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Joe Jones
Notts County have been moving fast after coming out of their transfer embargo last week, with two key registrations made at Meadow Lane as of Tuesday morning.
The Magpies have made their first signing, with veteran winger Mark Yeates cancelling his Blackpool contract to join Notts until the end of the season.
Yeates, who was out of contract at Bloomfield Road in the summer, told the official Notts website: "I'm over the moon. When I got told about the interest it was a no brainer for me.
"I know a few of the lads in the dressing room and that'll probably make it easier to settle in.
"I just want to get on the ball and try to make things happen - whether that be behind the front man or from out wide.
"I've always been about trying to make chances and I try to chip in with the odd goal when I can."
Notts manager Kevin Nolan added: "It's great to have Mark on board. He has vast experience and adds to our quality in attacking areas."
In addition, the Magpies boss has also registered himself as a player and joins the squad - another move that could not have been done until the end of the embargo.
He will be hoping to use his experience from hundreds of appearances for Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham United to assist his side as they battle relegation.
Owner Alan Hardy said: "It was always Kevin’s intention to register as a player and I’m delighted to confirm we have now completed the formalities.
"He will of course need to continue building his fitness but, when he’s ready, I’m confident we will have one of, if not the, best midfielders in the league.
"Kevin and I will continue to discuss further transfer targets and I will update fans on our progress in due course."
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Joe Jones
Jonathan Forte has described scoring the winner in Notts County's first League Two victory since October as "a brilliant feeling"
The striker's late goal against Crawley Town on Saturday helped the Magpies to a 2-1 win and lifted the struggling side out of the relegation zone.
"It feels great, we haven't won in a long time so scoring the winner was a brilliant feeling," Forte told the Nottingham Post.
"I had a chance in the first half when I went through one on one and I think I panicked because I saw two players coming in and thought 'right I might have to hit it early'.
"The keeper made a decent save but I think I should have gone the other way. Then I had a header and I'm not really renowned for those but that was unlucky not to go in.
"But I was just happy to get the winner. When they scored it deflated us and I thought 'here we go again'.
"We got ourselves back into it and in the past few weeks that wouldn't have happened. They'd have gone down the other end and scored but obviously this time we've got the goal and we're all delighted."
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has hailed his Notts County players for claiming their first League Two win since October against Crawley Town, while also thanking the fans for their support.
Thierry Audel gave the Magpies the lead at Meadow Lane on Saturday before James Collins appeared to have salvaged something for the Red Devils.
However, Jonathan Forte sent the Lane into delirium when he struck at the death and gave the hosts a 2-1 win and all three points to lift them out of the relegation zone.
Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "It feels good. I have to praise the lads because they have taken on board what we have done.
"They were brilliant from one to 13 because the lads who came off the bench played their part too.
"We were together and the performance ensured that we thoroughly deserved what we got.
"I hope the fans enjoyed it and hopefully there will be more of these afternoons to come.
"It's not great for the heart, I must admit. But I am young enough and fit enough to be able to take it.
"The fans really got behind us and it lifted the players. I thank them for that. The players mentioned afterwards it was the first time they had heard it for a while. It's great and hopefully we can continue."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have climbed out of the bottom two of League Two thanks to their first league win since October, a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Crawley Town.
Neither side broke the deadlock in the first half, although Jonathan Forte came close on two occasions, forcing a save from Glenn Morris before nodding just over the bar.
The visitors were forced to hang tight in the second half, although there was hope for them when Curtis Thompson was sent off in the 72nd minute.
Nonetheless, Kevin Nolan's charges took the lead not long after when Thierry Audel forced the ball over the line when Rob Milsom's corner had caused pandemonium inside the box.
It was no more than Notts deserved after creating numerous chances, with Forte spurning two in the first half.
Crawley, however, hit back in the final 10 minutes when James Collins had space outside the box and cannoned in a terrific effort off the underside of the crossbar from 25 yards.
That had seemingly curtailed the Magpies' hopes of victory, but right at the death, Forte scored on the rebound after Haydn Hollis's original shot had been saved.
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Chris
Notts County have confirmed that the transfer embargo at the club has been lifted.
Alan Hardy revealed the news during a Twitter Q&A on Friday, confirming that the Magpies could sign players again.
Notts were under embargo for failing to make required payments to HM Revenue & Customs and other clubs during the Ray Trew era.
Manager Kevin Nolan said on Thursday he was hopeful the Magpies could sign players "within 72 hours".
The January transfer window shuts next Tuesday.
Who would you like to see come to Meadow Lane? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County have only ever played Crawley Town nine times in their history.
The first fixture between the two was just over four years ago, on 10 November 2012.
This milestone first meeting between the two, played at Meadow Lane, finished 1-1.
Meanwhile the return fixture, played away on the 9th March 2013, ended as a goalless draw.
The record stands at five Notts wins, two defeats and two draws.
Our recent record against them is very good, the Magpies winning the last three encounters (all in League Two).
Crawley Town have been a non-league side for the majority of their history – last decade, while Notts were struggling to survive in the old Second Division, Crawley had just been promoted from the Southern Football League.
Crawley have won plenty of silverware in their history, though the majority of it is amateur-based. This changed when they won the Conference National title in 2011 and the League Two title just a year later.
2010-11 was a record-breaking season not just for Crawley, but also for the Conference.
The West Sussex club broke the points total in one season (105) and tie with other teams for most wins in one season (31), fewest defeats (3), and highest goal difference (+63).
Because of this season, alongside the funds they had to buy players and an unlikable manager (Steve Evans), they were known as “the Manchester United of non-league football”.
The town of Crawley is known for being close - just three miles in fact - to Gatwick Airport, the world's busiest single-runway international airport.
Famous people who have links to Crawley include Australian footballer Kevin Muscat (born in Crawley), Gareth Southgate (attended the town's Hazelwick School), English rock band The Cure (formed in Crawley, several of its members attended St Wilfrid's RC School) and Gorillaz lead singer 2D (a fictional character, his back story claims he grew up in the town).
Team news
Rob Milsom is a doubt for Saturday's game - he did not reappear for the second half of last weekend's defeat at Grimsby Town having suffered severe swelling on his foot.
Stanley Aborah impressed as a substitute against the Mariners and is pushing for a start.
The Magpies are still under a transfer embargo, although that could be lifted over the weekend.
After their match against Portsmouth was cancelled last week, Crawley manager Dermot Drummy has no fresh injury concerns.
Striker Matt Harrold is the only long-term absentee with an Achilles injury.
Conor Henderson is in contention to start after renewing his short-term deal at the club until the end of the season.
Drummy could also hand a debut to defender Josh Lelan, who joined the Red Devils on Thursday.
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Joe Jones
A lot of Notts fans, myself included, were celebrating when Alan Hardy became the club's new owner, finally putting an end to the Ray Trew era, and there was a weekend of relative joy when the losing run was snuffed out at the 11th attempt with a face-saving goalless draw against local rivals Mansfield Town.
However, the harsh reality are that the Magpies are still in very deep trouble. After 27 League Two games played, we're 23rd in the table, on 23 points. The other teams occupying the bottom five places have all played a game less than us.
And despite the temporary relief of the derby draw, we cannot sugarcoat the fact that we haven't won in the league since October, and have suffered 11 defeats in 12 league games.
The players are, on paper, more than good enough to beat anyone on their day - we beat Portsmouth back in October, which was a pretty impressive win. But over the last few months, to say standards have slipped is as much of an understatement as saying Leicester City did okay to win the Premier League last season.
Confidence in the team has been shredded, and especially with how long it's been since the side won, the players have turned into a shadow of what they can really do - beat the likes of Pompey.
And if that wasn't the cherry on top, the transfer embargo means we cannot even bring any fresh legs into the team, players that haven't had to endure the last few months and maybe bring some fresh optimism into the dressing room.
The transfer window shuts in just five days, so it'll be a nervy end to January for the club's fans, coaches and directors. If the embargo doesn't get lifted in time, not only can we not sign any new players, but Kevin Nolan won't be able to register himself as a player, and we have no emergency loan window to fall back on after FIFA removed it just last summer.
Whether we can sign players or not, Nolan and the players are in for one of the most challenging spells of their footballing careers. Let's hope, for the sake of the club, that they can pull it together and drag the club to safety, because under Hardy's tenure, I believe the only way is up.
Whether that will be up from League Two or up from the National League, it remains to be seen.
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Chris
Despite the transfer embargo at Notts County, there are still rumours about potential signings coming to Meadow Lane should the situation be resolved.
In the mist of the rumour mill, is exactly the type of player the Magpies have famously became linked with under the Ray Trew era.
By this, I refer to former Premier League players with a notably well-known name, yet with rather indistinctive careers.
With Notts desperately seeking new signings - players of whom can make a significant impact - it's no doubt going to be a rush in order to sign anyone and this all depends on if the embargo is lifted within enough time to get rubber stamps (Football League approval).
So upon hearing that we are being linked with former Chelsea and West Ham player Carlton Cole, it really does make my mind race as to if he would be any better than what we have had previous seasons.
Yet I realise it could simply be a case of a temporary means, with all hinging on the previously mentioned restriction and of course if he would even join a League Two team.
So who is Carlton Cole? Here is a quick fact file.
Name: Carlton Michael George Cole
Born: 12/10/1983 – Croydon, England
Age: 33
Position: Striker
Cole emerged through the Chelsea academy, establishing himself as a first team player in 2001.
During 5 years he earned a total of 25 appearances for London club, netting 4 times.
He had brief stints on loan with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic, and Aston Villa. Scoring 8 times in a combined 55 appearances.
Later he joined West Ham in the 2006/17 season for an undisclosed fee. Whilst with the Hammers he enjoyed the best time in his career, scoring 55 times in 256 apperances.
Since this he hasn’t featured much, however he joined Celtic in 2015 – later arriving at Sacramento Republic in the American second division.
It’s questionable and debatable weather or not Carlton Cole has the ability to feature regularly or form part of a successful striker force. It would be interesting to see if he could work alongside Jon Stead, however I remain unconvinced.
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Northants Pie
There has been a big change in how some clubs assess whether any potential player could possibly make the grade, our own chairman recently commented on this very subject on his Twitter account.
Even a club the size of Manchester United have taken this new style approach which critiques a player's mainly physical attributes and that is the grading for whether or not a player is good enough.
They all forget the one golden question that you cannot coach into anyone.
Can he play?
You can coach explosiveness into a player, hire a sprint coach and do specific muscle training, same as strength etc etc but you cannot coach ability onto a player.
As a Football Association and football in general we seem to always be trying to recreate another country's system but with a fatal flaw, being smart about it.
Ask yourself how many of the Spanish, Dutch, Brazillian or Argentinian national sides would meet the frankly ridiculous criteria this country is adopting?
What do you think the first question Barca ask? Is he 6ft plus and an athlete? No.
Can he play? Yes.
The first question the Arsenal academy ask is can he play?
Our own Jimmy Sirrel asked this as a quality not being able to run around a lot.
Next time you watch kids playing whether in the street or on a pitch, just ask yourself one question.
Can he play?
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has revealed that he sacked John Sheridan from his post as Notts County manager because of his verbal abusing of match officials during the defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.
The 52-year-old was dismissed as Magpies boss on January 3 following a club-record ninth consecutive defeat in League Two, but the club made no reference to why he was let go at the time.
New owner Hardy has now confirmed that it was Sheridan's abusive language towards referee Eddie Ilderton and the other officials following the 2-0 defeat to Wycombe in December rather than the club's poor form which led to the manager's departure.
Hardy told the official Notts site: "I wish to make it clear that this sort of behaviour by any employee of this club will not be tolerated.
"It was our decision to terminate the contract based on what I read in the referee's report regarding the incident. This is a family-friendly club which aims to be a pillar of the local community.
"Comments of the type made by Mr Sheridan were utterly appalling and wholly unacceptable, completely undermining the community spirit and focus we are striving to develop here.
"In light of the recent disclosure of the referee's report, I thought it appropriate to communicate the exact reasons behind the course of action we took."
Sheridan received a five-match ban for the abuse, and he apologised for his behaviour - he is now back at previous club Oldham Athletic.
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan understands how the Notts County players are feeling at present as the club battles relegation from the English Football League.
The Magpies have not won since their 2-0 victory over non-league Boreham Wood in the FA Cup on November 15, while their last league win was a full three months ago, against Portsmouth.
Since then Notts have slipped from the playoff positions to the bottom two, losing 11 out of 12 league games, including 10 on the trot prior to the goalless draw against Mansfield Town.
Nolan says he sympathises with his players, having played in relegation-threatened teams before and understanding how confidence can waver.
"I've been in their situation," the Notts boss told the Nottingham Post. "You have that first bad touch and you go 'oh aye' and the next ball comes and you take three touches instead of two.
"All of a sudden you start getting what they call scatterbrain. A lot of the lads will be suffering from that given what's gone on in the past.
"But I was so pleased with their reaction to going a goal down against Grimsby at the weekend. They didn't capitulate and I was pleased with how they responded."
Up next for Notts is a home fixture in the league against Crawley Town.
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Joe Jones
Arthur Mann was born in Falkirk, Scotland on 23 January 1948 and began his footballing career at Heart of Midlothian in 1967.
A versatile player who could line up in both defence and midfield, he played for Hearts in the 1968 Scottish Cup Final, although he ended up on the losing side as Dunfermline won 3-1.
It was not long before his talents were spotted across the border and he moved to Manchester City for £65,000, then a record for a Scottish defender transferring to an English side.
The club's most successful period was roundabout this time until the early 70s, when they won the League Championship, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup under the management team of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison.
However, Mann was unable to take part in Man City's European campaigns as he had a fear of flying, but he nonetheless enjoyed a three-and-a-half-year stay at Maine Road, which included a loan spell at Blackpool.
In 1972, he was snapped up by Notts County manager Jimmy Sirrel for £15,000 and he went on to enjoy the most fruitful and stable spell of his career, making 253 appearances for the Magpies and scoring 21 goals in seven years.
When Mann left for Shrewsbury Town in 1979, he fetched double the fee that Notts paid for him, but he only spent four months at Gay Meadow before signing for Mansfield Town in a £36,000 deal.
Mann spent the twilight of his playing career with Kettering Town, Telford United and Boston United, where he also served as a manager and led them to the final of the FA Trophy in 1985.
He was Alan Buckley's assistant manager at Grimsby Town and West Bromwich Albion, and had a spell as caretaker-manager at Albion early in 1997 following Buckley's dismissal.
Sadly, Mann died on 4 February 1999, aged just 51, in an industrial accident while working for a factory in Birmingham.
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has admitted that there is a lot of work that needs to be done at Notts County, with defending the key aspect.
After the impressive goalless draw against Mansfield Town last weekend, the Magpies slipped to a 2-0 defeat away at Grimsby Town.
"We know there is a lot of work to be done and I never shied away from that," Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
"But we have got to start learning pretty quickly that we can't gift goals away.
"It's disappointing after such a good week that we didn't follow it up with probably the same commitment that we showed last week.
"By that I don't mean the lads didn't give me everything they had, but I mean good positive closing down and aggression.
"We were more on the back foot. I am disappointed in that way, but we always knew we would have to work hard to get out of the situation."
Nolan also reiterated owner Alan Hardy's work in trying to get the transfer embargo removed.
"Alan is trying everything to lift the embargo and with a bit of luck we might have a few days to have a go at a few players," said Nolan.
"It will give us the chance to freshen it up and give the lads a bit of a boost, because there is nothing better than seeing a new lad come in to help you out.
"We have had lots of positive feedback from players who want to come here and agents are texting and calling feeling that this is a good club to come to and be part of what we want to achieve.
"We are hopeful because whatever Alan puts his mind to he is getting done at the moment."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have slumped to an 11th defeat in 12 League Two games as Grimsby Town recorded a 2-0 win over the Magpies at Blundell Park on Saturday.
Goals from Omar Bogle - his 19th of the season - and Scott Vernon sealed the victory for the Mariners.
The hosts' opener came in the 27th minute when Jamey Osborne brought the ball back from the byline and cut it across the Notts penalty area, where Bogle was on hand to turn the ball home.
Not long after, Grimsby had a penalty shout turned down as Vernon's cross seemed to strike the outstretched arm of Matt Tootle.
The Magpies had several chances to pull level, with Jonathan Forte looping a cross against the woodwork and Richard Duffy headed wide.
However, Grimsby were the better side and threatened through Osborne's 25-yard effort and a Bogle shot that was palmed away by Collin.
With ten minutes to go, the Mariners managed to grab their second as Bogle forced another save from Collin, but Vernon picked up the ball and slotted home on the rebound.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson produced a good save from Stanley Aborah's free-kick just before full-time to keep the two-goal advantage intact, and confirm a defeat for Notts at the final whistle.
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Joe Jones
Notts County and Grimsby Town have met a total of 79 times over the years, with the first fixture coming on 5 October 1893. Notts won the Division Two clash 2-0 at Trent Bridge.
The Magpies have 27 wins, while the Mariners have 32, and 20 games have been drawn.
Grimsby Town FC was formed in 1878 after a meeting held at the Wellington Arms public house in Freeman Street, Grimsby.
Several attendees included members of the local Worsley Cricket Club who wanted to form a football club to occupy the empty winter evenings after the cricket season had finished
The club was originally called Grimsby Pelham, this being the family name of the Earl of Yarborough, a significant landowner in the area.
In 1880 the club purchased land at Clee Park which was to become their ground until 1889 when they relocated to Abbey Park, before moving again in 1899 to their present home, Blundell Park.
The club is the most successful of the three professional league clubs in historic Lincolnshire, being the only one to play top-flight football. It is also the only club of the three to reach an FA Cup semi-final (doing so on two occasions) and is the only one to succeed in two finals at the old Wembley Stadium. It has also spent more time in the English game's first and second tiers than any other club from Lincolnshire.
Notable managers include Bill Shankly, who went on to guide Liverpool to three League titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup triumph and Lawrie McMenemy who, after securing promotion to the then third division in 1972, moved to Southampton where he won the FA Cup in 1976.
Alan Buckley is the club's most successful manager; he had three spells as team manager between 1988 and 2008, guiding the club to three promotions and two appearances at Wembley Stadium during the 1997–98 season winning both the Football League Trophy and the Football League Second Division Play-Off Final.
In 2008 Buckley took Grimsby to the capital again, but lost out to MK Dons in the final of the Football League Trophy.
The Mariners had also reached the Football League Two Play-Off final in 2006 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but lost the match 1–0 to Cheltenham Town.
Later trips to the Wembley in 2013 and 2016 saw them defeated in the FA Trophy final by Wrexham and FC Halifax Town respectively.
Grimsby managed to reach the Conference play-off final in both 2015 and 2016, after losing to Bristol Rovers they defeated Forest Green Rovers to earn promotion back to the Football League.
Initial relegation from back in 2010 made them the fourth club to compete in all top five divisions of English football (after Carlisle United, Oxford United, and Luton Town).
Team news
Grimsby boss Marcus Bignot will be boosted by a trio of new signings as the Mariners look to get back on track against Notts County at Blundell Park.
Midfielder Chris Clements signed from Mansfield for an undisclosed fee on Thursday and Jamey Osborne and Akwasi Asante have joined from Bignot's former club Solihull Moors.
Bignot has no new injury worries but may look to make changes after his side's heavy 3-0 loss to Exeter last week.
Sean McAllister could start after a successful comeback from his groin strain while defender Gavin Gunning is also being lined up for his first start.
Notts boss Kevin Nolan, meanwhile, has the luxury of a fully fit squad to choose from.
Louis Laing has returned to Motherwell following the end of his loan spell, meaning Haydn Hollis, Thierry Audel and Richard Duffy are the only available central defenders at Nolan's disposal.
Duffy and Audel were impressive against the Stags and were singled out for praise by Nolan for their performance.
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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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