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Stat Attack: Stevenage FC v Notts County

This edition of Pride of Nottingham's popular feature the "Stat Attack" focuses on the rise of Stevenage FC, formerly known as Stevenage Borough, are part of a “new guard” of Football League clubs that have risen up from the non-league in the last decade or so. As such, there haven’t been many fixtures between themselves and Notts County. All meetings between the two have come in the last three years. Stevenage have been a bit of a bogey team for the Magpies over the (three) years. They’ve won four of the six encounters, while Notts have won the other two.

The Boro were the first team to win a competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007, beating Kidderminster Harriers 3–2 to lift the FA Trophy in front of a competition record crowd of 53,262. They then went on to win the same trophy again just two years later and were runners up the following year. #NonLeagueBarcelona

Stevenage, after being promoted into the Football League in 2010, earned back-to-back promotions when they beat Torquay United 1–0 at Old Trafford in the 2010–11 League Two play-off final.

The Herts club was involved in a bitter spat with Premier League Newcastle United back in 1998, as they clashed in the FA Cup.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9345266.stm

Stevenage should be unchanged after ending a seven-match winless run in midweek by beating Swindon Town.

Francois Zoko, ex-Magpie and scorer of 12 goals in 22 appearances for his new club, will start in attack against Notts, but defender Ben Chorley serves the second game of a three-match ban.

Notts County have no new injury or suspension problems.

And last but not least, Jack Grealish is available after extending his loan from Aston Villa!
Joe Jones

Stevenage FC - View

Stevenage FC come into the game having impressively defeated play-off chasing Swindon Town at home 2-0. The struggling League One team who currently sit bottom of the table, find themselves in a similar situation as ourselves. On Saturday the 4th of January 2014, Stevenage FC managed to beat Doncaster Rovers in the 4th round of the F.A cup by 3 goals to 2. Prior to their win against Swindon Town in the league, Stevenage have struggled to pick up points having lost 3 games and drawing 2. Pride of Nottingham returns with our opposition view which gives you an insight of a Stevenage FC fan.

Firstly, could you please tell prideofnottingham.co.uk a little about yourself such as how long you've been a Stevenage fan?

I moved to Stevenage in September 2005. I started going to watch Boro as a football loving neutral who felt he should support his local club, but quickly became a fan due to the great team ethic on show at Broadhall Way. I got my first season in the conference winning season and we haven't looked back since!

At the start of the season what was your expectations and how does this compare to where Stevenage currently find themselves?

We're bottom, so obviously I was hoping/expecting better than that. Realistically I was hoping for mid-table this season finishing 10-15th (which could still happen). We have a lot of squad re-balancing to do since Smith left and I don't expect that to be a quick process. Staying up would be a massive achievement from here, if we do that I can see a promotion challenge in 2015-16.

How do you think opposition fans view Stevenage FC?

The stereotypical view is "big, strong and physical" and you often get a tag of cynical thrown in for good measure. I'm happy for fans and teams to think that because that mean they underestimate the quality of the team to their detriment. I do think we have a problem with some match officials who come with those tags in the back of their mind and give all the 50:50s against us, but that's probably just my red and white tinted spectacles. Given we have one of the smallest budget in the league we have to make up for that with organisation and work-rate which is what the manager insists on from his players.

Can you tell us what your thoughts are Graham Westley, do you rate or like him as a manager?

Graham is an interesting character, you love him at your club and everyone else hates him (a bit like Neil Warnock). I wasn't a supporter of bringing Graham back last season because I didn't see how a man who left the club to take a 'bigger' role and then failed in that role could come back and still have respect in the dressing room. He clearly does though, and I love the team ethic he insists on from his footballer. Team before self. We know players will have to have the right mentality to sign for us, which is a major plus.

After picking up François Zoko on a free transfer, as Notts deemed him to be surplus to requirements. He seems to have found form for Stevenage, what is your view on this?

Zoko has been excellent, just what we needed and much better than he expected given we signed him on a free having been released from you guys. We lacked a clinical goal scorer and front man, particularly when Darius Charles was injured against Everton in the league cup (he's just now back after a lengthy break which is great for us!) I was delighted to see we'd signed him til the end of the season because without him I struggled to see where our goals were coming from to keep us up. Zoko himself has said he's enjoying playing a consistent position as the lead striker, which he hasn't had at previous club which might explain his change in performances.

Which League One team have you most looked forward to seeing play so far this season?

Peterborough, and in truth they were pretty disappointing. I enjoyed seeing Bozzie (Michael Bostwick) who was a massive player for us back in the day, but he's wasted at centre back. Far more potent in the Steven Gerrard type midfield role he played for us!

What have been your best and worst experiences as a Stevenage fan?

It's been mostly good. My best and worst experiences were both against Sheffield United, beating them at the Lamex in Novermber of the 2011/12 season, but then losing to them in the play-off semi final of the same season. Growing up a Wednesday fan it's always good to see United losing, but don't ask me about Stevenage 5 Sheffield Wednesday 1, I nearly exploded that day.

How important is Saturday for you and what do you think the outcome will be?

I don't think it's helpful to over-egg the importance of a single game. I wouldn't call it a must win. Every game is important though due to the hole our pre Christmas form has left us in. We particularly need better results against the teams around us in the league, so clearly we desperately need to get one over on you tomorrow!

What formation and starting 11 do you see Graham Westley choosing?

Westley will go 4,4,2. I expect to be unchanged from Swindon on Tuesday with Day in goal, Smith at right back, Hartley at left back, Jones and Ashton center backs. Doughty and Heslop in central midfield, Freeman left mid, Morais right mid, Akins and Zoko up front. Morais, Freeman and Akins will rotate positions throughout the game. We have had a couple of loan signings recently but I wouldn't expect to see them in the starting line up, maybe from the bench.

Which Stevenage players do you feel pose Notts County their main threat?

Zoko is obviously our most potent goal threat but Freeman is our man most likely to take someone on, beat them and create space for the rest of the team. He has great pace and technical ability and is deceptively strong for his size, if he can get his decision making and end product right he will follow in George Boyd's footsteps and play at the highest level.

How would you handle the main threats to Stevenage and which opposition players do you think will be key to have mark out of the game?

Enoch Showumni has goals in him, and Danny Haynes's pace will be a threat since our back 4 is short of pace. If If we can keep you playing in front of us and stop you threading through balls behind the back-line that will make the afternoon a lot more comfortable.

What is Stevenage like for travelling supporters? Can you tell us where opposition fans might find parking or things to do before kick off?

Stevenage is a friendly town and club. The East Terrace fans do like some banter with the away fans, but it is all good natured and comedy away fans get great respect. Parking near the ground is limited. Fairlands Valley Park has match day car-parking and is easily reached. If coming from the A1(M), follow the A602 as it should lead you to the car park, which will be on the left. If coming from the A10 along the A602, you will have to double back on yourself at the roundabout outside the ground to reach the car park. (Pinched from http://www.boroguide.co.uk/clubs/stevenage.php#.UtlASvvLcts a great resource for away fans).

The station is 15 minutes walk from the ground and is well sign-posted.

If you are at Stevenage early your best bet is to head up to the Old Town where the best restuarants and pubs are. In the New Town you will find a high street full of generic shops and a Wetherspoons like every other town center you've ever been to. Nearer to the ground Our Mutual Friend is a CAMRA pub with great real ales and ciders, and there is also a bar behind the away stand called The Broadhall Suite in which home and away fans can watch the lunchtime kick-off amicably. If you fancy a pre match stroll head north from the ground through Fairlands Valley Park which has woodland and lakes. It will be very muddy at this time of year though!

Pride of Nottingham would like to thank Patrick for stepping in and recovering this feature as all seemed lost. We wish Stevenage FC all the best with regards to the rest of their season and hopefully the best team will win on Saturday.
Chris

Liddle's Injury Update

On the 21st December 2013, a Meadow Lane fixture against Bristol City took place. On the half hour mark, a crunching challenge from City player Greg Cunningham on Gary Liddle saw the Notts player crumble to the ground. The referee, amazingly, didn't see fit to punish the Bristol player, as Liddle was forced to make way for Mark Fotheringham. The final outcome was a draw, but frustratingly the Magpies lost a key part of their team. The injury is on the minds of many Notts fans & the PoN community, for whom Liddle's return to fitness is a key concern in the battle against relegation.

Fans have received limited news since his injury, except for the fact that Liddle may be out for the remainder of the season.

However, a recent video interview published by Notts County on the Magpie Player saw Gary speaking about the injury and what he has been up to. He began by saying: “It's different obviously, I've played a lot of games over a number of years and I haven't been injured in any of that.” He went on to add: “I've been spending a lot time in the gym at the moment with the physios but yeah, I've got my head around it now, it's frustrating sitting in the stands and watching but I am working very hard to come back as quickly as possible”.

The fact he’s returned quickly to conditioning gym work and is working alongside the physios is clearly a good thing.

Gary continued: “Well, from the time after the injury, you know the first thing that we’ve done was to get it scanned and the results that came back (showed) that there was a little bit of ligament damage – a couple of ligaments. An operation wasn't needed, that was the first positive news that we got. I was more or less straight back into the gym after the swelling had come down to get fit again. You know I must say I'm feeling great, it's not going to be any time soon I don't think but yeah things are working well, I am doing a lot of time on bikes and swimming pools, cross trainers, but I feel like I am training for a triathlon more than coming back for football - I am keeping my fitness up which is the important thing.”

So it's now confirmed that there was no breakage, it's ligament/muscle related and that there isn't any need for him to have an operation. Promising news so far.

To find out more visit the Magpie Player; Link Here
Chris

Notts County 2 - 1 Sheffield United

Notts County came back from a goal down to defeat Sheffield United 2-1 today in a tense game at Meadow Lane.

Blade Conor Coady's goal within the first two minutes of the match deflated the Magpies faithful, but rather than making it an afternoon to endure and suffer for all those linked with Notts, the team in black and white made a real fist of it and came back thanks to goals from Enoch Showunmi and Mark Fotheringham.

Shaun Derry went for a 4-2-3-1 formation today, Showunmi playing as the lone striker. There was good news and bad news today regarding County’s playing staff: on the plus side, Kieron Freeman and Callum Ball were both made available for the Magpies after the club arranged for both to return on loan, but on the flip side, the majestic Callum McGregor was back at Celtic after his loan expired.

If anyone has seen the Harry Enfield sketch where the Arsenal 1930s team plays the Liverpool squad of the 1990s, it has a legendary quote whereby the old-school commentator begins the game with: “And they’re off… and it’s a goal.”

That’s what it felt like for the Notts fans, as Coady played a quick one-two with frontman Chris Porter to allow him into the Notts box, and made no mistake with a composed first-touch finish past Bartosz Bialkowski. 1-0 down, less than two minutes played.

Notts were down, but not out. They picked themselves up and went for the jugular almost instantly, as Jamal Campbell-Ryce cut inside two away players at the Blades end. However, he fired over. Then, in quick response, Porter and Coady combined again to threaten the Notts defence, but this time, the effort was wide.

Things were back on level terms in the 26th minute, as Showunmi converted a JCR cross past the Blades keeper to make it 1-1. Yes, it bounced off his chest, but they all count.

United must have taken our equalising goal as an affront, since their players and fans decided to launch into a series of reducers on the pitch, and constant chants of “handball!” from the stands.

Nevertheless, the first half ended 1-1.

The second period began as a bit more sedate affair, the first meaningful chance coming in the 63rd minute, as Porter set Jose Baxter up, but the forward’s effort skidded wide of the left-hand post. Stephen McGinn was then given too much space just two minutes later, but luckily he too was wide of the mark.

Notts, however, made the wasteful United pay shortly afterwards. Alan Sheehan, marauding down the left wing, skinned Harry Maguire and delivered a pinpoint cross that fell to Fotheringham. The veteran’s header was saved, but his quick reflexes allowed him to rush forward and tap the rebound into the net. Cue wild celebrations in the Kop.

The rest of the match made for some incredibly nervy viewing, as Notts seemed to invite the Blades forward to attack on too many occasions.

Nevertheless, their efforts were all wasted, and the final whistle, blown after five whole minutes of stoppage time, lifted the roof off Meadow Lane.

Notts are still in the drop zone, but are just a point from safety, in 21st place. The vibes are becoming increasingly positive around the place. Watch this space folks!
Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Notts County v Sheffield United

Sheffield United’s first match against our beloved Notts took place on the 17th Jan 1891 in the FA Cup. Just to give you an idea how long ago this was… Sir Winston Churchill was a mere 16 years old when the game was played! The scoreline is also of note: Notts won 9-1! Since then, the Blades have undisputedly held the upper hand in head-to-head statistics: they have won 45 games against the Magpies. We’ve beaten then just 23 times, and there have been 12 draws. Their ground, Bramall Lane, is the oldest major stadium in the world still to be hosting professional football matches.

Bramall Lane opened in April 1855 – Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin were still alive back then!

Jessica Ennis-Hill, who just this Friday announced she was expecting her first child, has a stand named after her at United’s ground, following her goal medal in heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics.

A game between Sheffield United and Oldham in February 1984 had to be postponed when a wartime bomb was found near Bramall Lane!

A number of films and television programmes have included references to Sheffield United over the past few decades:

- The 1996 film When Saturday Comes stars Sean Bean as a part-time Hallam FC player who is scouted by Sheffield United, who then goes on to play in a FA Cup semi-final.

- The character 'Gaz' in British comedy The Full Monty is seen wearing a replica United shirt at one part of the film, and promises his son a ticket for a game at Bramall Lane between Sheffield United & Manchester United.

- Even Hollywood has got in on the act: a scene in Batman Begins features a child wearing a 1990s Blades shirt!

Notts left-back Alan Sheehan returns from the one-game ban he served in the 3-0 win over Bradford City.

Striker Callum Ball, who has extended his loan stay, could potentially start.

For the Blades, Billy Paynter, signed on loan from Doncaster Rovers on Friday, is expected to make his debut against Notts.
Joe Jones

Notts Alumni: Richard Butcher

Since its inception, Notts Alumni has provided an interesting look at the careers of renowned football players who have at some point worn the black and white stripes of Notts County.
Sometimes they’ve covered professionals who began or flourished at Meadow Lane and are currently still active (Kelvin Wilson, Kasper Schmeichel). Other examples regard veteran players who are in their professional twilights or even semi-retired (Mike Edwards), recent retirees (Mark Draper, Michael Johnson) or even legends from yesteryear (Tony Hateley, Raddy Avramovic, Les Bradd).
Today's piece is provided for you with a heavy heart, because it relates to a former Notts player who is sadly no longer with us.
Richard Butcher was born on the 22nd January 1981 in Northampton, and came through the youth ranks of his local club Northampton Town.
Though he was promoted to the senior team in 1999, the manager who originally put him forward, Ian Atkins, was dismissed and replaced with Kevin Wilson early on in Butcher’s maiden season. The new head coach never picked him, and so the young midfielder left without making a single appearance.
Staying in Northamptonshire, he signed for Brian Talbot’s Rushden and Diamonds, then of the Football Conference, but again, didn’t get a game, and so moved clubs again, this time to Kettering Town of the Southern League.
Finally, he was gifted regular first-team football with the Poppies, who had been relegated from the Conference the season prior, and helped them back into the highest level of non-league football thanks to his 13 goals in 44 appearances, a great tally for a midfielder.
His next move was a year later to fourth-tier Lincoln City, joining up with Keith Alexander’s Imps in November 2002. He helped the club reach three successive play-offs between 2003 and 2005, but sadly, Lincoln weren’t able to make the step up to the Second Division. All in all, Butcher made 104 appearances for the Midlands club, scoring a modest 11 goals in that time.
Despite the Imps not being promoted, Butcher made the step up the leagues anyway, as he signed for third-tier Oldham Athletic. His time with the Latics was mixed, playing the majority of games in the 2005-06 season, but being sent on loan for a month back to Lincoln City, and leaving the Greater Manchester club at the end of the season.
He reunited with Keith Alexander at Peterborough United; again, he played part in most of the team’s games in 2006-07 (43), and again he left after only one season.
Then came his spell with Notts County. Snapped up by Ian McParland at the start of the 2007-08 season, the club had just come off a relatively decent season, finishing in 13th place in League Two and claiming three League Cup scalps in Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Southampton, and were looking to build on this after very nearly going extinct.
As it was, the next two years would prove to be the most testing of the club’s history from a footballing point of view. They survived the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons by the skin of their teeth. However, Butch was a shining light in a pit of darkness. He was a great leader, physical and commanding, knew how to control the game, and helped out in defence.
And on top of all that, he also scored some brilliant goals, and frequently; his tally of 18 goals in 80 games, or roughly a goal every four games, is better than some of the strikers we’ve had at the Lane in recent years. Were it not for him, we may be talking about a club that used to be called Notts County, which was relegated from the Football League and eventually wound up.
It’s a shame that Butcher didn’t stick around for the silly season of Sol, Sven and Schmeichel, but he made the decision to return to his beloved Lincoln in the close season, signing a two-year deal at Sincil Bank. Sadly, as it often had been in his career, changes took place at the club, which destabilised things.
This time round, manager Peter Jackson, who signed him, was replaced by former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton in the hotseat, and the Premier League winner seldom gave Butcher a game. Once again, it was time to up sticks and head off.
Butcher’s final club, his eighth in 11 years, was Macclesfield Town. He signed for the Cheshire club in February 2010. Sadly, tragedy struck the Silkmen and the town when manager Keith Alexander, who had been such an influential figure in Butcher’s life and who had signed him several times, including for his most recent club, suddenly died of a brain aneurysm a month later.
The midfielder signed a two-year deal with Macclesfield in May 2010 after the expiry of his Lincoln contract, joining up with the Silkmen squad as a bona fide permanent player in July.
His final game was on the 3rd January 2011 against Rotherham United.
Just a week later, Richard Butcher passed away at his home in Swinton, Salford. He was 29 years old.
The death shocked the footballing community. Tributes came pouring in from people within the English game, as they were forced to come to terms with a second premature loss in the space of a year.
The next match for Macclesfield Town, an away game at Burton Albion originally scheduled for the 15th January, was postponed in respect to Butcher and Macclesfield Town. Butcher's shirt number, 21, was retired as a mark of respect.
On the 22nd January 2011, at Macclesfield's next home game, a minute's applause was heard before the game and 30 white doves were released, to represent Butcher's 30th birthday.
Family, friends and fans paid tribute to Butcher at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank stadium on the 2nd February 2011. A private service was then held at Lincoln Crematorium service following the thanksgiving service at the stadium.
A coroner's verdict delivered in June 2011 determined Butcher's death to have been caused by the heart condition cardiac arrhythmia. Similar cardiac issues have claimed the lives of a number of professional football players over the years, sometimes on the pitch during a game.
A year on, bronze memorial plaques featuring Butcher and Alexander arm in arm were unveiled at Sincil Bank and Moss Rose.
It’s been seven years this week since Richard Butcher passed away at the age of 29, but he will always be remembered by all who knew him or knew of him, as a Notts County player, as a professional footballer, and as a great person.
Thanks for the memories Butch!
Joe Jones

Football's First Superstar

Here is part 6 in the series 150 years of football. As before there are links to the previous articles for anyone who may have missed them or may wish to read again. For my last birthday William1984 and Harrys_mummy bought me a book entitled Steve Bloomer - The Story of Football's First Superstar by Peter Seddon. Not many people outside Derby will have heard of Steve but members may have seen his name mentioned on the Jimmy and Jack Statue Fund forum page. I had already decided to make Steve the subject of an article so the forum posting gives me an excuse to indulge myself.

I hope readers enjoy this and find it interesting.

This is a fairly long article, so I have highlighted points of interest after the brief introduction, for those who just wish to pick out the main bits, and the statistics are at the bottom with a few extra bits of information.

Unfortunately there is no surviving film or video evidence of Steve Bloomer in action. All we can go by are what his peers said of him and what was written and of course his footballing statistics.

He was 5 foot 8 inch tall and weighed about 11 stone 3 pound with a very pale complexion, being almost sickly looking.

He had a devastatingly accurate cannonball shot with either foot, was very fast and could dribble but preferred quick interchange passing.He had very good ball control and was adept at volleying. He would often appear indifferent to what was happening in a match before suddenly pouncing on a loose ball or making a run into space to receive a pass. He was known as 'The destroying Angel' or 'The incomparable Steve. He was sent off once for retaliation.

He was also known to stand hands on hip and shake his head and give a withering look to any player who failed to take advantage of a pass from him or didn't pass when he was in a good position. This wasn't done with malice but from frustration at other players not being able to do what came naturally to him. He was his own biggest critic and got on very well mostly with other players. He became a national hero and was idolised in Derby.

Here is his story;

Stephen Bloomer was born on Tuesday 20th January 1874 in the village of Cradley, Worcestershire to parents Caleb and Merab(nee Dunn) Bloomer. This was 4 years before the foundation of The Football League, 10 years before the team he was to grace. Derby County was founded and only 10 years after the formation of The Football Association.

Steve's brother Philip, was born in 1875 and his sister Alice was born in 1878.

Steve's father was a 'puddler', an occupation in the production of iron (the name Bloomer also has connections with iron production).

In 1879 the family moved to New Normanton a suburb of Derby where the family shared a house (44 Yates Street) with another couple and their three teenage children. Steve's father used his 'puddling' skills to acquire a job at Ley's foundry which had been established in 1874 by Francis Ley.

Another sister Emma was born in1882 and another brother David in 1884 which necessitated a move across the road to 87 Yates Street.

Steve left school at the age of 12

Another sister Florence May was born on the 29th of May 1887, but just 6 months later Steve's mother died of pleurisy aged only 35.

This was a very difficult time for the Bloomer's but Steve found an outlet in football.

Around this time a lot of Church, pub and works sporting teams were being established and soccer leagues were being formed as football's popularity grew.

Steve spent 2 seasons playing for the 'Saints' who were attached to St Chad's church and aged 13 helped them to the final of the under 15 section of the Derbyshire boys shield.

The match was played at Derby's racecourse ground on the 11th of April 1887 as part of a football festival in front of 2000 paying spectators. His side lost 14-0 to St Luke's Choir but Steve was beginning to be noticed. Later that day Derby County played Dumbarton Athletic, the crowd having grown to 3000.

In 1888 Steve began working with his father and uncle at Ley's foundry as a striker how apt.

This was a fortuitous move as Francis Ley was a keen sports enthusiast who after visiting the U.S.A. in 1889 and seeing how a lot of American companies provided sporting facilities for their workforce's recreation and health decided to copy their idea.

He had sports fields laid out for the use by his own workers, with facilities for cricket and baseball. This became known as Ley's Baseball Ground.

Ley also founded Derby County Baseball Club as he attempted to encourage baseball and Steve became a team member.

The National Baseball League of Great Britain and Ireland was formed in1890 and Derby ran away with the 1st championship. Unfortunately other league clubs objected to the number of professional American players Derby had(3) and although winning 2 further titles Derby resigned from the league eventually disbanding 1898.

Derby County having played at Leys' ground when the Racecourse was unavailable, made it their permanent home from 1885, renaming it The Baseball Ground and played there until 1997 when they moved to Pride Park.

Derby County were by no means the only club establishing themselves in Derby. Another club called Derby Junction who began as Junction Street Sunday School caused a major upset on the 28th of January 1888 by beating Blackburn Rovers, who had already won the FA cup 3 times(1884,5 and 6) 2-1 in a FA cup quarter final. Junction lost the semi final to West Bromwich Albion. The game was played on Derby's arboretum, close to Steve's home, before 4000 spectators.

Another prominent team in the area was Derby Midland, formed from workers at The Derby Midland railway company but it was Derby County who were to become the most successful absorbing the best players from many local teams before being accepted as one of the 12 original members of The Football League.

Young Steve meanwhile at the age of 14, began playing for Derby Swifts, in the Derbyshire Minor League. He spent many hours alone practicing dribbling and shooting and In three seasons, he progressed to the under 17's, playing mostly as a centre forward or on the left wing winning his first medal along the way.

On the 7th of April 1890, with his younger brother Phillip, playing at right half Swifts won the under 15 Shield final. Steve qualified as he was under 15 when the competition began and scored the only goal against the team he had previously lost 14 -0 to 3 years earlier.

Steve was scoring goals regularly now and The Swifts were getting plenty of local press coverage.

In the following season Swifts lost in the senior final to Brampton works after a replay, though young brother Phillip got a win in the under 15's. There was consolation for Steve in the press reports which described him as the best young prospect they had ever seen.

Steve's reputation was such that Derby Midland invited him to try out in their reserve side while at the same time still playing for Swifts. He made his first team debut on the 27th of March 1891.

Derby Midland resigned from the Midland League and were absorbed by Derby County in June1891, who at the same time decided to run a reserve team. They also severed all connections with Derbyshire County Cricket team from where they had been formed. So now Steve Bloomer was a Derby County player, but not professional.

At the beginning of the1891/92 season Steve was offered a professional contract but decide to remain amateur as he wanted to help derby Swifts in that years Shield. He did however play at outside-right for the possibles against the probables, for the first time in a Derby County shirt on the evening of Wednesday 26 August,1891 at only 17 years old.

According to a report, he was pale, thin and ghost like almost ill looking, causing the crowd to laugh when he first turned out and he didn't get a chance to play for the first team again that season and only a few games for the second eleven playing most of his games for the newly formed third team.

Steve was still working with his father and brother at Ley's foundry in early 1892, but after scoring all four goals in a game for the third team against Darley Victoria, a momentous few weeks were about to unfold. On the 18th of April Steve captained the Swifts in the Shield final. They beat the same team that they had lost to the previous season, Bampton 6-0. Younger Brother Phillip also triumphing with the under 15's in the junior shield.

A few days later on the 23rd of April, Steve scored two for the reserves in a 9-0 win over the Sheffield club.

On the 30th of April, due to a fixture pile up, Derby reserves had two games to play on the same day. Both games were at home, one against Notts County Reserves, the other against Grantham and they needed to win both to secure the championship. The only way around this dilemma was to play two separate reserve sides. Steve, had already promised to turn out for Tutbury Hawthorn in a replayed Burton and District Challenge cup final against Gresley Rovers.

As Derby's 3rd team only played 15 games this season Steve, as an amateur free agent, had to search around at times to get games and hadn't anticipated being required by Derby's second team.

Derby county, fearing that Steve may be 'poached', quickly moved and had Steve signed and registered as a Derby County professional on the 26th of April 1892. Steve was 18 years and 97 days old.

Steve still played for Tutbury, scoring 2 goals in a 7-2 win and Derby won both their matches. The Football Association were called upon to arbitrate if Steve was elegible to play, the outcome being that both Tutbury and Gresley were awarded winners medals but Tutbury were stripped of the winners honour.

Steve was again to be involved in further controversy when Burton Wanderers tried to sign him. Steve refused but due to the persistency of the club's secretary, a Mr. Clarke, Steve did sign but the subsequent FA inquiry ruled that the Burton representative had acted improperly, so Steve remained a Derby County Player.

The 1892/3 season was only the Football leagues fifth season and Derby county had to apply (successfully) after finishing 10th out of 12 the first season, followed by finishes of 7th, 11th and again 10th out of, by now, 14 teams.This was also the season when the Football League expanded with a second division and the first division increased to 16 clubs.

Now fate took a hand with Steve. Due to Derby's new secretary failing to register three players with the League in time Steve got his chance with the first team. So on 3rd of September 1892 Steve Bloomer, in his first match as Derby County first teamer, scored two goals at the Victoria Ground against Stoke in a surprise 3- 1 victory.

After helping the reserves to a 4 - 2 win, and scoring,against Heanor town in the following mid week delayed final of the Derbyshire Charity Cup, Steve was selected to make his home debut against the then mighty Preston North End.

Steve's pay was just 7 shillings and 6 pence per week(about £50-£60) but it was round about this time that he gave up his job at Ley's.

In his first season as a Derby County player Steve played in every forward position scoring 11 league goals in 28 games, John Goodall being top scorer with 13.

John Goodall was born in 1863 in London though raised in Scotland and was a great influence on the young Steve Bloomer. He began his football career with Kilmarnock Athletic, moved to English club Great Lever making his debut against Derby County before joining Preston North End(The Invincibles) in 1895 and winning the 'double' with them in 1888/9. In Preston's record 26-0 record cup win he is credited with scoring 16 of the goals. He also played 16 times for England, was a champion at bowls and curling and played cricket for Derbyshire and Hertfordshire. Derby County signed him in May 1889, a real coup for the club, and he left in 1899.

John Goodall's brother Archie Goodall was born in Ireland and brought up with his older brother in Scotland. He also played a few times alongside John for Preston North End before transferring to Aston Villa for £100. In 1889 he was reunited with his brother at Derby County playing mainly at Centre half, making 380 appearances and scoring 48 goals. He represented Ireland playing at centre half or centre forward, becoming the oldest International goalscorer of the 19th century, the oldest ever goal scorer for Ireland and after joining Wolverhampton wanderers he became their oldest ever goalscorer. He also made a club record of 151 consecutive appearances while at Derby County.

John and Archie Goodall were the first brothers to represent different countries at international level.

The Goodall brothers, with Steve Bloomer, formed the backbone of the Derby County side that was challenging for trophies in the 1890's.

Steve suffered his first serious injury, a broken left collar bone playing against Leicester Fosse in a cup game on the 10th of February 1894 but was soon back in action. This season Steve finished as Derby's top scorer with 19 goals in 25 games helping the Rams to their highest finish to date of 3rd.

In 1894/95 Derby County struggled and though Steve only scored 10 goals in 29 league games he once again was the cubs top scorer.

Steve's personal form was however, good enough for him to be selected to play for England. On 9th of March 1895 he made his international debut at the county Ground, Derby against an admittedly weak Ireland with John Goodall also playing.

England won 9-0, with Steve and Goodall getting 2 goals each in front of 10,000 spectators. This was also the first time Steve's father Caleb, had watched Steve play. Caleb up till now had been against Steve playing football for fear of serious injury but became instantly smitten with the game, becoming an ardent follower of Derby County.

At the end of this season Derby were 15th out of 16 in the league and had to take part in play offs, known as test matches(automatic promotion and relegation was introduced later) to decide their league status for the following year.

Derby's first opponents were Notts County, who had finished 2nd in league Two. The match was played at Leicester's ground on the 27th of April 1895. With 7 minutes to go Notts were leading 1-0 but Steve and Johnny McMillan both scored thus preserving Derby's top tier status.

Derby County made the Baseball Ground their home in 1895. On the 14th of September they played Sunderland, who had been champions three times in the previous 4 seasons, winning 2-0, before a crowd of 10,000, Steve scoring both goals.

Steve also scored a hat trick, home and away, against Nottingham Forest this season.

Derby finished the season 4 points behind champions Aston Villa and Steve was injured for 5 of the last 6 matches, but he was still Derby's top scorer with 23 goals in 22 matches.

In September 1898 Derby, and Steve in particular, came in for some criticism due to lack of form. He and another inside forward, Jimmy Stevenson were made to play for the reserves in a friendly and steve scored twice in a 4-1 win over chesterfield town. The following day Steve and Nicholson turned up for training but were reported for their attitude and insubordination resulting in the derby committee suspending them both. The two players responded quite differently. Nicholson returned to Scotland, never to play for Derby again. Steve though had 'clear the air talks' with the committee and apologised. His suspension was also lifted and the little episode soon forgotten but not before several clubs came sniffing with transfer talk. All approaches were rebuffed and Steve ended the season again as Derby's top scorer with 30 goals from a total of 33 games.The 24 he scored in the league made him top scorer in the country. In one game, a 9-0 humiliation of Sheffield Wednesday, he scored 6 times, which is still the individual scoring record at Derby. Some response!

Over this few seasons Derby were one of the very top clubs but always the 'nearly ' team. Over 11 seasons Derby played in 7 FA Cup semi-finals and 3 finals, losing all of them.

During this time Steve was Derby's top scorer for 15 consecutive seasons and also top scorer in the Football league 5 times.

Steve's brother Phillip was also signed by Derby County and made his first team debut an 28th of September 1895, against Sheffield Wednesday. This was to be his only first team game as he died of peritonitis on 5th of may 1896.

On 19th August,1896 Steve married Sarah Walker at St.Thomas's Church. Their first child Hetty Winifred was born 15th February,1898 followed by Violet Pretoria 30th April 1898. A third daughter Doris Alexandra arrived 27th May 1902.

Steve's Father-in-law Bert Walker, ran a boot making business and became Derby's first paid bootman in the 1890's.

Steve's pay gradually increased and he became Derby's highest earner by the turn of the century on between £150 to £260 per year(about £30,000 today). This isn't much when compared with today's high earners but was more than twice what a miner was paid at the time. Being one of the most famous sportsmen of the time Steve was also able to boost his income by endorsing many products.

In February 1906 the unthinkable happened for derby County fans, Steve along with Jack Ratcliffe, a reserve left back, was transferred to Middlesbrough for a total fee of £750. Steve was at this time 32 and England's record goal scorer and the most famous player. The previous season ambitious but struggling Middlesbrough had signed Alf Common from Sunderland with the first £1000 transfer. The FA did not approve of this his amount of money being spent on transfers and set a limit of £350, implied but not implemented until 1908, hence Ratcliffe was a makeweight to come within FA rules.

On his Middlesbrough debut at Liverpool on the 17th of March1906, Steve suffered a 6-1 defeat as Boro continued to struggle. Steve's first goal came in his third match in a 1-1 draw at notts county and scored 5 more in the remaining 6 games while Alf Common scored 8.

Middlesbrough avoided relegation, securing the one point required to stay up, in game against Blackburn Rovers, Steve scoring the goal, and so did Derby who had also struggled. Forest were relegated with Wolves.

The following seasonwithout Steve, Derby were relegated.

In the1906/7 season Steve scored 20 goals in 36 league and cup games(Alf Common scored13 in 31) to become Boro's top scorer, including 4 against Woolwich Arsenal in what was his 7th game in a 15 day period over Christmas. Steve played in both the league fixtures against Derby in their relegation season, scoring in boro's 4-1 home win.

Steve played his last England game this season against Scotland at Newcastle, scoring in a 1-1 draw.

Between this match and his England debut in1895, Steve played a further 21 international games.

Why did the 'incomparable Steve' only play 23 times for England. Simple, in those far off days there was little international opposition. The only official internationals that were played were mostly the 3 home internationals played at the end of the season between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Scotland were the strongest of opposition teams and Steve was known as 'the hammer of the Scots' for his goalscoring exploits against them.

In 1902 Steve captained England against Scotland in Glasgow in what became known as the Ibrox disaster. While the game was in progress a section of a stand collapsed killing 26 people and injuring hundreds more. The game was stopped and the players left the field but officials decided to continue playing as few of the remaining spectators realised the enormity of situation and feared panic if the game was abandoned. Steve had to lead the England players back onto the field past dead and injured fans before the game continued this game doesn't count in records.

Steve also represented the English league 15 times.

The 1907/8 season saw Steve joint top scorer with 12 goals from 35 games as Boro finished in their highest ever position of 6th.

In 1908/9 Steve scored 14 goals in 28 games but missed 9 games due to illness.

1909/10 Steve was second highest scorer with 1 goals, as Middlesbrough struggled again. he played his last game for Boro on the 25th of March 1910 losing to Aston villa 4-2.

The 1911/12 season began but Steve had not re-signed for Boro and his future was uncertain.

On the 24th of September 1910 Steve was brought back to Derby County for a fee of £100. Steve was now 36 years old and Derby were in the second division having finished 6th, 5th and 4th in the previous seasons. Derby were also struggling financially and gates had dropped to below 7000.

On October 1st Steve made his second debut for Derby as captain against Lincoln City, to a hero's welcome with a crowd of over 12000 watching. He scored after 20 minutes and again with a penalty, the rams ending 5-0 winners. This season derby progressed to the quarter final of the FA cup and were front runners in the league. Gates had risen to the 20,000 mark but they ended in 6th place, with steve top scorer again with 24 goals from 32 league and cup games.

After strengthening the defence for the 1911/12 season, Derby secured promotion with a 2-1 win over cup finalists Barnsley and once again steve was the clubs top scorer with18 goals.

The following season,1912/13 Steve scored a hat trick in consecutive home games and 2 just before his 39th birthday ending with a total of 14 goals from 30 appearances and derby finishing 7th in the league.

The 1913/14 season was Steve's last as a first class player. He only played for the first team 6 times, his final league appearance being against Bradford City on the 24th of January 1914, a 0-0 draw. One week later he played his last first team game in a fourth round FA cup tie away at Burnley losing 3-2.

After retiring from playing Steve took up an offer to coach Berlin Britannia Football Club, a British founded club, in Germany arriving there on 14th July 1914. This was not one of Steve's best moves as Britain declared war on Germany 3 weeks later as the first world war escalated. He spent the next 4 years interned in a civilian prison camp called Ruhleben which was a racecourse. Around 4000 men were imprisoned here in very grim conditions but most found an outlet in sport, football and cricket in particular. Whilst interned Steve received the sad news that his second daughter Violet, had died from kidney disease.

In March 1918 Steve being 44 now was released to Holland though his movements were restricted and he did get a coaching position with Blauw Wit, an Amsterdam club. Steve was also in demand to appear in exhibition matches.

Steve eventually returned to Derby on the 22nd of November 1918.

When football returned to normal in the 1919/20 season Steve became player/coach for Derby County reserves, also writing a series for The Derbyshire Football express.

In November,1919, Steve declined an offer to become coach to the Polish Olympic football team.

In January 1920, Steve became a father again,but his daughter Patricia died soon after on the 3rd of February.

After Derby County's relegation in the1920/21 season Steve was installed as first team coach for the following season.

In May 1922 Steve took a summer job coaching in Montreal, Canada.

By the end of the 1923 season Derby County's debts were increasing and for cost cutting reasons, Steve's contract was not renewed.

In October 1923 Steve took the job of coach to Real Union in Spain, helping them win The Copa Del Rey (in effect their championship at the time) on the the 24th of May 1924, beating Real Madrid 1-0.

When his 2 year contract ended Steve returned to Derby in August 1925.

For the next few years Steve continued with his jounalistic duties and was also a 'general assistant' at Derby county, which involved a variety of jobs from 'scouting' to sweeping the stands.

Steve's wife, Sarah died suddenly after a short illness, aged 61 on the 9th of April 1936 and Steve went to live with his Daughter Dorisand her husband Cyril.

Around 1937 Steve's health was beginning to fail, as he began to suffer with bronchitis and asthma. A group of Derby County connected business men donated and raised money to enable Steve to go on a recuperative cruise to Australia and New Zealand.

Steve returned to Derby in March 1938 feeling much better and looking forward to watching the rams again. The day after his return home Steve was again taken ill and three weeks later on the 16th of April 1938, Steve passed away, aged 64.

Later that same afternoon Derby County, wearing black armbands beat Liverpool 4-1 and a minutes silence was observed at many sporting occassions over the next few days. His funeral was held on the 20th of April 1938 at a packed Derby Cathedral. 100 wreaths were sent including from the FA and a lot of rival clubs.

He was laid to rest with his wife and 2 daughters in Derby's Nottingham Road cemetery

Steve played;

474 league games for Derby County scoring 293 goals.

125 league games for Middlesborough scoring 59 goals.

A total of 600 League games(including 1 Test) scoring 352 goals.

He played 50 FA Cup games for Derby County scoring 38 goals

5 FA Cup games for Middlesborough scoring 3 goals.

In total he played 655 games scoring 394 goals.

For England he played 23 times scoring 28 goals.

Steve scored in each of the first 10 games he played for England(19 in total for that period)

He is the only player to score 6 goals in a first class game for Derby County

He scored a club record 18 hat-tricks for Derby County and is the oldest player at 38 years and 261 days to score a hat-trick for Derby.

He was the leading scorer in The Football League 5 times, Derby County's top scorer for 15 consecutive seasons and twice top scorer for Middlesborough..

Derby County's official club anthem, 'Steve Bloomer's watchin' is played before every Rams home game.

There is a memorial to Steve in the centre of Derby, one in Cradley and also a bronze bust statue of Steve at the side of the home dug out at Pride Park created by Andrew Edwards.

Derby County(my team,if you hadn't guessed) have donated a replica Steve Bloomer bust to help raise funds for The Derbyshire, Rutland and Leicester Air Ambulance and The Jimmy And Jack Statue Fund.

I hope I've not bored you all with article, thanks for reading if you've got this far.

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Notts Alumni: Mark Draper

As a football fan, it’s always a pleasure when a born-and-bred local lad is nurtured at your club, before making it to the upper echelons of the game.

It’s all the better when said player supports and loves that team too, and continues to give to the club and the community even after their playing career is over.

Mark Draper fits in this category one hundred per cent.

Born on the 11th November 1970 in Long Eaton, Draper was scouted by the Notts County academy as a youngster and progressed through the system, carving his name as a major talent throughout. During this time, he also studied at Wilsthorpe College in Long Eaton.

On Saturday 17th September 1988, the 17-year-old Draper made his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He signed a professional contract three months later.

He quickly settled into the first team, becoming a regular in the Notts side during the 1988-89 season, and under Neil Warnock, thrived as the Magpies went on to achieve back to back promotions and make it to the hallowed top flight of English football. 1991 in particular was a great season for the midfielder, as he bagged nine goals to help him side reach the promised land.

Once in the top flight, perhaps it was a case of too much too soon for the young prodigy, as he couldn’t prevent Notts from being relegated in a tough First Division season, but in the 1992-93 edition, his 11 league goals helped the Magpies avoid back to back relegations and keep the club in the second tier.

Draper was a great passer of the ball and his forward runs were top class. It would only be a matter of time before the bigger clubs started sniffing around, particularly those who made up the nouveau riche Premier League.

After missing out on the play-offs in 1993-94, nobody could begrudge the talented youngster for wanting to ply his trade in the Premier League, and so he joined Leicester City in the close season for £1.25m – a record fee for the club at the time.

Draper spent the entire 1994–95 season at Filbert Street, playing 39 times in the top flight and scoring five goals, though it was not enough to prevent relegation for a side who were never out of the drop zone after November.

Fortunately for him, his performances for Leicester caught the eye of Aston Villa, who offered him a Premier League reprieve.

For the price of £3.25m, the Villans bagged themselves the talented midfielder, who would go on to star for the Birmingham outfit for the next four years, earning rave reviews and even being considered for the England team.

Sadly, he fell out of favour during the 1999-2000 season, appearing in just one game, and so decided to become one of a miniscule number of Englishmen to play in Spain, hooking up with Rayo Vallecano on loan.

In the close season, Southampton snapped him up for £1.5m, and remained with the Saints for three seasons before calling time on his career at the age of 33.

Draper’s love of football took him to play for several local non-league sides over the years, and in 2009, his love for Notts County led to him taking up a role at Meadow Lane at the club kitman. Just a year later, he told the Nottingham Evening Post: "Notts will always be my club because of the times we had here when I played. I grew up at the club. I was here from nine or ten years old so it's been a big part of my life."

Draper then took up a post with Stoke City Football Club as their Academy coach, and together with fellow ex-footballer David Norton, he runs Draper Norton Football, a football coaching enterprise for children based in Nottingham.

Put simply, Mark Draper is Notts County through and through, and will always be remembered as one of the greatest players to don the black and white stripes.
Joe Jones

Notts County 3 - 0 Bradford City

Well, what better way to start the New Year than with a resounding win and a clean sheet? Notts County did what Arsenal and Aston Villa couldn’t do a year ago, by comprehensively thrashing Bradford City. The Bantams lost 3-0 in front of the Notts faithful, courtesy of goals from Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Callum McGregor and Jack Grealish.

Shaun Derry made just one change from the defeat at Crawley Town – Alan Sheehan’s suspension meant Manny Smith partnered Dean Leacock at centre-back.

The first five minutes were fairly hectic, as JCR had a chance from 20 yards, following some good work alongside McGregor. Just two minutes later, Jason Kennedy struck a shot for Bradford which was saved by Bartosz Bialkowski.

On 12, Smith bravely denied James Hanson a certain goal-scoring opportunity with a defensive header, while two minutes later, Enoch Showunmi’s shot was way off the mark.

Notts old-boy Ricky Ravenhill was then denied by another block not long afterwards.

Eventually, the Magpies took the lead, as a great individual goal from JCR saw the winger cut back inside from the left and firing into the bottom left corner. 1-0 Notts.

That wasn’t it from Notts in the first half – Showunmi very nearly set a great chance up on a plate for McGregor, were it not from an interception by Matthew Bates.

After the break, Notts picked up where they left off, with the front line constantly threatening the Bantams defence.

It wasn’t until the 68th minute that Bart was tested, but as always, the Polish keeper was able to make an acrobatic save to thwart a Gary Jones free kick.

Shortly afterwards, Bart then denied Mark Yeates and Kyel Ried with more brilliant saves.

Notts weren’t to be sucker-punched this time round, as a late flurry saw them turn a narrow scoreline into an emphatic one.

Firstly, Jack Grealish’s great run saw him slice open the Bradford defence, before turning provider and feeding the ball to McGregor. The young Scot made no mistake from the right-hand side of the box.

The young Aston Villa loanee, not content with a great performance and assist, then proceeded to bag himself a goal in injury time, courtesy of some great work by Showunmi.

Just when it seemed that we were down in the doldrums, Notts just won’t give it up. Though still in the bottom four, we’re just three points from safety, and I tell you what, the whole bottom half is as tight as can be – five points separate 21st place from 12th place!
Joe Jones

The origins of Total Football

Pride of Nottingham's has been sent this article written by Northants Pie, we hope you enjoy the read - It highlights the form of total football. The origins of what is commonly known as Total Football always seem to be credited as the beaches of Brazil or the adaptive pitches of the Dutch. This ideal of how to play was executed perfectly by Barcelona; it turned them into an all-conquering European club side and it went further into the Spanish international team but little do people know that this system of play has its roots planted firmly in a former Soviet Republic.

Hungary - Magnificent Magyars

The three creators of the total football idealism were Gusztav Sebes, a Deputy Minister for Sport and the Hungarian national team manager, Bela Guttmann, a former professional footballer and coach who is credited with playing a big part in Eusebio's career, and Marton Bukovi, also a former professional who had the biggest part to play in the development of the total football ideal: he was responsible for the 4-2-4 WM formation, which centered around a deep lying centre forward, whilst he was the coach at MTK Hungaria FC. This centre forward, Nandor Hidegkuti, would display the skill and timing needed to play this role with devastating effect at Wembley on the 25-11-1953, scoring a hat-trick when the Magnificent Magyars became the first team from outside of the home countries and indeed only the second team ever to record a victory at Wembley. The scoreline was a scarcely believable 6 - 3 away win. England were the number 1 ranked team in the world at this time, with such luminaries as Matthews, Mortensen, Merrick, Sewell, Wright, & Ramsey.

A hastily arranged friendly was agreed for 6 months later in Hungary as a warm up for the 1954 World Cup, and on the 23rd May 1954, England turned up expecting to overturn the freak result suffered at Wembley. However, they were suitably dispatched 7-1 in a game which many said could easily have been the biggest international victory of all time, had Hungary not chosen to try and perfect the movement within their radical formation.

This setup included a brilliant defensive midfielder, Jozsef Bozsik, who, with his ability to 'read' the game, started many of the attacks whilst also using his talent to break down a lot of opposing attacks before they got started. Other key players included Gyula Grosics, who is accredited with creating the sweeper keeper role whilst being ahead of his time with his technical ability, Zoltan Czibor, a left winger with electric pace and a fine passer of the ball, Sandor Kocsis, an inside forward (this position would translate to a striker type role today) who holds the record for the highest average goals scored of all players to have made over 43 appearances in FIFA Class-A competition – 75 goals in 68 appearances, an average of 1.1 goals per game. He also holds the record for the highest goals per game ratio at a single World Cup with 2.2 goals per game, and he was the first player to score two hat-tricks in a World Cup. Only Just Fontaine of France has scored more goals in a single World Cup. The final and possibly most critical member of the team was Ferenc Puskas, one of, if not the most talented player ever to grace a football pitch. Puskas scored 86 goals in 85 internationals but is only credited with scoring 84 due to a mistake made by a referee in a friendly match. He scored a scarcely believable 508 in 521 appearances across both the Hungarian league for Budapest Honved (352 in 341 appearances) & the Primera Division for none other than Real Madrid (156 in 180 appearances).

A clue as to how radical and forward thinking this formation and ethos on playing were is that the only team to perfect it since have been Barcelona under Pep Guardiola.

The WM formation, when attacking, has both full backs playing as wingers with a holding central midfielder in front of two centre halves. You then have a centre forward playing behind two inside forwards, the king pin of the formation floating linking everything together at the very spear of the attack.

On Paper it is a 4 - 2 - 4 formation, the real trick though which nobody understood until Pep Guardiola was the movement needed to make this formation work; when they were defending, it became a 4 - 4 - 1 - 1 formation,

As an idea this is how the current Notts team would look playing this way
Hungary’s radical idea led to a 32-game unbeaten run, an Olympic Championship and the 1954 World Cup final where they faced West Germany in the infamous Battle of Bern who, knowing what they were facing, played the game in a cynical and aggressive manner which, at the time, wasn’t seen to be an issue.

Breakdown of the Magnificent Magyars

Throughout this period the political state of Hungary was always volatile but towards the end of the 1950's it was becoming desperate and those that could leave did; indeed, one of the three radical coaches, Bela Guttman organised a trip for his team, Budapest Honved, to South America during 1957; whilst the team flew back at the end of the tour, he didn't, he stayed within Brazil to become the coach of Sao Paulo FC. It was here that he played the infamous 4-2-4 formation which led the Brazilian national side to play this formation at the 1958 World Cup, which they subsequently won. Thus, the story of total football starting in Brazil was born.

The true fonder of the 4-2-4 formation, Marton Bukovi, fled Hungary in the early 1960's to become coach of Olympiakos FC, producing many Greek players who would go on to international acclaim. From there, he went into Dutch youth football, and his ideals are still paying dividends today.
Northants Pie

Crawley Town 1 - 0 Notts County

Just when it seemed that Notts County would turn another corner, comes another poor display of football that sees us pick up no points and leave us in trouble once again. Today’s 1-0 defeat to Crawley Town means we slip once again to the foot of League One. And so we end 2013 at the bottom of the league and, the halfway point passed, fears of us playing next year in the bottom tier of the Football League are becoming more and more founded.

Shaun Derry began the game in a 4-2-3-1 formation, picking striker Enoch Showunmi in place of young Ronan Murray.

Crawley were on the front foot early on, winning two corners in the first minute. Jack Grealish blocked Sergio Torres’ shot, while Alan Sheehan dealt with a Nicky Adams attempt.

In the sixth minute, Notts had the first chance of the game, courtesy of their first corner. Sheehan’s header was cleared off the line by Andy Drury, while a Callum McGregor free kick was met by Morgan Fox, whose volley was wide.

However, Crawley were intent on securing the win. On 12, Jamie Proctor’s mis-hit shot, following a great cross by Adams, let Notts off the hook, while seven minutes later, Mike Jones unleashed a 20-yard shot required Bartosz Bialkowski to make a neat save to his left. Emile Sinclair also weighed in with a low effort.

Notts had a good chance to take the lead a little later on, but Mark Fotheringham’s volley wasn’t hit very well following a good Fox delivery headed on by Showunmi.

Just before the break, Jamal Campbell-Ryce was upended in the Crawley box, but the referee wasn’t interested. At the other end, Bart was beaten by a Sinclair effort, but luckily the shot went wide.

The second half saw Notts begin brightly, but Crawley would take the lead in the 54th minute, a simple goal from a corner which was headed in by defender Mark Connolly.

The rest of the game, save from a good effort by substitute Murray, was all Crawley. Countless shots rained upon the goal, but luckily for Notts, Bart was on absolutely amazing form, keeping the scoreline respectable.

Things would get even worse for the Magpies, as Alan Sheehan was sent off with eleven minutes to go. The full-back was given a second yellow, and so he walked. Yet another Notts game to finish with ten men.

When the game finished, 1-0 was actually a very flattering result, considering how many we could have conceded were it not for our sterling keeper. And much as this is a taboo to mention, with the January transfer window looming, who wouldn’t be looking at a player of Championship, possibly even Premiership standard, playing for a team sitting at the foot of the third tier, and decide to make a bid?

If he does, then our League One status is as good as gone.
Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Crawley Town v Notts County

Notts County have only ever played Crawley Town twice in their history! The first ever fixture between the two was thirteen months ago, on the 10th November 2012. The League One game, played at Meadow Lane, finished 1-1, while the away fixture was a goalless draw.

Crawley Town have been a non-league side for the majority of their history – ten years ago, 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 unlikeable manager (Steve Evans), they were known as “the Manchester United of non-league football”.

Crawley have the smallest stadium in League One; the Broadfield Stadium holds a meagre 5,996 people – nearly 800 fewer than the next smallest, Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium. You could fit just over three and a half Broadfields inside Meadow Lane!

Crawley Town forward Billy Clarke is suspended following his red card in the Boxing Day defeat to MK Dons, but centre-back Kyle McFadzean is available again after serving a one-match ban.

Josh Simpson is expected back following hamstring trouble but fellow midfielder Dannie Bulman is likely to miss out.

Notts will be missing Gary Liddle and possibly Callum Ball, after the duo suffered injuries against Bristol City, while Mustapha Dumbuya is set to face his former club.
Joe Jones

View of our upcoming games

Pride of Nottingham reflections on our upcoming games against Crawley Town, Bradford City, Sheffield United, Peterborough United and Stevenage FC. Notts County’s Boxing Day defeat against Port Vale saw the Magpies’ three-game unbeaten run come to an abrupt end. As 2013 comes to a close, they need to prepare themselves wisely for some pretty big encounters to follow if they are to drag themselves out of the bottom four. After these five games, two of which see Notts face two promotion contenders, things don’t get any easier - Walsall, Preston, Coventry and Wolves.

It's now we should prepare for the great escape and try to gain advantages over the lesser teams in League One.

Crawley Town have the ability to get back into games where they've gone behind; they are a fairly average side, but could potentially threaten. Their season started quite brightly, even though a recent dip in form has seen them fall to 13th place.

Billy Clarke is their highest goal scorer with 7 strikes to his name. They’ve had three players yellow carded four times, but nobody in the squad has been red carded more than once.

In their last four games, they've picked up 4 points. The game against Preston saw them scoring twice to come back from losing positions – 2-2 was the final score. Their game against Bristol Rover (F.A Cup 2nd Round) was postponed due to weather. They then beat current league leaders Leyton Orient 3-2 away from home and lost 2-0 against the MK Dons on Boxing Day.

Bradford City, a team that Notts took the lead against back in late November, is a side with some very young talented footballers. They also started their season quite brightly, although they have now in mid-table; their form of late has seen them slip since occupying the promotion places back in October.

Nahki Wells is their highest goal scorer with 15 to his name, a great start to the season for the 23-year-old. They also contain threats from James Hanson and Kyel Reid who have scored 10 goals between them. Impressively, they haven't picked up any red cards, although Rory McArdle has picked up 5 yellows.

In their last four games they've drawn twice; 1-1 against Oldham Athletic and 1-1 against league leaders Leyton Orient. They narrowly lost against Peterborough 2-1 and to Rotherham United 1-0 on Boxing Day.

Sheffield United, a side nobody needs reminding about, has seen a disappointing 2013/2014 campaign. They’ve spent the season so far flirting with relegation, but continue to show signs that manager Nigel Clough can turn things around. The former Derby boss seems to have introduced a bit of determination to the squad after a disappointing defeat against Gillingham FC.

Their highest goal scorer, Harry Maguire, has a meagre five goals to his name this season, followed closely by Jose Baxter on four. Maguire also joins us with a joint six yellow cards, along with teammate Tony McMahon. Meanwhile, former Notts striker Fabien Brandy is their only player to be sent off.

In their last four games, Sheffield United have picked up five points. They beat Cambridge United 2-0 in the F.A Cup 2nd round, followed by winning Swindon Town 1-0 and then drawing in a goalless game against Stevenage FC. In their last game they drew 1-1 with Oldham Athletic after an early second half equaliser.

Peterborough United, who a fan deemed 'one of the best teams in Europe' earlier in the season with us, modestly contains many key players who could be playing Championship football. They haven't fallen outside of the play-offs all season and have been league leaders a number of times, until a string of four defeats in a row – a reminder it happens to the best of us.

Britt Assombalonga has scored a sensational 17 goals so far, and is Peterborough's highest goal scorer by far - Lee Tomlin, the second-highest, is on seven. Assombalonga, Michael Bostwick and Danny Swanson all have five yellow cards each, while three have each been sent off once.

In their past four games, Peterborough have picked up a total of 4 points. They beat League Two Newport County in the Johnston’s Paint Trophy Southern Semi Final 3-0. They then drew 2-2 against struggling Gillingham FC, with a late 97th minute goal coming from Assombalonga. They then beat Bradford City 2-1 and lost against Coventry City having taken the lead twice, 4-2 the final score.

Stevenage FC are a side whose misfortunes have seen them move clear of the relegation drop after beating Crawley, only to free fall back into the relegation zone. They are a below-average League One team with some very capable players, one of which Notts fans may remember.

Francois Zoko is their highest goal scorer with 10 goals, who signed on a free transfer after we decided he wasn’t up to scratch for the Magpies. Filipe Morais is a close second with 7. Michael Doughty, a player I'm going to punt will be sent off against us, currently has a total of 9 yellow cards to his name this season but surprisingly he hasn't been sent off! However, Lucas Akins and Roarie Deacon have a red card each.

In their past four games, Stevenage FC have picked up 2 points. They lost to Swindon Town in the Johnston’s Paint Trophy Southern Semi Final after an 82 minute equaliser in normal time led to a penalty shoot-out, which they lost 3-1. They then drew to Port Vale 2-2, Sheffield United 0-0 and surprisingly got thrashed by Colchester United 4-0. Perhaps a good sign? Don't get your hopes up, Zoko is no doubt going to score against us; how many times have we seen ex-players turn up to their old hunting ground and have the game of their life?

I see Notts getting six points from these five games. Realistically you could say four, but in football you never know – we might come away with much more.

My key game is against Sheffield United – they're a side I hope we can get something out of and perhaps surprise ourselves. The games against Crawley Town and Stevenage FC are the winnable ones; we cannot slip up.

Let's hope Shaun Derry can inspire our lads to start the near year off brightly, we can do this! COYP!
Chris

Port Vale 2 - 1 Notts County

Notts County could not capitalise and build on their three-game unbeaten run today at Vale Park, as Port Vale defeated the Magpies 2-1. The first half saw the home side dominate the game and take the lead through a disputed penalty by Jennison Myrie-Williams, before Ronan Murray equalised with a great goal on the stroke of half time.

A peculiar refereeing decision on the 79th minute, the second one of the game, saw a second penalty gifted to Port Vale, and converted by Gavin Tomlin, which would prove decisive. Shaun Derry was forced to omit Gary Liddle and Callum Ball from the starving eleven, both having suffered injuries against Bristol City last Saturday.

Mark Fotheringham and Ronan Murray came on in their place, while Mustapha Dumbuya returned just in time to replace Kieron Freeman, recalled by Derby County on Christmas Eve.

Port Vale were on top in the opening stages of the game, Lee Hughes making a nuisance of himself within just a few minutes. In the 6th minute, Carl Dickinson lashed in a great cross which was seized by Bartosz Bialkowski before Hughes could get to it.

The Pole would have to be on his toes again just a few minutes later, as a through ball by Tomlin fell to the ex-Notts striker. Again, the keeper saved before he could get his foot to it.

The first Notts chance fell to Morgan Fox on ten minutes, but his header cleared the bar.

On 24 minutes, a Port Vale ball was judged to have been handled by Andre Boucaud in the box, and a penalty was given to the home side. Williams made no mistake from the spot, giving his side the lead.

After a bit of a lull, the home side would continue to threaten, as Dickinson and Williams came close on several occasions.

Notts had been struggling for the majority of the half, but solace came in the form of Murray on 43 minutes. Isolated and rather ineffective up until that point, he lashed in a shot from the edge of the box which beat Sam Johnson. And so it was 1-1 on the stroke of half time.

The first chance of the second half fell to the home side, as Williams' free kick flew over, but on 52 minutes, a great spell from Notts saw Jamal Campbell-Ryce fire a dangerous cross right across the Vale goal, desperately deflected by a defender and out for a corner. Boucaud's shot from the corner was saved, however.

As the game opened up in the second half, JCR had a good chance saved by Johnson, while Boucaud was once again thwarted by the Vale keeper on 58.

The home side's attempts would get more and more dangerous, but Bart's saves would get better each time too, as he pulled out some majestic stops to thwart Tomlin more than once. Tom Pope also came very close with a left footed strike from the centre of the box.

Sadly, despite the end-to-end action which could have seen the game go either way, another controversial penalty was given against Notts on 79, when Tomlin was judged to have been brought down by Dumbuya. As Hughes and Williams had been substituted, Tomlin took the penalty himself, and made it 2-1.

Notts tried desperately to come back into the game, but by this point, had been ground down by the home side's overly physical nature and refereeing decisions, and so the game would end 2-1.

The result sees the Magpies slip to 23rd on 18 points, level with bottom side Crewe. The Railwaymen, however, have a game in hand.
Joe Jones

Notts Alumni: Luke Rodgers

In theory, footballers will play at clubs which befit their abilities, skills and talents. The top players will obviously turn out for the most lucrative, competitive, highest-profile teams, while average players will wear the shirts of average teams, or play in average leagues.

However, this theory has been confounded many times. Who could have predicted that Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, having just had a great World Cup campaign with Argentina, would end up being signed by struggling Premier League team West Ham United? Likewise with David Beckham opting for LA Galaxy when people felt he would still have cut it for a top team in one of the big European leagues, was a surprise.

Sometimes, however, it works the other way round. Players who may be of a lower league level could be unexpectedly thrust into a top team and end up playing with some of the finest players in the world, much to the surprise of every football follower.

When this happens, it's hard not to root for the guy, particularly when he used to play for your team. This is the story of Luke John Rodgers.

Born in Birmingham on the 1st January 1982, Rodgers began his playing career with Shrewsbury Town, rising through the ranks to break into the first team as a youth player.

He made his debut in 1999 for the Shrews as a 17-year-old, and soon became a fan favourite at the Shropshire club for his commitment, pace, skill in front of goal and personality.

After a bit of acclimatising, Rodgers began hitting goals in the 2000-01 season, when, despite regularly being used as a sub, still managed to score seven goals in 27 appearances.

2001-02 saw the Midlands lad really come into form, as he scored a brilliant 22 goals in 41 games. This continued in 2002-03, Rodgers netting 20 in 47. He also played in arguably Shrewsbury's finest hour, the 2-1 defeat of top-tier Everton, featuring Wayne Rooney, in January 2003.

Sadly, the Shrews were to go down that season, but Rodgers stayed loyal to his first club in the Conference, bagging 15 goals in 41 games and helping the team bounce back into the Football League at the first attempt, beating Aldershot FC in the Play-Off Final.

2004-05 was to be Rodgers's final season with the Shropshire club, as he decided to turn down their offer of a one-year contract extension. In July 2005, despite being linked to SPL team Hibernian, he decided to sign for Championship club Crewe Alexandra.

His time with the Railwaymen was disappointing, as team supremo Dario Gradi seldom picked him. After 18 months, he upped sticks again, linking up with Port Vale. Things were slightly better in Stoke, netting 12 goals in 41 games during the 2007-08 season, but by November 2008, he was being overlooked once again, and two months later, just in time for the January transfer window, he was released from his contract by manager Dean Glover.

A short-term contract with Yeovil Town followed, before Rodgers and Notts County crossed paths. July 2009 saw the forward sign for the Magpies on a two-year deal.

Though he didn't score for the first eight games, he smashed an emphatic hat-trick past local rivals Lincoln City in September. As with his previous clubs, he became a cult hero for his work ethic and pugnacious nature, not to mention his knack for finding the back of the net; his 13 goals helped Notts get promoted to League One at the end of the season.

It was during his time at Notts that Rodgers worked with Hans Backe, who was made first-team manager during the Munto Finance period. Backe resigned after just seven weeks in the post, citing financial irregularities, but was impressed enough with the forward that, upon taking his new post with the New York Red Bulls over in the US, he always had his eye on Rodgers coming along.


Indeed, come the close season, the diminutive striker was set to leave the Football League for the MLS, a move Notts permitted, but difficulties with securing a US work permit stalled his transfer. Nonetheless, the move went through in the January 2011 window, and so Rodgers became a New York Red Bulls player, playing in the same league as the likes of David Beckham and Juan Pablo Angel.

The Red Bulls also boasted a marquee player of their own, none other than the best Premier League striker of all time, Thierry Henry. Rodgers, whose CV consisted of lower league football, would line up alongside him.

Rodgers scored nine goals in 23 games in Major League Soccer but did so much more than just find the back of the net. When he was on the pitch, he pushed back defences with his pace, made the long ball a viable option against cluttered midfields, and gave Henry the space he needed to operate in between the lines.

Put simply, he was indispensable for the New York Red Bulls, and complimented Henry up front perfectly. He became a firm favourite with the fans, and was loved in the dressing room. He won "MLS Player Of The Week" in April 2011 after scoring two goals and setting one up for Henry against the San Jose Earthquakes. He was regularly picked over USA international Juan Agudelo. He went so far as to tell the Stoke Sentinel: "This is the happiest I've ever been in football".

Sadly, the problem with playing in the United States is that work permits are difficult to obtain and just as difficult to renew. As it happened, Rodgers's visa renewal was rejected in March 2012, and he was forced to leave the club and the city where he spent his halcyon days.

Since then, he's played for a number of clubs: Lillestrøm SK in the Norwegian top flight, struggling Portsmouth, a second spell at Shrewsbury Town, Hammarby IF of the Swedish second division, and Forest Green Rovers, before rediscovering his scoring touch at Sutton Coldfield Town, where he still plays.

Now 34 years old and the twilight of his career, Luke Rodgers will always be remembered as a tenacious, feisty character whose work ethic, pace and eye for goal, not to mention his part in getting us out of the bottom tier in 2010, will forever endear him to the Notts faithful.
Do you have any stories or memories of Luke Rodgers? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones

Notts County 1 - 1 Bristol City

Notts County rode out a tempestuous, bad-tempered and badly refereed match to earn a draw against struggling Bristol City. Playing in front of a bumper crowd at Meadow Lane, the Magpies fell behind to a penalty at the end of the first half, awarded under bizarre circumstances and converted by City captain Sam Baldock. However, referee Charles Breakspear, officiating his first Football League match, then gave Notts a penalty at the end of the second half, which Alan Sheehan struck down the middle to make it 1-1.

The game would end this way, though Notts will be sweating on the fitness of Gary Liddle and Callum Ball, who suffered injuries at the hands (and feet) of the overly aggressive opposition.

Manager Shaun Derry named an unchanged first team for the first time since taking charge of Notts. The bench had a few changes, as veteran keeper Kevin Pilkington replaced the injured Fabian Spiess and Haydn Hollis made way for Greg Tempest.

The atmosphere in the ground was electrifying, given the higher than usual turnout and the return to the Lane of Steve Cotterill, our League Two-winning manager.

Notts began the game in lively fashion, though Bristol had the first shot, courtesy of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas's break and, subsequently, Bobby Reid's shot from outside the box on five minutes. Bartosz Bialkowski was right on it, however.

A flurry of activity came on the quarter-hour mark, as the lively Jamal Campbell-Ryce sent a fantastic ball to Ball. The striker couldn't hit it goalwards, but it then fell to Callum McGregor. His effort blocked, the sphere fell again to JCR, whose effort on the right hand side of the box was, however, high and wide.

On the half hour mark, a crunching challenge from Greg Cunningham on Gary Liddle saw the Notts lynchpin crumble to the ground. The referee, amazingly, didn't see fit to punish the Bristol player, as Liddle was forced to make way for Mark Fotheringham.

Cunningham very nearly added insult to injury a minute later, but his header was saved by Bart. The Pole was on hand to keep out a low Baldock shot too.

On 38, Emmanuel-Thomas escaped the offside trap and came close to scoring, but Bart made an excellent save to deny the 15-goal hitman. Kieron Freeman then made a crucial goal line clearance to keep out his follow-up.

The referee then really came into his own when he decided to give a penalty for a minor altercation involding Dean Leacock and Aden Flint. After skipper Baldock converted from six yards, he then booked the Notts defender, much to the ire of the Notts faithful who were getting increasingly incensed with the farce.

The first half didn't actually end until around 4pm, because Callum Ball was then victim of another horrendous tackle, the third in the first half alone by the away team (Jack Grealish was brought down just a few minutes earlier by Louis Carey but was alright). Ball sadly had to be stretchered off after taking a blow to the head, such was the extent of his injury. Ronan Murray came on in his place.

The half time break was an exercise in letting off steam for the majority of the Notts fans, outraged at an absolute fiasco of a first half.

Things didn't get better at the start of the second half, as Bristol carried on their thuggish, aggressive play. On 53, Alan Sheehan's quick free kick saw McGregor curl a shot inches wide. Another penalty call was then waved away as Murray was fouled, the referee judging the tackle in the box not to be worthy of punishment.

On 53, Alan Sheehan's quick free kick saw McGregor curl a shot inches wide. Another penalty call was then waved away as Murray was fouled, the referee judging the tackle in the box not to be worthy of punishment.

A double effort from McGregor just after the hour invigorated the increasingly frantic and agitated Notts fans, the young Scot firing just over, then just wide on 63.

On 68, Bart made another great save against Emmanuel-Thomas, whose right-footed shot from outside the box was saved following a good diagonal ball from Reid.

The fans were eager for Enoch Showunmi to come on, in a bid to give the Bristol defence some grief, and their wish came true as the big frontman came on in the 77th minute.

McGregor then came agonisingly close once again with five minutes to spare, but his shot, following a cheeky backheel from Grealish, was just the wrong side of the bottom left corner.

Notts would earn redemption with just a few minutes to spare, as they were awarded a penalty following an infringement by Marvin Elliott. The celebrations as Sheehan converted to earn his team the draw were pure catharsis.

It could have actually ended perfectly for the Magpies as Showunmi was one-on-one right at the death, but unfortunately his good effort struck the Bristol post and bounced out.

That would prove to be the last action of the game, and perfect though it may have been, the Notts were more than happy to have claimed a rightful point after a game laden with aggression and incompetence.
Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Notts County v Bristol City

Notts County and Bristol City have faced each other a gargantuan 103 times over their history. This is because both clubs have been regularly playing each other since the 1900s. However, tomorrow will be their first league meeting in ten years! Bristol City only just hold the upper edge, having won 41 games to Notts's 39. 23 matches have been drawn.

The city of Bristol is the largest metro area in England never to have won the English top tier championship.

City won the Welsh Cup – despite being an English club – in 1934.

In 1982, Bristol City became the first English club to suffer three consecutive relegations.

Ashton Gate is the only ground in the English football league not to accommodate executive boxes.

Despite their underachievements, Bristol City is supported by some notable celebrities, including John Cleese of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fame, Formula 1 great Jenson Button, and actor Russell Crowe.

Bristol City shares the English football league record for consecutive wins, notching up 14 wins in a row during the 1905-06 season. This record is shared with Arsenal, Manchester United, and Preston North End.

If Bristol defender Louis Carey plays against Notts on Saturday, he will tie with striker John Atyeo, who played for the club in the 50s and 60s, on 645 appearances for the South-West club, the current club record.

Some familiar faces will be returning to Nottingham with the club on Saturday. Steve Cotterill, who helped Notts to the League Two championship in 2010, will be facing his former club, while Marlon Harewood, who played for the other team in the city, will be back on Nottingham soil after having played for a variety of other clubs, including one in China.

Notts County also have no new injury worries and could have striker Danny Haynes available after tonsillitis.

Fellow striker Marcus Haber's loan spell has ended while defender Mustapha Dumbuya could return to action before the new year.

Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill has no new injury concerns, but loanee Stephen McLaughlin has returned to parent club Nottingham Forest after picking up a knee injury.
Joe Jones

PoN's December Round Up!

With the busy Christmas and New Year games schedule on the horizon it is perhaps time to look at the clubs in League One who are at the foot of the table and see who has made any green shoots of recovery and those who are seemingly in freefall. The four clubs who are presently in the dropzone are Bristol City on 15 points, then come Crewe and Notts County on 17 points with Stevenage sitting in 21st spot with 18 points. Then just six clubs are separated by two points and goal difference, with clubs facing four games over the holiday period.

There could be many changes to the league table than at present, on current form Sheffield United and Notts County are the two big clubs amongst the pack who are showing positive signs that after dreadful starts-and changes of management-are getting their acts together and moving in the right direction. Since Nigel Clough took over at Bramall Lane, the Blades have been picking up a steady flow of points and have climbed up to 19th following their 1-0 win over Swindon at the weekend. Notts County, meanwhile, found results hard to come by even when Shaun Derry was given the nod to try his hand in management but Notts last two outings -a 3-1 home success over Gillingham and a superb 4-0 win at Colchester United - has given real hope to the Meadow Lane faithful. I expect both these clubs to climb steadily over the next few weeks.

So who has not been doing very well? Bristol City only relegated in the summer, have had a torrid time with just two league wins in their first 20 games. That really is a poor show from the Ashton Gate men and they can only hope that new manager Steve Cotterill can produce an upturn in their fortunes. Another suprise down at the bottom is Crewe. They have managed four wins but have by the far the worst goal difference than anyone. To be on -25 at this stage is shocking but they are now two games unbeaten so maybe they are on the way up.

Stevenage have only managed one win in their last five. Tranmere have suffered two bad away defeats in a row - 1-4 at Carlisle and 0-5 at Peterborough - so again they need to sort themselves out. A cluster of teams above Sheffield United have a bit of breathing space but by New Year's Day the whole picture could change and so it will be interesting to see how the bottom 10 teams are looking after the next four games.
sadlad

Colchester United 0 - 4 Notts County

Notts County recorded their biggest away win of the season today as they destroyed Colchester United by four goals to nil at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Jack Grealish and Morgan Fox gave the Magpies a healthy lead in the first half, before Callum McGregor and Gary Liddle completed the rout in the second half against the shellshocked U's.

Manager Shaun Derry opted for the 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 used in the win against Gillingham. The only change in personnel was Callum Ball, replacing Danny Haynes in the starting 11.

The first chance of the game came to Liddle in the third minute, after a neat ball teed up by McGregor. His side footed shot was comfortably saved by Sam Walker though.

Colchester got their first chance on five minutes, as Clinton Morrison seized on a loose ball in the centre of the box to fire a low shot, but Bart saved well.

Long throws were the order of the day from the Colchester starting eleven, and one in the eighth minute fell to Alex Gilbey, who powered the ball towards Bart with a header. Again, saved by the Pole.

Fifteen minutes played, Alan Sheehan put his set piece skills to good use as his dangerous free-kick was cleared away, before the Irishman then launched an ambitious 30-yard shot towards goal, which sadly was over.

As the game went on, Notts grew in confidence and asserted themselves into the game, the skilful Grealish getting several shots in and repeatedly breaking through the U's defence with his pace. The occasional flash of Colchester intent was thwarted by the Notts defence or keeper.

Grealish was eventually rewarded for his endeavour and hard work with a goal in the 30th minute. A good low cross from JCR was met by the young Aston Villa loanee, who kept his composure to fire a low shot past Walker into the bottom left corner. First blood to Notts.

Despite the setback, the U's would continue to drive forward and use those long throws to cause chaos in the Notts defence. Gilbey and Jabo Ibehre were able to get several shots in quick succession on 35 minutes in this manner, all wide or saved though.

Notts withstood the brief barrage, but rather than just consolidate the lead, they went on to extend it right on the stroke of half time. A great cross from Ball on the far side fell kindly to Fox, who proceeded to tap it in at the back post.

Half time, and Notts go in with a healthy 2-0 lead.

Colchester kicked off the second half with intent, Craig Eastmond firing a dangerous shot from outside the box, which Bart saved, and Okuonghae picking up the ball in the Notts box but firing high, a great chance gone amiss. This followed a yellow for Liddle, booked for a tough challenge.

Notts continued to play good football despite Colchester's growing presence in the game, JCR and McGregor causing trouble on the hour mark with good runs into the U's half.

Both sides by this point were going for broke, Notts wanting to capitalise on their lead and momentum, Colchester desperately trying to pull one back. The game became a great display of end-to-end football, chances falling to both teams one after the other.

As the tempo went up, so did the intensity of the players, and as such, the frequency of tackles. Eastmond and McGregor were booked in quick succession on 69 and 71.

Grealish very nearly got a second on 79, but his shot, following a Sheehan corner, smashed against the post.

Not to worry, as McGregor would soon get his customary goal as per his sterling performances, finishing a move started by Andre Boucaud by slotting home from the left-hand side past Walker.

Colchester didn't even have time to compose themselves when the Purple Rain came storming down once again on the beleaguered U's, Grealish crossing to Liddle who pretty much walked the ball into the net a mere three minutes later.

And so the game ended, 4-0, the joint-biggest win of the season (alongside the 4-0 win at Crewe a few weeks back). What made this all the sweeter was the fact it was away, it was a second win on the bounce, and it finally sees us come off the foot of the table.
Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Colchester United v Notts County

Notts County have met Colchester United a modest 38 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988. The U's hold the marginal upper edge, having won 14 games to Notts' 16, with 8 draws. All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier.

Colchester United Football Club is a baby in English football club terms, having been born in 1937. However, Colchester Town Football Club, the club's predecessor, was around since 1873, but despite dwindling crowds in the mid-1930s, refused to follow its neighbours Ipswich Town Football Club in turning professional, much to the disapproval of its fans and players.

As a result, Colchester United was formed, with the intention of playing professionally, and thrived while its stubborn neighbour fell into decline and eventually folded.

Colchester United are responsible for one of the FA Cup's greatest ever upsets, when, in February 1971, they defeated the infamous Don Revie's Leeds United, an established top flight side who would finish second that season, by three goals to two. The U's were in the fourth division at the time.

Micky Cook holds the all time club record for appearances with Colchester United, having played nearly 700 games between 1969 and 184! Talk about loyalty!

Notable former players include Titus Bramble, Alec Chamberlain, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Lisbie and Newcastle cult hero Lomana LuaLua.

Colchester have a lot of men out injured or suspended for tomorrow's game. Captain Brian Wilson is suspended after receiving his fifth booking of the season in the 2-1 defeat at Tranmere.

Midfielders David Wright and Marcus Bean are injured and will sit out the game against Notts, as Joe Dunne's side aim to pick up what would only be a third win in 20 games.

Long-term absentees Freddie Sears, Gavin Massey, Sanchez Watt, Josh Thompson and Drey Wright remain sidelined.

Notts County have an unchanged squad for the trip to Colchester. Marcus Haber is still suspended. He will serve the final game of a three-match ban, after being sent off against Bradford at the end of last month.

Meanwhile, Joss Labadie and defender Mustapha Dumbuya are still not quite ready to return from injury.
Joe Jones

Notts Alumni - Les Bradd

Notts County has seen plenty of star players grace the Meadow Lane pitch over the years, from the vintage icons of the early 20th century like Billy Flint through to the ones still professionally active such as Kasper Schmeichel and Alan Judge.
However, one player is in the annals thanks to a prestigious statistic, confirming his status as one of the club's all-time greats for decades to come. That man is Les Bradd, Notts County's all-time leading goalscorer.
Born in Buxton, Derbyshire in 1947, Bradd was scouted by Rotherham playing for local team East Sterndale, and in 1966 signed for the Millers.
His spell with the South Yorkshire club was brief, although he did net his only goal against, ironically, Notts County, in the League Cup in August 1967.
Just two months later, joined the Magpies, and he would soon embark on a career where local hero status would beckon.
His first goal in black and white came in a 2-0 win against Rochdale on the 21st October, one of ten goals he would score during the course of the season.
Powerfully built, bustling and with an eye for goal, Bradd also helped set up goals, his great link up play benefitting Tony Hateley and, later on, Kevin Randall and Mick Vinter.
As he developed his all-round game at Meadow Lane, so did the quality of the whole squad, and by 1971, under the tutelage of the great Jimmy Sirrell, Notts had climbed out of the Fourth Division as champions, nine points in front of runners-up Bournemouth. At this stage, Bradd had scored 39 goals for the Magpies, but more was to come.
The following season, as Notts finished just three points off promotion in the Third Division, Bradd scored an impressive 21 goals, more than the previous two seasons' already decent contributions put together, in addition to three in the FA and League cups, and by 1972/73, Notts went one further and were promoted into Division Two, Bradd scoring nine and helping his team-mates score many more.
Bradd eventually reached the 100-goal mark in April 1976, scoring against Fulham in a 4-0 win, in a season where his contributions also helped Notts knock First Division sides Sunderland, Leeds United and Everton.
If that wasn't enough, he sealed his place in Notts County's highest echelons with a goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers just a year later, surpassing Tony Hateley as the club's all-time leading goalscorer.
At the start of the 1978 season, Bradd's love affair with the Magpies ended, as he left Meadow Lane for Lancashire, joining Stockport County. He continued his spectacular goalscoring record, netting 31 goals in 117 appearances, before moving on once again in 1981, remaining in Lancs as he became a Wigan Athletic player.
His tally of 25 in 63 during his period with the Latics, even helping them gain promotion to the Third Division, will ensure both teams will remember him fondly as a player, but it is Nottingham where Les Bradd is most cherished and revered, given his key role during one of the club's brightest periods, not to mention his record-breaking goals tally.
Bradd is now retired, but carries on doing work for the club as an Ambassador and is incredibly active in this role. Showing how much of a good sport he is, he featured in a Soccer AM special on Saturday 7th December 2013 featuring Mockney character Franky Fryer which showcased Nottingham's attractions, including the mighty Meadow Lane.
With it being 50 years since making his Magpies bow, Bradd has this year released an autobiography named Far Post: A Striker’s Tale of Scoring Goals and Breaking Records.
In this book, Bradd takes an in-depth look at his own career and gives an exclusive insight into his relationship with club legends like Jimmy Sirrel, Tony Hateley and Don Masson, and is available at lesbraddbook.co.uk or at the Meadow Lane club shop.
If ever one man deserved to be called a Notts County legend, Les Bradd would be more than deserving of the title.
Share your memories of Les Bradd's playing career or of meeting the man himself by signing up to Pride of Nottingham, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones

Notts County 3 - 1 Gillingham FC

All in all, a great game for Notts today, as we won convincingly against Gillingham FC, but it certainly didn't look that way in the first 40 or so minutes. A lacklustre, disjointed first-half performance nevertheless managed to yield a goal, courtesy of the frankly unplayable Callum McGregor, while the second half, which began with an equalising Gills goal, was a great display of attacking football in which Jack Grealish and sub Callum Ball, alongside the young Scot, tore the visitors to pieces.

Shaun Derry began the game in a 4-5-1 formation, Morgan Fox getting his first league start at left back. He replaced Manny Smith after the centre-back suffered a knock, as Alan Sheehan moved to the heart of defence alongside skipper Dean Leacock. The back four was completed by reliable Kieron Freeman.

Within the first two minutes, Freeman's free kick fell to Danny Haynes, but he somehow conspired to miss from six yards.

Not long afterwards, former Notts player Myles Weston got a cross in at the other end, but Charlie Lee headed over.

As the foundations were set for a tense and scrappy game, the Gills came within a post's length of taking the lead, Danny Kedwell's header across goal falling to Bradley Dack, whose touch grazed the inside of the post and trickled out.

Quite a few decisions seemed to go against Notts more often than not; midway through the first half, a McGregor shot was handled by Gills' Adam Barrett in the box, but no penalty was given.

After an initial 40 minutes that were an eyesore to Notts fans - some began leaving for the bar as early as 35 - the tactic of getting the ball to the flanks and attempting to cross finally, surprisingly, paid dividends. Jamal Campbell-Ryce managed to get the ball to McGregor, and courtesy of some scrappy pinballing in the box, the young Scot retained the ball and was able to fire into the net. 1-0 Notts.

The second half then began poorly for Notts, and within 90 seconds, were pegged back to 1-1. Dack met a cross from the right at close range and although Bartosz Bialkowski got his hand on the ball, he was unable to prevent it from trickling inside the right-hand post.

However, McGregor, ever the star man, scored an exquisite goal just eight minutes later. He picked up Gary Liddle's ball in front of the Gills goal, but rather than smash it in brutally and thoughtlessly, he weaved into position, made fools out of their defenders, then powered a shot into the net. 2-1, the crowd went wild.

Things would get even better when the ineffective Haynes was replaced by Derby loanee Callum Ball. The rest of the game saw him, McGregor and Grealish completely terrorise the Gillingham defence.

The away side had some good attempts and very nearly pulled it back to 2-2 after Jake Hessenthaler's corner was met by Donervan Daniels, but McGregor only found himself in the right spot at the back to make a stupendous goal-line clearance. Adebayo Akinfenwa had a great chance of his own but Bart was equal to it with an amazing save on 72.

The icing on the cake came courtesy of Grealish on 87. He picked up the ball, weaved past the Gills defence, and finally rifled a fantastic shot into the net, to the sounds of "Shoot! Shoot! SHOOOOT!" coming from the Kop.

The valiant Magpies were able to see out the game, and when the final whistle came, the Notts fans were jubilant. Great performance, great result, and despite still being bottom of the table, we're three points from safety, though we need to see how the games in hand of the teams above us pan out.
Joe Jones

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