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Mark Crossley hopes Notts player row after Cambridge defeat will provide spark

Notts County assistant manager Mark Crossley has revealed that the club's players argued with each other after their 4-0 defeat to Cambridge United.
The former goalkeeper hopes that the squad holding each other to account will spark a reaction and mark a turning point in the club's fortunes.
"They fell out between themselves after the game and that's the first time I've seen that for a while," Crossley told the Nottingham Post.
"We wanted that six weeks ago. Unfortunately it's gone from the game a bit where players fall out in dressing rooms.
"By doing that you tend to get a reaction and better performances.
"I hope that's the spark that can take us into Morecambe in that they realise the trouble we are in and they can hopefully get us out of it."
Notts will take on the Shrimps away at the Globe Arena this weekend, with Alan Smith taking the reins as caretaker manager for the first time after John Sheridan was sacked.
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Joe Jones

Notts County confirm appointment of Alan Smith as caretaker boss

Notts County player-coach Alan Smith has been placed in temporary charge of the first team while the club look for a new permanent manager.
The former Leeds United and Manchester United man replaces John Sheridan, who was sacked on Monday night after the Magpies were beaten 4-0 by Cambridge United, their ninth successive loss.
Smith, a Notts player since the summer of 2014, will be assisted by Mark Crossley, who will continue in his current role as assistant manager.
The 36-year-old told the official club site: “The most important thing right now is for everyone - players, staff and fans - to stick together.
“There’s no getting away from it, it’s been a very, very disappointing season so far. But there are lots of points still to play for and we are determined and confident of putting things right.
“The fans are doing their bit. Our following at Cambridge, given our recent form, was phenomenal. As players and staff we have to repay that loyalty.
“We have some huge games coming up, starting at Morecambe on Saturday and, until a new manager arrives, I will be working closely with Mark and the rest of the staff to hopefully lead an upturn in our fortunes.”
Notts County are set to be taken over by local businessman Alan Hardy after current owner Ray Trew agreed to sell the club in December.
It has been reported that the former will not appoint Smith on a permanent basis, instead wanting a manager with proven lower-league experience.
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Joe Jones

Notts County sack John Sheridan following nine consecutive league defeats

John Sheridan has been sacked from his position as manager of Notts County, the club have confirmed.
The 52-year-old took over the reins at Meadow Lane in May last year following the departure of Mark Cooper, signing a three-year deal.
Notts began brightly under his tenure and, by the end of October, were sixth in League Two after 15 games played.
However, things took a turn for the worse going into November as the club had to come from behind to scrape a 2-2 draw against non-league Boreham Wood in the FA Cup.
This preceded a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Blackpool and, from then on, Notts plunged down the table as they racked up nine consecutive defeats in the league, as well as missing out on a FA Cup third-round tie at Chelsea.
In addition, Sheridan was given a five-match touchline ban in December after being sent to the stands during their defeat by Wycombe Wanderers.
Notts released a statement saying: "Notts County FC can confirm that John Sheridan is to leave his position as manager with immediate effect. The club will be making no further statement at this time."
Sheridan, who won just six of his 24 league games, leaves with Notts 22nd in the table on 22 points, one above the bottom two.
The Magpies, who are in danger of dropping into non-league football for the first time in their history, are now looking for their 11th full-time manager since Steve Cotterill left after leading them them to the League Two title in May 2010.
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Joe Jones

Match Report: Notts fall to (insert number)-th consecutive league defeat against (insert opposition name)

It really is going from bad to worse at Notts County, as the Magpies fell to a record-equalling ninth consecutive league defeat on Monday against Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.
It wasn't a case of a near-miss either - it was a shambolic performance which saw ex-Notts boss Shaun Derry's charges put four goals past his old side for a 4-0 final result.
The opening goal, on 19 minutes, set the tone perfectly for what was to come as Adam Collin fired a clearance into Luke Berry and the ball rebounded into the empty net.
It was very similar to a similar error made by Roy Carroll last season, and the travelling Notts fans, already in low spirits as it was, could not have been faulted for expecting the worst on the day.
Indeed, Uche Ikpeazu made it 2-0 just before the hour, slotting the ball under Collin following ex-Magpie Blair Adams' surging run out of defence (Derry, Adams... there really seems to be a running theme here).
And four minutes later, on 61, it was 3-0 as Berry grabbed his second when he reacted quickest to force the ball in from close range after seeing his initial strike saved by Collin.
On 69 minutes Piero Mingoia added a fourth, benefiting from another defensive error as Harrison Dunk robbed Louis Laing and allowed Mingoia to finish easily beyond Collin.
Could this be the season where Notts finally exit the Football League, after dodging the bullet on numerous occasions since the turn of the century?
Unless we get immediate surgery - and at least, with Alan Hardy coming in, there may be a glimpse of salvation - then the deteriorating entity that is Notts will become a non-league club.
And in case you're wondering about the title - well, it's pretty much copy-and-paste at the moment, isn't it?
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Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Cambridge United vs. Notts County, Monday 2 January 2017

Notts and Cambridge United have met 26 times in their history, with the first meeting coming on Boxing Day 1970.
The result on that day? 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 8 defeats against the U’s.
Recent form is not good, however - we've lost our last three meetings against Cambridge.
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, approximately 1.86 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 Fourth to 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.
Team news
Cambridge will check on George Maris ahead of the visit of Notts County after the midfielder missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient with a knock.
Barry Corr and Medy Elito are still out with knee injuries but should be back next month.
Joe Pigott is fit after injury and illness having returned as a late substitute at Brisbane Road.
Notts defender Matt Tootle is hoping to shake off a knock in time to feature after missing Saturday's home defeat to Carlisle United.
Manager John Sheridan, who will serve the fourth game of his five-match touchline ban, is likely to make changes.
Haydn Hollis, Jordan Richards and Adam Campbell are all pushing for recalls after dropping to the bench against Carlisle.
The Magpies have lost their last eight league games and are one point above the relegation zone.
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Joe Jones

Alan Hardy to review Notts County ticket prices

Alan Hardy has confirmed that he will be ordering a review of ticket prices at Notts County.
The Nottinghamshire businessman, who will take full control at Meadow Lane from Ray Trew on January 9, has also decided to cap ticket prices for the first game of his tenure, against Mansfield Town.
"It is vitally important that between now and the end of the season every man, woman and child firmly get behind the club," Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
"It is my intention to make following Notts County as affordable as possible for our next generation of supporters."
Hardy, who agreed a deal to buy the club from Trew just before Christmas, is hoping for a crowd of 10,000 for the derby clash.
He wrote on Twitter: "Ticket prices for Mansfield game will be £20 MAXIMUM anywhere in the ground for super Magpie supporters! All kids under 12 will be FREE!!!"
Hardy has been alarmed by falling home crowds at Meadow Lane, with attendances in the mid-3,000s over the last few months for the most part.
Just 2,736 fans saw the game against Cambridge United on home soil at the end of November.
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Joe Jones

Match Report: Carlisle United the latest team to take all three points against Notts County

Notts County have suffered an eighth straight defeat in League Two to cap off a dreadful 2016 as Carlisle United left Meadow Lane with all three points in a 3-2 win on New Year's Eve.
John Sheridan's charges continue to be weak at the back and this was the case once again as Charlie Wyke headed in from close range after Notts failed to deal with a Nicky Adams corner in the 10th minute.
Michael Raynes went close to adding a second, but Notts levelled on the half-hour mark when Jon Stead thumped a header into the Cumbrians' net from Michael O'Connor's free-kick.
Much to the shock and delight of the Black and White faithful, the Magpies actually took the lead when Jonathan Forte dispossessed a hesitant Shaun Brisley before firing beyond Mark Gillespie via the inside of the post six minutes before the break.
However, this was to last as Carlisle ended the first half level, Adams being given too much space on the left to send a cross into the box and an unchallenged Jabo Ibehre converting with a header.
Both sides went in search of a decisive third goal after the restart and it was Carlisle who almost made the breakthrough when Ibehre forced a stunning save from Scott Loach.
Notts had their moments too and Rob Milsom should have done better when he was unmarked at the back post, but he volleyed into the ground and into the arms of Gillespie.
Eventually that old chestnut of poor Notts defending came up once again when Jason Kennedy was able to flick home from Tom Miller's long throw to condemn Notts to yet another loss, leaving them 22nd in the League Two table and just one point above the drop zone.
What did you think of the game? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham's forum.
Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Carlisle United, Saturday 31 December 2016

Carlisle United and Notts County have met on 30 occasions since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians.
Out of those, the Magpies have won 16 and lost 11, with just 3 draws.
Our last two meetings, which took place last season, ended in a 3-0 defeat and a 5-0 defeat for Notts.
Carlisle United is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek (Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however).
The Cumbrians have spent a season in the top flight, back in 1974-75, and recorded a double over Everton, as well as home victories over eventual champions Derby County, former titleholders Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They were relegated at the end of the season though.
Carlisle is the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906. Prior to this, Accrington FC, Darwen, Grimsby Town & Glossop North End were smaller.
Despite their small stature, the club has experience moderate success with regards to silverware – they have won a Third Division title back in 1965, two Fourth Division championships in 1995 and 2006, and two Football League Trophies, back in 1997 and 2011.
Carlisle are famous for one of the most dramatic Great Escape scenarios in all of English football, when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in the last 10 seconds of their final game of the 1998-99 season against Plymouth Argyle to keep the Cumbrians in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough.
Team news
Notts County will be boosted by the return of captain Michael O'Connor when they host Carlisle United on New Year's Eve.
The midfielder is available for selection after completing a three-game suspension following his sending off against Wycombe Wanderers on December 10.
Defender Matt Tootle should be fit to play after picking up a knock which forced him to be substituted against Doncaster on Boxing Day.
Wes Atkinson is also eligible to take part after being recalled from his loan at Gateshead.
Notts manager John Sheridan will once again be in the stands as he serves the third match of a five-game touchline ban.
Carlisle defender Danny Grainger is out with a knee injury which means Macaulay Gillesphey will continue to deputise.
Manager Keith Curle is keen to extend the on-loan Newcastle left-back's stay beyond the two matches he has remaining.
Midfielder Mike Jones is missing with an ankle problem.
Fellow midfielder Russell Penn returned to the club after his loan spell at Gateshead expired on Boxing Day and could be in contention for a squad place.
Share your thoughts on the match on Pride of Nottingham's forum.
Joe Jones

John Sheridan tells wantaway Notts players: 'Just move on'

John Sheridan has urged any player unhappy at Notts County to "be honest" with him and ask to leave the club.
The Magpies boss admits that he is looking to bring in new blood at Meadow Lane, but insists that he cannot do so unless he moves players on.
"Something is not right and something needs to change," Sheridan, whose side is preparing to face Carlisle United at home on New Year's Eve, told the Nottingham Post.
"We just need a spark. One or two players coming in might be what we need.
"But if people aren't happy then move on. I just want them to be honest with me and I will try to be as helpful as I can and try to move them on.
"Moving players out will help me bring them in."
Notts are still under a transfer embargo enforced by a £350,000 tax debt to HMRC which needs to be cleared in order for Sheridan to make signings.
Sheridan continued: "There are still plenty of games left to play but there's a threat of being in the relegation mix, and a bit of fear we could get caught up in it.
"I'll try to stay positive while I am here and while I am manager, but when you look at the table, it's not good reading.
"I've got to try to freshen things up and I've got to try to get one or two results in from somewhere.
"I am hoping to be active in the window next month but we still have the embargo and I've still got to speak to the new owner (Alan Hardy).
"So I've just got to concentrate on the next game. I am wary that as manager I am not winning games. Seven defeats on the spin is not something I want, the people at the club or the supporters.
"I know it's not good enough. I am not stupid. I need to do a lot better and so do the group."
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Joe Jones

Alan Hardy to complete Notts County takeover on January 9

New Notts County owner Alan Hardy has revealed that he is looking to complete his takeover of the Magpies in just over a week.
The deal, which sees the club change hands from Ray Trew to Hardy, is expected to reach its completion on January 9.
The Nottingham Post revealed that there had been a delay in the formalities due to the complexity and timing of the negotiations over the festive period.
Hardy confirmed the latest news on his takeover on Twitter, writing: "Contracts hopefully exchanged tomorrow and formally completed on Mon 9th Jan. Our 1st game will be Mansfield at home!! Hoping for 10,000!"
Trew put the club up for sale back in February and it was confirmed before Christmas that "a deal with Mr Hardy was the best option for all parties and will now work towards finalising the agreement and completing the transfer of ownership in due course."
Notts County are currently 21st in the League Two table.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan: 'Notts County playing with fear'

John Sheridan has admitted that his Notts County players may be suffering from 'fear' when they go out on the pitch, such is their poor confidence and form.
The Magpies are hovering just about the League Two relegation zone after falling to seven consecutive defeats, as well as missing out on a FA Cup third-round trip to Chelsea after losing to Peterborough United in their replay.
"They probably are playing with a bit of fear because we are losing," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post. "It's hard when you're on a run like this.
"But there's only one way you can get out of it, and that's working your socks off, be brave, be strong, take whatever's thrown at you and get on with it – that's what I say.
"It's all down to the players. You've got to be brave. We're in a very vulnerable position because we are losing a lot of games.
"Before we conceded (against Doncaster in Boxing Day's 1-0 defeat), we looked quite solid and they didn't really cause us too many problems.
"But once we conceded the goal, we got a bit shambolic and calamitous, and did the wrong things.
"We made ourselves vulnerable and they could have scored one or two more.
"We're in a very vulnerable position at this moment in time. That's what happens when you're not winning games – and we haven't won for the last seven on the spin, which is really poor.
"It's not something I thought I'd have as a manager, or thought that I'd be in this position.
"It's something new to me and something that I've got to work my socks off to try to get out of."
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Joe Jones

Match Report: Notts County fall to seventh consecutive league defeat

Notts County have slipped to a seventh consecutive League Two defeat after Doncaster Rovers came to Meadow Lane and left with a 1-0 win on Boxing Day.
The Magpies put in a good performance as they stifled their opponents in the first half thanks to a 4-4-2 diamond formation, like-for-like against the visitors.
Doncaster forward Liam Mandeville carved out a decent chance on four minutes when he clipped a diagonal ball into the box where Andy Williams had sight of goal, only for Scott Loach to race out and smother the effort.
The first real opportunity for the hosts saw Jon Stead flick a header on goal only for Marko Marosi to claim on his line, while Carl Dickinson curled a free kick from 25 yards which Marosi held.
Perhaps the best chance of the half came in the dying seconds as Stead surged into the box and whipped a cross towards Jonathan Forte, only for defender Craig Alcock to get a vital block.
Doncaster boss Darren Ferguson then made a tactical switch at half time, making two substitutions and changing to a 3-4-3 system.
Soon enough the visitors enjoyed more space and they eventually took the lead on the hour through Williams, who headed Tommy Rowe's cross beyond Loach.
Matty Blair could have doubled Doncaster's lead minutes later when he headed another cross from the left on to the foot of a post.
Rovers had two opportunities late in the game to further their advantage as Williams broke away on the counter-attack five minutes from time, only to pull his effort wide.
Then Mandeville found himself in behind the Notts' defence deep in stoppage time, but he squeezed the ball wide from a tight angle.
Despite seven minutes of injury time, John Sheridan's side could not find a way back into the game, and so they slipped to a seventh league defeat on the trot that saw them slip to 21st in the table, just a point above the drop zone.
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Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Doncaster Rovers, Monday 26 December 2016

Notts County have met Doncaster Rovers 54 times over the years, with the first fixture coming on the 13th December 1930. On that occasion, an FA Cup tie, the Magpies triumphed 1-0.
It's perfectly poised between Notts and Doncaster, both boasting 23 wins each, plus eight draws.
Our last meeting came on 25 April 2015, a league clash at Meadow Lane, and the Magpies won 2-1.
Our recent form over Donny is not bad - four wins, a draw and just one defeat in the last six.
The club was founded in 1879 and turned professional in 1885. They have spent the majority of their playing history between the third and fourth tiers of the English football league system and are one of four clubs to win the Division 3/League Two title three times, the last being in 2004.
Football League rules state that any team who wins a trophy three times can keep it. However, when Rovers tried to retain ownership of the actual Third Division trophy, the Football League claimed that Rovers could not keep the trophy because the league names had changed from Fourth to Third Division, and so they had not won that particular league three times. Bit harsh...
The team's mascot is a brown dog known as Donny Dog, who wears the red and white Rovers jersey.
Before a scheduled appearance during the game against Huddersfield Town at the Galpharm Stadium on 4 March 2006, police prevented Andrew Liney from entering the stadium in costume, citing unspecified "police intelligence", and refused him permission to wear any part of the costume within 50 metres of the stadium. Mr Liney later received a full written apology for these unfounded allegations from the head of West Yorkshire Police.
The mascot was next portrayed by Tracy Chandler and in June 2011, she was relieved from the position after she posed in her underwear for a Sunday newspaper. Later in the same week she was reinstated back as the club's mascot.
Arguably the club's most famous fan is One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson. The 22-year-old had agreed to play in a charity game at the Keepmoat to raise money for the Bluebell Wood Charity and was offered a deal by Donny to join the club on non-contract terms after impressing in the game.
Team news
Notts County boss John Sheridan has an unchanged squad as he looks to arrest a miserable run of results at home to title-chasing Doncaster Rovers.
The 52-year-old, whose side have lost their last six league matches and have won only once in their last 11 League Two games, could make changes to his team after the FA Cup replay defeat at Peterborough United this week.
The likes of Carl Dickinson, Louis Laing, Vadaine Oliver, Adam Campbell and Aaron Collins could come into Sheridan's starting line-up.
Sheridan will not be in the dugout as he serves the second of his five-match touchline ban while captain Michael O'Connor completes his three-game ban and Alex Rodman and Stanley Aborah remain out injured.
Defender Craig Alcock will be available to Doncaster boss Darren Ferguson after returning to full fitness.
However, skipper James Coppinger will sit out once again as he serves the second match of a three-game ban following his red card during the 2-0 defeat at Plymouth on December 10.
Ferguson has no fresh selection problems with Gary McSheffrey,, Mitchell Lund, Luke McCullough and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair still missing.
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Joe Jones

Notts County boss John Sheridan "won't be hiding" from criticism

John Sheridan says he "will not hide" from any criticism of his management as Notts County sit close to League Two's bottom two.
The Magpies have lost six league games on the bounce and are just one point above the fourth tier's relegation zone ahead of hosting Doncaster Rovers on Boxing Day.
Sheridan admits he expected to be in the promotion hunt when he arrived at Meadow Lane in the summer, but is prepared to stay strong as Notts battle to turn their fortunes around.
"I was confident I'd get us in the play-offs," Sheridan, who is currently serving a five-match touchline ban, told the Nottingham Post.
"I signed a three-year contract; I didn't expect everything to go really well for me in a matter of a few months.
"But I didn't think it'd be going this way. I was positive we'd be at the other end, where we were only four or five weeks ago.
"I don't think I'm a bad manager all of a sudden, but there's something not right. It might be the way I pick my team or the way we play.
"I've got to stay strong. And I will be strong. I won't be hiding.
"I'll accept the criticism. I'll accept we're having poor results. I'll accept the uncertainty going on around the place. But I'll be strong, I won't hide.
"I'll be right at the front. Unfortunately I'm sat in the bloomin stands at the moment, and that's not where I want to be, but I'll still be trying to get the best out of my players.
"I haven't got a magic wand. We're in a sticky position. I've got to stick to my beliefs. I'm confident I'll get us out of where we are."
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan: 'I know who to bring in and who to let go'

Notts County boss John Sheridan has told reporters that he knows who to keep and who to let go from his playing squad in January.
The 52-year-old has been vocal about his need to strengthen in the transfer window as he looks to usher the Magpies away from relegation trouble.
"I've got players in mind who I want to bring in and who to let go," he told the Nottingham Post.
"I find it very hard when I'm picking my team; I don't like leaving people out.
"That's one thing I am as a manager, I do care about individuals. They all want to play, they all want to be out on the pitch, and they've all got to look after their families.
"I find that hard. I'm just going to make decisions purely for the benefit of us as a club, not because I dislike anyone.
"I've got to make decisions, and I'll have to move people on to bring people in.
"I've had a chat with one or two players and told them. Likewise, I've made enquiries about players coming in because we need to do something."
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Joe Jones

Notts County academy manager Mick Halsall quits Meadow Lane

Notts County have revealed that academy manager Mick Halsall is leaving the club after two years at Meadow Lane.
The 55-year-old initially joined the Magpies in 2014 as head of academy coaching before stepping into his academy manager role last September.
Current head of academy coaching Dan Leivers will take interim charge of the academy while Halsall's position is advertised.
"We are all very sorry to be losing Mick, who has done an excellent job with our academy and is a fantastic character to have around," Notts chief executive Jason Turner said on the club's official website.
"On behalf of everyone at Notts County I would like to wish him every success in his future career."
Halsall has also had two separate spells in caretaker charge of the Magpies first team, stepping in when Shaun Derry and then Ricardo Moniz were sacked.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan bemoans "charity case" Notts County after FA Cup exit

Notts County boss John Sheridan has described his team as "a charity case" that keeps giving gifts away to the opposition.
The Magpies missed out on a bumper FA Cup third-round tie at Chelsea after losing 2-0 at Peterborough United in Tuesday's second-round replay.
Goals from Gwion Edwards and Paul Taylor in the first eight minutes of the game set Posh on their way to a comfortable victory at the ABAX Stadium.
"The way we started the game, it's a massive downer," the Notts boss told the Nottingham Post.
"I actually think we played well, but we've lost the game. The manner we conceded those goals, the game is over after 10 minutes.
"We've more or less thrown the game away after 10 minutes. To concede the two goals the way we did, again, we're a charity case at the moment. We keep giving gifts away.
"We just keep making silly errors and putting ourselves under so much pressure and it's cost us the game.
"When you give away the first goal, you're fighting an uphill battle. We had a go, but that's not good enough, is it?"
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Joe Jones

Match Report: Notts County miss out on Chelsea tie as Peterborough win FA Cup replay

Notts County have missed out on the chance to play Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup after Peterborough United emerged as 2-0 winners in their second-round replay at the ABAX Stadium.
Following a 2-2 draw in the original fixture, Posh wasted no time in surging into a two-goal lead inside the opening eight minutes.
First Gwion Edwards netted in the second minute by connecting with a pinpoint cross and thumping a free header past Scott Loach in the visitors' net.
Six minutes later Paul Taylor doubled their lead after cantering through the Notts defence before unleashing a piledriver of a shot that soared into the top corner.
John Sheridan's side had the chance to pull a goal back before half-time after winning a penalty, but Jon Stead failed to convert from the spot.
Magpies forward Jonathan Forte came closest to scoring in the second-half, but his lob from 18 yards bounced back off the bar.
Ultimately Notts could not launch a comeback and they left Peterborough with the sole consolation of being able to fully concentrate on their awful League Two form.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan given five-game touchline ban beginning at Peterborough

Notts County manager John Sheridan has been handed a five-game touchline ban by the Football Association, starting this evening at Peterborough United.
The 52-year-old was dismissed by referee Eddie Ilderton during the League Two game against Wycombe Wanderers at Meadow Lane after remonstrating with officials.
Sheridan was unhappy that the ref allowed Scott Kashket's 55th-minute effort, from what looked to be an offside position, to stand.
"I'm disappointed in myself for being sent-off, but some of the decision making is atrocious," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post after the game.
"That's the way the game is and that's why I want ex-players to be referees."
Assistant manager Mark Crossley will be leading from the dugout as Notts try to secure a plum FA Cup third-round tie at Chelsea tonight.
Sheridan, meanwhile, will not be back on the bench until County's local derby against Mansfield Town on January 14.
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Joe Jones

John Thompson: 'Notts can reach Championship if Alan Hardy is able to take them forward'

Notts County could find themselves in the Championship in the next five or six years if new owner Alan Hardy is able to take them forward, according to former captain John Thompson.
On Monday, it was confirmed that Hardy had agreed a deal with current owner Ray Trew regarding a takeover of the club.
The Magpies are currently languishing in the lower reaches of League Two, but Thompson is hopeful of Hardy taking the Meadow Lane outfit in an upward trajectory.
He told the Nottingham Post: "I'm not surprised there was interest in buying the club at all. It's a fantastic club. They've got great history, a great stadium and a big fan base.
"If Alan Hardy is able to take them forward then there is no reason they can't be in the Championship in five or six years. Of course that would take a lot of hard work though.
"The first thing he needs to do is get fans enthused again. Gates have been falling and there's a pretty miserable atmosphere around the club.
"When I was there, the year we won the league we were getting 9,000 or 10,000 gates. You wonder where those people have gone.
"If he can get them back then it would be huge. He needs to get Meadow Lane buzzing again."
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Joe Jones

Preview: Peterborough United vs. Notts County, Tuesday 20 December 2016

Peterborough United manager Grant McCann is expected to name an unchanged side as the League One club hosts Notts County for a place in the FA Cup third round.
Striker Lee Angol completes his three-game ban for his red card in the original tie, when Louis Laing completed the Magpies' comeback in injury time.
Forward Marcus Maddison, who has not featured since that game, remains sidelined with an ankle injury while on-loan midfielder George Moncur is ineligible.
Posh have won five of their last six League One games to sit sixth in the table, 38 places above the Magpies on the football pyramid.
Notts captain Michael O'Connor will sit out the second game of his three-match suspension after he was red-carded against Wycombe Wanderers earlier this month.
Magpies midfielder Curtis Thompson could keep his place, though, after making his first appearance of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Colchester United over the weekend.
County have endured a run of six successive League Two defeats and manager John Sheridan will also be missing Stanley Aborah and Alex Rodman for the trip to London Road.
Midfielder Aborah has not featured since the first-round tie at Boreham Wood due to a number of niggling injuries while winger Rodman is also suffering from a series of minor setbacks.
The reward for the victor tonight is a bumper third-round FA Cup tie at Premier League leaders Chelsea.
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Joe Jones

Notts County takeover: What kind of owner could Alan Hardy be?

Were you looking for an early Christmas present? Perhaps Notts County and Alan Hardy have given you just that.
After protracted negotiations lasting several months, Ray Trew has agreed to sell the club and his 100% stake to Magpies supporter Alan Hardy.
Whilst nobody is expecting immediate fireworks, it will be a relief for most Notts fans to see new ownership of our beloved club.
A lot of people will be hoping for an end to the winding-up orders and so on, which I’m sure Mr. Hardy will deliver on, but what else can we expect from the new owner?
I took a delve into Mr. Hardy’s twitter, to get some clues:
Not a fan of Nike, but potentially a kit deal with Adidas? Alan Hardy has also done business with Adidas before.
Promotion of Notts as a family club. Having kids regularly accompany himself to games at Notts, Alan will surely have a few ideas on how to improve the matchday experience for the younger Pies.
Knowledge of the youth and grassroots football around Nottinghamshire. Notts have been accused of not having scouts look at some of the younger talent in and around Nottingham, this might be about to change.
Developing our own players, and giving them a chance. Although somewhat successful more recently (Hollis, Thompson, Richards), there is a lot of room for improvement and perhaps this could become a key part of a successful Notts County FC.
A quick mover. Usually in his car.
But somewhat questionable fashion taste… you can’t win them all.
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Super_Danny_Allsopp

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