 1910 Steve was brought back to Derby County for a fee of £100. Steve was now 36 years old and Derby were in the second division having finished 6th, 5th and 4th in the previous seasons. Derby were also struggling financially and gates had dropped to below 7000.

On October 1st Steve made his second debut for Derby as captain against Lincoln City, to a hero's welcome with a crowd of over 12000 watching. He scored after 20 minutes and again with a penalty, the rams ending 5-0 winners. This season derby progressed to the quarter final of the FA cup and were front runners in the league. Gates had risen to the 20,000 mark but they ended in 6th place, with steve top scorer again with 24 goals from 32 league and cup games.

After strengthening the defence for the 1911/12 season, Derby secured promotion with a 2-1 win over cup finalists Barnsley and once again steve was the clubs top scorer with18 goals.

The following season,1912/13 Steve scored a hat trick in consecutive home games and 2 just before his 39th birthday ending with a total of 14 goals from 30 appearances and derby finishing 7th in the league.

The 1913/14 season was Steve's last as a first class player. He only played for the first team 6 times, his final league appearance being against Bradford City on the 24th of January 1914, a 0-0 draw. One week later he played his last first team game in a fourth round FA cup tie away at Burnley losing 3-2.

After retiring from playing Steve took up an offer to coach Berlin Britannia Football Club, a British founded club, in Germany arriving there on 14th July 1914. This was not one of Steve's best moves as Britain declared war on Germany 3 weeks later as the first world war escalated. He spent the next 4 years interned in a civilian prison camp called Ruhleben which was a racecourse. Around 4000 men were imprisoned here in very grim conditions but most found an outlet in sport, football and cricket in particular. Whilst interned Steve received the sad news that his second daughter Violet, had died from kidney disease.

In March 1918 Steve being 44 now was released to Holland though his movements were restricted and he did get a coaching position with Blauw Wit, an Amsterdam club. Steve was also in demand to appear in exhibition matches.

Steve eventually returned to Derby on the 22nd of November 1918.

When football returned to normal in the 1919/20 season Steve became player/coach for Derby County reserves, also writing a series for The Derbyshire Football express.

In November,1919, Steve declined an offer to become coach to the Polish Olympic football team.

In January 1920, Steve became a father again,but his daughter Patricia died soon after on the 3rd of February.

After Derby County's relegation in the1920/21 season Steve was installed as first team coach for the following season.

In May 1922 Steve took a summer job coaching in Montreal, Canada.

By the end of the 1923 season Derby County's debts were increasing and for cost cutting reasons, Steve's contract was not renewed.

In October 1923 Steve took the job of coach to Real Union in Spain, helping them win The Copa Del Rey (in effect their championship at the time) on the the 24th of May 1924, beating Real Madrid 1-0.

When his 2 year contract ended Steve returned to Derby in August 1925.

For the next few years Steve continued with his jounalistic duties and was also a 'general assistant' at Derby county, which involved a variety of jobs from 'scouting' to sweeping the stands.

Steve's wife, Sarah died suddenly after a short illness, aged 61 on the 9th of April 1936 and Steve went to live with his Daughter Dorisand her husband Cyril.

Around 1937 Steve's health was beginning to fail, as he began to suffer with bronchitis and asthma. A group of Derby County connected business men donated and raised money to enable Steve to go on a recuperative cruise to Australia and New Zealand.

Steve returned to Derby in March 1938 feeling much better and looking forward to watching the rams again. The day after his return home Steve was again taken ill and three weeks later on the 16th of April 1938, Steve passed away, aged 64.

Later that same afternoon Derby County, wearing black armbands beat Liverpool 4-1 and a minutes silence was observed at many sporting occassions over the next few days. His funeral was held on the 20th of April 1938 at a packed Derby Cathedral. 100 wreaths were sent including from the FA and a lot of rival clubs.

He was laid to rest with his wife and 2 daughters in Derby's Nottingham Road cemetery

Steve played;

474 league games for Derby County scoring 293 goals.

125 league games for Middlesborough scoring 59 goals.

A total of 600 League games(including 1 Test) scoring 352 goals.

He played 50 FA Cup games for Derby County scoring 38 goals

5 FA Cup games for Middlesborough scoring 3 goals.

In total he played 655 games scoring 394 goals.

For England he played 23 times scoring 28 goals.

Steve scored in each of the first 10 games he played for England(19 in total for that period)

He is the only player to score 6 goals in a first class game for Derby County

He scored a club record 18 hat-tricks for Derby County and is the oldest player at 38 years and 261 days to score a hat-trick for Derby.

He was the leading scorer in The Football League 5 times, Derby County's top scorer for 15 consecutive seasons and twice top scorer for Middlesborough..

Derby County's official club anthem, 'Steve Bloomer's watchin' is played before every Rams home game.

There is a memorial to Steve in the centre of Derby, one in Cradley and also a bronze bust statue of Steve at the side of the home dug out at Pride Park created by Andrew Edwards.

Derby County(my team,if you hadn't guessed) have donated a replica Steve Bloomer bust to help raise funds for The Derbyshire, Rutland and Leicester Air Ambulance and The Jimmy And Jack Statue Fund.

I hope I've not bored you all with article, thanks for reading if you've got this far.

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Previous Article | How It Came Together

Pride of Nottingham's has been sent this article written by Northants Pie, we hope you enjoy the read - It highlights the form of total football. The origins of what is commonly known as Total Football always seem to be credited as the beaches of Brazil or the adaptive pitches of the Dutch. This ideal of how to play was executed perfectly by Barcelona; it turned them into an all-conquering European club side and it went further into the Spanish international team but little do people know that this system of play has its roots planted firmly in a former Soviet Republic.

Hungary - Magnificent Magyars

The three creators of the total football idealism were Gusztav Sebes, a Deputy Minister for Sport and the Hungarian national team manager, Bela Guttmann, a former professional footballer and coach who is credited with playing a big part in Eusebio's career, and Marton Bukovi, also a former professional who had the biggest part to play in the development of the total football ideal: he was responsible for the 4-2-4 WM formation, which centered around a deep lying centre forward, whilst he was the coach at MTK Hungaria FC. This centre forward, Nandor Hidegkuti, would display the skill and timing needed to play this role with devastating effect at Wembley on the 25-11-1953, scoring a hat-trick when the Magnificent Magyars became the first team from outside of the home countries and indeed only the second team ever to record a victory at Wembley. The scoreline was a scarcely believable 6 - 3 away win. England were the number 1 ranked team in the world at this time, with such luminaries as Matthews, Mortensen, Merrick, Sewell, Wright, & Ramsey.

A hastily arranged friendly was agreed for 6 months later in Hungary as a warm up for the 1954 World Cup, and on the 23rd May 1954, England turned up expecting to overturn the freak result suffered at Wembley. However, they were suitably dispatched 7-1 in a game which many said could easily have been the biggest international victory of all time, had Hungary not chosen to try and perfect the movement within their radical formation.

This setup included a brilliant defensive midfielder, Jozsef Bozsik, who, with his ability to 'read' the game, started many of the attacks whilst also using his talent to break down a lot of opposing attacks before they got started. Other key players included Gyula Grosics, who is accredited with creating the sweeper keeper role whilst being ahead of his time with his technical ability, Zoltan Czibor, a left winger with electric pace and a fine passer of the ball, Sandor Kocsis, an inside forward (this position would translate to a striker type role today) who holds the record for the highest average goals scored of all players to have made over 43 appearances in FIFA Class-A competition – 75 goals in 68 appearances, an average of 1.1 goals per game. He also holds the record for the highest goals per game ratio at a single World Cup with 2.2 goals per game, and he was the first player to score two hat-tricks in a World Cup. Only Just Fontaine of France has scored more goals in a single World Cup. The final and possibly most critical member of the team was Ferenc Puskas, one of, if not the most talented player ever to grace a football pitch. Puskas scored 86 goals in 85 internationals but is only credited with scoring 84 due to a mistake made by a referee in a friendly match. He scored a scarcely believable 508 in 521 appearances across both the Hungarian league for Budapest Honved (352 in 341 appearances) & the Primera Division for none other than Real Madrid (156 in 180 appearances).

A clue as to how radical and forward thinking this formation and ethos on playing were is that the only team to perfect it since have been Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.

The WM formation, when attacking, has both full backs playing as wingers with a holding central midfielder in front of two centre halves. You then have a centre forward playing behind two inside forwards, the king pin of the formation floating linking everything together at the very spear of the attack.

On Paper it is a 4 - 2 - 4 formation, the real trick though which nobody understood until Pep Guardiola was the movement needed to make this formation work; when they were defending, it became a 4 - 4 - 1 - 1 formation,

As an idea this is how the current Notts team would look playing this way

Hungary’s radical idea led to a 32-game unbeaten run, an Olympic Championship and the 1954 World Cup final where they faced West Germany in the infamous Battle of Bern who, knowing what they were facing, played the game in a cynical and aggressive manner which, at the time, wasn’t seen to be an issue.

Breakdown of the Magnificent Magyars

Throughout this period the political state of Hungary was always volatile but towards the end of the 1950's it was becoming desperate and those that could leave did; indeed, one of the three radical coaches, Bela Guttman organised a trip for his team, Budapest Honved, to South America during 1957; whilst the team flew back at the end of the tour, he didn't, he stayed within Brazil to become the coach of Sao Paulo FC. It was here that he played the infamous 4-2-4 formation which led the Brazilian national side to play this formation at the 1958 World Cup, which they subsequently won. Thus, the story of total football starting in Brazil was born.

The true fonder of the 4-2-4 formation, Marton Bukovi, fled Hungary in the early 1960's to become coach of Olympiakos FC, producing many Greek players who would go on to international acclaim. From there, he went into Dutch youth football, and his ideals are still paying dividends today.

Yesterday Notts battled bravely against Wolves who are no doubt one of the main contenders for promotion, if not the strongest team in League One. The game saw chances created by Notts, whilst both teams tried to entertain their respective fans. The final result - a narrow one, nil win to Wolves but all in all something very positive considering the lack of depth within the Notts squad. Beata Papierz-Zynda, part of B&O Press photo have kindly granted us permission to use these action shots she took at yesterday game. Please take time to look around our site... You Pies!

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A decent performance away at Carlise which narrowly ended in defeat, saw Notts County's attention switch back to Meadow Lane. On a day expected to see a return of many fans, it was vital that the players and even coaching staff got the tactics spot on. In a crowd of over 6k Notts played Crewe Alexandra in a game which saw four goals for the home side! A very impressive display and a sign of things are starting to improve for us as a struggling side. Here are the action shots kindly taken by and granted permission by B&0 Press Photo! We hope you enjoy them - You Pies!

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Notts County achieved their first win of the season against Tranmere Rovers at Meadow Lane last Saturday. The game wasn't what fans was expecting, although for sure it is what they want to see on a weekly basis. Tranmere Rovers went into the game with their own inconsistency, although no doubt they have the ability to punish sides going forward. Pride of Nottingham is delighted to share with you these action shots, we thank Oskar and B&O Press Photo. Hopefully we will see the found confidence go into the game against Carlisle United - Which might see us finally move further up.

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Pride of Nottingham brings you action shots from the game against Stevenage at Meadow Lane last Saturday. Stevenage managed to score right in the final minutes, taking all 3 points with them in the process. The lads will need to pick them up for tomorrows game and inspire the fans! You can see all the photos from Saturday's match day provided by Oskar Papierz - Mobile users please see the link below which will take you to our gallery - You Pies!

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Pride of Nottingham would like to thank Oskar Papierz for allowing us use of his images, we wish him all the best his photography. Here's his Facebook page and Website.

We see the return of the PoN on One! In this edition we see a little twist as we turn it into a special feature for our Capital One cup tie against Liverpool. I've taken the time to ask two American based fans questions ahead of the tie, whilst throwing in the traditional quiz at the end. We will be following up with an Opposition View tomorrow but if you ever wondered how fans from another country get around timezones etc. We have this covered in this addition! I very much hope you'll enjoy reading this, as it's a feature which brings fans together in a good way. Keep tuned for more news, reports, articles and of course features such as this.

Firstly, could you tell prideofnottingham.co.uk a little about yourself, such as how long you've been a fan for?

Liverpool - Mike; My name is Mike Creuzer, and I've been an EPL fan since I was about 11 give or take, and I'm 22 now so half my life! My brother and I would watch the games when we were younger.

Notts County - Dana; Well Firstly: My name is Dana Shoup. I was born in Ketchikan Alaska, been playing soccer/football my whole life, i'm 29, spent some time in England going to Harlaxton University just outside Grantham. We did a tour of the grounds of Notts County and it was 2003 when Notts was really close to dissolution and literally fans were knitting scarves just to make some extra money for the club. I absolutely fell in love with the notts family after that and I have one of those hand knit scarves proudly up on my wall right now. I did what I could as a broke college student to help. and I've been a big fan since. Become a lot more involved in the last few years though.

What's it like being a fan of an English club in America – For example do you find it difficult keeping tabs on the games?

Liverpool - Mike; Here in the States, American football is the primary sport and to get soccer/world football, let alone EPL, you have to pay for special channels. We used to pay for it until it was too expensive. Since then, I stream online or catch the game at a local bar. It is very very difficult to stay on par, but I do what I can to catch the noteworthy matches.

Notts County - Dana; It's Hard to be a fan so far away, especially cause every game you want to be at Meadow Lane chanting with the rest, but thank the internet and things like Twitter and Facebook to really keep close on games and how all the fans are feeling, being able to talk with players, owners, board members, it really has let me become more involved and I'm thrilled about it. Biggest problem really is being able to watch the games, obviously with Notts being lower in the divisions, i'm stuck with watching a lot of Premier games. And at least if I can't buy season tickets, there's options like sponsering players or Lifeline to help out from afar.

Can you please tell us what you know about the opposition your team faces and how you feel the Capital One Cup game will go?

Liverpool - Mike; I know very little about Notts other than they are a very old and well respected club. Probably not wise to say to Notts fans but I'm not too worried. Liverpool have won this cup more than anyone else, so they clearly understand what needs to be done. We have a young side but a strong one. We do have some issues we need to clean up in the back, though, so it'll be interesting to see how things play out.

Notts County - Dana; I know Liverpool enough to know they didnt have the best year last year, they have quite the Biter on their team, Gerrard who they have had forever has been amazing for them. Just like how I love Notts being the oldest club in the world, I have a love for players that stay with their club for a long time as well. Obviously Liverpool wont start their best squad, I hope we can take advantage of that, maybe knock in a few quickly and maybe knock them up a bit to take away their confidence, if they can do that, we can pull it off!

Who's your current favourite player and why?

Liverpool - Mike; Gerrard. He has always been a solid presence of fortitude not just as Liverpool's skipper but for England as well. Got a fantastic boot on him and I certainly hope he has many more years left in him. Carra retiring was tough, he was a close second.

Notts County - Dana; Favorite Player.... I was a massive fan of Bart and Spiess last year, just love the amount of wonderful saves they have done for us. Bart has taken some knocks but he just keeps being an amazing player/goalkeeper for us. And because he has, He has really made it to where I think we can win against anyone. I've seen undefeated teams lose to a team that shot just one shot while that undefeated team shot 30 plus times and their goalkeeper saved some 20 shots. I just really appreciate what goalkeepers do out there. Its the one position I just have no ability to play.

Lastly – What were your reaction to the cup draw and what are your expectations for the season?

Liverpool - Mike; I'm looking forward to catching a good number of these games. Bristol City/Crystal Palace, Doncaster Rovers/Leeds, and of course Liverpool/Notts. As for the season as a whole, really interested to see what's going to happen with some of these transfers. Looking forward to watching a great season!

Notts County - Dana; Reaction to the cup draw... I mean I'm all about moving on in the cup so I would have liked to see maybe an easier opponent, but I would say getting a bigger club early, they may be more relaxed, not far enough in the cup yet to be really determined or in better form so its a stronger possibility that we can pull of a stunner and of course more money for the club is always a benefit in my mind. I'd love to see us pull off a run like Bradford City. and Expectations, every year from the start til the end, I'm hoping and shooting for promotion, I know we lost some key players, but I will back Notts no matter what and believe we can pull off anything. Cause it comes down to 90+ minutes and honestly anything can happen. I had a scoring drought one soccer season and suddenly one game I had 4 goals and 3 assists, I couldnt do anything wrong and it was against a good team. You just never know.

-Quiz-

Q1) In which year did Anfield open and what is the current capacity of the stadium? (closet to both figures will get the full points)

Liverpool - Mike; 1884, and I have no idea but I'd guess at maybe a bit over 40,000

Notts County - Dana; 1884 and 45,525

Q2) What was the score the last time Notts played Liverpool at Anfield?

Liverpool - Mike; I have absolutely no idea.

Notts County - Dana; 4-0 Liverpool in 1991-1992 Season

Q3) Have Everton ever ground shared with Liverpool – Yes or No?

Liverpool - Mike; Oh I doubt that very much, too tough a rivalry for that.

Notts County - Dana; No, I think Everton moved to Goodison Park and then Liverpool was formed and took over Anfield after Everton left. So they didnt share grounds at the same time. Ha I think I'm guessing this right.

Q4) Who were Liverpool's highest goalscorers last season and also who were Notts County's?

Liverpool - Mike; Suarez had 10 or 11 and Gerrard had 5. I've only ever watched a few Notts games, we rarely get any Championship or L1 here.

Notts County - Dana; Suarez, Sturridge, Gerrard and JCR, Judgey, Arquin, and Bishop

Q5) Steve Finnan had a successful career with both clubs – How much did Notts County sign him for and how much was he later sold for. Please combine your two answers and let us know the figure roughly?

Liverpool - Mike; Finnan was on the 2005 CL side, but I don't know how much he was purchased for or sold for.

Don't be too tough on me fellas. I cant name every player or every game final, and I can hardly say I know a lot about the history of Liverpool or any other club. But I will say that football in the UK is the best sport in the world. The passion from the fans, the skill from the players, the intensity of the matches, all make me love every minute. Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you, got one hell of a community here!

Notts County - Dana; 300,000 and sold for 600,000 for Notts, So made a good 300k off of him, not too bad

Final Score

Mike - 2
Dana - 4

Pride of Nottingham would like to thank both Mike and Dana for taking part in this feature, it's something we hope to do more often, so if you're interested in taking part please contact me.

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Pride of Nottingham would like to thank Oskar Papierz for allowing us use of his images, we wish him all the best his photography. Here's his Facebook page and Website.

In this article I will try and show how football developed, slowly at first then suddenly took off in the second half of the 19th century as all the right conditions gradually came together and brought with it footballs first superstar. (Who could that be?) The first part shows how inventions and discoveries changed the lives of people living in the United Kingdom. The second part shows a timeline of events in footballs evolution. As before there are links to the previous articles for anyone who may have missed them or wishes to read again. I hope readers will bear with me as I recap a little and add more, hopefully interesting information in a chronological order.

Part 1 was about the formation of Notts County. Parts 2, 3 and 4 concentrated on, amongst other things, the formation of The Football Association, F.A. Cup, The Football League and professionalism.

So, 150 years ago on 15/1/1863 The Football Association was formed but it took events in the previous 100 years or so to make this possible.

Until the middle of the 18th century life in the UK had hardly changed for centuries.

The UK was a mainly rural society with most of the population working the land or from their homes and hardly venturing far from their villages, but with increasingly efficient methods of harnessing the power of water, factories and mills were built utilising this energy.

This was an age of invention and discovery with advances and improvements being made in all walks of life

The invention and further improvements of the steam engine accelerated the spread of mass organised production in factories and mills. These mills spread quickly where there was a ready supply of water, attracting workers and resulting in a migration of the population and thereby increasing the local population.

Improvements in agriculture increased the supply of food. Medical advances and better medical care reduced the infant mortality rate and raised life expectancy causing a rapid growth in the population.

Coal now became important as a means of heating the water for the steam engines and in the iron foundries and replaced wood as the UK's choice of fuel and luckily there was a plentiful supply of coal in many areas of the UK. This also helped create new communities and enlarge others, where coal mines flourished.

Now a new problem became apparent. How to transport all the raw material to the factories and mills, and then the distribution of the finished goods for export or around the UK.

The transport of large amounts of heavy material by road was slow and costly but the entrepreneurs during the industrial revolution came up with the idea of building canals to add to the river transport already in existence. One horse could haul a barge carrying much more cargo by canal than could be transported via road.

By 1830 a network of canals had been built in the UK in excess of 4000 miles.

Turnpike(toll roads) trusts were also set up to repair, maintain and sometimes build new roads to further aid the transport of materials and people.

The development of machine tools made better and more accurate mechanisation possible especially with the improvements made in the manufacture of iron and steel.

Another advance was the introduction of gas lighting. This was first used in London in 1807 and slowly spread throughout the UK reaching Nottingham in 1819. Now streets and interiors could be lit on a greater scale allowing factories and stores to operate longer and allowing nightlife to flourish.

In 1831 Nottingham became the first place in the world to have a high pressures mains water supply.

The Railway was one of the most important developments during the industrial revolution and was a great improvement on its predecessor - The wagonway.

Wagonways were carts drawn on track by horses. The earliest known wagonway was the Strelley - Wollaton line built in 1604 to transport coal from the Strelley mine to Wollaton where the coal was then moved by road to the River Trent for transportation down stream by barge.

The first public steam railway was built by George Stephenson and ran from Stockton to Darlington in the north east and opened in 1825.

The worlds first intercity link was the Liverpool to Manchester line opened in 1830.

Nottingham was linked by rail to Derby in 1839 and to Leicester the following year 1840

In 1830 there were only 98 miles of railways but by 1860 there were 10,000 miles and still expanding.

The new transportation now available also helped the rapid spread of ideas.

Between the early/mid 1700's and 1850 the UK population had risen from about 5,750,000 to nearly 17,000,000 (Liverpool from about 20,000 to about 376,000 and Nottingham from about 10,000 to about 58,000 (though this was only the central area and did not include much of what is now the City of Nottingham).

So now we can at last trace how football evolved from mob football to Soccer.

18th Century and before - Mob football - played on public holidays, with no rules and almost anything allowed short of murder.

Ball games played in public schools with varying rules.

1830 - Invention of lawnmowers - making the preparation of playing surfaces much easier.

1836 - Charles Goodyear patents vulcanised rubber and in 1855 produces a football.

1842 - First reference of a referee in a game in Rochdale

1845 - First time a referee is used in a public school match - at Eton College

1846 - Time limit for length of a match used in Lancashire games

1848 - Cambridge rules formulated in an attempt to unify the laws and enable inter-school games.

They included goal kicks, throw ins, forward passing and outlawed running while carrying the ball.

These laws were revised in 1856.

1849 - First reference of 3 officials in a match, at Cheltenham.

1850 - The 1850 Factory act - Gives workers free Saturday afternoons.

1857 - Sheffield FC formed - The worlds oldest club playing association football.

Sheffield rules formulated with free kicks, throw ins and a cross bar (previously a tape) across the goal posts and no off side.

1862 - Notts County formed - The worlds oldest league club playing Association football.

1863 - The Football Association formed and rules formulated. Playing area and goal size determined.

1865 - Nottingham Forest FC formed.

1866 - The offside rule introduced by the FA.

FA representative side play Sheffield FC using FA rules.

1867 - The Youdan Cup, the worlds first football tournament is played in Sheffield between 12

Sheffield Clubs with the final being played at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield FA introduce the corner kick.

Late 1860's - Passing strategies evolving.

1869 - Further amendment of FA rules with handling of ball being excluded except for throw ins.

1870 - First appearance of goalkeepers and teams set at 11 a side.

England draw 1-1 with a Scottish eleven at The Oval, though this is not recognised by FIFA as an official international as the Scottish team was made up mostly of Scots playing in England and was organised by the FA.

1871 - The FA Challenge Cup, the worlds oldest surviving knockout competition is established.

1872 - The Wanderers beat The Royal Engineers 1-0 in the first FA Cup Final.

England draw 1-1 with Scotland becoming the first FIFA recognised international match

The FA adopts the the Sheffield rule for corner kicks.

1873 - Goalkeeper restricted to handling the ball the in his own half of the pitch.

The Scottish FA formed.

The offside rule amended to now apply when the ball is passed not as before when received.

1874 - Referees given authority to send a player off for certain offences.

Shin guards(Shin Pads) invented by Samuel Weller Widdowson who played cricket for Nottinghamshire and football for Nottingham Forest. He cut down a pair of cricket pads and tied them inside his socks. He went on to become a referee and officiated the first match where goal nets were used and became chairman of Nottingham Forest - 1879-1884.

1875 - Goal crossbars first used.

1876 - Sheffield FA organises its own challenge cup. The final was watched by 8000 spectators - twice as many as the FA Cup Final of the same year.

1877 - FA adopt Sheffield FA throw in rule - The ball can now be thrown in any direction as opposed to a line out type throw as previously used.

Match duration now set at 90 minutes.

1878 - Experimental use of electric floodlights in a match at Bramall Lane.

Penalty kick first suggested by Sheffield FA but rejected.

Referees begin using whistle.

1880 - First official use of shin guards.

1882 - The 4 UK National Football Associations(England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) meet to discuss unification of laws.

Two handed throw in introduced.

1883 - Accrington expelled from football association for paying players.

The International Football Association Board is formed at a meeting in Manchester by the 4 UK national associations.

Goal crossbar height set at 8 feet from the ground.

1884 - Preston North End given a 1 year suspension by The FA for paying players.

Rules are introduced by the FA in an attempt to prevent players being paid.

Northern clubs in favour of professionalism form The British Football Association in direct opposition to the FA.

The British Home Championship (The home internationals) is established between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with Scotland winning.

Derby County FC formed.

1885 - on 20th July The FA give in to pressure and legalise professionalism. (BFA now redundant)

1888 - The Football League formed.

Founder members - Accrington, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton, Burnley, Derby County, Everton, Notts County, Preston North End, Stoke, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Combination football league formed in competition with The Football league comprising 20 teams but due to poor organisation was wound up in April 1889.

1889 - The Football Alliance formed with 12 clubs, the same number as the Football League, and covering roughly the same area comprising, Ardwick (Manchester City),Birmingham St. George, Bootle, Burton Swifts(not Albion), Crewe Alexandria, Darwen, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City, Long Eaton Rangers, Newton Heath(Manchester United), Nottingham Forest, Small Heath(Birmingham City), Stoke(City), Sunderland Albion(Not Sunderland FC), The Wednesday(Sheffield Wednesday and Walsall Town Swifts (Walsall FC).

1890 - Frank Whitby becomes the first professional playing for a southern team, Luton Town, being paid 2 shillings and sixpence(twelve and a half pence) plus expenses.

Irish FA propose introduction of penalty kick to the IFAB but again it is turned down.

The Combination reforms with Burton Swifts(not Burton Albion), Chester, Denton, Derby St. Lukes, Gorton Villa, Hyde,Leek(not Leek Town), Macclesfield Town, Northwich Victoria, Stafford County, Witton(Not Albion) and Wrexham.

In the Football League Sunderland replace Stoke who are not re-elected.

1891 - The referee moves to on field operation.

Football nets invented by Liverpool engineer John Alexander Brodie. After being trialed in a North v South match at Nottingham Forest's Town Ground they are adopted by the FA.

Assistant referees introduced as linesmen.

On the 14/2 /1891 Notts County were playing Stoke City in a FA cup quarter final tie. Notts were winning 1 - 0 when, with time running out, Notts left back, Jack Hendry, blatantly handled the ball preventing Stoke from scoring. The resulting free kick was easily saved and Notts won the match. This incident helped with the introduction of the penalty kick in the 1891/2 season.

Darwen are admitted to the Football league and Stoke are re-elected.

1892 - Stoke were again the victims of injustice while playing Aston Villa. With seconds remaining Stoke were awarded a Penalty kick but the Villa goalie kicked the ball out of the ground and by the time the ball was retrieved the referee had blown for time. The law regarding penalties was changed later in the season to allow time for penalties to be taken.

Football league expands to 28 clubs and forms a second division with the absorption of Football Alliance teams. Nottingham Forest, The Wednesday (Sheffield Wednesday) and Newton Heath join in the new first division with 16 club Darwen are moved to the new second division which also added, Northwich Victoria, Burslem Port Vale(Port Vale) and Sheffield United bringing the number of teams to 12, with Birmingham St George disbanding.

FA adopt penalty kick.

1893 - Football League 2 increased to 15 with the addition of Liverpool, Middlesbrough Ironopolis (Not Middlesbrouh FC), Newcastle United, Rotherham Town(not United) and Woolwich Arsenal (Arsenal),with Bootle resigning.

1894 - Bury, Leicester Fosse (Leicester City) and Burton Wanderers are admitted to Football League 2 but Northwich Victoria resign and Middlesbrough disband.

Referee given complete control of games.

1895 - Walsall Town Swifts are replaced by Loughborough.

1896 - Burslem Port Vale and Crewe Alexandria are replaced by Blackpool and Gainsborough Trinity.

1897 - Burton Wanderers are replaced by Luton.

Juventus FC formed.

1898 - Automatic promotion and relegation between leagues 1 and 2 introduced replacing test matches.

Football leagues 1 and 2 both now contain 18 clubs after the admission of Barnsley, Burslem Port Valle, Glossop and New Brighton Tower.

So there we are, the 20th century approaching and Football, more or less as we know it, well established and ready to spread around theworld.

All we need now are the players. Coming soon - 'Football's first superstar'

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