Notts County have settled their debt with HMRC, according to reports.

The club were due in London's High Court on Monday with £84,500 outstanding, but the Nottingham Post claims that owner Ray Trew has now settled the debt out of his own pocket.

It is now expected to be dismissed on Monday when the case is brought before the judge with the HMRC expected to confirm payment.

The case was originally heard last month but was adjourned because the club was in the process of being taken over, with Trew promising he would settle the debt himself if the sale of the club had not yet gone through.

Notts County remains up for sale, with the likes of Paragon owner Alan Hardy, an Asian corporation and a UK-based hedge fund having expressed their interest in recent months.

When will the club be sold, and to whom? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Cambridge United manager Shaun Derry has expressed his pride at having played at and managed Notts County, but insists that he will be focusing solely on managing the U's to victory at Meadow Lane.

Derry, who helped the Magpies achieve the Great Escape in 2013-14, also admitted his father, a lifelong Notts fan, will put family first on Saturday by rooting on his son's side.

Derry said: "I'll be walking back into Notts County's stadium full of pride that I'm the manager of Cambridge United.

"I've enjoyed every single moment that I've been here and I'll be going there only concerned with what my team do.

"I've got no concern whatsoever of Notts County or the job they've got over there. My single goal is what I can achieve for Cambridge United.

"I'm always looking forward. You can't look back – not just in football, but in life.

"I had some wonderful times at Notts County, with some highs and some lows, but that's the nature of the game.

"My dad's been a Notts fan all of his life and I think it will be the first time he'll be sitting in the away end.

"He'll be fully behind me, as his son, and then wishing Notts County well after the weekend.

"He's been a great support mechanism for me throughout my career and will continue to be so. I know he's looking forward to the weekend, as are all my family.

"They'll probably be seeing it from a different angle to what I will. I'll be seeing it as my job and they'll be seeing it as a bigger event than what I'm seeing it."

Do you think Derry will claim victory over his old side? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County and Cambridge United have met just 24 times in their history, with the first meeting coming on Boxing Day 1970. The result? A resounding 4-1 win to the Magpies at Meadow Lane.

Notts hold the advantage in the head to head, with 11 wins, 7 draws and just 6 defeats against the U’s. The last game, however, was a 3-1 win for Cambridge earlier in the season.

The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United before taking the name Cambridge United in 1951. 

It first competed in the Football League in 1970 and stayed there until relegation in 2005, nine seasons in the Conference following until climbing back out of non-league.

Cambridge have had two spells in the league's second tier, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup twice and Football League Cup once during the early 1990s, the club's most successful era to date. 

United's highest ever finishing place in the Football League is fifth in the Second Division during the 1991–92 season, competing in a season-ending four team playoff for the final promotion slot to the Premier League's inaugural season.

The club is based at the Abbey Stadium on Newmarket Road, just under 2 miles east of Cambridge city centre. The stadium has a capacity of 8,127, made up of terracing and seated areas.

During their days in Division Two, with John Beck at the helm in the 1980's, the club earned a reputation for bizarre training methods and "dirty tricks" to make their opponents feel ill at ease. 

These included freezing cold showers for his own players, dirty changing rooms and deflated kick-about balls for the opposition and long grass in the corners of the pitch to slow the long balls into those areas, allowing the U’s forwards to reach them. 

Beck carried on his dirty tricks even after leaving to take charge of Preston North End – taking nine of the Cambridge United players with him.

He was not the only famous manager at the club, with Ron Atkinson taking the club from the Fourth to the Second Division and Ex-England and Derby County centre-half Roy McFarland also sitting in the hot seat.

Before their entry into the League, a local animal sanctuary had an escapee and it was found grazing on the pitch at the Abbey Stadium. This lead to the moose connection with the club, and in the club shop you can buy a range of moose souvenirs to show your allegiance to the U’s. 

Famous alumni include Dion Dublin and Luke Chadwick, while famous fans include football commentator Gary Newbon and Tom Findlay of Groove Armada. And connecting the two clubs – none other than former Notts manager Shaun Derry, now a the helm of the U’s.

---

Notts County manager Mark Cooper laid into his first-team players on Tuesday night following their meek 3-1 defeat at Barnet, a result which followed a 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield Town, and said he could potentially bring youth team players into the squad to see the season out.

Montel Gibson was recently handed his debut by Cooper and has featured in the last three matches so he could be in line for his full debut against the U's, while fellow teenagers Lartey Sarpong and Luther Wildin might also get a chance to impress.

Cambridge are expected to name an unchanged squad following Tuesday's 7-0 thrashing of Morecambe. They are aiming to sneak into the play-off places and were boosted by the return, to the bench, of midfielder Ryan Donaldson against the Prawns.

Ryan Haynes and Leon Legge are short-term absences, while forward Barry Corr, defender Greg Taylor and midfielder Conor Newton are all out for the rest of the campaign.

Share your thoughts on the game by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has claimed he is already looking at players to sign next season in case he is given the job on a permanent basis at Meadow Lane.

According to reports, the former Swindon boss is yet to trigger the points tally which will guarantee him a permanent deal at the club.

Nevertheless he is not letting the uncertainty over his future stop his planning and says there are a number of players he is aware of.

Cooper said: "You get a detailed list of players in the position you need and I would label them A, B and C.

"If we can afford the top target and he wants to come, then great, if not then we move on. That's how it should be.

"In the summer there are going to be an awful lot of good players out of work.

"There are players out of contract that I know we could go and get straight away, but we need to know what's going to happen with the club first. Nothing is going to happen until that is resolved."

What players would you like to see wear the black and white shirt? Share your thoughts by signing up to Pride of Nottingham, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has pledged to put together a group of players that will put up a good fight in the remaining League Two games of the season.

The Magpies secured safety last week following a 1-0 win over Hartlepool, but since then they have fallen to a 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield and a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Barnet.

County's players received criticism from Bees boss Martin Allen, who said they had let a lot of people down.

Cooper added: "Martin has the right to his opinion and if you had watched the second half you would probably have to agree with him.

"In the pre-match meeting on Tuesday I also showed them comments made by Mansfield and their manager.

"You shouldn't want to read that as a player. It should really hurt. That's two managers now and they can't all be wrong.

"What we have to do now is put a group together that's going to fight and scrap and play some decent football.

"I want to trust players and pat them on the back and say 'hey, well done out there'.

"But they have to give me 95 minutes of effort and desire. You have to earn the right to play.

"We will see in the performance on Saturday whether they can drag themselves up and be up for the fight.

"We have some players who will fight, but possibly not enough.

"I know Martin Allen was desperate to beat Notts in midweek and I am sure Shaun will be too.

"It will be the same with Keith Curle, who comes here with Carlisle on the last day of the season.

"What we have to do is stand up to the challenge and try to put a team out there that wants to fight.

"Shaun's team epitomises him as a player – a good footballer but a fighter.

"We have to match it otherwise you have no chance.

"They are going for the play-offs, Shaun has stabilised them and if they miss out this year, they will certainly be a danger next year."

How will Notts get on against Cambridge United? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Barnet manager Martin Allen has joined Notts County boss Mark Cooper in criticising the Magpies players following their 3-1 loss at The Hive.

Cooper's side led 1-0 at half time through Jon Stead's penalty, but the Bees struck three unanswered goals in the second half to clinch all three points.

"You could probably say there was six or seven from our strongest team not playing and we managed to come out with a 3-1 victory," said Allen, who was in charge at Meadow Lane from 2011 to 2012. "I would say it was a very comfortable victory.

"In the second half (the Notts players) offered nothing. They turned their back on their club. I think they let all their supporters, their manager and everyone down from the way they played.

"Obviously I've got an interest in that club because I worked there and I've got very fond memories of my time there.

"But that performance… whoever's picked those players or bought those players or got those players in, needs to take a long, good, hard look at themselves, I think."

Is Mad Dog right? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the discussion.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has criticised his players following their 3-1 defeat at Barnet and 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield Town, saying they "caved in" and that he is considering starting youth team players in their place.

The Magpies led 1-0 at The Hive on Tuesday night but conceded thrice in the second half, just a few days after slumping to their biggest ever defeat in the Notts-Mansfield derby.

Cooper said: "I was really frustrated that we were really comfortable for half a game but the slightest bit of pressure from Barnet and we went under.

"No matter what players play, and they've all had an opportunity more or less, it may get to the stage now where I just throw the kids in. 

"You know they are going to run about, they will have no fear, and they will be desperate to play.

"Maybe we throw all the kids in and they will be proud to play for Notts County. That might be the way forward.

"Why not? I don't think we can get relegated and we need to salvage a bit of pride.

"The same players keep letting us down. I don't really like criticising players but sometimes you have to be truthful and say, 'hang on, this isn't acceptable'.

"We've had supporters come all the way from Nottingham and the tiniest bit of pressure and we cave in.

"If I get the job, the first thing I will look for is strong characters that can play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, can mix it, can play and ultimately can fight."

Cooper is in charge until the end of the season and has been set a points target to earn an extended contract. 

He added: "I said to them 'you have got two managers the sack already and you are not getting me out."

Is Cooper right? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

The post-Mansfield post-mortem continues for Notts County as manager Mark Cooper hints at a summer clearout should he be given the gig permanently.

Notts have been left reeling following their 5-0 defeat at Field Mill, their worst result in the history of the fixture.

"It's been a constant theme that they've (Notts) gone on little runs and then just capitulated," said Cooper.

"There is obviously a problem somewhere and it needs to be sorted out.

"I can't change the players right now, but they have to realise – and I said it after the Portsmouth game – that careers are on the line.

"If investment comes, then better players will come in. If there is no investment, then they will be changed anyway.

"They have to show they are worth being at the football club next year.

"It's a massive job. I have learned an awful lot about players' characters and their desire. There is a lot of work to be done."

Of the current Notts crop, who should stay and who should go? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has cancelled his players’ day off as he criticised them for having “caved in” at Mansfield Town.

The Magpies, who normally get Sunday off, suffered their biggest ever defeat at the hands of their local rivals as they went down 5-0 in Saturday’s League Two derby.

Cooper said: "They caved in and some questions have been answered for me.

"I have a list of players who I think 'yes, they need to stay, and they need to go' but it keeps changing.

"They keep letting themselves down. They have had a real good following and they've let them down again.

"The players are in (Sunday) morning. They thought they were getting the day off, but they don't deserve it."

Can Notts County redeem themselves at Barnet? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

In what has to go down as one of the most embarrassing days in Notts County's recent history - possibly even more so than the Salford City loss, also this season - the Magpies fell to an abysmal 5-0 defeat to Nottinghamshire rivals Mansfield Town in Saturday's League Two clash at Field Mill.

The Stags were quickest out of the starting blocks and were ahead as early as the sixth minute when Mal Benning's cross evaded the Notts defence before being drilled home by Matt Green for his 15th goal of the season.

Mark Cooper's charges rallied round and performed admirably up until the half-time whistle, when it seemed like they could have got back into the game, although their front line - with Izale McLeod the worst culprit - was wasteful.

Things soon took a turn for the worse, however, when Mansfield doubled their lead just before the hour, Adam Chapman firing home a free kick from the edge of the box after a sloppy Wes Atkinson tackle..

A poor clearance from the normally steady Mike Edwards was responsible for the Stags' third strike minutes later, as Green seized on the error and coolly slotted past Scott Loach.

Reggie Lambe then made it 4-0 on 67 minutes after Matty Blair's cross gave him a simple tap-in, and with seven minutes to go Mitchell Rose tapped home after Loach spilt a shot into his path.

Share your thoughts on this calamity of a game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has claimed his side must have "cool heads" and "big hearts" if they are to stop rivals Mansfield Town from celebrating a league double over them.

The Magpies have played the Stags twice this season, losing to them in a League Two clash right at the start of the season but then clinching a 3-1 win in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Cooper said: "You want to see the players cope with the occasion and that they don't become flustered by it. We have to compete but be calm.

"You know you will have to fight but you still have to try to play football. First tackles are important but you've got to make sure you don't get sent off.

"You see a lot of local derbies where the first tackle ends in a red card which changes the complexion of the game. We have to have cool heads but big hearts."

Will Notts get points at the One Call Stadium? Share your thoughts with Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray has described Saturday’s derby with Notts County as a "blood and thunder" encounter.

The two sides have met twice already this season, with the Stags winning in the League Two encounter back in August and the Magpies emerging victorious in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy encounter weeks later.

Murray said: “With the money Notts spent and the resources they’ve got, they should be a top five team in this league; everybody would agree with that.

“They’ve obviously had some ups and downs this season but it’s a big club and, as much as we hate saying it because they’re our local rivals, it is a club steeped in history.

“It’s got a massive fan base and they probably haven’t had the season they planned this year.

“I know Coops, he was a very good footballer as a player. He did a great job at Swindon, I’m shocked to be honest that it took him so long to get back in the game after what he did there because I know he was working on limited resources.

“He’ll get them playing the right way and get them working for him. Fair play to him, I think they’re unbeaten in four now.

“Everything goes out of the window in terms of form and what kind of season you’ve had. It’s a local derby, it’ll be ‘blood and thunder’ and we’re up for it.”

Who will win in Saturday's derby? Let Pride of Nottingham know your views by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has praised the club's fans and called on the players to give them a lift by claiming local bragging rights at Mansfield Town.

The Magpies have played the Stags twice this season, losing to them in a League Two clash right at the start of the season but then clinching a 3-1 win in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Cooper said: "It would be nice to give the fans something to smile about. They've been really good since I've been here. It would be good to give them a lift and a good result against Mansfield would do that.

"They will be coming in their numbers and you always want your fans' backing away from home – they always seem to be louder. I am sure it will be a really good atmosphere.

"The first thing you have to do is compete. You have to match the opposition's work rate.

"But the players have to be calm and realise that the team which deals with the occasion the best, usually comes out on top.

"It's about playing the game, not the occasion. You don't want to be taken in by the hype, it's about going to do a job."

Can Notts County get the better of Mansfield? Share your thoughts with Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the discussion.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has praised "everybody" for conjuring up a four-game unbeaten run that saw the Magpies secure Football League safety.

Jon Stead’s goal was the difference between Notts and Hartlepool United on Tuesday, while Liam Noble struck to ensure victory over Stevenage at the weekend.

Prior to that, Cooper’s charges drew 2-2 at Northampton Town and claimed a goalless draw over Wycombe Wanderers.

The former Swindon boss said: "The credit has to go to everybody – the staff, the players and the supporters. They've all got together and we are there as one. That's the only way it can go to get success."

Discussing the Pools game, he added: “Our decision making, the weight of the pass, the option of the pass, the runs the forwards we were making were wrong and that's something we need to get right, but the effort, commitment and organisation was there."

Who deserves the most credit for Notts County's resurgence? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has pledged to try and keep Liam Noble at the club if he is appointed on a permanent basis this summer.

The midfielder scored his 10th goal of the season in the 1-0 win over Stevenage on Saturday to give the ex-Swindon Town boss his first win at the Magpies helm.

Noble, however, is out of contract in the summer and is said to be attracting interest from Cambridge United and Portsmouth.

Cooper, whose side secured their Football League status with a 1-0 win over Hartlepool United on Tuesday, said: "The club needs to keep players like Liam because he can turn a game on its head like he did on Saturday.

"He's done it on more than one occasion this season and when you are talking about creativity in the final third, he has got that.

"There will be times he gets space and blasts it over the bar, but the next time he gets it, he will put it in the top corner.

"If I am going to be here, then I would love him to stay."

Do you want to see Noble in a Notts shirt next season? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County midfielder Liam Noble has expressed his joy at helping his side to their first home victory of 2016 by scoring the winner against Stevenage on Saturday.

The former Sunderland man curled home with just 11 minutes to go of the League Two clash at Meadow Lane to all but secure survival for the Magpies.

Noble also said he was glad to send the Notts fans home happy after weeks of poor performances and results.

He told reporters: "It was a massive win. When the gaffer came in, the Portsmouth game was dreadful really, but we did have chances. We then should have beaten Wycombe as well and then likewise against Northampton.

"But I would have been devastated if we had only taken a point against Stevenage because I thought we battered them. I thought we played really well, but just needed to be a bit more clinical in the final third.

"The lads at the back kept a clean sheet, but it was the lads up front who didn't do it as we should have won by three or four. We'll take the blame for that.

"The fans pay good money to come and watch the lads run around and give all they've got. If we do that and even if we get beat, I am sure they will clap us off.

"But it's brilliant to get the win for them and send them home happy for the weekend. I just hope they will come again on Tuesday and support us against Hartlepool."

Will you be at Meadow Lane for the game against Hartlepool? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County owner Ray Trew has revealed more details regarding the imminent takeover of the club, stating that two concrete offers are being considered and should be finalised in the coming days.

Writing on Twitter for the first time in three years on Saturday, the Magpies owner says a UK hedge fund and an Asian corporation are racing “to the finish line”.

Trew wrote: "A phoenix has risen from the ashes after a three year exile to address some of the nonsense that's being banded about on here and other forums.

"To set the record straight, there are two serious buyers left in the hunt. All other buyers have been discarded.

"One of the buyers is a UK hedge fund and the other is a large corporation from Asia.

"Both have met my asking price and now it’s a race to the finish line. I expect an announcement will be forthcoming in days rather than weeks."

Share your thoughts on Trew's comments by signing up to Pride of Nottingham, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County midfielder Rob Milsom has urged his side to finish the season strongly and build towards promotion in 2017.

The Magpies - and their long-suffering fans - have endured a wretched season comprising of multiple managerial changes, the club being put up for sale, a combination of public fallouts among various elements of the club, and many abysmal performances on the pitch which has put the team among the bottom five of the entire Football League.

"It's not just a dead end to the season because there are players who are out of contract and will want to earn them," said Milsom.

"Okay, maybe there is not so much to play for in the league, but personally there is and especially working towards next season.

"What goes on at the back end of this season is going to carry on into next and we want to give the fans hope for next season.

"If they can see a huge improvement now and then achieve what we set out to do this season – which is challenge for promotion – then they will be happy."

Will Notts get promoted back to League One before the end of the decade? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has bemoaned his side’s injury crisis ahead of their League Two clash at home to Stevenage, but has called on the side’s fringe players to step up.

Curtis Thompson is struggling with an ankle injury picked up at Northampton Town, while Rob Milsom is struggling with a problem in his left knee and Graham Burke is also out of action.

Cooper said: "We are struggling injury wise. But it gives somebody else an opportunity.

"I've never been one to moan about injuries. It's a big squad so there are players in there who will have an opportunity.

"It is frustrating, but it's football. You've got to come up with solutions.

"That's what we have tried to do this week. We had hoped Curtis might make it, but I don't think he will.

"Rob declared early doors that he wasn't right, so we will have to change a couple of players.

"You can look at it either as a positive or a negative. It could bring freshness because somebody will get an opportunity to show for six or seven games they are worth a new deal."

Who should come into the Notts squad against Stevenage? Share your opinions with Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has claimed his side “give possession away too cheaply” and need to work on controlling games better.

Since taking over at Meadow Lane, the ex-Swindon boss has transformed his side within a matter of days, with promising performances against playoff-chasing Wycombe Wanderers and League Two leaders Northampton Town that led to draws.

Cooper said: "In terms of the players' will to win and their desire, I am pleased, but we have to be better in terms of controlling a game.

"We give possession away much too cheaply. At times we surrender possession when there is absolutely no need.

"If you are going to lump it, then at least lump it into an area where it's not going to come back straight at you. I have lots of work to do on that."

Notts take on Stevenage this weekend. Can they win? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the site, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County winger Will Hayhurst has claimed that his experience of recovering from two broken legs as a Preston youth player has helped him mentally overcome the "toughest season" of his career.

The 22-year-old has not played a competitive game for the Magpies this term after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Carlton Town in pre-season.

Hayhurst told local media: "If I hadn't had those injuries I wouldn't have realised what it takes and how you can come back from one like this.

"The first leg break was easy to overcome because it was my first serious injury and I knew I would come back fitter and stronger.

"But the second break was harder, knowing I would have to go through the same routine again having worked so hard to get back.

"Having that experience has helped though, and I've done a lot of psychology work that I think has benefited me as well.

"It can be difficult being away at the gym every day, away from the lads. You do get the lads in and out with little injuries, but when they are fit in a few weeks and you're still going it's tough.

"But to be fair the lads, they have been brilliant with me, the more time you have around them, the easier it is to get through it all."

Hayhurst arrived at Meadow Lane in January 2015, but is out of contract in the summer.

Will Hayhurst play again for Notts County? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

The sale of Notts County is close to completion and could even be announced by the end of the week, according to reports.

Current Magpies owner Ray Trew put the club up for sale at the end of February, and according to the Nottingham Post, talks with the purchasing party have progressed over the last few days to the point that the sale is imminent.

Businesspeople and consortiums from Denmark, China and the United States have all been linked with Notts over the last few weeks, as has local businessman Alan Hardy, the chief executive of the Paragon Group and the only bidder to make his interest public.

Trew has owned the club since 2010, after he bought it for a nominal fee of £1 following the Munto debacle.

Do you think the club will change hands this week? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.