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Joe Jones
Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has claimed that new goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons "can push Adam Collin for the number one spot".
The 23-year-old, who came through the ranks at Crystal Palace and also counts Bolton Wanderers among his former clubs, penned a deal at Meadow Lane on Thursday.
Nolan told the official club site: "Ross has a lot of great attributes and we think we can work with him to make him even better.
"He had a good season with Chelmsford last year and getting back into the EFL is a huge boost for him. We believe he can push Adam Collin for the number one spot.
"We wanted competition for places and Ross ticks all of the boxes. He has settled into the group well.
"Mark Crossley has had a number of goalkeepers in on trial during the summer and Ross has been one of the standout candidates.
"I trust Mark with everything when it comes to goalkeepers because his knowledge is second to none."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have signed goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons following a successful trial with the Magpies.
Here is some information about the player's identity, career, achievements and style of play.
Full name: Ross Alan Richard Frank Fitzsimons
Date of birth: May 28, 1994
Place of birth: London, England   
Age: 23
Height: 1,85 m
Nationality: English
Position: Goalkeeper
Preferred foot: Right
Last club: Chelmsford City
Came through the ranks at: Crystal Palace
Other clubs he has played for: Havant & Waterlooville, Bolton Wanderers, Bishop's Stortford, Braintree Town
Style of play: "Mainly, my game is my distribution... I like to get the ball down play, put it into wide areas, get us on the attack as quick as we can. My main game is kicking well... we're set up to pretty much do that, hopefully I can bring a little bit to the table." - the player himself
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Joe Jones
Notts County have announced the signing of former Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons.
The 23-year-old, who was most recently at National League side Chelmsford City, joins after a successful trial, with the contract length undisclosed.
He told the official Notts County site: "I'm really pleased to get the deal over the line. It's a great setup here.
"Mark Crossley has a very effective way of coaching and I have picked up a lot from him. He's very respected within the game and I am looking forward to working with him more this season.
"Adam Collin and I get on really well and there is a lot of respect between us. Hopefully I can push him all the way for the place between the sticks.
"When the opportunity came up to come on trial here I snapped at it. I really like the city already and this is a massive, traditional club.
"With all of the work going on behind the scenes it's an exciting time to be a Notts County player."
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
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Joe Jones
So we've had a quite interesting transfer saga at Notts County this summer.
No, not that one. The one of Jorge Grant.
After an impressive loan spell at Meadow Lane that year, would he join Notts permanently? Would he pen a new contract at Nottingham Forest? Or would he join another club (permanently or on loan) altogether?
As it turned out, it was the second best option on the plate - a new contract at the City Ground, but a one-year loan at the Lane.
As we look forward to a full season with the dynamic midfielder, Pride of Nottingham has gone over some other players who have impressed on loan at Notts.
Louis Laing (2014)
Tightened the back four up during his first loan spell, he looked solid in the air and unbeatable on the ground. His awareness was on point, and his presence in defence greatly helped the club. His initial one-month emergency loan was extended after he helped Notts keep four clean sheets in seven matches, such was his initial impact.
Where is he now? At Hartlepool United, which he joined this summer from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Jack Grealish (2013-14)
Jack was one of those players that drifted in and out of games, yet he was always a joy to watch on the ball. He loved to take on players and offered Notts a lot of pace and a direct approach which was unlike what we had. He commonly tried using skills and for this reason some clubs tended to target him heavily, even fouling him repeatedly, but he still managed to come away smiling.
Where is he now? Still with Aston Villa and universally loved by their fans, though his appearances in the first team have been somewhat sporadic of late.
Callum McGregor (2013-14)
Much like Grealish, McGregor was a very direct player who loved to run with the ball. He was much better at being in a free role position rather than a specific position. When he had to fall in line and be more of a team member he arguably didn't shine as much, hence why he started to feature less when we struggled, but reverting back to allowing him to be direct gave us more edge. He was a joy to watch and looked very promising for a player so young.
Where is he now? Still at Celtic, having become a fully fledged member of the first team, and has already got five trophies to his name - three Scottish Premierships, one Scottish League Cup and one Scottish Cup.
Lloyd Sam (2012)
Lloyd had pace to burn and the physical presence which meant we would lose possession all that easily. He chipped in with several important goals and his performances were a joy to watch. I wouldn't class him as overly skilful, yet his ability on the ball was a step above what we had at the time.
Where is he now? In the United States, playing in the MLS with DC United, having joined in 2016 from New York Red Bulls.
Matt Ritchie (2009-10)
Matt was also a drifter, yet always gave 100 percent. He had the ability to take set pieces and generally create something special from them. He was more an holding playmarker, as his distribution was top notch and his abilty to score from long distance was always obvious even when he first came on loan.
Where is he now? Newcastle United, having helped the other Magpies get promoted to the Championship after signing for them in 2016. Prior to that he had done the same with Bournemouth. He is also a 14-times capped Scotland international with three goals to his name.
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has urged Notts County to be "nastier" when not in possession of the ball.
The Magpies boss was referring to his side's 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic on Saturday, where they squandered a 1-0 half-time lead.
Nolan believed that Notts allowed the Latics to make their way up the pitch with too much ease, and wants this to change - within the laws of the game.
“There were a lot of positives when we are in possession, but I still think we could get better without it,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“I just think we have got to get a bit nastier. We pressed a lot against Wigan, but when I say nastier I don’t mean going out and kicking people or throwing elbows.
“What I mean is that you can be aggressive in different ways, and making sure it’s not easy for the opposition.
“There was many times when Wigan wanted to get the ball down and pop it about.
“We allowed them to do it. It’s just the little things and we’ve got to make it very uncomfortable for teams when they are in possession.
“They are minor tweaks and if we get that right and put it together with how good we were in possession, I am sure we will be a decent side next season.
“I am glad these things are cropping up now because it gives us plenty of time to practice on the training pitch.”
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
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Joe Jones
Notts County have confirmed the signing of Gibraltar international Liam Walker from Gibraltarian club Europa FC, the length of contract not being disclosed.
Here is some information about the player's identity, career, achievements and style of play.
Full name: Liam Walker
Date of birth: 13 April 1988
Place of birth: Gibraltar
Age: 29
Height: 1,73m
Nationality: Gibraltarian
Position: Midfielder
Preferred foot: Left
Last club: Europa FC
Came through the ranks at: Algeciras
Other clubs he has played for: Atletico Zabal, Linense, Los Barrios, San Roque, Bnei Yehuda, Lincoln Red Imps, Portsmouth
Career achievements: Gibraltar Premier Division champion with Europa FC in 2016/17, and with LRI in 2014/15 and 2015/16.
Share your thoughts about this Liam Walker factfile feature article on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!
Joe Jones
Notts County have secured the signing of Gibraltar international Liam Walker.
The 29-year-old joins the Magpies from Gibraltarian club Europa FC, having been on trial at Meadow Lane and taking part in two friendlies.
Walker scored 15 goals last season to help Europa FC to the Gibraltar Premier Division title and has previously played club football for Lincoln Red Imps - starring in their famous win over Celtic - and Portsmouth.
He also has 22 caps for the national team, scoring the nation's first goal in a competitive fixture during a 4-1 defeat against Greece in September 2016.
Walker wrote on Twitter after the signing was confirmed by the Notts site: "Buzzing to have signed for @Official_NCFC looking forward to a big season ahead ⚪️⚫️👊🏼 Also wish @EuropaFC_Gib best of luck for next season."
The length of Walker's contract with County has not been disclosed.
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!
Joe Jones
Notts County have signed defender Shaun Brisley on a two-year contract after his deal with League Two rivals Carlisle United was cancelled.
Here is some information about the player's identity, career, achievements and style of play.
Full name: Shaun Richard Brisley
Date of birth: May 6, 1990
Place of birth: Macclesfield, England   
Age: 27
Height: 1,88 m
Nationality: English
Position: Defence - Centre-Back
Preferred foot: Right
Last club: Carlisle United
Came through the ranks at: Macclesfield Town
Other clubs he has played for: Peterborough United, Scunthorpe United (loan), Northampton Town (loan), Leyton Orient (loan)
Career achievements: EFL Trophy winner with Peterborough in 2013/14
Style of play: Kevin Nolan - "He's a great lad on and off the field. He's a leader, he talks, he heads the ball, he does all the nitty-gritty stuff - and he can play as well." Brisley about himself - "I like to think I have strong leadership qualities, I am good in the air and I bring a determination to keep clean sheets."
Share your thoughts about this Shaun Brisley factfile feature article on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!
Joe Jones
Notts County have announced the signing of Carlisle United defender Shaun Brisley on a two-year contract.
The 27-year-old signs for the Magpies as a free agent after he cancelled his contract with the Cumbrians by mutual consent.
Brisley began his career at hometown club Macclesfield Town, making 124 appearances between 2007 and 2012.
In that year he enjoyed a loan spell at Peterborough United and then sealed a permanent switch to London Road, remaining on their books until 2016.
Following a series of loan spells, he then joined Carlisle last year, before heading to NG2 where he will play under former manager and teammate Kevin Nolan, who he knows from Leyton Orient.
Brisley told the official Notts side : "I'm chuffed to bits and can't wait to get started.
"I first heard about the interest at the back end of last week so it's great to get it done so quickly so I can settle in and concentrate on the start of the season.
"Playing under the gaffer before was a massive factor in me coming here. He sets high standards and gets it from you week in, week out.
"I thought he brought the best out of me when we were together at Orient so as soon as I heard of the interest I just wanted to get the deal done.
"I like to think I have strong leadership qualities, I am good in the air and I bring a determination to keep clean sheets.
"I want to come here and make my mark, play as many games as I can and get the team back into League One."
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!
Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has admitted that Notts County have "lots and lots of work to do on the training pitch", but is confident that they will get up to scratch come the start of the 2017-18 League Two season.
The Magpies won their opening two games, against non-league opposition, but have fallen to defeats against Nottingham Forest and Wigan Athletic.
Against the Latics, Notts took the lead in emphatic fashion through Lewis Alessandra but went on to lose through a Richard Duffy own goal and a Callum Lang close-range effort.
“I was reasonably happy but I thought the manner of the goals we gave away was very disappointing,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“The lads know that, but throughout the 90 minutes we’ve matched them. We created a lot of chances and I am now really looking forward to working more with them and hopefully getting better game by game.
“I was just disappointed to lose the game in the manner we did although I am not really worried about wins and losses in pre-season.
“There is lots and lots of work to do on the training pitch and the players know that. When you talk about it they are all nodding their heads and taking it in and they will get better because of it.
“We’ve just got to keep reminding them of what we need to do to be successful. But there were lots of positives to take from playing a good Wigan side who probably got more than what they deserved from the game.
“But it’s a pre-season game, it’s about those minutes in the legs and they all look really well and fit so that was a real positive point.”
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!
Joe Jones
Jorge Grant has expressed his delight at donning a Notts County shirt again and says he is close to peak fitness as the new season draws ever closer.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder secured his second loan move at Meadow Lane on Thursday, and is hoping to build on his impressive spell in the second half of last season.
Grant picked up a thigh complaint while training with his parent club but managed to get 45 minutes under his belt in the 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
“I was buzzing to be back out there and back in the shirt again,” the 22-year-old told the Nottingham Post. “It was minutes in the legs but it was just a shame about the result.
“You want to win the game, but getting the minutes in is just as important especially for me as this was the first game for me.
“I feel as if I get 90 minutes next week, I will be ready. I felt fit out there anyway. I’ve done a lot of hard work on the training ground.
“There will be more to do this week and hopefully I will get a full game next week.”
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!
Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has praised Notts County trialist Liam Walker and admits that he and his coaches will have discussions over the next few days over potentially offering the midfielder a contract.
The 29-year-old, a Gibraltar international, represented Europa FC in his home nation and scored 15 goals in 26 appearances for them last season.
In addition, Walker has played for Lincoln Red Imps and was part of the team that claimed a shock 1-0 win over Celtic in July 2016, and has also represented Portsmouth.
Walker played in Wednesday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest and figured again in the 2-1 loss to Wigan Athletic on Saturday, and Nolan had kind words to say about him.
“Liam did well again and we will have a chat with him over the next 24-48 hours,” he is quoted as saying by the Nottingham Post.
“We will see where his head is at and see if something can be done. It’s another midfielder who can come in and push the lads who were here already.
“I will talk to Thommo (Richard Thomas, assistant manager) and Norm (Mark Crossley, coach) as we’ve all been impressed with what we’ve seen. Then we will speak to Liam and his dad who has been over with him.”
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!
Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan believes his Notts County side "more than matched" Wigan Athletic, but admits work needs to be done regarding the Magpies' defending.
Saturday's pre-season friendly at Meadow Lane saw Lewis Alessandra give Notts the lead in emphatic fashion, but a Richard Duffy own goal and a Callum Lang strike gave the Latics the win.
Nolan told the official site: "Throughout the 90 minutes we more than matched them and made a lot of chances.
"But the manner in which we gave away the goals was frustrating and the lads know that.
"We are still two weeks away [from the start of the season] and there is a lot of work to do on the training pitch.
"We have to keep reminding the players of what we have to do to be successful but there were a lot of positives to take away from the game against a good Wigan side who got more than they probably deserved today.
"We have got quality in the final third and I have told the players they have to believe in themselves more.
"They can all get better individually and collectively - and the signings we have brought in have taken us up another notch - but we will be a real handful once it all starts clicking into place."
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!
Joe Jones
Since its launch two weeks ago, the Pride of Nottingham Donation Drive has received a tremendous response so far, and continues to gather pace as the new season edges ever closer.
Now into our fifth campaign covering Notts County, PON has sought to provide fans with news, features, trivia, media and match updates, with the premise of being entertaining, informative, honest and unbiased.
Since our creation in 2013, we have been there through the rough and the smooth, and as staunch Notts fans ourselves, we have shared the joy, the pain, the sadness, the anger, the confusion, the euphoria and every other single emotion which is part and parcel of supporting our beloved club.
And year on year, PON has grown to the point that it can legitimately lay claim to be the number one Notts fansite on the internet, and this could not have been done without each and every one of you who interact and engage with us on the site, on social media and at the games.
Now heading into the 2017/18 season, there is much cause for optimism at Meadow Lane, with the club under new ownership, a manager at the helm who is truly committed to the cause, and the atmosphere much more jovial among the fanbase.
There is to be no resting on laurels, however, for the club and for ourselves. We want to provide even more Notts content, even more regularly, and even better quality, and for us to break through the glass ceiling and go to the next level, the PON Donation Drive is to help us to do this.
The number of Notts fans that have donated to the cause is now in double figures, and for that we thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts.
Some fans have even given us some incredibly kind words, which in turn makes us lost for words - being part of PON is already so satisfactory as it is, but to know that fans genuinely enjoy our work and tell us so, it makes it even more worthwhile.
Gordon Robertson, a fan who has very kindly donated, said this about PON: " I've been following for about 2 years. I found out about it on Facebook. I think it's really good because it's more fan orientated and i think it's an asset to the club. I donated because i believe in what you're doing and it should be supported and encouraged by both the fans and the club. Keep up the good work!"
Meanwhile, Ben Dooley said: "PON is a good site ran for the fans by the fans, there is a good community feel about it where you can have a laugh without any "bollocks". None of us are millionaires, so donating whatever I could felt like a no-brainer."
We are so thankful to each and every one of you who follows and engages with PON, and as always, we are eager to keep our content completely free for everyone to enjoy. If you fancy chipping in for the cause, then you would be helping our cause even more!
Thank you once again for your support, and here's to a good 2017/18 season!
COME ON YOU PIES!!
To contribute towards the Pride of Nottingham Donation Drive, click here to take you to the donation page.
Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has hailed each and every one of his players in the Notts County dressing room, saying they have been "absolutely fantastic since day one" of pre-season.
The Magpies gaffer has overseen three pre-season games so far, with routine wins over Rolls Royce Leisure and Basford United followed up by a defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Now preparing for his penultimate friendly of the 2017/18 programme, at home against Wigan Athletic this weekend, he aims to iron out the flaws in his side's game from the Reds clash.
"They will be on the up there with Paul [Cook] and Leam [Richardson] going in," Nolan told the official Notts side. "It's another game we're looking forward to.
"It will be a test for our lads to see where we are at not just in terms of quality - I feel we can handle that - but mentally too. I feel we got a little carried away with the occasion in the first 20-25 minutes of the Nottingham Forest game.
"It's important to start as we mean to go on. Here [Meadow Lane] is our fortress and we have to make sure the opposition come and play to our tempo and what we want to do. We got it right in a lot of aspects against Forest but there is still a lot to work on.
"We will try to get as many minutes into as many people as possible before we move on to the York friendly. We have two games and they are both decent contests. We have to make sure the players are all ready to go for 5 August against Coventry.
"I cannot knock one person in the dressing room. They have been absolutely fantastic since day one. Their attitude and application towards everything we have thrown at them has been first class and that is how I want it to stay."
Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!

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Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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