Notts County have confirmed that player of the season Rob Milsom has signed a new contract at Meadow Lane.

The 30-year-old midfielder has made 59 appearances for the Magpies since joining from Rotherham United in 2015.

"The way the second half of the season went with the new chairman (Alan Hardy) and manager (Kevin Nolan) was really good. It's exciting times," Milsom is quoted by the Nottingham Post as saying.

"My aim at the start of last season was to stay fit and play as many games as possible. My performances improved throughout the campaign so I want to carry that form into next year.

"Goalscoring is something I want to work on. Thommo (Richard Thomas, assistant manager) had been working with me on it before the end of the season and we will carry that on in pre-season.

"I like to get up and down the pitch so if I can add goals to my game it will only help the team."

The length of his new contract has not been disclosed but Hardy added: "We're delighted to have him on board for the new season."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

As June comes along to bring about the end of May, Pride of Nottingham looks at the big news stories from Meadow Lane in the last month.

May 3

Alan Hardy vowed to keep using Twitter to interact with Notts County fans, but insists that abusive messages sent to him on the platform are not acceptable.

May 5

Rob Milsom said he was delighted after he was rewarded with the Notts County Fans' Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year awards.

May 6

Notts County finished the 2016-17 League Two season on a losing note as Newport County sealed survival on the final day.

May 9

Notts County confirmed that they have voted for the EFL Trophy to remain in its current 64-team format.

May 12

Goalkeeper Scott Loach bid an emotional farewell to Notts County after he confirmed he would be leaving Meadow Lane.

Notts County released their retained list for 2016-17.

Matt Tootle opened up on his battles with anxiety and depression, saying nobody is immune from mental health struggles and urging people to seek help.

May 18

Notts County made their first signing of the 2016-17 post-season by recruiting Lincoln City winger Terry Hawkridge on a two-year deal.

May 19

Elliott Hewitt accepted Notts County's offer of a new contract, signing a new two-year deal at Meadow Lane.

Former Millwall, Wimbledon and Republic of Ireland forward Jon Goodman was appointed as Notts County's new academy manager.

May 20

Alan Hardy outlined his plans to set up a girls' academy at Notts County with a view to forming a sustainable Lady Pies outfit which will work its way up to the Women's Super League.

Alan Hardy set a target for Notts County to finish either in the playoffs or very close to them next season as he confirmed he would increase Kevin Nolan's playing budget by 10 percent.

May 23

Haydn Hollis became the latest player to commit his future to Notts County after signing a new deal at Meadow Lane.

May 24

A petition to wind up Notts County was dismissed at the High Court in London after a "dramatic compromise" was signed at the door of the court.

May 26

Notts County announced the signing of former Hartlepool United winger Lewis Alessandra for an undisclosed fee.

May 27

It was announced that former Notts County chairman Derek Pavis had sadly passed away, aged 87.

May 29

Notts County launched a sponsorship package which allows firms to sponsor the team shirt on a month-by-month basis.

May 31

Notts County confirmed that player of the season Rob Milsom has signed a new contract at Meadow Lane.

Share your thoughts about this news recap on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Alan Hardy says he is happy to pay transfer fees for Notts County's targets, so long as it's within reason and fits with the club's financial structure.

The Magpies owner funded the arrival of Lewis Alessandra on Friday when he agreed an undisclosed fee with Hartlepool United for the player.

Alessandra was the second signing to arrive at Meadow Lane, after Terry Hawkridge's arrival from National League champions Lincoln City.

"It is really important that we get the balance right between players that we pay fees for, those we sign on a free and those who will come on loan," he said.

"Even though our budget is bigger than what we originally said, we do have to watch how much we do pay.

"But I am sure that once Kevin Nolan (Magpies boss) returns from holiday, there will be one or two more players he fancies.

"If they command a fee, then as long as it fits in with the structure of the football club, and as we did with Lewis, then I am happy to support the manager.

"You have to make sure the deal makes sense and as Lewis proved, that was one that did, given his contribution to Hartlepool's team last season."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Everything has now been wrapped up in the Premier League and Football League, with all 92 clubs knowing where they stand next season.

No sooner has the final whistle gone on the final playoff fixture, that we have all the necessary dates to put in our diary and look forward to for 2017-18.

Here are the key dates you must know about.

EFL fixture release

Wednesday, June 21

EFL 2017-18 season kickoff

Weekend of Friday, August 4 - Sunday, August 6

EFL Cup competitions

EFL Cup (Carabao Cup): Week commencing August 7.

EFL Trophy (Checkatrade Trophy): Week beginning August 28.

Final matches of EFL 2017-18 season

Weekend of May 5, 2018.

Playoff finals in 2017-18

Championship final: May 26

League One final: May 27

League Two final: May 28

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Notts County have launched a sponsorship package which allows firms to sponsor the team shirt on a month-by-month basis.

The club's association with Ladbrokes has now ended, and Magpies owner Alan Hardy is eager for the companies sponsoring the top to have a presence in Nottingham.

According to the Nottingham Post, law firm Eversheds and accountancy firm Baldwins have already signed up, while Hardy's Paragon will sponsor the shirts for the cup matches.

"It would have been easy for us to tout ourselves with a big national firm, but our ethos as a football club has always been about the community," Hardy said.

"We want them to have a presence in the city so people can relate to them and as a club we feel it's vitally important for us to engage with the local business sector.

"The response we have had so far has been fantastic because I think businesses realise the mass brand exposure they can generate from being associated with us.

"There are obvious other benefits too because those that do take up the opportunity will also enjoy unrivalled access to the football club."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Notts County's latest signing Lewis Alessandra feels his instincts told him he will be successful with Notts after he became the clubs second signing of the summer.

The Magpies secured the services of the wide-man from Hartlepool United on a two-year deal after fending off serious competition from Port Vale and successfully agreeing terms for a five-figure fee for his services.

Alessandra says he is also keen to experience success at the club and believes he has found the right club in order to fulfil his ambitions.

"We've just got to start the season well and go from there, you don't want to be playing catch-up."

"If you can keep the good players fit then you never know what can happen. If you look at Notts' form since the gaffer came in then you'd like to think we can do well."

"But I am at an age now where I am 28 and want to be successful."

"That was probably one of the main reasons why I came here because my instinct told me that I will be successful here."

Notts County still target Forest playmaker Jorge Grant as a summer recruit, with Magpies' chairman Alan Hardy stating his desire to see Grant return to Meadow Lane.

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Notts County announced the signing of former Hartlepool United winger Lewis Alessandra for an undisclosed fee

The 28-year-old arrived at the Pools from Rochdale last summer and became a permanent fixture on the wing scoring nine goals in the 2016-17 season despite Pools' relegation to the National League.

A graduate of Oldham Athletic's academy, the skilful forward - who scored a number of stunners during the last campaign had attracted interest from a number of clubs.

However, Magpies boss Kevin Nolan has won the race for his signature and he now becomes Notts' second signing of the summer following the arrival of Lincoln’s Terry Hawkridge.

Alessandra, who has signed for Notts on a two-year contract, told the club: "What happened at my former club last year was very disappointing."

"I was gutted but I knew I still wanted to play league football, so when the chance arose I grabbed it with both hands."

He continued to add, "I don’t think I would have come here if I didn’t think we had a shot at doing well next season."

His departure to Meadow Lane comes on the same day that Hartlepool United Welsh Premier League winning-boss Craig Harrison their new manager.

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

The 2016-17 season ended a few weeks ago, however Notts have already announced their pre-season line-up which sees two key fixtures at Meadow Lane. One of which includes a late Wednesday night against our neighbours and rivals Nottingham Forest.

The Magpies will be looking to use the month of July as a way to get back to full fitness and fine-tune every aspect of the team before the start of the season.

Here are the fixtures:

Saturday 8th July, 3pm: Rolls Royce Leisure (A)

Saturday 15th July, 3pm: Basford United (A)

Wednesday 19th July, 7:45pm Nottingham Forest (H)

Saturday 22nd July, 3pm: Wigan Athletic (H)

Saturday 29th July, 3pm: York City (Y)

Are you planning to go to any of the pre-season friendlies? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County are reportedly closing in on Lewis Alessandra who is set to have a medical with the club.

The Magpies' may have fought off competition from Port Vale for the Hartlepool United winger, who is set to become the second signing of the summer at Meadow Lane according to The Post.

Vale had reportedly shown interest in Alessandra, yet it is understood that the attacking wide-man is now set to undergo a medical on Friday after Notts successfully reached an agreement over a fee with Hartlepool.

Notts owner Alan Hardy has allegedly stumped up a five-figure fee for the 28-year-old, who impressed for Pools last season despite their relegation to the National League.

Although Alessandra can play upfront as a striker, he regularly featured on the right wing for Pools last season where he impressed largely with his performances in League Two.

Alessandra scored nine goals and created another nine which led to significant interest, but is now expected to sign for Kevin Nolan after the Notts manager expressed a desire to add more of a goal threat.

Notts have also signed Terry Hawkridge from Lincoln City earlier this month.

Notts County owner Alan Hardy has expressed his desire to forge closer links with Nottingham Forest and praised the attitude of their young players.

Jorge Grant, who Forest are looking to sign up on a three-year deal, had a successful loan spell at Meadow Lane, and Hardy believes all their academy prospects are being brought up the right way.

In his weekly Nottingham Post column, he wrote: "We want to continue to strengthen links with our neighbours.

"I do know that our manager, Kevin Nolan, has a good relationship with Frank McParland, their director of football.

"Forest do have an abundance of excellent young players who are on our doorstep and it would be remiss of us not to explore those avenues.

"There's something I greatly admire about the character of those Forest boys. They are really nice people to have around your football club and in the changing room.

"They have a great work ethic, they are the last off the training pitch, they always have a smile on their face and it's just the type of people that Kevin and I like as players.

"Whatever Forest do over there, they are certainly teaching them the right way."

To read the rest of Alan Hardy's weekly Nottingham Post column, click here.

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

 Alan Hardy has reiterated that he wants Jorge Grant back in a Notts County shirt but is unsure of Nottingham Forest's plans for the 22-year-old.

The Magpies chairman is willing to fund a move for the in-demand playmaker, who scored six goals in 23 games for the Magpies after arriving on loan from the City Ground in January.

However, Forest - who had the option of extending Grant's contract by another 12 months - have opted to put a three-year deal on the table, while there is also interest from Wigan Athletic.

"I would love to buy Jorge because he is a quality player and a really good lad," said Hardy.

"While it's great taking players on loan nothing can beat having a player on your books who lays down roots and becomes part of your long-term journey.

"He was instrumental for us last season and produced some wonderful goals and football along the way.

"But at this moment in time we don't know what Mark Warburton's view is.

"He may well fancy him for next year and make him a part of his plans. That's something we are waiting to find out.

"We would love to see him back here on loan if we cannot take him on a permanent deal.

"The fans absolutely love him here, he played regularly and the way he conducted himself was fantastic.

"He has that sparkle and the ability to turn a game on its head.

"Jorge is obviously settled in Nottingham and that's important for a player as it allows them to concentrate on their football.

"He doesn't have to worry about travelling, what hotel he is staying in and so on.

"We are really pleased that Jorge is wanting to put roots down in Nottingham and hopefully we will see him back at Meadow Lane next season."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

The threat of liquidation hanging over Notts County has been formally lifted.

A petition to wind up the club was dismissed on Wednesday at the High Court in London after a "dramatic compromise" was signed at the door of the court.

Notts were being pursued for debts said to be more than £600,000 owed to Pinnacle Advantage Ltd, a company of which former Notts owner Ray Trew was director.

The League Two club had been trying to agree a settlement with the administrators for Pinnacle, which was liquidated last July.

When the matter returned to court, Simon Johnson, appearing for Pinnacle, told Miss Registrar Derrett: "A dramatic compromise has just been signed outside court".

James Pickering, representing Notts County, confirmed the compromise, and there were no other creditors the registrar declared: "The petition is dismissed with no order as to costs."

Originally, the club had faced a winding-up application brought by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over reported debts of £500,000 - when the tax man's bill was settled, Pinnacle stepped in as a "substitute creditor".

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Haydn Hollis has become the latest player to commit his future to Notts County after signing a new deal at Meadow Lane.

The 24-year-old central defender, a Magpies academy product, has made 133 appearances for the club since making his debut in January 2012, and has scored seven goals.

Hollis told the official Notts site: "Since the manager told me he wanted to offer me a new deal I’ve been desperate to sign it.

"The gaffer’s someone I love working for and Richard Thomas and Mark Crossley also deserve a lot of credit, along with everyone else the manager has with him.

"The club’s going into a new time now - we're even getting a new kit brand. It's completely changing and I’m glad I’m going to be a part of it."

Notts boss Kevin Nolan added: "I am absolutely delighted that Haydn has decided to stay with us.

"I have spoken a number of times about his attitude and the way he carries himself about the club - he has been first class since I walked through the door.

"Even when he found himself out of the squad he never let his professionalism or commitment slip. He kept working hard and thoroughly deserves his new deal."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Alan Hardy has praised Matt Tootle after the defender opened up about his mental health struggles and pledged to do more to ensure players are supported at Notts County.

The 26-year-old spoke about his battles with anxiety and depression earlier on in his career, admitting he "thought about ending it" and receiving treatment at the Priory Clinic.

"It takes a lot of guts and it was very brave of him to speak about it," Hardy told the Nottingham Post.

"To a degree, I've got a lot of affinity with what he was saying. People who know me, know that I'm not necessarily a level person; I'm up one day and down the next.

"I'm not comparing myself to Matt Tootle, but I've experienced a little bit of living in highs and lows. And when that low becomes even lower, then I can certainly identify with how low he must have got.

"It's very sad. The problem with mental illness and depression is that when you're at that point, hardly anybody can help you. It has to come from within and you have to dig really deep.

"I haven't seen (Tootle) since he did that interview, so next time I see him I will certainly be shaking him by the hand and saying, 'well done for digging deep and getting yourself out of that'."

Asked if clubs are more aware now about mental health issues among players, Hardy said: "No, I don't think they are. I don't think we are here.

"It's something which I'll be taking with John Wilson, our chief medic, about in the summer; about how we can identify what's going on with the players and whether we should be having some sort of psychological coaching to make sure the guys are in a good place.

"If you're not in a good place mentally, you've got no chance of performing well out on the pitch. I don't think as a society we do enough. It's something that we need to look at. We need to make sure we do more to really help those players. But Matt has done fantastic to come out and say what he's said, and to get himself back on top."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Alan Hardy has revealed that Notts County had already smashed the previous year's season ticket sales before the 2016-17 campaign was even over.

Season tickets for the 2017-18 campaign went up on sale on March 24, with the Notts owner attributing the increased take-up to optimism about the Magpies' future on and off the pitch.

"We have smashed last season's sales," Hardy told the Nottingham Post. "We had exceeded last year's season ticket sales before the season had finished.

"Sales have slowed down a little bit now because there's no football, but hopefully once the new Puma kit gets released that can give them another boost. That should land with us in the middle of July.

"Once the players report back for training at the end of June and the new kit comes out, then those sales will accelerate again.

"I just want to say a massive thank you to those fans who have bought their tickets early and really supported us.

"To exceed last year's season ticket sales before the season had even finished was remarkable.

"It shows how much enthusiasm and confidence the fans have got for next year.

"We exceeded it by about 10 percent up on last season's sales before the season had expired, it's tremendous."

Comment on this news story below or discuss it on the Pride of Nottingham forum alongside hundreds of fellow Notts County fans by signing up for free to the website by clicking here.

Alan Hardy has set a target for Notts County to finish either in the playoffs or very close to them next season.

In addition, he revealed that he has given manager Kevin Nolan a 10 percent increase on last year's playing budget in a bid to hit that target.

Hardy has already overseen the signing of Lincoln City winger Terry Hawkridge and is expecting seven or eight further additions in the transfer window.

"Our playing budget last year was about the seventh or eighth highest in the division," Hardy told the Nottingham Post.

"I've given Kevin an extra 10 percent on last year. That will probably take us to top four, in terms of budget in League Two.

"But I'm expecting a call from Kevin in the last week before the season starts, saying, 'could I just borrow….!' On a serious note, I'm sure Kevin will be able to get the players he needs within that budget.

"I'd like to be very close to the play-offs. I think it's fair to say there would be a tinge of disappointment if we don't make the play-offs, because I think we are plenty good enough. Once you're in the play-offs it is a bit of a lottery.

"Making the play-offs or being very close to the play-offs I think is the target. If we come below halfway, it would probably be a disappointing season."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Alan Hardy has outlined his plans to set up a girls' academy at Notts County with a view to forming a sustainable Lady Pies outfit which will work its way up to the Women's Super League.

The Magpies owner and chairman took the decision to fold the original Notts County Ladies side last month due to it being unsustainable and "financial suicide" to keep afloat.

He was roundly criticised for the decision, but he insists that, as a business model, it simply did not work out, and this week he has pledged to bring women's football back to Meadow Lane the right way.

My ambition has always been to have a girls' academy sitting alongside the boys' academy," Hardy told the Nottingham Post.

"The boys' academy is super successful. We have a target and an ambition that 25 percent of the first-team will be made up of guys who have come through our academy in the next three years. That's the pathway we want, from academy through to first-team.

"Unfortunately, the ladies' team I inherited was an entity on its own. There was just the first-team; there was nothing that was attaching it to the club in any way – probably because it was brought over from Lincoln and it had no structure or foundations.

"As of next season, we will have an under-nines, under-10s and under-11s girls' academy, which will be playing in the boys' Young Elizabethan League (YEL).

"That will be starting in the next few weeks and we will be holding trials to pick out the best elite girls across the county, in order to take them on a wonderful coaching pathway from where they are now through to, ultimately, a ladies' first-team in six, eight years' time – and hopefully be the next England internationals.

"It's the start of something which has structure and foundations, and which is affordable and sustainable. It's always been my ambition.

"In the previous guise, Notts County Ladies was not a sustainable business model. And who knows where the Women's Super League will be in six years' time. It won't be in its current guise now, I'm sure of that. It will have morphed and developed.

"I would like Notts County to be a part of that. We'll have to work our way through the leagues and through the divisions, but that's how it should be.

"We will start at the bottom and we will work our way through. But the ultimate ambition is to have a ladies' team that is playing in the top-flight, whatever that is called and whatever it looks like.

"But what is absolutely critical is it is underpinned by an academy pathway, so girls who are joining that academy at age eight can see a very clear route through to the first-team."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Elliott Hewitt has accepted Notts County's offer of a new contract, signing a two-year deal at Meadow Lane.

The 22-year-old joined the Magpies in 2015 from Ipswich Town and has made 74 appearances for the club, turning out at right back, central defence, on the wing and in central midfield.

This season, Hewitt made 29 appearances in League Two as Notts finished 16th in the table, and scored twice.

He told the official Notts website: "I would like to say a big thank you to the manager and chairman for the faith they’ve shown in me.

"This is where I want to be and I’m looking forward to what I hope will be a great 2017-18 season for the club.”

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Former Millwall, Wimbledon and Republic of Ireland forward Jon Goodman has been appointed as Notts County's new academy manager.

The 45-year-old joins the Magpies from the Nike Academy, where he spent three years coaching and developing talented unsigned players.

Goodman previously worked as head of sports science at Leeds United and Reading, and also ran a consultancy business which included Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton among its clients.

He told the official Notts website: “I am really excited to begin working at Notts County as academy manager.

“While working with Nike I took a keen interest in the club as I have known a number of the staff over the years. It’s also been brilliant to see the impact made by one of our former players, Jorge Grant, this season.

“I have been impressed by the vision, ambition and passion of the chairman, both for the club and the academy, and I look forward to delivering a successful programme that represents our core values of integrity, hard work, competition, positivity and responsibility."

Simon Clark, who was previously reported as having joined Notts as academy manager from Charlton Athletic, is now also on the books at Meadow Lane, as lead professional development phase coach.

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

The EFL regular season is now over, so for the clubs that aren't contesting the playoffs, it's full swing ahead in planning for next season.

Notts County owner Alan Hardy has this week written two columns on the Nottingham Post about his experiences of the transfer window so far, and what the club hopes to achieve and obtain in the upcoming one.

On his baptism of fire in the transfer window

Within two weeks of me taking on this role at Meadow Lane we were straight into the January transfer window. That was a real baptism of fire.

I was unable to sleep at night following intense negotiations over as little as £10 or £20 a week, and you wouldn't believe all the incentives that get built in along the way – appearance money, goal bonuses, all sorts.

I had been thrown in right at the deep end but I think it set me up really well for this transfer window. I feel far more prepared after picking up that invaluable experience.

What team he and Kevin Nolan would like to build

After the season finished, myself and the manager, Kevin Nolan, spent quite a lot of time talking about the team we'd like to build and what success looks like for us. That's success not only in terms of league position, but also in terms of how we're going to play and which formations we're going to use.

We both share a passion for attacking football, a strong defence, wide players who create lots of chances and big strikers in the area. We are absolutely on the same page in terms of what we'd like from a football perspective.

And, unlike in January, we now have almost a blank canvas to work from when it comes to forming a squad. It's quite exciting to be able to say, 'okay, what does the future look like?'.

The pitfalls of lower-league transfer window life

I found it quite surreal in a way, that you can get to the end of a season and find you've got five players signed on for next year. With Michael O'Connor out injured we are down to four players under contract for next season, which includes a goalkeeper – so, in essence, we've got three.

It was also quite daunting to think we've got the best part of 18 new contracts to negotiate, to agree and sign – quite a few of those will be for existing players, but you've still got to get everything agreed.

While there is some uncertainty over which players are yet to come and go, we do have a robust, carefully thought-out budget in place. Kevin and our chief executive, Jason Turner, will be working very closely together this summer, the former identifying his targets and the latter negotiating deals with agents and clubs.

In total I hope we'll be able to bring in around eight new players in a range of positions. Some we'll have to pay for, others will be out of contract and a few will come in on loan.

Kevin Nolan's reputation

What will be a huge help to us in the transfer market is Kevin's reputation. He's very, very well respected in the game and we're starting to receive calls from agents whose players are saying, 'I've heard such great things about Notts County and I want to play for Kevin Nolan'.

There are two players in particular who have been offered deals with League One clubs, but they would prefer to come to us. They are at the beginning of their footballing journey and feel they would learn so much more from Kevin because of his experience and knowledge, which is really refreshing to hear.

Having to let players down

This is a hugely exciting time of year in the world of football but it's incredibly ruthless at times, particularly when it comes to making decisions that affect the business. You only have to ask Kevin how he felt after having to tell a number of players recently that their time at Meadow Lane was up.

I share his compassion and find it tough talking about players as if they are just numbers, taking away the human side and doing your best not to be influenced by the fact they've got families to feed and mortgages to pay. Unfortunately, there's no room for sentiment in this industry.

What I found particularly difficult was saying goodbye to the academy players who we didn't offer professional contracts to. Letting them go was probably more heartbreaking than the professionals because those boys haven't yet had their chance.

It took me back to my early football days when I was released by Doncaster Rovers. It brought all those emotions back, from when I was 18 or 19 and thrown on the scrapheap.

It's a ruthless sport and I really feel for those academy players. They have given their all for the last couple of years to try to make it in the game and hopefully they will find other clubs and come back stronger.

To read Alan Hardy's Nottingham Post columns from this week, follow this link and this link.

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Notts County have made their first signing of the 2016-17 post-season by recruiting Lincoln City winger Terry Hawkridge on a two-year deal.

The Nottingham-born 27-year-old was part of the Imps side which cruised to National League glory this year, helping Danny Cowley's boys into League Two as well as the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Speaking to the official Notts website, Hawkridge - who played for Carlton Town and Hucknall Town early on in his career - said: “It was a tough decision to leave Lincoln.

"However, I feel I have unfinished business here having been released as a kid. It’s my home city – I’m originally from Top Valley – so I am buzzing to be here.

“I’m looking forward to getting started and learning a lot from the experienced players in the squad, as well as the manager.

“I didn’t know what was happening after the National League season finished but now I have signed here I can go away, enjoy a short break and come back ready for the first day of pre-season training.

“I’m a winger who can play on either side but I like to cut in from the left. I’ve got a bit of pace, I can cross with either foot and I have some tricks up my sleeve. I know I can bring goals and hopefully create some special memories here.”

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.

Alan Hardy has admitted that Nottingham Forest are likely to extend Jorge Grant's current deal at the City Ground.

The midfielder enjoyed a brilliant loan spell at Notts County this season and the club owner is eager to sign him up permanently.

However, Hardy is also aware that his progress at Meadow Lane will not have gone unnoticed by both his parent club - who have an option to extend his deal by another year, and any other suitors, with Bristol City and Wigan Athletic rumoured to be after him.

"Jorge enjoyed his time here. He did fantastically well," Hardy told the Nottingham Post. "I think Jorge is the first to admit that he's grown as a player since being here.

"That's no detriment to Forest, it's purely because he's been given the opportunity to play first-team football.

"The ball is in Forest's court. They have got an option on him and it looks like they are likely to exercise that option.

"Whether we then buy him from Forest or we have him on loan, or Forest may well decide to keep him, we'll have to see. Unfortunately, we aren't holding any of the cards.

"Discussion at the moment is between Forest and Jorge. We've registered our interest, Jorge knows how we feel, Jorge knows how much we would pay him, the ball is very much in Forest's court."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.