Notts County are not interested in either former Crawley Town manager Mark Yates or Braintree Town boss Danny Cowley, according to reports.

There had been speculation in previous days that the Magpies were considering making a move for the above managers.

The Nottingham Post, however, says Notts are searching for an experienced manager to take the job, in the hope of reviving the club's fortunes.

This would rule out Cowley, with Braintree chairman Lee Harding saying he had received no approach from the Magpies.

In addition, Notts are thought not to consider Yates a suitable candidate to take over from Mark Cooper.

Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst remains the bookmakers' choice to become Notts’ next manager, with Sky Bet offering odds of 1/4 on him being in charge of the club next season.

Who do you think should be Notts County's manager? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

The rumour mill has gone into overdrive at managerless Notts County as a wide array of names have been tipped to take over the reins at Meadow Lane.

Notts, who have had three managers in the hotseat during the past 12 months, find themselves without a boss once again after Mark Cooper left the club right after the last game of the season - a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Carlisle United - to join Forest Green Rovers.

The Lincolnshire Echo claims that Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley is the subject of a tug-of-war between the Magpies and local rivals Lincoln City.

Cowley has been sensational for the part-time Essex club this season, guiding them to the National League playoffs despite having a day job as a PE teacher.

Former Crawley Town boss Mark Yates, meanwhile, is being interviewed for the vacant managerial position at Notts, according to Sky Sports.

The 46-year-old, who was reportedly in the running to become the Forest Green manager before Cooper was hired instead, has been out of work since leaving the Red Devils last month.

Former Notts title-winning manager Steve Cotterill is also not tied to a club at the moment and, despite no reports of the 51-year-old being in talks with the Magpies, he has been named as the man most Notts fans want to see back at the club's helm, according to the Nottingham Post.

Who would you like to see manage Notts in the upcoming season? Share your thoughts by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Mark Cooper has been unveiled as the new manager of Forest Green Rovers, just two days after leaving Notts County.

The former Swindon Town boss will be the National League club's manager "for the 2016-17 season", according to a statement on the FGR website.

Forest Green's statement added: "He hit his points target and was offered the (Notts) role permanently, however he declined the post in favour of joining Forest Green."

Mark Cooper said of his appointment: "I'm excited to be joining a club with a clear aim and strategy on where it wants to go and how it wants to get there.

"There are not many opportunities to join a club that has that foresight – a lot of clubs are run day to day and don't plan for the future.

"These clubs may be bigger clubs in stature, but this is a big club in the way it is looking forward."

What do you think of Forest Green Rovers' appointment and of Mark Cooper's comments? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County assistant manager Richard Dryden has given a scathing assessment of the season just gone, describing it as “abysmal” and “heartbreaking”.

The Magpies have finished the season in 17th place, losing half of their 46 games and experiencing a number of heavy defeats, including a 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield Town and a 5-0 loss at home against Carlisle United in the final game of the season.

In addition three managers have been and gone, while Ray Trew has put the club for sale but has not yet been sold amid a flurry of media speculation over new owners.

Dryden said: "Personally I'm glad it's finished because when you know you can't win promotion or get relegated, it's been tough to keep players motivated.

"It's best to draw a line under this season. It's been really disappointing this season. We've let everybody down.

"I am hurting massively. I came up here as a young lad with Neil Warnock and his ethic was work hard for each other.

"I have been up here ever since bar four or five years and Notts is a club close to my heart. It is heartbreaking to see what is getting turned out some times.

"We've been short on certain areas. We've not hit the ground running. If we've been scoring goals, we've been conceding them.

"If we are not conceding, we aren't scoring. The quality just hasn't been there. Hard work isn't enough.

"Everybody at the club has to take responsibility. We've all got to be pushing in the same direction and aim for much higher because this season has been abysmal."

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Notts County defender Blair Adams has criticised himself and the entire team for letting three managers down this season.

The Magpies began the season with Ricardo Moniz and, despite some promising early results, the team went off the boil, resulting in the Dutchman’s sacking.

Rookie Jamie Fullarton was next at the helm and, similarly to Moniz, a couple of decent results at the start of his tenure were followed by a horrendous run of form.

He was next to walk before Mark Cooper stepped in on a short-term deal until the end of the season but, despite marked improvements which helped Notts steer clear of relegation, he still saw two 5-0 defeats and one 4-0 loss under his tenure.

Following the 5-0 defeat against Carlisle United, a game which Cooper said he had to get something from to see his contract extended, the ex-Swindon boss decided to leave Meadow Lane, with non-league Forest Green Rovers said to be his next destination.

Adams said: "Obviously I am disappointed. We should be at least in the top half of the table, but we were nowhere near it. It was the last game of the season and Mark Cooper has had 10 games in charge and we've not done enough for him.

"It wasn't just him that we let down but Ricardo Moniz and Jamie Fullarton. It hasn't been good enough for them and we have let them all down.

"I've missed a large chunk of the campaign to be fair, but I am not excluding myself. None of us have been good enough."

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Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst has been named as the favourite with Sky Bet to become the next permanent Notts County manager.

The 41-year-old, who will lead his side in their play-off second leg game at Braintree today, is 5/2 favourite to take the helm at Meadow Lane.

Former Mariner Wayne Burnett is also said to be in the running at 8/1, behind Richard Dryden, while the names of Ian Hendon, Mark Robins, Malky Mackay, Richard Money and even Sol Campbell - a novelty bet at 80/1 - have been bandied about.

The Magpies are managerless after Mark Cooper left the club following their 5-0 defeat against Carlisle United at Meadow Lane.

Cooper said he needed a result against the Cumbrians to trigger the prospect of a contract extension, but speculation ahead of the game had linked him to the Forest Green Rovers job.

No official confirmation from any club has yet been published regarding the ex-Swindon manager taking on a new role.

What do you think of the names mentioned as bookies' favourites for the Notts job and are you happy with the whole debacle surrounding Mark Cooper's stay at Meadow Lane? Share your thoughts by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Speculation has arisen linking Notts County manager Mark Cooper with the job at Forest Green Rovers after the Magpies finish their season this weekend against Carlisle United.

The Gloucester Citizen has published an article saying Cooper is set to be named as the new boss of the National League side, who are in the playoffs to be promoted to the Football League.

Journalist Jon Palmer also posted a tweet appearing confident that the move will take place after the Football League regular season finishes.

Mark Cooper set to be named new manager of Forest Green Rovers: https://t.co/wW2IfCpndh pic.twitter.com/lMAYeEC6sF

— Jon Palmer (@JonPalmerSport) May 6, 2016

This week, Cooper talked about how his target-based deal at Notts County is not automatic, and also said "unsettling" deals are part and parcel of the game.

He said: "Obviously there has been talk about the (Carlisle) result I need to earn a contract offer, but I just hope we put in a good performance.

"It's not an automatic deal that kicks in, the package would need to be agreed.

"No discussions have taken place on that side of things because obviously I have not met the target yet.

"Is it unsettling? That's football. That's the way the game is. You have to work day to day.

"In an ideal world I want to be here, but I have to get a result and see what happens.

"If I don't, then I am not too sure what happens there either. All the chairman said was we need to get these points and then we will talk about a deal."

Do you think Notts can hang on to Mark Cooper, and who should be to blame if he was to leave? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham's forum.

Notts County have confirmed that they will play Nottingham Forest in a pre-season friendly this summer for Mike Edwards' testimonial.

The date of the match against Notts' local rivals has been confirmed as Saturday 23rd July 2016, with a 3pm kick off.

Edwards, 35, has made over 340 appearances for the Magpies during two spells at the club, and was a part of the team that lifted the League Two title in the 2009-10 season.

The Football League granted the defender and strength & conditioning coach a testimonial year after a committee were successful with their application to honour him.

Edwards said: "I'm delighted and humbled to have been given a testimonial and I have a lot of people to thank.

"I need to say thank you to Ray and Aileen Trew for their support and the committee for the work they have put in to make this possible.

"During my time here I've played in a few pre-season games against Forest and, of course, the League Cup tie. They have always been great occasions and that made it an ideal choice. It's a great match to be involved in whether it be a pre-season friendly or as a competitive game.

"It's also good for the city of Nottingham with it being announced as the City of Football so it can bring the two clubs together. It would be fantastic if it were to be more of a regular occurrence.

"I'd like to give a big thank you to those involved at Forest for agreeing to the match, which I'm really looking forward to."

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Hundreds of Notts County fans gathered outside Meadow Lane on Thursday to see the unveiling of the statue of club legends Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler.

The memorial, situated between the Derek Pavis Stand and the Trent Navigation Inn pub, was revealed to about 200 supporters at midday.

Jimmy and Jack – who took the Magpies from the old fourth division to the English top tier – have been immortalised in bronze after a campaign to raise more than £100,000 was launched in May 2010 following their deaths.

The statue, designed by sculptor Andrew Edwards, depicts former manager Sirrel and trainer Wheeler sitting on a bench in a dugout.

Were you at Meadow Lane to see the unveiling? What do you think of it? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham forum.

Notts County striker Jon Stead has claimed he would "love" manager Mark Cooper to be given the job permanently and hopes to be part of his plans should that be the case.

The former Swindon Town boss is just one result away from triggering a clause which will guarantee a permanent contract offer from the club's owner Ray Trew.

With one year left on his contract, Stead is hoping to help Cooper to get a result against Carlisle United on Saturday and subsequently feature in his plans next season, having scored 14 goals for the club since arriving last summer.

"I have another year here and I am really backing the gaffer's corner - I would love him to stay," Stead said.

"I think he can really build next season given the reins and let him do what he needs to do with the squad.

“Hopefully I will be a part of that. I've been half and half in my personal goals this season. 

“I've done reasonably well with my goals tally and played a lot of games which is nice, but there is more I can do. I want to improve my tally and my all round game."

Can Stead lead the Notts County line under Cooper next season? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County striker Jon Stead has claimed that a straightforward and direct approach was crucial in getting a 1-0 win at Newport County on a “very difficult” pitch.

Genaro Snijders’ strike was the difference on a sandy Rodney Parade surface in Saturday’s League Two clash in Wales.

Goalkeeper Roy Carroll also marked his return to first-team action with a clean sheet as the Magpies’ penultimate game, and last away, yielded three points.

"It was nice to finish off the away games for the season with a win," said Stead.

"We came with a straightforward game plan on a very difficult pitch. We wanted to frustrate and be more direct and it worked.

"We stuck at it from the first minute until last on a pitch that was difficult for both teams - we dealt with it well."

Can Notts County give their fans a happy ending to the season with a Meadow Lane win against Carlisle this weekend? Share your thoughts by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has admitted he took it easy on the players the day before the Newport County game by not having a training session and getting them bacon sandwiches on the way to the ground.

The Magpies beat the Exiles 1-0 at Rodney Parade on Saturday, Genaro Snijders's goal stopping the rot after three League Two defeats on the trot.

"We didn't train on Friday," Cooper told reporters in his post-match interview.

"We got the players a bacon sandwich, got them on the bus and tried to keep it a little bit lighter.

"It is always nice to win a game of football, it's a better feeling in the changing room and makes for a better journey home on the coach.

"I thought the players had a go and that's all I have been asking for."

Cooper also criticised the Rodney Parade pitch, which was sandy and with parts of it completely bald.

"It wasn't pretty but the pitch is a disgrace for a Football League club," he continued.

"I am sure they will want to do something about it next season because they shouldn't be allowed to play on it.

"It's difficult when you have got one team playing rugby on it, but two? Well, they have to sort it out - players' careers are on the line."

Share your thoughts on Notts County's win at Newport County and on Mark Cooper's managing of the team by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has admitted that he has not yet reached the points target needed to secure a permanent deal at Meadow Lane, and that he needs a result in next weekend's League Two game against Carlisle.

The Magpies beat Newport County 1-0 on Saturday after Genaro Snijders's third goal of the season proved the difference between the two sides at Rodney Parade.

Cooper has not divulged whether he needs a win or a draw, but says he is relishing the challenge in the final game of the season.

"All I can say is it is game on next week," he said.

"I wanted to be going into the final game of the season with something on it and I've done that.

"I need a result next week - the players have been joking about and saying if it's just one you need we will just put 11 men on the edge of the box.

"It is what it is. I am happy with the points we have got so far so let's see what happens next week."

Can Notts secure the needed result against Carlisle next week, and should Mark Cooper be given a contract nonetheless? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County assistant manager Richard Dryden has admitted that he is struggling to think of any redemptive aspects to the season.

The Magpies were expected to challenge for promotion in 2015-16 but, with two games left to play, their only 'achievement' is that they have survived the drop.

Asked if it was hard to see a silver lining to the season, Dryden said: "It's very difficult to see at the moment.

"You look at what the club has gone through this season in three more managers, but we still want to acquit ourselves as best we can.

"We've still got pride to play for. And again, whoever goes out and wears that shirt, we hope they work hard.

"And we hope again that they can show a bit of quality."

Can you think of any positive aspects to this season? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham's forum.

Mark Cooper has admitted that he has not yet achieved the points tally needed to secure a permanent contract at Notts County, and is unsure whether he will meet it.

The ex-Swindon manager, hired as a replacement for Jamie Fullarton, has accrued eight points from eight games, ensuring the Magpies will remain in League Two next season.

"The points tally is still achievable, but if you were to look at the last three games and the defeats, it's looking a bit far-fetched," Cooper said.

"But I will keep going because I want to give the chairman that problem of getting the target.

"I think everyone can see what the problem is and if I was to stay I think we could have a really good year next season.

"It's such a massive task for whoever is the manager because there is a lot of work to do.

"We've got to get some good characters in the group, some good players and sort it out really.

"I've tried to coach, I've tried to play in a way that can get results, but everybody knows what needs to happen.

"Let's hope we can get two good results before the end of the season and then we can start preparing for next season."

Should Cooper be given a permanent deal at Meadow Lane? Share your thoughts on the Pride of Nottingham forum.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has ordered Liam Noble "not to come back" to Meadow Lane for the time being after his red card against Cambridge United.

The midfielder lashed out against Darnell Furlong in last weekend's fixture at County's ground, which finished 2-1 to the visitors.

It was his third dismissal of the campaign and sixth in two seasons, earning him a five-game suspension and ruling him out for the rest of the season, plus the first three matches of 2016-17.

Cooper said: "I thought it was disgraceful. As much as I like him as a player and as a lad, I can't condone that.

"That's probably symptomatic of the problems that have gone on this season.

"It's not the first time it's happened and there have been too many incidents.

"I spoke to him after the game and I told him not to come back. I will ring him when I want to speak to him.

"He is not training with us. I sent him back to Newcastle. He's now got some time off and I will deal with him when I want to."

Noble's out of contract in the summer, with the likes of Portsmouth and several League One clubs reportedly interested in him.

Is Cooper right to punish Noble? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Work has begun to install the statue of legendary Notts County managerial duo Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler outside Meadow Lane.

The Jimmy & Jack Memorial Fund met its target at the start of 2016, reaching a grand total of £102,000 thanks to a series of fundraising events over the last few years.

Construction workers began digging outside Meadow Lane on Tuesday, laying the groundworks for the statue and exposing the original cobblestones.

The public unveiling of the Jimmy & Jack statue will be at noon on Thursday 5th May, with lunch in the 1862 Suite for a 1pm start.

To find out more, contact Lisa Black, Jimmy Willan, Yvonne Jago or Andy Black on the Jimmy & Jack Statue Fund Facebook group for more info.

Will you be going to the public unveiling of the Jimmy & Jack statue? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the discussion.

Notts County defender Haydn Hollis wants to use the last two games of the League Two season to restore some pride before they head into the summer break.

The Magpies will travel to Newport County this weekend before ending the campaign with a home clash against Carlisle United, who are managed by former Notts boss Keith Curle.

Defeat against Cambridge United last Saturday was their third loss in a week, following on from losses to Mansfield Town and Barnet, and with neither promotion nor relegation possible, there is very little to play for.

"We want to restore a little bit of pride," said Hollis.

"The gaffer said before Saturday's game that, with the profession we are in, there are great opportunities to rectify mistakes.

"But they are not easy games against Newport and Carlisle – there aren't any easy games at this level.

"Be it the top or the bottom, it's never straightforward and in Carlisle they've got Keith Curle, another ex-manager who is going to want to beat us."

Will Notts get more points on board before the season is over? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County's winding-up petition has been adjourned for a further two weeks, despite the club reportedly insisting that their debt with HMRC is settled.

The Magpies were back before the High Court today expecting the order to be dismissed - according to the Nottingham Post, they received assurances by HMRC on Friday that it would have been the case after 'making three fast payments and furnishing them with bank receipts.'

HMRC do not comment on individual cases, but the Post claims that the club is now expecting the matter to be resolved before they are due back in London in a fortnight's time.

The original case was brought before the High Court last month, but was adjourned because the club was in the process of being sold.

Notts is still up for sale, as talks with several bidders are understood to be still ongoing.

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Notts County defender Haydn Hollis has admitted the atmosphere in his side's dressing room was "horrible" after their 2-1 defeat at home to Cambridge United.

The U's sealed what turned out to be a comfortable win as Shaun Derry secured a league double against the club which sacked him as manager in March last year.

Hollis said: "The atmosphere in the dressing room is not good. The lads in there want to win, but we just can't do it.

"The most frustrating aspect of it all is that Cambridge aren't 10 times better than us.

"That should be us in their position, but it's not because for some reason we can't win games and we concede goals.

"We've got two games left now and we just want to do our best and show a little bit of pride.

"We've made mistakes but you have a chance to go and put it right a couple of days or a week later.

"There's not an easy game in this league whether it be at the top or at the bottom. We've got Carlisle to come and Keith Curle, another former Notts manager, is going to want to come and beat us.

"It's horrible at the moment."

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Cambridge United manager Shaun Derry has claimed that his side deserved their 2-1 victory against Notts County after profiting from good fortune for the second time this season against the Magpies.

The U's were up and running on four minutes when Luke Berry charged down Scott Loach's clearance and the ball flew in - a carbon copy of Ben Williamson's goal in November's corresponding fixture.

And though Haydn Hollis pulled the home side level, Williamson hit the second-half winner, with Liam Noble getting sent off with 11 minutes remaining to help Cambridge see the game out and place them five points off the play-offs with two games to play.

Derry said: "It was a deserved victory for us and we could have been out of sight in the first 25 minutes.

"I thought we started exceptionally well until Mark (Cooper) made a change (midfielder Lartey Sarpong for striker Graham Burke), which was the right one for them.

"It caused us a few problems, but we knew we had extra in the tank for the second half.

"I thought it was going to be a scrappy encounter in the second half but I thought we were excellent at being scrappy.

"The first goal was a carbon copy of the one we scored at the Abbey Stadium when the goalkeeper cleared it straight at our man and it's gone in.

"They say lightning isn't supposed to strike twice, but it did for me. It was fantastic and a welcome goal for us.

"It settled us down and I thought we played some really good stuff and caused Notts County a number of problems."

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Notts County assistant manager Richard Dryden has praised his 'hardworking' players after recovering from a “ridiculous” start against Cambridge United to put up a fight in Saturday’s League Two defeat at Meadow Lane.

The Magpies were a goal down just four minutes in when Luke Berry charged down Scott Loach's clearance and the ball went into the net – a carbon copy of Ben Williamson's goal in November's corresponding fixture.

Though Haydn Hollis pulled the home side level, Williamson hit the second-half winner to give Shaun Derry’s side a 2-1 win and place them to within five points of the League Two play-offs with two games to play.

Speaking after the game, Dryden said: "It's been a very long week.

"I said after the Mansfield game that it was great to have a game on the Tuesday against Barnet to rectify the defeat in the derby. But Barnet wasn't a great performance or result.

"I thought against Cambridge we started horrifically for the first eight to 10 minutes.

"It was ridiculous how we started, but after that we ran around and had a go for each other.

"Alan Smith epitomised what we are looking for. He was up front, battling away and causing them a lot of problems.

"But you just can't work out how we are conceding so many poor goals. Whether it be set-plays or open play, if we are going to do anything then we have to be much better.

"In my opinion, although we worked hard, we were just a little bit short on quality. But we were lacking in the final shot or final ball."

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